Healing Out Lao'd
Created/Hosted by Rita Phetmixay (she/they), MA, LCSW, Licensed Psychotherapist, Wellness Coach, and Independent Audio Producer. Healing Out Lao'd explores the intersections of Lao diaspora storytelling x healing x tools for sustainability. While this show centers the Lao and broader Southeast Asian diaspora experience, anyone can benefit from this resource, especially those in the margins including BIPOC (Black Indigenous Persons of Color), survivors, thrivers, healers, movement builders, and so forth. In order to highlight the nuances of the diverse Lao diaspora experience, HOL casts diverse perspectives of what it means to be an (adult) child of refugees while also inspiring a new generation of folx to heal and move forward with their lives. This is one project to expand visions of the overall #LaoHealingMovement !!!
Healing Out Lao'd
E22: Vilavanh Phetmixay (AKA “Mom”) on secretly eloping to the U.S. as an Isaan refugee + becoming a wife/mother + proving herself successful
MEET HOL GUEST: VILAVANH PHETMIXAY AKA “MOM”
In BONUS episode 22 of HOL, Vilavanh aka “MOM” joins Rita for a conversation about secretly eloping to the U.S. with Peter at the young age of 22 and asking her family in Thailand for forgiveness much later, as they were not aware of her escape plan or her whereabouts. Since then, Vilavanh has since built a life of her own in the U.S., becoming a successful mother of four children, wife, and business woman.
This episode explores the intersections of the impact of the Secret War across the countries of Laos and Thailand, the practice of loyalty to immediate family, and what it takes for a diaspora community to combine their resources to support each other in destitute situations.
Today, Vilavanh works as a landlord and as a Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide to seniors and people with dis/abilities in North Carolina.
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REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:
Chonburi, Thailand
Nong Khai Refugee Camp
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HUGE SHOUT OUTS TO:
Laos Angeles Roots Members Andrew David Vilaythong for mixing/producing the beats for HOL and "mystery person" @LaosSupply for the beautiful logo design!