The Weight of Two Worlds // Elizabeth Miki Brina's "Speak, Okinawa"

How do our parents shape our identity?

In her beautiful and thought-provoking memoir, Elizabeth Miki Brina, exposes her painful personal history and complicated relationship with her mother. My friend, Nadia, and I discuss the ways Elizabeth seeks to build an understanding of why their relationship was so tense in her adolescence and how she has learned to love the part of herself she was once ashamed of. We also reflect on our own journeys through parenthood and Nadia shares familial anecdotes. Elizabeth also provides an education on Okinawa’s painful history.

Listener discretion advised: this episode includes adult language, discussion about war crimes and violence

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Link to this episode’s book:
Speak, Okinawa by Elizabeth Miki Brina

Show Links:
Maggie Estep performing “Happy”
Big Poppa E performing “There’s a Hole in My Heart”
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Derk Kolk
The Story of Sadako Sasaki

Transcripts are available through apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know. 

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Theme song by Devin Kennedy

Special thanks to my dear friend, Nadia. Your thoughtful, curious, and compassionate approach to life and motherhood is inspiring!

Xx, Alex