In this episode of From Dark to Light, Julie Crawford sits down with Mai to explore what it means to grow up between two cultures and the strength it takes to reclaim your voice.

Born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled the Vietnam War, Mai was raised navigating Hmong cultural expectations while adapting to life in the United States. From becoming her family's translator at a young age to entering a cultural marriage at just 14, Mai shares how silence, responsibility, and patriarchy shaped her early life. As a young mother, she faced the painful decision to leave an unhealthy marriage and begin again.

This conversation dives into cultural identity, generational trauma, breaking cycles, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Mai's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—an ...