Mia is the founder and host of Viet Boss Babe — a media and community platform for Vietnamese women, everywhere. From the diaspora to the homeland, Viet Boss Babe exists for the women who are rewriting what it means to be Vietnamese, on their own terms.

Bold, Vietlish, and unapologetic — this is the space for the stories that don't always make it to the main stage. The careers being built, the culture being carried, the conversations happening at the dinner table that never make it online.

Viet Boss Babe is where Vietnamese women come to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Follow Viet Boss Babe:

https://www.instagram.com/vietbossbabe

https://www.youtube.com/@vietbossbabe

Welcome to a special collaborative series between The Vietnamese Podcast and Viet Boss Babe. In this premiere episode of "Đàn ông phải thế" (Men Must Be This Way), host Mia and Kenneth Nguyen pull back the curtain on the silent struggle of the modern Vietnamese man.

We explore the "Gia trưởng" (patriarchal) script that has governed Vietnamese households for centuries—the idea that a man is a provider, a protector, and above all, someone who never cries. But what happens when that script is torn up? In a world where women are dominating medical schools and out-earning their partners, where do men fit in?

In this episode, we tackle:

"Con trai không được khóc": The long-term psychological damage of suppressing male emotions and the fear that vulnerability will "rock the foundation" of the family.

The Norwegian Warning: A startling look at how men are being left behind in education, with 99% of medical students in some countries now being women.

The "Invisibility" of Women: Kenneth’s honest admission about being raised in a culture where women were socially invisible and the work required to break that conditioning.

The 4 Pillars of Radical Self-Love: Mia and Kenneth discuss why meditation, journaling, the gym, and affirmations are no longer "optional" for the modern man.

Learning from Gen Z: Why Kenneth believes 50-year-old men need to seek guidance from 30-year-olds to navigate modern relationship dynamics.

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Upcoming Headline Show:

Will is headlining his biggest show yet at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco on April 24, 2026. You can find tickets in the following link: https://willpepper.komi.io/

In this episode, Ken sits down with Will Pepper (born Will Tieu). You might know him from his viral cooking videos with his "Daddy Pepper," his work managing Jimmy O. Yang’s TikTok, or as the "loan shark" in Uncle Roger’s skits.

Will opens up about a life that sounds like a dark comedy script: growing up as a "nail salon kid" in Utah and Phoenix, navigating his father’s past struggles with addiction and gambling, and the surreal moment his family name was changed to "Pepper" overnight just to secure a business loan.

In this episode, we explore:

The "Pepper" Strategy: The wild story of how Will's dad changed the family's last name on a random Tuesday in high school to sound "more American" for credit applications.

Healing Through Ayahuasca: A vulnerable look at how Will and his father used psychedelics to process intergenerational trauma and reconcile their past.

The Comedy Grind: Will’s journey from "boring" pre-med student to moving to LA, managing major stars, and finally finding his own voice on stage.

Honoring Alex Jung: A tribute to the late Vietnamese comedian and the tight-knit community of "Viets in Comedy" who keep the grind going.

The "Retarded" Intelligence of Comedy: Why being a great comic requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to "read the room" rather than traditional book smarts.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kevin Quach was born and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area to Vietnamese parents. He is an Aerospace Engineer (BSAE Georgia Tech 2014) who has worked the past 3 years for Blue Origin where he tests rockets that will bring humanity to work and live in space. Kevin has previously worked at Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) for almost 8 years, where he tested experimental helicopters for the Marines and the Army. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife Thanh who works in the Vietnamese and American film industry. Kevin also runs a small rental property business in Florida. 

In this fascinating episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Kevin Quach, an Aerospace Engineer at Blue Origin. From working on experimental heavy-lift helicopters like the Sikorsky CH-53K to testing the next generation of rockets at Cape Canaveral, Kevin brings a grounded, technical perspective to the most "out of this world" topics.

Kevin walks us through the rigorous world of flight test engineering, the reality of working in an industry where "failure is not an option," and how the laws of physics finally put the moon landing conspiracy theories to rest.

In this episode, we dive into:

Debunking the Hoax: Why the math and physics of 1969 are immutable, and the "PR" reality behind famous space photography.

The "Jack of All Trades": What it actually takes to become an aerospace engineer and the grit required to survive "experimental" flight tests.

Helicopters vs. Rockets: A surprising comparison of mechanical complexity—why mastering the rotor head is a different beast than mastering a launch vehicle.

Blue Origin’s Mission: Moving beyond "space tourism" to build an infrastructure "for the benefit of Earth," including manufacturing solar panels from lunar dust.

The Lunar Gateway: How the 2026 Artemis missions are creating a "gas station/rest stop" in lunar orbit to enable deep space travel.

Aerospace in Vietnam: The potential for VinSpace and Viettel and the complex political "ITAR" hurdles for engineers in the diaspora.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, The Vietnamese Podcast joins forces with Little Saigon Official to ask the ultimate question: Are we too obsessed with our past to build our future?

Host Kenneth Nguyen, Chris, and Dana dive deep into the "Identity Loop." We discuss why the diaspora is "addicted to angst" while Vietnam is already moving at light speed, and whether our "biological pull" to the motherland is a gift or a golden cage.

Inside this discussion:

The "Pungent" to "Fragrant" Shift: How Little Saigon successfully rebranded Vietnamese culture for the world.

The "Broken" Fragment: Why we feel a biological need to return to the "ocean" of the motherland.

Standstill vs. Creation: Breaking the cycle of "Am I Vietnamese enough?" to start making things that matter.

The Global Platform: Why we need an intentional "council" to push the Vietnamese brand forward in 2026.

Are you ready to stop searching for who you are and start creating what you want to be? Join the conversation in the comments.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to The Vietnamese Podcast, hosted by Kenneth Nguyen. In this episode, we sit down with Nguyễn Owen Tangavelou, a French-Vietnamese Formula 3 (F3) driver who is on a singular mission: to become the first person of Vietnamese descent to reach the pinnacle of motorsport—Formula 1.

Owen’s journey is far from typical. Unlike most F1 stars who begin karting at age 4, Owen didn't step into a cockpit until he was 14. From playing F1 video games to pulling $4G$ in a real race car, Owen discusses the grit, the late-start disadvantage, and the staggering financial reality of the "pay-to-play" world of professional racing.

In this episode, we explore:

The Racing Ladder: Breaking down the progression from F4 to the $1.5$ million Euro seasons of F3 and the "feeder" system for F1.

The Physics of Speed: What it feels like to endure $5G$ to $7G$ of force—gravity levels usually reserved for fighter pilots.

The Money Game: The brutal truth about racing—why talent isn't always enough and why Owen is seeking Vietnamese investors to help bridge the funding gap.

National Pride: Why bringing a Vietnamese name to the F1 grid represents more than just a career—it’s a demonstration of national power and the "indomitable spirit" of the people.

Owen is currently balancing business school in France while training for his next shot at the track. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to drive at 300+ km/h or how the business of racing actually works, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to join Owen’s journey to the grid.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to The Vietnamese Podcast. In this episode, Kenneth sit down with scholar Kevin Phan to dissect one of the most radical experiments in Vietnamese history: the Tonkin Free School (Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục).

Opened in Hanoi in 1907, this school lasted only 10 months before the French colonial government shut it down—but those 300 days changed the trajectory of the nation forever. We explore how a tiny group of intellectuals, inspired by Japan's Meiji Restoration, attempted to "enlighten the Vietnamese mind" by abandoning ancient Confucian rote-learning in favor of science, hygiene, and a brand-new Romanized script.

In this episode, we tackle:

The Death of Tradition: Why cutting your hair and learning math was seen as a radical act of patriotism.

The "Dictator's Dilemma": The tension between needing a smart, educated workforce and the fear that those same people will think for themselves.

Humboldt vs. Napoleon: Understanding the two models of education—building an "economic powerhouse" versus cultivating a "free citizen."

2026 Realities: From mandatory Marxism-Leninism courses in Saigon to book banning in Florida, we look at the global state of academic freedom today.

Key Historical Insights:

Japanese Influence: How Japan's 1905 victory over Russia proved to the Vietnamese that "white people" could be defeated through modernization.

The Power of the Map: Why showing villagers an S-shaped map of Vietnam for the first time was a revolutionary act.

Social Darwinism: The uncomfortable 1900s ideology that framed colonialism as a "survival of the fittest" race.

Whether you're interested in the roots of Vietnamese nationalism or the modern battle over what we are allowed to teach in 2026, this conversation is essential. Subscribe to join the intellectual front line.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Building a $100 million hospitality empire isn't just about good food; it’s about a relentless pursuit of "what’s next."

In this episode, we sit down with Viet Nguyen, the visionary founder of KEI Concepts and a recent James Beard Award semi-finalist. From a single storefront to a portfolio of iconic brands that have redefined the Southern California dining scene, Viet has cracked the code on scaling culture without losing soul.

We’re recording on-site at his most ambitious project yet: Qua. Located in the heart of Orange County’s Little Saigon, Qua isn't just a restaurant—it’s a "Chinese culinary experiment" that challenges traditional boundaries.

In this conversation, we dive into:

The Blueprint for Scale: How Viet transitioned from a solo founder to managing a multi-million dollar hospitality group.

The "Qua" Experiment: The deep-rooted inspiration behind his newest venture and why he chose to innovate within the legendary landscape of Little Saigon.

Cultural Fusion vs. Confusion: How to respect culinary heritage while pushing the envelope for a modern audience.

The James Beard Journey: What it means to receive national acclaim and how it changes (or doesn’t change) the daily grind of the industry.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we welcome back Peter from the popular channel Broke the Habit.

Since we last spoke in 2024, Peter’s journey has been a whirlwind of high-stakes media jobs, intense burnout, and a profound psychological reset. Now, in 2026, he is "locking in" to content creation full-time, navigating the streets of Nha Trang and the complex emotional landscape of the Viet Kieu (Overseas Vietnamese) experience.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset: How intergenerational trauma from the refugee experience creates a "survival mode" that follows us even when we find financial success.

The "Hoa Le" of Saigon: Exploring the stark contrast between the extreme wealth of international districts and the gritty reality of local life in District 8.

Breaking the Parental Guilt: The heavy burden of the "eldest son" and the drive to become a millionaire to "repay" the sacrifices of our parents.

Vietnam as a Passage of Rites: Why every member of the diaspora should return to the motherland for 2–3 months to truly understand their own identity.

Whether you are in Vancouver, Little Saigon, or Hanoi, this conversation is about more than just travel—it's about breaking habits and finding the courage to say "I love you" to a culture that shaped you.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we explore the "Stories We Carry" with a powerhouse panel of creators:

Brittany Tran: Founder of Real Citrus, a film distribution company bringing diaspora stories to the big screen.

Duzan Duong: Czech-Vietnamese director of Summer School 2001, sharing the unique perspective of Northern Vietnamese migration to Eastern Europe.

Hien: A Hungarian-born singer-songwriter blending traditional roots with modern sounds.

What we dive into:

The North-South Divide: How the history of migration to Europe differs from the American experience.

Reclaiming Identity: The role of film and music in navigating "displacement trauma" and representing our community.

The Future of the Diaspora: Why 2026 is the year of global creative collaboration and "co-authoring" our narrative with the world.

Whether you're a first-generation immigrant or a third-generation creative, this is where we celebrate our shared heritage and the abundance of our future. Subscribe to join the journey.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, Kenneth sits down with Quentin J Nguyen-duy, a rising star in Hollywood known for NBC’s Hunting Party and his viral, socially conscious comedy skits.

Quentin opens up about the "war of attrition" that is the acting world—revealing how he survived over 11,000 rejections across a decade by mastering a mental "Fruit Ninja" technique to slice through insecurity. We dive deep into his unique experience as a white-passing individual navigating the Vietnamese diaspora, moving from a childhood where he felt he had to "hide" his heritage to now lead the charge in celebrating it through Viet Salon and learning the language.

Key highlights from this conversation:

The Mixed Experience: Navigating identity when you look like an "outsider" but your DNA is 50% Vietnamese.

10 Years of "No": How to stay "undamageable" when the industry rejection rate is 98%.

The Saigon Cinema Boom: Why Quentin believes Vietnamese cinema will be as big as Korean cinema in the next 10 years.

Vertical vs. Horizontal: The evolution of media and whether "micro-dramas" on our phones will eventually replace the silver screen.

Whether you're a creative looking for the grit to survive the "tundra" of your career or someone reconnecting with your roots, Quentin’s story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to step into your truth. Subscribe to join the conversation.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy