#310 Unveiling Truths: Susan Lieu on Transforming Grief into Art and Finding Your Voice

"I learned about who my mother is by tracking down the plastic surgeon who killed [her]." In this episode, Lesley Jane Seymour talks with Susan Lieu, Vietnamese American author and performer, about her journey from corporate life to the creative stage. After losing her mother young, Lieu pursued success in academia and international development—until she found her calling in storytelling. Through her memoir The Manicurist’s Daughterand solo show 140lbs: How Beauty Killed My Mother, she explores identity, intergenerational trauma, and healing. With warmth and humor, Lieu shares how to reinvent yourself with reflection, community, and bold action.

About the Guest:

Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. Her solo show "140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother” evolved into her memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter (Celadon), which has been featured in The New York Times, NPR Books, Elle Magazine, LA Times, and The Washington Post. 

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