Planting SEAeDs is a podcast by the Southeast Asian American Education (SEAeD) Coalition and focuses on unveiling experiences Southeast Asian students navigate in the American school system. We’ll primarily hear from Southeast Asian students and educators, discussing topics of identity, educational journeys, barriers, and opportunities.
Listen to our podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZgNsbry88f87dHtt2By78?si=9f696a49e7fb4b2d
In this episode, we introduce the President of the Southeast Asian American Education (SEAeD) Coalition, Ay Saechao. We learn about who Ay is, the work SEAeD does, and we discuss broad issues Southeast Asians face.
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Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wflnvpkhqF6iaxlXy7BlM?si=f78ffbf009fc415f
College is often viewed as a door to the good life - one that’s more secure and comfortable. It’s supposed to open doors to careers that pay well with steady income. Several immigrant Southeast Asian parents believe in this and encourage their children to chase this dream, especially because they didn’t always have the privilege and resources to do it themselves. What happens, though, when someone doesn’t have the headspace and drive to complete college in one go? What does the “good life” actually even look like? How do we live a life that is good, where we can give grace to ourselves when we need breaks? In this episode, we hear from Paulina Mao, a community member, who was enrolled at the University of Washington Tacoma and made the hard decision to take a break from school.
Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/746uK9WvSg2XvB40V1GkiZ?si=6225c3bae2cc4445
Starting from scratch.. A common theme that is brought up in the Southeast Asian community. Starting from scratch because of… immigration, war, trauma, entering new spaces that weren’t necessarily designed for us. In this episode, PhD student Linda Toch shares her experiences as a first-generation Khmer American student who’s constantly in survival mode. While she holds strong value and passion for education and serving her community, she’s faced several roadblocks because she’s consistently had to start from scratch - something several of her classmates and peers didn’t have to worry about because the road was already paved for them.
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Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uh1fJBkrcyst67aMj40oQ?si=9ca26573ad314c97
Embarking on any journey can be a scary one. Something that makes it feel a little less scary? Finding community, mentors, programs, and people who share similar experiences as you. In this episode, we’re joined by Yia Lor, Director of TRIO Upward Bound at Century College in Minnesota. Yia shares with Mai Xee a bit about his work with TRIO, then delves into stories and reflections of his own journey through education as a refugee and immigrant.
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Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4TF1zXTGoXMUxdrH5NM3MN?si=d8214501d4224b4b
In this episode, we hear from two scholars and educators who examine educational frameworks. Dr. Jackie Mac and Linda Pheng are members of the SEAAster Scholar Collective and they join Mai Xee in unpacking their experiences and relationship with education. It's no question that systemic transformation is needed to better serve BIPOC communities.. Whose responsibility is it? Far too often are we seeing a cycle of students entering and exiting institutions burnt out because of their activism.
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Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XaCyVlQy7jpRCfRq7Ec8b?si=a723c12896fd4057