Best Cambodia Khmer Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 22 - Khmer Culture In Utah 54:21

2h ago54:21

54:21

Host Christian Pearson welcomes Cambodian native Amreth Phirun, a graduate student at the University of Utah and veritable expert on culture and language preservation abroad. Amreth shares some of the fascinating details of his research, which describes the willful efforts of Cambodians living in Utah to remain true to their culture through religio…

1
Representation in Children's Books with Chanda Ouk Wolf 51:06

7h ago51:06

51:06

Author of A Dozen Delicious Donuts: A Sweet Cambodian American Story, Chanda Ouk Wolf has loved reading for as long as she can remember, but growing up in the United States, she never came across stories that gave her a sense of who she is as a Cambodian American. Chanda grew up in Long Beach, California and later Lowell, Massachusetts, both home t…

1
Changing Careers at 37 with Cheata Nao from Cheata Cooks Cambodian 1:01:22

14d ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Cheata Nao is a second generation Khmer Canadian who is pursuing a new career showcasing Cambodian cuisine. She has always been a good cook and loved hosting dinner parties since she was a teenager, but back then she was focused on learning how to master western dishes. It wasn’t until she moved away for univer…

1
Sabay Dara The Multi - Enterprenuer 1:03:18

18d ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Sabay Dara - The Multi- Entrepreneur Growing up in France and the hunger to know more about its roots (Khmer) . Stay tune for the exclusives Full episode out now: https://www.youtube.com/@openmind.podcast Open Mind Podcast “Exploring Cambodia with open minds and open conversations.”By Analog Asia

1
Vin Vitou - B-Boy dancer to a top rapper 1:18:09

19d ago1:18:09

1:18:09

Vin Vitou- B-Boy Dancer to a top Rapper A tale of persistence! Watch Vin Vitou a Cambodian 🇰🇭 music artist open up on life behind the scenes. Full episode out now: https://www.youtube.com/@openmind.podcast Open Mind Podcast “Exploring Cambodia with open minds and open conversations.”By Analog Asia

1
Transforming Emotional Pain into Purpose with Heng Vay 1:03:52

28d ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Heng Vay is a second generation Khmer American who was born in Los Angeles, Calfornia, spent his early teenage years in Minnesota, and then moved to Texas where he currently resides with his wife and two children. At the age of 14, Heng’s parents arranged a marriage for him. And guess what? Over 20 years later, they’re still together! Heng and his …

1
Roxy - Fearless Flow 55:27

25d ago55:27

55:27

Roxy - Fearless Flow, Queen of Rap! I was ready for it, says Roxy. Saw the opportunity and took it 💖 #OpenmindPodcast #RoxyQueen" 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 “𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀” 🎙️ Hosted by Adu Sam Jnr and Priscilla Kim Ong “Sela” សិលា 💥 Powered by Analog Asia Open Mind Podcast “Exploring Cambodia with open minds and …

1
Patricia McCormick - Author of Never Fall Down 51:01

1M ago51:01

51:01

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, we sit down with Patricia McCormick, a two-time National Book Award finalist and the acclaimed author of Never Fall Down, a powerful novel based on the true story of Arne Chorn-Pond, a boy who survived the Khmer Rouge by playing music. With a background in journalism and a passion for storytell…

1
The "Lucky Princess" with Rothany Sar 1:11:23

1M ago1:11:23

1:11:23

Rothany Sar is a first generation Khmer American who arrived in the United States via an arranged marriage. The Cambodian community here often said to her she was “so lucky” and her life was like that of a princess. But she didn’t identify with either of those labels. Was she lucky? Why didn’t she accept being a “princess?” Rothany was born in a re…

1
S3 Ep2: The Invasion - Part Two: A Vietnamese War In Cambodia 1:45:24

2M ago1:45:24

1:45:24

Why did Nixon invade Cambodia in May 1970? What impact did the 'Cambodian Incursion' have on the war in Vietnam? How did this effect Cambodia? Time Period Covered: May - June 1970 In part two of our discussion about the situation in Cambodia after the coup which pushed Sihanouk from power, we see how the Nixon Whitehouse responded to the crisis fac…

1
Finding Community After Loneliness & Making an Impact with Mitchell Keo 57:33

2M ago57:33

57:33

Mitchell Keo is a second generation Khmer American born and raised in Houston, Texas. He grew up in a Mexican neighbourhood, and never felt a connection to a community growing up. He started exploring his Asian American identity while studying biology at University of Texas at Austin. Today, Mitchell works as a software engineer and credits his lov…

1
Sin Setsochhata - Singer/Songwriter 1:00:25

2M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

We’re back with Season 3 of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, and we’re still going strong with incredible interviews! This week, we’re joined by Sin Setsochhata, a rising singer-songwriter from Phnom Penh and the granddaughter of the legendary Sinn Sisamouth—Cambodia’s “Elvis” and a trailblazer of Khmer rock. Setsochhata opens up about growing u…

1
Mason Bannavong: Journey to Physical and Mental Health 38:42

2M ago38:42

38:42

Mason Bannavong seemed to have it all — a college degree, peak physical fitness, and a dream job in the bustling city of Dallas. But life took a sudden turn, leaving him broke, unemployed, and back in his hometown of Amarillo, Texas. Hitting rock bottom might have seemed like the end but for Mason, it became the solid foundation he needed to rebuil…

1
Izame Siva - Blending contents through music 1:04:19

2M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

In a vibrant blend of cultures, this England-born Nigerian musician embarks on a transformative journey to Cambodia, driven by a passion for music and the dream of sharing his sound with the world. Navigating challenges and embracing new experiences, he explores the rich musical heritage of Southeast Asia while weaving his own unique narrative. Thr…

1
S3 Ep1: The Invasion - Part One: Counting Bodies Floating Down the Mekong 1:22:24

2M ago1:22:24

1:22:24

What was the crisis facing the new Cambodian Government in April 1970? Why were the Vietnamese communities subjected to massacres? What circumstances led to a US invasion into Cambodia? Time Period Covered: April 1970 In this episode Lachlan explores the horrible aftermath of the coup against Sihanouk, a panicked new regime produced a pogrom agains…

1
The Cambodian Can Collector with Keo Sar 1:10:20

2M ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Keo Sar is one of 6 children in his family. At a young age, his father who was the breadwinner got injured at work which resulted in him going on disability. To bridge the gap between disability cheques, he, his older brother, and their father would wake up early to dig in people's trash bins for cans before school started. Back then, recycling and…

1
Shamik Hayes: Lao-American Muay Thai Champion 30:19

2M ago30:19

30:19

The cornfields of Iowa and the lush tropics of Southeast Asia may seem worlds apart, but when Shamik Hayes first set foot in Laos, he felt an undeniable sense of home. Rediscovering the culture rooted deep in his family’s history ignited a passion that would propel him to become one of America’s top Muay Thai fighters. For some, fighting is about g…

1
Taking the Path Not Taught in School with Channy Salazar 56:56

3M ago56:56

56:56

Channy Salazar is a strong, resilient, and tenacious lady from Texas, USA. She was born in Cambodia in 1973 and remembers bits and pieces of her time before arriving and settling in the US. Her recollections (at the 4 minute mark and lasting about 1 minute) are traumatic. Life wasn't easy growing up, but she had the love and support of her parents …

1
Dr. Judy Lederwood - Researcher 59:19

3M ago59:19

59:19

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, we sit down with anthropologist Dr. Judy Ledgerwood, an expert on generational trauma and Southeast Asian studies. Drawing from decades of research in Cambodia and with Cambodian refugees in the United States, Dr. Ledgerwood unpacks the profound aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime. Together, th…

1
Episode 21 - The Power of Education 51:25

4M ago51:25

51:25

Host Christian Pearson interviews social entrepreneur & Cambodian pioneer Theary Leng, who received her MPA at BYU and is fulfilling her life mission to bring education back to her country. Theary shares her own remarkable journey with education, and explains why she believes it may be the most powerful force for good. Later, Christian asks Theary …

1
The Only Asian in The Class with Sokha Mov 58:03

4M ago58:03

58:03

Sokha Mov shares her journey from being born in a refugee camp in Thailand to growing up in France where she was the only Asian in her class, navigating cultural identity, and pursuing a career in law and public service. She discusses her transition to Cambodia, the challenges of adapting to life there even though she’s koun Khmer and she speaks th…

1
Episode 20 - Gender-based Violence 46:09

4M ago46:09

46:09

Podcast producer Ben Beck interviews Cambodian citizen and student, Chhour Kim. Chhour shares the best and worst parts of living in Cambodia. He compares life in the United States with life abroad. Later, they discuss some of the reasons why gender-based violence still exists in Southeast Asia, as well as how to address it effectively. Finally, Ben…

1
Dr. Alex Hinton - Anthropologist 1:21:22

4M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

In this powerful episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, we sit down with renowned anthropologist Dr. Alexander Hinton, an expert on genocide, mass violence, and human rights, to dig into the dark history of the Cambodian genocide and the lessons it holds for the world. Dr. Hinton shares how his journey began with a visit to Cambodia in 1992…

1
From Stay-at-Home Mom to Technical Lead Delivering IT Projects 29:45

4M ago29:45

29:45

Dimary (aka Mary) Leak didn't know how to speak English when she started kindergarten. A non-satisfactory test score in grade 1 ignited her desire to perform well academically, which she did all through primary and secondary school. When it came time to decide on a career however, she didn't have a clear direction or vision, and life went on. In th…

1
Episode 19 - Covid In Cambodia 58:05

5M ago58:05

58:05

Host Christian Pearson is joined by David Benaim, a veritable Excel expert who believes that Cambodia weathered Covid better than any other country in the world. David describes his life as an expat living in Cambodia, and later he tells the compelling story of how he used statistics and excel sheets to fight misinformation and chaos during the glo…

1
What next? Rediscovering yourself with Soeun Outh 29:49

5M ago29:49

29:49

Growing up, even though Soeun knew what she wanted to do, she let the words of others cloud her judgment at times. We discuss this and her journey in rediscovering herself and her heritage in her 40s. She’s gotten to a point in her career where she’s content and doesn’t know what her next move is, and we talk about navigating this. Soeun has over t…

1
S2 Ep19: Season 2 Recap - Cambodian History from Independence to Civil War 1:06:47

5M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Lachlan takes you back through the more than 30 hours of Season 2's storyline that took us through 15 years of Cambodian history. Support the show at https://www.shadowsofutopia.com/support.htmlBy Lachlan Peters

1
Episode 18 - The Best Two 58:05

5M ago58:05

58:05

Podcast producer Ben Beck invites Sam Christensen, host and director of The Best 2 podcast, onto the show. Sam shares some of his greatest impressions from his experience as a full-time missionary in Cambodia. Then, Ben and Sam discuss some of the cultural differences inherent to Southeast Asia and form hypotheses about their effect on small busine…

1
Chantha Nguon - Author of "Slow Noodles" 53:00

5M ago53:00

53:00

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Chantha Nguon, author of Slow Noodles, Fast City and a refugee of the Khmer Rouge. Nguon shares her powerful journey of survival, starting with her childhood in Cambodia, which abruptly changed when the Khmer Rouge took over. She recounts the hardships her family faced while fleeing to Vietnam, losing loved …

1
Tetee Insixiengmay: World Traveler 41:54

5M ago41:54

41:54

Cherish the past, dream of the future but live, today… Time waits for no one and when Tee Insixiengmay needed a fresh start after a tough break up, he bought a one-way ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. From his ancestral homeland in Laos, to the mountains of South America, Tee has been back packing his way around the globe with the goal of vis…

1
Building Community and Cultural Pride with Marpheen Chann 52:20

5M ago52:20

52:20

In this episode, Marpheen Chann shares his personal story of growing up in rural Maine, US which includes foster care and being adopted by a religious white working class family, the trauma his family experienced as a result of the Khmer Rouge, and his journey of self-discovery and cultural reconnection. Marpheen Chann works in the nonprofit and ad…

1
Thea Em's Journey: A Testament to Resilience 26:13

5M ago26:13

26:13

Thea Em shares her journey from being a refugee in Canada to becoming a nurse. While she was studying, she was involved in a serious car accident that left her in a coma and affected her memory. She faced other hurdles on top of these, and she shares how she got through them in this episode. Let's connect on Instagram and TikTok @KhmerVoices…

1
Introducing: Khmer Voices with Vanny 2:55

5M ago2:55

2:55

Khmer Voices shines a spotlight on the achievements of the Khmer diaspora around the world. We chat with inspiring guests who are achieving success in their fields. From entrepreneurs and artists to community leaders and techies, we’ll explore their paths to success and the unique challenges they’ve overcome. Representation matters! And through the…

1
Eric Tang - Author of Unsettled 44:03

5M ago44:03

44:03

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Eric Tang, author of Unsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the New York City Hyperghetto. As an associate professor and former community organizer, Tang shares his deeply personal research on Cambodian refugees in the U.S., shedding light on the often overlooked struggles they face. From his time working with Cam…

1
Bunthoeun Real - Director of Donut Boy 1:00:03

6M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, we sit down with award-winning Cambodian-American director and writer, Bunthoeun Real, to dive into his experiences growing up as a Cambodian American and his inspiring journey into filmmaking. Real shares the unique challenges of navigating cultural expectations, the importance of representati…

1
Episode 17: Reflections from Cambodia 43:03

6M ago43:03

43:03

Host Christian Pearson asks research fellows Seth Allred and Kyli Fox-Soug to talk about their experiences living and working in Cambodia for two weeks. Seth and Kyli share their initial reactions to the country, discuss various challenges related to international research, and reflect on their biggest takeaways from their time in Southeast Asia.…

1
S2 Ep18: A Cambodian Coup! The "Red Prince" Falls 1:55:23

6M ago1:55:23

1:55:23

Were the CIA responsible for the coup against Sihanouk? Why did Lon Nol and Sirik Matak finally make a move against the prince? What did Sihanouk’s removal from power mean for the Khmer Rouge? Time Period Covered 1969 - 1970 In the final episode of this season, Lachlan covers the circumstances that surround the plot to remove Norodom Sihanouk from …

1
Episode 16: Peace Bridges 50:12

6M ago50:12

50:12

Host Christian Pearson kicks off Season 2 of the podcast to share an in-depth discussion on building peace with Mr. Som Chanmony, program director of the Cambodian NGO, Peace Bridges. Som (Mony) explains how his background as a former gang member influences the way he now works for peace in his community. He also tackles hard questions, including h…

1
Sok Visal - The “OG” of Cambodian Hip Hop 59:01

6M ago59:01

59:01

The pioneers of Cambodian hip hop paved the way, laying the groundwork for the vibrant scene today. Their gritty, raw sound and creative ideas inspired a new generation of Khmer artists to find their voice through the power of hip hop. Open Mind Podcast “Exploring Cambodia with open minds and open conversations” Hosts Adu Sam Jnr “Sam” Priscilla Ki…

1
Elizabeth Becker - Author of "When the War Was Over" 57:56

6M ago57:56

57:56

Elizabeth Becker, a war correspondent and author of When The War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge, discusses her experience in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime. Becker explains how she became interested in Cambodian history and how she ended up as a journalist in Vietnam and Cambodia. Becker highlights the importance of understanding th…

1
Sambo Kim: Promoting Bokator and the Kun Khmer Martial Arts 33:34

6M ago33:34

33:34

Sambo Kim, born in Cambodia, found his connection to an ancient Khmer tradition not in his homeland but 8,000 miles away in America. It was there that he discovered Bokator, a martial art with deep roots in his heritage. Like many young people, Sambo’s initial exposure to martial arts came through Hollywood films, but what began as a childhood fasc…

1
S2 Ep17: Death From Above 1969: Operation Menu and Nixon's Madman Theory 2:02:22

7M ago2:02:22

2:02:22

How did Cambodia become the ‘key’ to Nixon’s plan to end the Vietnam War? What was the secret bombing of Cambodia? How many bombs did the US drop on Cambodia? What factors led to the end of Sihanouk’s leadership of the country? Time Period Covered 1968 - 1969 In this episode Lachlan looks at the gradually degrading situation in Cambodia, and the de…

1
Matthew Nola: Building pickleball in Laos 28:20

7M ago28:20

28:20

At the bottom, there's only one direction to go: up. When Matthew Nola left the Nong Khai refugee camp and boarded a one-way flight to America with his family, he could only have imagined that his return ticket would come in the form of an unexpected game: pickleball. Now recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball has transfor…

1
Dr. Scott Allen - Author of "Across a Bridge of Fire" 1:05:51

7M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

Dr. Scott A. Allen, an author, physician and professor, shares his experiences working in refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodian border in the 1980s in his book, Across a Bridge of Fire: An American Teen's Odyssey from the Burn Ward to the Edge of the Cambodian Killing Fields. Dr. Allen highlights the resilience and hope he witnessed in the refugees, …

1
Dr. Rathviriya - Elevating beauty throughout a new generation 1:26:21

7M ago1:26:21

1:26:21

Dr. Rathviriya’s bold, innovative approach that challenges traditional notions of beauty, capturing the fresh perspectives of a rising generation of art and visionaries.By Analog Asia

1
Anna Ounoutha: Probation Officer and Motorcycle Drag Racer 43:47

8M ago43:47

43:47

Life is a journey filled with highs, lows, joy and pain and no one knows this better than Anna Ounoutha. Raised by refugee parents from Laos, she experienced the devastating loss of her brother to gang violence and became a mother during her teenage years. Instead of succumbing to these challenges, Anna transformed adversity into motivation. She pu…

1
S2 Ep16: Interview: "Rendez-vous avec Pol Pot" with Elizabeth Becker 1:17:30

8M ago1:17:30

1:17:30

How many journalists were able to set foot in Cambodia before the revolution, during the revolution and after the revolution? Not many. Elizabeth Becker is one of those people. In 1973 she began covering the war in Cambodia, in 1978 she was part of a three person delegation which saw the first western journalists to enter into Democratic Kampuchea.…

1
Monica Sok - Author & Poet 1:00:26

8M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Monica Sok, author of A Nail the Evening Hangs On, discusses her upbringing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and her connection to her Cambodian heritage. She shares how her parents' silence about their refugee experiences and her own curiosity led her to explore her history and pursue poetry. Sok talks about her time studying abroad in Vietnam and Camb…

1
Tharoth Sam - Queen Of Bokator 1:23:01

8M ago1:23:01

1:23:01

The renowned warrior Tharoth Sam, the Queen of Bokator, shared the extraordinary story of her journey to the pinnacle of her nation’s martial arts. Now, as the reigning monarch, Tharoth Sam stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring warriors throughout the country. She said “With dedication and perseverance, anything is possible”.…

1
Andy Rasavongseuk: New York Fire Fighter 50:53

9M ago50:53

50:53

For most of us help is only a phone call away but we often forget that those responding in our time of need are fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters… everyday people. At no time was that more evident than on September 11th, 2001 when 343 firefighters lost their lives. From routine fire inspections to one of the darkest days in our nation’s histor…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cambodia Khmer Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide