Thip Khao Talk

Xin chào and hello! Welcome to Season 3 of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Legacies of War Advocacy Ambassador, Jenny Nguyen, sits down with author Patricia "Kit" D. Norland!The Saigon Sisters offers the narratives of a group of privileged women who were immersed in a French lycée and later rebelled and fought for independence, starting with France's occupation of Vietnam and continuing through US involvement and life after war ends in 1975.Tracing the lives of nine women, The Saigon Sisters reveals these women's stories as they forsook safety and comfort to struggle for independence, and describes how they adapted to life in the jungle, whether facing bombing raids, malaria, deadly snakes, or other trials. How did they juggle double lives working for the resistance in Saigon? How could they endure having to rely on family members to raise their own children? Why, after being sent to study abroad by anxious parents, did several women choose to return to serve their country? How could they bear open-ended separation from their husbands? How did they cope with sending their children to villages to escape the bombings of Hanoi? In spite of the maelstrom of war, how did they forge careers? And how, in spite of dislocation and distrust following the end of the war in 1975, did these women find each other and rekindle their friendships? Patricia D. Norland answers these questions and more in this powerful and personal approach to history.Purchase the book: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501749735/the-saigon-sisters/Learn more about Legacies of War: www.legaciesofwar.orgTheme song by Lao Jazzanova BandThank you to our sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22 and Legacies of War's Lam Vong Circle Members for investing in the preservation of this history.

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

Xin chào and hello! Welcome to Season 3 of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Sophia Tran-Vu, Legacies of War Board Member, sits down with Former Ambassador Ted Osius!Former Ambassador Ted Osius is  President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. A diplomat for thirty years, Ambassador Osius served from 2014 to 2017 as U.S. ambassador to Vietnam.Leading a team of 900, Ambassador Osius devised and implemented strategies to deepen economic, security and cultural ties between the two countries.  In October 2021, Osius published his most recent book, Nothing Is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam, with a Foreword by former Secretary of State John Kerry, covering the two countries’ 25-year journey from adversaries to friends and partners. After his departure from government, Osius joined Google Asia-Pacific as Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy, covering 19 Asian nations from Google’s Singapore headquarters.  Earlier, he was a senior advisor at the Albright-Stonebridge Group and the first Vice President of Fulbright University Vietnam.  Osius was associate professor at the National War College and Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As a diplomat, Osius served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Political Minister-Counselor in New Delhi, India.  Osius also served as deputy director of the Office of Korean Affairs at the State Department, regional environment officer for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and senior advisor on Asia and trade to Vice President Al Gore.  He also served in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and at the United Nations. Ambassador Osius earned a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and an Honorary Doctorate from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education.  He was the first U.S. ambassador to receive the Order of Friendship from the President of Vietnam.  He serves on the Asia Foundation’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy. Ambassador Osius speaks Vietnamese, French and Italian, and a bit of Japanese, Indonesian, Hindi, Thai, Tagalog and Greek.  He and his husband, Clayton Bond, have a son and a daughter.Theme song by ⁠Lao Jazzanova⁠Order Nothing Is ImpossibleLearn more about Legacies of War

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome to Season 3 of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Sophia Tran-Vu, Legacies of War Board Member, sits down with Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai!Born and raised in Việt Nam, Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is an award-winning writer in Vietnamese and English, author of twelve books of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Her poetry in Vietnamese have been written into popular songs and has received Poetry of the Year 2010 Award from the Hanoi Writers Association, the Capital Award for Arts and Literature, as well as First Prize, the Poetry Competition about 1,000 Years of Hanoi. Her two novels in English, The Mountains Sing and Dust Child, are both international bestsellers and have been honored with Runner-up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award, the International Book Awards, the BookBrowse Best Debut Award, and the Lannan Literary Fellowship in Fiction. Her writing has been translated into twenty-seven languages and has appeared in major publications including The New York Times. Quế Mai is the Peace Ambassador for PeaceTree Vietnam, an organization that works to remove unexploded bombs in Việt Nam, as well as an Ambassador for Room to Read, an organisation that aims to erase global illiteracy and promotes girls’ education, She was named by Forbes Vietnam as one of 20 inspiring women of 2021. She has a Ph.D in Creative Writing with the U.K.’s Lancaster University.Theme song by ⁠Lao Jazzanova⁠Learn more about Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế MaiLearn more about Legacies of War

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome to another episode of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Heather Atherton, Legacies of War Board Member Emeritus and Legacies Library committee member, sits down with Director McKeague of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to discuss their mission, current work in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and the shared priority of healing the wounds of war. Mr. Kelly McKeague began service as the Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on September 5, 2017. He is responsible for policy, control, and oversight of all aspects of the Department’s program to account for our nation’s missing personnel from past conflicts. He leads DoD’s worldwide enterprise of research, investigation, recovery, and identification operations, and supporting functions, in order to provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel to their families and to the nation. Prior to his appointment, Mr. McKeague owned and operated a consulting business in Alexandria, Virginia, providing strategic and operational consulting to small-capital corporations seeking to expand business lines and services. In December 2015, Mr. McKeague culminated a 34-year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the rank of major general. In his last two assignments, he served as the first Deputy Director of the newly established DPAA, and before that as Commander, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Theme song by ⁠Lao Jazzanova⁠ Learn more about DPAA Learn more about Legacies of War

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome to another episode of Thip Khao Talk Podcast. Alex Hiniker, Legacies of War Board Chair Emeritus, sits down with our good friend, Dr. Erin Lin, to discuss her upcoming book 'When The Bombs Stopped'. Dr. Lin specializes in the study of war’s long-term effects on human and economic development, both in Cambodia and more globally. One of the things that she seeks to do in her research and writing is to recover a more dynamic appreciation of the historical processes that shape development, by integrating personal interviews and on-the-ground fieldwork with archival data. She’s also interested in exploring multidisciplinary approaches to answer key questions in political science.  Her major research topics include aerial bombings, unexploded ordnance, and rural poverty. Within these themes, she investigates farmer behavior, gender norms, and policy effectiveness. Beyond these social-science themes, she has a deep interest in heavy metal contamination in soil systems and image processing.  Her work incorporates techniques from computer science, machine learning, soil science, economics, and anthropology, and has been cited by The Economist, Gizmodo, Fox News, and The Cambodia Daily, among other media outlets. She’s served on the Mines Advisory Group board of directors since 2021, and in 2022 was named a Young Investigator by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Theme song by ⁠Lao Jazzanova⁠ Learn more about Dr. Erin Lin: https://www.erin-lin.com/ Learn more about Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

As a licensed psychotherapist, wellness coach, consultant, educator, and speaker, Rita Phetmixay's work is deeply rooted in transformative justice, liberation, and anti-oppressive practices. It is their goal to collaborate with individuals and communities to co-create safe spaces where folx can flourish in their authenticity. Rita has facilitated a number of holistic mental health and wellness workshops and trainings for student groups at higher educational institutions and community-based organizations across the nation. Their own experiences of forced resilience and coming to their own terms of healing intergenerational trauma bring greater understanding of how to connect to each of these identity groups, as well as the great honor on how to support them achieve joy and ultimate liberation. In this episode, Aleena Inthaly (former Legacies of War Chief of Staff and creator of Thip Khao Talk Podcast) and Kadiatou Toure (2023 University of Dayton Human Rights Fellow with Legacies of War) sit down with Rita to discuss how their journey led them to where they are today, understanding intergenerational trauma, and how to heal from the wounds of war. Theme song by ⁠Lao Jazzanova⁠ Learn more about Healing Out Lao'd: https://healingoutlaod.org/ Learn more about Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

George Black is a writer, journalist, and editorial consultant living in New York City. His latest book, The Long Reckoning: A Story of War, Peace, and Redemption in Vietnam, was published by Knopf on March 28, 2023, and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the withdrawal of the last American combat troops from Vietnam. He is the author of seven previous books on subjects ranging from the Chinese democracy movement to the River Ganges, from conflict in Central America to the 19th century exploration of the American West, as well as many long-form magazine articles on international politics, culture, and the environment. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and dozens of other publications. Both his books and his magazine work have won numerous awards and honors. In addition to an abiding passion for rivers, mountains, and faraway places, he has been struggling for the past decade with a serious case of addiction to Southeast Asia. Despite traveling to more than 50 countries and spending most of his adult life in the United States, part of his heart remains in his native Scotland. He is married to the writer Anne Nelson. They have two children, David and Julia. View 'The Long Reckoning' on Legacies Library! Theme song by Lao Jazzanova

Join the Sticky Rice Squad as we explore the theme of cultivating community and preserving heritage through Entrepreneurship. This time, we have the privilege of speaking to Alex Hanesakda, a passionate restaurant entrepreneur and the owner of SapSap Eats. SapSap, which translates to "delicious, delicious," in the Lao language, is a culinary haven that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also fosters a sense of togetherness through shared experiences. Born in a Thai refugee camp in Ubon, Alex's family hails from Laos, and their journey to the United States after the Vietnam War deeply influenced his perspective on heritage and the power of sharing it through food. Growing up in Burlington, Wisconsin, Alex witnessed firsthand how food can bridge cultural gaps and create lasting connections. This profound realization motivated him to embark on a mission to bring his family's heritage to the forefront and share it with the Mount Pleasant community and world. At SapSap Eats, Alex aims to emulate the spirit of togetherness that the Lao people have embraced for generations. It's not just about the food on the plate; it's about the communal experience of sharing a meal. By breaking away from the individualized approach often seen in Western dining culture, SapSap fosters an atmosphere where friends, families, and strangers alike come together to savor the vibrant flavors of Lao-inspired cuisine. From the moment you step through the doors of SapSap Eats, you're transported into a world where aromas dance in harmony and colorful dishes invite you to embark on a culinary adventure. The menu is a testament to Alex's dedication to preserving his family's traditions and many others in his community. In this podcast, we celebrate Alex's unwavering commitment to preserving his family's cherished traditions. With every bite, he pays homage to the rich culinary heritage that has been passed down through generations and makes sure our stories are not forgotten. Also check out Alex's feature by the Greater Racine County Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxls2ApfgyU This episode was narrated by Gabriel Bradley

Let’s rewind to 50 years ago when we didn’t know about the history of the American Secret War, and the plight of refugees that fled the small land-linked country bordering Vietnam and Cambodia. What should we remember from this history? How should we remember the lives lost and the stories that remain? And why is this issue so important to research, document, and record? There's still an abundance of documents, books, articles, photos and videos as well as recent footage that we were able to capture not too long ago that has us all thinking…  Let’s not forget about Laos. Take a deep dive with us as we listen to a CBS Broadcast from 1970 about the U.S. involvement in the Secret War in Laos as well as revisit Fred Branfman's Voices from the Plain of Jars, a collection of drawings and first-hand accounts of what refugees experienced during the American bombing campaign that lasted 9 years. We also get to listen to an interview featuring Fred Branfman conducted by Yosh Yamanaka, Producer of documentary film Waiting to Explode. 

Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan is a thematic research coordinator for the Cluster Munition Monitor. In this episode, CEO of Legacies of War, Sera Koulabdara, sits down with Yeshua to discuss the return of cluster munitions to Southeast Asia, the impact that the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) has had around the world, and advice for advocates of all ages. Learn more on our website For further information, read the statement by the CMC: Cluster Munition Coalition Condemns Myanmar’s Use of Cluster Munitions, 31 August 2023 Also see Cluster Munition Monitor: Briefing Paper on Cluster Munition Production and Use in Myanmar/Burma, August 2023

Tune in to our Thip Khao Talk to hear 7 INCREDIBLE stories of hope, recorded live in D.C. These stories will inspire you to draw on the strength and wisdom of your ancestors, remember the importance of your perseverance, and fill your heart with the energy to remain in the fight for peace. Listen wherever you find your podcasts to THIP KHAO TALK! Legacies of War needs your help. We need to reach our goal of $25K by August first to keep our doors open through the end of the year. Would you support our critical programming by donating $5 today? Visit LEGACIESOFWAR.ORG to donate.Thank you to our storytellers for your courage, your work, and your support:-Jessica Pearce Rotondi, Author, Chair of Legacies Library-Aleena Inthaly, Lao Food Movement-Chantal Coudoux, Associate Director, Success Stories Program-Dat Duthinh, Peace activist, FCNL-Brittney Sooksengdao, Architectural designer-Susan Hammond, Founder and ED, War Legacies Project, Co-Chair, War Legacies Working Group-Balasubramaniam Murali, Legacies of War Board Member, Senior Advisor, UN-The wonderful team at FCNL for hosting this event: Stephen Donahoe, Ursala Knudsen-Latta, Sarah Johnson, and Jackson Malkus-Little Hat Coffee for catering delicious drinks and pastriesSee you for the next Evening of Hope?

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Series: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation.From the desk of Khamsone Sirimanivong, Legacies of War Board of Directors Vice ChairRead the story here

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Series: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation. Journal entry: Sunday, March 10, 2024 From the desk of Soudary Kittivong-Greenbaum Transcript: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/post/best-you-eat-quickly-else-the-war-will-arrive Visit our website: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Series: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation. Healing: A Journey to Laos and Self-Acceptance From the desk of Legacies of War Board Member, Anna Douangphachanh Transcript: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/post/healing-a-journey-to-laos-and-self-acceptance Visit our website: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Series: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation. Bridging Two Worlds: Connecting Dots from Remnants of War and Trauma From the desk of Lasamee Kettavong Transcript: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/post/bridgingtwoworlds-connectingdotsfromremnantsofwarandtrauma Visit our website: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Series: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation. The Unexpected Legacy of War Coming Full Circle From the desk of Legacies of War Board Member, Sophia Tran-Vu Transcript: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/post/the-unexpected-legacy-of-war-coming-full-circle Visit our website: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Welcome to Thip Khao Talk's Secret Stories: Survivors of The American Wars in Southeast Asia, made possible with funding from The Henry Luce Foundation. VILLAGE GHOST: Celebrating the traditions and values of those that came before us From the desk of: Khamphone Jot Voraphaychith, Founder and winemaker of Village Ghost Transcript: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/post/village-ghost-celebrating-the-traditions-and-values-of-those-that-came-before-us Visit our website: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Welcome to a special episode of Thip Khao Talk where your extraordinary guest narrators, Gracy, Janny, and Kadiatou, invite you to join them on an exclusive journey behind the scenes. In this episode, we embark on a captivating exploration of the distinctive world experienced by remote summer interns at Legacies of War. Discover the challenges and triumphs of working from home while contributing to a mission of peace and healing. Gain insights into the dynamic virtual workspace that brings together a diverse team from across the United States, spanning the vast expanse from the West to the East coast. Get ready to uncover the untold stories, personal experiences, and valuable lessons learned by these interns as they navigate the meaningful work of Legacies of War. Join us for an enlightening and inspiring glimpse into the life of a summer intern at the heart of a mission-driven organization. Get to know our interns: Gracy is currently a junior at Princeton University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and certificates in Statistics and Machine Learning and Technology and Society. She has a strong background in policy research and community involvement, with a deep commitment to human rights. She hopes to use her science and technology background to help aid social issues and target current political challenges. With her strong work ethic and empathy for affected communities, Gracy is determined to contribute to the inspiring mission of Legacies of War and raise awareness of the devastating consequences of war. Janny is a junior at Princeton University, studying Public and International Affairs. She was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska! In her free time, she likes to watch k-dramas, play tennis, and listen to Stray Kids. She was excited to be working with Legacies of War this summer and learn more about the history of Laos and work on educating and raising awareness of the Secret War in Laos! Kadiatou was born in America but grew up in West Africa Guinea. She is a rising senior, attending the University of Dayton, who is currently studying English and minoring in Anthropology. Kadiatou wants to make an impact on the world. With her deep love for writing and comprehension, she wants to spread her experiences and heal those that are forced to abide by rules. Kadiatou wants people to know with her words and experiences that she sees them as she maneuvers through and conquers those rules. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends and family. She enjoys a space with community but also likes to have time for herself to read or listen to music.

2023 marks a critical year for Legacies of War’s mission as it is the 50th year since the last American bombs were dropped on Laos (August 14th, 1973) as well as the 50th year since the signing of the Paris Peace Accords (January 27th, 1973). This year our podcast is focused on remembrance. This is an homage to all the lives that were lost during war, the current victims of UXO/landmine accidents, and future victims of UXO accidents if we do not find and remove indiscriminate weapons that still impact people today first. This is our way of showing the promise that we will never forget them and continue our fight for funding and education of the history and resolve the current problems. We think the Forget-Me-Not flower is fitting as it symbolizes love, respect and the promise that the recipient of the flower will always be remembered.