Bonus Episode: Before Me

The Vietnamese Boat People

PodSwap with Self Evident podcast!

Before Me is a limited series launched by Self Evident with Alaska-based journalist Lisa Phu, chronicling her mother’s journey from Cambodia to America over the course of decades. The story unfolds between Lisa and her mother Lan as the two care for Lisa's first born daughter — and for the first time, Lan feels ready to share her own experiences fully with Lisa, on tape. But it’s also a long overdue conversation between mother and daughter about their family’s history — through war and violence, separation and loss, endings and beginnings. Because while we may never fully understand the reality of those who came before us, every story is a chance to get closer.

Listen to the full show at Self Evident podcast

Episode Credits:
Created, written, and produced by Lisa Phu
Edited by Julia Shu
Fact checking by Harsha Nahata and Tiffany Bui
Sound design by James Boo
Additional support from Cathy Erway
Original theme music by Avery Stewart
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
Audio engineering by Dave Waldron and Timothy Lou Ly
Cover art and show name created by Christine Carpenter
Audience engagement by Rekha Radhakrishnan
Thanks to Ben Kiernan for participating in the research and reporting process
Huge thanks and gratitude to Lan Phu
“Before Me” is a Self Evident Media production. The show’s Executive Producers are James Boo, Lisa Phu, and Ken Ikeda.
This project is also supported in part by the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council and the City and Borough of Juneau.
Thanks to the Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat for the residency they provided for this project.