Letters Tou Mai Podcast: Letters that Speak, Stories that Heal

Letters Tou Mai Podcast: Letters that Speak, Stories that Heal
Podcast Description
Letters Tou Mai PodcastIn a world dominated by digital screens & instant gratification, there is an increasing divide in our human connections and difficulties expressing our vulnerabilities. Letters Tou Mai Podcast explores the tapestry of storytelling by transforming written [analog] letters in tou spoken words. Xai /Sai/ interviews courageous guests as they dedicate their letters tou a loved one showcasing vulnerability through their:(1) Past Experience(2) Present Realities(3) Future Aspirations(4) Wisdom-SharingWhat is a "Tou" and Why "Mai"The names "Mai" (Feminine) and "Tou" (masculine) are two of the most common names in Hmong culture, similar to Muhammad, Fatima, Mary, Juan, Maria, etc.“Tou” is a wordplay of: To“Mai” is a wordplay of: MyHence, the guest dedicates aLetters Tou Mai: daughter, son, etc.[I dedicate my] Letters Tou Mai [to "person"]Letters Tou Mai Podcast is hosted by a Hmong Mental Health Licensed Social Worker born in Minneapolis, MN, and currently lives in NYC. He has two parents who escaped genocide and sought refuge in America. They instilled in him hard work and uplifted him. Xai was additionally raised by his nine siblings and their partners and has over 28+ nieces, nephews, and counting.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes such as emotional vulnerability, cultural identity, and personal growth, with episodes focusing on guests' past experiences, present realities, future aspirations, and wisdom-sharing. For instance, Dr. Dia Cha's episode highlights her journey from a refugee to an educational pioneer, showcasing the importance of community support and resilience.

Letters Tou Mai Podcast
In a world dominated by digital screens & instant gratification, there is an increasing divide in our human connections and difficulties expressing our vulnerabilities. Letters Tou Mai Podcast explores the tapestry of storytelling by transforming written [analog] letters in tou spoken words.
Xai /Sai/ interviews courageous guests as they dedicate their letters tou a loved one showcasing vulnerability through their:
(1) Past Experience
(2) Present Realities
(3) Future Aspirations
(4) Wisdom-Sharing
What is a “Tou” and Why “Mai”
The names “Mai” (Feminine) and “Tou” (masculine) are two of the most common names in Hmong culture, similar to Muhammad, Fatima, Mary, Juan, Maria, etc.
“Tou” is a wordplay of: To
“Mai” is a wordplay of: My
Hence, the guest dedicates a
Letters Tou Mai: daughter, son, etc.
[I dedicate my] Letters Tou Mai [to “person”]
Letters Tou Mai Podcast is hosted by a Hmong Mental Health Licensed Social Worker born in Minneapolis, MN, and currently lives in NYC. He has two parents who escaped genocide and sought refuge in America. They instilled in him hard work and uplifted him. Xai was additionally raised by his nine siblings and their partners and has over 28+ nieces, nephews, and counting.
S1E6 – A Miss Hmong Teen Story: Grief, Body Positivity & Family Love
🔗 https://linkin.bio/letterstoumaipod/
🎙️🖋️ LETTERS TOU MAI PODCAST 🖌️ 🎙️
“As Miss Hmong Wisconsin Teen 2025, my platform is to REDEFINE “Beauty” and emphasize what it truly means to accept and love yourself for who you truly are, flaws and all” -Lisa Yang
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In this episode of Letters to My Podcast, host Xai /Sai/ interviews Lisa Yang, a second-generation Hmong American. Lisa shares her vulnerable story through a touching letter to her mother, exploring themes of grief, personal growth, self-love, body positivity, and the vital importance of family bonds within Hmong culture.
Lisa reflects on her experiences with loss and the profound impact of her father’s death, highlighting the powerful lessons learned from her mother’s sacrifices. The conversation also touches on the challenges of blended families and the significance of kindness and support in navigating life’s challenges.
NOTABLE QUOTES
“I wanted to dedicate this letter to my mom for her sacrifices.”
“Losing dad forced me to grow up quickly.”
“Success is earned and not given.”
“Kindness starts with us and it’s contagious.”
“Life is too short, spend time with loved ones.”
“I need to talk to someone, I need to get help.”
“I wish I created a better bond with them.”
“I am proud that I was able to observe that”
“Be true to yourself and pursue your passions”
#vulnerability #storytelling #HmongCulture #grief #family #personalgrowth #letters #mentalhealth #community #identity #childhood #bodyimage #pageantry #aspirations #leadership #selflove #communityservice
‘PODCAST DESCRIPTION:
In a world dominated by digital screens & instant gratification, there is an increasing divide in our human connections and difficulties expressing our vulnerabilities. Letters Tou Mai Podcast explores the tapestry of storytelling by transforming written [analog] letters in tou spoken words.
Podcast Host, Xai /Sai/ interviews courageous guests as they dedicate their letters tou a loved one showcasing vulnerability through their:
PAST EXPERIENCE:
PRESENT REALITIES:
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS:
WISDOM-SHARING:
HOST (About me)
Xai /Sai/ (He, Him, His) is a first-generation Hmong American man, social worker, and community/Union organizer with over 12 years of experience. Xai is passionate about building community through storytelling, self-expression, and the importance of affinity with their human counterpart.. Xai believes each generation builds upon the next and seeks to uplift the Next G3N (Generation). Xai is a child of Hmong refugees who came here from Laos and has lived in New York City for over 10 years. Xai enjoys biking and checking off his Wanderlust.
🔗 https://linkin.bio/letterstoumaipod/
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