Episode #190: Messy Roots, Queer Identity, The Beauty of Wuhan, and Writing a Graphic Memoir While Traveling the World with Laura Gao

Episode Summary

Laura Gao takes us on her journey growing up in Wuhan, China, immigrating to the U.S. as a kid, and winding up in a small conservative town in Texas.  She opens up about navigating racism and homophobia while coming of age and trying to fit in.  Laura then talks about her college experience where she was able to explore both the nuances of her Chinese-American identity as well as her gender and sexual identity, and shares her experience coming out as queer.  She also talks about the role of basketball in her life, including playing pick-up hoops in Wuhan.  Laura then talks about the role of art in her life, and explains the important role it played throughout.  Next, she shares her experience as a Wuhanese-American living in San Francisco during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising racism and violence against Asian-Americans, and the rampant misinformation about her hometown, Wuhan, in the media.  Laura explains how she was inspired to write a web comic called “The Wuhan I know” that went viral, and led to the book deal for her best-selling graphic memoir “Messy Roots”.  She talks about her creative process, how her art and writing were impacted by her world travels, and reflects on some of her highlights and personal growth from spending time in Taiwan and Portugal.  FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com

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Laura Gao

Laura Gao is a queer artist, author, bread lover and world traveler. Originally from Wuhan, China, Laura immigrated to a small town in Texas when she was four and began her art career by doodling on Pokémon cards, and later being featured in the Museum of Chinese in America, NPR and other major platforms.  In April 2020, in response to anti-Asian racism and rampant misinformation about Wuhan, Laura published a webcomic, “The Wuhan I Know”, on Twitter, where it received instant virality and attracted attention from several book publishers. The comic inspired her debut graphic memoir, MESSY ROOTS, which was published in March 2022 with HarperCollins and became an instant Indie Bestseller, garnering critical acclaim from  Publishers Weekly and many other outlets.

What You'll Learn
  • Top Reasons to Spend time in Wuhan, China
  • Tips on Navigating Immigrant and Queer Identity Dynamics
  • The Impact of World Travel on Writing, Art and the Creative Process
Links From the Episode

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GET LAURA’S GRAPHIC MEMOIR “MESSY ROOTS”:

#1 BOOK THAT LAURA RECOMMENDS

#1 PERSON WITH WHOM LAURA MOST WANTS TO HAVE DINNER

TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

TOP 3 BUCKET LIST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE

UNIVERSITY LAURA ATTENDED

OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONNECT WITH LAURA

Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[3:47] Laura Shares What She Loves About Her Hometown Wuhan, China

[6:47] Growing Up in Wuhan and Immigrating to the U.S. as a Kid

[10:02] Gravitating Towards Art, Comics and Graphics Novels

[11:13] Navigating Middle School and High School in a Conservative Texas Town

[13:08] Exploring the Nuances and Complexities of Her Chinese-American Identity in College

[18:14] Exploring her Gender and Sexual Identity and Coming Out as Queer in College

[22:31] The Role of Basketball in Laura’s Life

[27:03] The Impact of Laura’s Trips Back to Wuhan

[29:52] Laura’s Experience as a Wuhanese-American During the COVID-19 Pandemic

[33:07] Creating the Web Comic “The Wuhan I Know”

[35:26] Laura’s Experience in Taiwan

[39:03] Laura’s Experience in Portugal

[42:52] The Impact Travel Has Had on Laura

[44:12] Laura’s Concept of “Home”

[45:16] Laura’s Creative Process and the Impact of Travel

[46:59] The Feedback Laura Has Gotten from Her Readers and Fans

[50:38] How to Get Laura’s Book

[51:37] The Lightning Round

[59:19] How to Follow and Connect with Laura