In this episode we are joined by documentary filmmaker Tran Van Kirk, who’s story highlights reconnecting and reclaiming identity and the journey to self discovery. Kirk takes the initiative to help adoptees and AmerAsians from the Vietnam War with their families, and has paved a way for many individuals in the same situation.
Kirk was born as Trần Văn Hung in DaNang, Vietnam in the summer of 1969 during the height of the Vietnam War. Immediately after being born, he was taken to the Sacred Heart Orphanage on the order of his Vietnamese grandfather, who felt shame from his daughter’s pregnancy by an American military service member. In 1972, he was adopted by a US Army Major that was serving in the Vietnam War and was raised in a wonderful loving adoptive family. After 48 years Kirk was able to wonderfully discover that his birth kin had been living in the US and spent the past few years since 2017 reconnecting to his roots.
Kirk is an award winning Documentary Filmmaker and serves as the Director and Executive Producer for the SEA2C in-house documentary series production, "Intersections". He also serves as the Race Director for the annual Ocean View "Storm the Bay" Race series. This race series benefits the military centric programs of SEA2C. When he's not working, he enjoys long distance running, fishing, surfing, boating, and most importantly of all, quality family time. Through the SEA2C Foundation, Kirk seeks to share his blessings by reuniting war orphans with birth families and veterans separated by the war and to help each find healing from a lifetime of stigmas attached to being a part of that tumultuous time in our history. He is also passionate about giving back to our active-duty military personnel and Veterans who have served honorably in combat to maintain the freedoms that are so often taken for granted.
The American Secret War in Laos │ 2x13
Cultivating Personal Growth and Legacy │ 2x12
Immigrant Excellence in the Design Industry │ 2x11
Curating an Experience in Opera │ 2x10
Playing Yourself for a Living with Kristina Wong │ 2x9
The Business of Representation with Alexa Khan │ 2x8
Exploring Identity, Community, and Refugitude through Theatre │ 2x7
Sowing Compassion, Community, and Education from Tragedy │ 2x6
Diversity from Behind the Scenes with Miranda Kwok │ 2x5
Cultivating Sense of Self through Science & Art │ 2x4
Covid-19 Vaccines and Variants Part III with Dr. Paul Song │ 2x3
Advocating for Asian American Communities through Poetry │ 2x2
Fostering a Movement of Cultural Appreciation through Musical Theater │ 2x1
Laur Allen: Advocating Positive Social Justice & Humanitarian Impact through Law & Media │1x42
Archie Kao - A Chinese American Actor‘s Journey Along the Pacific Rim │1x41
Quyền Nguyen Le: A Queer Filmmaker and Writer Creating Pathways to Understanding through Film │1x40
Raising Awareness for Social Justice Reform, Youth Education, and Women’s Rights through Music│1x39
Tasty Asian Inspired Halloween Recipes and Horror Films with Korean Chef Cathlyn Choi │1x38
Parents are Human │1x37
Empowering Next Generation of Asian Youth Voices in Film Media Arts and Pop Culture │1x36
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL