HEALING OUT LAO’D, the podcast

“This podcast is truly a space of intentional healing and positivity. Any child of a diaspora would can recognize themselves in the episodes. I caught myself laughing & crying along with the guest speaker and host...not a big podcast fan but HOL turned me into one. The content warnings were helpful and Rita is so thoughtful in making each episode a safe space to navigate. A lot of times it’s hard not to fixate on the trauma—this space to celebrate healing & success feels so needed and authentic and timely. Thank you for creating this community! Can’t wait to see HOL grow. ❤️”

“Healing Out Lao'd is a captivating artistic masterpiece of a minority group under a minority yet under another minority group. It is an inspirational space not only for Laotion Americans effected by The Secret War but for all Southeast Asian groups effected by America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Thank you for this creation and allowing the hidden narratives and gems to be heard.”

“Healing Out Lao’d is a necessary podcast to not only continue uplifting the voices of Lao Americans but to center the many intersections of healing in our movement, communities, and creating dialogue on tools for self care!! Rita keeps it REAL and brings forth her truth with love and humor. Her energy is unmatched foreal! I look forward to her episodes and the folks she brings on, knowing they each have a large contribution to our community. Thank you for continuing to educate us and center the Lao Diaspora which is pivotal to uplift✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼”

“Can’t thank you enough for creating this platform for Lao Americans. Thank you Rita, for giving us a voice and also representation and visibility for queer Lao individuals. The episode on intergenerational trauma was so eye-opening and impactful, I look forward to these episodes every week. 🙏🏽🙏🏽”

“I was referred to this podcast by a family member and it’s been such a gift. I loved the podcast with TinTin and how wonderful his story was with his father. I never found acceptance from our community and had a constant struggle of trying to prove my Lao-ness. The struggle is even more prominent now as I’m raising my own children and how to raise them as Lao Americans. I’m also in my 2nd year of grieving for my father’s death. He was the glue that held our family together and the source of our Lao-ness. So, I am lost. I struggle with my relationship with my parents because of our male centered/preference and it’s carried onto my daughter. Thus the trauma I’ve experienced and being transferred to my daughter and I struggle to find a way to love her the way she needs despite my scars from my childhood. This podcast has really helped me by realizing I’m not alone. Plus it’s a great opportunity to discover how vast our diaspora is, even without the US! I’m representing small town Midwest America here!”

“As a first gen Lao American woman, this podcast was something I never knew I needed... until I listened from episode zero. Because listening helped me open up to things I had buried and felt so alone in my entire life. The courage it takes to be vulnerable and speak about things that are discussed in healing out lao’d is admirable, 100% authentic and beautiful. I’m so thankful for this podcast it helped fill up pieces in my heart that had been neglected for so long. Kop Chay Rita ...”

“This podcast is simply groundbreaking. Rita has not only tapped into her own Lao community, but most importantly a niche and overlooked audience in so many ways. Growing up Laotian, you are not taught to elaborate our feelings nor recognize that vulnerability can be a strength. Self-care and healing is almost an entirely new concept in our culture as we are conditioned to serve others. These episodes are amazing dives into the connection between Laotian history and who we are today in America. Healing Out Lao’d is aptly titled as Rita and her guests get personal; listening is therapy in itself.”

“I just wanted to say this is awesome!! We as first generation Asians are taught to suffer in silence to be resilient bc we can’t be showing weakness. We had to be as tough as our parents and never complain, but this is real! Real healing! What is needed for our community to be aware and come to terms that there is a deeper hole then we thought to truly heal from our parents traumatic past. Without this I don’t think can say it’s normal to be fkd up and I want to say so much thanks for it! This is my stepping stone to healing.”

“This podcast is a creative blend of mental health--emphasis on self-care strategies, healing, and empowerment--Asian American/API identity, storytelling, and charisma exuding from its host. Rita Phetmixay is relatable, vulnerable, and connected as part of the Lao American diaspora. She brings on interesting guests who identify as Lao American or allies to the Lao American community. They talk candidly about healing in the context of themselves and their life's work. Check out this dope podcast if this very unique and needed kind of conversation strikes your fancy.”