OUT OF TIBET

The Lawyer, the Fighter, and the Foodie What happens when you're born stateless, raised by four monks in a Swiss village, and given a simple, but very straight ultimatum by your refugee mother: "Doctor or Lawyer"?Tendon Dahortsang chose law, but her path was anything but conventional. Today, she is a high-powered inheritance lawyer and sits on the board of a Swiss bank, navigating the elite, male-dominated sphere of corporate Switzerland. But beneath the sharp suits is a fierce Muay Thai fighter and a Tibetan activist whose life was forever changed by a whispered plea from a monk when she visited the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.In this episode, we explore:The "Sans Papiers" Childhood: Arriving in Switzerland without citizenship and the psychological reality of growing up stateless.Four Monks & A Baby: The incredible story of her mother's sacrifice to save her family and kids.The Turning Point: A heartbreaking encounter in Tibet in 2003 that pushed her into global human rights activism.From Activism to the Boardroom: Why she transitioned from leading the Tibetan Youth Association to conquering corporate law.Muay Thai & Mental Health: How getting punched in the face became the ultimate stress relief for her.Follow Tendon on Linkedin⁠ and food blog Instagram SUPPORT this podcastOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

In this episode of OUT OF TIBET, Namri Dagyab speaks with scholar and artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron (DocTenzin) about the powerful intersection of being a Tibetan refugee and a transgender man. Mingyur shares his deeply personal journey—from growing up as an "outsider" in rural America and daydreaming of Tibetan boys' names, to navigating society with a stutter and facing real-world threats from university staff. The conversation explores the illusion of "safety," why understanding the pain of other marginalized communities is crucial, and how a stunning phone call from his mother provided the radical love he needed. Ultimately, Mingyur’s story is a testament to stubborn optimism, radical self-love, and community bridge-buildingFollow Tenzin Mingyur Paldron!Instagram: @doctenzin / Transroad Diaries / Tibet Learning SeriesWebsite / Venmo / Linktree for more info & materials & supportWant to support this podcast?Follow me on  Instagram / Spotify / Youtube / LinkedinWant to support me financially?Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldMusic by Prod. Pluvio

"Am I Tibetan enough?" It's a question many in the diaspora ask themselves.Growing up in Austria's very first Tibetan restaurant, Tenzyn Zöchbauer’s heritage was always front and center. But raised by a powerhouse activist mother, teenage Tenzyn often just wanted to be "normal," skip the protests, and hang out with her friends. For a long time, she grappled with the lingering insecurity of not speaking perfect Tibetan.Fast forward to today: Tenzyn is the Managing Director of the Tibet Initiative in Germany.In this episode of Out of Tibet, we trace her unplanned journey from a reluctant teenager to a "stubborn optimist" facing down a global superpower.We talk about:The Language Struggle: Why not speaking perfect Tibetan doesn't make you less Tibetan.Activist Burnout: The psychological burden of the cause and why setting boundaries is crucial.Cross-Movement Solidarity: Finding hope alongside Chinese dissidents.An Unseen Homeland: How to fight for a country you have never set foot in.Follow Tenzyn and Tibet Initiative Germany!Instagram: @t_tales_ and LinkedinTibet Initiative Germany: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Twitter SUPPORT this podcastOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

What happens when you manage the legacy of the world's most compassionate figure, but face a reality at home that no amount of prayer can fix?Tenzin Sewo holds a unique position: He is the Executive Director of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama in Switzerland. But when the office lights turn off, he faces a different kind of challenge.Seven years ago, his eldest daughter was diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome at the age of three, a rare genetic condition. In this vulnerable and raw conversation, Tenzin steps out from behind his official title to talk about the side of life that press releases don't cover.We discuss:The Gatekeeper: What it’s really like to work for the Dalai LamaThe Diagnosis Trauma: A critique of how the medical system delivers bad news and treats disabled children like "objects."Karma vs. Genetics: Navigating the cultural stigma of disability in the Tibetan community.The "Selfish" Parent: Why Tenzin believes you must be selfish to be a good caregiver.Two Worlds: Balancing life as a Tibetan-Swiss in Zurich.SUPPORT this podcastOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon, Buy me a coffee and PaypalFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod.PluvioIf this conversation moved you, please leave a 5-star rating and share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

$30,000. That’s the prize money that just changed the game for the Khadok Arts Collective!Tashi Nyima and their small team of four in Dharamsala recently received the prestigious Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize. Just two year’s after one of their closest friends and collaborator Jigme Choedak aka JC unfortunately passed away. The prize is the kind of validation many dream of—especially when they start as "backbenchers" who don't fit the traditional mold.In this episode, Namri sits down with Tashi to talk about the reality behind the headline. They discuss what he and his co-founders Tenzin Melak and Lea Taake motivated to continue with the collective, what it means to paint the raw, messy reality of humans instead of perfect deities, and why living in a safe settlement doesn't always mean you feel “settled."Also, the $30,000 win and how the Rubin Prize impacts the collective and the pressure that comes with it. How he began to focus more on his own works after a scary health issue when he was younger.Follow Khadok Collective and Tashi Nyima!Instagram: @khadok_arts and @_hoo.man_Website: khadok.comSUPPORT this podcastOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

Tenzin Dazel spent years in the heart of the Paris fashion world, working for names like Ann Demeulemeester and Jérôme Dreyfuss. But she realized that designing bags wasn't enough—she wanted to design narratives.In this honest conversation, Dazel takes us behind the scenes of her journey from a fashion student in France to becoming one of the most distinct voices in Tibetan cinema. She shares the gritty reality of making her first film, Royal Cafe, with zero budget, and the massive undertaking of her new feature, Dharamsala.In this episode, we talk about:Fashion vs. Film: Why she left a promising career in luxury fashion to tell stories that matter.Breaking the Mold: Dealing with the "bad girl" label for smoking, speaking her mind, and refusing to fit the "perfect Tibetan" stereotype.The Reality of Filmmaking: The immense mental and physical toll of directing Dharamsala, dealing with budget constraints, and the "burnout" that followed.Authenticity: Why she insists on showing Tibetans as complex, flawed humans rather than idealized figures.Listen now to hear how one woman is redefining what it means to be a Tibetan artist in the diaspora.

Join me for a unique conversation with Jalue Dorje, an 18-year-old from Minnesota who is also the reincarnated Taksham Rinpoche recognized by the Dalai Lama.A Dual Life: He shares the surreal experience of being recognized at age four, sitting with high lamas, studying all the time, while navigating life as a normal American teenager.Modern Rinpoche: We discuss Rinpoche's passion for the Atlanta Falcons, trading cards, playing Madden, and his appreciation for rappers like Lil Baby.Future & Philosophy: Taksham Rinpoche talks about his biggest challenge—the vast study of Tibetan Buddhism—and his core, simple value: "If you can’t help them, don’t hurt them. Just be a good person."Listen now for a funny yet profound look at a new generation of Tibetan leadership.Follow Taksham Rinpoche:Instagram: @ft.luedortWebsite: https://takshamtulku.org/SUPPORTOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

Join us for an extraordinary journey with Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). She offers a rare, personal history of the Tibetan community.Dharamsala Life: Tencho shares her youth in Dharamsala, which felt like a complete Tibetan bubble. She describes how different the town was in the 60s and 70s compared to today's tourist hotspot.The Family Cliché: Tencho reveals that despite being the Niece of the Dalai Lama, she was expected to carry your own weight and received no privileges.Early Responsibility: Hear how Tencho quickly entered the world of business after her father passed, running the family restaurant. She details the intense challenge of being a woman running a business in India—a "very male-dominated business and society".Success through Teamwork: Her ability to run the business successfully was built on teamwork with the staff her father had employed.Political Rise: Learn how she unexpectedly joined the Tibetan Parliament at just 25 years old.Life Philosophy: Tencho shares the wisdom she learned from her mother: It doesn't matter what you do. You have to do it really well so that you can leave an impact.Listen now for powerful insights on Tibetan Exile, resilience, and finding purpose.Follow Tencho GYATSO:Instagram: @tenchogyatsoLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tencho-gyatso-7b52a56a/Check out the International Campaign for Tibet:Website: savetibet.orgInstagram: @savetibetorgYoutube: @InterCampaignTibetTwitter: @SaveTibetOrgFacebook: @InternationalCampaignforTibetBluesky: @savetibet.bsky.socialSUPPORTOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of OUT OF TIBET, Tibetan-Australian musician Tenzin Choegyal shares his story — from growing up in a Tibetan refugee school in India to performing for thousands of people and being nominated for a Grammy.We talk about how music became his path to freedom, healing, and storytelling — blending ancient nomadic songs with new sounds he calls “tsampa fusion.” Tenzin opens up about the spiritual connection behind Tibetan instruments like the dranyen, why music (like water) should never be boxed in, and how his songs carry the stories of a people in exile.He speaks about working odd jobs in Australia, navigating the music industry, and what it truly means to represent a culture that’s often misrepresented — or erased. Plus: what it was like acting for the first time, and how he finds home in sound, not geography.Whether you’re into world music, curious about Tibetan culture, or seeking inspiration on how to turn personal history into art — this one’s for you.Follow Tenzin Choegyal!Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tibet_effect/Spotify https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/4C4wNUmOrOgXWI3S3twrl4?si=3G9IiIPBSoSzS8Fofls4WAWebsite https://www.tenzinchoegyal.com/SUPPORT meOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET⁠Buy me a coffee: ⁠buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet⁠ Paypal: ⁠paypal.me/nsld⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@namridagyab⁠Music by ⁠Prod. Pluvio

Tsering Yangzom LAMA is the author of We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies — a powerful debut novel about a Tibetan family living in exile over the span of five decades.The book has been met with wide acclaim, won multiple awards, and even made its way into the hands of His Holiness the Dalai Lama — a moment that left Tsering speechless and in tears.In this episode, we talk about the less glamorous side of writing: the daily discipline, the doubts, and the deep emotional states that make stories come alive.Tsering shares her resistance to stereotypical imagery on Tibetan book covers, how she keeps her creativity grounded through routine, and why she still works in environmental advocacy while writing her next novel — a historical tale of ancient Tibet, saints and black magic.Follow Tsering Yangzom LAMA and buy her Debut Novel!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tseringylama/Website: https://tseringlama.com/Buy her book: https://www.amazon.com/We-Measure-Earth-Our-Bodies/dp/1635576415SUPPORT meOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet Paypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabMusic by Prod. Pluvio

SELDON Tenzin aka Tibchick is the first female Tibetan rapper who rose to fame. Her videos have racked up millions of views on Youtube. But behind the beats and bold lyrics is someone who calls herself the queen of procrastination. From dropping bars to dealing with panic before performing them, she opens up about mental health, her relationship with the Tibetan language, growing through criticism and why her mom cried hearing her lyrics. It’s raw, funny, and full of heart. Just like Tibchick.Trigger warning: Mentions of anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Listen with care.Follow SELDON Tenzin – and checkout Tibchick’s latest song Pe$ha on Youtube!Youtube: @TiBcHiCkKkkInstagram: @tibchickSpotify: @TibchickSUPPORT meOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET⁠Buy me a coffee: ⁠buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet⁠ Paypal: ⁠paypal.me/nsld⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@namridagyab⁠Music by ⁠Prod. Pluvio

Since 1950, Tibet has been under Chinese occupation.Today, Hundreds and Thousands of Tibetans live scattered across the globe — from Dharamsala to New York, from the Swiss Alps to Tokyo, from Sydney to Berlin.Our lives might be different, but we share something deep: our Tibetan identity, and a longing for a homeland many of us have never seen.My name is Dagyab Namri Songtsen Lhundup. I was born and raised in Germany by Tibetan parents and I know what it means to live outside of Tibet.In this podcast, I want to explore the many faces of Tibetan life — by talking with Tibetans and Friends of Tibet from all walks of life: from the arts to activism, from sports to science or anything else that might come up.This way we’ll share stories of hope, struggle, culture, and belonging — creating a space for Tibetans everywhere, and for everyone who cares about Tibet.This is… Out of Tibet.SUPPORT me:OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBETBuy me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibetPaypal: paypal.me/nsldFollow me on Instagram: @namridagyabTHANK YOU for listening + Hope to see you in Tibet!

Chompel BALOK was born in Switzerland to Tibetan parents and the struggles of his parents not being fluent in the local language. The 51-year old works as the Deputy Secretary General with the Swiss canton of Sankt Gallen. Before that he switched careers a few times, working in the finance industry, at the post office, where he learned to become a „real“ Swiss, as an editor for a political magazing and campaigner for a Tibetan NGO in Berlin. His mantra? Doing is more important than detailed planning. Follow Chompel on Instagram: @chbalokSUPPORT meOUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET⁠Buy me a coffee: ⁠buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet⁠ Paypal: ⁠paypal.me/nsld⁠Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@namridagyab⁠Music by ⁠Prod. Pluvio