The Present Writer
A Vietnamese professor in the US shares practical financial and minimalist living advice, using her own life as a relatable case study.
This is a solo-hosted educational show where a US-based Vietnamese academic breaks down complex personal finance topics for a Vietnamese audience. Dr. Nguyen uses her own life as a series of detailed case studies—from her frugal savings strategies to buying two houses in the competitive US market—making abstract concepts concrete and transparent. The show serves as both a practical guide and an aspirational narrative, delivered in a calm, structured, and professorial manner.
“The show's unique blend of academic credibility and radical personal transparency sets it apart. Unlike many finance shows, the host is a Ph.D. and university professor who applies an analytical, research-driven approach to her own life and then shares the specific, personal results—including numbers and emotional challenges.”
Who hosts this show
Chi Nguyen, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona and the creator behind The Present Writer, an educational media platform. Born in Vietnam and now based in the US, she uses her YouTube channel, podcast, and blog to share lessons on personal finance, minimalism, and productivity. Her content, presented in Vietnamese, often draws from her personal experiences navigating life and finances in America, such as buying two houses and building her brand from scratch.
Credentials & credits
- Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Comparative & International Education, The Pennsylvania State University
- Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
- M.A. in Education, Culture, and Society, University of Pennsylvania
- B.A. in International Studies, Hanoi University
- National best-selling author in Vietnam
- Researcher focusing on social justice, equity, and educational policy
Other ventures
- The Present Writer (blog)
- Author of "Một cuốn sách về Chủ nghĩa tối giản" (A Book about Minimalism)
- Creator of The Present Day planner
- The Present Writer Newsletter
- Global Education Research Lab (founder)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01Tuổi 20 & Tiền: Quyết định TÀI CHÍNH ĐÚNG ĐẮN khi còn trẻJun 14, 2026 · 16 min
- 0210 bài học từ 10 cuốn sách tài chính quan trọng nhấtMay 30, 2026 · 22 min
- 03Mình đã mua 2 căn nhà tại Mỹ như thế nào? (bài học tài chính lớn nhất của mình)May 9, 2026 · 35 min
- 04Đầu tư cho người mới bắt đầu (giải thích dễ hiểu nhất)May 2, 2026 · 13 min
- 059 Thói quen nhỏ giúp mình giàu lên mỗi ngàyApr 25, 2026 · 20 min
- 063 Quy tắc tiền bạc quan trọng nhấtApr 18, 2026 · 10 min
- 075 Quyết định thay đổi cuộc đời mìnhApr 11, 2026 · 17 min
- 08Sai lầm tài chính tuổi 20 (ước gì mình biết sớm hơn)Mar 28, 2026 · 17 min
Notable episodes
- 01Mình đã mua 2 căn nhà tại Mỹ như thế nào? (bài học tài chính lớn nhất của mình)
A detailed and transparent personal case study on navigating the US mortgage and real estate market, showcasing the host's signature blend of personal narrative and financial education.
- 0210 bài học từ 10 cuốn sách tài chính quan trọng nhất
Serves as an excellent introduction to core personal finance concepts by synthesizing key takeaways from influential books, making it a valuable starting point for new listeners.
- 03Tuổi 20 & Tiền: Quyết định TÀI CHÍNH ĐÚNG ĐẮN khi còn trẻ
Directly addresses a key demographic with actionable advice grounded in the host's own successful decisions, making the content highly relatable and impactful for young adults.
What you'll be asked on this show
This is a solo-host, educational narrative show and does not feature guest interviews. The format consists of the host, Chi Nguyen, presenting well-structured lessons and personal stories directly to the audience.
This is a solo, narrative-style show with no interviews. Chi Nguyen speaks directly to her audience in a calm, clear, and educational tone. Episodes are tightly structured, often built around numbered lists ("10 Lessons," "5 Decisions") or chronological "chapters" (Chương), and frequently reference her own products like books and planners. [wm64Of7PI8g]
Signature segments
- · Structuring narratives into 'chapters' (Chương) [wm64Of7PI8g]
- · Closing episodes with "Cảm ơn mọi người và hẹn gặp lại các bạn trong video tiếp theo. Bye." [x4Xc_Je19X4]
- · Outro graphic with the phrase 'live & learn, be present' [x4Xc_Je19X4]
- · Synthesizing lessons from well-known books
- · Using her personal financial journey as a case study
Topics covered repeatedly
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The show is primarily supported through the host's own ecosystem of products, including her best-selling book on minimalism, "The Present Day planner," and digital templates. [CtJgt1jXQ9M, wm64Of7PI8g] It occasionally features external sponsors for relevant products, such as the language-learning app ELSA Speak.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
c•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- What is the host's real name and profession?
- Her name is Dr. Nguyễn Phương Chi (publicly known as Chi Nguyen), and she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a solo-hosted educational podcast in Vietnamese, focusing on personal finance, minimalism, and productivity through personal stories and structured lessons.
- Does the podcast have guests or interviews?
- No, it is a solo narrative show where the host speaks directly to the audience. It does not feature interviews.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, it is actively updated with new episodes, typically on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
- What language is the podcast in?
- The podcast is primarily in Vietnamese, aimed at a Vietnamese-speaking audience worldwide.
- Where can I find the podcast and other content?
- The content is available as a video podcast on YouTube and as an audio podcast on platforms like Spotify. The host also runs a popular blog at thepresentwriter.com.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Chi Nguyen | College of Education, University of Arizonacoe.arizona.edu
- [02]About Chi Nguyen - The Present Writer (Official Blog)thepresentwriter.com
- [03]The Present Writer - YouTube Channelyoutube.com
- [04]Chi Nguyen - Google Scholarscholar.google.com
- [05]Creation story: Chi Nguyen - Tu Ha Antuhaan.com
- [06]PODCAST - The Present Writerthepresentwriter.com
- [07]Blogger Chi Nguyễn - nguoinoitieng.tvnguoinoitieng.tv
Podcasts like The Present Writer
Saad Rashid - YouTube Automation
Saad Rashid
A Pakistani host interviews creators of 'faceless' YouTube channels, breaking down their niche strategies, AI workflows, and revenue generation.
Backstage with Millionaires
Pankaj Chauhan
A weekly news show and documentary-style channel breaking down the biggest stories and trends in the Indian startup and venture capital ecosystem.
Thomas Brush
Thomas Brush
A podcast for aspiring indie game developers, hosted by a solo dev who interviews peers about the practical and emotional journey of making games.
Osama Tayyab Podcast
Osama Tayyab
A Pakistani journalist hosts deep-dive conversations with religious scholars and spiritual healers on Islamic history, theology, and esoteric practices.
Indian Business Podcast Clips
Indian Business
A clips channel from the educational media company Think School, breaking down complex business and tech topics from its main long-form podcast.
Eye on AI
A veteran journalist methodically interviews the founders, engineers, and leaders building the future of artificial intelligence.
Felix Josemon
Felix Josemon
A podcast and community hub from Kerala, India, spotlighting local tech founders, AI builders, and their startup journeys.
LegalEdge CLAT Coaching by Toprankers
A high-cadence YouTube channel from an Indian test-prep company, offering daily lectures and strategies for law school entrance exams like CLAT.