S2E40: Your Voice Matters With Khmer American Writer, Krystal Chuon

Krystal M. Chuon is a 2nd generation Khmer-American artist, writer, and indie creator. Her written and artistic work intertwines Khmer history, familial knowledge, and personal experiences.

Krystal M. Chuon is a 2nd generation Khmer-American artist and writer, author of two chapbooks, and is currently exploring acrylic earrings as a new creative medium. She's been drawing and writing since she was a child and translates the pride she's always had for her culture into her creations. Her work is aimed at generating visibility, spreading joy and knowledge, and making others feel proud of their heritage. Her second book, In the Land of Monsoons, is available now.

Follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/themealeacollection/

Follow her on Medium:
https://krystalmchuon.medium.com

Shop her jewelry, clothes, and more:
https://mealeacollection.com

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-mealea-collection-merch/

Contribute to her latest project:
Krystal is creating a self-care/healing journal for the Cambodian community, to be a part of this, access the link below

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vQVsx668WSh2vIEvNo1zztrfD5Hs9VkXQsvfg_G9vXE/edit?pli=1

Buy her books:

Purchase In the Land of Monsoons on Amazon: https://amazon.com/Land-Monsoons-Krystal-M-Chuon/dp/B09MYXTFWZ

Purchase Follow the Mekong Home on Amazon:https://amazon.com/follow-mekong-home-Krystal-Chuon/dp/1726313794

Purchase Voices of a New Generation: Cambodian American in the Creative Arts: https://khmergenerations.org/product-page/voices-of-a-new-generation-cambodian-americans-in-the-creative-arts

Support Sincerely Miss Mary latest initiative to bring her trauma-informed writing modalities to schools:

Contribute to her Crowdfunding campaign:
https://ifundwomen.com/projects/sincerely-miss-mary

Select from various campaign rewards from a digital poetry book to Write & Release Workbook, 60-min creative coaching, virtual writing power hour, and more:
https://ifundwomen.com/projects/31082/support/124250#edit-reward-124250

Maryann Samreth 0:00

Welcome to mental breakthrough, a mental health podcast about owning our most vulnerable stories. As a reminder, we are all human. I'm MaryAnn Samreth, trauma writing coach, founder of sincerely Miss Mary and your host. In this season I bring in healers, coaches, therapists and writers in the mental health and thought leadership space to share their stories of overcoming their shadows, to get to a place where the light shines again. These are trauma survivors, mental health advocates, spiritual guides, coaches, and first and foremost, human beings, reminding us to be softer and kinder to ourselves, so we can then meet others with the same compassion. The power and sharing our truths with the world gives permission for others to feel safe experiencing theirs. As a disclaimer, this podcast is not a replacement for trauma informed therapy. But as always, you can find mental health resources on my website at www that sincerely, Miss marry.com Hi everyone, today's episode we have crystal M tune she is a second generation chi American artist, writer and indie creator. In this episode Krystal shares her artistic journey with us and how writing allowed her to express herself and create a strong relationship with her Cambodian culture. Creativity is incredibly healing in ingrained within our ancestral roots. I believe every one of us has access to this. And what I loved about this episode is Crystal's knowledge of Cambodian history. She talked about how Cambodia was originally led by the matriarchy, and that's something that was new information to me. And I thought that was really, really cool, because there's a not a lot of research out there about countries that were led by a matriarch. I think that that's so cool. And I hope we get back their fingers crossed. But yeah, I love this up. We talk about my culture about growing up, but as Cambodian American, how sometimes we felt out of place and how creativity allows us to take up space and find our authentic voice and become fearless to share it with the world. Crystal is an amazing poet, and writer and jewelry designer. She does so many things, so many creative things. And I think you guys will really enjoy this episode. Before we begin this episode, I want to share that my crowdfunding campaign is officially live. I am raising funds for your wellness writing program I am developing for students and teachers in the education space. I have been interviewing teachers for the past couple months I've been in this entrepreneur cohort to help me with this campaign for the past 10 weeks, I've been working so hard, and now it's finally live. And I'm so excited to share my vision with all of you. And have you guys be a part of this. There are amazing rewards for contributors, including a digital poetry book of all my original sincerely Miss Mary poems from the era I was anonymous. There are over 100 poems in there. There's a right and release workbook of my writing framework turned into a 12 week DIY writing course that's coming out next spring. This is a physical book. So contributing to this is going to help with those publishing cost. There's also a 60 minute creative coaching session with me I have 11 years of fashion design experience. I'm a podcaster I'm a tick tock influencer, I screen right I'm now doing stand up comedy, I have a lot of creative knowledge and can offer you guidance if you're looking for someone to inspire you and coach you and to tell you to go after your damn dreams. And I also have a virtual writing Power Hour with a q&a on November 3, there are only 25 spots. So if you want to come to that writing Power Hour, you'll be writing for an hour. And also there'll be 30 minutes of q&a to ask me questions about your work in progress writing project. I love doing those. I do these with my clients. And now this is the one writing power hour I'm offering to the public. So definitely come to that. And yeah, those are my rewards. My mission is to bring my writing modalities that has changed so many of my clients lives into the school systems to help those in need of trauma informed, creative support. And I am so excited to make my dream come alive and create more social impact in the world. This is only the beginning. Check out the link in my bio page to contribute and there also will be a link in the show notes. Thank you all for being here and I hope you Enjoy this awesome episode everyone, welcome to Mental breakthrough podcast. So today's guests I have crystal toon, she's an artist or writer and she's currently finding joy in making acrylic earrings as a new creative medium. She also has published poetry books, and she writes about my culture on her medium platform. Hi, Crystal, how are you doing?

Unknown 5:46

I'm very I'm doing good. I'm a little cold. We had a big storm. You know, last night? I'm here in Stockton, California.

Maryann Samreth 5:54

Is that North? That's Northern California.

Krystal Chuon 5:57

Yeah, northern almost hitting central California.

Maryann Samreth 6:00

Oh, yeah. I never like realize how cold California gets. I always think it's warm. But Well, I'm excited to have you on my podcast. And I love I love your work. I love your creativity. And, you know, I resonate with, with a lot of, you know, all of like, you mix history and my history with your work and what you're, you know, creativity. So I love that, you know, you're able to spread awareness about my culture to my Americans and in the diaspora. So I love the work that you do. And I, I'm interested in hearing your story of how you got into this work and how you became the person you are today.

Krystal Chuon 6:41

Yeah, so actually want to go back in time a little bit, to 2019. Because I feel like that was the year that really transformed me to the person I am today. So in 2019, it was like, early morning, I would say maybe late January or early February, I was getting ready for a job interview all the way in Berkeley. So you know, I was I was planning my transportation, like, hop on the train get to, you know, the BART subway. And I remember my parents and my sister like, they're all waking up to do breakfast, you know, get ready for work and school. And I hear my mom, she was yelling. And we all like jumped out of our rooms and like, you know, scrambled to the kitchen. Like what happened? And then we see our dad on the floor. And it turns out that he was experiencing a stroke. Oh, yeah. So this was his second stroke. And, you know, we're like, totally in shock. And my sister like, you know, call 911. And I was like shaking, calling 911. And, you know, explain to them what's happening to my father. And, you know, since my sister and nephew and all that, that work in school, I was only one available to go with him on the ambulance to the hospital. And I was just like, in tears crying and shaking. And it was just so horrible. And I was so scared. Yeah, and then having to like text my family afterward. Like it was a really wild morning. And a few days after he was released and came to stay with us for a little bit. That was when I was still living in Santa. So I start experiencing panic attacks and heighten anxiety attacks. And, you know, my pack, the first panic attack was really scary. I literally thought I was going to die. Like my heart was beating so fast. And it was like, almost midnight, I woke up my sister, she was like what's going on. And then she tried to get me to the emergency room. And I was like, oh my god, I'm not gonna make it. And then we call nine one and the ambulance had intercepted us on like the road, and I was putting the ambulance and send to the emergency room. And they're like, Oh, you experienced a panic attack. You know, and they didn't give me like any medication or get time. They're like, you know, just go home and, you know, rest and try to do like, you know, breathing exercises, but it was really hard. And I did get in touch with my doctor at time. And she was like, you know, seeing your father having a stroke and all this is like was very traumatic for you and, you know, heavy on you like mentally, and it didn't really register to me at that time. And, you know, post stroke, my dad had to go through therapy and I became his caregiver in the process. And it was a lot of work throughout 2019 And by the end of the year, I started to feel like much better. You know, I felt like I was able to have the panic attacks and anxiety under control. But then leading into 2020 You know, the pandemic happened. It was like going back to square one. Right, right. Yeah. So with the pandemic, you know, having to stay home and then also worrying like, oh my god, what if I catch it going outside? I was very restrictive. And I felt like my healing journey during training team, you know, went back a couple steps in 2020. Yeah, yeah. So, um, you know, to try to get my mind off of the pandemic, and all the grief that was happening, you know, seeing the news all the time, like, I had to just shut that off and focus something else. So I turned to Art and Writing at the time before 2020, I wasn't really consistent with writing and making art. So to return to that in 2020, I felt like it was really helpful and, and getting like, you know, a mind off of everything happening around in the world. Yeah, so in, I would say, mid 2020 was when I started to consistently like, draw more. And then a lot of people were like, oh, you know, you should have art prints, you know, sell art prints, and, you know, sell your work in some type of like, form, or way. And then I was like, you know, I always want to do art prints. So maybe this thing I can, like, you know, try to do. So I ended up, you know, scanning my artwork, and then turning into art prints. And that's when I kind of got the ball rolling in mid 2020. And the idea for my earrings came about, I will say December 2020. I was seeing like a lot of earring on Instagram, like me from clay and acrylic. And I was like, Oh, that'd be pretty cool if I turn like you know, my art into something that's like tangible and wearable like it never occurred to me until like seeing all these people you know, creations online. So it inspired me to try it out myself. And honestly, like, I can't believe I spent a whole year you know, making earrings, which is I love

Maryann Samreth 11:46

that. Yeah, it was your creative flow that was you know, yeah, healing journey to is being able to express yourself. And yeah, definitely tangible objects, too.

Krystal Chuon 11:55

Yeah, it been such a wild year, like, I didn't know what to expect from making earrings, whether or not people will like it, and whether I would want to continue with past, you know, the first few releases. And then it went on to like collaborations with other people. And I was like, wow, like this has become bigger than what I expected. And all of a sudden, like, everyone knows who I am. Yeah, I've gained like a bunch of followers. I'm like, how did this happen?

Maryann Samreth 12:27

Well, I couldn't believe it. Because when you channel your creativity, the creativity is like the purest form of who you are. That's like your embodied self. So channeling that into art into earrings, because that's what was calling to you. Like that energy you put into it that is contagious. So when you put it out into the world, like that energy you put into it is felt by everyone that is wearing your earrings. I got your earrings. I love that. Yeah. Oh, cool. And I love that. And it sounds like did you say that? Like you had to write in the ambulance by yourself? What your dad on the way to the hospital?

Krystal Chuon 13:03

Yeah, that night. It was just me and him. No. Yeah,

Maryann Samreth 13:08

that's, that's heavy for you have to in New York? I think you mentioned you're the oldest. I'm the youngest. Or you know, you're the youngest of a Oh, wow. Yeah. Yeah.

Krystal Chuon 13:20

You know, being the youngest, like, I've been in positions where my voice, you know, wasn't often heard. It was like, Oh, you're too young, you, you know, wouldn't have known to do this? Or, you know, like, why would it take advice from you, you know, those type of things growing up. And so in 2019, to be put in a position where I had to be the one, you know, caring for my dad, and also, you know, getting his medical insurance and things like that, altogether. It was kind of like the opposite. You know, my role suddenly became like, the most important one.

Maryann Samreth 13:55

Yeah, you're the leader of the family. I was gonna say, like, 14 for you to be the youngest, and then to take on that role. That's a huge shift for yourself. And it really was, yeah, within your family. What was that experience? Like of having that shift? How did that affect your family to be the one that where your voice wasn't heard? And now your voice is needed?

Krystal Chuon 14:17

Yeah. So you know, it was a big shift for me, I was in the middle of finding a job and going into an interview and all sudden is like, my dad's in hospital, and we have to figure out who's going to take care of him while he's staying with me in the city. And, you know, having to all of a sudden, you know, learn his medications, and getting situated with like, doctor appointments and follow up appointments. It was a lot. Yeah, and all my siblings were working at the time. So I was I was only one who wasn't working. So it made more sense for me to take on that role. But of course, now, the work is spread among my siblings, you know, whoever can help can help. Um, you know, my dad would go to them for like, the week or weekend. So, and that was something that the doctor had told me to, because throughout 2018, I did go back to the emergency, because I thought like, my heart was clogged or like, oh, in my head, you know, when you have a panic attack, it doesn't just go away, like, those lingering feelings are in you, like, all the time, it will just pop up randomly. Yeah, so no one it's gonna come up. Yeah. So I remember one morning, I was like, You know what, I'm just gonna go to the emergency, get a cell, you know, get myself checked out. And they're like, the doctor was saying, like, you know, you're fine. Everything checks out. And as you see my records, like, you know, I know your dad had like a stroke, and you're now caring for him. So, you know, you have to take care of yourself as well. And if need be like, you have to reach out to family or whoever to also help out because being the only caregiver is not manageable. Yeah. And there is such a thing as caregiver burnout as well. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So I'm like, you know, if I can't take care of myself, how can I take care of my, my dad? Right, right. Yeah. So, you know, me, my siblings talked about it, like, you know, for maybe like, two, three weeks, he can be with you. And then for other weeks, he can be with another sibling. So we've been kind of running on that schedule. And it's been working, because, you know, to have him stay with just one sibling the entire time. It's very baton on you. Yeah, a lot of a lot of stress. And we don't want to stress, you know, everybody in the family. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. And I, through that whole ordeal, you know, it really made me grow as a person to be like, on top of things and like, making the decisions where before, like, I wasn't really though, making decisions, and now I was like, No, you know, my dad can't, you know, take that medication, or you have to do this. So, and, you know, my siblings. So it's the total opposite now. And it was the role that I really had to grow in. And I feel like I finally found like, my footing in terms of that, yeah,

Maryann Samreth 17:06

yeah, I feel like when we face adversity, like that, it pushes us to transform and grow within ourselves and to to be a leader within our, our own lives. So yeah, it's transformative to, to hear your journey through that. And, you know, like, PTSD is for sure real, like, it sounds like those panic attacks are probably symptoms of, you know, being able from like witnessing, like your dad and the ambulance. And you are going through all of these, we're coming back to like, during the pandemic, like I think a lot of us experience symptoms of you know, mental health stressors, especially when we're in stillness. And I know that you said that that's when you like your your art and your writing and your hearing making blossom from the pandemic, how has great to have the kind of helped you alleviate some of like, your mental health stressors and some of those, you know, panic attacks. Yeah. So

Krystal Chuon 18:02

by mid 2020, my dad's tuition, we've kind of been we're in a routine. So by then, like, I knew what to do wasn't as stressful. And I finally found some time for myself to like, want to do something, you know, like, what can I do in my spare time when I'm not watching my dad or taking care of him? And I was like, you know, what I want to draw again, and, you know, all these people encouraging me to, you know, print on my art and start selling them. It really motivated, motivated me. So I'm like, you know, I can probably do this and see where it goes. So I started with art prints. And then by December, I was like, maybe I could try out earrings. So I started drawing up designs. I had the David I was the first one other one was Klein, my letters, and the other one was, I can't remember. There's nothing like totally blanking out.

Maryann Samreth 18:57

It's okay. I love you. I love the mic. My my font shirt. I have that shirt. I love it. It's it like one of my favorites. Have you always had a strong connection with our Cambodian identity? Or is it something you had to work towards?

Krystal Chuon 19:13

Um, yeah, when I was younger, you know, by the time that I was born, my parents were more open. So when I grew up, I grew up hearing their stories. And you know, me being the curious type, I always want to learn more and I will go out and find books and like reefs up online and you know, when I was on like Tumblr and other websites, in my youth, I always want to share like my culture like it was always with me since I was little. So now it's like an adult I get to bring that into my work. So it's kind of like coming full circle for me, you know, started in my youth, you know, growing up with, you know, my parents story, then my history, and now being able to translate Add that into my art and my earrings. So like, it's, it's been quite the adventure, you know, seeing my ideas and things that I've enjoyed doing in a new way that, you know, hasn't been done before.

Maryann Samreth 20:14

Yeah, it's a modern way and it's through the lens of you two.

Krystal Chuon 20:19

Yeah. So it's really like the embodiment of everything that, you know, I learned and also like experiences of growing up my and trying to figure out who am I as a, you know, second generation combined American woman,

Maryann Samreth 20:33

what is like one of your favorite stories you kind of, you know, grew up learning, or maybe some story that you discovered when you're reading my books and learning about the history do you have like a favorite story?

Krystal Chuon 20:46

Um, I think learning about the Queen's the wives of King Jayavarman. Seven really? Like, shocked me, because I'm like, I did not know about these queens growing up. Like, how come? We don't know about them? Yeah.

Maryann Samreth 20:59

Wait, can you talk about it? I don't know.

Krystal Chuon 21:03

Yeah, so I made a post about them recently. But I had known about these queens. I believe in college, I did some research and I came upon them. I'm like, Whoa, this is a whole new information. Because, you know, the combat community walking think like Jayavarman the seven he is the king that built this and did this but little did we know that his wives who are sisters played a part in his building of the Incore empire. So it's like, you know, it wasn't a one man job.

Maryann Samreth 21:33

It probably was

Krystal Chuon 21:34

the woman's job, right? Yeah. So you have queen, Jaya Raja Devi. I hope I'm saying her name right. And her eldest sister with Queen Indra Devi. So they all played, you know, different roles in his when he was a prominent figure in history. So when Jaya Raja de vie was his wife, he wasn't King yet. But when he was away, like on his war campaign, she was in Cambodia, you know, taking in orphan girls and teaching them Mahayana Buddhism. So at the time, it was, she was, um, Haryana Buddhists. Because now we know that we're Theravada Buddhists. Yes, at the time, she had converted to my other Buddhists through her sister, Indra, Devi. And she did a lot of like charity work while he's away. And then when he came back she was so you know, filled with like, strong like joy and these feelings that they donated all their like, well, and items with the gods and to the poor. You know, from what I read those what they said. But fortunately, she passed away. I don't know when or what age. So a few years down the road, I believe, King Jayavarman married his, her elder sister, Indra Devi, who was like, just as educated, you know, they're both scholars in their own right. So does reading about them made me feel so like, empowered? Like, and like, all the same time? Why was this history like?

Maryann Samreth 23:09

No, that's fascinating that matriarch

Krystal Chuon 23:12

right, like, imagine hearing about them, when you were younger? Instead of like, all these kings, like you also learn about the queen. Like, I feel like that would have, you know, changed the way we view you know, the Chi empire. No, yeah.

Maryann Samreth 23:30

Yeah, no, I think it's very fascinating to learn about the history because I do remember like, my mom kind of talking about the Queen's and how like, Cambodia was, I think it was originally a mod matriarch. Right. Yeah, it was originally a matriarch, which is really fascinating, because our history is so deep and rich. And somehow, the patriarchy took over. Like, right, yeah, like we're not learning about the matriarch. But what's like, what's one thing that that you kind of wish, you know, more people would learn specifically, specifically about the matriarch that isn't out there besides like these stories and know

Krystal Chuon 24:09

that our origin story as my people, we come from the Naga race, you know, Come I say like, we are born for the Naga because the first ruler of the Chi kingdom, as we know, is knit or they say like so my or her Chinese name is Louie.

Maryann Samreth 24:28

I'm learning all this for the first time by the way. Yeah, so

Krystal Chuon 24:31

yeah, so according to the history, they say that she was a Naga cleaner Naga, you know, the water serpent in our history. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So you know, like, not only we come from a divine Naga like lineage, we also have have our beginning from a woman. So I think tracing back to the origins can really help us shape the way like we see our History in our identity. And, you know, there's a lot that we can learn from, you know, the matriarch way before Cambodia became, you know, the patriarchy that is now. Yeah.

Maryann Samreth 25:12

Can you talk about the significance of the serpent?

Krystal Chuon 25:15

I don't know too much about the Naga, I do know that they are benevolent. They're not evil in any sense, as far as I'm aware,

Maryann Samreth 25:23

yeah, no, I love that. I mean, I recently found out by a friend that like, about how, you know, everywhere, and like some of the sculptures and some of the paintings, there are snakes. And that's symbolic towards the, our origin story. So I yeah, I just think that's so fascinating. And it's cool to I mean, I get a lot of history and persuasion from you from your content. So I'm just grateful that you know, you're sharing all this wealth of knowledge that you have about about our history, too, now for all of us to embrace so we can really, truly just reclaim our identity, because a lot of it has been kind of erased just a lot of Cambodian Americans feeling shame from our identity. And I feel like there's a movement now where a lot of us are learning again, were reconnecting with our Cambodian ancestry. And it's, it's great that you're doing this work to create awareness about this true creativity. And that's just, you know, you'll be able to express yourself in this way. It's, it's like a ripple effect. It's your way of spreading awareness and education to our community. And I think that's, that is so needed in our community. Yeah, definitely.

Krystal Chuon 26:36

And it was in college. So I'm a transfer student, I transferred to San Diego State University, and majored in women and gender studies. So for me, it was really important to find as many chi women's stories as possible, because it's so hard to find stories about, like my history figures that there were a woman and just like story about a woman in general. So a lot of that research in college is translated to the work I do now. Because I feel like that disability was really lacking, especially in like, my history. You know, we know a lot of male prominent figures in cryosurgery, but not so much. prominent women, my figures in history.

Maryann Samreth 27:20

Yeah, definitely. And what is some of the things that you are, you know, like, you have a few poetry books that are out what are some of the things or some of the topics that you cover in your, your poetry books? Is there a lot of inspiration from, you know, your education of women's studies in college and things that you've you've learned in your childhood reading about Cambodian history that's been incorporated into your your poetry? Yeah. So

Krystal Chuon 27:44

for my first book that I published in 2018, it actually started as a goal. My goal was to publish a book before the end of the year. So now you have to write. Yeah, so my first book is called Follow the Mekong home. And the Mekong River is, you know, the river that runs through Southeast Asia. And it was during a time when I was learning more about my ca my groundside from my, which is from my mom's side, so my crown refers to the indigenous peoples of crown, which is now modern day southern Vietnam. Yeah, so my mom she was actually born there, but then was raised and grew up in Long province in Cambodia. So yeah, growing up my grandma, like she would dress differently from other combined grandmas, he would wear more like loose clothing and she was able to speak Vietnamese as well. And growing up I always thought it was kind of strange, like how come she could speak Vietnamese but we're not. Yeah, so it wasn't till later on. I started asking more questions and learn more about this side. So follow me come home, my first book explores, like, that journey that I had discovering that part of my identity and it's my way of honoring that identity because I'm very we're disconnected from this other family because we know we have relatives and come to prom. But my mom, you know, have a limb but among most her life, she was disconnected from that side of the family. So we have no idea who our relatives are. Think up the ground. So Brian's book is my way to honor them side of my identity. Yeah. And also just trying to understand like the history and what they've been through, you know, being under basically marked a colonial rule. And my second book that took about two years to write is very often on I was like, I don't know when I want to publish it. I don't know what pieces to put in there. And really, the gist of it is, is like an ode to my to like who I am and also to like my ancestors and my family. There's no one theme is just different types of prose and poetry that you know about myself about Uh, you know, growing up my and honoring those who have passed in my family such as my grandmother and also, my uncle that passed before I was born. Yeah, he was actually killed by the Khmer Rouge, because at the time he was a soldier in the army. Oh, yeah. So, you know, these are just stories that I just want to gather and, you know, share in my books, because as I'm getting older, I'm more focused on creating a legacy, you know, for myself and for my family. I think that's really important. So legacy building has really been my focal point for this, this year. And I just didn't think a lot like, you know, once you know, I pass and, you know, what do I want to leave behind for my future descendants? You know, yeah. So, yeah, so it's been really important for me to have like these tangible and, you know, written works out there. So, you know, wherever data generation they've like, you know, this ancestor,

Maryann Samreth 31:05

yeah, she published it. And she made right. ASIC bomb earrings. Yeah, I love that. Yeah.

Krystal Chuon 31:13

So like the building? You know, that's been something I've been thinking about a lot recently.

Maryann Samreth 31:20

Yeah, yeah, I think that's important, because I feel like a lot of us find it difficult to express ourselves. And we don't realize that when we do that, when we take it, that risk to do it, we are continuing our legacy. And we leave something for our line edge after us. And also we honor the line edge before us too. And I think that you also being able to, you know, carry on that creative, like energy that you have, you honor your ancestors and you know, you talk about like your uncle getting murdered by the Khmer Rouge like you honor him in that process of writing and creativity and storytelling. I think storytelling is very, very powerful. And just it's ingrained in us in our culture in our writing. Did you, like, trace back to like, any creative roots within your line edge? Like, did you like notice that anyone? Like any past ancestors were writers or storytellers,

Krystal Chuon 32:22

as far as I know, I don't know of any one who was a writer or storyteller. I know my grandma, she loved watching what's called the canvas. It's sort of my opera. They were like, you know, these costume was very dramatic. And you're using Yeah, so my, my grandma, she loved like to watch that. But in general, my parents and my grandma, and older siblings, they would always share their stories with us. So in a way, you know, they too, became sort of like an oral storyteller, sharing their experiences, you know, not just about like their, like, during the genocide in the war. But also before that, like my mom told us, she would always like go to movie theaters to capture movies. Yeah. Yeah, my dad like he loves like, they both love the music at the time, which was very in you had like buying it on. And, you know, since then, what these artists who were coming out with all the hit song, like one after another, like my dad, he loved to dance when he was interviewed. We still does. Yeah, yeah. So not just like war story growing up, but I love hearing their stories beforehand, before all that happened, where they're just young and thriving and doing things that they enjoy.

Maryann Samreth 33:40

Yeah, for sure. Yeah. It's, it's definitely like it when you hear your parents and the ways that brought them joy. It almost like humanizes them in a way that gives us you know, permission to be more compassionate towards

Krystal Chuon 33:56

Yeah, definitely. And, you know, that's one realization that I had in college, just like, our stories aren't just about the war and the genocide. You know, we grew up a lot on these memoirs. But where are the stories from, you know, the 1.5, and my generation, the second generation, who we to have our own experience, that's not the same as our parents or older, you know, first generation siblings, it dawned on me and called, like, you know, our stories matter as well. And I'm actually featured in the book voices of a new generation, Cambodian Americans in the creative arts, written by Christine Sue. She had approached me and I was like, Ah, I don't know my story. You know, it's good enough for this book. Like I felt like my story wasn't as like hard hitting as these, you know, other people who've been through new crazier stuff than you know, I've been in and, you know, she reminded me like, you know, everyone experience matters. You know, there's not just one seat bingo, my story. So, you know, I had to really think about that. And, you know, remember, like, you know, my story is just as important as everyone else in the book. Yeah, yeah,

Maryann Samreth 35:11

it is it, our individual experiences matter. And there is no comparison. We can't compare ourselves with one another, like, our individual experiences matter for us. And when we meet someone else that also is owning their individual experiences, that's when we can act right? When we have our we're able to be our ourselves and and feel like we can own ourselves, we can then connect with other people that are also on that same path. Can you talk about the story that you shared? And in her book?

Krystal Chuon 35:41

Yeah, so she has sent out well, there are different ways you she did option like an interview with her, or she can send you set of questions or just in recording, I decided to answer the set of questions that she had provided. So my story it touches upon, like a little bit of my, my youth how I was like, the only my kid when we moved out to the suburbs. So that was, you know, quite the experience. And I go into a story about my relationship with speeding, comm my. So you know, Mike, my is very, very basic. And I didn't realize what a struggle it was until I went to Cambodia for the first time. And there was so much of a anxiety surrounding, you know, speaking mind, they're like, oh, you know, you speak my year discount or getting for free. To the

Maryann Samreth 36:35

museum to the temple. So funny. That's so true.

Krystal Chuon 36:38

Yeah, it's like, it really, like gave me anxiety and like, and they

Maryann Samreth 36:42

also shame you. Yeah, like that. Wow. I got shamed so much. I started shamed out there. It was, like 25 By the time I lost a mound of Cambodian people that made fun of me.

Krystal Chuon 36:53

Right. And, you know, that's a poorly, you know, I'm not quite enough. My parents are clearly speaking quite in front of you. So why do I have to prove my combine is, you know,

Maryann Samreth 37:05

yeah, yeah, it got to a point where, like,

Krystal Chuon 37:07

I was mad at them, like, stop watching me that but it also made me realize, like, Why do I feel so much anxiety, you know, surrounding speaking, my later on, as I got older, it didn't really have so much of like that I didn't feel it as much shame as before, in not speaking fluently. And I recounted a story on a later trip, we went to go wat, and for some reason, the guard went up to me instead of my

Maryann Samreth 37:39

other siblings. They knew, right? Like, to me,

Krystal Chuon 37:44

like, oh, you know, do you have an entry ticket? I like oh, you know, who can go and my is like, oh, you know, I'm sorry. I thought you were you know, a foreigner or something. Yeah, so it may stir when one was overheard. So like yeah, you know, we're all mine who's like Oh, um, you know, I apologize. I didn't know and then he led us through and I felt like that was such a big you know, monumental moment for me and like I did it you know, I got in

Maryann Samreth 38:13

by the way for the listeners if you are if you're in Cambodia and you visit Cambodia and you speak my you get a free entrance into the all of the the top balls for tourists, they have to pay a fee so like this is a very pivotal moment for Crystal.

Krystal Chuon 38:28

Yeah, like I'm like, Oh my gosh, like I actually got through my entire family. I didn't have to show my passport or anything. And yeah, it made me realize like wow, like I have to work on the relationship I have with speaking my language. Yeah, but now you know, as an adult, I feel more comfortable and even if I don't know the words or sambal I still try to speak it as best I can. Like Mark the sellers and stuff they're like I don't really know she's saying but if she wants to purchase for me like okay,

Maryann Samreth 39:04

I feel like the salespeople at the markets they kind of love if you're struggling and in Cambodian because they know that they can like make you pay more. If you can't like bargain and Cambodian.

Krystal Chuon 39:16

Yeah, but yeah, you know, I talk about that in the book like my growth from this anxiety filled kid to now where I'm like, I'm just gonna speak my the way I know it and we you guys understand if you don't, you know at least I'm trying you know that yeah, that's what it comes down to is trying your best and you're not feeling that that shame and anxiety you know, going back

Maryann Samreth 39:42

Yeah. Oh, for sure. And it's accepting that this is where you are with the language and it's okay that you can always improve because if you shame yourself and you never speak at all, then that you know, like you'll you'll never get better. So, it's okay to meet ourselves where we are in relation to You know, that Cambodian language and where we are with it, you know, got reconnecting with our identity, because we can always get closer to learning more about our heritage and getting better at the language.

Krystal Chuon 40:12

Yeah, definitely. And, and it's funny because for me, like, I can't remember any time where I felt shame being my, yeah. So growing up I was, I was I was pretty proud to be quiet it. It was different for other people too, because I'm, you know, the only my kid going, you know, being in the school. You know, I was only to my kid for a while and coming upon another. My student was like, finding a needle in the haystack, you know?

Maryann Samreth 40:37

Yeah. Wait, where did you grow up? You said San Francisco. Yeah. So

Krystal Chuon 40:41

I live in San Francisco for a couple years. And I moved to out to the suburbs. Okay. So in the suburb, there weren't any Cambodian families yet, or my families and well, I went to the only other Asians were Filipinos, but despite being you know, Southern Asian, we were so disconnected. They're like, what's Cambodia? Yeah. What are you? Are you were like a rare. Yeah, you know, for me, I always felt like the oddball in the family. So to be on crime student as well, like, I'm more of the odd one out, been away, like, I kind of felt proud and being different, you know, being like, different personality, but also different, you know, ethnic identity as well. Like, I kind of took pride in that, like, Yeah, I'm my, you know, you guys never heard of is

Maryann Samreth 41:32

actually telling you about. Sit down, let me tell you a story. Right.

Krystal Chuon 41:37

So in a way, actually motivated me to share our stories from a young age, like I remember, in fifth grade, talking to my teacher about the killing fields movie, like I don't know, any greater,

Maryann Samreth 41:48

I did not do that. I love.

Krystal Chuon 41:53

So, I was really inspired to through my siblings, and my sisters were all about culture. And through them, I was able to volunteer at different events in the Bay Area, one of my sister, she was a dancer. So we go to, you know, the death of horses help her prep, and her other dance members. So I was involved in that space for quite a while up until now. So I was really immersed at a young age, you know, from hearing stories to actually be involved in the community and other Kumite and they actually really needed that because being a suburb, you know, you're kind of isolated, there's not many smart people. So it was my way of finding my way back into the community and also formulating, you know, my own my identity. And, you know, why does this matter to me, and it's like, when I think about it being my as all I know, and I feel like because I didn't experience like the shame that other people have growing up, in a way like I'm translating that pride through my work is like, I want everyone to feel the pride that I had growing up, when you wear my earrings, or when you have a piece of my work with you.

Maryann Samreth 43:03

Yeah, I love that. That's, that's such a beautiful, you know, message that you put into your, your, your art and your writing and in your jewelry, because I had a lot of shame growing up, like I wrote a book called, I want to be a white girl, because like, when when you're me, for me, I all I was surrounded by white people. So like, there wasn't many Asian people I was put in ESL and kindergarten when I spoke fluent English. And so there was a lot of shame. For me growing up, so I love to hear that you carried so much pride with you from from at from a young age from like, there was no shame from your identity. And it really speaks through through all of the work that you do. What was you know, a challenging part of the pandemic for you, when you were seeing all these Asian hate crimes

Krystal Chuon 43:51

when it started to happen, like more and more and seeing more and more news about it, it really got to me, I'm like, you know, this is a really big issue. And it's not being addressed quick enough. And I really thought back to like my parents and my grandma, like, how they, you know, before the pandemic used to walk outside all the time, and just think about like, oh my god, I would have any of those moments, they were attacked by somebody. Like, I can't imagine that, you know, the pain and the fear and just hear about the is a hate crime that really like magnified, like, the stories that you know, Asians have always been experiencing, you know, in terms of my community when we came to America in the 80s it was a very turbulent time. All of a sudden, you're thrust into a low income neighborhoods and you're having to fight for resources. And you know, what happens when you fight for resources is people start seeing you as, you know, the enemy the bad person's like you're you're taking our home away from us. You're taking away your money that can, you know, go to us, you know, having to share resources under capitalism is not you know, it's a struggle that yeah, it's yes, it's

Maryann Samreth 45:06

not sustainable when they're enforcing they created a system of scarcity. Yeah. And

Krystal Chuon 45:12

it was happening, you know, West Coast to down to Southern California and the East Coast, everyone has similar stories of, you know, getting beat up getting robbed, some even, you know, passed away because they were beaten up so bad by, you know, these racist people who just did not like Cambodians and South Asians being in their neighborhoods. So for us, like the agent hate crime was, has always been there. It's just that our stories we're never allowed to be in, you know, that space where we, you know, share it, it's, we all keep it within us, like, you know, yeah, like monsters and stuff. You know, they all have their stories of being beaten up after school for like, no reason. You're just walking home and all sudden, like 510 people, you know, are storming on you out of nowhere. And, you know, that eventually led to the rise of gangs having to fend for yourself, because no one else is fending for you. Yeah, so when the easy crimes started to be more in the news, and more people start finally talking about is like, and not new to us. That's the time is like, we feel for everyone as being hurt and attack right now. Especially, you know, it was a lot of elderly as well. And in our culture, like we respect our elderly, you know, to see them getting beaten, hurt and killed was very hard for us. Yeah,

Maryann Samreth 46:39

that was wild that they were, you know, attacking elders, because they know they can't defend themselves.

Krystal Chuon 46:46

Right. And at the time, before the pandemic, I was delivering Tesco because, you know, school and work and AZ crime was happening, you know, pretty often you'd hear like, you know, an elderly grandmother was attacked, or someone else was attacked. So it was already always, you know, happening in terms of like San Cisco, when it started getting magnified in the national news and things like that. It's when people finally started being able to share their own stories and raise awareness. And, you know, it was really nice to see that because it was kind of like, it's about time, you know, because we often keep these stories to ourselves for so long. And we don't realize like holding it is a weight to our, you know, mental health.

Maryann Samreth 47:32

Yeah. And it creates like, I mean, it's also like cultural to Yeah, like, me, maybe definitely Cambodia, I can't speak for all Asian culture, but sweeping things under the rug and not speaking up. It's definitely a cultural thing, or maybe a symptom of the genocide. I don't know. But it's important to, to raise our voice, how have you been empowered to raise your voice since you know, the rise of Asian hate crimes?

Krystal Chuon 47:57

I remember the time I did share, like, what I just told you like about the gangs and all that and, and because No, at the time, like, I never really saw anyone talk about it. And my sister, she was like, you know, I went through that when I was younger and stuff, but she never had a platform to really share those stories. So finally, it was, it got to a time where we were able to have social media as a platform to share those stories, you know, we were comfortable to and at the time, I remember I made aware of that. Those stories in our community and also sharing like, how my parents are also elderly and I would feel so terrible. And you know, if they had gone through similar, you know, type those have a hate crimes. Yeah, it was really scary. It is really hard to process and especially seeing people post like news after news after news, it got to a point where I'm like, I'm done. Yeah, stepped back from it. And then, you know, the spa shootings in Atlanta happened. I'm like, Oh, my God, you know, like with this ever going to end? And unfortunately, it hasn't. Yeah. And it's, it's really hard to like, how do we deal with this, you know, what can be implemented? And I feel like there's no real like, one solution. It's, it's very difficult.

Maryann Samreth 49:19

Yeah, it's, I remember those, the how triggered I was with Atlanta shooting it, and it's, uh, I guess one thing that, you know, we can get out of this is, like, all of us being more empowered to raise our voice and, and do so unapologetically. And, and, well, I was gonna say without fear, but it's still scary to put your voice out there. But it's so needed, the more of us that do it. The more we are able to witness all of us speaking up and sharing our stories, the more were empowered to continue doing it because I've seen like so many of us just rise up and take up space. And I think that's that's just something that we Probably had this deep desire to for a long time, and now we're finally, you know, coming out of our shells and reclaiming our voice. And I think it's so important to be able to, you know, be ourselves in this world and use our voice. And one thing that you said that sticks out to me is you are the voice of your family. And I see that through and through throughout this conversation. And, and I just, I can feel that like, power from you of being the voice of, of your family and the Cambodian community. And it's, it's so important that, you know, you are doing this work of, of sharing your story and putting yourself out there.

Krystal Chuon 50:38

Yeah, I totally agree with what you said, because, you know, for a long time, it's our stories have been kept away, hidden, pushed back, and now we're able to feel more comfortable sharing them. And I do agree, like, it's time that we take a space and create platforms where we can freely share our stories, you know, that's been hidden for who knows how long and I'm sure, you know, sharing stories, for me specifically, very, it feels very freeing. It's like, when you keep things bottled up inside so long, it's it's like it just waiting to be put, yeah, so for me, you know, writing has always been that, you know, tool for me to express myself in ways maybe I couldn't have before, finally, to tell a story that was kept away for a long time. Like, for example, in a blog post, I wrote about how I have a learning disability. And I never really shared that with, you know, anyone before, on like, a big platform like that. So, and that was one thing that not really kept hidden, but I'd never really want to talk about it. Because I'm still kind of coming to terms with like, having learned disability and seeing how it affects, you know, my everyday life as an adult now. Yeah. So that's just like one example of how I've used writing as a tool to finally talk about these things about me and you know, my life and other stories.

Maryann Samreth 52:10

Yeah, when did so you said you wrote on medium? Right? That's when you started? Can you talk about your medium platform? And do you feel like your voice is louder? When you write like, is your voice louder on paper?

Krystal Chuon 52:22

Yeah, I do. Because speaking, has always been a struggle for me. I also have certain speech issues. I'm not sure if you can tell, you know, with me speaking with you right now, I can't. Yeah, I tend to stumble over words. And then when all that hinges on me, my mind just goes blank is like moving, I suppose. You know, it's also like an anxiety thing to happen to EEG, especially in front of people, is gonna lead to a little bit of overtime. But I think at the end of the day, I do prefer writing out what I have to say, I feel I have more control when I write, but I feel like speaking and writing kind of goes hand in hand, you know, especially as a writer, and you know, who I write poems and stuff. And, you know, oftentimes that requires speaking it out. Yeah. You know, it takes practice. Yeah, I'm working on it. But yeah, I do feel more comfortable writing. And I started my medium account as a new way to start writing again, and practicing how to write in like, a short amount of time. So yeah, that's mainly the reason why I started it was to have a new way have a new like space to write on and practicing how to write better because, you know, I have a long way to go, despite puzzling Ching, two books and writer. Yeah, my writing still needs a lot of work. So it's, it's been, like Park practice and park, you know, getting my voice out there talking about things that are just too long to talk about on Instagram, for example.

Maryann Samreth 54:03

Yeah, I and one thing I love because I started writing and publishing on medium to is that it's such a safe space for writers. It's such a safe place for writers to come together and the writing community is by far the most, like, compassionate. Like everyone cheers each other on everyone has an abundance mindset. That's what I've noticed, like when I started writing on medium because they have that feature where you can comment on each other's like, like each other, I guess. It's like the clap feature on each other's articles. And being able to find safe spaces for your writing is, is so important. And I also think like, we never feel like anything we write when we're done is is good enough. I think like we have this perpetual state of imposter syndrome as writers,

Krystal Chuon 54:48

right? Yeah, it's it's nice to have a separate platform outside of like, Instagram and Facebook to just write my thoughts on things um, You know about things that have happened in my life. My most recent one was titled collective grieving. And it details. My cousin who passed away recently from cancer, it details of this, what we call one in my, or Seattle one of the months ago, which is a way, one of the ways to do a death ritual for someone who has passed. So yeah, experiencing that with my aunt and my sisters was really helpful in dealing with the grief of experiencing her passing. So suddenly, and also just all the grief that we experienced in just, you know, 2020 Up until now, like, yeah, and it made me really think about, like, ways that I have, you know, my person can deal with grief in my way. That makes sense to me. Yeah, and I like that in my Buddhist culture, we do not believe that death is the end of someone's life. Yeah. Yeah. So it's not the end, they are moving on to, you know, a new life. So like, life goes on, after death. And that really, you know, helped me process the feelings I was having at that time. Yeah, yeah. Cuz I feel like the Western way of thinking like, is like this final thing. It's, you know, like, they're gone forever. But in my eyes, like, they're not gone forever, you know, they are moving on to a new, a new life. So, to me, like, that's just so, you know, powerful and beautiful. And it really helped me process, the grief that was experiencing from my cousin's passing and the grief from the pandemic and all that.

Maryann Samreth 56:54

Yeah, I think that's very powerful. Because grief is such a complicated topic that people in general makes people uncomfortable, but I feel like the way that you describe like Cambodian grieving, it's a way to allow us to move through the process, instead of resisting it. Whereas like, Western culture, we kind of, like, resist the, we see like, a life ending as that's it. We resist in and in the Cambodian way, which I love how you describe that, that life, there's life after this one, it's gives us permission to accept what happened and move forward and make peace with what not just make peace with what happened, but like, still be able to love the people that have left this lifetime of ours.

Krystal Chuon 57:43

Yeah. And not only that, we also have the 100 Day celebration, where on hundreds day, we do another one for you know, those that have passed. And then towards the fall, you have Joplin, which is a time where my people can also honor those who have passed, you know, going seven generations back I believe. So it's, it's all linked in our culture, the death rituals, it's, I feel like it's such like a, like, the, the way of the way that we grieve, it's so unique. And I feel like it's so it really helps the process. Whereas, if you stick to Western culture, it's like, you don't have that 100 Day celebration, you don't have this later, you know, festival where you can honor your ancestor, and those have passed, like, we have so much like Grace, and this emphasis on those have passed. Like, they are still linked to us and not out of us, you know?

Maryann Samreth 58:51

Yeah, they're, they're within us. And I'm getting goosebumps, because like, I mean, my my family would visit like my grandpa's grave every single year and honor him and I've always like, since I was a child, I always felt my grandpa's presence, like within me and around me, like so the times that I've had, you know, like major trauma, I was like, Well, I was never alone. And I think that's a good way to view just the way that we honor death is that it's the the spirit lives around us and within us and you know, like I they're, they're always watching over us.

Krystal Chuon 59:26

Yeah, and yeah, the being part of that one and the month Governor because it made me really realize like, the way we honor those who have passed it's just like such a beautiful you know, graceful way of doing it and it's like they're not forgotten because every year it comes around it's like we do it again. Yeah, you can also you know, light incense and do your own ritual in your own home as well. So it's not Yeah, it's just a very it made me really deeply think about like the process like, you know, wow, like the way we Do these rituals and so is really beautiful, and it can really help other clients who are also processing their grief and which are way like, the, my process can be really helpful.

Maryann Samreth 1:00:13

Yeah, yeah, that's, that's so true and and I'm glad that you're talking about it because you know, some a lot of a lot of our within our culture, you know, it's easy, I guess for me, it's easy to focus on the drama, but there's so much beautiful things about our culture too, that allows us to really just sit with the, you know, the process of grieving the process of all of our uncomfortable emotions and be okay with it, be at peace with it and know that we're always safe and hauled by, by, you know, the people that are no longer with

Krystal Chuon 1:00:46

us. Yeah. And it can be very beneficial for people like their healing journey as well.

Maryann Samreth 1:00:53

Yeah, that's true. You know, like,

Krystal Chuon 1:00:56

we don't just forget about people. It's, they're always there, you know, there's always ways to remember and honor them, and also through these rituals is definitely a helpful way to heal with whatever that you have to heal. And, and also to think about, like, you know, it's a process. It's not just, it's like, the Western way, it's very quick, like, you get done over with like, you're done.

Maryann Samreth 1:01:19

There's no, there's no done. There's no, yeah,

Krystal Chuon 1:01:22

within the My way like it with you, and you will always have like this time to process it, you know. And I feel like it's a healing, in general is a continuous process is not just, you do like, say you finish your therapy, like you're done healing like that. It's

Maryann Samreth 1:01:42

no

Krystal Chuon 1:01:43

continuous journey.

Maryann Samreth 1:01:45

Yeah. So true. Yeah, I love I love that. And I love this conversation. So much. So I have two final questions for you. First question is what do you wish the world had more of? Yeah, I

Krystal Chuon 1:02:01

saw that question. In the question of document use them like, thinking first is that the world needs more of and the first thing came to mind was joy. And I feel like, during the pandemic, a lot of people found their way towards joy in doing things they love, whether it's spending time with family, getting into, like, their side, hustle. Yeah, and then, you know, it blossoming this year, I feel like, under, you know, the life that we live under capitalism and all that, like, we, it's very hard to find joy you're always busy working are always, you know, busy in school and doing all the other stuff that they there isn't enough time in the day for you to experience like joy, doing things you love, whether it's like a hobby, or you know, watching your favorite show or something like, oh, you know, you have to catch it later, you don't have time. So I feel like during a pandemic, a lot of people realize, like, we have to make time for the things that we love and enjoy doing. And that's definitely true for me, you know, returning back to my foundation of Art and Writing, you know, the mullet collection, my earrings and art and all that getting to the point is today, like, that's because I found joy and also value in the work that I do. Because if I didn't then, you know, what's the point? Yeah, of the work that I'm doing so. And, yeah, it's been really inspirational to seeing joy from other my people doing what they love, you know, getting to start on things that they couldn't before. And just seeing everyone like thriving and just experience like this all around, you know, my joy has been really empowering and inspiring, for me motivating to, you know, to keep doing what I do, because, you know, what I do just as needed as whatever else is doing. I, you know, I love that we're all bringing something different to the table, that's all helping us in like, one way or another, you know, it's like, seeing the community thriving, seeing the second generation and third and whatnot, you know, rising in this time, it's been very moving for me and, you know, I'm excited to see what's to come and what more that we can do as a I will say a blossoming, blossoming generation, you know, yeah,

Maryann Samreth 1:04:26

you should make a shirt that says my joy. Yeah. I love that. What What advice do you have for someone that is trying to find joy and doesn't know where to start?

Krystal Chuon 1:04:39

What probably told them look to other people who is currently embodying that joy through you know, their work or their you know, their writing their posts. I know for me, what I see coming from other people it is kind of like an effect like I see them experiencing joy like I'm experiencing joy. You know, it's like yeah, Sharon. Yeah, permission to feel that joy and to experience it, you know, through your work. And I feel like that effect like that bouncing effect can really help someone discover what it is that makes them feel joy. I love that.

Maryann Samreth 1:05:19

Thank you so much for sharing all of your wisdom and your stories today. How can I listeners follow you by your work by your poetry book?

Krystal Chuon 1:05:30

Yeah, thank you for having me on here. My Instagram handle is the Malia collection. And my website is just blue collection.com, which is where all my products are available. You can check those two out and support my work.

Maryann Samreth 1:05:44

Yes, and your poetry books. Where can we buy them? Oh, yes.

Krystal Chuon 1:05:49

They're also my website. I have a limited amount. They're signed copies. But they can also be found on Amazon and also in ebook versions like Kindle Apple River. Ebooks are available.

Maryann Samreth 1:06:04

Awesome. Well, thank you so much for for sharing all that you are today on my show. I'm just grateful for everything that you do and, and sharing you know how you became the person you are today.

Krystal Chuon 1:06:16

Thank you for allowing me to speak on your platform. This is my first course that's ever Yeah.

Maryann Samreth 1:06:23

I was like thinking back to how we met. I think I found you on Instagram. Or something. Maybe like a year ago, when I was still like designing bags maybe? Or something? Yeah, I

Krystal Chuon 1:06:35

think I found you when you were still under your like anonymous alias persona.

Maryann Samreth 1:06:41

Yeah. I love meeting people that knew when I was anonymous. It's funny to see. I guess it's funny for you to like, see me transform, I guess. Yeah, I know. Like,

Krystal Chuon 1:06:52

yeah, senior girls has been inspirational for me, too. You know, it got it gives me the drive to like keep writing and keep putting my voice out there. So to be able to finally meet you and be on your platform. It's like it's just, you know, very exciting for me. Yeah, it's definitely adding to my growth too, because this is like the most I've talked. So what I'm like

Maryann Samreth 1:07:12

with Yeah, this is this is probably my longest podcast episode. I was like, wow, like I want to learn so much more. I love talking to you. It's been it's been such a great great episode.

Krystal Chuon 1:07:25

Like why thank you so much for having me.

Maryann Samreth 1:07:27

Of course thank you. We all have a story to tell and I want to thank you for listening to Crystal's journey. You can follow Krystal on social media at the Amelia collection. You can buy her book on her website or Amazon and check out her new merch. All the links will be in my show notes to follow her and support her business. She is also creating a journal for the healing journey for my Americans. If you'd like to add resources to her journal, there'll be a link in show notes for you to contribute. Lastly, don't forget to contribute to my crowdfunding campaign right in release a trauma informed wellness writing program for school systems link will be in the show notes and every funder will receive a free invite to a virtual writing event in December dates to be announced. I'm Mary and trauma informed wellness training coach and founder of sincerely Miss Mary. You can follow me at some ceiling Miss Mary on Instagram and Tiktok for updates on my crowdfunding campaign on upcoming projects and all the creative things that I'm doing. Thank you all for being here and I will talk to you all next week.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai