Tibet Unfiltered

Crossing the Himalayas: A Tibetan Journey into Exile

This episode features Pema Taratsang, a Tibetan refugee who recounts her harrowing journey across the Himalayas at age seven, her life in exile, and her ongoing connection to Tibet. It explores themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the fight for Tibetan freedom. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & powerful opening reflections 01:00 Podcast intro: Tibet Unfiltered and context 02:25 Pema’s early life in Tibet & family background 04:24 Unique family structure & upbringing 06:13 The moment everything changed (leaving Tibet) 09:00 Arrival in Lhasa & preparing for escape 10:47 Crossing begins: river, hunger, and hardship 11:58 Tragedy on the journey (nun & snow mountain events) 15:40 Resilience, fear, and survival as a child 16:36 Arrival in Nepal & refugee experience 17:49 Life in India & schooling under the Dalai Lama 19:12 Reconnecting with family & emotional distance 21:26 Moving to Australia & new life opportunities 25:09 Contact with family & risks under CCP surveillance 27:46 Trauma, reflection & meaning of “home” 30:42 Final thoughts & message about Tibet Producer: Sonam Gyeltshen Host: Geraldine Nordfeldt Location credit: Sonam Choedon Learn more about Australia Tibet Council’s work https://www.atc.org.au/ [https://www.atc.org.au/] Support Australia Tibet Council’s work with a donation https://www.atc.org.au/donate/ [https://www.atc.org.au/donate/]

Clickbait, Bots & Beijing: Targeting the Dalai Lama

The conversation delves into the intersection of the Chinese Government’s disinformation, cognitive warfare, and the Tibetan movement, particularly focusing on the recent association of the Dalai Lama with the Epstein files. Our guest Lobsang Sither, a cyber expert and Director of Technology at the Tibet Action Institute, breaks down the systematic nature of Chinese propaganda, the role of social media in spreading disinformation, and the importance of educating the public about the realities of the Tibetan struggle. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Context 00:41 How the Dalai Lama’s Name Appears in the Epstein Files 02:12 Official Denial & Forged Statement Explained 03:19 Timing After the Grammy Win Raises Questions 04:55 The “169 Mentions” Claim & Cognitive Warfare 06:30 A Long History of CCP Attacks on the Dalai Lama 07:26 Why Link the Dalai Lama to the Epstein Scandal? 10:19 Clickbait, Conjecture & Social Media Amplification 11:51 Manufactured Controversy & Eroding Moral Authority 16:00 Is the Dalai Lama’s Legacy at Risk in the Digital Age? 18:23 Can the CCP Win on Moral Grounds? 20:12 Meta Threat Reports & China’s Coordinated Disinformation 23:35 The “50 Cent Army,” Bots & AI Warfare 25:08 Are Social Media Companies Doing Enough? 27:24 AI, Tibetan Language & Surveillance Technology 28:14 China’s Tibet International Communication Strategy 31:07 What Supporters Can Do: Reporting, Blocking & FactChecking 33:27 Verify Sources: How to Spot Fake Statements 36:27 Top Three Facts About Tibet 37:53 Final Reflections & Closing Remarks Producer: Sonam Gyeltshen Host: Geraldine Nordfeldt Guests: Lobsang Gyatso Sither, Dr Zoë Bedford Learn more about Australia Tibet Council’s work https://www.atc.org.au/ [https://www.atc.org.au/] Support Australia Tibet Council’s work with a donation https://www.atc.org.au/donate/ [https://www.atc.org.au/donate/]

Wisdom of Happiness: Dalai Lama on Inner Peace in the 21st Century

In this episode of Tibet Unfiltered, our host Geraldine Nordfeldt engages in a profound conversation with Barbara Miller, the director of the Dalai Lama’s new film "Wisdom of Happiness". The film, marking His Holiness's 90th birthday, offers a unique perspective on his teachings, focusing on themes of peace, compassion, and hope amidst global chaos. Miller shares insights into the film's creation, emphasising the importance of presenting the Dalai Lama's wisdom in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences, while also highlighting the challenges faced in securing his participation and the film's distribution due to political sensitivities surrounding Tibet. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tibet Unfiltered 00:29 The Wisdom of Happiness Film Overview 01:26 Interview with Director, Barbara Miller 02:57 Challenges in Securing the Dalai Lama's Participation 05:12 The Interview Experience with His Holiness 08:28 Archival Footage and Its Significance 12:20 Cinematography and Visual Storytelling 14:49 Richard Gere's Involvement in the Film 20:08 Film Distribution Challenges 21:17 Martin Scorsese's Banned Film 22:18 Political Pressures and Filmmaking 27:24 The Dalai Lama's Middle Way Approach 32:07 Humour and Humanity in His Holiness 33:10 The Universal Appeal of His Wisdom 36:43 Final Thoughts and Audience Takeaways Producer: Sonam Gyeltshen Host: Geraldine Nordfeldt Location credit: Sonam Choedon Learn more about Australia Tibet Council’s work https://www.atc.org.au/ [https://www.atc.org.au/] Support Australia Tibet Council’s work with a donation https://www.atc.org.au/donate/ [https://www.atc.org.au/donate/]

Voices in Exile: Advocacy for Tibet in Australia

In this episode of Tibet Unfiltered, Tsewang Thupten discusses his journey in Tibetan political advocacy in Australia, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced by Tibetans in the diaspora. He highlights the need for Australia to take a stronger stance on human rights issues in Tibet, the significance of Magnitsky sanctions in addressing human rights abuses, and the impact of transnational repression on Tibetan Australians. The conversation also touches on the role of the Dalai Lama in Tibetan identity and the connection between Australia and Tibet regarding trade and environmental issues. Chapters 00:00 The Call of Home: Tibetan Political Advocacy 03:00 Activism Roots: A Personal Journey 06:26 Understanding Home: Identity and Belonging 08:03 Building Bridges: Engaging with Parliament 11:15 Balancing Trade and Human Rights 14:06 Australia's Role in Tibetan Human Rights 19:02 The Importance of Magnitsky Sanctions 30:46 Transnational Repression: A Growing Concern 32:30 The visa-free travel 40:50 Chinese repression in Australia 40:01 Hungkar Dorje death in Vietnam 47:05 Why China wants to control Buddhism 52:07 Upcoming Event: Raising Awareness 53:02 Three things about Tibet: The Connection Between Australia and Tibet Producer: Sonam Gyeltshen Host: Geraldine Nordfeldt Location credit: Sonam Choedon Learn more about Australia Tibet Council’s work https://www.atc.org.au/ [https://www.atc.org.au/] Support Australia Tibet Council’s work with a donation https://www.atc.org.au/donate/ [https://www.atc.org.au/donate/]