The Bánh Mì Chronicles

TW: Mentions of Palestinian & state-sanctioned violence / Covid Trauma regarding evictions

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 (S7, E2) Noor Hindi (she/her/hers) stopped by for …

TW / CW: Discussions of Undocumented Immigrant Trauma

(S7, EP 1) To kick things off, Ju Hong joined me for this season 7 official 1st episode as he shared his experiences in immigration activism as an undocumented Asian …

(Season 7 Opener):

After being (mostly) away for 6 months since my last season, I am back and set to kick off Season 7 with a new lineup, new stories, and a new theme called, "reClaim."  reClaim. is about documenting …

TW / CW:  Police Violence, Mental Health, Adoptee Trauma  

I sat down with Fe and Gareth Hall who are the parents of Christian Hall and joined with …

Re-live my interview with Vietnamese-American singer TRACE from (S4, EP 1) who joined me on Season 4 when this episode was aired back in January 2021.  This is an exclusive video interview re-release through Spotify. …

Trigger Warning:  Discussions of child abuse

Relive my interview with Phuc Tran, author of his 2020 critically-acclaimed childhood memoir, "Sigh, Gone" . This interview was recorded back in December 2020 after spending …

Exclusive re-release of my previous interview w/ Joshua Nguyen, poet and author of his recently released poetry book, "Come Clean".  Check out the video on Spotify.  PS. Joshua and I did not, at the time, intend to …

Re-release of my previous interview w/ MILCK from Season 3, Episode 11

(S3, EP 11) We reached our final guest to close out Season 3 continuing the theme, "Where Do We Stand?".  MILCK (Connie Lim) is an Asian-American …

Season 6 Finale!!!!

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We reached the conclusion of Season 6, "Unfinished Business", and with that said, I am taking a hiatus from recording new episodes until next summer.  After 80+ episodes in two years, it will be …

(S6, EP 9) Nisha Mody is my final guest for this Season 6 series.  Nisha is a healing & wellness coach, content creator behind @HealingHypeGirl on Instagram, and her podcast MigrAsians, and a former long-time …

(S6, EP 8) Vĩ Sơn Trinh joins me for this week's episode as part of Season 6's "Unfinished Business".  Vĩ Sơn is a 1.5 generation Vietnamese-American photographer, storyteller, and nurse.  We spoke back in June about …

Trigger & Content Warning: Topics will include mentions of genocidal / sexual violence and child abuse

(S6, EP 7) Cambodian human rights advocate …

(S6, EP 6) Ly Ky Tran, Viet-American millennial based out of NYC, and author of her recently released memoir, "House of Sticks" joined me …

Trigger Warning: Discussions of parental death and PTSD trauma

(S6, EP 5) Rose Khun is a guest for this week's episode as part of the 6th season …

(S6, EP 4) Virginia Nguyen and Stacy Yung, two longtime secondary Ed history teachers from Southern California joined me for this episode as we talk about Asian Americans educators in K-12 and pushing for racially …

(S6, EP 3) Akemi Kochiyama joined in for this week's episode.  Akemi is the granddaughter of late Japanese-American activist icon Yuri Kochiyama. In this interview, we talk about Yuri's activism that began when she and …

(S6, EP 2)  Eric Nguyen (He / Him) is a queer Viet-American author based in DC.  He recently released his debut fiction novel, Things We Lost To The Water which is a story about a Vietnamese single mother raising her …

(S6, EP 1) To kick off Season 6, Andy Marra (she / her / hers) joined me for this episode.  Andy is currently the Executive Director with Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF).  She has been a visible …

We have reached the conclusion of Season 5 "Our Becoming: An Asian LGBTQ Experience" and Season 6 is about to get started!

Thank you to the following …

(S5, EP 12) Joshua Nguyen (He / Him) joined me as the final guest of Season 5's theme, "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience".  He is fresh off from his mini chapbook debut release, "An American Lục Bát For My …

(S5, EP 11) Steven Wakabayashi (he / him) joined me as my guest for Season 5's "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience".  He is the host and creator of the podcast, "Yellow Glitter" and has been proactive on social …

(S5, EP 10) In honoring queer Cambodian-American writer Anthony Veasna So who suddenly passed away in December 2020 and to celebrate his posthumous short-stories fiction book, "Afterparties", I invited Anthony's …

(S5, EP 9) Danielle Tanimura (She / Hers) joined me for this episode as part of the Season 5 theme, "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience." This episode was recorded in mid-April.  In this episode, Danielle talked …

(S5, EP 8) As part of Season 5's "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience", Deepankar Tripurana (all pronouns) joined me for this week's episode.  This episode was recorded on 4/7/21 as Deep shared their experiences …

(S5, EP 7) Trigger Warning: Episode will contain topics on personal Anti-Asian violence.  Queer Khmer American playwright Vichet Chum joins me as …

(S5, EP 6) Ishani Chokshi (She / They) joins me for this episode as she speaks on the recent challenges she experienced as a South Asian trans woman …

(S5, EP 5) In honoring Pride Month, Rohan Zhou Lee (They/Siya/祂 (Tā)), artist, activist, and founder of the Blasian March, joined me for this episode as part of the 5th season theme "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian …

(S5, EP 4) In celebrating Pride Month, Khmer-American DJ and community leader, Hunny Hach (she / her) joined me for this episode.  Currently based in Long Beach, Hunny Hach is also the co-founder of Qhmer, an LGBTQ …

(S5, EP3) Helen Zia (She / Hers) joined me for this episode of the 5th season theme, "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience." Helen is a longtime queer Asian-American journalist, author and activist.  During the time …

(S5, EP2): Alex Jenny (She / They) joined me for this episode as part of the 5th season theme, "Our Becoming: An LGBTQ Asian Experience".  Alex is a Chinese-Vietnamese American trans woman, licensed psychotherapist, …

(S5, EP 1) As we wrap up #AAPIMonth and begin #PrideMonth Longtime dancer, artist and model Kevin Stea kicks things off as my 1st guest for this Season 5's "Our Becoming: An Asian LGBTQ experience" on The Banh Mi …

Welcome back for a new 5th season coming your way!  In this preview, I talk about what this 5th season will dive into, as well as honoring the LGBTQ identities and experiences in our AAPI communities. I interview a …

Trigger Warning:  Discussions of child abuse

(S4, EP 12) Viet-American best-selling and critically acclaimed author Phuc Tran joined me for the Season 4 finale for this episode. Last Spring, he released his …

(S4, EP 11) Longtime Korean-American community organizer & activist Steve Moon joined me for this week's episode.  For years, Steve has been …

(S4, EP 10) Filipino-American casting director / actor / theatre veteran Emjoy Gavino joined me as a guest for this week's episode.  Emjoy is also the founder of The Chicago Inclusion Project, a start-up organization …

(S4, EP 9) Viet-American self-published author Amy M. Le joined me for this week's episode.  She is the author of three recently published novels partly based on her mom's escape from Vietnam and Amy's upbringing in …

(S4, EP 8) Rebecca and Phillip Ozaki joined me for this week's episode.  They are two of 4 children born and raised in Chicago, and of Japanese and Filipino descent.  Both Rebecca and Phillip talked about their …

(S4, EP 7) Award winning Lao-American artist and poet Catzie Villayphonh joined me as a guest for this week's episode.  Catzie spoke about her work with fellow Lao artists on amplifying the voices and history of the Lao …

(S4, EP 6)

Trigger Warning for this episode will contain topics of PTSD trauma, suicide, and other related trauma.  For this Season 4 theme, “Process”, I interviewed Khmer-American community leader Sovanna Devin Pouv …

(S4, EP 5) Chicago WBEZ reporter Odette Yousef joined me as a guest for this episode.  Odette recently hosted Season 3 of Motive Podcast (available on all streaming services) which takes a look at the history of the …

(S4, EP 4)  Josina Morita is my special guest for this week's episode.  Josina is currently serving her elected role as Commissioner of the …

(S4, EP 3) Kalaya'an Mendoza (He / Him / SIya) shares his community organizing experience over the years, and more recently, during the 2020 racial civil unreast.  Kalaya'an discusses his work in helping to promote …

(S4, EP 2). Khmer-American author Loung Ung joined me for this episode. She is best known for her international best-seller First, They Killed My Father.  She recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut book …

(S4, EP 1) Vietnamese-American singer TRACE joined me as my first guest to kick things off for Season 4.  Fresh off her latest single and video …

I am excited to ring in the 2021 year with a new 4th season with a fresh lineup of incredible guests for this show.  I decided to name this season’s …

Closing remarks to end Season 3, "Where Do We Stand?" theme.  Be on the lookout for Season 4, "Process" coming in early 2021 !!

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(S3, EP 11) We reached our final guest to close out Season 3 continuing the theme, "Where Do We Stand?".  MILCK (Connie Lim) is an Asian-American recording artist who first received international attention for her song …

(S3, EP 10) Maya Reddy, founder of Queer Asian Social Club (QASC), joins me for this episode as part of the Season 3 theme, "Where Do We Stand?" …

(S3, EP 9) Kristina Tendilla joins me as my guest for this Season 3's theme "Where Do We Stand?"  Kristina is a queer Filipinx-American community organizer in Chicago and current Executive Director of AFIRE (Alliance of …

(S3, EP 8) In continuation of the Season 3 theme, "Where Do We Stand?",  Indiana State Representative Chris Chyung joined me as my guest for this …

(S3, EP 7) Suely Saro Ed.D. joins me as a guest for the Season 3 edition of "Where Do We Stand?"  Suely is currently running for Long Beach City Council.  Earlier this year, she beat her opponent who has been a …

(S3, EP 6) Jianan Shi joined in as a guest for this week's episode which was recorded on July 24th.  Jianan is the Executive Director with Illinois …

(S3, EP 5) In this week's episode, I spoke with my old friend Tereza Lee back in July.  Tereza is a mother of 3, professional pianist, and a …

(S3, EP 4) Michelle Kim joined in for this week's episode as part of Season 3's theme, "Where Do We Stand?".  Michelle is a queer social justice activist, and is currently the CEO of Awaken, which provides interactive …

(S3, EP 3) Cathy Park Hong joined me for this week's episode of the podcast.  Cathy is a Korean-American poet, writer, and professor at Rutgers-Newark University.  Cathy recently released her critically acclaimed essay …

(S3, EP 2) Anoop Prasad, Immigration Attorney w/ Asian Law Caucus, joins in for this episode continuing on the Season 3 theme "Where Do We Stand?" as he talks about the current situation that has affected Southeast …

(S3, EP 1) Annie Tan, special education teacher, activist, writer and storyteller, kicks things off as my first guest of the 3rd season of the podcast.  In this discussion, Annie talked about the challenges she has …

I am excited to be back and share with you a new 3rd season of "The Banh Mi Chronicles" Podcast.  For this 3rd season, the podcast will be exploring the theme, "Where Do We Stand?" as I sit down and talk with fellow …

Welcome to the Season 2 Recap of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast!

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(S2, EP 14) For this Season 2 finale centering on the theme, "1975",  NY Times best seller and Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen joins in as a …

(S2, EP 13.2) For this week’s part 2 episode, I interviewed guest Sina Sam, a longtime Cambodian-American community leader from Washington State.  She became the first Cambodian American woman to serve as the …

(S2 EP 13.1) Sina Sam, a 1.5 generation Khmer-American chatted with the podcast for our two-part interview.  She became the first Cambodian-American woman to serve as the Commissioner for the Asian Pacific American …

(S2, EP 12) For this week's episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast centering on the theme "1975", Lao American writer and playwright Saymoukda Vongsay aka "Refugenius" joins in as a guest and shares her family's …

(S2, Ep 11)  For this week's episode of the podcast, Cambodian-American author Sambath Meas joins in as my guest.  She's 1.5 generation Cambodian-American who grew up in the Chicago Uptown neighborhood.  She is the …

(S2, EP 10)  In continuing the 2nd season “1975" theme, I interviewed Kevin Yang, a 2nd generation Hmong American from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. …

(S2, Ep 9) In this week's episode, Cambodian Artist and Musician, Punisa Pov joins me as my guest for the podcast. Punisa was born and raised in …

(S2 Ep 8) In continuing the theme, “1975” for this 2nd season,  Khemarey Khoeun joins me as my guest for this week's episode. Khemarey is a 1.5 …

(S2, EP 7) For this week's episode for the podcast's Season 2 theme, "1975", Tony Ho Tran, 2nd generation mixed Viet American writer / storyteller and genealogist, spoke about his journey to learn who his grandfather …

(S2, EP 6) Simone Cottrell, an independent multi disciplinarian theatre maker, shares her experience growing up as a mixed Khmer American in Bayou La …

(S2, EP 5) It has been an emotionally difficult ordeal for all of us as we are grappling with the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.  It has been …

(S2, EP 4) Tung Nguyen joined me as a guest for this episode.  Tung and I connected on Instagram when we discovered each other's podcast. Tung is a Vietnamese-American podcaster, engineer, and musician.  He currently …

I decided to do an impromptu episode, breaking away from my normal podcast routine, and spend some time talking about my own feelings in regards to …

(S2, EP 3) I chatted with Vân Huynh , a queer Viet-American immigration attorney who splits her time between Atlanta and Chicago.  In this conversation, Vân shared her struggles with assimilation and expectations that …

(S2, EP 2) Meet Phanit Duong aka Hella Chluy for this week's episode.  In his first-ever interview, Phanit chatted about his early upbringing in Washington state after his parents arrived there after surviving the Khmer …

(S2, EP 1) For the 1st episode for Season 2's "1975" theme, Viet-American bestselling author Thanhha Lai joined me as a guest for this episode.  Thanhha recently released her critically-acclaimed fiction book, Butterfly …

Welcome back everyone! To kick things off in the 2020 year, I decided to devote this second season revolving around the theme, "1975".  It marks the …

Season 1 of The Banh Mi Chronicles podcast has finally concluded!  Thank you to everyone who has followed and listened to the podcast.  In the past 3 …

For the season 1 finale of the podcast, Dr. Ada Cheng joins me as a guest on the podcast.  I met Ada back in June 2016 at a queer storytelling show, …

For this week's season 1, episode 11, singer / musician SuperKnova chats with me and shares her journey as a Korean-American transgender musician.  She recently released her 2nd EP called "American Queers" which can be …

For this week's Season 1, Episode 10,  Brandon Lee, Japanese-American and community activist from the Chicago Uptown neighborhood, joined me for "The Banh Mi Chronicles" podcast back in late October to discuss his …

For this week's Season 1, Episode 9, Huy Nguyen and Mickael Van Pham sit down and chat about their different paths going into comedy and theater.  They perform together as a comedy improv duo called "Fish Sauce." As 2nd …

For this week's Season 1, Episode 8,  Joy Messinger sits down "The Banh Mi Chronicles" podcast and takes us on a journey as a queer Korean adoptee in Western NY.  She talks about her experiences in the racial, social, …

For this week's S1, Ep 7, Jenn Ho, the creator of Lawrence & Argyle sits down with The Banh Mi Chronicles podcast as she reflects on her experience growing up as an American-born Viet-American and witnesses the …

For S1 Episode 6, Loreen Targos shares her experience in the political activism / advocacy sphere.  She talks about mixed Asian identity experience …

Welcome to S1 Ep5 of "The Banh Mi Chronicles" podcast.  I bring to you Hac Tran, a 2nd generation Viet-American who speaks about his experience being …

For this Season 1, Episode 4, I spoke with both Sok Theary Nak and Leakhena (Lyk) Yoeun.  We serve together as board members with The National Cambodian Heritage Museum (NCHM), currently the only museum outside of …

For this season 1, episode 3, I welcome Anu Bhatt as our guest for this episode.  Anu is an actor, dancer, and playwright. She was originally raised in San Diego, CA before moving to Chicago to pursue theater.  She …

Trigger warning:  Topic of suicide and mental health

For Season 1, Episode 2, I chatted with Joanna Leynes who shares her personal experience with mental health as a suicide survivor, and has since been on a mission to …

For our 1st episode, Etzkorn Lewis Wong shares his upbringing as a mixed Asian-American in Chicago-Rogers Park, his new journey as a singer-songwriter-musician, and his experiences being a caregiver at the age of 17 …

Welcome to The Bánh Mì Chronicles podcast.  In this preview, I'll share with you what prompted me to start this podcast, and how I came up with the title.  I am eager to share with you on what to expect for this 1st …