The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen - podcast cover

The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

thevietnamesepodcastredcircle.com

Being a part of the Vietnamese culture of over 100 million people comes with plenty of history, privilege, honor, and not to mention painful challenges. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese experience from around the world! Each podcast episode explores the creative process of individuals shaping the diversity of what it means to be Vietnamese--as a local, born and raised, or as a third culture kid. Gain insight on the divisions that separate us politically and culturally. This podcast can take multiple directions, but what it will aim to do is show Vietnamese from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities. When you strip away the diaspora, we are #VietnameseFirst.

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Episodes

383 - Joseph Nguyen - What Gives Us the Right to Push Vietnamese History and Language in U.S. Schools?

Joseph Nguyễn received his M.A. focusing on Vietnamese and Vietnamese Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. In 2022, he also received a Fulbright Fellowship to Vietnam. Currently, Joseph teaches Vietnamese American Experiences at CSU Long Beach and is a Vietnamese dual language immersion (VDLI) teacher at Westminster School District, the first K-12 VDLI program in the United States. He is also helped contribute researching for and writing the recently-released Vietnamese American Experiences ...

Oct 18, 202453 min

Episode 3 - SEA Dreams - Why Does SINGAPORE Lead the Way in Southeast Asia?

Singapore is a city-state with few natural resources and a colonial past. How was it able to grow into an economic powerhouse and what lessons can be learned and are these lessons applicable to the rest of South East Asia? Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, stu...

Oct 15, 20241 hr 28 min

382 - Tymay Lay - Can Jokes Still Be Funny Without the Asian Accent?

Tymay Lay is an online content creator responsible for the creation of Dear Diary and Peggy and other True Stories from her Imagination from @Tymaylay. In this episode of the Vietnamese podcast, Tymay shares her online comedy journey with Kenneth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record t...

Oct 14, 20241 hr

381 - Nam Phong Dialogues - Kevin Pham and Yen Vu

On this episode of the Vietnamese podcast, Kevin and Yen delve into their academic backgrounds, the inception of their podcast 'Nam Phong Dialogues', and the complexities of cultural identity and post-colonial influences. They discuss the importance of curiosity in travel and the podcasting process, emphasizing the need for community engagement and listener feedback. The dialogue highlights the significance of exploring Vietnamese culture through an academic lens while fostering a sense of conne...

Oct 11, 20241 hr 25 min

380 - Joseph Nguyen - Why is Vietnamese Being Taught Side By Side in U.S. Schools?

Joseph Nguyễn received his M.A. focusing on Vietnamese and Vietnamese Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. In 2022, he also received a Fulbright Fellowship to Vietnam. Currently, Joseph teaches Vietnamese American Experiences at CSU Long Beach and is a Vietnamese dual language immersion (VDLI) teacher at Westminster School District, the first K-12 VDLI program in the United States. He is also helped contribute researching for and writing the recently-released Vietnamese American Experiences ...

Oct 07, 20241 hr 12 min

379 - The Rolling 90's Music Scene with Kenneth and Guests Son Vu and Chris Tran

Join Kenneth as he sits down with his former club-promoting partner (1995-1997), Son Vu. Together with Chris Tran from Little Saigon, they take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the vibrant mid-90s party scene in Southern California, reflecting on their shared experiences and the cultural impact of that era within the Vietnamese community. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Priv...

Oct 03, 202442 min

Episode 2 - SEA Dreams - Coffee and Beyond

Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer and the top producer of Robusta beans, but its coffee story is much more than numbers. In this episode of *Sea Dreams*, we explore how coffee has shaped Vietnam's history, economy, and identity—from its introduction during French colonization to its rise as a global export powerhouse. This is not just about coffee; it’s a journey through resilience, innovation, and Vietnam’s unique spirit. We delve into the differences between Robusta and Ara...

Oct 01, 20241 hr 42 min

378 - Eric Nong - A Deep Dive into Vietnamese Cinema with Viet Film Festival Artistic Director

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Eric Nong is a self-taught classic film buff who, since 2021, has served as Viet Film Fest Artistic Director. In addition to his passion for film, he has served as a volunteer and writer for Viet Film Fest 2018. Eric was also a part of Viet Film Fest 2019’s Curatorial Committee and volunteered during the 3-day event. Eric has a BA in Political Science from UC Irvine (also attended UC Santa Cruz for the first two years of undergrad); MPP from UCI with...

Sep 30, 20241 hr 8 min

377 - Daniel Nguyen + Katherine Lam - Why Representation Matters

Daniel Nguyen, originally from the Pacific Northwest, made history as the first person of color on the City Council of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and currently serves as an Oregon state legislator for the 38th district. Katherine Lam, who immigrated from Vietnam at age thirteen, holds influential roles as a commissioner for the Port of Portland and board member for the Oregon Business Council. Katherine was just named Restaurateur of the Year by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. Daniel ...

Sep 27, 202446 min

376 - Andy Ho aka Hoey Farmer from the V Unit

Andy Ho, known by his stage name HoeyFarmer, is a stand-up comedian and entertainer whose unique journey began in the fields as a farmer for four years. Transitioning from agriculture to comedy, Andy discovered his knack for creating hilarious skits and rap parodies that quickly gained attention for their witty humor. He has a variety of characters including Viet Dad and none other than 50dong the Vietnamese 50cent! & the beloved hoeyfarmer! --------------------------------------------------...

Sep 25, 202456 min

375 - Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen - MC Paris by Night

Nguyễn Cao Kỳ Duyên is a Vietnamese-American singer, songwriter, and master of ceremonies and co-host of Paris by Night. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go unto...

Sep 23, 202454 min

374 - Sahra Nguyen - Founder Nguyen Coffee Supply

Nguyen Coffee Supply was founded by Sahra Nguyen, a 1st generation Vietnamese American and a quintessential Millennial of the “Slash Generation”. Her multifaceted creative career includes being the award-winning documentary filmmaker behind NBC News’ “Deported”, a former restaurant owner and a 2018 Google Next Gen Leader. Nguyen is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, who fled their country by boat after the Vietnam War, and eventually settled in Boston, MA, where she was born and raised. ------...

Sep 19, 202451 min

Episode 1 SEA Dreams - What is Pho?

Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region. What is pho? A deep-dive into the origins, development, an...

Sep 16, 20241 hr 38 min

373 - Loan Le - Author + Senior Editor

Loan Le is a Senior Editor at Atria Books. She began her publishing career at Gallery Books and Scout Press in 2014, then joined Atria in 2016. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Fairfield University in 2014, where she later earned her MFA in fiction. Her titles include Scott Alexander Howard’s The Other Valley, Luke Dumas’s USA Today bestseller The Paleontologist, Carolyn Huynh’s The Fortunes of Jaded Women (a GMA Book Club Pick), and Jess Kidd’s The Night Ship, Sarah Lan...

Sep 12, 20241 hr 4 min

372 - Triet Tran - Can We Get Just An "I Love You"?

Triet Tran, also known as Tee, was born in Vietnam but raised and currently reside in Houston, Texas. He is a content creator who focuses on making comedic short skits on Instagram and TikTok where he usually has a towel wrapped around his head imitating Vietnamese moms or a baseball cap to imitate our Vietnamese dads. Outside of the realm of content creating, you can find him figure skating or begging his mom to make bò kho. ----------------------------------------------------------------------...

Sep 03, 202453 min

371 - Kayli Tran - Actress

Kayli Tran is an American actor who’s made waves with her major breakout role in the critically acclaimed A24/HBO show The Sympathizer. Helmed by visionary director Park Chan-Wook and acting opposite Academy Award winner Robert Downey Jr. Kayli delivered a mesmerizing performance as a secret communist spy showcasing her depth and range as an actress. Through her portrayal, she skillfully navigated the complexities of identity, loyalty, and betrayal, leaving viewers spellbound by her raw emotions...

Aug 28, 20241 hr 16 min

370 - Fred Le - What Does it Take to Be Funny?

Fred Le is a comedian and filmmaker based in LA. He, along with fellow comic Andy Van co-created the all-Vietnamese comedy show Embarrassed by Night which continues to tour the West Coast, with its upcoming show #10 in Los Angeles on September 13th, 2024. Begun in 2022, Embarrassed by Night has received multiple write-ups on Metro Silicon Valley, been featured on Little Saigon TV, and showcased at San Francisco Sketchfest. He is currently wrapping up post-production on his first feature document...

Aug 26, 20241 hr 6 min

369 - KT Nguyen - Crafting a Thriller Novel Around Obsession and Compulsion Disorder

Join K. T. Nguyen, a former magazine editor whose features have graced the pages of Glamour, Shape, and Fitness, as she shares stories from her life spent navigating the bustling cities of New York, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco and working through debilitating OCD. “You Know What You Did” is her debut novel that was just released in April 2024. Now settled just outside Washington, D.C., K. T. reflects on her journey as a writer, the lessons learned along the way, and the adventures s...

Aug 22, 202447 min

368 - Andrew Lam - Why Do Our Stories Matter?

Andrew Lam is the author of Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora , which won the 2006 PEN Open Book Award, and East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres . Lam is an editor and cofounder of New America Media, an association of over two thousand ethnic media outlets in America. He was a regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered for many years, and was the subject of a 2004 PBS documentary called My Journey Home . His essays have appeared in newspapers and magazines such...

Aug 16, 20241 hr 21 min

367 - Lan Ho -What Makes Vietnamese Coffee Truly Vietnamese? Exploring the Journey and Vision of the Founder of Fat Miilk Coffee

Lan Ho is a Vietnamese American who made a bold career change from pharmacist to coffee entrepreneur after being furloughed during the pandemic. She pivoted to pursue her dream and successfully launched Fat Miilk - Chicago's first Vietnamese Robusta-centric coffee company. The brand saw instant global recognition when Bon Appetit listed Fat Miilk on their "Highly Recommend" list. The brand can be seen in publications, including Eater, TimeOut, Thrillest, Roast Magazine, and more. Lan was recentl...

Aug 08, 202445 min

366 - Hồng Thảo - Unlocking Philanthropy: How Does the Gates Foundation Give Away Money?

Hồng Thanh Phương Thảo (She/Her/Hers) is a Senior Program Officer supporting advocacy for the Digital Public Infrastructure and Inclusive Financial Systems teams at the Gates Foundation. Thảo previously held positions in commercial aircraft sales, brand marketing, and international strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Prior to joining the private sector, Thảo was a Foreign Service Officer focusing on economic issues in East Asia at the State Department, serving overseas as a Vice Consul in S...

Aug 05, 20241 hr 40 min

365 - Dr. Stefan Bean - Orange County Superintendent of Schools

Stefan was born as Nam Le Thanh in Saigon in the early 70s of war-torn Vietnam. He was stricken by polio at the age of two, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Due to this debilitating disease, he was soon after abandoned by his parents. He was later discovered sitting on the streets and taken to an orphanage where he was further neglected with little to no medical care. On April 6, 1975, as Saigon burned in the background, his future was forever changed with Operation Babylift- a humanit...

Aug 01, 202450 min

364 - Chef Nguyen Bui + Chef Minh Phan + Gustavo Arellano - The State of Dining

The Vietnamese podcast goes on the road in person at Chef Nguyen Bui's Buivette, a series of steakhouse dinners in the intimate setting of his loft in the Arts District. Chef Bui, formerly of Rustic Canyon, is joined by two other guests, Minh Phan and Gustavo Arellano. Minh Phan is an art practitioner, chef, founder, and creative director of Michelin Star (2021, 2022) and 2021 LA Times Restaurant of the Year PHENAKITE, lauded porridge + puffs, and multi-disciplinary PKite Studio. Gustavo Arellan...

Jul 24, 202452 min

363 - Mike Tatarski - Journalism in Vietnam Today

Michael Tatarski is an American journalist based in Vietnam. Tatarski is the writer of Vietnam Weekly, and served as Editor-in-Chief of Saigoneer, a Ho Chi Minh City-based English news publication, from 2018 to 2022. Tatarski's reporting has covered Vietnamese culture, politics, and international relations, including the 2019 Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi and the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam. Tatarski has reported on conservation efforts and climate change in Vietnam, particularly on the country's w...

Jul 18, 20241 hr 1 min

362 - Mixed Miyagi - Rapper

Originally from Cần Thơ, Vietnam, Mixed Miyagi was raised in Tampa, Florida, where he was captivated by the Hip Hop Culture. As a biracial immigrant, he holds his Nigerian and Vietnamese roots close to his heart. Miyagi expresses his passion for social justice, cultural awareness, lyricism, and clever wordplay. His most viewed music video today, titled “Việt Nam Xin Chào”, which is a nod to his hometown, has garnered over 1 million views on YouTube. He received praise for his talents, and for em...

Jul 05, 20241 hr 13 min

361 - Trung Nguyen - Some Truth About War

Trung Nguyen is a distinguished former Army Ranger, having served with honor in the elite 2/75th Ranger Regiment. With over 14 years of dedicated law enforcement experience, Trung has served across four diverse departments, including suburban Illinois, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Chicago Police Department. His tenure with the Chicago PD includes five years on the full-time SWAT team, where he excelled as a shield operator, demonstrating exceptional bravery and tactical expertise. ...

Jul 02, 202451 min

360 - Bob Nguyen - Bad Influence Tattoo

Bob Nguyen has been a staple of the Vietnamese community since opening the first Vietnamese owned tattoo shop in Orange County, in particular, Little Saigon Westminter California. With over 30 years experience in tattoo artistry, Bob still shows love for the art and its apparent in his work. You can still find him tattooing at his shop aptly named Bad Influence Tattoo, established in 2003. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many of ...

Jun 26, 20241 hr 4 min

359 - NODEY - A Musical Artist Journey from France to Vietnam

Nodey is a dynamic Vietnamese-French music DJ, beatmaker and producer whose beats and melodies transcend borders. In this podcast, we explore Nodey's unique soundscapes, blending traditional Vietnamese music with contemporary French influences. From his rise in the French music scene to his early days in Vietnam, Nodey's story is one of cultural innovation, and relentless passion for music and culture. We uncover the inspirations behind his genre-defying beats, his creative process, and his visi...

Jun 24, 20241 hr 25 min

358 - Erica Kim - How Were Little Saigons in the U.S. Built?

Erica Allen-Kim is an assistant professor of architectural history at the University of Toronto. Erica is the author of Building Little Saigon - This work is an in-depth look at the diverging paths of Vietnamese American communities, or “Little Saigons,” in America’s built environment. Building Little Saigon examines nearly fifty years of city building by Vietnamese Americans—who number over 2.2 million today. Author Erica Allen-Kim highlights architecture and planning ideas adapted by the Vietn...

Jun 19, 20241 hr 34 min

357 - Peter "Broke the Habit'

‘brokethehabit’ or also known as Peter is a Vietnamese-Canadian content creator from Vancouver, BC, CANADA who focuses on heartfelt conversations that resonate with the younger Vietnamese generation. Peter mainly focuses on content that questions the norms he was raised with and isn’t afraid to be a walking example of his own brand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legac...

Jun 17, 202459 min
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