Episodes

This week on The Bánh Mì Chronicles, host Randy Kim brings you an urgent, on-the-ground report with Lilly Le (she/her), Community Organizing Director at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI). Lilly works to build community power among Vietnamese people in Illinois through engagement and leadership development. In this critical discussion, we address the twin crises currently impacting Vietnamese and other immigrant communities in Chicago, particularly in the Argyle Street area of Uptown:...

This week, we’re getting real and diving into the deep end with the incredible Joi Louviere from the Werk Stories Podcast. Our conversation pulls no punches as we talk about the brutal realities of toxic workplaces, especially through the lens of a Black women. Joi and I discuss how the prevailing political environment—specifically the Trump administration—has created an even more difficult and exhausting landscape. We tackle the specific challenges of both the nonprofit and corporate world, wh...

Recorded on 10/21/25, 6:30 pm CST TW/CW: contains discussion surrounding ICE raids I welcome a fierce and fabulous friend, Saint Mary Clarence, who joins us in full drag to demonstrate the political power of this queer art form. But the conversation shifts into the urgent discussion of the current ICE raid crisis in and around Chicago. Saint Mary Clarence—a dedicated community member—breaks down the crisis in their local community of Oak Park (located next to Chicago), including: * The Local G...

In this candid and powerful episode, I brought a fellow podcaster friend Patrick Armstrong, a Korean American adoptee from the Midwest, a celebrated co-host of The Janchi Show, and the creator of the intimate new local series, Conversation Piece. Patrick shares his deeply personal journey as an adoptee, reflecting on the decades it took to reconcile his upbringing and become more secure and fully embrace his Asian (Korean) American identity. We also dive into the state of media today, discussi...

In this candid and powerful episode, I brought a fellow podcaster friend Patrick Armstrong, a Korean American adoptee from the Midwest, a celebrated co-host of The Janchi Show, and the creator of the intimate new local series, Conversation Piece. Patrick shares his deeply personal journey as an adoptee, reflecting on the decades it took to reconcile his upbringing and become more secure and fully embrace his Asian (Korean) American identity. We also dive into the state of media today, discussi...

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...