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War has a long reckoning.Its stories and its silences can echo across generations, shaping how people remember, how nations relate to one another, and how communities carry grief that was never fully spoken.That is what makes the enduring friendship between an American and a Vietnamese woman so powerful. Forged during a time of war and sustained long after it, their relationship reminds us that human connection can cross the borders that history creates between us.Stories like theirs challenge us to look beyond the narratives of conflict and ask: What happens when we choose connection over division? What becomes possible when we listen to one another’s stories?For Legacies of War, these questions are at the heart of our work. Healing does not mean forgetting the past. It means finding ways to understand it and imagine something different for the generations that follow.We are honored to have Jane Barton Griffith on our LEGACIES podcast. Jane is the author of "Two Women, One War," a memoir telling the story of her friendship with a Vietnamese woman named Mai that started during the U.S. War in Vietnam and has lasted over 50 years. She served as the co-director of the American Friends Service Committee's humanitarian projects in Vietnam during the war, working closely with refugees and amputees affected by the fighting. She has continued her activism in the decades since, leading capital campaigns for international nonprofits. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador, Hannah Hayes, for hosting this conversation. Check out Jane's book and her work here: https://janebartongriffith.org/This episode is brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump, The HALO Trust, and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos.

Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. I’m Murphy Nosanchuk, an advocacy ambassador for Legacies of War.  If you know even a little about landmines, chances are you also know about our famous furry friends, rats and dogs! With an overwhelming amount of unexploded bombs and landmines still in the soil in countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, organizations like APOPO train scent detection animals that can help to speed up landmine and tuberculosis detection. They also demonstrate potential to help fight other global issues. I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend Erin Sackett, US Partnerships and Exhibits Officer at APOPO. Erin was previously based in Siem Reap, Cambodia and worked as an Animal Health and Welfare Officer on the ground training APOPO’s famous HeroRats and HeroDogs. She has worked tirelessly in maintaining APOPO’s dedication to both animal welfare and demining efforts across the globe.

Welcome to the Legacies Podcast. I’m Kendall Silwonuk, a Founding Member of our Advocacy Ambassador program with Legacies of War and I’m also a Mine Action Fellow with Mines Action Canada, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Roberto Gonzalez. Dr. Gonzalez is a Professor of Anthropology at San José State University. He has authored several books including “War Virtually, The Quest to Automate Conflict, Militarize Data, and Predict the Future”. In addition to his research on Silicon Valley’s influence in militarization, Dr. Gonzalez’s fieldwork in cultural anthropology regularly takes him to Oaxaca, Mexico, and his research connects globalization, social and cultural agency, environmental anthropology, and ethics.  Thank you, dear friends, for tuning into our Legacies podcast.  This episode is brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos.

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome back to another episode of Legacies. My name is Niki Capaldo, I am an Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War.  In this episode, we get to learn about Activism through Art —how creative expression can preserve memory, challenge silence, and inspire social change.  Today, I’m excited to be joined by two incredible artists and educators whose work engages deeply with storytelling, public space, and global exchange.  Chelsea Ritter-Soronen is a multi-disciplinary visual artist, public art consultant, and founder of Chalk Riot,and Ground Shift studio, whose work brings art directly into shared spaces as a tool for connection and change. She has also recently been inducted into DC's 40 under 40 awards. Congratulations Chelsea! Kofi Bazzell-Smith is an artist and educator—and the first professor of manga practice in the United States—whose work spans speculative storytelling, immersive exhibitions, and cross-cultural education. Together, we’ll talk about how art can serve as a witness, how creative work responds to conflict, and what responsibility artists carry when engaging with history and lived experience. https://www.iamchelsea.com/ https://www.kofimanga.com/

Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Justina Poskeviciute, Advocacy Ambassador at Legacies of War.  Today we have the sincere pleasure of welcoming our friend, Luca Steinmann. Luca Steinmann is an Italian-Swiss journalist, war reporter, geopolitical analyst, and author. Luca has reported extensively from crises, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Nagorno-Karabakh, and other conflict regions, where he has been speaking directly with civilians, fighters, and local actors. He writes in both German and Italian and has contributed to major international news outlets and publications, and gained particular attention during the Russia-Ukraine war beginning in early 2022. On February 18, 2022, he entered the Donbass region just before borders were closed and remained among the few Western journalists able to report from within areas controlled by Russian and pro-Russian forces for months. His first-hand accounts explored life on the ground amid military operations and civilian suffering, providing insights that went beyond typical Western media narratives. https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Hello & welcome back to Legacies’ Podcast! My name is Hannah Hayes, and I’m a proud Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War. Today's conversation is about the part of war most people don't see. At Legacies, we focus on what war leaves behind – in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and across the globe. Today we're zooming out to ask: what's going on in Washington that keeps the U.S. pouring money into the next war and calling it 'security,' when in reality it's creating instability overseas and ignoring what people need here at home? We’re honored to welcome William D. Hartung and Ben Freeman, co-authors of The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home. Bill Hartung is a Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He's one of the most cited researchers in the country on the arms industry and Pentagon spending – really, on how military strategy and corporate money get tangled up together. If you've ever wondered why the U.S. can keep buying weapons systems that don't work as advertised, or how 'national security' becomes a blank check, Bill has spent his career mapping that o ut for us. Ben Freeman leads the Democratizing Foreign Policy program at Quincy. He's interested in who's actually in the room when the U.S. decides to go to war or sell weapons: who has influence, who benefits, and why the rest of us don't really get a say. His work is about opening all of that up so regular people can actually follow what's going on. And their book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, grows directly from that work. It’s not just a critique of these massive Pentagon budgets, it’s an explanation of a whole toxic system: how runaway military spending doesn’t simply respond to wars, but actually helps produce them. Thank you for tuning into LEGACIES podcast brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos

Welcome to  Legacies Podcast. I’m Jonathan Lam, an Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War, and I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend,  Hannah Guedenet, U.S Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion. Hannah Guedenet is the U.S. Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion (or HI), an international organization working to support people with disabilities and vulnerable populations in situations of conflict, disaster, and poverty. She brings over 15 years of experience in strategic communications and program management across global health, nutrition, and food security initiatives. Prior to joining Humanity & Inclusion, Hannah worked on major global development initiatives including USAID’s Feed the Future and ELEVATE Nutrition programs and collaborated with partners such as the Gates Foundation. She holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Hope College. Thank you, dear friends,  for tuning into our Legacies podcast.  This episode is brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos.

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome back to another episode of LEGACIES.I’m Aven, a chef, storyteller, and Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War – and I’m honored to be your host today. In this episode, we get to explore one of my favorite topics: the power of food to build connection, community, and even peace. I have the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Culinary Diplomacy Project and one of the leading voices in using food as a tool for cross-cultural understanding. Today, Lauren and I will explore what culinary diplomacy looks like in practice—and how food can soften political divides, help us tell the truth, heal histories, and build relationships across borders. Lauren is a leading expert in culinary diplomacy, a field that uses food as a tool to build trust, foster cross-cultural understanding, and advance cooperation in times of peace and conflict. She is the founder of The Culinary Diplomacy Project, where she has led global culinary exchange programs bringing together chefs, governments, refugees, and local communities. Through her work, Lauren has partnered with the U.S. State Department, U.S. governors, the Jordanian government, UNHCR, and global hospitality and cultural institutions—creating programs where chefs cook alongside local communities and displaced people, using culturally rooted food to build connection and dignity. Trained as a lawyer and former public defender, Lauren brings a justice-oriented lens to diplomacy and food. Today, she continues to explore how food can serve not only as soft power abroad, but as a tool for healing, truth-telling, and policy change at home. Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into LEGACIES brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos. https://www.culinarydiplomacyproject.org/

Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications here at Legacies of War. Today’s conversation sits at the intersection of history, diplomacy, memory, and moral responsibility. As many of our listeners know, food and land are central to who we are. For communities in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam — and in war-impacted countries around the world — land is life. It feeds families. It sustains culture. It carries memory. And sometimes, it carries the remnants of war. A decade ago, in 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos — a historic moment that acknowledged both the pain of the past and the possibility of partnership. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S.–Laos Comprehensive Partnership — a milestone that invites reflection. How far have we come? What responsibilities remain and opportunities can we build?  To explore these questions, we’re honored to welcome Ben Rhodes — Co-host of Pod Save the World, New York Times contributor, Author of All We Say, After the Fall, and the World As It Is, Former Obama speechwriter, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Emeritus Board member of Legacies of War. Ben was there in 2016. He helped shape the diplomacy of that moment. He has spent years thinking and writing about America’s role in the world — about conflict, consequence, and the possibility of a more just foreign policy. Today, we’ll talk about his journey — from his early years to the White House and what it means now, ten years later, to continue the work of healing land held hostage by war. Order All We Say: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717294/all-we-say-by-ben-rhodes/Visit Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome to another episode of Legacies. I’m Anna Douangphachanh, Legacies of War board member emeritus, and I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend, Amber Inthavong. Amber is a writer whose work spans themes of identity, culture, and personal discovery. Drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation Lao-American, she explores the complexities of balancing multiple worlds and finding a place to belong. Her storytelling is driven by a deep sense of empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection. In her book, What We Brought Across the River: Memoir of a Lao-American, Amber reflects on the journey of growing up as a Lao-American girl in the United States, the daughter of parents who fled the US Secret War to build a new life. With a deep sense of personal discovery, she explores the complexities of being a first-generation Asian-American, delving into the challenges of balancing two cultures while seeking a place to belong. Order Amber's Book Visit Legacies of War

Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of our podcast, Legacies . I’m Dr. Palina Louangketh, Board member emeritus with Legacies of War and I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend, Saengthong Douangdara! Saeng is a personal chef who specializes in Lao cuisine turned content creator. After earning his undergraduate degree in social welfare with certificates in Asian American Studies and Southeast Asian Studies, he pursued a Master's degree in counseling psychology. While working as a counselor at the University of California, He also taught as a chef instructor in the evenings at the School of Gourmandise. A month-long trip back to Laos inspired Saeng to start his personal chef business, Saeng's Kitchen LLC, and cook for Hollywood clientele. Saeng’s work has been featured in numerous publications such as Delish, Buzzfeed, the New York Times, and LA Times. He even won an episode of the new TBS cooking competition show, Rat In The Kitchen. Saeng is one of many chefs who are part of the Lao Food Movement, a grassroots effort to center and empower Lao cuisine. His goal is to continue advocating for Lao cuisine and inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of our culture. Thank you, Saeng, for our conversation today. Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into Legacies brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos. The Lao Kitchen: https://www.saengskitchen.com/cookbook Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Xin chào and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Sophia Tran-Vu, Board Member at Legacies of War. Today we have the sincere pleasure of welcoming our friend, Richard A. Berliner, a journalist, author and community activist. Author of A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973, Richard shares with us the story of his young adult life -- his journey to Vietnam to find adventure in a place as unlike home as he could imagine. What he discovered during his time in Vietnam was a country, a people, a culture not defined by war. Countless visits to remote villages, walking for miles to return someone home safely, and staying to discover and uncover more stories when others were returning home. Richard ends this interview with a quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". Indeed, his life and dedication to the service of his community demonstrate exactly that. Learn more about Richard A. Berliner: https://richardaberliner.com/ Donate $50 to Legacies of War and select A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973 as your gift! https://www.legaciesofwar.org/ Thank you, Richard, for our conversation today and for supporting Legacies’ mission. Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into LEGACIES brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos Cover photo: Richard A. Berliner, Berliner on a ferry in Cam Ranh Bay returning from a refugee camp in 1967.

Sabaidee and welcome back to another episode of LEGACIES! I am your host, Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications for Legacies of War. Today, we are joined by our friend Murray Hiebert, Former Country Director for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and now a top Asia expert and skilled researcher with three decades of experience living and working in Asia. In this conversation, we hear Murray's journey from frightfully cold Canada to the humid heat of Vietnam and Laos in the the last years of U.S. wars. Murray's reflection and life as a pacifist show us that when all you can do is witness and take small steps toward reconciliation and healing, you are actually building the foundation of something much greater -- in this case, the beginning of formal humanitarian demining in Laos. LEGACIES is brought to you FREE thanks to the generous support from our sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22. Learn more and join the movement: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Sabaidee and welcome back to another episode of Thip Khao Talk! I am your host, Angela Nachampassak, an Advocacy Ambassador for Legacies of War. Today, we are joined by our friend Louis Wolf, Former International Voluntary Services (IVS) volunteer, Co-Founder of CovertAction Magazine, Author, and journalist. This conversation is unlike any we've released on this podcast. Louis reflects on the years he spent in Laos during The American Secret War in Laos, what he witnessed watching CIA activity, and details of what civilians in Laos were experiencing as they risked their lives trying to survive. Louis has dedicated his entire career to continuing to call for peace, justice, and accountability for those that have caused harm. The stories that he shares with us highlight his genuine care for humanity -- no matter where or who. Learn more about CovertAction Magazine here: https://covertactionmagazine.com/ Our Thip Khao Podcast is brought to you FREE thanks to the generous support from our sponsors Akin Gump and ARTICLE22. Special thank you to our Advocacy Ambassador, Angela Nachampassak, for hosting this special episode.https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

Xin chào, Sabaidee, and hello everyone! Welcome back to another episode of the Thip Khao Podcast. I’m Jewelry Pouna Keodara, an Advocacy Ambassador from IL, and Peachey Peace Fellow with Legacies of War. Today, I’m truly honored to welcome Terry Vo, Metro Council Member for District 17 in Nashville, Tennessee. Terry is not only an incredible leader but also someone whose story carries so much heart. As the proud daughter of Vietnamese refugees, her journey speaks to resilience, compassion, and the power of community. Terry Vo is the District 17 Metro Council member and Partnerships Director for API Middle TN. The first Vietnamese American elected to Metro Council, Terry champions inclusive, integrity-driven solutions for Nashville. A dedicated advocate for social change, she is the founding Immigrant Caucus Chair and serves on the Friends of Fort Negley Board of Directors and GUIDER Advisory Board for the Nashville Predators. Raised by Vietnamese immigrants in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Terry holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in governance and public policy from the University of Queensland. In her global career, she has worked across nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors, building bilateral relations between U.S. and Japan and connecting Tennesseans to affordable internet. She is a US Japan Foundation Program Fellow and proud alumna of Leadership Middle Tennessee, Leadership Tennessee, and the US Global Leaders Coalition’s Next Gen Global Leaders Network Class of 2024. She was recently named the Nashville Emerging Leaders Award Government and Public Affairs recipient! In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and the Beautiful Bookworms Book Club. Thank you all, dear friends,  for tuning into Thip Khao Talk brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and Article 22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos. Learn more about Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/