In this episode, Rita engages in a conversation with Catzie Vilayphonh, an award-winning spoken word poet and community leader. They discuss Catzie's journey from being born in a refugee camp in Thailand to becoming a prominent figure in the Lao American arts community. The conversation explores themes of identity, storytelling, and the importance of community support. Catzie shares her experiences in organizing events, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her reflections on mental health. They also touch on the significance of cultural heritage and the ongoing impact of the Lao diaspora's history and movement work. The episode concludes with Catzie's thoughts on the future of the Lao American community and the need for continued dialogue about shared experiences.

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HOL is a podcast and virtual practice space exploring Lao diaspora storytelling, healing, and tools for sustainability. Learn more at www.healingoutlaod.org

Support HOL by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review to help this space flourish!!!

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SUSTAIN HOL:

Help sustain this space for future generations by becoming a monthly sustainer at patreon.com/healingoutlaod OR by making a one-time donation via PayPal and write in the description “#sustainHOL”

JOIN THE COMMUNITY of HOL @healingoutlaod on all major streaming and social media platforms.

Music: Andrew David Vilaythong

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On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Secret War in Laos, the Fall of Saigon, and the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime, this powerful conversation—hosted by the Los Angeles Public Library—brings together Lao American community leader and healing practitioner Rita Phetmixay and writer, director, and producer Kulap Vilaysack.

Together, they reflect on the ripple effects of war, loss, migration, and survival that have shaped their Lao American experiences—and how, in the midst of those legacies, AAPI joy continues to thrive.

The episode explores:

• Personal and family histories rooted in Laos
• The emotional weight of inherited trauma
• The ways storytelling, art, and community serve as tools of healing
• Reclaiming joy as resistance
• The importance of uplifting Lao/Southeast Asian voices during AAPI Heritage Month and beyond

📌 Why this matters:
Too often, Lao and overall Southeast Asian refugee stories are erased or assimilated into broader Asian American narratives. This conversation centers those histories as living testaments to survival, creativity, and joy.

🔗 Highlights:

• Kulap on reclaiming her Lao identity through filmmaking and founding Laos Angeles
• Rita on cultivating spaces for Lao diaspora mental health and healing intergenerational trauma
• The shared grief of erasure—and the hope found in community building

🎉 AAPI Joy is not a luxury—it’s a birthright.

📚 Hosted by Los Angeles Public Library as part of their AAPI Heritage Month series
📍 Recorded live | May 2025

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In Episode 2 of Healing Out Lao’d, Rita unpacks Thailand’s role in the ongoing conflict with Cambodia through the lens of nationalism, colonial legacy, and cultural appropriation. With Lao and Thai Isaan roots, Rita reflects on how this war hits close to home — especially after her cousin had to evacuate due to a bomb hitting her city in Thailand. This episode further explores the history of the Preah Vihear Temple dispute, how borders drawn by colonial powers continue to drive tension, and how Thai nationalism and militarization are erasing Khmer and Lao cultural heritage in the name of sovereignty and control. This episode centers the emotional toll on Southeast Asian communities navigating both proximity to power and generational trauma from displacement.

On July 28th, 2025, a ceasefire was brokered by ASEAN and Malaysia, though reports show that fighting still occurred after the deadline. With over 38 civilians killed and more than 300,000 displaced in under a week, this update episode offers space to grieve and reflect on how everyday people bear the cost of state violence. We discuss the fragile/skeptical nature of the peace deal, and how cultural sites like Preah Vihear continue to be weaponized. As always, this podcast holds space for truth-telling, rooted care, and collective reflection in the face of ongoing harm.

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SOURCES:

• Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 (Wikipedia) – background on how colonial powers redrew borders
• Reuters – Q&A on Preah Vihear and tensions
• https://www.icj-cij.org/case/45
• AP News – Preah Vihear cultural disputes
• Reuters – Ceasefire agreement – initial reporting on July 28 peace deal
• TIME – Overview of ceasefire
• Reuters – Ceasefire breach report

----------

SUBSCRIBE to HOL's new YouTube channel: youtube.com/@healingoutlaod

----------

RATE x REVIEW!

HOL is a podcast and virtual practice space exploring Lao diaspora storytelling, healing, and tools for sustainability. Learn more at www.healingoutlaod.org

Support HOL by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review to help this space flourish!!!

----------

SUSTAIN HOL:

Help sustain this space for future generations by becoming a monthly sustainer at patreon.com/healingoutlaod OR by making a one-time donation via PayPal and write in the description “#sustainHOL”

JOIN THE COMMUNITY of HOL @healingoutlaod on all major streaming and social media platforms.

Music: Andrew David Vilaythong

Support the show