Discover a captivating podcast that explores the interconnectedness of well-being, culture, and community. Join us on OKIRU: Rise Together as we embark on a journey of self-discovery, fostering personal growth, and engaging multicultural discussions.
Uncover the profound connections between your inner self and the world around you. Through introspection and embracing your inner child's curiosity, you'll unlock the keys to a fulfilling life.
Immerse yourself in inspiring conversations with friends, family, and influential figures who join us to share their stories. Together, we build bridges across diverse communities, cultivating a sense of unity and collective growth. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, we believe that we all possess an inner child that yearns to thrive.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to rise together with us. Join OKIRU: Rise Together now and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and community empowerment. Let's shape a better future together.
Publisher
OKIRU
Category
business · education · health & fitness · society & culture
How Martial Arts Shaped My Creative Life with Flying Art Studios | OKIRU Rise Together Ep #72
In this episode, we sit down with David Trí Nguyen, founder of Flying Art Studios, to explore how martial arts, film, and hip hop shaped his creative and personal journey. From navigating cultural pressures and identity, to building a filmmaking business from passion, to reclaiming Vietnamese pride, this is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and staying true to yourself.
We dive into:
‣ Balancing creativity with a busy life
‣ The entrepreneurial ups and downs of building a creative business
‣ Hip hop’s influence on culture, gangs, and positive outlets
‣ The power of reclaiming names and cultural identity
‣ Gratitude, presence, and finding answers within
This is more than a story about creativity — it’s about turning struggle into strength, connecting with community, and inspiring the next generation of Vietnamese Australian creatives.
18 Aug 2025
From skater to filmmaker: Bol Mayan on culture, community & The Seed Network | OKIRU Podcast #71
In his first ever public interview, Bol Mayan, Founder of The Seed Network, shares his journey from growing up in Richmond, skating the streets, and running from his South Sudanese identity - to becoming a filmmaker, community leader, and cultural storyteller.
We talk about:
‣ How skateboarding led him to filmmaking and Channel 31
‣ Building The Seed Network to inspire young people of colour
‣ Embracing and celebrating his South Sudanese heritage
‣ Using sport, media, and storytelling to create opportunities in Richmond
‣ The impact of representation in breaking stereotypes
‣ Navigating the light and dark sides of social media
Timestamps:
0:00 Guided Mindfulness – Breathing exercise and reflections on mindfulness
2:20 Daily Reflection Practice – Three questions for daily growth
6:30 Meeting at Youth Works – How Bol and Liem first met
8:40 From Skater to Filmmaker – Skate culture, COVID, and personal loss
14:20 Launching The SEED Network – Bedroom interviews on culture
17:20 From Bedroom to Channel 31 – Landing a 12-episode TV series
20:40 Winning ‘Outstanding New Producer’ – Discovering what producing means
25:40 Pivot to Documentaries – Telling Richmond community stories
28:20 Men’s Mental Health Hike – Normalising open conversations
29:50 Friday Soccer – Community sports in Richmond
31:20 Boxing Program – From training to debut fights
33:20 Embracing South Sudanese Identity – Reconnecting with culture
38:20 Multicultural Richmond – How diversity shaped his work
40:40 The SEED Network Team – Filmmakers, coaches, and collaboration
44:55 Social Media Spotlights – Platform for representation
48:40 Representation Matters – Peter Bol and breaking barriers
51:15 What’s Next – New documentaries and interviews
53:00 Guarding Your Mental ‘Garden’ – The SEED metaphor
56:00 Gratitude for Mum – Her role in Bol’s journey
57:20 Cooking With Mum – A public love letter through food
Bol’s mission is simple but powerful: plant seeds of possibility so the next generation can grow into their potential. This is an honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, creativity, and giving back.
Find us on social media:
Instagram: @okiru.com.au
Spotify: OKIRU Rise Together
Facebook: @okiru.com.au
TikTok: @okiru.com.au
Support Our Mission
Help us share more stories! Shop OKIRU gear for yourself or a loved one to stay comfy while enjoying the podcast: Shop Now.
Hosted by Liem Nguyen and produced by Jasper Menor, co-founders of OKIRU, the OKIRU Rise Together Podcast celebrates creativity, cultural pride, and community stories.
Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories! Prefer to listen on the go? Find us on Spotify and other podcast platforms!
14 Jul 2025
How hip hop, media, and identity shape a community | Michael Husky Nguyen | OKIRU Rise Together Ep #70
In this episode, Liem sits down with Michael Husky Nguyen - a cultural connector, music curator, and producer at SBS Vietnamese—to trace his journey from tech to the heart of Australia’s Vietnamese music scene and SBS Vietnamese.
What began as pandemic-era Zoom collaborations evolved into People Behind the Music, a platform amplifying Asian voices in the arts. Now, through his work at SBS and as an artist manager, Michael is bridging the gap between Vietnamese hip hop and traditional media - while spotlighting stories that often go unheard.
This conversation dives deep into identity, heritage, and community. Michael opens up about growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs, the role of hip hop as personal expression, and the complexities of intergenerational dialogue. From language and discipline to cultural belonging and media representation, this is an honest look at what it means to move between worlds - and make something meaningful from the in-between.
0:03 Building community and collaboration in the music industry
8:31 Building bridges between Vietnamese hip hop and traditional media
20:02 Intergenerational stories and cultural connections in Vietnamese communities
27:12 Cultural identity through language and family connections
33:18 Cultural differences in parenting and discipline
41:07 Overcoming self-doubt through creative expression
44:38 Exploring family history and resilience through personal stories
52:04 Embracing a flagless identity among Vietnamese communities
59:06 Exploring identity and community through Vietnamese media
Find us on social media:
Instagram: @okiru.com.au
Spotify: OKIRU Rise Together
Facebook: @okiru.com.au
TikTok: @okiru.com.au
Support Our Mission
Help us share more stories! Shop OKIRU gear for yourself or a loved one to stay comfy while enjoying the podcast: Shop Now.
Hosted by Liem Nguyen and produced by Jasper Menor, co-founders of OKIRU, the OKIRU Rise Together Podcast celebrates creativity, cultural pride, and community stories.
Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories! Prefer to listen on the go? Find us on Spotify and other podcast platforms!
Inside a recent episode
Okiru Huddle Pod Ep.39 – The Cresmond File (ft. David Morgan)
Published 14 Jun 2022 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I was like, all right. I need to be like. You pick your moments. Yeah. You pick your moments. You pick your moments. But like, that's great. That was a great thing that Lim said was like, you don't have to sit to meditate. It's just that practice of just being intentional and being present where you are, man. And do everything that you're doing with intent, like sometimes you could just be brushing your teeth for like that two minutes or, you know, making tea. And it's just that moment of just giving yourself a break, giving yourself grace and, you know, being in this moment to just breathe. Yeah. […]
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