Introducing: Self Evident's Before Me

Today we're sharing an episode from our friends at Self Evident. They tell Asian America’s stories to go beyond being seen, honoring the everyday lives of Asian American people — and pass the mic for everyone to represent their whole self.

Before Me

Before Me is a five-part documentary produced by Self Evident about journalist Lisa Phu chronicling her mother’s journey from Cambodia to America over the course of decades.

For most of her life, Lisa told a story about how her mom and family first came to the United States. Some of it was right, some of it was wrong; none of it was actually ever told to her by the people who had lived it.

After Lisa gave birth to her first child, her mom flew across the country to care for them both. And during that visit, she finally shared the real story with Lisa. About growing up in Cambodia, fleeing genocide by the Khmer Rouge, surviving as a gold dealer in Vietnam, building a home in America while navigating the fallout and traumas of war... and carrying the future of her children throughout the journey.

You can listen to Before Me wherever you listen to podcasts.

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.

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