Today, I’m joined by Randy Kim, a Khmer-Vietnamese American writer, content creator, and the host of Banh MiChronicles. He’s also the mind behind the Substack newsletter Banh Mi Bites. Randy’s work amplifies BIPOC voices, exploring identity, memory, and healing.
As a queer child of refugees, Randy has wrestled with questions of belonging, survival, and resilience — often through deeply personal reflections on trauma and mental health. In our conversation today, we’ll talk about his journey, the power of storytelling, and how vulnerability can become a bridge to community and self-love.

Please know this episode may be triggering for some listeners as we discuss trauma, identity, politics, and mental health.

In this episode, Randy Kim, a content creator and podcaster, shares with the Quixotic Heights Podcast his journey of creating an award-winning platform to elevate the stories of the BIPOC communities and how he navigates grief to come through the other side stronger and more purposeful than before.

Randy Kim is a queer Vietnamese-Khmer American storyteller and podcast host of The Banh Mi Chronicles as well as content writer for his Substack, Banh Mi Bites. His work centers on intergenerational healing, identity, and uplifting voices from Asian, queer, and BIPOC communities.

Randy is an experienced nonprofit development professional. With a background in public storytelling and relationship-building, Randy creates space that honors history, builds trust, and provokes reflection.

IG: @BanhMi_Chronicles

Substack: randykim.substack.com

Today, we’re joined by a very special guest, Sheena Yap Chan, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose words have resonated with thousands and whose story will inspire even more.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a curious reader, or just someone who believes in the power of persistence, thisconversation is for you. We delve into the creation of a bestseller, the mindset behind it, and the journey that led Sheena to the top of the charts.

Sheena Yap Chan, a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster, is recognized for elevating women’s leadership and self-confidence through the power of media and visibility. @sheena.yap.chan is the founder of the Confidence Through Visibility™ movement and host of The Tao of Self-Confidence podcast, ranked in the top 0.5% globally with over 1.3 million downloads and 800+ interviews featuring celebrities, CEOs, and cultural icons.

Her debut book, The Tao of Self-Confidence, was named one of the top 20 best self-confidence books of all time by Book Authority. At the same time, her latest release, Bridging the Confidence Gap, is a bold call to reimagine leadership by making visibility and self-trust core competencies. Through her signature VISIBLE Framework™, Sheena delivers transformational keynotes and corporate programs that help organizations bridge the confidence gap, retain diverse talent, and build cultures where women are seen, heard, and respected. Her work has been featured on NBC News, FOX, MindValley, and The Manila Times, and she has spoken for global brands including NASA, Live Nation, and UKG. Sheena believes that confidence is something we can build—and that visibility creates the impact we wish to see in the world.

https://sheenayapchan.com/links⁠

Take your free Self-Confidence Personality quiz here: https://www.sheenayapchan.com/quiz

Today’s guests are a remarkable father-daughter duo: Thomas and Samantha Dahlborg.

Thomas is a compassionate researcher, writer, and advocate for children’s emotional and spiritual health. Samantha isnot only a fierce creative force—but also Miss Maine USA, a Sports Illustrated model, and a Paris fashion photographer.

But behind the spotlights and achievements is a deeper story—one marked by bullying, depression, anxiety, loss, and the long climb back to the light.

Together, they’ve taken that pain and transformed it into a message of love, agency, and faith for children and families everywhere.

In this episode, we talk about their book series The Light, the healing power of storytelling, and how we can all help children find their voice and their worth in the eyes of God.

A former Miss Maine USA (2014), Samantha Dahlborg discovered early on the power of personal branding and the art of storytelling through photography. What began as a childhood love of creativity grew into a lifelong passion—from founding The Confidence Project, where Samantha photographed and interviewed young women to help them feel seen and beautiful, to launching her business, Studio Citrine, where she now photographs celebrities, pageanttitleholders, and fashion clients while also leading creative direction.

Having worked as both a model and a photographer—walking in fashion weeks, hosting shows, photographing weddings (including a destination wedding in Italy), and shooting an editorial during Paris Fashion Week—Samantha understands every side of the lens. She uses her talents to serve God and empower others. She is also a proud mother of twin girls. Her family is currently relocating from Boston to Nashville to embrace new career opportunities and focus more intentionally on building her family life. An artist at heart, she has recently collaborated with her father, Thomas Dahlborg, on a special book project that blends creativity and family legacy, years in the making.

Sammy: website: www.dahlborgdesigns.com

IG: @samanthadahlborg @dahlborgdesigns

Named a Healthcare Disruptor and a Mental Health Champion by Authority Magazine and a Ruckus Maker by The Patient Experience Community, with over forty years of extensive healthcare leadership experience, Thomas Dahlborg is a disciple of Jesus and a voice for love-centered care models, servant leadership, and quality and systems improvement. A leader and advisor, Tom is also an internationally recognized speaker and writer with expertise in leading with love, heart, and mind communication, courageous vulnerability, systems thinking and improvement, stopping bullying, amplifying positive childhood experiences, and bringing “love in action” to all we do.

Tom’s multiple award-winning book, From Heart to Head & Back Again … a journey through the healthcare system, is a callto action that brings people together to make a positive impact on others in healthcare and beyond, and was a 2021 AUPHA book award for healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

His other multiple award-winning book, The Big Kid and Basketball … and the lessons he taught his Father and Coach, focusing on bullying and ACES and PCES, has led to significant improvements in youth sports and school systems, as well as in children’s experience and well-being. And his forthcoming book series, The Light …, is already garnering much attention as it reassures children that God loves them, that they are never alone, that the Holy Spirit empowers each and thus has His power within (agency), that they are lovable, and that they are loved.

Tom brings practical, tangible, impactful tools, married with love, compassion, and caring, to all he does. He is a father, husband, and coach. A coach to healthcare leaders. And a coach to young men and women.

Tom: www.dahlborghlg.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdahlborg/

IG: @thedhlgroup

X: @tdahlborg

Stephanie Dooley, who you may know as SL Dooley, is a fantasy author whose stories transport readers into richly imagined worlds while anchoring them in timeless truths.From building epic landscapes to crafting characters who wrestle with faith, courage, and purpose, Stephanie’s work shows us that fantasy can do more than entertain—it can inspire us to live braver stories in our own lives.
Stephanie is a fantasy author looking for a never-endingstory to go boldly through the wardrobe into another adventure. She's the best-selling author of the Portal Slayer trilogy and the award-winning high fantasy duology, The Summertime Circus and The Cold Moon Carnival.
One of her side-quests is to encourage new writers as they navigate the paths toward publication. She has spoken atnumerous events, including the Realm Makers conference, The Bookfest spring festival, and WriterCon.
With a passion for fantasy literature since childhood, Dooley draws inspiration from mythology, folklore, and a vivid imagination to craft immersive narratives that transport readers to realms of magic and adventure. One of her side-quests is to take up Tolkien’s charge: find any way to escape into fantastical worlds and to bring as many people asshe can with her. She lives in Texas with her husband, where she collects old books and new journals.
Join her on the adventure at www.SLDooley.com or follow along on Instagram at @s_l_dooley

Our next quixote is Dr. Paul Corona—a physician, author, and host of The Dr. Paul Show.

Dr Paul Corona is known for his pioneering “Mind and Body Healing” approach. In his book, The Corona Protocol, Dr. Paul unveils a scientifically proven method he believes can stop addiction, bullying, homelessness, school shootings, and suicide. Join us as we dive into a bold conversation that could change the future of mental health care. We'll explore why traditional mental health treatment has stagnated, what needs to change, and how addressing the mind-body connection can truly transform lives.

Dr. Paul D. Corona, MD, is a Southern California-based physician reshaping the future of psychiatry and family medicine with his pioneering approach, “Mind and Body Healing.” He is the host of “The Dr. Paul Show” available on Roku, Amazon Fire, and YouTube. A leading voice in mind-body medicine, his latest book, “The Corona Protocol: A Scientifically Proven Medical Solution to STOP Addiction, Bullying, Homelessness, School Shootings, and Suicide 30 Years in the Making” is available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. In it, he unveils groundbreaking insights into mental health treatment, challenging conventional approaches that have stagnated progress.

With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Corona began in family medicine before transitioning to psychiatry—a shift that led to the development of the “Healing the Mind and Body” series of books. His holistic approach integrates emotional and physical well-being, offering an innovative alternative to traditional psychiatric treatments. “The Corona Protocol” presents his revolutionary methods as solutions to major societal challenges and serves as a resource for patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike.

A Southern California native, Dr. Corona earned his BS in Biology/Pre-Med from the University of Southern California before obtaining his medical degree from New York Medical College. He completed a rigorous three-year residency in family practice at California Hospital in Los Angeles. Today, he runs a private practice in Laguna Niguel, California.

For more information about his books, medical practice, and more, visit www.drpaulcoronamd.com

https://www.facebook.com/paul.corona.50

https://www.facebook.com/drpaulcoronamd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-corona-b090669a/

Welcome to Quixotic Heights, where we explore boldlives, big ideas, and the beauty of becoming. Today’s Quixote is the brilliant and multifaceted Dr. Juliet Dang.

She’s a scientist by training, an artist by soul, a fashion designer by flair, and the powerhouse behind her memoir, Modern Asian Mom, and Vietology Magazine. Juliet weavestogether science, culture, motherhood, and creativity in a way that is unapologetically modern and deeply rooted in identity.

In today’s conversation, we talk about how she balances precision with passion, tradition with innovation, and how she’s rewriting the narrative for modern Asian womeneverywhere.

Juliet Dang, PhD, MS is a Canadian prairie girl who now resides in the Seattle area. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, where she majored in Biology / Chemistry at U of Winnipeg.

After working as a dental hygienist for a couple of years, she moved to Seattle in 2008 to complete a Master's and then a PhD in Oral Biology at the University of Washington.

For eight years now, Juliet has been in the medical affairs pharma biotech world and is the subject matter expert on respiratory virus vaccines.

In addition to heavily utilizing her left brain as a scientist, Juliet is an artist, actress/model, fashion designer, creative director, editor-in-chief, and producer.

In September of 2024, Juliet made her East Coast fashion debut and showcased her ready-to-wear apparel at Asian New York Fashion Week in Manhattan.

Juliet's first major publication was the first edition of Vietology Magazine. The mission and vision was to highlight and elevate inspirational Vietnamese women and Vietnamese visual artists globally. Modern Asian Mom is her debut memoir chronicling her fertility journey and life in general.

www.jujudang.art

IG: juliet_dang

FB: julietdang

TikTok: juliet.dang

Etsy: juju dang art

Quixotic Heights sat with Stephen W. Scott, award-winning author of Abandoned, The Demon Inside Me, and his newest, Do You Hear What I Hear?

His stories explore the darkness within us—and the fear that connects us all. We unpack his journey from debut author to crafting gripping psychological horror, his writing process, and what truly scares him.Stephen W. Scott was born in Tulsa, OK, with an overactive imagination that perpetually focused on the weird and scary. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in Journalism – Professional Writing. He worked for a few newspapers, then moved to Wilmore, KY, in 1991 to attend Asbury Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in 1995. After returning to Oklahoma, he served as a pastor and chaplain in the United Methodist Conference. He has been working in education since 2001 and resides in Tulsa, OK. He also wrote “Clone Hunter” (out of print), “Abandoned,” several short stories sold to various anthologies, “The Demon Inside Me,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” He enjoys bicycling, weightlifting, photography, reading, playing guitar, and writing.

www.swscott-author.com

https://www.instagram.com/swscott67/