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“Don’t underestimate who you can get—leaders in their field want to share their expertise with a dedicated audience.” - Hugh Hiemstra

Talking to Hugh Hiemstra was truly a game-changer for me, both as a podcaster and someone who’s constantly looking for ways to improve the creative process. Hugh brought incredible insights into the power of curiosity and authentic questions in creating meaningful conversations. He emphasized how going into an interview with genuine interest—not just for the audience but for yourself—can lead to impactful episodes.

It’s a reminder that we don’t always have to position ourselves as experts but can instead approach each discussion as an opportunity to learn alongside our listeners.

Hugh also shared practical strategies for preparation, from leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to involving his audience in shaping episode topics.

What struck me most was his advice about aiming high when it comes to guests—don’t underestimate who might be willing to join your show. His experiences with securing top-tier experts reminded me that podcasting is not just about content creation; it’s about connection, learning, and continuously improving to deliver value to your audience.

• Niall Mackay

Key Takeaways:

Strategic Guest Selection: Don’t underestimate your ability to secure top-tier guests—they’re often eager to share their expertise.
Listener Engagement: Conduct surveys to understand what your audience craves and plan episodes accordingly.
Efficient Use of AI: Tools like ChatGPT can streamline research and categorization, saving hours of prep time.
Tailored Introductions: Keep bios concise and relevant to the episode's theme to maintain listener interest.
Plan, but Stay Curious: While planning is essential, leaving room for spontaneous curiosity can lead to more authentic conversations.

Chapters and Timestamps

02:30 - The Origins of The Vet Vault
06:00 - Challenges of Planning in Podcasting
10:00 - Hugh’s Planning Process
20:30 - Leveraging AI for Episode Research
31:00 - Listener Engagement Strategies
35:00 - The Importance of Flexibility During Episodes
38:00 - Tips for Getting High-Profile Guests

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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

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The full list of winners is here.

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“My tongue is on fire right now… Holy sh*t, it’s still burning. Is it going to get worse? It’s getting worse.”

In this special edition of Saigon Sunday Sessions, we turn up the heat—literally! Join me at Brick and Barrel for the ultimate hot sauce and taco-eating competition, where local chili aficionados battle it out for bragging rights and fiery glory.

From tasting sauces like the infamous Vietnam Reaper to cheering on contestants in a high-stakes taco showdown, this episode is packed with flavor, laughter, and a lot of sweating. Special guest Chad Mitchell from Mixtape joins the fun, tackling spicy tacos while answering big questions about life and beer.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to eat fire for fun, this is the episode for you.

– Niall Mackay

5 Key Takeaways (With Timestamps)
1. “The Vietnam Reaper” Takes the Crown – Sauce #5 earns its reputation as the spiciest in Saigon. (00:01:00)
2. Anne Pham’s Taco Triumph – Five fiery tacos in 13 minutes—Anne Pham wins the competition with grit and determination. (00:17:00)
3. Hot Ones Homage – Chad Mitchell faces the heat while discussing his journey from California to Saigon. (00:25:00)
4. Spice Brings People Together – From laughter to out-of-body experiences, the event highlights Saigon’s lively food culture. (00:33:00)
5. Pro Tips for Spice Lovers – Lessons learned: don’t touch your eyes, and keep the lime handy. (00:35:00)

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Brick and Barrel: The Heat Is On
01:00 – The Hot Sauce Gauntlet: From Mild to Mind-Blowing
17:00 – Taco Showdown: Anne Pham vs. Kung
25:00 – Spicy Q&A: Chad Mitchell Talks Beer and Life
33:00 – Reflections on Saigon’s Fiery Spirit

Reflect with Me

As someone who barely survived tasting just one taco, I have nothing but respect for the contestants and the brave souls who sampled all 11 sauces. This event perfectly encapsulates the vibrant, bold energy of Saigon’s food scene.

Wh

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"I never understood I was different until the world told me I was."

This episode Linda's story is an incredible journey through culture, identity, and compassion. It is not just unique—it's deeply inspiring and thought-provoking. Hearing about her experiences navigating dual identities as someone seen as Asian in the West and white in Asia really made me appreciate the complexity of cultural perception. Her passion for preserving her heritage, speaking multiple languages, and embracing both her Swedish and Vietnamese roots was eye-opening.

What struck me the most was her work in animal welfare, which is so close to her heart. Her dedication to making a difference for animals in Vietnam, despite the challenges, shows such a profound level of empathy and determination.

This episode left me reflecting on how our roots shape us, but it's our choices and compassion that truly define who we are.

– Niall Mackay

5 Key Takeaways (With Timestamps)

Navigating Dual Identities - Linda’s experience of being perceived as "Asian" in the West and "white" in Asia highlights the complexities of cultural identity.
The Power of Language - Speaking four languages, Linda attributes her mother’s insistence on preserving heritage as a critical part of her identity.
The Refugee Story That Inspires - Linda’s mother’s 10-year struggle as a refugee showcases unparalleled resilience and the importance of familial sacrifices.
Changing Perspectives on Pets in Vietnam - The cultural shift from seeing animals as property to considering them family members is a sign of evolving attitudes in Vietnam.
Advocating for Animal Welfare - Linda’s rescue efforts underline the importance of education and sustainable alternatives to end harmful practices.

Episode Chapters

02:00 – Growing Up Half-Swedish, Half-Vietnamese in Finland. Navigating identity and cultural duality in childhood.
07:00 – Language as a Lifelong Asset. The role of language in preserving heritage and building opportunities.
13:00 – A Refugee’s Resilience. Linda shares her mother’s inspiring journey as a refugee.
36:00 – Evolving Perspectives on Pets in Vietnam. Insights into Vietnam’s cultural shift toward seeing animals as family.
46:00 – Advocating for Change in Animal Welfare. Linda’s rescue w

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Episode Sponsors:

7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

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"In the past I compared myself a lot with the people around me. And I felt, with all my German friends, like less German, but also having low values."

I sat down with Trang Nguyen, a food scientist and aspiring content creator who recently moved to Vietnam from Germany. Trang shares her complex journey growing up as a Vietnamese-German, grappling with cultural identity, and her evolving relationship with her Vietnamese heritage.

She also shared how her perspective on Vietnam has transformed, moving from a place she resisted to a vibrant home filled with opportunities and a unique lifestyle.

Trang opens up about her experiences with cultural challenges, societal expectations, and her initial reluctance to connect with her Vietnamese roots. Now in Saigon, she’s immersing herself in the lively street food culture and embracing a new career path in content creation.

Together we explore the stark contrasts between the Western and Vietnamese perspectives on privacy, food safety, and personal growth, offering listeners a heartfelt and insightful look into life as a Vietnamese expatriate reconnecting with her origins.

Key Takeaways

• Struggles with Identity – Trang discusses feeling different growing up as a Vietnamese-German, struggling with self-worth and societal beauty standards.
• Embracing Vietnamese Heritage – After years of distancing from her roots, Trang shares how volunteering and exploring Vietnam sparked a new appreciation for her culture.
• The "City That Never Sleeps" – Living in bustling District 1, Trang recounts the non-stop activity and unique rhythm of life in Saigon.
• Food Safety Culture Shock – As a food scientist, Trang shares her thoughts on Vietnam’s street food culture and the resilience that seems to defy Western food safety norms.
• Content Creation and Career Path – Trang discusses her ambitions in content creation, aiming to share her journey without depending on it for financial stability.

Chapters and Timestamps

03:00 - Growing Up Vietnamese in Germany
07:00 - Cultural Challenges and Identity
16:00 - Embracing Vietnamese Heritage
18:00 - Life in Saigon: First Impressions
24:00 - Food Safety in Vietnam
31:00 - Future Plans and Content Creation

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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.

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One of the things I've loved documenting through our Saigon Sunday Sessions is watching this city embrace its river. When we first arrived, so much of the waterfront was just walled off or wasted space.

Now, whether you're in District 1 or here at Binh Canh by Night, you can see how Saigon is transforming these spaces into something special. Sure, there are still challenges with pollution and development isn't perfect, but being able to walk along the river, grab a pizza or a beer, and watch the sunset over the city - it really shows how far Saigon has come.

It's exactly these kinds of changes that make living here so exciting - you're watching a city reinvent itself right in front of you.

• Niall Mackay

Key Takeaways:

• The Riverfront Revival: Saigon’s waterfront transformation from unused land to vibrant social hubs.
• City Life and Traffic: The quirks of crossing streets and navigating Saigon’s bustling urban life.
• Environmental Challenges: Efforts to clean up the river and educate the public on plastic pollution.
• Saigon’s Culture and Community Spirit: The unique charm of street vendors and riverside hangouts.
• Binh Canh by Night: Discovering a local gem with food courts, live music, and river views.

Chapters and Timestamps:

01:00 - Discovering Binh Canh by Night
06:00 - Urban Adventures: Saigon Traffic and River Crossings
08:00 - River Clean-Up Efforts and Environmental Education
15:00 - Local Hotspots and Riverside Eateries

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"In the West, we say hospitality; in Vietnam, it’s still just F&B. Bridging that gap is everything to me." – Jason Pham

This episode with Jason was truly inspiring. Jason’s journey from Australia to Saigon, rooted in his family’s refugee story, brings so much depth to what he does in the hospitality industry here in Vietnam.

He’s not only a skilled mixologist but also an incredible storyteller, blending Vietnamese and Western influences in a way that’s reshaping Saigon’s cocktail scene.

Our conversation really highlights the passion, creativity, and hard work behind his bars, and I think listeners will walk away with a new appreciation for the artistry involved in every drink he serves.

- Niall Mackay

Key Takeaways:

• Jason’s Negroni Secrets: Why he uses Lady Trieu Flower Bomb Gin to elevate his signature cocktail, the Negroni.
• Mastering Hospitality: Jason’s philosophy on remembering guests’ names and creating a welcoming atmosphere in Vietnam’s young cocktail scene.
• Balancing Two Clienteles: How Jason tailors service for both Western expats and affluent Vietnamese in Saigon’s growing bar industry.
• Embracing Cultural Heritage: Jason’s journey as an Australian-Vietnamese and reconnecting with his roots in Vietnam.
• “Viet Kieu” Influence: How a mentor inspired Jason to return to Vietnam to make the most of the emerging market’s unique opportunities.

Chapters:

10:00 - The Secret Ingredients to the Perfect Negroni
22:00 - How Jason Builds Community Through Hospitality
40:00 - Serving Saigon’s Diverse Clientele: Expats and Vietnamese Elites
58:00 - Growing Up Australian-Vietnamese: Jason’s Cultural Journey
01:02:00 - Why Vietnam is a Land of Opportunity for Viet Kieu and Entrepreneurs

"Send me a message!"

Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer in our community on Patreon and become part of something special.

You can choose a Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì, Cơm tấm, Bún Thịt Nướng or the ultimate level, a Bắp Xào Đây.

Episode Sponsors:

7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.

If you would like to work with them too check out their website!

"There is this special energy about Saigon that you gotta love. I'm risking my life on the back of a stranger's bike, but somehow, it just works."

Riding through Saigon on the back of a Grab bike I felt different, raw, and uniquely special in this episode, with a mic in one hand and a camera in the other was equal parts exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

There's a chaotic magic to this city, an energy that's impossible to replicate anywhere else. I wanted to capture that—every honk, every street vendor, every glimpse of life happening all at once. Honestly, I was risking my equipment, maybe even my safety, but it was worth it.

This wasn’t just a ride through Saigon; it was an unfiltered love letter to the city, its quirks, and its people.
- Niall Mackay

Key Takeaways:

- The Magic of Saigon's Chaos : Experience the vibrant energy that sets Saigon apart from any other city in the world.
- Saigon's Streets as a Cultural Melting Pot : Discover why the heart of Saigon's energy lies in its people, traffic, and street life.
- The Iconic Yet Unfinished Skyscraper : Learn the fascinating story behind Saigon's abandoned real estate marvel.
- Contrasting Cultures : A glimpse into the warmth of Saigon versus the undercurrents of violence in other cities.
- Why Expats Love Vietnam : Insights into the economic boom and cultural appeal making Vietnam a hub for expats.

Chapters and Timestamps
01:00 - The Unmatched Energy of Saigon
03:00 - A Tiki Tour Through Saigon’s Streets
08:00 - Stories of the Abandoned Skyscraper
12:00 - Saigon vs. Glasgow: A Cultural Reflection
14:00 - Why Expats Fall in Love with Vietnam

"Send me a message!"

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