Khmer Tree Podcast

Sophon Khoeun - VP National Cambodian Heritage Museum , Chicago, IL

In this inspiring episode of Khmer Tree, host Chad welcomes Sophon Khoeun, who shares his extraordinary journey of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Born during the dark years of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, Sophon and his family endured profound challenges before finding refuge in the United States. His story captures both the struggles and triumphs of adapting to life in a new country while holding on to the traditions and values that connect him to his Cambodian heritage. Sophon reflects on the difficulties of growing up as a refugee child—balancing the pressures of assimilation in American society with the responsibility of honoring his roots. Through it all, music, art, and storytelling became powerful tools for healing and self-expression, helping him preserve his cultural identity and share it with others. He emphasizes the importance of family bonds, community support, and the role of creativity in overcoming trauma and building bridges across generations. A highlight of the conversation is Sophon’s introduction of his exciting new project: a Jukebox Musical celebrating Cambodian music, history, and resilience. More than just a performance, this project is a cultural movement, designed to honor the past while inspiring the future. Sophon envisions it as a way to connect Cambodian elders and youth, foster intergenerational dialogue, and create a renewed sense of pride and belonging within the Cambodian diaspora and beyond. This episode serves as a heartfelt reminder of the strength of the Cambodian spirit, the importance of cultural preservation, and the healing power of creativity in shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

Audrey Chea - Community Advocate & Financial Literacy

In this powerful episode, Chad sits down with Audrey Chea, a former refugee from Cambodia whose life story embodies resilience, determination, and service to others. Audrey recounts her harrowing experiences of surviving the Khmer Rouge regime and the difficult transition to life in the United States as an immigrant. She reflects on how these early challenges shaped her identity, giving her both the strength and the empathy to dedicate her life to community building. Audrey shares her journey of stepping into leadership roles at a young age, beginning with her involvement as a youth leader and later evolving into a career in social services. Her work has focused on supporting underserved families, advocating for access to resources, and guiding the Cambodian American community toward greater civic engagement. She highlights her efforts in promoting civic education, encouraging young people to understand their rights, responsibilities, and the power of their voices in shaping society. Throughout the conversation, Audrey emphasizes the central role of education, resilience, and cultural pride in overcoming adversity. She speaks passionately about the need for Cambodian Americans to stay connected to their heritage while also actively participating in the broader American civic landscape. Her story stands as an inspiring reminder that healing and growth come not only from personal perseverance but also from lifting up the community around us.

Chinary Ung - Music Composer

https://www.chinaryung.com/index.html In this episode, host Chad has the honor of interviewing Chinary Ung, the legendary Cambodian composer whose extraordinary journey bridges two worlds: the traditional sounds of Cambodia and the evolving landscape of contemporary music in the United States. From his childhood in Cambodia to his rise as a prominent figure in the international music scene, Chinary reflects on a life shaped by resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to cultural preservation. The conversation explores themes of identity, survival, and renewal, as Chinary recounts his formative years, his musical studies, and his arrival in New York during the 1960s—a time of artistic experimentation and cultural upheaval. He shares how these experiences influenced his compositions, blending Western modernism with the spiritual depth and melodic essence of Khmer traditions. Through his music, Chinary sought not only to innovate but also to ensure that Cambodian identity remained alive in the face of displacement and historical trauma. Chinary also speaks candidly about the challenges Cambodian artists face in diaspora, where sustaining heritage can often feel like an uphill battle. Yet, his story is one of resilience and vision: he emphasizes the importance of embracing both tradition and innovation, showing how the two can coexist to create new artistic possibilities. Looking ahead, Chinary offers a powerful message to the younger generation of Cambodian Americans and artists worldwide. He encourages them to embrace their heritage with pride, to express their creativity without fear, and to see art as a vital force for healing, connection, and cultural survival. This episode is both a celebration of Chinary Ung’s life and work, and a call to action for future generations to carry forward the spirit of Khmer culture through creativity, resilience, and innovation.

Nek Kru Charya-Burt - Cambodian Classical Dance Choreographer

In this episode, host Chad sits down with Neak Kru Charya, a master teacher and choreographer of Cambodian classical dance, at the Cambodian Heritage Museum in Chicago. Neak Kru shares her inspiring journey from Cambodia to the United States, reflecting on how her life experiences shaped her devotion to keeping Khmer traditions alive and accessible to new generations. The conversation explores her lifelong commitment to Cambodian classical dance, an art form that embodies centuries of history, spirituality, and cultural storytelling. Neak Kru discusses how she uses dance as both an educational tool and a cultural bridge—helping Cambodian American youth reconnect with their heritage while also sharing the beauty of Khmer arts with wider audiences. She highlights her current projects focused on teaching, mentorship, and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of passing down discipline, knowledge, and pride to ensure that the art form endures. Beyond technique and performance, she underscores how dance fosters healing, resilience, and cultural pride, particularly within communities still carrying the weight of displacement and historical trauma. Looking to the future, Neak Kru Charya shares her vision for Cambodian arts in the diaspora—calling for stronger institutional support, intergenerational teaching, and opportunities for Khmer traditions to flourish in evolving cultural landscapes. This conversation illuminates Neak Kru Charya’s artistry, leadership, and unwavering belief that dance is far more than performance—it is a living cultural legacy, a form of resistance against forgetting, and a powerful expression of identity and resilience.

Kevin Keo - Aspiring Ceramist

In this conversation, host Chad speaks with Kevin Keo, a Khmer American artist and scholar whose work explores the intersections of culture, identity, and creativity. Growing up in Long Beach, California, home to one of the largest Cambodian American communities in the country, Kevin reflects on how his upbringing shaped his sense of belonging and inspired his path as both an artist and cultural advocate. Now pursuing graduate studies in Museum and Exhibition Studies in Chicago, Kevin shares how his academic pursuits connect with his passion for art as a tool of preservation and expression. Specializing in ceramics, he views clay not only as a medium of artistic creation but also as a vessel for memory, resilience, and storytelling. For Kevin, working with clay embodies the endurance of Khmer culture and serves as an act of resistance against erasure. Kevin also discusses his involvement in a community arts program that brings together participants from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the role of art in fostering dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. Through this work, he demonstrates how creative spaces can empower communities, bridge cultural divides, and sustain traditions while encouraging innovation. Looking ahead, Kevin envisions a future where Cambodian artists thrive on a global stage and where museums dedicated to Khmer heritage become vibrant spaces for education, creativity, and pride. He stresses that art has the power to both safeguard cultural identity and inspire new generations to adapt and innovate. This conversation highlights Kevin’s journey as an artist and scholar, while underscoring the transformative role of art as preservation, resistance, and community-building. His story is a reminder of the importance of cultural memory and the potential of creativity to shape a more connected and inspired future.