Our Mission
Share the truth.
Inspire others.
Our mission is to educate, inspire, and heal the next generation of Cambodians by sharing an in-depth first hand experience of what truly happened between 1975-1979. We hope that after listening, you will remember that despite your past experiences - life is truly a gift.
How it all began
In high school every once in a while at a family dinner, my dad would pour a glass of wine and share a tiny snippet of his past life. These anecdotes came in small snapshots with barely enough detail and always ended with, "it was a really terrible time.” His eyes glazed over as he transported to his dark past and a heavy, cold chill filled the air while the table became stone-cold silent.
I grew older, but I always remembered those dinners and thought “What could have been so terrible”?
"We were so hungry but couldn't have a second bowl.
He died that night."
- Season 1, Episode 7
Being born and raised in America, it occurred to me that the 1970's Cambodian Genocide is rarely discussed in American history books, even though 95% of the Cambodians in America are refugees from this horrific event. I was shocked by how a disastrous event that is so recent, was completely disregarded by history.
Where are all our movies, and books, and interviews from the survivors? And why are these stories continuously being left untold?
If we don't share the stories NOW, they will be lost forever.
The world, the Cambodian community, and my father deserve a chance to have their stories recognized and to share the real, untold stories of the 1975-1979 Killing Fields.
I refused to let the narrative be told for us, or even worse - to let that history disappear. In COVID 2020, I felt a strong obligation to preserve the history and create a platform where my father can vulnerably share what he has survived, ensuring that our history is being told by legitimate survivors. How a young, broken, starving survivor from the Khmer Rouge became a successful entrepreneur and achieved his American dream.
I hope through this podcast, you will find inspiration, strength, and most importantly, a greater perspective and appreciation for this wonderful life we are blessed to live.
And Dad, this one's for you.
Meet the Team
Dorothy Chow - Host (Daughter)
Dorothy Chow is a Cambodian American podcast host, storyteller, and advocate for intergenerational healing. She is the creator and host of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, a powerful narrative podcast that chronicles her father’s survival of the Khmer Rouge genocide and the family's journey of rebuilding life in the United States. The podcast was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, South China Morning News, VOA and other international media outlets. Since its launch in 2021, the podcast has had over 100,000 downloads with international listeners from Cambodia, France, Canda, Australia and the US.
As a first-generation American, Dorothy brings a unique perspective to the conversation around heritage and healing. Her work has resonated with diverse audiences seeking connection, understanding, and empowerment through storytelling. Dorothy speaks passionately on topics including generational trauma, the power of personal narratives, and the role of children of immigrants in preserving history. She is also the co-founder of the programs "Khmer Courageous Conversations" and "Survival Stories" which offers free online healing spaces for fellow Cambodians.
In addition to her storytelling work, Dorothy serves as the Chief Operating Officer of B&H Distributors, a business founded by her father. Through both her creative and professional roles, Dorothy is committed to honoring her family’s legacy and using her platform to elevate underrepresented voices and foster empathy across cultures and generations.
She has been invited to speak at UC Berkeley, Bryn Mawr University, Pepperdine University, and Sabaidee Fest, and is committed to using her platform to elevate underrepresented voices and foster empathy across cultures and generations.
Robert Chau - Interviewee (Father)
Robert Chau is a serial American entrepreneur. He is the Founder of B&H Bakery Distributors and additionally founded other companies in the bakery and donut industry including Golden Bake Food Products, Evergreen Packaging, Mammoth Drinks Inc, Robert Creek Winey, Pac-Am Investment Group and more. He is known for being the founding father for most donut shops in Northern California, building approximately 60+ donut shops throughout Northern CA, TX, and Philadelphia. Robert has also funded and built the only school in his hometown Mongkol Borey, Cambodia, and is a director of the Heart Without Boundaries Organization. In his free time, he dabbles in real estate, property investments, creating new foods, and training Dorothy to be the best CEO she can be.
