Ernest Plange Kwofie drops by the studio to discuss ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Kwofie talks about the interpersonal politics of the organization and how it differs from similar Western organizations like the European Union. He looks at the organization's effectiveness in responding to threats as well as its ability to implement and enforce policies within its member nations.

Ernest Plange Kwofie is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science specializing in comparative politics and international relations at Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk joins Dr. Nam Kim to discuss early civilizations in what is now Vietnam and how uncovering creations of the past sheds light on the shifting cultural landscape of ancient Mainland Southeast Asia. They also examine how changing views of the past help to inform local and academic understandings of the region today.

Dr. Nam Kim is a Professor of Anthropology and the Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He studies society and social organization through archaeological artifacts and specializes in Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk is an associate professor in the Department of Art, Design, and Art History at California State University. He specializes in the archaeology of Peninsular Thailand as well as early maritime trade in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Muzakki Bashori sits down to discuss his new book “When the Rice Cries” a children's story that uses rice idioms to teach about the importance of reducing food waste. Bashori discusses Javanese language conservation and his mission to promote the use of Javanese among children in Indonesia.

Dr. Muzakki Bashori is a Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Negeri Semarang. His research focuses on speech recognition and speaking anxiety as well as the upkeep and revitalization of the Javanese language.

Dr. Joel Selway sits down with Phanuphat Chattragul to discuss his research on shifting notions of Thai identities. He examines Thai identities within the context of various ethnic groups and geographical regions through surveys and interviews.

Dr. Joel Selway is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University. He specializes in studying democratic systems in ethnically diverse societies.

Phanuphat Chattragul is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at NIU.

Dr. Eliott Prasse Freeman sits down to discuss his new book: “Rights Refused Grassroots Activism and State Violence in Myanmar.” The discussion focuses on the evolution of the concept of human rights, from its categorical, colonial understanding to its impact on modern-day Myanmar. Freeman cites examples of spiritual practices surrounding political protests and the different ways that activists have fought for rights throughout modern history.

Dr. Eliott Prasse Freeman is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Singapore. He is a Burma Studies specialist who researches human rights, political protest, and violence.

Book available now through Standford University Press at: https://www.sup.org/books/anthropology/rights-refused

Dr. Nora Taylor sits down to discuss Vietnam’s Cold War connections with the Soviet art world. She cites examples of how Soviet-educated Vietnamese artists used what they learned to create art that was critical of colonialism and was reflective of the emergent nationalist landscape.

Dr. Nora Annesley Taylor is an Alsdorf Professor of South and Southeast Asian Art History at the Art Institue of Chicago. She specializes in the study of the contemporary art of Vietnam and Singapore.

Anthony Scott sits down to discuss Buddhism and its effect on the Cold War. Scott dives deep into the history of Buddhism and its impact on politics within Asia. He discusses the rise of Ashin Janakabhivamsa, a popular Burmese monk during the Cold War, especially his radical yet traditionalist ideas about Buddhism and its doctrine. The discussion ends with how Buddhism ideology interacts with Communist ideology.

Anthony Scott is postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto.

Professor Chamni Sripraram sits down with 3 NIU students to talk about their Summer: “Song for the Blind” trip. Put together by Professor Chamni, the trip was an opportunity for American students to teach music to visually impaired Thai children. The group reflects and laughs about the experience together, discussing what they learned about other cultures, music, and themselves.

Professor Chamni Sripraram is an adjunct professor teaching “Music of Southeast Asia” and “Music of Thailand” courses and directing the Thai Music Ensemble at NIU.

Dr. Saw Yu May sits down with scholars from Myanmar at NIU, Aye Myat Mon, Khaing Wai Wai Zaw, and Chit Whityi Oo, to discuss the impact the 2021 coup in Myanmar has on education in the country. Together they detail their experiences with the coup, its immediate effects, and how the change of regime influences the culture of education in Myanmar.

Dr. Saw Yu May is a visiting professor of water and environmental studies at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Chit Whityi Oo is a former Fulbright US-ASEAN scholar and postdoc research fellow at NIU specializing in studying water quality and micro plastics.

Khaing Wai Wai Zaw is a former Fulbright FLTA Scholar and currently serves as a research assistant for the Center for Burma studies at NIU.

Aye Myat Mon is a graduate student at NIU pursuing a PHD in instructional technology.

Dr. Kanjana Thepboriruk sits down with Dr. Paul Chambers and Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat to discuss Paul Chambers’s new book “Praetorian Kingdom: A History of Military Ascendancy in Thailand.” Together they discuss the history of the military in the Thai government and its continued dominance in Thai politics. Chambers examine the rotating roster of pollical players in regimes past and present, and their relationship with loci of power.

Dr. Paul Chambers is a lecturer and researcher. He serves as a lecturer and special advisor at the Centre ASEAN Community Studies at Naresuan University.

Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat serves as the Dean of the Facuilty of social sciences at Naresuan University.