Americans of Vietnamese descent
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Beyond the Page: The Best of the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference
In this episode – recorded live at the 2025 Writers Conference – I have an intimate conversation, in front of 1500 people, with the novelist and poet Ocean Vuong. When he was two years old, in 1990, Ocean immigrated with his family from Vietnam. They settled in East Hartford, CT, seven relatives sharing a one-bedroom apartment. His mother worked at a nail salon. When Ocean learned to read at 11, he became the first literate member of his family. Then he became the first to attend college, eventually earning an MFA in writing from NYU. In 2016, he published his debut poetry collection, “Night Sky with Exit Wounds,” which drew immediate attention and acclaim. In 2019, his first autobiographical novel, “On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous,” written in the form of letters from a Vietnamese American son to his mother, became a bestseller and led to his being awarded a MacArthur Genius grant. By every outward sign, he had seemingly achieved the American Dream as a writer. Then his mother, who'd never been able to read his books, died of cancer. Another celebrated poetry collection, “Time is a Mother,” followed. And now we have Ocean's magnificent second novel, “The Emperor of Gladness.” Photo credit – Tom Hines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Networks of bots - automated social media accounts - have been found to be targeting European elections including, in the last year, those in Moldova, Poland and Germany. But could their real intention be to tie up news organisations with fact-checking? Damien Sharkov from BBC Monitoring has been looking at how they operate. Earlier this year, news reports circulated online that a Vietnamese-American scientist called Anh Duong had a hand in creating the bombs used by America in its June airstrikes on Iran. Those reports turned out to be untrue, but Thuong Le from BBC Vietnamese has the real story of the chemical engineer known as 'the Bomb Lady.'In India, pigeons are a much-loved part of city life for many, but a health risk for some.Sumedha Pal has the story. Presenter: Faranak Amidi Producers: Laura Thomas and Caroline FergusonPhoto: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich
Film screening and Q&A with director Naja Pham Lockwood and panelists; building community and healing through food with Bay Area Vietnamese chefs and restaurateurs. Join us for a film screening of On Healing Land, Birds Perch, a documentary by Naja Pham Lockwood, a Vietnamese-born filmmaker, which explores the continuing aftershocks of the Vietnam War from the perspectives of both sides of the war: North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese, including Vietnamese Americans alive today. The story is told through the iconic Pulitzer-Prize-winning photo by Associated Press photojournalist Eddie Adams of South Vietnamese General Loan executing Viet Cong Captain Lem two days after the 1968 Tet Offensive. Interviewees include the daughter of General Loan, the children of Captain Lem, and the son of the family who was allegedly killed by Captain Lem and his men. All share the intense emotions this photo continues to elicit and the impact it has had on their lives. The interviewees hold widely differing views, but the film poignantly portrays what they all have in common: the lasting trauma from the war. The Commonwealth Club of California is a nonprofit public forum; we welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our programming. A Humanities Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs. This program contains EXPLICIT language. Organizer: George Hammond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to a new episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. This is the recording of our second live public event, which recently took place in London. Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino are joined on stage by special guest Ocean Vuong, Vietnamese American poet, essayist, and novelist. Their conversation explores the themes of joy, togetherness, and cultivating courage in the face of hardship and suffering; the role of language, narrative, and technology in shaping modern experiences of suffering and joy; intergenerational trauma; and more. All three share personal experiences and insights about finding meaning and community amidst individual and collective challenges. Ocean recollects the way that, growing up in a community impacted by the opioid crisis, Buddhism and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh provided solace and a path to understanding suffering, while Brother Phap Huu reflects on his journey to become a Zen Buddhist monk, and the role of kindness, fearlessness, and vulnerability in his practice. The discussion culminates with a chant offered by Ocean as a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Ocean Vuong https://www.oceanvuong.com Being with Busyness: Zen Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnouthttps://www.parallax.org/product/being-with-busyness/ Calm in the Storm: Zen Ways to Cultivate Stability in an Anxious Worldhttps://www.parallax.org/product/calm-in-the-storm/ Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing W. S. Merwinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._S._Merwin Harry Beecher Stowehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Beecher_Stowe Tom Brokawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brokaw Duḥkhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Du%E1%B8%A5kha Ford Model Thttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T The Dhammapadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhammapada Anaphorahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphora_(rhetoric) Schadenfreudehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude ‘Bright Morning Star'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Morning_Star ‘The Five Earth Touchings'https://plumvillage.org/key-practice-texts/the-five-earth-touchings Quotes “When drinking water, remember the source.” “On the last day of the world / I would want to plant a tree / what for / not for the fruit […] / I want the tree that stands / in the earth for the first time / with the sun already / going down” – from ‘Place' by W.S. Merwin. “Being a Vietnamese person in the diaspora, for many of us, the temple or the church or what have you is the place where we hear Vietnamese at the longest unbroken duration. Whereas someone native to Vietnam would hear it all the time. So, to this day, the Vietnamese language, to me, elicits this collective desire to heal and understand suffering. And it’s very specific to the immigrant. It’s what I call a third culture: there’s nothing like it in the homeland; there’s nothing like it in the assimilated American ethos. But there’s this special place that displacement and violence created.” “In Plum Village, when I first entered, I was 13 years old, and I touched a kind of kindness that I’d never touched before. And I asked myself whether I could be a kind person. I think I’m good; I think I’m going to have a career of offering smiles.” “I invite us, as a collective, to invoke this peace that we can bring in our hearts and into the world at this moment. Body, speech, and mind in perfect oneness. I send my heart along with the sound of this bell. May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness and transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow.” “Just a smile can save someone’s life.” “Technology was supposed to bring us together. This is the promise of the Enlightenment. But it’s interesting that all technological movements or renaissances are controlled by the wealthy and the elites. So what I’m interested in, as a writer, as a teacher, is that so much of our world is about material resources and narrative. And this is why I tell my students, ‘They shame you for being a poet, for being a writer: “Oh, you’re doing this liberal arts, naval-gazing, decadent thing, dreaming”' – but the politicians and the elites are poets too. The greatest political speech is the anaphora. Walt Whitman used it as a catalog, but you hear it: ‘We will heal the working class, we will heal the great divide, I will solve, we will heal this country’s heart, we will heal the middle class.' And that's why the anaphora is so useful: because it doesn’t have to explain itself.” “All those in power are also poets. They’re manipulating meaning, but for votes, for profit, for power, towards fascism. And no wonder the system is designed to make you ashamed to be an artist. It’s so interesting, isn’t it, that, in the art world, we’re often asked to be humble, to be grateful for a seat at the table; to perform humility. And I think humility is good; as a Buddhist, I believe in it, but there is a discrepancy here: we never tell people on Wall Street to be humble. You never hear someone say, ‘You know what, we killed it last quarter, so let’s tone it down and be grateful that we have a seat at the economic table.'” “Kindness is more difficult now than ever because I think kindness is something that is deeply dependent on our proximity to suffering. It’s harder for us to comprehend suffering, now. Schadenfreude is in our hands and it’s always easier to see. We’ve normalized suffering so much that we’ve been disassociated from it.” “We speak about inclusiveness and equanimity in Buddhism, but we’re not equal. Some of us are born in places where we have more privileges: in a particular race, in a particular situation, in a particular year. But what is equal is, as human beings, we’re all going to grow old, we’re all going to get sick, we’re all going to have to let go of what we think is permanent. And we’re going to learn to live deeply in the present moment.” “Sadness becomes not just a feeling, but knowledge. So think about sadness as knowledge, as potential, and that anger even has an aftermath. And you realize that the aftermath of anger is care.” “The big trouble with masculinity is that we are not given the ability or the permission to feel and be vulnerable – but we are encouraged to have absolute agency. It’s incredible. It’s a perfect storm of violence: ‘Don’t feel, don’t interrogate, and don’t be vulnerable. But, meanwhile, go get ‘em, buddy.'” “Under our greatest fear is our greatest strength.” “Camus says that writing itself is optimism, because it’s suffering shared. Even if you write about the darkest things, it is optimistic because someone else will recognize it. And recognition is a democratic ideal, because it means that one feeling could then be taken and collaborated with.” “It’s really hard to convince people to go to war, historically. You need a lot of text, you need a lot of airwaves, you need a lot of speeches to convince people to go to war – but it's very easy to convince people to stop war. Very easy for people to stop armament. Difficult for folks who are in control to keep it up, but if you ask the general population, ‘Do you want peace?', it’s quick. So that gives me a little hope.” “In fast food is a kind of sinister beauty, because it’s an industrialized promise of absolute replication of fulfillment – and yet it’s a kind of poison as well. It’s like the ultimate democratic ideal, sadly: we can’t have equality, income equality, or healthcare, but we can all eat McDonald’s French fries, and, whether you’re a billionaire or a houseless person, it will taste the same. Likewise with Coca-Cola, etc. In a way it’s the sinister capaciousness of the American dream: you can all feel the same thing while you’re all slowly dying.”
Author Jamie Jo Hoang has written a pair of companion books, My Father the Panda Killer and My Mother the Mermaid Chaser. They explore the Vietnamese American experience through the eyes of American-born teenagers and their refugee parents. They are fictional, but history "adjacent" for many children of immigrants. Also joining me on this episode is returning guest, licensed clinical social worker, Allison Ly, who came on episode #129 last year. I had a feeling Allison would love these books, and I was right! Get Jamie's book, My Mother the Mermaid Chaser, wherever you get books. Follow her on social media @heyjamiereads. And follow Allison @heyallisonly and check out her website www.heyallisonly.com , where you can also find her podcast, Empowered with Immigrant Parents. You can let us know your thoughts at: infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com, or via direct message on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast Please follow us wherever you get your podcasts. We would love your ratings and reviews over at Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by Invictus Quartet in Melbourne, Australia #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters
Host Jason Blitman talks to author Lily King about her newest novel, Heart the Lover. Conversation highlights include:
Last weekend, I had the privilege of participating in my nephew's wedding. It was a cross-cultural event in many ways, as his bride is a Vietnamese American from a large and traditional family. I beheld with wonder the union, not only of husband and wife, but of two very culturally distinct households. Most of the wedding mass was in Vietnamese, and the day was filled with succulent foods, tea ceremonies, and exotic rituals I'd never even heard of. Often there was translation into English and idioms for the sake of us bewildered white southerners, and often there was not. Most of their overwhelming hospitality was nonverbal, but there was never any doubt that we were honored and valued guests and witnesses to another world. Toward the end of our celebration, the father of the bride approached, and we continued the chat he and I have been having off-and-on for almost a year now. He knows I'm a pastor and a student of culture and it's been such an education for me to get to ask questions and bounce ideas off of him. But in this moment, the conversation had been fully eclipsed by experience. I had spent nine hours of full immersion, eating nine courses of unbelievable food, with his nine siblings and their own branches of the family. I commented on how elaborate and extravagant it all was, full of gratitude and awe. He poured me another glass of champagne, looked into my eyes, and then said something I will never forget: “There are no shortcuts to culture.” This week, we're talking about the word “covenant.” A covenant, as you've heard me say many times, is a promise that makes a family, where lonely people can belong and matter. It is the institution of a culture. For Israel, from calling to constitution to calendar, all the elements of God's covenantal action toward His people are a slow building of a culture from generation to generation, culminating at last, in a final and glorious consummation. There are no shortcuts. There is only faithfulness. And it's something worth celebrating. So, join us this Sunday as we step back and try to take in the better story!
Last weekend, I had the privilege of participating in my nephew's wedding. It was a cross-cultural event in many ways, as his bride is a Vietnamese American from a large and traditional family. I beheld with wonder the union, not only of husband and wife, but of two very culturally distinct households. Most of the wedding mass was in Vietnamese, and the day was filled with succulent foods, tea ceremonies, and exotic rituals I'd never even heard of. Often there was translation into English and idioms for the sake of us bewildered white southerners, and often there was not. Most of their overwhelming hospitality was nonverbal, but there was never any doubt that we were honored and valued guests and witnesses to another world. Toward the end of our celebration, the father of the bride approached, and we continued the chat he and I have been having off-and-on for almost a year now. He knows I'm a pastor and a student of culture and it's been such an education for me to get to ask questions and bounce ideas off of him. But in this moment, the conversation had been fully eclipsed by experience. I had spent nine hours of full immersion, eating nine courses of unbelievable food, with his nine siblings and their own branches of the family. I commented on how elaborate and extravagant it all was, full of gratitude and awe. He poured me another glass of champagne, looked into my eyes, and then said something I will never forget: “There are no shortcuts to culture.” This week, we're talking about the word “covenant.” A covenant, as you've heard me say many times, is a promise that makes a family, where lonely people can belong and matter. It is the institution of a culture. For Israel, from calling to constitution to calendar, all the elements of God's covenantal action toward His people are a slow building of a culture from generation to generation, culminating at last, in a final and glorious consummation. There are no shortcuts. There is only faithfulness. And it's something worth celebrating. So, join us this Sunday as we step back and try to take in the better story!
Tina Snow Le is a Vietnamese-American graphic designer and music selector based in Brooklyn, NY. Her artistic practice is rooted in self-evolution, exploring themes of vulnerability, spirituality, and community. I met Tina at forecast, a concept space in Brooklyn that explores utility and design through a curated mix of independent brands where I was serving up Matsar.Tina has creatively led brands in design such as Nike and Spotify and has provided sounds for spaces we love such as Lichen, Rodeo, Eavesdrop, and The Lot Radio.Please welcome Tina Snow Le to Wear Many Hats.instagram.com/tinasnowleinstagram.com/signaturecuts__instagram.com/wearmanyhatswmhinstagram.com/rashadrastamrashadrastam.comwearmanyhats.com
In this special episode, contemporary artists Hoa Dung Clerget and Duong Thuy Nguyen, and gallerist Sarah Le Quang Sang, join EMPIRE LINES live, exploring the legacies of French and British colonialism in East Asia, fifty years since the end of the Vietnam War, through the series, If They Survive, They are Refugees (2024).Marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, Only Your Name (2025) is a group exhibition featuring works by artists of Vietnamese descent: Hoa Dung Clerget, Vicky Đỗ, and Duong Thuy Nguyen. The exhibition follows the journey of Vietnamese people migrating to the UK from 1975 onwards, preserving history through a Vietnamese lens and reflecting on the contemporary diaspora.In this special episode, recorded live at SLQS Gallery in London, gallerist Sarah Le Quang Song discusses the particular location of the exhibition, close to Hackney's Kingsland Road, also known as the ‘Pho Mile', where many Vietnamese families settled from the late 1970s. We discuss the title, which draws from On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (2019), a novel by Ocean Vuong, written in the form of a letter from a Vietnamese American son to his illiterate mother.Duong Thuy Nguyen describes the process of making their embossed aluminium and wax sculptures, which reinterpret Joan Wakelin's photographs of Vietnamese refugees held in Hong Kong detention centres and refugee camps, now held in the collections of the V&A in London. Hoa Dung Clerget presents installations and sculptural works that consider the labour and lives of immigrant women through Nail Art subculture, distorting stereotypical and fetishised portrayals of Asian women. Drawing on their work, Chinoiserie (2025), Hoa shares examples of orientalism in East Asian art and education systems. Plus, we discuss Vicky Đỗ's documentary films, revisiting the history of Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong.This episode was recorded live as part of the public programme for Only Your Name, an exhibition at SLQS Gallery in London, in July 2025.For more information, visit: instagram.com/p/DLhGFqCIhNA/Womb of Fire 2025, curated by Tuong Linh, opens in Hanoi in October 2025, and tours to Ho Chi Minh City until January 2026.Interspecies Entanglements, curated by Florence Fitzgerald-Allsopp, is at the SLQS Screening Room online until February 2026. Damaris Athene is at SLQS Gallery in London from 10 October 2025.PRODUCER: Jelena Sofronijevic.Follow EMPIRE LINES on Instagram: instagram.com/empirelinespodcastSupport EMPIRE LINES on Patreon: patreon.com/empirelines
“I ask them to sing with maximum efficiency, accessing their singer's formant, and from there, we'll ask for specific sounds. Sometimes conductors get stuck asking them to blend, to listen. When we do that, it's like giving them an 8-pack of Crayola and asking them to color. Instead, we start the rehearsal with a 64-pack and then throughout the rehearsal we might pick out the light blue #2 to color that section of the music. They're able to access the full breadth of their vocal powers in the rehearsal.”Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. (he/him) is a Vietnamese-American conductor and educator, renowned for his innovative approach to choral music. His concerts invite audiences into a world where choral artistry becomes a powerful storytelling medium.Dr. Cathlina is currently the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, where he received the 2025 Dean's Award for Creative Achievement. He oversees the Choral Area, leads the MM/DMA Choral Conducting program, and conducts the University Singers.A two-time GRAMMY-nominated educator, Dr. Cathlina draws deeply from his Eastern heritage. His work reflects a commitment to excellence and collaboration. In 2025, he will serve on the conducting faculty for Brazil's FIMUS Festival and work in the Philippines as part of ACDA's International Conductors Exchange Program. Early recognition came from the Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), which named him a “Young Director of Distinction.”Cathlina's teaching philosophy centers on developing masterful technicians, expressive communicators, and thoughtful citizens. Under his direction, the UofM University Singers have been invited to perform for national conferences. Recent engagements involve All-State choirs in Mississippi and Kentucky, the International Mu Phi Convention Chorus, and a Carnegie Hall debut. Dr. Cathlina's research focuses on choral tone and conducting gesture. He has presented over 69 sessions worldwide. He is published in international journals. In 2025, he served as the Headliner for the Ohio and Alabama choral conferences. In 2023, he co-led Conducting Masterclasses in Greece with the University of Macedonia and Ionian University.Dr. Cathlina earned a DMA in conducting with a vocal pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, an MM from Michigan State University, and a BME from Baylor University. Before his doctorate, he taught in Texas public schools. Beyond the podium, Dr. Cathlina is an avid pickleball player. He, his husband Kyle, and their dog Coco call Memphis, Tennessee, their home. To get in touch with Francis, you can find him on Instagram (@francis.cathlina) or Facebook (@franciscathlina), on his website (franciscathlina.com), or via email: franciscathlina@gmail.com.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson
Excellent Executive Coaching: Bringing Your Coaching One Step Closer to Excelling
Quang X. Pham is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator's wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq. How can someone starting as an underdog in this country (this area, this company) succeed? Why did you join the Marines, and what did you learn from your service? How did you overcome the business and personal obstacles in your life? What did you do to prepare for the leaps in your life, from the Marines to business, from entrepreneur to author, back to entrepreneur, from startup to IPO, and back to author? Why is it hard for Americans to understand/accept the high cost of prescription drugs? Quang Pham Quang X. Pham is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator's wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq. His inspiring American underdog journey, told in first person, is unlike any other. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Quang and his family fled as refugees when he was 10, while his father, a Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilot, remained and was imprisoned for more than a decade. After earning a degree from UCLA, Quang served seven years on active duty, flying CH-46 helicopters in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and in the Reserves. Following his military career, Quang transitioned into business, founding multiple pharmaceutical companies. In 2000, he launched MyDrugRep.com (which became Lathian Systems), an innovative online platform for physician marketing engagements, which was later acquired. In 2015, he founded Espero Pharmaceuticals and Jacksonville Pharmaceuticals. His leadership and entrepreneurial success earned him the Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018. Today, Quang serves as Chairman and CEO of Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD). Quang is also the author of the award-winning father-son memoir, A Sense of Duty: Our Journey from Vietnam (Penguin Random House, 2005), as well as his new book, Underdog Nation: Unleash Your Inner Underdog by Starting with Success. Committed to giving back, Quang has served on the boards of private companies, veteran charities, and educational organizations. He lives in Florida with his family, continuing to lead and inspire. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company that specializes in leadership development.
Send us a textIn today's episode, I'm honored to chat with Le Ly Hayslip, internationally known Vietnamese-American author, philanthropist, peace activist, and speaker. Le Ly grew up in central Vietnam during the American-Vietnam War and later authored two bestselling memoirs, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places and Child of War, Woman of Peace. Her story of resilience inspired Oliver Stone's 1993 film Heaven & Earth. Beyond her writing, she founded two humanitarian organizations—East Meets West Foundation and Global Village Foundation—dedicated to rebuilding Vietnam through education, medical care, and essential resources.Episode Highlights:Her upbringing in a rice-farming family of 6 children in central Vietnam, living under the pressures of both American forces and the Viet Cong.The importance of protecting family gravesites and places of worship as a way of preserving identity and tradition.Why her book cannot be published in Vietnam, and how Oliver Stone's film adaptation offers another way to experience her story.How returning to Vietnam in the 1980s inspired her lifelong humanitarian work.Her invitation to visit the beauty of Vietnam, where she leads trips in both the spring and fall.✨ Le Ly also shared with me about the upcoming Global Village Foundation Awards Gala to celebrate 30 years of U.S. & Vietnam diplomatic relations at the on 11/15/25. You can find more information on the Global Village Foundation website. Le Ly's story is one of survival, forgiveness, and hope. As she says, “We cannot change the past. But if each of us stands up to change the world, we will change the world.”Connect with Le Ly:WebsiteGlobal Village FoundationInstagramShow NotesSome links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.Books and authors mentioned in the episode:Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East by Baird T. SpaldingMany Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. WeissRamtha: The White Book by RamthaBook FlightOn the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Sherry BuchananPerfect Spy by Larry BermanDancing in the Light by Shirley MacLaine
Xin chào and hello! Welcome to Season 3 of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Legacies of War Lam Vong Circle member and Mine Action Fellow, Anna Phommachanthone, sits down with author, (and former roommate!) Trinity Nguyen.Trinity Nguyen is a Vietnamese American author and graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. She was born in Viet Nam and raised in Little Saigon, California, and learned English by reading too many young adult novels and never turning off closed captioning. Her debut novel, A BANH MI FOR TWO, is a national independent bookstore bestseller, a 2024 Freeman Book Awards honoree, and a 2024 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee. Trinity currently lives in Los Angeles with her cats and the succulents from her mom's garden.You can find Trinity on social media as @thetrinitytran on Instagram and Twitter, except for TikTok @eggtarts (because she refuses to retire the username), and otherwise trinity-nguyen.com. Theme song by Lao Jazzanova BandLearn more about Legacies of War: www.legaciesofwar.org
Derek Champagne interviews Quang X. Pham. Quang is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq.His inspiring American underdog journey, told in first person, is unlike any other. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Quang and his family fled as refugees when he was 10, while his father, a Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilot,remained and was imprisoned for more than a decade. After earning a degree from UCLA, Quang served seven years on active duty, flying CH-46 helicopters in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and the Reserves. Following his military career, Quang transitioned into business, founding multiple pharmaceutical companies. In 2000, he launched MyDrugRep.com (which became LathianSystems), an innovative online platform for physician marketing engagements, which was later acquired. In 2015, he founded Espero Pharmaceuticals and Jacksonville Pharmaceuticals. His leadership and entrepreneurial success earned him the Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018. Today Quang serves as Chairman and CEO, Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD).Quang is also the author of the award-winning father-son memoir, A Sense of Duty: Our Journe y from Vietnam (Penguin Random House), and his new book, Underdog Nation: Zero In on Effort and Results for Success (Forbes Books).Committed to giving back, Quang has served on the boards of private companies, veterancharities and educational organizations. He lives in Florida with his family, continuing tolead and inspire.Order Quang's new book here: https://quangxpham.com/books/Business Leadership Series Intro and Outro music provided by Just Off Turner: https://music.apple.com/za/album/the-long-walk-back/268386576
Today's guest is Lauren Tran, the owner and pastry chef behind Bánh by Lauren, the popular Vietnamese-American and French-inspired bakery in New York City's Chinatown. Lauren's menu is a love letter to tradition, family, and flavor with delicious treats like lychee raspberry macarons, steamed rice cakes, and pandan coconut chiffon cake. Lauren joins host Jessie Sheehan to share how she turned a pandemic pop-up into one of the city's most buzzed-about bakeries, the pie contest that helped launch her career, and how her childhood in Seattle, fine-dining training, and Vietnamese roots shape every recipe she creates. Then, the duo walk through Lauren's recipe for her signature Pandan Honeycomb Cake (bánh bò nuớng in Vietnamese).Thank you to Nordic Ware and California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now!Join our Summer Tastemaker Tour waitlistGet The Power IssueVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Lauren: Instagram, Bánh by Lauren websiteMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook
The Channel: A Podcast from the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS)
On this episode of The Channel, we're featuring a full episode from our friends over at the Nam Phong Dialogues podcast. Nam Phong Dialogues is hosted by two Vietnamese American scholars, and the show excels at presenting Vietnamese intellectual and sociopolitical history in ways that are accessible, engaging, and relevant for understanding contemporary global issues. The two co-hosts are Kevin Pham and Yen Vu. Kevin Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. His first book, The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization, was published last year by Oxford University Press. Yen Vu is a Faculty Member in Literature at Fulbright University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, and she is currently a Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Amsterdam during Summer 2025. In this episode of Nam Phong Dialogues, Yen and Kevin discuss the historical division of Vietnam following the end of the French colonial period, including the massive migrations that it spurred. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer speaks with Thanh Nguyen, a Vietnamese American peacebuilder and researcher currently working with Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in East Jerusalem. They discuss how colonial histories and theological frameworks shape global understandings of justice in Palestine/Israel. Drawing from Thanh's experience in faith-based organizing and decolonial research, the conversation explores how theology can be reimagined through the lens of justice, indigenous worldviews, and collective liberation.For our Patreon supporters, Thanh shares one of her original poems reflecting on displacement, belonging, and resistance—and reflects on how art can become a powerful tool in movements for justice and healing. To access this extended conversation and others, consider supporting us on Patreon.Thanh Nguyen is a peacebuilder and researcher working at the intersection of religion and development. Currently a Project Coordinator at Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in East Jerusalem, she leads strategic partnerships, hosts educational programs, and supports peacebuilding delegations to Palestine/Israel. As a first-generation Vietnamese American whose own history is situated in colonial war, Thanh's peace work prioritizes subaltern knowledge, resistance to historical amnesia, and indigenous political perspectives. While pursuing a B.A. in political science and international peace studies at the University of Notre Dame, she explored issues of religion, secularity, and coloniality. Her research, commitment, and leadership earned her the Kroc Institute's 2023 Peter Yarrow Award in Peace Studies. Beyond her academic and advocacy work, Thanh is also a poet and writer, with work on colonial displacement and belonging featured in Re:Visions Magazine, Silk Road Review, Decolonial Passages, and independent film/art productions. Moving forward, she aims to continue merging scholarship, activism, and storytelling in her pursuit of collective liberation.If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on YouTube and Instagram @AcrosstheDividePodcastAcross the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Noteshttps://www.peacecatalyst.org/blog/2024/9/12/meet-2024-rick-love-young-innovator-award-recipient-thanh-nguyenhttps://thedecolonialpassage.net/2024/03/23/a-song-about-living/https://subalternarchives.substack.com/https://sabeel.org/
In November, Orange County Congressman Derek Tran became the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in Washington, D.C. Tran barely defeated Republican incumbent Michelle Steel, helping Democrats flip three California House seats from red to blue. We revisit a conversation from May, when Scott and Marisa talked with Tran about representing a very purple district and his father's harrowing story as a refugee after the Vietnam War. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the Next Episode of Evie Unbounded!
We're so excited to share part two of our conversation with Aimee Phan, author of The Lost Queen! If you caught part one, you already know how rich and thoughtful this discussion is. In this episode, we dive deeper into how retellings like The Lost Queen can help students see that stories aren't set in stone—and that they have the freedom to make stories their own. Aimee shares how the creative process can empower young writers to take risks, explore identity, and find their voice.We also talk about the evolution of Vietnamese American literature, how to pair The Lost Queen with other powerful texts, and the deep impact that simple words of encouragement can have on a student's life. If you're looking for book recs, classroom inspiration, or just a reminder of the power of storytelling, this episode is for you.Resources:Camp BNTThe Lost Queen, by Aimee PhanAimee's WebsiteFollow Aimee on Instagram @aimeephanwritesSHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode263"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"Get your FREE Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs gateway lesson: shop.bravenewteaching.com/cloudyCheck out Curriculum Rehab here!Support the show
In this final episode of our series about the Vietnamese-American experience over the past 50 years, we'll explore how that community has evolved from refugees to contributors, from survivors to leaders, and how their success stands as perhaps the most enduring testament to what American service members fought to preserve.
Today we'll be talking about the continuing escalation on the Thai-Cambodian border, a Chinatown tuk tuk crackdown and a Russian rub and run, and a little later the first Vietnamese-American woman in spaaaaaaace.
I absolutely loved recording this episode with Hoa. We first met through my Tuesday night quiz at Rabbit Hole, and her warmth, wit, and honesty always stood out. This chat went from laugh-out-loud moments to some truly eye-opening reflections about culture shock, navigating visa bureaucracy, and the sometimes ridiculous expectations placed on Vietnamese women, especially when they marry foreigners.I had a lot to talk about, from Grab drivers not understanding northern accents to what it's like going through a U.S. visa interview during a pandemic, and why Vietnamese weddings feel more like family transactions than personal celebrations. Hoa brought raw honesty, insight, and that cheeky energy that makes her so much fun to talk to.Key Talking PointsWhat it's like to experience culture shock as a Vietnamese person moving from Hanoi to SaigonThe bureaucratic nightmare of getting a U.S. tourist visa—and how Hoa finally got approvedHoa's candid take on being judged for marrying a foreigner (and how she clapped back)The emotional toll of career burnout and planning a 500-person weddingThe hilarious and bittersweet origin story of her nickname “Chang”Observations on American vs. Vietnamese culture, kindness, and food portionsChapters and Timestamps01:00 – Hoa's journey: from Hanoi to Saigon and why she “ran away”08:00 – Hanoi vs. Saigon: culture clash & accent issues14:30 – The U.S. visa nightmare and awkward interview questions23:00 – First time in the U.S.: kindness, sticker shock, and scooters31:00 – Career burnout, moving cities & dealing with depression38:00 – Vietnamese weddings: stress, scale, and social expectations41:30 – Stereotypes of Vietnamese women & being married to an American"Send me a message!"This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh The full list of winners is here. Support the show
GDP Script/ Top Stories for May 31st Publish Date: May 31st PRE-ROLL: From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Saturday, May 31st and Happy Birthday to Clint Eastwood I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. A Gwinnett school bus has turned up in … The Netherlands? FIRST LOOK: Mexican Street Food Restaurant Urbana To Open In Grayson $100K Fantasy Five Winning Ticket Purchased In Lawrenceville Plus, the Stripers report with Cade Bunnell All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 1: A Gwinnett school bus has turned up in … The Netherlands? Here’s a quirky tale: A Reddit user from Utrecht, Netherlands, spotted a Gwinnett County Public Schools bus in Dutch traffic and posted about it, sparking curiosity. GCPS confirmed the bus was sold in 2021, with markings supposedly painted over before sale. However, the markings reappeared, leaving officials puzzled. Redditors had a field day with jokes, from “It’s amphibious?” to “I’ll bring it back in my carry-on.” The mystery of how the bus crossed the Atlantic remains unsolved, but it sure gave everyone a laugh! STORY 2: FIRST LOOK: Mexican Street Food Restaurant Urbana To Open In Grayson Jaime Ochoa, known for D' Floridian and Anẽjo in Lawrenceville, is teaming up with Yonis Martinez to open "Urbana" in Grayson this June. Located at The Railyard (2115 Loganville Hwy., Suite 102), Urbana will offer authentic Mexican street food and craft cocktails in a chic setting. For details, visit urbanamezcaleria.com. STORY 3: $100K Fantasy Five Winning Ticket Purchased In Lawrenceville Last week was a lucky one for Georgia Lottery players! A Sparta resident won $1 million in the Billionaire Club scratch-off game, claiming a lump sum of $535,398.06. Meanwhile, two Fantasy 5 tickets, purchased in Cairo and Lawrenceville, each won $104,977 in the May 23 drawing. Another player hit the May 26 Fantasy 5 jackpot, winning $176,901 with a ticket bought in Palmetto. In total, scratch-off players won over $43.5 million statewide! We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: STRIPERS INTERVIEW Break 3: STORY 6: Vietnam War Veterans of Multiple Nationalities Join As First Senior Center Commemorates Memorial Day On May 23, the First Senior Center of Georgia (FSCofGA) hosted a Memorial Day event honoring Vietnam War veterans, marking the 50th anniversary of the war's end. Vietnamese American veterans and Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association members reunited to pay tribute to sacrifices made for freedom. FSCofGA distributed 20 electric wheelchairs and 40 shower chairs, donated by PruittHealth and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, to former South Vietnamese soldiers. Leaders shared heartfelt messages, emphasizing gratitude, unity, and remembrance of the 58,000 American soldiers who died in Vietnam. The event celebrated enduring bonds and community support for veterans. STORY 7: Losing a Legend: Brookwood Swim Coach Greg Puckett Remembered Fondly Greg Puckett, a legendary Brookwood High swimming and diving coach, passed away after battling colon cancer. Known for his humility and dedication, Puckett led Brookwood to 10 state titles and 83 individual championships during his tenure from 1993 to 2017. He was instrumental in advancing Georgia high school swimming, including moving the state meet to Georgia Tech. Beyond coaching, he volunteered for special needs programs and inspired countless athletes and colleagues. Remembered as a kind, selfless leader, his legacy lives on through the Greg Puckett Award and the thriving Brookwood swim program. Memorial service details are pending. We’ll have closing comments after this Break 4: Ingles Markets 1 Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, join Town Hall Seattle to hear Vietnamese author Susan Lieu discuss her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter. Susan will be in conversation with Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), Quynh Pham. Together, Susan and Quynh will discuss the impact of war with regards to trauma, memory, loss, and healing — as individuals and as a collective. You may have already seen the work of Seattle author and performer Susan Lieu at Bumbershoot, Wing Luke Museum, or the Seattle Library. Her sold-out solo theatre performance in Seattle, 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother, describes the true story of her mother's death due to medical malpractice. No matter where you've seen her name, you already know she's passionate about asking questions and seeking a better future. In her new memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, Lieu asks questions about grief and body image through her family's story. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Lieu's family escaped to California in the 1980s. Upon arrival, her mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons — until Lieu was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. For the next twenty years, Lieu navigated a series of questions surrounding her mother's death alone—until now. Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon's family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Lieu uncovers the painful truth about her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty. But the answers she finds are also rooted in fierce determination, strength in shared culture, and finding one's place in the world. Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer known for her autobiographical solo show, 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother, which toured nationally to sold-out audiences. Her sequel, OVER 140 LBS, premiered at ACT Theatre's SoloFest. She has performed at major events such as Bumbershoot and The Moth Mainstage, and her work has been featured by NPR and the L.A. Times. Susan co-founded Socola Chocolatier and is an activist who helped pass a law raising medical malpractice caps. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter (Celadon), is an Apple Book of the Month, a 2024 Best Book of The Smithsonian, NPR, and Elle Magazine, and has received accolades from The New York Times and The Washington Post. She was recently named one of Seattle Magazine's Most Influential People of 2024. Quynh Pham is the Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), a community development organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Little Saigon's cultural, economic, and historical vitality. Coming from a small business family, Quynh is passionate about supporting small immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses and fostering community-driven solutions for health, safety, and well-being.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 26, 2025 is: commemorate kuh-MEM-uh-rayt verb Something, such as a plaque, statue, or parade, is said to commemorate an event, person, etc. when it serves as a memorial; it exists or is done in order to recall the event or person. A person or group commemorates an event, person, etc. by doing something special in order to remember and honor that event or person. // The plaque commemorates the battle that took place here 200 years ago. // Each year on this date we commemorate our ancestors with a special ceremony. See the entry > Examples: “Over the past year, members of the Vietnamese community have hosted a series of 50 events to commemorate the 50 years since they arrived in New Orleans. They have ranged from cooking classes and festivals to art shows and panel discussions. Last week, more than 500 Vietnamese Americans from across the United States gathered for the 50th reunion of former residents of the fishing region, Phuoc Tinh, located in Vietnam.” — Sophia Germer, The New Orleans Advocate, 11 Apr. 2025 Did you know? When you remember something, you are mindful of it. And you are especially mindful when you commemorate something, formalizing your remembrance by doing something special, such as attending a parade or taking part in a ceremony. It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning “mindful.” English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.
Fifty years ago, thousands of Vietnamese refugees arrived in America with little more than the clothes on their backs and memories of a homeland left behind. In the second of this three-episode series, we explore how they transformed themselves from displaced people into one of America's most vibrant communities.
"I learned about who my mother is by tracking down the plastic surgeon who killed [her]." In this episode, Lesley Jane Seymour talks with Susan Lieu, Vietnamese American author and performer, about her journey from corporate life to the creative stage. After losing her mother young, Lieu pursued success in academia and international development—until she found her calling in storytelling. Through her memoir The Manicurist's Daughterand solo show 140lbs: How Beauty Killed My Mother, she explores identity, intergenerational trauma, and healing. With warmth and humor, Lieu shares how to reinvent yourself with reflection, community, and bold action. About the Guest: Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. Her solo show "140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother” evolved into her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter (Celadon), which has been featured in The New York Times, NPR Books, Elle Magazine, LA Times, and The Washington Post. Connect: Website Instagram Connect with Lesley Jane Seymour: Website Instagram LinkedIn Substack If you found this episode insightful, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join me on Substack. Until next time, keep reinventing!
Ocean Vuong is a Vietnamese American poet, essayist, novelist and professor of modern poetry and poetics at New York University. Some of you may already be familiar with his best-selling debut novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, which received a MacArthur “Genius” grant and was nominated for the National Book Award for Fiction in 2019. Vuong's award-winning poetry collections include, Time Is a Mother (2022) and Night Sky with Exit Wounds (2016). His latest novel is “The Emperor of Gladness. A Novel.”
In episode 302 of Brown Water Banter, we talk with Emma and Jen from Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives. We dive into the Vietnamese-American experience along the Gulf Coast. We're spotlighting the voices, culture, and legacy of a resilient community that rebuilt their lives after the Vietnam War — right here in Mississippi. From shrimp boats to family traditions, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories and cultural insight. Download our app: Apple Here Android Here Also big thanks to Southern Magnolia Smiles, Forever Young Men's and Women Health, and Taylor and Cox Law Firm, for the support! Want to be a part of the pelican gang? Check out our merch here.
In the first installment of a three-part series, we explore the chaotic final days of April 1975, when thousands of South Vietnamese citizens desperately sought escape as North Vietnamese forces closed in on Saigon. You'll hear firsthand accounts from both sides of this massive evacuation, and from those who were part of the waves of exodus that followed.
Ocean Vuong is perhaps best-known for his 2019 novel “On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous” and deeply intimate poetry collections such as “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” (2016) and “Time Is a Mother” (2022). In his new novel, the Vietnamese-American author tells the story of friendship and acting with kindness even when you're filled with hopelessness. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Send us a textWelcome to Caribbean Adjacent, a brand-new series within the Carry On Friends Podcast! Randy Pulayya is back on the podcast and this time he is with his wife Shauna. They are dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind West Indies Pepper Sauce, From meeting at JFK Airport to blending their Guyanese and Vietnamese-American backgrounds, Randy and Shauna share their journey of embracing each other's traditions, preserving cultural legacies, and raising a new generation proud of both heritages. This episode is filled with heartwarming stories, travel adventures, cultural insights, laughs and, of course, a little spice! Connect with Randy, Shauna + West Indies Peppa Sauce: Website | InstagramSubscribe to the Newsletter Support How to Support Carry On Friends Join the Community:Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY! Donate:If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation. Get Merch:Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store. Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube A Breadfruit Media Production
In November, Orange County Congressman Derek Tran became the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in Washington, D.C. Tran barely defeated Republican incumbent Michelle Steel, helping Democrats flip three California House seats from red to blue. Scott and Marisa talk with Tran about representing a very purple district and his father's harrowing story as a refugee after the Vietnam War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, we're excited to welcome Carolyn Huynh, the author of Books & Boba pick The Fortunes of Jaded Women, to discuss her sophomore novel, The Family Recipe, another dramedy about a messy Vietnamese American family, this time following the estranged scions of a banh mi empire who are thrown into competition with each other for their inheritance by their eccentric father. Follow Carolyn on Instagram at @carolynkhuynh and check out her latest novel The Family Recipe available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie SuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective
Students at East Kentwood High School interviewed their family members about their immigration stories in a project marking the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. They will be sharing those stories this week at events celebrating West Michigan's Vietnamese American community. GUESTS: Le Tran, art teacher at East Kentwood High School Christina Le, junior at East Kentwood and one of the student speakers at GR Stories event EVENT DETAILS: GR Stories: This is our home now, 50 years of building community after Saigon May 7 @ the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 50 Years After Saigon: Vietnamese Stories of a New Home May 9 @ The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Susan Lieu shares her journey as a Vietnamese American storyteller focused on intergenerational healing. She discusses her memoir, 'The Manicurist's Daughter,' which explores her mother's tragic death and the impact of trauma on family dynamics. The conversation delves into the complexities of cultural identity, the role of art in healing, and the challenges of navigating family expectations. Susan emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, emotional intimacy, and the need to let in joy while addressing the weight of societal and familial pressures. Through her experiences, she inspires listeners to embrace their stories and seek healing.Resources & Next Steps:Want to break free from perfectionism and self-doubt? Explore guided audios in Judy's shop: https://www.judytsuei.com/shopStay connected for more real, raw conversations:
Wednesday marked 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. As a result of the north's victory, an estimated 120,000 Vietnamese refugees fled to communities all over the U.S. — including to San José. Today, it's hard to imagine San José without the Vietnamese American community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The end of the war in Vietnam scattered Vietnamese refugees across the globe. Dorchester is home to three-quarters of Massachusetts' Vietnamese-American population. This week, hundreds gathered to mark the anniversary with food, song and an immersive installation.
At the January 6th Capitol insurrection, rioters waved Confederate, MAGA, and Trump-as-Rambo flags. Easy to miss without knowing the design was a bright yellow flag with three red stripes — the flag of South Vietnam.There were actually several confounding international flags present at the Capitol riot that day: the Canadian, Indian, South Korean flags, all were spotted somewhere in the mayhem. But what was peculiar about the Vietnamese flag being there was that it's not technically the flag of Vietnam but the Republic of Vietnam, a country that no longer exists. And what this flag stands for (or should stand for) remains a really contentious issue for the Vietnamese American community.This episode originally aired in 2021.Changing Stripes Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and get exclusive access to bonus episodes. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
This month marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. It’s also the anniversary of many Vietnamese families arriving to start a new life in the Pacific Northwest. Thousands of people fled the country and became refugees in 1975, and many of those people ended up on the west coast of the United States. According to the census data, there are now more than 37,000 Vietnamese Oregonians. We’ll hear from a few of them. Van Le and Allen Luong are organizing a series of art exhibits featuring paintings by Le’s late father to mark the anniversary and look towards the future. OPB arts and culture producer Steven Tonthat, whose parents emigrated from Vietnam, shares his perspective. And we hear from Thuy Huyen, whose harrowing story of escaping her home country was featured in OPB’s documentary “The Vietnam War Oregon Remembers.” For more Evergreen episodes and to share your voice with us, visit our showpage. Follow OPB on Instagram, and follow host Jenn Chávez too. You can sign up for OPB’s newsletters to get what you need in your inbox regularly. Don’t forget to check out our many podcasts, which can be found on any of your favorite podcast apps: Hush Timber Wars Season 2: Salmon Wars Politics Now Think Out Loud And many more! Check out our full show list here.
In the latest episode of the Nomad Futurist Podcast, co-hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence, sit down with Mike Nguyen, CEO and Founder of Inflect, for a compelling conversation that bridges personal history, entrepreneurial drive, and the future of digital infrastructure. Nguyen's career took an unexpected turn when he discovered his passion for medicine was actually driven by a desire to run a business, not practice medicine. This realization led him to explore telecom sales during the dot-com boom, ultimately paving the way for his entrepreneurial ventures: "The appeal of being a doctor, when I really broke it down, was becoming a businessperson. It wasn't actually the medicine aspects of it." At Inflect, Nguyen built a platform that simplifies global access to digital infrastructure, enabling organizations to easily connect with the resources they need. With a clear vision and a user-first approach, he and his team are redefining how businesses access critical digital tools: "Our simple mission is to make it easy for anybody in the world to find the infrastructure they need to build great apps and connect to their employees, their customers, themselves." The conversation takes a personal turn as Nguyen reflects on his Vietnamese-American immigrant experience, sharing how his family's escape from post-war Vietnam shaped his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit: "For us, it wasn't really a dream — it was escaping a nightmare… It was about getting to a point where you can be somewhat stable and start rebuilding a community." Nguyen encountered significant setbacks throughout his career, including positions at companies that collapsed during the telecom bust. However, he turned these challenges into opportunities by launching his own ventures: "Every company I touched ended up collapsing… Then I started a business, and they keep trying to kill me, but they can't." His determination exemplifies the resilience needed to succeed in volatile industries, showcasing how personal history, adaptability, and entrepreneurial vision can come together to drive success. To stay connected with Mike Nguyen, follow him on LinkedIn.
Support Lorenzo on Patreon.com Guest speaker: Lorenzo Hagerty & Voices by AI PROGRAM NOTES: When a chemical spill devastates a coastal North Carolina town, Vietnamese American lawyer Minh Nguyen—who has always kept his heritage separate from his professional life—finds himself unexpectedly leading both the environmental battle and his community's response. As he fights corporate negligence and government corruption alongside his three talented sons, Minh discovers that true belonging doesn't come from assimilation, but from advocacy. An Outsider's Journey is a powerful story about environmental justice, immigrant identity, and a family realizing that embracing their roots is the key to finding their place in America.
In Kevin Nguyen's latest novel, a series of violent attacks leads the United States government to incarcerate all Vietnamese Americans in various camps throughout the country. The novel, titled My Documents, follows a group of cousins sent to different camps who attempt to figure out how to change their circumstances. Nguyen talks about his book ahead of an April 9 event at Books Are Magic.
Join host Paige as she chats with SoCal artist and designer Jaclynne Anne about her inspiring transition from teaching English to thriving in the Comic-Con scene with her literature-inspired illustrations. Jaclynne shares insider tips on applying for conventions, setting up a booth, and balancing a corporate career with creative entrepreneurship. She also reflects on her journey as a Vietnamese American artist, turning a passion project into a sustainable business. Whether you're an artist looking to break into conventions or a creative entrepreneur seeking balance, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate your own artistic path.
In this episode of the Life Shift podcast, I sit down with Susan Lieu, a Vietnamese American playwright, performer, and author, who shares her powerful journey of healing and self-discovery after losing her mother at a young age. Through her art, Susan has found a way to process her pain, reclaim her narrative, and inspire others to embrace vulnerability and the power of storytelling.Susan takes us through her childhood as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, growing up in a bustling household filled with extended family. She recounts the pivotal moment when, at just 11 years old, her mother tragically passed away due to complications from plastic surgery. This loss not only shattered Susan's world but also led to years of silence and unresolved grief within her family.The conversation also touches on the broader implications of intergenerational trauma and the expectations placed upon children of immigrants. Breaking the Silence: A Journey of Healing Through ArtHow Susan found her voice and began to process her grief through solo performanceThe power of storytelling in uncovering family secrets and healing generational traumaNavigating cultural expectations and finding the courage to pursue a creative pathEmbracing Vulnerability and AuthenticityThe challenges of sharing deeply personal stories on stage and in writingHow Susan's journey has impacted her relationships with family membersThe ripple effect of vulnerability and its power to inspire othersRedefining Success and Finding PurposeSusan's transition from corporate life to full-time artistryThe importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-careHow becoming a mother has shifted Susan's perspective on her own childhood experiencesAs you listen to this episode, consider:How have unspoken family stories shaped your own life and relationships?In what ways might sharing your own vulnerable experiences help others feel less alone?How can you take small, daily steps towards living a more authentic and fulfilling life?Join us for this inspiring conversation that reminds us of the healing power of storytelling and the beauty of embracing our whole selves – imperfections and all.Susan Lieu is a multi-hyphenate storyteller, activist, and author. Through her book, podcast, and live performances, Susan takes audiences on a journey of healing intergenerational trauma, embracing authenticity, and finding boldness in vulnerability.Susan is the creator of her theatrical solo show "140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother," which received critical acclaim from the LA Times, NPR, and American Theatre. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter (Celadon), is an Apple Book Pick of the Month and Must Listen of the Month, and has received accolades from The New York Times, NPR Books, Elle Magazine, and The Washington Post. www.susanlieu.meIG: @susanlieu @celadonbooks, @modelminoritymomsFB: www.facebook.com/susanlieuofficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlieu/#themanicuristsdaughter #whenwefeelweheal Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments...
Jeff and Phil welcome veteran actor Dustin Nguyen, star of the indie crime drama The Accidental Getaway Driver, a uniquely Vietnamese American story -- inspired by true events -- surprisingly told as a humanistic character study. He talks about the rage, hurt and loneliness of his character; his decades-spanning career journey and the evolution of his roles in Hollywood, from 21 Jump Street to V.I.P.; and his transition to filmmaking in Vietnam (and back). Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making The Accidental Getaway Driver.
Susan Lieu joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about realizing you're an artist later in life, becoming a multi-hyphinate storyteller, being a mother when you never knew your own, piecing together a family story, feeling plagued by structure, sticking to the throughline, writing residencies, writing down goals, deciding to stop searching for approval from loved ones and getting it for and from ourselves, accepting loved ones as they are, grief journeys, storytelling as closure, and her new memoir The Manicurist's Daughter. Also in this episode: -using a book doctor -mental health stigma and older generations -body acceptance Books mentioned in this episode: -Ma and Me by Putsata Reang SUSAN LIEU is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. She took her award-winning autobiographical solo show 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother on a ten-city national tour, with sold-out premieres and accolades from the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and American Theatre. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, is an Apple Book of the Month, Apple Book Must Listen of the Month, and has been featured on The New York Times, NPR Books, Elle Magazine, LA Times, and The Washington Post. Creator of The Vagina Monologues, V (formerly Eve Ensler) calls The Manicurist's Daughter “a stunning, raw, brave memoir that wouldn't let me go.” She is a proud alumnae of Harvard College, Yale School of Management, Coro, Hedgebrook, and Vashon Artist Residency. She is also the cofounder of Socola Chocolatier, an artisanal chocolate company based in San Francisco. Susan lives with her husband and son in Seattle, where they enjoy mushroom hunting, croissants, and big family gatherings. The Manicurist's Daughter is her first book. Connect with Susan: Website: https://www.susanlieu.me/ Model Minority Moms Podcast: https://modelminoritymoms.com/ Instagram: @susanlieu, @celadonbooks facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlieuofficial TikTok: @susanlieuofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlieu/ – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories. She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers