In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, Dorothy Chow sits down with Cambodian Chinese-American ceramist Vanderlyn Bermudez Vong to explore how art can become an act of resistance. As the daughter of genocide survivors, Vanderlyn uses traditional Khmer pottery techniques to reclaim cultural practices nearly erased during the Khmer Rouge era. From growing up in Long Beach to studying Cambodian language and learning from master ceramist Yari Livan, she shares how clay became her way back to heritage, identity, and healing.

Cambodian American food creator and MasterChef Season 13 contestant Charles Calvino joins Dorothy Chow for a heartfelt conversation about Khmer identity, authenticity, and the responsibility of representing Cambodian cuisine on a national stage. From growing up in Long Beach watching his mother cook, to presenting amok to Gordon Ramsay on MasterChef, Charles reflects on family, food, cultural preservation, and why he refuses to water down Khmer flavors for mainstream audiences.

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, Dorothy Chow speaks with Los Angeles–based model and cultural writer Alissa Iris about navigating the fashion industry as a Khmer American woman. From growing up in California’s Central Valley to modeling for brands like Fenty and Nike, Alissa reflects on identity, colorism, and the complexities of representation in media. This conversation explores beauty standards, cultural pride, and what it means to take up space authentically as a Southeast Asian creative.

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, Dorothy Chow sits down with Sambath Both Bou Chum — known professionally as Both Bou — award-winning designer and Co-Founder of Anagata Design. From leading the identity redesign of Baramey Production to mentoring Cambodia’s next generation of creatives, Both reflects on how culture, intention, and strategy shape meaningful design. This conversation explores creativity, education, and why Cambodian visual identity deserves a place on the global stage.

In the Season 4 premiere of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, Dorothy sits down with Khmer-Krom creator and Selarati founder Priscilla Kim Ong (aka Sela) for a conversation about diaspora, belonging, and coming home.From growing up in a predominantly white town to launching a homecoming program for Khmer youth, Sela shares how identity, language, and advocacy have shaped her path—and why she’s betting on Cambodia’s cultural future.