This week, I’m joined by my friend and fellow podcaster, Kenneth Nguyen, the host and creator of the acclaimed The Vietnamese Podcast. He was my guest host on my then-farewell episode in 2023 when I was sunsetting the podcast, and he’s back on my show, to remind me that he was right that I would come back to the podcasting sphere, and here I am now! With hundreds of episodes recorded, Kenneth has built a platform highlighting Vietnamese creatives, educators, historians, entrepreneurs, and many others across the global diaspora and homeland.

In this fun and insightful conversation, we dive into:

• The Current Podcasting Landscape: Our thoughts on the industry since I returned to podcasting, and what podcasting means now these days.

• Kenneth’s Journey into Podcasting: The story of how The Vietnamese Podcast began and the lessons he’s learned about the Vietnamese community both in the US and in Vietnam.

• Navigating Political Nuances: Discussing the delicate and complex political divisions within the community, and how both Vietnamese Americans and Vietnam view the history of the war fifty years later.

• Shaping Future Narratives: How we can actively work to influence and shape the evolving story of the Vietnamese American community moving forward.

Kenneth brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in the Vietnamese media space, including his work as a film producer and co-founder of EAST Films. His podcast aims to show the Vietnamese experience “from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.”

Bio:

Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth is a founding partner at EAST Films with several film projects in development and production.

Check out The Vietnamese Podcast on Instagram: TheVietnamesePodcast

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheVietnamesewithKennethNguyen

This week, I brought the multi-talented French-Canadian comedian and personality Tranna Wintour to the podcast. We dived into the current political noise in her own backyard (Canada), but also what she has observed in the States. A major focus of the conversation was Madonna’s legacy. We dissected how difficult the last 20 years of her career and persona have been for some to stand by, and how this is another example of figuring out how to deal with our problematic favs. Finally, we ask a big question: Have we reached the end of celebrity stan culture in the wake of the current political and social climate we’re in?

Bio:

Tranna Wintour is a highly-acclaimed bilingual comedian, singer, writer, hostess, and producer.

Legendary comedienne Sandra Bernhard described her as “a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.” A Just For Laughs New Face Canada (2019), Tranna was named one of the queens of Canadian comedy by Fashion magazine.

Performing in both English and French, she appeared in a Juste Pour Rire gala in 2021 before starring in Québec’s hit series, Big Brother Célébrités. Her run to the top 4 was hailed as the show’s breakthrough moment and “the best moment on Québec TV in years” by the Journal Métro.

Tranna co-hosted the successful CBC Podcast Chosen Family for three seasons, which was named one of Apple’s Best Podcasts for two consecutive years. Her debut album, Safe From Your Affection, is available on all streaming platforms, and she is currently developing an original comedy series with a major Canadian broadcaster.

Instagram: TrannaWintour

Website: https://www.trannawintour.com

Tranna Wintour

In continuation of the current Chicago ICE Raids, and recent SNAP benefits crisis affecting Chicago's Chinatown community, I invited two dedicated community leaders in the Chinatown community: Grace Chan McKibben and Andrew Frangos, to discuss the rapid response efforts in Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods.

In a time when federal actions are creating widespread fear and instability, we dived into how local leaders, residents, and businesses are working in solidarity to protect one another.

• Immediate ICE Response: Grace and Andrew detail the community's swift reaction to the recent, highly visible ICE raids in the Chicagoland area, including reports of violent and false detentions. We discuss what practices communities are using to monitor activity, provide alerts, and empower residents to Know Their Rights.

• Protecting Neighbors and Businesses: We look at the practical ways the community—from small businesses to residents—are creating a protective net to ensure the safety and legal rights of immigrant families, seniors, and workers.

• The SNAP Benefit Crisis: We explore the devastating and immediate impact of the recent SNAP benefit reductions and policy changes that are disproportionately affecting low-income seniors and vulnerable families in the area.

• Mobilizing Resources: Both outline the community work that is being done to fill the resource gap, including emergency food distribution, legal aid services, and language support to help residents navigate the ongoing, shifting landscape.

• A Call to Action: How listeners—both in and outside of Chicago—can support the community's defense funds, rapid response teams, and local organizations working on the front lines of this crisis.

Resources:

Contact ICIRR for ICE sightings in Illinois

From Andrew:Pilsen PUÑO, an organization that coordinates a Migra Watch team and provides regular trainings:

https://www.instagram.com/pilsenpuno/. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4bsY4jUcP/.

Sanctuary For All UIC (https://www.instagram.com/sanctuaryforalluic/) maintains this linktree with a link to a massive list of trainings offered beyond the Chicago area, as well as other resources: https://linktr.ee/sanctuaryforalluic.