The Bánh Mì Chronicles

Randy Kim

The Bánh Mì Chronicles: A podcast where host Randy Kim breaks bread with Asian (American) and BIPOC creatives to explore their work, their communities, and future-making impact. Subscribe to my Substack: randykim.substack.com for more content!

  1. 1 DE DEZ.

    Building the Legacy of Asia on Argyle w/Hac Tran & Jennifer "Nuky" Pham

    This week, I caught up with longtime Chicago Uptown community leaders and co-owners of the new Haibayô Cafe, Hac Tran and Jennifer “Nuky” Pham. Join us as Hac and Nuky take us into an intimate look at the history of the Asia on Argyle neighborhood—a historic cultural center for Chicago’s Chinese and Southeast Asian communities for the past 50 years. The Mission of Haibayô: Their work in co-founding the nonprofit dedicated to cultural preservation and community-building in the Argyle area. A Personal Legacy: Jennifer “Nuky” Pham shares the legacy history of her father, one of Argyle’s first Vietnamese business owners, and her deep roots in the community. Community Advocacy: How they curate festivals and events to support immigrant entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians, their fight against displacement, and provide Future Connections: Their determination to build deeper community connections and maintain the neighborhood’s cultural and historical identity. Bio: Hac Tran, Co-Founder, Cultural Planning Manager: Hac Tran is an urban planner and community development professional dedicated to preserving the Asia on Argyle community in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Born and raised in Chicago, Hac has deep ties to the Argyle area. In 2019, Hac co-founded HAIBAYÔ, a nonprofit focused on cultural preservation. Hac’s experience ranges from non-governmental work in Vietnam with Save the Children and Global Village Foundation to community-based casework with various Uptown-based nonprofits to cultural specialist business technical assistance on Argyle through the Uptown Chamber of Commerce. Hac is a Field Foundation 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago Recipient. Jennifer “Nuky” Pham, Co-Founder, Cultural Events Manager: Jennifer Pham is a Vietnamese American entrepreneur, cultural organizer, and community advocate born and raised in Argyle, Uptown Chicago. As the daughter of Argyle’s first Vietnamese business owners, she is dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s identity and resisting displacement. As co-founder of Haibayô, she curates festivals and events that support immigrant entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians. She also serves as a board member of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of Mini Tx Pharmacy, strengthening her advocacy for local businesses and community sustainability. Contact: nuky@haibayo.org hac@haibayo.org Instagram: hai_bayo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haibayochicago Website: https://haibayo.com/

    50min
  2. 24 DE NOV.

    Examining the Many Facets of The Evolving Vietnamese Narrative w/ Kenneth Nguyen

    This week, I’m joined by my friend and fellow podcaster, Kenneth Nguyen, the host and creator of the acclaimed The Vietnamese Podcast. He was my guest host on my then-farewell episode in 2023 when I was sunsetting the podcast, and he’s back on my show, to remind me that he was right that I would come back to the podcasting sphere, and here I am now! With hundreds of episodes recorded, Kenneth has built a platform highlighting Vietnamese creatives, educators, historians, entrepreneurs, and many others across the global diaspora and homeland. In this fun and insightful conversation, we dive into: The Current Podcasting Landscape: Our thoughts on the industry since I returned to podcasting, and what podcasting means now these days. Kenneth’s Journey into Podcasting: The story of how The Vietnamese Podcast began and the lessons he’s learned about the Vietnamese community both in the US and in Vietnam. Navigating Political Nuances: Discussing the delicate and complex political divisions within the community, and how both Vietnamese Americans and Vietnam view the history of the war fifty years later. Shaping Future Narratives: How we can actively work to influence and shape the evolving story of the Vietnamese American community moving forward. Kenneth brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in the Vietnamese media space, including his work as a film producer and co-founder of EAST Films. His podcast aims to show the Vietnamese experience “from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.” Bio: Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth is a founding partner at EAST Films with several film projects in development and production. Check out The Vietnamese Podcast on Instagram: TheVietnamesePodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheVietnamesewithKennethNguyen

    1h10min
  3. 17 DE NOV.

    Have We Reached The End of Celebrity Stanning Culture? w/Tranna Wintour

    This week, I brought the multi-talented French-Canadian comedian and personality Tranna Wintour to the podcast. We dived into the current political noise in her own backyard (Canada), but also what she has observed in the States. A major focus of the conversation was Madonna’s legacy. We dissected how difficult the last 20 years of her career and persona have been for some to stand by, and how this is another example of figuring out how to deal with our problematic favs. Finally, we ask a big question: Have we reached the end of celebrity stan culture in the wake of the current political and social climate we’re in? Bio: Tranna Wintour is a highly-acclaimed bilingual comedian, singer, writer, hostess, and producer. Legendary comedienne Sandra Bernhard described her as “a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.” A Just For Laughs New Face Canada (2019), Tranna was named one of the queens of Canadian comedy by Fashion magazine. Performing in both English and French, she appeared in a Juste Pour Rire gala in 2021 before starring in Québec’s hit series, Big Brother Célébrités. Her run to the top 4 was hailed as the show’s breakthrough moment and “the best moment on Québec TV in years” by the Journal Métro. Tranna co-hosted the successful CBC Podcast Chosen Family for three seasons, which was named one of Apple’s Best Podcasts for two consecutive years. Her debut album, Safe From Your Affection, is available on all streaming platforms, and she is currently developing an original comedy series with a major Canadian broadcaster. Instagram: TrannaWintour Website: https://www.trannawintour.com Tranna Wintour

    53min
  4. 13 DE NOV.

    EMERGENCY EPISODE: How Chicago's Chinatown Is Responding to the ICE Raids and SNAP Benefits Crisis?

    In continuation of the current Chicago ICE Raids, and recent SNAP benefits crisis affecting Chicago's Chinatown community, I invited two dedicated community leaders in the Chinatown community: Grace Chan McKibben and Andrew Frangos, to discuss the rapid response efforts in Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods. In a time when federal actions are creating widespread fear and instability, we dived into how local leaders, residents, and businesses are working in solidarity to protect one another. Immediate ICE Response: Grace and Andrew detail the community's swift reaction to the recent, highly visible ICE raids in the Chicagoland area, including reports of violent and false detentions. We discuss what practices communities are using to monitor activity, provide alerts, and empower residents to Know Their Rights. Protecting Neighbors and Businesses: We look at the practical ways the community—from small businesses to residents—are creating a protective net to ensure the safety and legal rights of immigrant families, seniors, and workers. The SNAP Benefit Crisis: We explore the devastating and immediate impact of the recent SNAP benefit reductions and policy changes that are disproportionately affecting low-income seniors and vulnerable families in the area. Mobilizing Resources: Both outline the community work that is being done to fill the resource gap, including emergency food distribution, legal aid services, and language support to help residents navigate the ongoing, shifting landscape. A Call to Action: How listeners—both in and outside of Chicago—can support the community's defense funds, rapid response teams, and local organizations working on the front lines of this crisis. Resources: Contact ICIRR for ICE sightings in Illinois From Andrew:Pilsen PUÑO, an organization that coordinates a Migra Watch team and provides regular trainings:  https://www.instagram.com/pilsenpuno/.  https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4bsY4jUcP/. Sanctuary For All UIC (https://www.instagram.com/sanctuaryforalluic/) maintains this linktree with a link to a massive list of trainings offered beyond the Chicago area, as well as other resources: https://linktr.ee/sanctuaryforalluic.

    48min
  5. 10 DE NOV.

    A Daughter's Quest: Unearthing Cambodian Identity & History w/ Dorothy Chow

    In a profoundly moving conversation, host Randy Kim welcomes Dorothy Chow, the Chinese-Cambodian American host of the father-daughter podcast, "Death In Cambodia." Dorothy shares the deeply personal and powerful genesis of her show: creating a space for her father to share his survivor experience from the Cambodian genocide. This podcast wasn't just a historical documentation; it became a transformative healing journey for Dorothy. The Genesis of "Death In Cambodia": Dorothy opens up about the courage it took for her and her father to start the podcast, not just as a historical record, but as a pivotal moment for intergenerational healing. A Personal Discovery: We discuss how the process of interviewing her own father and connecting with other survivors and diaspora folks shaped Dorothy’s understanding of her own Cambodian identity—an identity she had long sought to define. The Second Genocide: Dorothy sheds light on a lesser-known, yet critical, chapter of the Khmer Rouge regime: the Dangrek Genocide. This 2nd genocide, often overshadowed, reveals the complex and continuous trauma faced by the Cambodian people. Returning to the Motherland: Looking ahead, Dorothy shares her hopes and intentions for her next trip to Cambodia, reflecting on what she now seeks to experience and connect with as part of both her podcasting and personal journey. Listen to the Podcast: Find "Death In Cambodia" on all major podcast platforms. Follow Dorothy: @ deathincambodia Thank you for tuning into The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast!

    1h14min
  6. 3 DE NOV.

    Stop Shrinking Yourself: The Work of Liberation Post-Divorce w/Nisha Mody

    This week on The Bánh Mì Chronicles, host Randy Kim sits down with the incredible Nisha Mody (she/her)—a certified Liberatory Life Coach, Facilitator, and Writer—for a profound conversation about self-compassion, unlearning harmful beliefs, and showing up authentically in relationships. Nisha, who is currently writing a memoir about her divorce, shares the raw, deeply personal story of her toxic marriage to an Indian man that ended a decade ago. She transparently discusses the immense work required to unlearn the practices and beliefs she internalized that ultimately caused her harm. The complex journey of grief and healing, particularly navigating the immense loss of her father around the time of her divorce. How Nisha had to redefine her self-worth after leaving a toxic dynamic, and her philosophy of self-improvement without shame. The essential conversation about navigating and understanding whiteness in her current partnership and how her white partner actively honors her values and centers her growth. Nisha’s core belief that centering growth, relationship, and liberation is the path toward meaningful personal and societal transformation. Nisha’s background spans consulting, recruiting, and librarianship, and she brings all of that accumulated wisdom to her coaching and writing, encouraging us all to stop shrinking ourselves and step into our full power. Listen in for a conversation that is as vulnerable as it is liberating. Bio: Nisha Mody (she/her) is a certified Liberatory Life Coach, Facilitator, and Writer who supports people in cultivating as much compassion for themselves as they do for others so they can stop shrinking themselves to be liked and start showing up for relational liberation. With a background spanning consulting, recruiting, speech-language pathology, and librarianship, Nisha thrives on evolving and self-improvement without shame and inspiring others to do the same. In all her work, she centers growth, relationship, and liberation as pathways for personal and societal transformation. Nisha is writing a memoir about her divorce. She coaches clients one-on-one and in groups and also offers workshops and coaching to organizations. You can find Nisha on Instagram @healinghypegirl, on her website at www.nishaland.com, and you can get the latest updates from her by signing up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/notesfromnishaland.

    1h1min

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Sobre

The Bánh Mì Chronicles: A podcast where host Randy Kim breaks bread with Asian (American) and BIPOC creatives to explore their work, their communities, and future-making impact. Subscribe to my Substack: randykim.substack.com for more content!

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