About the Creator/Host

Rita Phetmixay

Healing Out Lao’d is created, edited, mixed, hosted, and produced by Rita Phetmixay (she/they), an independent audio producer and politicized healing practitioner based in Los Angeles, CA. She is intentional in creating accessible healing spaces for folx with marginalized identities, with a particular focus on Lao diaspora communities. Rita has facilitated numerous identity, holistic mental health and wellness workshops at national conferences, nonprofits, higher education institutions, small business and large corporations. She has over 10+ years of experience working with various marginalized communities including immigrant/refugee communities, current/former foster youth, survivors of sexual/domestic/interpersonal violence and queer people of color. More about Rita and her work can be found at www.ritaphetmixay.com and @healingoutlaod on all social media platforms. 

HOL Advisory Board 

Kulap Vilaysack

Kulap (she/her/hers) is a Writer/Actor/Former-Podcaster/Director/ Showrunner born in Washington D.C. and raised in Eagan, Minnesota. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Scott, and two dogs, Georgia Michaela and Molly. Kulap co-hosted the podcast "Who Charted?" with long time friend, Howard Kremer. She is currently in post-production of her debut documentary Origin Story - it features a road trip into her complicated past. She also is the creator and showrunner of the comedy show Bajillion Dollar Propertie$. Her TV acting credits include: The Office, Parks and Recreation, Happy Endings, Bob's Burgers, The Sarah Silverman Program and Reno 911! I've had recurring roles in Childrens Hospital and Comedy Bang! Bang! Her film acting credits include: I Love You Man and Welcome to Me starring Kristen Wiig.  

Saeng Douangdara

Saeng Douangdara (he/him/his) is a Los Angeles-based based professional chef and cooking instructor. He advocates and raises awareness for Lao food through his food videos and cooking classes. He was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his parents fled Laos. His diverse background growing up as a Lao American in the Midwest where he pursued a bachelors degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison following his master’s at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has given him a wide appreciation of foods around the world. He teaches students the science and the historical context of foods. He has published food photography in magazines, lectured at universities, provided cooking lessons across food retailers, and cooked for Hollywood events. His philosophy around cooking is to make it approachable, educational, and fun!

Wanda Pathomrit

Wanda Pathomrit (she/her/hers) is a Thai American community activist, psychiatric social worker, and has nine years of experience serving immigrant populations in Los Angeles gain access to social, legal, mental health services. She has built long-standing relationships with community organizations such as Thai Community Development Center, Little Tokyo Service Center, and Center Pacific Asian Family. She has a masters in social welfare from UCLA and is working at Asian Pacific Counseling Treatment Center (APCTC) to achieve her licensure to practice psychotherapy with Thai communities with language-access needs and connect other Asian ethnic groups to appropriate mental health resources.

Credits

HOL logo designed by Salong Namsa (he/him/his), entrepreneur, creator and founder of Laos Supply Clothing Brand and movement.