Refugee to Resilience with Thu

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In this deeply moving episode of Ducking Realitea, Siobhan sits down with her friend Thu, who shares the extraordinary story of her family’s escape from Vietnam to the United States. Through multiple attempts, encounters with pirates, and time spent in refugee camps across Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Thu’s early life was shaped by survival, strength, and sacrifice. Eventually settling in California, her family faced poverty, displacement, and the challenge of adapting to American life.

Thu reflects on her cultural identity, the complexities of assimilation, and the long-term impact of her upbringing on her relationships, values, and view of ambition. She opens up about her love of Burning Man, her evolving definition of home, and the healing power of hugs — yes, science says we need at least seven a day just to feel OK.

Together, Thu and Siobhan explore the highs and lows of building community, what it means to live authentically, and how immigration policies continue to shape lives like hers. As Thu prepares for a cross-country move to Virginia in search of better balance, she leaves us with wisdom on simplicity, connection, and the real meaning of resilience.