Death in Cambodia, Life in America

Chef Nite - Chef & Restaurateur

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , I sit down with Chef Nite Yun , the visionary behind the beloved Oakland restaurant Nyum Bai, author of the new cookbook My Cambodia, and one of the stars of Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Noodles . Her episode introduced millions to the richness of Khmer cuisine, but behind the camera, Chef Nite’s story is one of identity, intergenerational trauma, and healing through food. Born to Cambodian refugee parents and raised in Stockton, California, Che...

Li-Da Kruger - Cofounder of Reconnecting Cambodia

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , I speak with Li-Da Kruger, a Cambodian-born British filmmaker and adoptee, whose search for identity has shaped the course of her life. Adopted as a baby just before the Khmer Rouge came to power, Li-Da was raised in the UK with little connection to her roots. For decades, she carried the weight of survival, guilt, and longing for a culture that felt both hers and not hers. We talk about the emotional complexities of growing up as an adopte...

James Taing - Author & Director

This week on the Death in Cambodia, Life in America Podcast , I sit down with James Taing , founder of the Preah Vihear Foundation, author of Under the Naga Tail , and director of the short documentary Ghost Mountain . James shares the deeply personal story of his father, who survived the Khmer Rouge only to face a second, lesser-known atrocity: being forced back across the Thai-Cambodian border into a minefield enduring a trauma shared by more than 45,000 refugees seeking safety in 1979. We dis...

Chef Nak - Celebrity Chef & Culinary Author

Episode Description In the latest episode of the Death in Cambodia, Life in America Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Chef Ros Rotanak (better known as Chef Nak) Cambodia’s leading culinary ambassador and the author of the award-winning cookbook SAOI . From her earliest memories of cooking out of necessity to her rise as a global advocate for Khmer food, Chef Nak’s journey is one of resilience, purpose, and passion. In this interview, she opens up about the emotional weight of her ac...

Amara Goel - Performer and Policy Analyst

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , I sit down with Amara Goel , a Cambodian American performing artist, and policy analyst whose journey spans refugee camps, international stages, and global policy work. Amara shares her experiences growing up as a 1.5 generation immigrant and how her identity has been shaped by a life lived across countries and cultures. We explore her deep connection to Cambodian history and how the lack of education around the Khmer Rouge in the U.S. fuel...

Caylee So - Filmmaker

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , I sit down with Caylee So , a Cambodian-American filmmaker, veteran, and co-founder of the Cambodian Town Film Festival. Born in a refugee camp after her parents fled the Khmer Rouge, Caylee shares her incredible journey from growing up in Virginia to serving in the Army National Guard and ultimately finding her voice through filmmaking. We talk about the life-altering impact of her mother’s death, her deployment to Iraq, and how these expe...

Loung Ung - Author of "First They Killed My Father"

With the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge upon us, I’m honored to share a conversation that holds so much weight, truth, and heart. In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , I sit down with Loung Ung , Cambodian-American author, activist, and survivor. You probably know Loung from her memoir First They Killed My Father , which tells the story of her survival during the Khmer Rouge regime. It was later adapted into a Netflix film, co-written with and directed by Angelina Jolie . ...

Jean-Baptiste Phou - Author of “Coming Out of My Skin”

French-Cambodian artist Jean-Baptiste Phou joins Death in Cambodia, Life in America Podcast for a powerful conversation about identity, creative expression, and the journey of reconnection. Born in Paris and now based in Phnom Penh, Jean-Baptiste reflects on growing up as a Cambodian immigrant in France, grappling with cultural disconnection, and ultimately leaving a career in finance to pursue a life in the arts. Phou shares insights into his collaborations with renowned filmmaker Rithy Panh , ...

Patricia McCormick - Author of Never Fall Down

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , we sit down with Patricia McCormick , a two-time National Book Award finalist and the acclaimed author of Never Fall Down , a powerful novel based on the true story of Arne Chorn-Pond , a boy who survived the Khmer Rouge by playing music. With a background in journalism and a passion for storytelling, McCormick has spent her career shedding light on issues of trauma, healing, and resilience , tackling difficult subjects such as child soldie...

Sin Setsochhata - Singer/Songwriter

We’re back with Season 3 of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , and we’re still going strong with incredible interviews! This week, we’re joined by Sin Setsochhata , a rising singer-songwriter from Phnom Penh and the granddaughter of the legendary Sinn Sisamouth—Cambodia’s “Elvis” and a trailblazer of Khmer rock. Setsochhata opens up about growing up in a musical family, the challenges of living up to her grandfather’s iconic legacy, and her determination to preserve her family’s musical roots ...

Dr. Judy Lederwood - Researcher

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , we sit down with anthropologist Dr. Judy Ledgerwood , an expert on generational trauma and Southeast Asian studies. Drawing from decades of research in Cambodia and with Cambodian refugees in the United States, Dr. Ledgerwood unpacks the profound aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime. Together, they explore the regime’s devastating impact on mortality, family structures, and gender roles, and how survivors rebuilt their lives amid lingering f...

Dr. Alex Hinton - Anthropologist

In this powerful episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , we sit down with renowned anthropologist Dr. Alexander Hinton , an expert on genocide, mass violence, and human rights, to dig into the dark history of the Cambodian genocide and the lessons it holds for the world. Dr. Hinton shares how his journey began with a visit to Cambodia in 1992, where he was profoundly moved by the stories of Khmer Rouge survivors. Together, we explore the foundations of genocide—how ideology, intent, and ...

Chantha Nguon - Author of "Slow Noodles"

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Chantha Nguon, author of Slow Noodles, Fast City and a refugee of the Khmer Rouge. Nguon shares her powerful journey of survival, starting with her childhood in Cambodia, which abruptly changed when the Khmer Rouge took over. She recounts the hardships her family faced while fleeing to Vietnam, losing loved ones along the way, and eventually finding herself in refugee camps. Cooking became her lifeline, and it’s through her love for food and her mother’s ...

Eric Tang - Author of Unsettled

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Eric Tang, author of Unsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the New York City Hyperghetto . As an associate professor and former community organizer, Tang shares his deeply personal research on Cambodian refugees in the U.S., shedding light on the often overlooked struggles they face. From his time working with Cambodian and Vietnamese communities in the Bronx, Tang discusses the concept of "hyper ghettos," the economically devastated neighborhoods where many r...

Bunthoeun Real - Director of Donut Boy

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America , we sit down with award-winning Cambodian-American director and writer, Bunthoeun Real , to dive into his experiences growing up as a Cambodian American and his inspiring journey into filmmaking. Real shares the unique challenges of navigating cultural expectations, the importance of representation in media, and the personal stories behind his acclaimed short film, Donut Boy , which captures the lives of Cambodian American "donut kids." Thro...

Elizabeth Becker - Author of "When the War Was Over"

Elizabeth Becker, a war correspondent and author of When The War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge , discusses her experience in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime. Becker explains how she became interested in Cambodian history and how she ended up as a journalist in Vietnam and Cambodia. Becker highlights the importance of understanding the historical context of Cambodia's involvement in the Vietnam War and the impact of American bombing. She also shares her experience as one of the fe...

Dr. Scott Allen - Author of "Across a Bridge of Fire"

Dr. Scott A. Allen, an author, physician and professor, shares his experiences working in refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodian border in the 1980s in his book, Across a Bridge of Fire: An American Teen's Odyssey from the Burn Ward to the Edge of the Cambodian Killing Fields . Dr. Allen highlights the resilience and hope he witnessed in the refugees, despite their difficult circumstances. He also explores the complexities of the Khmer Rouge regime and the challenges faced by women and children in ...

Monica Sok - Author & Poet

Monica Sok, author of A Nail the Evening Hangs On, discusses her upbringing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and her connection to her Cambodian heritage. She shares how her parents' silence about their refugee experiences and her own curiosity led her to explore her history and pursue poetry. Sok talks about her time studying abroad in Vietnam and Cambodia, which inspired her to commit to writing poetry. She discusses her writing process and the emotional journey of creating her book. Sok discusses ...

Chris Parkhurst, Producer and Director of Elvis of Cambodia

Director and producer Chris Parkhurst discusses his documentary film 'Elvis of Cambodia' and his journey of exploring the music and legacy of Cambodian artist Sinn Sisamouth. The film beautifully blends the history of the Khmer Rouge with the healing power of Cambodian music. Chris shares how he fell in love with documentary filmmaking and Cambodia during his first visit in 2004. He talks about the challenges of making the film over a span of 10 years and the importance of honoring the family an...

Anne Elizabeth Moore - Author, Journalist, and Cultural Critic

Anne Elizabeth Moore, author of Cambodian Grrrl, shares her experiences in Cambodia, teaching young women about self-publishing and cultural differences. She discusses the impact of the Khmer Rouge and the Chbab Srey on women's rights and freedom of speech. The conversation covers Moore’s experience teaching self-publishing to young women in Cambodia, the impact of the experience on her, the creation of her books, and the evolution of women's rights in Cambodia. It also delves into the complexit...

Soreath Hok - A Multi-Media Journalist

Soreath Hok, a multimedia journalist, shares her journey in the media industry and her focus on reporting on Cambodian-American mental health issues. She discusses her upbringing as a 1.5 generation immigrant and her love for media from a young age. Soreath talks about her experience in college radio and how it led her to pursue a career in journalism. She highlights the importance of representation in the media and the support she has received for her reporting on Cambodian Americans. Soreath a...

Dr. Sophal Ear - Esteemed Academic and Writer

Dr. Sophal Ear, a Cambodian refugee, shares his journey from escaping the Khmer Rouge to becoming a successful academic and writer. He discusses his multifaceted work, including teaching, research, and consulting, and his passion for paying it forward and giving back. Dr. Ear reflects on the importance of educating the next generation about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history. He also shares his experiences growing up in France, the challenges of moving to America, and the impact of his mother...

Dr. Patrick Heuveline - A Sociologist and Khmer Rouge Expert

Welcome back to Season 3 of Death in Cambodia, Life in America! We're starting season 3 off strong with a special guest: Dr. Patrick Heuveline. Dr. Heuveline is a sociologist and expert on the long-term consequences of the Khmer Rouge regime, discusses the effects of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. He explores topics such as the baby boom that occurred after the Khmer Rouge, the mental health effects on survivors and their children, and the transformation of family structures in post-Khmer Rouge Ca...

Nick Coffill - Author of the book "Photography in Cambodia: 1866 to Present"

Nicholas Coffill's huge passion for live theatre, performances, and sharing a cultures history through photography and music - lead him to create one of the first ever fully developed photography books about Cambodia today. His book "Photography in Cambodia: 1866 to the Present" is one of the most beautiful coffee table books enriched with photography from ancient times, up until modern day Cambodia. His experience in museum curation allows this book to feel like you are walking through a "museu...

Catherine Filloux - Award Winning Playwright of the Only Cambodian-U.S. Rock Opera

For the past three decades, award-winning artist, playwright, and librettist Catherine Filloux has been traveling to conflict areas creating art that addresses human rights and U.S. complicity. Her plays and operas about Cambodia include: “Eyes of the Heart” and “Photographs from S-21” and she is the co-founder of Theatre Without Borders. “Where Elephants Weep” the only Cambodian-U.S. rock opera will air on Broadway on Demand from April 14 to 23, 2023 , in time for the Cambodian New Year, with a...

Myra Torcheux - A Cambodian Orphan in France

Myra Torcheux has her masters from The London School of Economics and aspires to change policies for children's rights. Much of her passion for this career is driven by her experience growing up in France as an adoptee. I mentioned via social media that I am passionate about highlighting stories that deserve more attention, one storyline being the great amount of orphans that came out of the Khmer Rouge. We brought Myra onto the podcast for her to share her experiences, her struggles with her id...

Sochanvimean Vannavuth Ph.D - How has the Khmer Rouge Effected this Generation?

I am popping out of retirement to introduce you to someone that I absolutely HAD to interview. Sochanvimean or as I call him Vimean , is a Cambodian Ph.D Psychologist at UCSB who is passionate about how the mental health and generational trauma is cultivated through traumatic expereinces such as the Khmer Rouge. We dig into Vimean's past growing up in Cambodia, and how his passion for offering more mental health services lead him to getting the education he has today. We talk about the following...

A Final Message, From Me to You.

Season Finale - Farewell to Robert

Robert and I share our last recording together as we close this chapter. We finalize the season by discussing what Robert has learned over the years, how he would have done things differently, and what he hopes everyone will takeaway from this podcast. We discuss topics like revenge, forgiveness, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, lessons of life and so much more. You can hear me tear up and cry towards the end and I realized this season was coming to a end. What a journey this has been. The f...

Special Guest - Angela Wu aka The Sassy Asian Therapist

Today we bring on Angela Wu LMFT aka the Sassy Asian Therapist to bring on a professional light on what generational trauma is, and how we can cope with it as second generation asian Americans. We discuss this idea of trying to "fix" our parents as children of refugees, tactics to handle generational trauma, how we can start the conversation of healing with our parents and many more! Do not miss this episode. This is such a wonderful conversation for second generation Cambodian Americans. https:...