Khmer Voices
Growing up in Canada, there was a lack of representation of stories that truly resonated with me when it came to professionals. In this podcast, I aim to close this gap. We're celebrating and amplifying Khmer voices through conversations with the Cambodian diaspora from all over the world. We discuss their journey, successes, failures and their upbringing. Get inspired to take action after hearing our stories!
Episodes
Was it Luck? With Khmer Linguist Nielson Sophann Hul, PhD
Dr. Nielson Sophann Hul is a Khmer linguist specializing in phonetics, heritage language acquisition, and Southeast Asian linguistics.In this episode, he shares his journey from his birth when his parents fled Cambodia to becoming a linguistics university professor. His research focuses on the phonetic and phonological systems of Khmer, with particular attention to implosive consonants, voice qual
Khmer Voices Will Be Changing! (just a little)
What's happening with Khmer Voices? What are some takeaways from conversations with Khmer Voices guests over the last 3 months? What surprised me during this podcasting journey? What's next for Khmer Voices? I cover all this in this solo episode.------------Khmer Voices Live in Hamilton July 5, 2026 https://www.vannyw.com/eventsHosting an event in Canada? Use Bloom Tickets to sell your t
Growing up in Cambodia at the Start of Rebuilding with ReanKhmer Founder Chankrisna Chea
Chankrisna (Krisna) Chea is the Founder and CEO of Chea Labs, where he built ReanKhmer—the first AI-powered Khmer learning platform helping the Cambodian diaspora reconnect with their heritage. With a BS in Computer Science and MS in Wireless Communication, Krisna has over 20 years of technical leadership in wireless technologies, software development and validation, and artificial intelligence an
Born & Raised in Cambodia in a French Bubble with Khmer Era Founder Marie
Marie is Khmer-French, currently based in Berlin. Her dad's family immigrated to France in the 80s. Fifteen years later, he returned home on his own, met her mom, and decided his children would grow up between two cultures. Marie and her sister were born and raised in Cambodia but mostly within a French bubble and she described existing in that in-between space, confusing.As a bridge between
Challenging Stereotypes, Giving Back, and Business Talk with Rapper, Community Builder, and Mechanical Engineer Borey Chau
Borey Chau is a second generation Khmer American who uses art to share his perspective of Cambodian diaspora life in Califorinia. Many know him as G Funk Supreme, Long Beach, California rap artist, entrepreneur, and creative. His personal persona though includes his day job as a Mechanical Engineer. Discover how he overcame stereotypes, pursued his passions, and built initiatives to uplift his com
Summary of Dr. Kara Uy Has' Khmer Diaspora Keynote & Conference Takeaways
Thank you to Dr. Kara Uy Has, PysD for sharing her keynote presentation slides with me: Memory, Healing, and the Work of Becoming for the Khmer Diaspora Conference held March 27-29 in Lowell, MA, United States.I was wiping tears throughout her keynote and couldn't focus on writing notes. This episode offers a summary of her powerful message that set the tone for the conference, The Next 50 ye
Khmer Diaspora Conference Interviews
The first ever Khmer diaspora conference was held in Lowell, MA, USA from March 27 to 29, 2026, organized by Dr. Christine Su.I managed to get some time with 7 people throughout this meaningful, jam-packed weekend to ask these powerful questions, courtesy of Cathy Chen on Threads @triggeredbutcurious:Question 1: What did you once reject that you now understand differently?Question 2: Are you redis
Fashion x Photography + Storytelling with The Khmer Collective Founder Denys Meak
Denys Meak is a second generation Khmer American born in Atlanta, Georgia to Cambodian refugees. She describes her family as self-taught artists and makers. Her passion for fashion saw her pursue and attain a degree in Fashion Merchandising. Today, she works as a Visual Merchandising Manager for a retail brand, but most in the Cambodian community know her professionally as a photographer, with the
Farewell, Letting Go of Good to Make Room for Great
I share a big pivot in my life and what I plan to do with Khmer Voices and other projects. One of them is a newsletter coming out April 2026. It'll be letters I write to my younger self and to my daughter and will be related to the podcast Khmer Voices. If you're interested in receiving my letters in your inbox, DM me your email on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/khmervoicesI'll
It's Going to Suck Initially with Khmer Renaissance Founder Sotheara Lim
Sotheara Lim is a second generation Khmer American who grew up in Long Beach, California, home to the largest Cambodian diaspora population in the United States. You may also know him as the man behind Khmer Renaissance on Instagram, a platform dedicated to celebrating Khmer culture and identity, with careful attention to nuances.Sotheara holds a BA in English from California State University, Lon
From Single Mom of 4 to Tech Startup Founder with Lin Sok
Born in a Thai refugee camp, Lin Sok arrived in Canada with her family when she was only 6 months old. They had modest means, and she recalls her early childhood years with fondness. She and her two brothers did well in school, but when she was 18, she got pregnant and decided to move out and live with her then boyfriend. In this conversation, Lin Sok shares her insights on resilience and perspec
More than a Podcast with The Bánh Mì Chronicles Founder Randy Kim
Randy Kim is a queer Vietnamese-Khmer American storyteller and podcast host of The Bánh Mì Chronicles as well as content writer for his Substack, “Bánh Mì Bites”. His work centres intergenerational healing, identity, and uplifting voices from Asian, queer and BIPOC communities. Randy is an experienced nonprofit development professional. With a background in public storytelling and relationship-bui
Just Existing is a Political Statement with Silong Chhun
Silong Chhun, a 1.5 generation Cambodian American from Tacoma, Washington, is an accomplished communications strategist with extensive experience driving multimedia campaigns across government, non-profit, and private sectors. He is also co-founder of the Khmer Anti-Deportation Advocacy Group and co-founder of the award winning SEA Comedy Collective comedy production company. In this episode, Silo
Navigating Career Pivots with Sophaline Mao
As a 1.5 generation Cambodian American growing up in Stockton, California, Sophaline Mao was shaped by the vibrancy of her heritage and the challenges of navigating a bicultural identity. These early experiences forged her deep empathy, strong work ethic, and lifelong devotion to empowering others.Fueled by a commitment to education and self-betterment, Sophaline worked tirelessly to excel academi
Embracing Fear and Taking Risks with Dorothy Chow
Dorothy Chow is a second generation Cambodian American who grew up in donut shops. She described her father as the northern California version of The Donut King. Her father's detailed account of his time surviving the Khmer Rouge regime and his subsequent life in the US on their podcast Death in Cambodia, Life in America earned them international coverage in media such as the CBS Morning Show
Khmer Voices Turns 1 Part 2
Part 2 of 2 of Khmer Voices Turns 1 features 6 takeaways to round out my 12 takeaways of the year. I wanted to highlight more, but saving them for another episode. Enjoy, and let me know if you've got any favourite takeaways from Khmer Voices.------------Khmer Voices Live in Hamilton July 5, 2026 https://www.vannyw.com/eventsHosting an event in Canada? Use Bloom Tickets to sell your tickets,
Saran Uthayakumar Interviews Vanny Whitchelo for Dissertation
This is a first! This interview with me was part of a study that Saran Uthayakumar is conducting for his PhD dissertation that examines the diasporic experiences of Cambodians and Tamils. The dissertation asks: How do memories of violence and transgenerational trauma make 1.5/2nd generation refugee diaspora members more compelled or repelled from embracing identities and participating in communal
Khmer Voices Turns 1!
Khmer Voices is 26 episodes in and I've been podcasting consistently for one year! To celebrate, I'm highlighting 12 takeaways from guests. This is part 1 of 2. Please share Khmer Voices podcast with someone you think might enjoy our stories. ------------Khmer Voices Live in Hamilton July 5, 2026 https://www.vannyw.com/eventsHosting an event in Canada? Use Bloom Tickets to sell your tick
What's Hindering Cambodia's Progress with Community Leader, Scholar, and Former Monk Sophoan Seng
Sophoan Seng is a first generation Khmer Canadian, a husband, a father and he was a Buddhist monk for 14 years!In this episode, Sophoan shares his memories of growing up during the Vietnamese invasion in Cambodia. We cover his journey from his time in the monastery, his academic endeavours, and finally his work as a professional interpreter and community leader in Canada. Sophoan holds a BA in Phi
When Art is Your Calling with Cheerted Keo
Cheerted Keo immigrated to the Netherlands with his family in 1988 when he was two years old. Today this Khmer-Dutch mural artist lives in Phnom Penh and his work has been commissioned by the likes of Air Asia, Marriott Hotels, and OCIC, to name a few. In this conversation, Cheerted shares his journey as an artist navigating cultural identity, personal growth, and Cambodian art. He discusses the i
Growing Up Khmer Krom in Fresno, California with Cali Poeu Huynh
Cali Poeu Huynh is a second generation Khmer Krom and Sino-Vietnamese American of Teochew descent. He was born and raised in Fresno California to refugee parents and 1.5 generation refugee siblings. In this episode, Cali discusses the complexities of identity in the context of multi-ethnic backgrounds. We also cover the impact of cultural heritage, language, and historical context on personal iden
Decolonizing Therapy with Mao Beckett LCSW, LICSW
Mao Beckett (she/they) LCSW, LICSW is a liberation-centered, EMDR-certified practitioner, somatic-spiritual therapist and guide. She supports individuals in healing relational wounds, overcoming internalized oppression, and improving interpersonal connections. Through ancestral and spiritual practices, she helps folks reconnect with themselves and reclaim their voice. Her decolonized, non-patholog
Why Celebrating Our Khmer Roots is More Important than Ever with Cambodian Cultural Centre President Sopheaktra (Peter) Heang
Sopheaktra (Peter) Heang and I discuss the establishment of the Cambodian Cultural Centre in British Columbia, Canada which aims to reconnect and unite the Cambodian diaspora with our heritage through arts, community building, and cultural events. We reflect on the success of the Roots of Compassion event in July and the upcoming Echoes of Angkor celebration in October, emphasizing the importance
Cambodian Legacy Project with Nonprofit's Founder Ah Ny (Kaovny) Jonas
AhNy (Kaovny) Jonas is a Cambodian-American advocate, nonprofit leader, and cultural educator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Cambodian Legacy Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Cambodian heritage while empowering the next generation of Cambodian-Americans to embrace both their cultural roots and American identity.
Quiet Cambodian Girl Who Found her Voice with Nan (Samantha) Le
Samantha Le—Nan at home, Sam at work—is the Vice President of Operations at Sagewind Capital, a New York–based private equity firm she’s called home since 2018. There, she leads firmwide operations across HR, IT, and everything in between. Before stepping into the world of private equity, Nan cycled through 10 full-time jobs, 8 part-time jobs, and 6 gigs—viewing work as a survival tool more than a
How Khmer Voices Has Impacted Me with Host Vanny Whitchelo
I, Khmer Voices host, Vanny Whitchelo share my story in this solo episode. I talk about how my family moved around a lot in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada -- four times by the time I was in grade 8, my struggle to feel a sense of belonging, my career paths, and how Khmer Voices came to be.You'll also hear a voice note from a new listener, which he has approved for sharing. Thank you for listening
We Come From Greatness with Khmer Tree Podcaster Chad Sammeth
Chad Sammeth is a Khmer American who has been involved in the Cambodian community over the last two decades - primarily in Long Beach, California's Cambodia Town. This started in his early twenties whilst seeking to discover and reconnect with his Cambodian heritage and roots. This episode briefly covers his journey from IT to marketing, and focuses on the influential people that shaped him,
Seeing the Power of Privilege at Play with Savan Kong
When Savanrith (Savan) Kong attended Lakeside School, a prestigious private school with famous alumni such as Bill Gates and Paul Allen, he entered a world he only saw on television. In this episode, while exploring the theme of privilege, Savan also notes that luck sometimes comes into play, and grit. He talks about the limited access to resources and people his Khmer friends had compared to thos
Investment Banker Turned Startup Founder with Hervé Ky
Hervé Ky is a second generation French Cambodian born and raised in a suburb of Paris, France. He is the Co-Founder of Keybento, a home exchange platform that caters to families, providing them with affordable family-friendly accommodations. Hervé shares how his parents pushed him and his two sisters to excel in school, and how he had a difficult time getting a finance job in London, England becau
All Things Cambodian with @allthingscambodian Creator Ryan Samn
Ryan Samn is an Asian American writer, educator, and cultural practitioner. Ryan also runs the Instagram account @allthingscambodian where he shares impactful and insightful posts on Cambodian culture exploring themes of culture, identity, and language.In this episode, Ryan shares his career journey from starting as an English language instructor in Faa'a Tahiti, French Polynesia to now a Col
It's Never Too Late with Sopheaktra (Peter) Heang
Sopheaktra Heang (aka Peter) is a Khmer Canadian who was born in a Thai refugee camp. He moved around a lot in his childhood and didn’t establish roots until he was an adult. Like many of us koun Khmer, his parents are survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide; this along with other emotionally and psychologically traumatic events in his childhood greatly affected him. He was in with the wrong crowd,
Representation in Children's Books with Chanda Ouk Wolf
Author of A Dozen Delicious Donuts: A Sweet Cambodian American Story, Chanda Ouk Wolf has loved reading for as long as she can remember, but growing up in the United States, she never came across stories that gave her a sense of who she is as a Cambodian American. Chanda grew up in Long Beach, California and later Lowell, Massachusetts, both home to the two largest Khmer communities in the US. In
Changing Careers at 37 with Cheata Nao from Cheata Cooks Cambodian
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Cheata Nao is a second generation Khmer Canadian who is pursuing a new career showcasing Cambodian cuisine. She has always been a good cook and loved hosting dinner parties since she was a teenager, but back then she was focused on learning how to master western dishes. It wasn’t until she moved away for university that she really missed her mom’s Cambodian co
Transforming Emotional Pain into Purpose with Heng Vay
Heng Vay is a second generation Khmer American who was born in Los Angeles, Calfornia, spent his early teenage years in Minnesota, and then moved to Texas where he currently resides with his wife and two children. At the age of 14, Heng’s parents arranged a marriage for him. And guess what? Over 20 years later, they’re still together! Heng and his wife owned and operated a donut shop for 10 years.
The "Lucky Princess" with Rothany Sar
Rothany Sar is a first generation Khmer American who arrived in the United States via an arranged marriage. The Cambodian community here often said to her she was “so lucky” and her life was like that of a princess. But she didn’t identify with either of those labels. Was she lucky? Why didn’t she accept being a “princess?”Rothany was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. In 1992, when she was 6 yea
Finding Community After Loneliness & Making an Impact with Mitchell Keo
Mitchell Keo is a second generation Khmer American born and raised in Houston, Texas. He grew up in a Mexican neighbourhood, and never felt a connection to a community growing up. He started exploring his Asian American identity while studying biology at University of Texas at Austin. Today, Mitchell works as a software engineer and credits his love for books and Sokha, owner of Mam's Booksto
The Cambodian Can Collector with Keo Sar
Keo Sar is one of 6 children in his family. At a young age, his father who was the breadwinner got injured at work which resulted in him going on disability. To bridge the gap between disability cheques, he, his older brother, and their father would wake up early to dig in people's trash bins for cans before school started. Back then, recycling and garbage weren't separated! Kids at scho
Taking the Path Not Taught in School with Channy Salazar
Channy Salazar is a strong, resilient, and tenacious lady from Texas, USA. She was born in Cambodia in 1973 and remembers bits and pieces of her time before arriving and settling in the US. Her recollections (at the 4 minute mark and lasting about 1 minute) are traumatic. Life wasn't easy growing up, but she had the love and support of her parents and grandparents. They instilled in her the i
The Only Asian in The Class with Sokha Mov
Sokha Mov shares her journey from being born in a refugee camp in Thailand to growing up in France where she was the only Asian in her class, navigating cultural identity, and pursuing a career in law and public service. She discusses her transition to Cambodia, the challenges of adapting to life there even though she’s koun Khmer and she speaks the language with good fluency. She’s currently work
From Stay-at-Home Mom to Technical Lead Delivering IT Projects
Dimary (aka Mary) Leak didn't know how to speak English when she started kindergarten. A non-satisfactory test score in grade 1 ignited her desire to perform well academically, which she did all through primary and secondary school. When it came time to decide on a career however, she didn't have a clear direction or vision, and life went on.In this episode, we talk about Mary's piv
What next? Rediscovering yourself with Soeun Outh
Growing up, even though Soeun knew what she wanted to do, she let the words of others cloud her judgment at times. We discuss this and her journey in rediscovering herself and her heritage in her 40s. She’s gotten to a point in her career where she’s content and doesn’t know what her next move is, and we talk about navigating this. Soeun has over two decades of experience in administrative college
Building Community and Cultural Pride with Marpheen Chann
In this episode, Marpheen Chann shares his personal story of growing up in rural Maine, US which includes foster care and being adopted by a religious white working class family, the trauma his family experienced as a result of the Khmer Rouge, and his journey of self-discovery and cultural reconnection.Marpheen Chann works in the nonprofit and advocacy sector as Executive Director and Founder of
Thea Em's Journey: A Testament to Resilience
Thea Em shares her journey from being a refugee in Canada to becoming a nurse. While she was studying, she was involved in a serious car accident that left her in a coma and affected her memory. She faced other hurdles on top of these, and she shares how she got through them in this episode. ------------Khmer Voices Live in Hamilton July 5, 2026 https://www.vannyw.com/eventsHosting an event in Can
Introducing: Khmer Voices with Vanny
Khmer Voices shines a spotlight on the achievements of the Khmer diaspora around the world. We chat with inspiring guests who are achieving success in their fields. From entrepreneurs and artists to community leaders and techies, we’ll explore their paths to success and the unique challenges they’ve overcome. Representation matters! And through these conversations, I aim to amplify the voices of t
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