Vicky Nguyen on Her Immigrant Story and A Love Letter to America

Vicky Nguyen on Her Immigrant Story and A Love Letter to America

Author: Hoda Kotb, TODAY April 2, 2025 Duration: 37:35
Vicky Nguyen is the NBC News chief consumer investigative correspondent. In her new memoir, "Boat Baby", she shares her family's harrowing story of fleeing Vietnam in 1980, five years after the fall of Saigon. Along the way, Nguyen's family relied on smugglers, encountered pirates, and eventually lived in a refugee camp on a beach in Malaysia, all while she was less than a year old. Her family ultimately immigrated to the U.S., and she says her parents embraced the opportunity to give her a "great American childhood". Nguyen opened up to Hoda about her decision to share her story. Through all the ups and downs of assimilation, Nguyen says her book is "a love letter to America" - and to her parents.

In a world that often feels full, the act of creating room-for reflection, for change, for breath-is a radical kind of strength. That’s the quiet heart of Making Space with Hoda Kotb. Here, Hoda moves beyond the morning show desk to engage in a different kind of conversation, one focused on the resilience and compassion that shape a meaningful life. Each episode is built around a simple, powerful question: where do you draw your strength? The answers unfold through intimate dialogues with people from all walks of life whose stories Hoda genuinely admires. These aren't interviews about achievement, but testimonies about human experience. Listeners will hear how others have navigated personal challenges, found unexpected joy, or rebuilt after loss, extracting practical lessons on making space for whatever you might be seeking right now-be it better mental health, a new fitness goal, a cultural perspective, or simply a moment of peace. The tone is warm, curious, and deeply personal, as if you're listening in on a conversation between friends who aren't afraid of the big topics. This podcast lives at the intersection of society, culture, and self-improvement, but it feels like a personal guide. You won't find quick fixes or loud promises here. Instead, you'll find a steady companion for your own journey, leaving each talk feeling subtly stronger and inspired to carve out your own space for growth. It’s a reminder that making space isn't about adding more, but about uncovering what was already there, waiting for room to breathe.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Making Space with Hoda Kotb
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