Advertise on podcast: Holding Heritage

Kelvin Lou is a palliative care physician in Coquitlam. We met after the Unspoken Stories launch event and connected over intergenerational relationships and what he's observed in his work. In this episode, we talk about approaching illness and end of life, and how he's found a more life affirming way to see these stages. Expect honest stories, useful metaphors, and a conversation that stayed with me.

In this behind-the-scenes reflection, director and producer Hollie Ha, director of photography Julian Fok, and translator Jacky Li revisit powerful moments from this seven-part series. As they watch and discuss memorable clips, they share personal reflections on how the project evolved from an idea into a deeply meaningful journey. This final episode offers a thoughtful look at the making of the series right here in Vancouver—and the lasting impact it’s had on those behind the camera. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Rainbow Ly, a Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugee, sits down with Blaine and Margaret Lee, 2 of the sponsors who helped bring her family to Canada. In the 45 years since her family arrived—now settled in Vancouver—Rainbow has never had the chance to fully share her gratitude with the help of a translator, until now. The Lees say sponsoring her family felt like a calling that gave back more than they ever imagined, and their deep bond of love and gratitude continues to grow across generations. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Rainbow Ly sits down with her grandson, Andrew Ha, to share stories rooted in family bonds and sacrifice. She reflects on her childhood in Vietnam and the circumstances that forced her and her family of 8 to flee as Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugees. Now settled in Vancouver as a proud mother and grandmother, Rainbow’s story is a powerful reminder that families are held together not only by strength and sacrifice, but by fierce devotion and the quiet, unrelenting acts of care and love. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

For Michael Ly, faith wasn’t just a belief—it was survival. In this conversation with his daughter, Cassandra Ly, he shares his journey as a Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugee, recalling his escape from Vietnam and his sponsorship to Canada. Now a proud father of three, Michael reflects on the strength it took to rebuild his life in Vancouver, while Cassandra expresses gratitude for the love that shaped who she is today. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Over tea, Joe Thoong and his father, Tom Thoong, finally have the conversation they never quite had the chance to before. Tom reflects on his past life in Vietnam and his journey to Canada as a Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugee. Joe shares what it was like growing up on Vancouver Island with a hardworking father, revealing the quiet bonds and unspoken love that has shaped their relationship. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Genie Nguyen sits down with her father, Trong Nguyen, for a heartfelt conversation about his journey as a Vietnamese Boat People refugee and their relationship. At 19, Trong captained the refugee boat that brought him to safety. Now living in Vancouver, he reflects on the risks he took, the day Genie was born, and the quiet questions about fatherhood he’s carried but never voiced—until now. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Hollie Ha sits down with her grandmother, Mui Trong, to hear her story as a Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugee. In 1978, Mui fled Vietnam with her seven children, leaving behind her detained husband. Now living in Vancouver, she shares her journey while cooking her favourite Vietnamese-style dumplings. Through food and conversation, they reflect on family, survival, and the importance of preserving these stories. Watch the whole series at ⁠holdingheritage.com⁠ - Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV.

Cultural content creator Hollie Ha bridges generations by sharing candid conversations and untold stories of Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugees and their descendants. Through these meaningful exchanges, the series explores the delicate interplay between heritage, identity, and family dynamics. Rooted in Vancouver, Unspoken Stories invites viewers to embrace intergenerational healing and offers a vivid glimpse into the richness of cultural roots preserved through oral traditions.Watch and listen to all the series episodes on the Holding Heritage Podcast on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts! Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories is made possible with the support from TELUS STORYHIVE and is available for free on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9 and Stream+

Before diving into the stories of my new video series, I wanted to share a few personal reflections on how this project came to life, what it means to me, and what I hope you’ll take away as you listen and watch. Welcome to Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories! Watch the whole series at holdingheritage.com

January 22nd 2023 is Lunar New Year! ✨ To help get you ready to receive your red envelopes 🧧🧧🧧 tune into this episode to brush up on your Cantonese and Vietnamese greetings!  Visit the Holding Heritage website and episode show notes to view/download all of these greetings in a pretty PDF! 😊 Wishing you all the best for this year to come 💛 As always, head over to holdingheritage.com to check out the episode show notes! Intro & Outro Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!

Taj Singh is the owner of Campbell River's first ever Pita Pit! Taj immigrated from India, and has a wealth of experience and drive that is incredibly inspiring! Listen to us chat about his education and career journey, cultural upbringing, family, and more! Taj's story is also featured in Campbell River's People Project Magazine - so be sure to check out the printed article, too!  --- This episode is produced in collaboration with the Immigrant Welcome Centre's Welcoming Communities Coalition and the Campbell River Mirror Newspaper - which are both based on beautiful Vancouver Island.  The goal of this series of interviews aims to learn more about and amplify the voices of newcomers in Campbell River who own businesses in the community. We chat with them about their journeys, successes and challenges starting and running their businesses. The goal is to help dispel negative misconceptions about the impact of newcomers on the Canadian economy, to highlight diversity and underrepresented voices, and contribute to making our communities more welcoming for all. As always, head over to holdingheritage.com to check out the episode show notes! Intro & Outro Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!

Sarmad Almoullem is a Syrian artist and photographer - and current owner of Campbell River's camera goods store Phototech Fotosource! We talk with Sarmad about his immigration story to Canada from Syria, his passion for photography and art, culture and community, and more! Sarmad's story is also featured in Campbell River's People Project Magazine - so be sure to check out the printed article, too! --- This episode is produced in collaboration with the Immigrant Welcome Centre's Welcoming Communities Coalition and the Campbell River Mirror Newspaper - which are both based on beautiful Vancouver Island.  The goal of this series of interviews aims to learn more about and amplify the voices of newcomers in Campbell River who own businesses in the community. We chat with them about their journeys, successes and challenges starting and running their businesses. The goal is to help dispel negative misconceptions about the impact of newcomers on the Canadian economy, to highlight diversity and underrepresented voices, and contribute to making our communities more welcoming for all. As always, head over to holdingheritage.com to check out the episode show notes! Intro & Outro Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!

Make sure to check out the full Filipino Snack Tasting Video! We made a trip to the JRV Filipino Asian Store to pick up some of their most popular items to give them a try.  😋 --- This episode is produced in collaboration with the Immigrant Welcome Centre's Welcoming Communities Coalition and the Campbell River Mirror Newspaper - which are both based on beautiful Vancouver Island.  The goal of this series of interviews aims to learn more about and amplify the voices of newcomers in Campbell River who own businesses in the community. We chat with them about their journeys, successes and challenges starting and running their businesses. The goal is to help dispel negative misconceptions about the impact of newcomers on the Canadian economy, to highlight diversity and underrepresented voices, and contribute to making our communities more welcoming for all. As always, head over to holdingheritage.com to check out the episode show notes! Intro & Outro Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!

Meet my uncle Kenny and join us in a chat about heritage, finding belonging and guidance, and passing along the things we learn and value to the next generation. Also hear the heartwarming story of how my dad and him became best friends, and brothers! As always, head over to holdingheritage.com to check out the episode show notes! Intro & Outro Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!