Read the whole article here: https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/the-red-room-podcast-launches-as-immersive-audio-thriller/
PODCASTING TODAY: The Red Room podcast launches as immersive audio thriller
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The Red Room: My New Narrative Podcast Is Here
Today, I’m excited to announce the launch of The Red Room, a new 10-episode narrative audio thriller I’ve been developing with my creative partner, Milton Liu.
The Red Room begins with an impossible 911 call and spirals into a mystery involving a missing teenager, a true-crime investigation, disturbing secrets, and a mystery that challenges our understanding of memory and time.
What if a memory didn’t belong to you? What if you could remember something that hasn’t happened yet? And what if the past, present, and future weren’t as separate as we believe?
These questions are at the heart of The Red Room. Milton and I have put a tremendous amount of work into bringing this story to life, building a world designed to unfold through sound and draw listeners deeper into its central mystery.
I’m also incredibly grateful to Voyage Media for helping us bring this project into the world. Collaborations like this make it possible to take an idea and turn it into an immersive audio experience that audiences can discover and enjoy.
Listen to The Red Room
The Red Room is available now on Apple Podcasts.
If you listen, I’d love your support. Please subscribe, leave a rating, and write a review. Reviews help new podcasts find their audience, and every bit of support makes a difference.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Milton and me along the way. We’re excited to finally share The Red Room with you, and we hope you’ll join us for the mystery.
The Red Room is out now. Listen if you dare.
S3E09: Costumes and Consequences: Who Gets to Wear What?
Every October, the leaves start falling, pumpkin spice hits the menus, and the internet gears up for the exact same annual screaming match: what is harmless fun, and what is straight-up cultural appropriation?
In this special guest-free Halloween episode, co-hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle MaliZaki bypass the tired internet finger-wagging to unpack the real cultural divide at the heart of this debate. Why do locals in Japan often love seeing tourists in kimono, while Asian Americans cringe when they see a polyester “geisha” robe at an American frat party?
Koji and Michelle conduct an autopsy on the classic aisles of Spirit Halloween—from funeral collars and kabuki stagehands to inflatable sumo suits—before stepping up as judge and jury in the Japanese America Court of Appeals to rule on anime cosplay, the Boston MFA “Kimono Wednesdays,” and 2000s pop stars. Plus: a simple, three-point litmus test to keep your Halloween costume fun, respectful, and off call-out threads.
Follow & Support Us
Enjoyed the episode! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell a friend!
CREDITS
The music was created by Jalen Blank
Written by Koji Steven Sakai
Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited by Koji Steven Sakai
Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum
Comedy InvAsian 3 is out!
Season 6, Episode 5: Is Los Angeles Hiding a Species of Subterranean Reptiles?
Are there 5,000-year-old subterranean catacombs winding beneath the streets of Downtown Los Angeles—and was it built by a hyper-intellectual race of Lizard People?
In honor of National Lizard Day, Kat, Duane, and Koji keep it in-house to dig into one of LA’s most persistent, bizarre, and infamous underground urban legends. We trace the story back to 1933, when a mining engineer named George Warren Shufelt claimed his “radio X-ray” mapped out a 1,900-foot lizard-shaped network of tunnels hiding ancient treasure and reptilian history beneath Fort Moore Hill.
Plus, the crew breaks down how to spot a billionaire lizard in the wild, debate whether ugly people built secret underground communities, and tackle a wild Cryptid Speed Round featuring the Dog Woman of Watts, Ohio’s spark-wielding Loveland Frogman, and a green-skinned Christmas Werewolf stalking Griffith Park!
In this episode, we cover:
- Billionaire Lizard Detection: How to spot a cold-blooded tech mogul by their glitching habits, yacht sunbathing, and awkward social cues.
- The 1934 Dig: George Warren Shufelt’s Hopi legend claims, his radio X-ray device, and the LA Times front-page story that started it all.
- The Theories: Was it an underground haven for the “aesthetically challenged,” a non-union secret Hollywood movie set, or a Japanese sleeper cell incubating Godzilla before WWII?
- Cryptid Speed Round: Real or ridiculous? We review LA’s local 1961 quadruped monster, Ohio’s wizard toad, and a bizarre Griffith Park Christmas spectacle.
🎧 Listen, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to keep the truth unburied!
Reference Links & Episode Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70195/when-la-thought-it-had-secret-underground-reptilian-city
https://www.latimes.com/la-sh-lizard-people-throwback-thursday-20140123-story.html
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/exploration-mysteries-lizard-city-beneath-232013711.html
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-22-me-26700-story.html
https://www.pbssocal.org/socal-focus/lost-the-golden-hoard-of-l-a-s-lizard-people
https://documents.latimes.com/jan-29-1934-lizard-people
ABOUT US
What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening.
Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w
CREDITS
The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.
Written by Noah Trevarthen
Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai
S3E7: Kidnapped from Peru – The Naganuma Story & the Fight for JLA Redress
Welcome back to Japanese America! In Season 3, Episode 7, we step directly into one of the most monumental, legally complex, and deeply emotional chapters in our community’s history: the fight for Japanese American Redress.
While most people think of Redress in terms of the landmark Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and the 120,000 Japanese Americans forced into domestic concentration camps, there is a massive parallel story of international kidnapping and legal limbo that took decades to bring to light. In this episode, we explore the extraordinary narrative of Japanese Latin American (JLA) deportees.
Through the rare, deeply personal oral histories of the three Naganuma Brothers—Jimmy, George Kazuharu, and Kazumu Julio Cesar—we trace a family’s journey from a thriving life in Callao, Peru, to being abducted by the U.S. military, fumigated with DDT upon arrival in New Orleans, and incarcerated at the Department of Justice internment camp in Crystal City, Texas.
We examine their multi-decade battle for basic legal status after being classified as “illegal entrants,” and highlight the fierce advocacy of their sister Kiyo, whose bold confrontation with U.S. officials made her siblings some of the few Japanese Peruvians to receive the full $20,000 Redress settlement. Koji also shares his own personal connection to Crystal City, where his family was incarcerated after his grandfather gave up his citizenship, illustrating the diverse and irony-filled nature of that camp
Links & Resources Mentioned
Discover Nikkei & Densho Partnership: Listen to the full oral histories and read the complete transcripts for:
George Naganuma: https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/928/
Jimmy Naganuma: https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/927/
Kazumu Julio Cesar Naganuma: https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/929/
Learn More: Visit the Japanese American National Museum (JANM.org) for exhibitions, history, and community resources.
Follow & Support Us
Enjoyed the episode! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell a friend!
CREDITS
The music was created by Jalen Blank
Written by Koji Steven Sakai
Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited by Koji Steven Sakai
Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum
Season 6, Episode 4: Are Pandas Just Costumed Dudes in Disguise? (with John Campanelli)
Are giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) a marvel of natural selection, or are they just highly paid actors sweating it out inside heavy plush suits to fuel a multi-million dollar international conservation scam?
This week, the crew dives deep into the bizarre biology of the world’s favorite lazy carnivore. From their evolutionary choice to eat toxic grass all day to their infamous need for mood lighting and performance drugs just to keep the species going, the math simply isn’t checking out. To help us unmask the truth, standout stand-up comedian John Campanelli joins the desk to break down the evidence, pitch his own wild theories, and reveal which modern historical figures might actually be a complete fabrication.
⚠️ A QUICK PRODUCTION NOTE FROM THE TEAM:
We want to sincerely apologize for the audio quality on this week’s episode. Koji completely messed up the recording settings in the home studio before we pressed track. He knows it sounds a little rough, he feels terrible about it, and he solemnly promises to do better next time. Thank you for bearing with us!
In this episode, we cover:
- The Animatronic Zoo Opener: Why we think alligators and koalas are operating on mechanical gyroscopes.
- The Incompetence Evolution: How pandas weaponized pretty privilege to force humans into taking care of them.
- The Taiwan Bear Scandal: That real-life 1980s incident where a zoo painted a sun bear black and white.
- The Modern Fabrication List: Why the crew suspects Banksy, Leonardo da Vinci, and a certain tech billionaire are entirely fake or alien vessels.
🎧 Listen, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star review to keep us ahead of the algorithm (and help fund Koji’s future audio engineering lessons)!
About the Guest:
John Campanelli’s debut album Nervous led LAFT Magazine to call him “A comedian for the people,” while his second release, New Phone, Who Is This?, hit #1 for New Comedy Releases. He has toured with Dane Cook, recently played Radio City Music Hall on Matt Rife’s ProbleMATTic World Tour, and appeared in Esther Povitsky’s Comedy Central special Hot For My Name and feature film Drug Store June. His television and media credits include Comics Unleashed, Gotham Comedy Live, and Adult Swim. A major staple of the Los Angeles scene, John ran long-running shows at The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory, and currently holds residencies at the Hollywood Improv and Flappers.
Reference Links & Episode Sources:
https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/from-tiktok-to-southern-charm-people-think-pandas-arent-real
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/tiktok-conspiracy-theory-pandas-arent-real-1372164
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_panda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tainan_fake_panda_incident
https://www.britannica.com/animal/giant-panda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_(Chinese_zoology)#Erya
ABOUT US
What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening.
Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w
CREDITS
The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.
Written by Harry Xiong
Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai
S6E3: Bill Gates, Skynet Farms, and the Black Market Ribeye
Fire up the grills, grab a cold drink, and prep your tinfoil hats, because summer grilling season is officially here! This month, Cat, Dwayne, and Koji tackle a heavy-hitting question that’s been sizzling all over the internet: Does Bill Gates want to destroy the cattle industry?
To help us slice through the meat of this massive tech-agriculture conspiracy, we welcome international stand-up comedian and former comedy-wrestler Eric Escobar (Hulu’s Comedy InvAsian, CBS’s Comics Unleashed). Together, the crew dissects Bill Gates’ massive 270,000-acre American farmland monopoly and his public push for 100% synthetic beef. Is he trying to save the planet from bovine methane emissions, or is he hoarding land to create a vertical monopoly that will relegate real steak to a 1% black market luxury item?
Plus, we break down the May 8, 2026 UFO Disclosure and the government’s brand new public database at war.gov/ufo. We wrap things up with a high-stakes round of “Yay or Nay” featuring 5 outrageous food conspiracies involving insect fragments in your smoothies, fake honey, and the terrifying truth behind natural vanilla flavoring.
About the Guest:
Eric Escobar is a premier international stand-up comedian performing at clubs, colleges, and theaters across the globe. Catch him on Season 3 of Comedy InvAsian on Hulu, or look out for him on tour this year across Alaska, the Midwest, and the Northwest. Follow him on socials at @EricEscobar (with a K!).
Promos & Upcoming Live Shows:
- Cat Alvarado: Catch Cat live in North Carolina (Durham area) on June 25th–28th! Follow her at @CatAlvaradoComedy for details and tickets to her special taping in Portland on July 24th.
- Dwayne: Catch Dwayne live in Arizona on August 21st & 22nd. Head over to his website for complete venue and ticket information.
- Un-History Podcast: Don’t wait—find Koji’s new audio project Un-History on your favorite platform right now, hit listen, and hit download!
🔔 STAY UNOFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: If you loved this episode, please share, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Reference Links & Episode Sources:
- Official UAP Database: war.gov/ufo
- Farmland Ownership Data: The Land Report — Bill Gates Portfolio
- Synthetic Meat Advocacy: Bill Gates: Wealthy Nations Should Move to 100% Synthetic Beef
- Food Conspiracy Deep-Dive: The Truth Behind Cochineal Beetles & Red Dye
ABOUT US
What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening.
Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w
CREDITS
The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.
Written by Koji Steve Sakai
Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai
UNHISTORY Episode 04: The Great Soul’s Shadow
In this episode of Un-History, host Koji Steven Sakai pulls the ultimate architect of non-violent resistance, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, into his South Pasadena garage via the “Dead Air” machine. While Gandhi’s pristine global image has long been synonymous with peace, humility, and moral perfection, Koji digs past the carefully curated branding to audit the messy receipts of his private scripts.
Through an intense historical cross-examination, the episode unpacks the disturbing psychological pressure of Gandhi’s “Brahmacharya” celibacy experiments on his teenage grandnieces, his deeply problematic racial writings and anti-Black campaigns during his early days in South Africa, and the severe double standards of his strict spiritual ideals—including denying his dying wife life-saving penicillin while accepting Western medical treatments for himself. From total micromanagement of his followers’ private desires to his calculated media mastery, this audit reveals the staggering human cost behind a beautifully edited legacy.
S3E5: Kouraku and the Taste of Home — Feeding a Community
Welcome back to Japanese America! In this episode, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki take the podcast on location to Second Street in the heart of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, to record inside a true culinary and cultural landmark: Kouraku.
Originally opened in 1976, Kouraku was recently honored by the City of Los Angeles with an official street sign certifying it as America’s oldest operating ramen shop. To celebrate this incredible 50-year milestone, Koji and Michelle sit down with the restaurant’s new owner, Mamoru Tokuda-san, who stepped in to take over the reins in January 2023.
Mamoru-san shares the deeply moving story of how he transitioned from a restaurant career to volunteering at Kouraku during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually stepping up to preserve the space after the tragic passing of the previous owner, Hiroshi Yamauchi. We also look at the historical roots of Showa-era machi-chuka (Japanese-Chinese comfort food) and why its gentle, balanced flavors have sustained families across four generations.
Note: For this episode, Koji reads the English translations of the interview so everyone can follow along with the history. However, we will also be releasing a separate, uncut companion episode featuring Mamoru-san’s interview entirely in his own words in Japanese.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Magic of Showa-Era Nostalgia: Michelle explains why old-school Showa-era aesthetic is suddenly “cool” again and how Kouraku’s vintage vibe instantly transports her back to her childhood in Japan.
- Preserving a 50-Year Legacy: How Mamoru-san balanced the pressure of taking over a historic business with the inspiration he drew from Kouraku’s long-term staff—many of whom have dedicated 20 to 30 years to the kitchen.
- The Science of Machi-Chuka Flavors: The culinary reason Kouraku’s stock is kept balanced and gentle, utilizing a chashu-infused soy sauce base rather than the overwhelming flavors of modern specialty shops.
- High-Tech Meets History: The introduction of Luna-chan, Kouraku’s famous cat-themed delivery robot, and how it coexists with an irreplaceable, historic 1980s neon signboard that modern makers can no longer replicate.
- Food as a Cultural Time Machine: Koji and Michelle share their ultimate childhood comfort foods. Michelle reflects on making homemade gyoza with her mother, while Koji opens up about his lifelong obsession with curry rice, sharing a poignant memory of how his father’s experiences in the WWII incarceration camps shaped his relationship with the dish.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
- Visit the Restaurant: Kouraku, Little Tokyo (Los Angeles, CA)
- Learn more about Japanese American history: janm.org
