Intersections: From Sea to Sea

This episode features an interview with author, editor, RN and Army and Peace Corps veteran, Susan O'Neill. Susan is the author of the book, 'Don't Mean Nothing: Short Stories of Vietnam'. Visit Susan's website at susanoneill.us.

This week's episode features a conversation with US Army Veteran, Bob Staranowicz. Bob left for Vietnam in October of 1969 and as expected it would be an experience that would change his life. The conversation covers Bob's time in Vietnam and how reconnecting with Veteran's Organizations and the Vietnamese adoptee community helped his healing.

This week Mike Anderer talks with Hung Ly. Hung was born as part of the Montagnard people of Vietnam. He tells us his story of growing up in the United States as well as explaining about his indigenous tribe's history and part of the story of Vietnam.

In this episode Michael Anderer sits down with Sister Marynelle Gage to find out first hand what it was like working in the orphanages of Saigon in the late 60's in Vietnam. Michael and Marynelle also discuss how she continues to connect and share her time with adoptees now as adults.

This week Mike is joined by Rachel Galvez as the two co-hosts listen to the stories of fellow Vietnamese adoptee, Dave Frey.

This week Mike Anderer talks with Operation Babylift adoptee, Steve Mark about his experience growing up as an trans-racial adoptee in Canada. Steve continues to use his experience and his voice to support fellow adoptees navigate the challenges they face.

This week Mike Anderer and Canh Oxelson interview Trista Goldberg. Trista is a fellow Vietnamese adoptee and also the CEO and founder of Operation Reunite.

This week Mike interviews Jane Nguyen. Jane was born in Saigon in 1975. She was adopted and grew up in rural Iowa. She shares how growing up looking different shaped her career choices and also how growing up in a family that owned a newspaper inspired her to write about her own story.

This episode takes a slight turn from our typical subject matter as Mike and Canh invite retired Air Force airman, Phillip Wise, to the show to discuss his unique connection to the Vietnamese adoptee community. Phillip was a survivor of the Operation Babylift tragedy from April 4, 1975. In this conversation Phillip explains how he recovered mentally and physically from the trauma and the special bond he shares with adoptees and fellow survivors.

In this episode Mike talks with Mirko. Mirko was adopted out of Vietnam and grew up in Germany. Growing up in a family where everyone else had blonde hair made Mirko hate his dark straight hair that is common among the Vietnamese. The story that Mirko tells is one of introspective discovery and enlightenment that came from hard work and making some interesting choices along the way.

In this epsiode Mike Anderer invites Kimberly Libertini on the show to talk about her adoption story. Kimberly's story is one of growth, loss and helping others.

Mike interviews Jane Joy in this week's episode. Jane was born in Saigon in 1973 and came to the US in 1974. While growing up in a very white community Jane distanced herself from her Vietnamese heritage, but when she returned to Vietnam as an adult she realized how much the country was a part of her.

This week Michael talks to Michael Roche about his adoption story and how it was not until he was 54 years old that he was told the whole truth by his birth mom.

This week's episode takes us away from the United States to the north of France. We hear how different it was to grow up as a Vietnamese adoptee in Europe. Marita Bar shares her story and the things she did to cope with and embrace being so far from Vietnam.

Mike Anderer and Cahn Oxelson talk to adoptee, Phan Tai. Life wasn't always easy for Phan Tai, but the young boy didn't let all of the challenges he faced keep him from finding happiness and peace in life.

In this episode Mike Anderer talks with Vietnamese adoptee, Kim Lan Carlson. Kim Lan was airlifted out of Saigon in 1975 and grew up in the suburbs of Michigan with her mother and grandmother. Kim Lan spoke Vietnamese when she arrived to the United States, but a lack of other Vietnamese speakers in her area prevented her from keeping the language. Listen how Kim Lan adjusted to life in the United States.

In this episode hosts Michael Anderer and Canh Oxelson get to know Laura Satira. Laura was born in Vietnam and because of the love and perseverance of her adoptive father made her way to Brooklyn and despite some Asian physical characteristics grew up as a typical Brooklyn Italian woman.

In this inaugural episode Mike Anderer sits down to hear the adoption story of Aryn Lockhart.