Episodes

In this emergency episode, Francia Garcia Hernandez, a reporter for Block Club Chicago, joined me as a guest, focusing on the seismic impact of recent ICE raids across the city. Francia shares her on-the-ground reporting, giving us a clear view of how these raids affect Chicago’s vibrant Latino communities and the real-world consequences for local, family-owned small businesses. In this episode, you will learn about: * The Climate of Fear: What it feels like on the ground in neighborhoods unde...

Note from Randy: The last 30 seconds of the episode went silent so my apologies to listeners This episode features an in-depth conversation with Aaron Yin, an organizer based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Aaron shares his four years of experience in the organizing space, offering valuable insights into what it truly means to be an activist today, especially for those just starting out. He breaks down how community organizing can look on a hyper-local level, emphasizin...

A State of Emergency: Resisting ICE in Chicago Trigger/Content Warning: Episode will discuss ICE raids, violent detainment, and police brutality. Time stamp: Recorded on Tuesday, October 13th, 7:30 pm US CST The city of Chicago and in the suburbs are currently grappling with a climate of fear and constitutional crisis following escalated raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In this emergency episode, Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, a leading voice on the front l...

I’m thrilled to welcome queer Black and Filipino content creator, Johnathan Gibbs, to the show. From his roots in Mississippi, where he navigated the rich but complex intersection of his Black and Filipino heritage, to the bustling creative scene of New York City, Johnathan’s story is one of identity, artistry, and digital strategy. Johnathan explores the evolving role of a content creator and gives an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how social media algorithms influence visibility, community ...

Jung is back on my podcast again to share their PSA on tear gas and other chemical weapons that are used against civilians during times of protest. Jung gives us a rundown of what is being used by ICE, police, and military agents, and what you need to do in case you come in contact with any chemicals. Please check out this 20-minute video from Jung on safety tips, and below are additional safety tips and awareness and resources for your reference. Also, check out my previous episode with Jung in...

In this emergency episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast, I’m joined by Madhis Azimi, a Chicago-based immigration attorney working closely with clients who are facing deportation threats and uncertain legal status amid the current ICE raids in the city. Madhis sheds light on the rapidly changing immigration landscape, the fear and confusion facing undocumented and mixed-status families and legal status folks, and the urgent work being done by attorneys and advocates to defend their clients a...

Join us for a hands-on conversation with a good friend, Nicole Brewer, an English Language teacher, travel blogger, author, and co-founder of the expansive travel community, I Luv 2 Globe Trot. Speaking to us from Oman, her home for the past decade, Nicole shares the powerful story of what led her to embrace life abroad—from South Africa and Germany to South Korea and now Oman—and how travel became a defining part of her identity and connection to the world. We dive into the origins of I Luv 2...

TW/CW: Discussion of ICE Raids, violence against civilians, including protestors This emergency episode responds to the ongoing ICE raids taking place in Chicago, which have left many in the Chicago communities vulnerable and at-risk. I’m joined by my return guest, friend, and community organizer Jung Messinger, to break down what’s happening right now, how these raids impact community members, and what you can do to stay safe and aware of what is happening. Jung also shares critical protest saf...

In this new episode of The Bánh Mì Chronicles, I’m joined by acclaimed Korean author Bora Chung — best known for her International Booker Prize–shortlisted Cursed Bunny, her visionary collection Your Utopia, and her upcoming novel The Midnight Timetable. Bora and I talk about how fiction becomes a warning — a way of naming the threats around us and imagining possibilities beyond them. In her homeland of Korea, rising authoritarianism, censorship, and widening inequality shape the landscape of d...

Trigger and Content Warning: This episode will discuss topics involving self-h*rm, s*icide, mental health, genocide, and involuntary hospitalization. In this “bonus” episode, we take the time to recognize S*icide Awareness/Prevention Month this September. My good friend and longtime activist, Jung Messinger (they/them) and I had a conversation revolving around the challenging capacity in community activism, navigating our self-care and engagement in an increasingly chaotic political and social ...

I got to catch up with Michelle Mijung Kim for this episode. She was a previous guest of mine in 2020 when we discussed what the DEI landscape looked like in the aftermath of George Floyd, and why Asian communities must stand in solidarity with the Black community. Since 2020, she has released her critically acclaimed debut book, “The Wake Up.” She has since sunsetted her company Awaken, focusing on DEI education for high-tech companies. She has been a prolific keynote speaker, and recently laun...

On this episode of The Bánh Mì Chronicles Podcast, I invited guest Tony DelaRosa to share his current work and knowledge about what is happening with DEI in the K-12 public education and in higher learning at both the local and national level in the US. As DEI is getting dismantled by the federal government, and in certain states and local governments, Tony sheds some light on what DEI practitioners are doing to counter the anti-DEI movement, and how DEI is being practiced and taught in differen...

I sit down with my friend Ed Do for this important discussion on the current US political landscape and what progressives are facing and needing during this very critical time. Ed currently works for a US Democrat Congressman from Texas, representing his district that includes the Dallas and Ft Worth area. In our long conversation, we talked about Ed’s upbringing as a queer, mixed Korean American, and how his mother and grandmother from his Korean side inspired him to be involved in politics th...

I recently chatted with the creator of the IG Page PhoDaCulture (the creator asked to remain anonymous. We talked about his journey in creating content that reflects the humor and pride of the Vietnamese diaspora and Vietnamese identity. Pho Da Culture now has 480,000 followers on Instagram, and he shares about how the diaspora and native Vietnamese community have responded to his page. He also shares his hopes to further amplify the Vietnamese culture and experience through Pho Da Culture. Get...

I decided to record another solo episode, this time about my recent journey to learn Vietnamese as a now 42 year old. I recently wrote about it on my Substack and I got several wonderful feedback from folks who are also learning their family tongue for the first time. I share my early experiences in dealing with the lifelong shame and resistance to learning the Vietnamese language, and where I stand now after two months. Also, you can check me speaking Vietnamese on my TikTok at Banhmichronicles...

Content/Trigger Warning: Mentions of s*icide, mental health, and grief My return back to the podcast, this time through Substack. What led me to come back, my journey since August 12, 2024, and what to expect moving forward! Bánh Mì Bites is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Bánh Mì Bites at randykim.substack.com/subscribe

Lan is a Vietnamese American who made a bold career change from pharmacist to coffee entrepreneur. After being furloughed during the pandemic, she pivoted to pursue her dream and successfully launched Fat Miilk Chicago's first Vietnamese Robusta centric Coffee Company, the brand saw instant global recognition when Bon Appetit listed Fat Miilk on their highly recommended list. The brand can be seen in publications including Eater, Time Out, Thrillist, Roast Magazine and more. Lan was recently a f...

Well, this is the last episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast. I am joined by my friend and podcast host of The Vietnamese, Kenneth Nguyen who interviewed me about the process of the podcast and what to look forward to next. Many thanks to my guests, past sponsors, and listeners for making the last 4 years a wonderful ride. Special thanks to Huythang Tran for designing the logo and season themes. Bio: Kenneth Nguyen served honorably as a former U.S. Marine (1993-97) and holds a B.A degree fr...

My good friend and fellow Cambodian American Tola Livesey joins us for this episode as we talk about the effects of assimilation and her understanding and curiosity of her Cambodian identity and heritage. She also talks about her passion for archiving stories, and its importance to the Cambodian community and more! Bio: Tola is a 1.5 generation Cambodian American who currently lives in in the Los Angeles by way of Chicago. She completed her undergrad in anthropology at the University of Illino...

(S9, EP 8) Joined by my good friend and internationally acclaimed artist Anida Yoeu Ali, we talked about Anida's journey as a Muslim Khmer American, her years-long work as an artist, and the challenges she's experienced along the way including the forced disappearance of her Red Chador. Anida shared the process in developing her critically acclaimed Buddhist Bug that has been seen in exhibits across the globe, and her upcoming exhibition in Seattle in 2024. You won't want to miss this episode! ...

S9, EP 7. Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen is back on my podcast again, this time to talk about his latest book, A Man of Two Faces, the political and socio issues among Vietnamese Americans, and so much more! Bio: Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel The Sympathizer won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and numerous other awards. His most recent publication is his memoir, A Man of Two Faces. His other books are the The Sympathizer, The Committed; The Refugees, a short story collection; Nothing Ever ...

Catching up with my friend Alec Phan about his experience as a Chicago stage actor in a queer/trans-centered production, and his mom's experience as a Vietnamese singer and how it influenced Alec's work as an artist, and more! Bio: Alec Phan (he/they) is a queer, trans, Viet-American theatre artist based in Chicago. He was last seen as Jon in an all-trans and gender non-conforming production of TICK, TICK...BOOM!, an autobiographical musical created posthumously from the solo works of RENT-cre...

Dolly Ave joined us for this episode as she talks about her recently released debut album, the impact of her mom's passing, and her life and vision as an artist. Bio: Dolly Ave has received radio airplay on powerhouse 103.5 KISS FM Chicago, influential KEXP and tastemaker station 88Rising Radio on SIRIUS XM. She has appeared at two major music festivals, and received press in Forbes, The NY Times, Paper and was named Live Nation One’s To Watch “Artist of the Week”. Dolly Ave has been placed on...

In this week's episode, I chatted with journalist and author of her memoir, "Ma and Me", Putsata Reang. We talked about the process in writing her memoir, her queerness and Khmer identity and how that affected her relationship with her mother and more! Bio: Putsata Reang is an author and journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Politico, The Guardian, The San Jose Mercury News, and the Seattle Times among other publications. Born in Cambodia and rural Oregon, Reang has lived a...