Thip Khao Talk

Thip Khao Talk is an honest, somber, and straightforward conversation about the American Secret War conducted in Laos in the 1960s and 70s. I never knew about the unexploded ordnances (UXOs) that the US dropped in Laos, and it quite shocked me to learn about how casual the Lao people were about these bombs. These UXOs could explode at anytime, but because of misinformation, the bombs were not handled with adequate caution. Most importantly, hearing about the effects of UXOs in Laos reminds me about the horrors and consequences of war: what can we do to provide assistance to those that are still suffering from a brutal conflict? Can we do anything at all? With remarkable brevity and strong spirit, Aleena guides listeners through these questions. While it is difficult to navigate such a heavy topic, Aleena does it by focusing on both the past and present. If you want to learn more about Lao history and culture, give this podcast a listen!

Loved listening to this podcast! As an American, I never knew about UXO and the Secret War in Laos before stumbling upon these podcasts. It has been super interesting to get to hear about Laos and immigrant experiences through Lao voices. Aleena does a great job in making sure that the conversation is genuine with the guest speaker and it feels like a chat b/w friends rather than an interview! Overall, I’m glad that I found this podcast as it allowed me to be a fly on the wall and learn about the inspirational stories of the Lao community :)

The history which this podcast seeks to elucidate is profoundly uncomfortable, both for Americans and Lao people alike. It’s a history that has not just been forgotten, but has been actively obscured by institutions which would much rather not confront the its implications. The thing is, this podcast restores a sense of compassion and common humanity into this history. Since the Vietnam War ended, most discussion that has surrounded it, especially discussion concerning the illegal Indochina Wars, has been highly charged with political and ideological discord, damaging our sincere efforts to thoughtfully engage with each other. With Aleena as the guide, I’ve been able to educate myself on this topic in a way that is personally cathartic, sensitive, and respectful. Given Aleena’s deeply intimate connection to this content, I know I’m getting information from someone whose priorities lie only with the victims of this horrific tragedy. As a young Lao woman herself, political agenda, vengeful punditry, or cynical radicalism take up no space in her discourse. Aleena is committed solely to finding answers; answers about how these problems may be solved, how this history may be retold, and how she can pick up the shattered jar shards of her nation’s history, restoring its ancient relics, and reinvigorating it with dignity and health. The journey I’ve taken with Aleena has only brought inspiration and hope to my life. Educating myself on the topic of this War was most often a dispiriting venture until I found this podcast. I now know that there are driven and open hearted young people out there who are set on healing the wounds of our history.

This podcast has been life-changing. Every story featured so far has helped amplify stories and secrets that have been kept from the public for too long. This is a modern and intimate way to retell the history of U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia and provide a lens that is often missing from the narratives in history books taught to American students. This podcast serves as a reminder that secrets do not have to stay secrets forever and there's a beauty behind storytelling told from first person accounts and memory. Excited for what's in store, thank you Legacies of War for amplifying the voices behind it all.