The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

What pushes an ordinary resident and 35-year community member to step into the tumultuous arena of Westminster city politics? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Loan Nguyen, candidate for Westminster City Council (District 4). Loan shares the pivotal moment that triggered her campaign: witnessing the city council's controversial decision to add a &#34...

How can local politics in Little Saigon move past old red-baiting tactics to focus on infrastructure, human rights, and community safety? In this episode, Ken sits down with Hieu Nguyen—a social worker with over 20 years of mental health experience, co-founder of Viet Rainbow of Orange County (VROC), and candidate for Garden Grove City Council (District 4). Hieu discusses his journey from immigrat...

What drives a martial artist trained at Montreal’s legendary TriStar Gym to step onto a comedy stage and bare her soul? In this episode, Ken sits down with Tina Pham—a former MMA fighter, personal trainer, and actor turned stand-up comedian based in Vancouver, Canada. Tina opens up about the deep childhood dynamics, family trauma, and personal turning points that shaped her drive for raw honesty a...

How does a former boat refugee who lived in a jungle refugee camp for three years end up redefining premium Vietnamese dining in San Francisco? In this episode, Ken sits down in San Francisco with Viet (Mr. Gao), owner of Mr. Gao and Venticello/Ventre. Known across social media for his bold personality, luxury dishes, and $41 bowl of Phở, Viet opens up about the deeply personal backstory he rarely...

How do we honor our parents' refugee history while fighting for local policy, rent control, and political representation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Tracy La, founder and Executive Director of VietRise and candidate for the Garden Grove School Board. Years after first meeting at an Oregon symposium on the 50th anniversary of the war, Kenneth a...

How does a camera assistant with 20 years in the film business transition into co-writing a feature film released by Sony Pictures Classics? In this episode, Ken sits down with Philadelphia-based writer, camera assistant, and filmmaker Nick Huynh. Nick shares his journey growing up in Northern Virginia, getting his start in theater at George Mason University, grinding through camera department rol...

How did family remittances, refugee history, and Little Saigon business shape the long road toward reconciliation? In this episode, Ken sits down with long-time friend Phu Nguyen—Coast Community College District Trustee, community advocate, and member of the historic Hoa Phat family. Phu shares his family’s harrowing journey leaving Vietnam by boat in 1981, being rescued by the Chinese military at...

How does inherited trauma drive our deep obsession with history, identity, and cultural preservation? In Part 2 of this conversation, Ken sits down with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the deep psychological and cultural connection between trauma, passion, and heritage. Kenneth and Nam discuss how family displacement during the Cold War and the 1975 refugee exodus sha...

Why did ancient Vietnamese communities dye their teeth black—and what did it mean about their identity, beauty, and survival? In this episode, Ken reunites with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the history, science, and cultural evolution of tooth blackening (nhuộm răng đen) in ancient and modern Vietnam. Joined by special guest artist and tattoo historian Andy Hori Tr...

How does a young producer from Toronto go from making beats in high school to producing for Drake, Big Sean, Eminem, Zayn, and Nicki Minaj? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with acclaimed music producer FrancisGotHeat (Francis Nguyen-Tran). Francis shares his journey of growing up in Toronto as the youngest of six children in a musical refugee family, turnin...

How does a basketball coach from the UK move to Saigon and end up speaking fluent Vietnamese? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with British basketball coach and creator Rob Newson. Arriving in Vietnam in 2011 to coach international school programs, Rob quickly set out to learn the language—a decision that unlocked unique cultural connections and led him to b...

How can a regional museum bridge global heritage with local diaspora communities? In this episode, Ken visits the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, to sit down with President and CEO Dr. Sean O'Harrow. Born in France, raised in Hawaii, and educated at Harvard, Sean is the son of a prominent American professor of Vietnamese language and a French-Vietnamese mother. Sean shares his personal...

What does it mean to bridge two distinct cultures forged during a time of war? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Derek Powell, an Air Force Academy graduate, former corporate executive, and board member of the Amerasian Coalition. Born in Cần Thơ, Vietnam in 1971 to a Vietnamese mother and a Black American Air Force serviceman, Derek shares his journey o...

How did two 1st-century leaders become the ultimate symbol of Vietnamese anti-colonial resistance—and how has their story changed over 2,000 years? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Columbia University professor John D. Phan to launch a new sub-series exploring the origins, myths, and evolution of iconic Vietnamese heroes (anh hùng). Focusing on Hai Bà Tr...

What does it mean to be a modern Vietnamese musician in the world of jazz? In this episode, Ken sits down with jazz guitarist and composer Pham Quang Tri (Trí Phạm). Trained at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and currently studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Trí shares his journey from listening to Japanese fusion and rock to discovering the deep lineage of Bebop, Hard...

How do you honor a legendary family business after it goes bankrupt—and rebuild it for a new generation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Sophie Baojiang, co-founder of Mommy & Me Vietnamese and daughter of the creators behind the iconic 1990s Vietnamese children's media company Thế Hệ Trẻ. Sophie opens up about growing up inside the family's...

What happens when an academic insider steps away from the institution? In this episode, Ken visits Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen at his home. Following his recent retirement from the University of Southern California (USC) after 28 years, Viet opens up about the realities of higher education, the corporate mechanics of major universities, and the psychological freedom of stepping...

How do you build a massive online brand without losing your authentic creative voice? In this episode, Ken sits down with writer, director, actor, and content creator Milky Tran. Milky opens up about her creative journey—from serving as president of a high school "destructive decisions" club in Pittsburgh to directing for Jubilee, moving to Los Angeles, and building her own viral series li...

In this episode, host Ken catches up with creator and fan-favorite guest Phúc Mập to break down his recent road trip to Marian Days (Đại Hội Thánh Mẫu) in Carthage, Missouri. Phúc Mập shares his firsthand experience as one of the few non-Vietnamese attendees at the massive annual pilgrimage, exploring the sprawling campgrounds, massive pop-up dining halls, and the vibrant family-reunion atmosphere...

What if the "American Dream" isn't a 3,000-square-foot house and a corporate job? In this episode, Ken sits down with Vu and Jenny from the popular channel Cuộc Sống Di Động (The Mobile Life). From meeting at a New Jersey car dealership to climbing the corporate ladder in Texas, Vu and Jenny had everything traditionally defined as success—a dream home, high incomes, and premium cars. B...

Does the food we eat define our national identity—or does history make it far more complicated? In this episode, Ken catches up with creator and researcher Chris Tran (Chris Tran Travels) to unpack the deep, unexpected rabbit holes of Vietnamese history, food evolution, and diaspora identity. Chris shares insights from co-hosting a Brown University study abroad course across Vietnam, examining how...

Is the next generation of Asian-American pop-rock already here? In this episode, Ken sits down with 16-year-old high school junior, singer-songwriter, and rising rock artist Ella Quinn (Ella Quỳnh). Ella reflects on her journey from dealing with extreme stage anxiety and panic attacks to writing original music and releasing her debut single, Iconic. Ella opens up about the rare and unwavering supp...

In this episode, Ken sits down for a second interview with legendary actor, director, and producer Dustin Nguyen. Dustin reflects on the turbulent chapters of his career—from early stardom on 21 Jump Street, SeaQuest DSV, and VIP with Pamela Anderson, to the tragic car accident that left his former wife quadriplegic and wiped out his personal finances. He shares untold stories from his decade away...

In this episode, Ken sits down with returning guest Ola for a discussion on modern romance, dating app fatigue, and whether economic and cultural shifts have fundamentally changed what we seek in a partner. Together, Ken and Ola unpack why many 30-somethings in the diaspora feel stuck or disillusioned by modern dating. Ola breaks down her systematic, marketing-inspired approach to dating profiles—...

In this episode, Ken sits down with Tom Le—a West Point graduate, former U.S. Army officer, and current civilian research analyst for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Tom shares his journey from failing out of college as a first-generation student to enlisting in the Army National Guard and ultimately earning an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He opens...