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.

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!

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!