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 identity, as well as the inter-ethnic tensions that can arise within diaspora communities. 

When it comes to his journey in his education and profession, he describes it as non-linear, i.e. majoring in Asian American Studies and Sociology in undergrad, to earning his Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology, to now working in public health with an organization that serves asthma patients, advocating for environmental justice and respiratory health. His day-to-day involves helping manage their electronic health record system and analysis with patient and health data.

Outside of his 9-5 day job, Cali is a board member of the United Khmer Cultural Preservation (UKCP) in Fresno, CA, doing PR related work. He is also a performing and cultural arts enthusiast who enjoys writing, dancing, and swimming. 

Connect with Cali on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cph.hwinn/ and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cali-poeu-huynh-mph-cph-97022a167/

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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-pathologizing approach fosters transformation in mind, body, spirit, and community, guiding people to build ecosystems rooted in collective care and resistance to systemic harm.

In this conversation, Mao shares her journey as a second generation Khmer American, reflecting on her cultural identity, family dynamics, the impact of her upbringing on her mental health, and her time in the US military.
Her experiences ultimately guided her towards a career in mental health, where she aims to help others navigate their own challenges and break cycles of trauma.

Mao’s website https://www.resetandresilientwellness.com/

Connect with Mao on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/maobeckett_resetresilient/

Decoding Crime and Culture Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/0yC4yT4IJx90SecgGIBYrp?si=2a3f90f1239d407f

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 of unity and cultural preservation amidst challenges - in particular, the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. 

The conversation highlights the vision for a vibrant community space that fosters learning, mentorship, and cultural exchange.

You can learn Sopheaktra’s story in the Khmer Voices episode, It's Never Too Late

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401003/episodes/16895816

Visit https://www.cambodianculturalcentre.com/ for tickets to Echoes of Angkor, October 25, 2025.

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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. 

Through storytelling, intergenerational connection, and community-based programming, AhNy works to strengthen cultural pride and belonging for families navigating dual identities.

In this episode, AhNy reflects on her experiences growing up carrying the weight of inherited trauma, her family's financial struggles, the positive impact of her teachers, and her decision to start the Cambodian Legacy Project. 

We also talked about the importance of hearing our parents' stories straight from them, something that AhNy didn't have a chance to do with her late father. 

Follow Cambodian Legacy Project on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/clprojectclt/

Note, this is the last episode of season 1. Khmer Voices will return on August 5 with season 2. Thank you for listening!

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 calling. It paid the bills, helped her support family, and taught her how to keep going.

She was the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from UCLA with a BA in English at 26. At 40, she completed her MBA in Finance from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. For Nan, it’s never too late to become who we’re meant to be—or to decide that who we are is already enough.

Outside the office, Nan finds joy in cycling, sewing, and storytelling. She’s passionate about cultural reclamation and healing intergenerational trauma—especially within the Cambodian diaspora. Her creative work braids memory, identity, and transformation through personal essays and handmade fashion rooted in Khmer textiles. She’s currently learning to read and write in Khmer, reclaiming the language her parents once carried across an ocean.

Through storytelling, a growing Khmer American wardrobe, and community connection, Nan is committed to honoring her past while shaping a future that feels both joyful and true.

Connect with Nan on Instagram https://instagram.com/samle_v101 and LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/samanthayle

Read Nan's Substack https://samanthale.substack.com/

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 to Khmer Voices. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Along with the socials below, you can also connect with me on LinkedIn. 

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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, the impact he wants to make, and his hopes for the Cambodian diaspora. We also discuss the complexities of navigating cultural expectations as first generation immigrants and the importance of community engagement.

Despite battling terminal cancer the past three years, Chad is still planting the seeds for the Khmer community and next generation to thrive. 

His journey of self-discovery has recently led him to creating the Khmer Tree podcast where he interviews people of the Cambodian diaspora. He captures his guests' personal stories, cultural traditions, and reflections on identity, heritage, and community. 

Find Chad on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/khmer.tree/

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 those in his alternate more privileged world. 

As a child of Cambodian parents who fled to Thailand as a result of the Khmer Rouge then settling in Seattle, Washington, United States he felt the pressure to exceed the highest expectations. 

A keener, go-getter, and always having a hard time slowing down, Savan's resume spans the private sector, where he built, scaled, and optimized innovative products across technology, real estate, and consumer industries. 

As the first employee at Redfin (NASDAQ: RDFN), he co-authored a patented (US9436945B2) interactive, map-based search and advertising technology that helped define modern real estate search. He contributed to medical software development at Kareo, led consumer design at Amazon, and held executive roles at Conenza and BlogTalkRadio during their early stages.

Most recently, Savan served as the first Customer Experience Officer (CXO) for the United States Department of Defense, where he led the Customer Experience Officer Portfolio Management Office. He played a critical role in shaping strategies that modernized digital services and customer interactions across the defense enterprise. His impact in the field of defense innovation was recognized with the 2024 DefenseScoop Industry Leadership Award.

Savan is currently in the process of writing a memoir and releases short stories on his website SavanKong.com.

Connect with Savan:

• LinkedIn Savanrith Kong
• Instagram @halfway_light

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 because his English wasn’t strong enough. Today, he’s a polyglot communicating in French, Spanish, English, and Khmer. 

We covered his transition from investment banking to founding a startup with his life partner, sharing his highs and lows of entrepreneurship. He also reflects on his inspirations and aspirations of his business. A great episode for those exploring entrepreneurship, particularly in technology.

Become a Keybento member at Keybento.com

Connect with Keybento on Instagram and TikTok and Hervé on Linkedin

Follow Herve’s partner Ilona on YouTube where she details her life and journey in building Keybento.

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices

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 College Recruiter, managing the Outreach office and collaborating with local high schools.

We also delve into the complexities of Cambodian identity, the nuances of ethnic labels and language, and indigenous Khmer tribes. 

And importantly, he talked about his struggles with mental health, being bullied, and how his decisions led him to a life that not only put him in danger, but also his family. 

In 2023, he became a self published author and released Khmer Gat Chen - Southern Chinese Diaspora in Cambodia (a comparative study of the Chinese-Cambodian culture and I'll Be There, Too (a 45-piece debut collection of poetry). 

You may be interested in exploring these further:

The IG of the young gentlemen who is super knowledgeable of Cambodian music: https://www.instagram.com/seihamedia

The Podcast Ryan started for Tahitian American families: https://rss.com/podcasts/te-reva-nei-au/

The YouTube Channel Ryan praised for teaching us about the different ethnic groups in Cambodia: https://www.youtube.com/@Road_taste

Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices