Best Kenneth Holden Podcasts (2025)

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445- Han & Holden Nguyen - The Amazing Race Contestants Season #37 52:55

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27d ago52:55

52:55

We sit down with siblings Han and Holden Nguyen, finalists from The Amazing Race Season 37. They open up about their journey to the show, including the audition process that first brought them into the spotlight. We dive into their unique sibling dynamic—how competing side by side strengthened their relationship, but also tested it under the pressu…

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448- Could Chữ Nôm Be Considered the Premodern Vietnamese Hip Hop? Viet Origins with Professor John Phan 1:03:47

4d ago1:03:47

1:03:47

In this episode of Viet Origins, Kenneth Nguyen joins Professor John Phan of Columbia University to examine the creation and evolution of chữ Nôm, Vietnam’s early vernacular writing system. Born out of a need to express Vietnamese thought in written form, chữ Nôm emerged as a linguistic innovation that pushed against classical norms. Just as hip ho…

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447 - Part 2 AMA - Did Chinese Writing "Civilize" Vietnam? Viet Origins with Professor John Phan 1:10:35

15d ago1:10:35

1:10:35

If you joined us last time for the episode "Did Chinese Writing "Civilize" Vietnam?" we are here to answer your questions on this AMA based on the questions we got from the podcast sub series so far. We had quite a conversation with Professor John Phan from Columbia University about the evolution of the Vietnamese language. We dove deep into its fa…

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446 - Who Was Vietnam's First Intellectual Export? Viet History Makers - Trần Đức Thảo 1:09:49

28d ago1:09:49

1:09:49

In this episode of Viet History Makers, we sit with Professor Kevin Pham to explore the remarkable life and legacy of Trần Đức Thảo, who we can describe as Vietnam’s earliest intellectual export. A philosopher trained in France, Thảo studied alongside some of the 20th century’s most influential European thinkers, including Jean-Paul Sartre and Maur…

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444 - Can Vietnam Ever Beat the Korean Culture Machine? Hanh Nguyen Editor at Salon.com 48:14

29d ago48:14

48:14

Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Hanh Nguyen, Executive Editor of Salon.com, to talk about Vietnam’s cultural rivalry with Korea, the power of K-pop and Korean dramas, and what defines meaningful culture. They also get into F1 the Movie, Brad Pitt as the ultimate leading man, and why Vietnam still lacks a star of that stature. ------------------------…

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443- Did Chinese Writing "Civilize" Vietnam? The Origins of Vietnam with Professor John Phan 1:05:51

1M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

In this episode of The Origins of Vietnam, Kenneth sits down with Professor John Phan of Columbia University to explore the complex story of how the Vietnamese language took shape. While Vietnamese did not emerge genealogically from Chinese, its history is deeply entangled with centuries of Chinese influence. So where did it truly come from? Togeth…

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442 - Are YOU Man Enough? Unpacking Toxic Masculinity with Chris Tran from Little Saigon Official 35:24

1M ago35:24

35:24

In this episode, Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Chris Tran from Little Saigon Official to unpack a challenging but necessary topic: toxic masculinity in the Vietnamese community and culture. Together, they explore how toxic masculinity shows up, how it shows up in our family lives, and the ways it impacts not only men but also families and the broad…

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441 - Fetish or Preference? What's the Difference and Why Does it Matter? Kaila Yu 52:45

1M ago52:45

52:45

Kaila Yu is an author based in Los Angeles. Her debut memoir, ‘Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty,’ will be published on August 19th, 2025, with Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing. She is also a luxury travel, food, and culture writer and on-camera correspondent based in Los Angeles, who has written for The Los Ang…

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440 - Is Vietnamese Just the New Chinese Language? AMA Double Down with Prof. John Phan 1:17:59

2M ago1:17:59

1:17:59

In this second episode of Ancient Vietnam, we return to the world of early Vietnamese history—this time loosely based on an AMA (Ask Me Anything) version shaped by the voices and comments of our audience. Building on the foundational themes of the first episode of the series Ancient Vietnam, co-host John Phan joins us to dive deeper into the lingui…

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439 - Who Were the Trưng Sisters? Viet History Makers - Kevin Pham 1:02:34

2M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

In this episode of Viet History Makers, Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham discuss the powerful and enduring legacy of the Hai Bà Trưng sisters—Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị—two warrior queens who led a monumental uprising against Chinese Han rule in 40 CE. Revered as national heroines, their story has long stood at the crossroads of legend, resistan…

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438 - Do You Regret Moving To Vietnam? Khoa Nguyen - Professor at RMIT Saigon 1:03:58

2M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

Twenty years ago, one of my best friends, Khoa Trong Nguyen moved to Vietnam to start a new life in Vietnam and a career in the new Vietnamese film industry. Today, Khoa and many Vietnamese Americans are living out their dreams in modern Vietnam. While box office success has eluded him, Khoa has forged a new path in academia as head of the Digital …

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437 - What Is Real Freedom? Phan Khoi - Viet History Makers 1:03:51

2M ago1:03:51

1:03:51

In this episode of Viet History Makers, we sit down with Kevin Pham to explore the life and legacy of Phan Khôi (1887–1959)—a towering yet often underrecognized figure in modern Vietnamese intellectual history. Known as a journalist, poet, and dissident thinker, Phan Khôi stood at the intersection of literary innovation and political resistance dur…

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436 - How Are Guam and Vietnam Connected? Nam C Kim 59:20

3M ago59:20

59:20

In this episode, we return with Dr. Nam C. Kim, an anthropologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese refugees to Guam in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Dr. Kim shares details about a new project launching in 2025, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, that explo…

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435 - Is This The United States of America You Want? Chris Tran and Kenneth Nguyen 50:44

3M ago50:44

50:44

In this special July 4th episode, I sit in conversation with Chris Tran from Little Saigon Official to discuss a topic close to our hearts: the importance of solidarity between the Vietnamese American community and other immigrant groups in the U.S. today. In light of the ongoing ICE raids around us, we explore why the Vietnamese American diaspora …

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434- Who Are The Vietnamese British? Tuyet Van Huynh 50:38

3M ago50:38

50:38

Tuyet Van Huynh specializes in Film, Immersive Film, Theatre and Multi Disciplinary work. She is an advocate in amplifying and championing underrepresented voices in the arts and as a British Vietnamese-Chinese Creative, she is always looking at different ways in how to raise the profile of East & Southeast Asian arts and artists within the UK cult…

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433 - What Would South Vietnam Look Like Without U.S. Intervention? Prof. Sean Fear 53:53

3M ago53:53

53:53

Historian and professor Sean Fear joins Kenneth to discuss the complexities of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and how it shaped the war’s outcome. Together, they revisit moments and ask a provocative question: What if South Vietnam had been better funded, structured, and supported? Could history have unfolded differently? This conversation off…

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432 - Was Ancient Vietnamese Just the New Chinese Language? Ancient Vietnam with Prof. John Phan 1:01:56

3M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Welcome to the first episode of our sub-series, Ancient Vietnam, where we explore the depths of Vietnam's early history through language, culture, and forgotten stories. In this inaugural conversation, co-host John Phan—linguistic historian at Columbia University and author of Lost Tongues of the Red River—guides us through the intricate relationsh…

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431 - Can You Fight Destiny? Viet History Makers - Kevin Pham 55:46

3M ago55:46

55:46

In this episode of Viet History Makers, co-hosts Kenneth Nguyen and Kevin Pham explore the history of The Tale of Kieu (Truyện Kiều), the seminal poetic masterpiece by Nguyễn Du, expanding the historical context surrounding its creation and the impact it had on Vietnamese culture and identity. Written in the early 19th century during a period of in…

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430 - Are We Learning Anything From Past Wars? Dr. Andrew Wells Dang from the U.S. Institute of Peace 58:07

4M ago58:07

58:07

We sit down with Dr. Andrew Wells-Dang, a senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), for a conversation about Vietnam, geopolitics, and lessons from war. We start by exploring how Dr. Wells-Dang found his way to working in Vietnam, and the unexpected connection between his last name and Vietnamese culture. This episode discussed …

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429 - How is Language the Key to Who We Are? John Phan - Linguist 1:02:09

4M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

John D. Phan is an Associate Professor of Vietnamese Humanities at Columbia University, based in the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures and the Weatherhead East Asian Institute. He focuses on the linguistic history of Vietnam and its cultural context. .His first book, The Lost Tongues of the Red River: Annamese Middle Chinese & the Origi…

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428 - Is All Propaganda Harmful? Viet History Makers - Nguyễn Khắc Viện 1:11:24

4M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

In this episode of Viet History Makers, co-hosts Kevin Pham and Kenneth Nguyen look into the life of Nguyễn Khắc Viện — a revolutionary intellectual, physician and cultural critic who helped shape modern Vietnamese identity. Born in 1913 in Ha Tinh, Nguyễn Khắc Viện studied medicine in France, where he became deeply involved in anti-colonial activi…

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427 - Can We Still Create Without Trauma? 1:22:58

4M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

In this roundtable discussion Kenneth Nguyen, we bring together four artists in Vietnamese literature, art, and academia to reflect on creativity, memory, and healing, 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War. Christina Vo is the author of My Vietnam, Your Vietnam, a memoir that weaves together the stories of two generations navigating identity an…

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426 - Why Should We Have More Vietnamese Podcasts? Mia Nguyen - Viet Boss Babes 59:25

4M ago59:25

59:25

Mia Nguyen is a Vietnamese community builder and the founder of Viet Boss Babes - a Vietlish podcast and media platform sharing Vietnamese culture, identity and ambition with the world. Born and raised in Hanoi and currently living in Toronto, Mia’s work bridges the diaspora experience with global conversations. By day, she leads marketing strategi…

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425 - Tony Bui - How Did The Vietnamese American Film Industry Begin? 1:15:35

4M ago1:15:35

1:15:35

In this episode of The Vietnamese podcast, host Anderson Le sits down with Tony Bui, a pioneer in the Vietnamese American independent cinema space. Tony is a Sundance award-winning writer, director, and producer. He is currently Artist-in-Residence at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute and teaches in Columbia’s School of the Art…

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424- Can The Japanese Internment Camps Happen Again? - Author Kevin Nguyen 56:02

5M ago56:02

56:02

Can The Japanese Internment Camps Happen Again? In this episode, we sit with Kevin Nguyen, author of the new novel Mỹ Documents, a chilling and satirical reimagining of American history. Kevin is the features editor at The Verge, formerly a senior editor at GQ, and the author of New Waves. We talk about his latest book, which imagines a near-future…

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When Does The WAR End For Us? 4:22

5M ago4:22

4:22

On the 50th anniversary of April 30, 1975 — the official end of the Vietnam War — I sat in silence at home and thought about what a few of us have been thinking for a long time: it’s time to think about the next 50 years of what the Vietnamese all over the world can do together. Not to forget, not to erase, but to release. We’ve all carried the wei…

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423 - Does Academic Freedom Kill Freedom? Viet History Makers - Dao Duy Anh 1:10:56

5M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham explore the life and legacy of Đào Duy Anh (1904–1988), a pioneering figure in Vietnam's intellectual history. As a historian, lexicographer, and cultural scholar, Đào Duy Anh laid the groundwork for modern Vietnamese social sciences. His seminal works, including the…

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422- What Does April 30 Mean To You? Andrew Lam - Author and Journalist 55:22

5M ago55:22

55:22

Andrew Lam is a Vietnamese American author and journalist known for his insightful and humorous explorations of the Vietnamese diaspora and immigrant identity. Born Lâm Quang Dũng in 1964 in South Vietnam, he is the son of General Lâm Quang Thi of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. At the age of 11, during the fall of Saigon in April 1975, Lam an…

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421 - Timothy Linh Bui - How Did We Get Those Films Off The Ground? 51:29

5M ago51:29

51:29

In this episode of The Vietnamese, we sit down with veteran director/producer Timothy Linh Bui to explore his journey in the film business from Hollywood to Vietnam. Starting from his formative years at Columbia College in Los Angeles, Timothy shares insights into his early works, including Three Seasons and Green Dragon, and his collaborations wit…

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420 - Đoan Hoàng Curtis - Netflix Series Producer - Turning Point: The Vietnam War 1:07:17

5M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, we’re joined by Đoan Hoàng Curtis, a director and producer, to discuss her journey in the world of documentary filmmaking. Doan shares her behind-the-scenes experience working on the new Netflix series Turning Point: The Vietnam War, where she played a pivotal role in shedding light on the complexities of …

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419 - Is It Worth Living After Defeat? The Last 5 Generals 1:06:24

5M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, where they explore the key figures and pivotal moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, Kenneth and Kevin dive into one of…

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418 - Viet Cinema Canon - Duong Dieu Linh - 1:14:17

5M ago1:14:17

1:14:17

In this episode of The Vietnamese podcast, host Anderson Le sits down with Duong Dieu Linh, a distinctive voice in Vietnam’s new wave of independent cinema. Known for her quirky, layered storytelling and bold visual style, Duong shares her perspective on filmmaking in Vietnam and the unique path she’s carved out as a director. The conversation open…

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417 - Can Our Past Be Reconciled? Alex-Thai Dinh Vo 1:15:14

6M ago1:15:14

1:15:14

Alex-Thai Dinh Vo is Research Assistant Professor at the Vietnam Center & Archive (VNCA), Texas Tech University. He is a historian of modern Vietnam and East and Southeast Asia, specializing in Cold War politics and the Vietnam Wars. He oversees the VNCA Vietnam War MIAs and Legacies Research Project and the VNCA Vietnamese Oral History Project. He…

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416 - What Happened to the Fate of Vietnam’s POW's and MIA's - Dr. Jay Veith 58:06

6M ago58:06

58:06

We sit in conversation with historian Dr. Jay Veith to uncover the forgotten and often overlooked story of how the United States worked to recover POWs and MIAs from Vietnam—efforts that began long before the lifting of the U.S. embargo. Dr. Veith shares powerful insights into the challenges, politics, and perseverance behind these missions. We the…

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415 - Can You Ever Be Vietnamese Enough? - Chris Tran Travels 49:05

6M ago49:05

49:05

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Chris Tran from Chris Tran Travels to explore the complexities of identity and culture as third-culture kids. We both share the challenges of spreading Vietnamese culture, despite our deep love for our work and mission. We dive into the work he’s doing by teaching the Vietnamese language to overseas Vietnames…

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414 - Why Make Movies In Vietnam? Film Director Ham Tran 1:09:05

6M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Anderson Le is joined by acclaimed film director Ham Tran. Together, they discuss the current state of the film industry in Vietnam, reflecting on its evolution and the growing opportunities for filmmakers in the region. Ham shares insights into his own journey, from his early start in filmmaking to t…

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413 - Is America Becoming Great Again? Viet Thanh Nguyen 34:52

6M ago34:52

34:52

We sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen for a raw conversation that bridges literature, politics, and global affairs. Viet brings clarity and depth to some of the most urgent issues facing the world today such as his searing critiques of war, displacement, and identity. We begin by discussing the ongoing humanitarian crisis…

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412 - Hung La - Who is the "Dangerous Man" Behind Lựu Đạn? 1:03:06

6M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Hung La is a Vietnamese-American fashion designer based in London, known for his innovative menswear and exploration of Asian identity in fashion. Growing up in a Vietnamese community outside Washington, D.C., he was influenced by both American pop culture and traditional Vietnamese values, which shaped his design ethos. After studying at the Royal…

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411- Viet Cinema Canon - Nguyễn Võ Nghiêm Minh - How is Viet Cinema Being Reclaimed? 1:02:37

6M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

In this first episode of The Viet Cinema Canon, host Anderson Le is joined by Vietnamese director Nguyen Vo Nghiem Minh. Together, they discuss Minh’s journey into film directing, touching on his early influences and his critically acclaimed works. They also explore his latest production, Picturehouse, a take on Vietnamese storytelling in the cinem…

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410 - Diana Nguyen - From Comic to Clown Doctor 53:22

6M ago53:22

53:22

Born to Vietnamese refugee parents and raised in Melbourne, Diana Nguyen’s work blends her Vietnamese heritage with her personal experiences, offering audiences a universally relatable perspective. From her critically acclaimed stand-up comedy to her role as a trailblazer in the Australian entertainment scene, Diana’s journey is one of resilience, …

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409 - Viet History Makers - Can Well-Behaved Women Make History? 51:14

6M ago51:14

51:14

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham take a d…

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408 - Viet History Makers - Nguyễn Văn Thiệu - When Do You Give Up in a Fight? 56:26

7M ago56:26

56:26

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham take a d…

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407 - Dustin Nguyen - From Vietnam to Hollywood to Vietnam and Back Again 56:41

7M ago56:41

56:41

Dustin Nguyen has left a mark on global audiences since the 1980s, first appearing alongside Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I. and later making waves in Hollywood with Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street. But his journey didn’t stop there. Fueled by a deep passion for filmmaking, Dustin has pushed his limits, taking on roles as an actor, director, and producer …

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406 - Viet History Makers - Can Truth Be The Enemy? A Look into the Life of Nguyễn Mạnh Tường 1:14:15

7M ago1:14:15

1:14:15

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham explore …

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Alex Duong Needs Our Support 28:24

7M ago28:24

28:24

This is a special segment for a friend of the podcast, Alex Duong, who is in need of our community's support. Alex recently was diagnosed with a rare cancer and has left blinded in one eye. In this segment, Alex shares with us his incredibly difficult health journey in the last month. Before tragedy struck, Alex was invited to open for Ronny Chieng…

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405 - Viet History Makers - Who Was Ho Chi Minh? Part 2 1:05:19

7M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this second part episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin P…

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404 - Viet History Makers - Who Was Ho Chi Minh? Part 1 1:08:11

8M ago1:08:11

1:08:11

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham examine the life and legacy of Hồ Chí Minh (1890-1969), the revolutionary lead…

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Ep. 9 - SEA Dreams - Why Hasn't There Been Any Modern Asian Soccer Teams in the World Cup? 53:26

8M ago53:26

53:26

In this episode of SEA Dreams, we dive into the world of soccer in Southeast Asia—its growth, challenges, and the elusive dream of making it to the FIFA World Cup. Recently, Vietnam’s victory over Thailand made headlines, marking a significant moment for the region’s soccer scene. But despite moments of brilliance, no Southeast Asian team (other th…

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403 - Viet History Makers - Phạm Quỳnh - How to Seduce Your Enemy 1:16:15

8M ago1:16:15

1:16:15

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history. In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham explore the life and legacy of Phạm Quỳnh (1892-1945), a prominent intellectua…

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402 - Theresa Bui Costanzo - Rebuilding After The 2025 Altadena Fire 51:50

8M ago51:50

51:50

In this episode, we sit down with Theresa Costanzo Bui, a survivor of the devastating Altadena Fire of 2025. As the inferno swept through her community, Theresa faced the unimaginable moment of evacuating her home, leaving behind everything she had built over the years. Theresa shares her experiences of loss, resilience, and the hope that keeps her…