Keeping Up With Khmer Maine

How do Cambodian families remember those who came before them and pass cultural traditions on to the next generation? In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, host Srey Art Rathbut explores the meaning and traditions of Pchum Ben, one of the most meaningful traditions in Cambodian culture. The episode explores traditions including Kan Ben, Bay Ben, Rap Bat, food offerings, merit-making, and visits to the pagoda, while highlighting the importance of remembrance, generosity, family, and community. Listeners will also learn how Pchum Ben helps connect generations through food, stories, language, and cultural traditions—especially for Cambodian families living in Maine and far from Cambodia. This episode reminds us that culture continues when we remember, honor, connect, and share our traditions with the next generation.

How can immigrant and refugee communities better understand their legal rights and access trusted support? In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, host Srey Art Rathbut is joined by Oriana Farnham, a Staff Attorney with the Immigrant Rights Program at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), along with Khmer Maine Executive Director Marpheen Chann, to discuss immigration, civil rights, and legal challenges facing Asian American and immigrant communities. The conversation explores immigration enforcement, the rights of immigrants and refugees, access to legal services, immigration scams, and the importance of trusted community organizations in sharing accurate legal information. The episode also highlights how community members can stay informed, protect their rights, and support one another. This episode encourages listeners to know their rights, seek trusted legal support, and work together to build stronger, more informed, and empowered communities.

How can cultural organizations preserve heritage while strengthening communities? In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, host SreyArt Rathbut is joined by Sarah Boothby, President of the Filipino American Samahan of Maine, to discuss the organization's mission, history, and impact on Filipino families and the broader Maine community. Sarah shares the story behind the organization's founding and reflects on the values of Bayanihan, respect for elders, and preserving traditions across generations. The conversation also highlights cultural celebrations, community outreach, youth engagement, and partnerships that strengthen connections among Southeast Asian communities throughout Maine. This episode invites listeners to reflect on how cultural organizations preserve heritage, foster civic engagement, and build stronger communities. Through stories of collaboration and cultural pride, the conversation celebrates the role of immigrant-led organizations in creating a more connected, inclusive, and…

How can arts and cultural partnerships help preserve traditions and strengthen communities? In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, host SreyArt Rathbut is joined by Ian Bannon, Executive Director of Mayo Street Arts, and Kathleen Mundell, Director of Cultural Resources, to discuss the collaboration behind the Traditional Arts Network (TAN) and its impact on traditional artists across Maine. Ian and Kathleen share the inspiration behind TAN and reflect on how programs such as the TAN Gathering TAN Fund, and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program create opportunities for artists and culture bearers to preserve their heritage, build relationships, and pass cultural knowledge on to future generations. They also discuss the importance of supporting immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities through the arts. The conversation highlights stories of artist growth, community connection, and cultural preservation while exploring the challenges and successes of building inclusive arts programs. This…

Caring for our elders is one of the most deeply held values in Cambodian culture — and in this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, we explore what that looks like in practice here in Maine. Host SreyArt Rathbut sits down with Bunly Uy, Food & Farm Program Manager at Khmer Maine, and Meredith Anderson, Community Outreach Director at Southern Maine Agency on Aging, to talk about the Elder Health & Wellness Series — a collaborative program bringing monthly health education, hands-on activities, culturally meaningful meals, and genuine community to Cambodian elders across the Portland area. From herbal tea making and yoga to Medicare navigation and fraud prevention, this program meets elders where they are, in their language and on their terms. Bunly and Meredith share what they've learned from three years of working together, the real challenges elders face around transportation, language, and isolation, and the small moments that have made a lasting difference. Whether you're a community member, a…

Food is memory. Food is belonging. And for Maine's Cambodian community, it can also be a pathway to connection across generations, cultures, and seasons. In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, host SreyArt Rathbut sits down with Bunly Uy, Food & Farm Program Manager at Khmer Maine, and Sander Sam, a 4-H volunteer and University of Southern Maine freshman, to explore how growing food, learning together, and getting your hands in the soil can transform a community. Bunly shares the journey that led her from a paddy rice field in Cambodia to the farms and community gardens of Maine, and why she believes access to culturally familiar food is inseparable from community health. Sander reflects on what 4-H taught him about leadership, learning, and his own untapped potential — including a trip to Washington D.C. where he spoke on stage to more than 90 people. Together, they paint a picture of what food systems work looks like when it's rooted in culture, driven by youth, and built for the long haul.…

In this January episode of Keeping Up With Khmer Maine, host Marpheen Chann is joined by Tophe Torne from Presente! Maine to discuss the recent surge in ICE activity across Maine and its impact on immigrant communities. Together, they explore how increased enforcement—and the fear it creates—affects families, workers, students, and elders, even when no direct action is visible. The conversation highlights how community organizations are responding by sharing accurate information, supporting families, and organizing across cultures to push back against fear and isolation. This episode centers immigrant voices, community resilience, and solidarity, while offering listeners practical insight into what’s happening on the ground and how people can help. It’s a timely conversation about safety, dignity, and what it means to move beyond survival toward collective power in Maine.

In this special holiday episode of Keeping Up With Khmer Maine, host Marpheen Chann reflects on how many Cambodian American families have come to celebrate Christmas since resettling in the United States. Blending personal storytelling with cultural reflection, Marpheen shares an extended excerpt from his memoir, Moon in Full, recalling his first American Christmas growing up in Maine and the complicated journey of identity, belonging, and becoming. This episode explores how Cambodian American families honor tradition while embracing something new—gathering around tables filled with lobster, hot pot, and rice; centering elders and family; and finding warmth without forgetting history. It’s a story about perseverance, community, and how America grows not through assimilation, but through countless small acts of expansion. A reflection on joy, struggle, and what it means to make room for one another—especially during the holidays.

In this heartfelt episode of Keeping Up With Khmer Maine, co hosts SreyArt Rathbut and Marpheen Chann sit down with two Khmer mothers, Sokuntheavy Kheam and Suphanny Peun, and their daughters, Angel Chhoeung and Sarita Sam, to reflect on family, culture, and gratitude. Together, they share how they first connected with Khmer Maine, what it means to raise Cambodian American children in Maine, and how traditional Khmer dance helps the next generation stay rooted in their heritage.

In this episode of Keeping Up with Khmer Maine, co-hosts SreyArt Rathbut and Liz Greason sit down with Chim Lev, Civic and Community Engagement Manager, and Madeleine Weatherhead, Grants and Impact Manager, to talk about how the outdoors has become a meaningful space for connection, healing, and belonging within Maine’s Cambodian community.They share the story of the Land & Justice Outdoor Program, which offers free monthly outdoor activities like hiking, ice skating, camping, and mountain biking, while providing gear, instruction, and transportation support. What began as a way to reduce barriers to outdoor access has grown into something much deeper: a space for intergenerational connection, personal growth, cultural exchange, and shared joy.The conversation also explores Khmer Maine’s partnerships with Wabanaki leaders and organizations such as Nibezun, as well as collaborations with Somali Bantu, MANA, and other immigrant and BIPOC communities. These relationships are rooted in learning, reciprocity, and…

Keeping Up With Khmer Maine is a monthly radio and podcast show produced in partnership with WMPG. Hosted by Khmer Maine’s Arts & Culture Coordinator, SreyArt Rathbut, and Board Member and interculturalist, Liz Greason, the show brings Cambodian voices and perspectives to the airwaves while creating space for dialogue with the wider Maine community. Each episode highlights stories, history, and current work of Khmer Maine and its partners. From exploring the roots of Maine’s Cambodian community and the ongoing impact of resettlement, to celebrating Khmer arts, food, and traditions, to tackling civic and social issues that matter to Asian and immigrant communities in Maine, the show is both educational and celebratory. Listeners can expect engaging conversations with community leaders, artists, and advocates, along with practical insights and takeaways for building cross-cultural understanding. Whether you are Cambodian, Asian American, or simply curious about the rich diversity of Maine, Keeping Up With…