LEGACIES

Legacies of War

Welcome to LEGACIES from Legacies of War! Join us as we open up about the long-lasting impacts of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Theme music by Lao Jazzanova Band Performance of ຈຳປາເມືອງລາວ ( Champa Meuanglao ) Festival of Jazz, Laos www.legaciesofwar.org

  1. S4 E9 A Legacy of Partnership with Ben Rhodes

    1D AGO

    S4 E9 A Legacy of Partnership with Ben Rhodes

    Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications here at Legacies of War. Today’s conversation sits at the intersection of history, diplomacy, memory, and moral responsibility. As many of our listeners know, food and land are central to who we are. For communities in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam — and in war-impacted countries around the world — land is life. It feeds families. It sustains culture. It carries memory. And sometimes, it carries the remnants of war. A decade ago, in 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos — a historic moment that acknowledged both the pain of the past and the possibility of partnership. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S.–Laos Comprehensive Partnership — a milestone that invites reflection. How far have we come? What responsibilities remain and opportunities can we build?  To explore these questions, we’re honored to welcome Ben Rhodes — Co-host of Pod Save the World, New York Times contributor, Author of All We Say, After the Fall, and the World As It Is, Former Obama speechwriter, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Emeritus Board member of Legacies of War. Ben was there in 2016. He helped shape the diplomacy of that moment. He has spent years thinking and writing about America’s role in the world — about conflict, consequence, and the possibility of a more just foreign policy. Today, we’ll talk about his journey — from his early years to the White House and what it means now, ten years later, to continue the work of healing land held hostage by war. Order All We Say: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717294/all-we-say-by-ben-rhodes/Visit Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

    53 min
  2. S4 E7 A Legacy of Celebrating Lao Food with Saeng Douangdara

    APR 17

    S4 E7 A Legacy of Celebrating Lao Food with Saeng Douangdara

    Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of our podcast, Legacies . I’m Dr. Palina Louangketh, Board member emeritus with Legacies of War and I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend, Saengthong Douangdara! Saeng is a personal chef who specializes in Lao cuisine turned content creator. After earning his undergraduate degree in social welfare with certificates in Asian American Studies and Southeast Asian Studies, he pursued a Master's degree in counseling psychology. While working as a counselor at the University of California, He also taught as a chef instructor in the evenings at the School of Gourmandise. A month-long trip back to Laos inspired Saeng to start his personal chef business, Saeng's Kitchen LLC, and cook for Hollywood clientele. Saeng’s work has been featured in numerous publications such as Delish, Buzzfeed, the New York Times, and LA Times. He even won an episode of the new TBS cooking competition show, Rat In The Kitchen. Saeng is one of many chefs who are part of the Lao Food Movement, a grassroots effort to center and empower Lao cuisine. His goal is to continue advocating for Lao cuisine and inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of our culture. Thank you, Saeng, for our conversation today. Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into Legacies brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos. The Lao Kitchen: https://www.saengskitchen.com/cookbook Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

    39 min
  3. S4 E6 A Legacy of Service with Richard A. Berliner

    APR 4

    S4 E6 A Legacy of Service with Richard A. Berliner

    Xin chào and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Sophia Tran-Vu, Board Member at Legacies of War. Today we have the sincere pleasure of welcoming our friend, Richard A. Berliner, a journalist, author and community activist. Author of A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973, Richard shares with us the story of his young adult life -- his journey to Vietnam to find adventure in a place as unlike home as he could imagine. What he discovered during his time in Vietnam was a country, a people, a culture not defined by war. Countless visits to remote villages, walking for miles to return someone home safely, and staying to discover and uncover more stories when others were returning home. Richard ends this interview with a quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". Indeed, his life and dedication to the service of his community demonstrate exactly that. Learn more about Richard A. Berliner: https://richardaberliner.com/ Donate $50 to Legacies of War and select A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973 as your gift! https://www.legaciesofwar.org/ Thank you, Richard, for our conversation today and for supporting Legacies’ mission. Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into LEGACIES brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos Cover photo: Richard A. Berliner, Berliner on a ferry in Cam Ranh Bay returning from a refugee camp in 1967.

    59 min
  4. FEB 9

    S4 E3 The Importance of Belonging and Representation in Local Leadership with Council Member Terry Vo

    Xin chào, Sabaidee, and hello everyone! Welcome back to another episode of the Thip Khao Podcast. I’m Jewelry Pouna Keodara, an Advocacy Ambassador from IL, and Peachey Peace Fellow with Legacies of War. Today, I’m truly honored to welcome Terry Vo, Metro Council Member for District 17 in Nashville, Tennessee. Terry is not only an incredible leader but also someone whose story carries so much heart. As the proud daughter of Vietnamese refugees, her journey speaks to resilience, compassion, and the power of community. Terry Vo is the District 17 Metro Council member and Partnerships Director for API Middle TN. The first Vietnamese American elected to Metro Council, Terry champions inclusive, integrity-driven solutions for Nashville. A dedicated advocate for social change, she is the founding Immigrant Caucus Chair and serves on the Friends of Fort Negley Board of Directors and GUIDER Advisory Board for the Nashville Predators. Raised by Vietnamese immigrants in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Terry holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in governance and public policy from the University of Queensland. In her global career, she has worked across nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors, building bilateral relations between U.S. and Japan and connecting Tennesseans to affordable internet. She is a US Japan Foundation Program Fellow and proud alumna of Leadership Middle Tennessee, Leadership Tennessee, and the US Global Leaders Coalition’s Next Gen Global Leaders Network Class of 2024. She was recently named the Nashville Emerging Leaders Award Government and Public Affairs recipient! In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and the Beautiful Bookworms Book Club. Thank you all, dear friends,  for tuning into Thip Khao Talk brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and Article 22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos. Learn more about Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

    1h 13m

About

Welcome to LEGACIES from Legacies of War! Join us as we open up about the long-lasting impacts of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Theme music by Lao Jazzanova Band Performance of ຈຳປາເມືອງລາວ ( Champa Meuanglao ) Festival of Jazz, Laos www.legaciesofwar.org

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