Shows
Insight MyanmarOslo’s Lost AccordEpisode #369: “I promised Aung San Suu Kyi and committed myself to work for democracy and human rights in the country as long as necessary. And still it is necessary!” So says Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway and a longtime supporter of Myanmar’s democratic struggle. In this conversation, he reflects on his decades of advocacy for Myanmar, from a surreptitious 1997 visit to Yangon where he first met Suu Kyi, to his post-retirement work at the Oslo Center, which he co-founded to support democratic institutions globally. Bondevik describes Norway’s strategy toward Myanmar as one of princi...2025-07-2734 minInsight MyanmarThe Ripple EffectEpisode #364: Ben’s simple words resonate strongly: “If I could do something small for one person, why would I not?” This episode brings together Ben and a Burmese student who goes by the moniker Little Activist. Together, they discuss the profound impact of individual gestures and transnational solidarity. Ben, who worked briefly in Myanmar with a UN agency, was moved by an episode that Insight Myanmar Podcast aired last year, in which Little Activist described how he was documenting military atrocities and sharing online information. Compelled by Little Activist’s courage and the sacrifices he was making, Ben decid...2025-07-151h 01Insight MyanmarRewriting HistoryEpisode #358: The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS), hosted by Chiang Mai University in August 2024, brought together scholars, activists, and experts to discuss Myanmar's critical issues. The event focused on conflicts, peace processes, human rights, and the 2021 coup's impact, drawing an estimated 800 participants, making it one of the largest gatherings on Myanmar studies.Insight Myanmar Podcast had exclusive on-site access, recording a number of brief interviews with a wide range of guests. These interviews explore many different themes, and we’re excited to bring them to you here. This is the third episode of our fo...2025-06-271h 04Insight MyanmarFrom Russia With AnxietyEpisode #357: When Wai Yan Phyo Naing, a civilian scholar in Myanmar vocal against the human rights atrocities of the junta, received a scholarship from a Russian university to pursue his Masters, he did not expect to receive a rare insight into the intricacies of Myanmar's military. Yet that is exactly what happened, as many soldiers were also studying at his university in Moscow. Surrounded by hundreds of uniformed students, he observed a prevalent insularity within their ranks. Yet, amid this closed environment, he identified a distinct subgroup: military officers whose willingness to interact with other international students cultivated, for...2025-06-242h 16Insight MyanmarA Nation InterruptedEpisode #352: Nicholas Coppel’s tenure as Australia’s ambassador to Myanmar (2015–2018) provides a unique lens on the country’s transition toward democracy, as well as the enduring challenges posed by military dominance. Serving during the historic 2015 elections, Coppel witnessed the National League for Democracy (NLD) rise to power under Aung San Suu Kyi. Yet despite the optimism surrounding the election, the military’s entrenched authority under the 2008 Constitution continued to hinder reform. Retaining control of key ministries and 25% of parliamentary seats, the military ensured an enduring imbalance of power, despite the civilian government’s best efforts. Coppel’s engagement wa...2025-06-061h 14Insight MyanmarOn the Frontlines of DemocracyEpisode #350: Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA since 2019, speaks on the enduring struggle for democracy in Myanmar, a fight he frames as universally relevant. “At a fundamental level, any country’s struggle for democracy is every country’s struggle for democracy,” he says. He contrasts the brutal 2021 military coup with the more gradual democratic erosion seen globally, highlighting Myanmar’s stark regression. International IDEA, established in 1995, works to strengthen democratic governance worldwide. Casas-Zamora, a lawyer and political scientist with extensive inter-governmental experience, brings expertise to this mission as a lawyer by training, with his research informed by his analy...2025-06-0135 minInsight MyanmarThe Art of Doing NothingEpisode #345: Does any and all engagement with the junta equate to some form of complicity? Moe Thuzar of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute challenges this notion by offering a nuanced perspective on ASEAN’s role in the Myanmar crisis following the 2021 coup. She argues that ASEAN’s diplomacy aims to exert influence and advocate for the Myanmar people’s aspirations. Moe Thuzar begins by explaining that there are “multiple Myanmars” beyond Naypyidaw: “in the peri-urban and central areas, the delta, the periphery. And now the resistances.” Providing further nuance, she notes how for many, “ethnic armed organizations represent the aspirations of different co...2025-05-161h 08Insight MyanmarThe Usual SuspectsEpisode #317: Derek Mitchell’s engagement with Myanmar began unexpectedly in the 1990s when he attended a human rights event featuring Aung San Suu Kyi. Years later, he became the first U.S. Special Representative and later Ambassador to Myanmar, playing a crucial role in shaping U.S. policy toward the country.Under the Obama administration, the U.S. reassessed its approach, transitioning from sanctions to diplomatic engagement. Mitchell was tasked with determining whether Myanmar’s new government, led by Thein Sein, was genuinely committed to reform. While political prisoners were released and civil society restrictions eased, skepticism rema...2025-03-112h 00Insight MyanmarThe Hunger GamesEpisode #316: “Hunger and undernutrition in Myanmar is a political failure, and it’s a conscious political failure that's devastating,” says Thin Lei Win, a journalist dedicated to exposing Myanmar’s struggles with food security and press freedom.As a co-founder of Kite Tales, a non-profit storytelling project, she seeks to challenge mainstream narratives by amplifying personal stories that reflect Myanmar’s diverse realities. She says that before the 2021 coup, journalists were beginning to move beyond just reactions to events into more nuanced kinds of stories, but since the coup, press freedom has deteriorated, forcing many into exile or silence...2025-03-072h 16Insight MyanmarHope DeferredEpisode #314: Celito Arlegue, the Executive Director of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), offers a reflective account of his organization's involvement with Myanmar. He discusses CALD's initial engagement with Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD), providing training and support leading up to the 2015 elections, and recalls the optimism of that period, with many NLD members showing remarkable resilience despite years of imprisonment and torture. These experiences were life-changing for Arlegue, who was struck by the leaders' focus on national reconciliation and democratic progress instead of any justifiable animosity toward the military.However, Arlegue also ad...2025-02-281h 43Insight MyanmarGhosts of EmpireEpisode #307: Ashley South's exploration of Myanmar began as a journey into the unknown. He first worked with Karen refugees in Thailand, where he struggled to deal with the many cultural and religious differences. But over time, his understanding of Myanmar was transformed, deepening his connection with the people.Traveling extensively through Kachin, Shan, and Mon states, South's insights reveal Myanmar not as a true “nation state,” but more a tapestry of distinct, ethnic identities, and a colonial creation held together by force. While advocating for the assertion of ethnic identities, he highlights the challenges of ethni...2025-02-042h 18Insight MyanmarBonus Content: Interview with a Journalism StudentAye Mon, a journalism student at New York University, interviewed the founder of Insight Myanmar Podcast about the evolution and mission of the platform. Starting in 2019, the podcast initially focused on spiritual topics related to Burmese Buddhist meditation, but after the 2021 Myanmar coup, it shifted to address broader socio-political issues, reflecting the belief that it was unethical to ignore the national turmoil. The platform aimed to capture voices authentically, allowing raw stories to be heard without interference. Aye Mon also discusses the unique power of audio—its emotional depth, versatility, and the use of ambient sounds to ev...2024-12-2230 minInsight MyanmarRage Against the Dying LightEpisode #291: Charles Petrie, a former United Nations official with extensive experience in conflict zones, reflects on his time working with the UN and his recent journey to conflict-ridden areas in Myanmar.Petrie criticizes the UN's limitations and failures, especially regarding its handling of crises in Myanmar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and other places. He argues that the UN often oversimplifies conflicts, failing to address their root causes, while powerful member states prioritize national interests over humanitarian principles. This bureaucratic approach has led to systemic failures, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations.Discussing Myanmar, Petrie highlights the courage...2024-12-102h 42Insight MyanmarThe Revolution Will Be SteepedEpisode #282: Brian Hioe has been a life-long activist. He participated in Occupy Wall Street, Japan’s anti-nuclear protests, and the Sunflower Movement, which protested Taiwan’s growing economic ties with China. His experience during these movements culminated in founding New Bloom Magazine, which aimed to provide a bilingual platform focused on Taiwan’s social and political issues from the perspective of Taiwan’s youth.Brian discusses the historic and geopolitical ties between Taiwan and Myanmar, dating back to the Chinese Civil War, when many Kuomintang (KMT) fighters retreated to northern Burma before some eventually relocated to Taiwan. He grew...2024-11-0858 minInsight MyanmarSilent No MoreEpisode #278: The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) took place in August 2024, hosted by Chiang Mai University's RCSD. The event gathered scholars, activists, and experts to discuss Myanmar's political, social, and economic challenges, including conflicts, peace processes, human rights, and the 2021 coup's effects. With an estimated 800 attendees, it was one of the largest events of its kind on record.Insight Myanmar Podcast was granted exclusive access to record brief interviews with a variety of guests. These short clips cover many diverse topics, in contrast to our usual longform interviews with a single guest. This is...2024-10-251h 02Insight MyanmarAmerica Decides: How the US Election Could Reshape Burma PolicyThe stakes for Myanmar are very high in the upcoming US election. Given the two candidates’ different perspectives on international involvement, the transition to a new US administration will directly affect the way the country helps shape global responses to authoritarianism and human rights abuses. This is particularly true in Myanmar. The panel discussion focuses on how U.S. leadership might engage with Myanmar’s struggle for freedom and democracy in the post-election period.Panelists include:Scot Marciel, a seasoned U.S. diplomat, was the U.S. ambassador to Myanmar from 2016 to 2020. He now works with Stan...2024-10-181h 18Insight MyanmarBreaking RanksEpisode #274: Kyaw San Han, a former police captain turned dissident, offers a stark narrative of courage amid systemic oppression. Fleeing Myanmar with his family, he now lives in Japan, where he continues to advocate for democracy and resistance against the military junta. His journey began in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, a natural disaster that exposed the military's indifference to civilian suffering. Motivated by a desire to help, he joined the police force, only to encounter a regime intent on perpetuating fear and corruption. The police training he underwent was akin to prison, filled with ph...2024-10-082h 20Insight MyanmarCaught in the CrossfireEpisode #273: The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS), hosted by Chiang Mai University in August 2024, brought together over 800 scholars, activists, and experts to discuss Myanmar's political, social, and economic challenges, including the impact of the 2021 coup. Insight Myanmar Podcast was given exclusive access to cover the event, where we recorded brief interviews with a number of guests and covering a wide range of diverse topics. These interviews are being presented in a special, four-part series, of which this episode is the first. Guests include: Aung Zaw, founder and editor of The Irrawaddy. He has dedicated his c...2024-10-041h 02Insight MyanmarWhy Did Ashin Sarana Disrobe?Episode #269: Jansen Stovicek reflects on the emotional and practical challenges surrounding his decision to disrobe after 16 years as a monk. Initially, the idea of disrobing felt unimaginable, as his identity had been deeply intertwined with monastic life and strictly following the 90 billion-plus rules of the Vinaya. But after disrobing, Jansen encountered difficulty securing a place to stay as a monk, adding stress and uncertainty to his situation. His decision to disrobe was met with mixed acceptance by his community’ of followers. Ultimately, Jansen’s story is one of personal transformation and reflection. His candid insights shed...2024-09-202h 01Insight MyanmarBonus Content: An Interview with The Bangkok PodcastWe were honored to join our friends at The Bangkok Podcast to discuss the origins of our platform and how we've navigated the challenges of hosting discussions in the post-coup environment. We are sharing an interview that occurred on their feed earlier in the year.2024-09-1336 minInsight MyanmarA Critical JunctionEpisode #250: Rosalia (“Lia”) Sciortino, founder of SEA Junction in Bangkok, shares her poignant narrative of dedication to the country of Myanmar. Her journey began with an interest in cultural anthropology and development sociology, which led her to Southeast Asia. Lia's subsequent work with the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and IDRC provided her with a deeper understanding of the region’s socio-political complexities.Lia’s connection with Myanmar deepened through her focus on transnational issues such as migration, trafficking, and cross-border health. Her commitment to social justice and democracy is reflected in her support for various advocacy programs even thr...2024-07-121h 16Insight MyanmarSpring University MyanmarEpisode #246: Thura, co-founder of Spring University Myanmar (SUM), offers a poignant narrative of resilience and innovation in the face of tyranny. Following the 2021 coup, Myanmar's youth found themselves grappling with a reality where traditional education systems crumbled under the weight of military oppression. Thura's response was visionary: establishing an alternative educational platform that not only defies the junta but also sustains the spirit of learning and resistance.Spring University Myanmar has emerged as a vibrant beacon of hope, providing micro-credentials and diploma programs across diverse disciplines. By harnessing the power of digital and analog technologies, including innovative...2024-06-252h 27Insight MyanmarThe Borders of ConflictEpisode #242: The situation at the Myanmar-India border exemplifies the intersection of regional geopolitics, ethnic dynamics, and national security concerns. Angshuman Choudhury, a policy analyst, emphasizes that the northeast region of India, with its proximity and historical ties to Myanmar, plays a pivotal role in India's strategic calculus. The border, stretching 1,640 kilometers, is not just a line on a map, but a space of significant ethnic and cultural interaction that impacts local and national policies.India's relationship with Myanmar is a pragmatic one, influenced by security concerns over insurgent groups finding refuge in Myanmar and the broader geopolitical...2024-06-041h 43
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastMy 3Rs Routine: Read. Reflect. Review (Episode 1)NarSin Myanmar Podcast returns in 2024 with a new episode.2024-05-3018 minInsight MyanmarBeyond ImpunityEpisode #240: Isabel Todd, speaking on behalf of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), provides a profound insight into the current situation in Myanmar, focusing on the country's struggle for justice and human rights amidst ongoing military atrocities.A critical aspect of Todd's discussion is the international community's response to the crisis in Myanmar, or rather, the lack thereof. Despite the clear evidence of genocidal atrocities committed by the military against the Rohingya, and the ongoing human rights violations since the coup, ensuring accountability and justice still seem far off. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the...2024-05-281h 47Insight MyanmarEmergency Edition: Burning the Midnight OilMichael Haack sheds light on the intricate world of US sanctions and their impact on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprises (MOGE) and the wider Myanmar military regime. Haack, a familiar voice on the podcast, has spent two decades advocating for Myanmar, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the Burma Act.These latest sanctions, as Haack explains, cut off US financial services to MOGE, affecting loans and transfers, which may seem minor but actually have a profound impact. MOGE, being a vital source of foreign exchange for the military, deals primarily in US dollars, making these...2024-01-0543 minInsight Myanmar“Why Has Myanmar’s Democracy Movement Been Ignored?” (Panel Discussion)Episode #208: Better Burma’s third panel tackles the issue of the lack of limited international governmental and infrequent media attention on the horrific, on-going situation in Myanmar and the Burmese people’s valiant resistance against a brutal, Russia-backed military. Considering the widespread atrocities and human rights abuses, this lack of attention is actually rather startling. This disconnect was nowhere more apparent than in the Crisis Group’s recent essay, “10 Conflicts to Watch in 2023.” Myanmar didn’t even make the list!The topic of this panel, then, was Why Has Myanmar's Struggle for Democracy Bee...2023-12-262h 04Insight MyanmarEmergency Edition: Scams and ShacklesJason Tower, country director for the Burma program at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), exposes the dark underbelly of an operation that ensnares hundreds of thousands of people into a form of modern-day slavery across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, forcing them to act as scammers in this multibillion dollar “industry.”Describing these scams as “pig butchering” because they’re designed to lead unaware dupes to the slaughter, Tower reveals a highly organized criminal network that resembling modern IT companies employing advanced technology, AI, and fintech to deceive victims globally, and which also engages in prostit...2023-12-082h 02
Insight MyanmarEmergency Edition: The Spring Revolution Will WinYou're listening to a Special Release episode of Insight Myanmar Podcast. In the aftermath of Operation 1027, a pivotal military action initiated by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, and further supported by a coalition of ethnic fighters and PDF units, Myanmar is undergoing a transformative moment and so we are launching this series in response.Our guest is Matthew Arnold, an academic and independent policy analyst specializing in politics, governance, and peace and conflict, with extensive experience in Myanmar and a background encompassing roles at The Asia Foundation, academic research, and with the UN World Food Program in various...2023-12-022h 44Insight MyanmarEmergency Edition: The Spring Revolution Will WinYou're listening to a Special Release episode of Insight Myanmar Podcast. In the aftermath of Operation 1027, a pivotal military action initiated by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, and further supported by a coalition of ethnic fighters and PDF units, Myanmar is undergoing a transformative moment and so we are launching this series in response.Our guest is Matthew Arnold, an academic and independent policy analyst specializing in politics, governance, and peace and conflict, with extensive experience in Myanmar and a background encompassing roles at The Asia Foundation, academic research, and with the UN World Food Program in various...2023-12-022h 44Insight MyanmarJack Myint, Part 2Episode #203: Jack Myint's journey is a tale of cultural contrast and resilience. He had the opportunity as a teenager to attend a program at a US college, sponsored by the State Department. Coming from the very traditional, Myanmar public schools, his experience of open discussion and critical engagement in an American college classroom was an awakening.Returning to Myanmar from the vibrant American campus was stark, reverse culture shock. Jack’s independent spirit, only enhanced by his US trip, caused his mother concern under the repressive, military regime. She warned, “You're going to either get killed or end...2023-11-212h 10Insight MyanmarBattling Oppression with Economic StabilityEpisode #200: “I am an Indian and American, and I carry both in my blood,” says Jagdish Dalal, who goes by the name Jag. “I am one of those with a Western mind and Eastern soul. So whenever I think about Myanmar, or I think about other Asian countries, I have a personal feel for it.”With over five decades of leadership experience advising Fortune 100 companies, Jag is a sought-after speaker on information technology management and futurism. He emphasizes the importance of "impact sourcing" and the need for infrastructure to harness the incoming wealth from corporations in developing economie...2023-11-1044 minInsight MyanmarPresumed GuiltyEpisode #194: In the midst of Myanmar's turbulent times, Manny Maung, a dedicated advocate from Human Rights Watch, sheds light on a dire situation. Behind closed doors, a shadowy military court system relentlessly tries civilians without proper legal representation. This injustice has escalated to an unprecedented level since the coup, eroding the foundations of democracy and rule of law.The Myanmar justice system, rooted in colonial-era penal codes, has never embraced fair trials. Now, it operates entirely at the whims of military leader Min Aung Hlaing, undermining the very essence of legality. Lawyers valiantly defending their clients often...2023-10-131h 07Insight MyanmarNarcos: MyanmarEpisode #193: In Myanmar's tumultuous landscape, Patrick Winn urges us to see the drug trade not as a moral dilemma but as a potent force shaping the nation's destiny. This trade is a means to amass power, manipulate borders, and influence Myanmar's very future, much like how Saudi Arabia was changed by the discovery of oil there.Winn's perspective on the multibillion dollar drug trade is pragmatic; it's a colossal industry, akin to Fortune 500 companies, driven by ruthless individuals who'll go to any lengths for profit. He traces the Golden Triangle’s origins back to Chinese Nationalist soldiers wh...2023-10-101h 55Insight MyanmarBonus Content: Insight Myanmar Podcast featured on "Rocklaz Radio with Tanmay Shah"The host and founder of Insight Myanmar was interviewed by the podcast, "Rocklaz Radio with Tanmay Shah." Trish, the founder of Bamama Cooks, joins the conversation as well.2023-09-292h 40Insight MyanmarBonus Content: Insight Myanmar Podcast featured on "Uncensored: Women of the World"The host and founder of Insight Myanmar was interviewed by the podcast, "Uncensored: Women of the World." 2023-08-0440 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastAudio Book - 3NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2023-07-1333 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 13NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2023-07-0123 minInsight MyanmarHope from the HeartlandEpisode #172: In 2021, Jake Snyder embarked on a journey from Kansas to Missouri, unknowingly setting the stage for a life-altering encounter. As he tuned into an episode of the Insight Myanmar Podcast during his drive, the guest’s voice captivated him. Her name was Thiri, and her vulnerability and vivid portrayal of the challenges she faced drew Jake into her world. Inspired by her openness, he felt compelled to support her cause, and decided to offer recurring donations to her work that have now stretched over two years. Jake's firm decision to “show up” in this way was rooted in his ow...2023-06-201h 12
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastAudio Book - 2NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2023-05-1521 minInsight MyanmarThe Inconvenient Truth about the Military CoupEpisode #163: Jack Jenkins Hill, a PhD student at the University College London, joins the show to discuss the state of capitalism and the deteriorating environment in Myanmar. Hill has spent the last decade studying such issues as deforestation, mining, and natural resource governance, as well as how indigenous communities have been impacted in Myanmar.Since the colonial era, Burma has had a sorry history of exploitation of its natural resources. The British engaged in massive logging, while in the last decade, deforestation has largely come in the guise of agribusiness, such as palm oil and rubber plantations. T...2023-05-051h 08Insight MyanmarContrasting Iran and MyanmarEpisode #162: Pardis Mahdavi, Provost and Executive Vice-President as well as professor of anthropology at the University of Montana, joins the conversation to talk about the growing discontent and protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which shares several similarities with the situation in Myanmar. Professor Mahdavi describes an interesting dynamic that arose in the mid-20th century: the Iranian people’s growing disgust with what they call “westoxification,” a term referring to the Pahlavi Shahs’ infatuation with Western cultures, and their push for changes within Iranian society which often went against Iranian Islamic social and cultural...2023-04-281h 08
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastAudio Book - Episode 1(Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast: narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2023-03-1113 minInsight MyanmarFunding a RevolutionEpisode #149: Nandar Min Swe is a fundraiser for the government in exile. She helped sell NUG bonds, as well as facilitating the sale of subdivided plots of land owned by Min Aung Hlaing and other the military, which can be redeemed upon a successful end to the revolution. These days, she is working on facilitating a cryptocurrency which can circumvent the military regime’s control over the national financial system.Nandar identifies a developing problem, however, in that most fundraising efforts are directed at Burmese donors. “Why are we digging deeper into our own pockets, and our own p...2023-02-201h 04
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastContraceptives, ART, PrEP & PEPCreated by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2023-02-0129 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 12Random Thoughts: Episode 12 (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2023-01-1509 minInsight MyanmarYou Down with NUG?Episode #142: “What must a government do to be worthy of recognition?” This is a question that Philipp Annawitt poses in a recent The Diplomat article, and discusses with Insight Myanmar Podcast vis-à-vis the NUG and its allies.The concept of “legitimacy” has evolved in the past couple of centuries century. Considering the various strands of “legitimacy” standards in present-day Myanmar, Annawitt emphatically states that the military junta meets none of them. In contrast, he points out that the NUG (and its allies) carries out many of the commonly accepted, functional duties of a government in those areas of the c...2023-01-131h 41
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastGood IntentionsCreated by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2023-01-0316 minInsight MyanmarMyanmar’s Voices for Freedom (Panel Discussion)Episode #140: Better Burma, in partnership with One Light Global, was proud to host "Myanmar's Voices for Freedom,” a panel discussion that bought together five, dynamic, Burmese nationals, each resisting the military regime in Myanmar in their own unique way. This full panel discussion has been modified into podcast format, and can be listened to here.The discussion explored a wide variety of topics: the Rohingya crisis, issues regarding the country’s marginalized groups and ethnic minorities, gender equality and LGBT+ rights, the role of the international community, how allies can rally to support the democracy movement, public schoo...2022-12-302h 37Insight MyanmarMission of BurmaEpisode #137: A lifelong Czech diplomat and currently Ambassador to Austria, Jiří Šitler talks about his career and the interesting ties between his country and Myanmar.He first official task was to negotiate terms for German compensation of Czech citizens who had been victims of forced labor and Nazi war crimes. After this, he was given the Ambassadorship to Thailand. This led to further ambassadorships in Laos, and Cambodia, and eventually the post of Director for Asia in the Czech Foreign Ministry.Šitler describes how Czech President President Havel was sympathetic to the grow...2022-12-091h 34
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 11Random Thoughts - 11 (Bonus Track for 2022) - Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com2022-12-0914 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 10Random Thoughts (Episode - 10): " This is not the end." by NarSin Myanmar Podcast2022-11-2622 minInsight MyanmarThe Pit and the PendulumEpisode #129: Andrea Passeri and Hunter Marsten co-authored an article which looks at Myanmar’s quest for a non-aligned foreign policy, and that is the subject of this podcast discussion.In 2011-12, following many years of military rule, the Thein Sein administration moved quickly to gain both domestic and international legitimacy. It instituted economic and political reforms, allowing the NLD, who had boycotted the elections, back into the political mainstream.From the military junta’s previous negative-neutral foreign policy, the new government began shifting to a positive and active policy of non-alignment. There was a tangible feelin...2022-10-281h 33
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 9Change Yourself or Change Your Surroundings! (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-10-1507 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 8Decision-making is necessary for daily life and has a big impact on you. So, how do you make decisions? Here are some of my techniques. (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-09-0708 minInsight MyanmarProgressing Towards VictoryEpisode #118: Kyar Phyu returns to the Insight Myanmar Podcast to update listeners on how eventful the past number of months have been, in particular regarding her association with the CDM.Her activities came to the notice of military intelligence, and Kyar Phyu was forced to flee, taking refuge in a safe house for eight months. During that entire time, she only ventured outside twice, both times out of necessity: first when she contracted COVID, and then when her safe house became compromised, and she had to move to another. Eventually, Kyar Phyu realized it would only be...2022-08-191h 41
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastSelf-acceptanceIt's difficult to accept who we are at our worst, with all of our faults and flaws. However, self-acceptance is crucial and fundamental even for people with traumatic life experiences. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-08-1808 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 7"If you expect nothing from somebody, you are never disappointed." Sylvia Plath
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-08-0407 minInsight MyanmarSupporting Myanmar through Engaged BuddhismEpisode #114: Growing up in the Bay Area, raised by parents who followed the Vietnamese meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh, Derek Pyle was no stranger to Buddhist theory and practice. While some Western practitioners separate their formal meditation practice from their experience of everyday life, Derek has always found value in integrating them, and has looked for inspiration from formal sitting practice to sutta study to undertaking projects as an Engaged Buddhist.One of his first projects was in 2017, when the Tatmadaw ramped up their aggression against the Rohingya. Derek reached out to Alan Senauke, and the they...2022-07-291h 56
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastKnow YourselfKnowing yourself is crucial to living a fulfilling life. Do you want to explore the reasons why and how you can learn yourself? So, give this podcast a listen and share your thoughts with us.
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin, Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-07-0905 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 6Have you ever felt separated or distant from your friends as you get older?
Have you ever had the experience of gradually losing a friend after a lengthy period of no communication without any problems?
If that's the case, this podcast is for you.
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-05-2105 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 5Everyone changes with the passing of time. As you get older, your thoughts, perspective on the world, and body change. Your personality and attitude change as your age. Experiences lived through, knowledge gained and people encountered contribute to that shift in life. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-05-0805 minInsight MyanmarContrasting Ukraine and MyanmarOn February 1st, 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing orchestrated a military coup in Myanmar. On February 24th, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized missiles and airstrikes as the first blow in his invasion of Ukraine. On today’s show, two very experienced and highly credentialed international relations experts compare and contrast these two crises: Hunter Marston, who speaks to the situation in Myanmar, and Emily Channell-Justice, who addresses the Russian invasion of Ukraine.As neither Ukraine nor Russia are signatories to the International Criminal Court, Emily notes that it is up to the ICC to pursue its own charges. In...2022-04-142h 00
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 4A Big Fish In A Small Pond? A Small Fish In A Big Pond? Hope this podcast will bring you some thoughts. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin;
Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast
- narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-04-0304 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastConsistency"Slow and steady wins the race."
We need to work consistently towards our goals. That's why I discussed "Consistency" with this podcast. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-03-1403 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastGender DiscriminationThis podcast discusses a brief about gender discrimination. Hope you find it interesting and are aware of different forms of discrimination. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-03-0706 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastMe and My Books"So many books, so little time." (Frank Zappa) - This podcast is for those who enjoy reading, those who prefer reading the book in their hands, as well as those who love buying and collecting their favorite books. What types of books do I like? What books did I buy and collect? Plus, a summary of nine books that I purchased in January 2022 was discussed.
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-02-1507 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 3Have you ever thought about your past mistakes on sleepless nights? Have you ever categorized the mistakes? Moreover, this podcast will also discuss the differences between reviewing mistakes and repenting them. (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-02-0805 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastMid-life CrisisThings don't always turn out the way we expect, especially when we grow older. A "mid-life crisis" is marked by disappointments and fading aspirations. Anyone can encounter this crisis. Even individuals who have a happy life situation can be affected by it. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-02-0107 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastQuarter-life CrisisAre you between the ages of 20 and 30? So, you or someone close to you may be experiencing a quarter-life crisis. I hope this podcast might assist you in overcoming it. Next week, I'll also discuss the mid-life crisis. Stay tuned for that as well. (Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-01-2507 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastDomestic ViolenceDomestic violence is common. Many people are not aware of it and how often it occurs. So, this podcast will explain a little bit about domestic violence.
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-01-1808 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastSocial Media Usage & Emotional SupportConnecting with others and expressing our opinions on social media are required, especially in this situation. On the other hand, it may also come with unwanted side effects. Using social media platforms wisely can bring better results and positive emotions. (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-01-1106 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastHarassment and Sexual HarassmentThis podcast explains harassment and sexual harassment in brief. Both Sexual and non-sexual harassing behaviors are unacceptable, and they should not be tolerated.
(Hosted by Hnin Ei Lwin; Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast- narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2022-01-0407 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 2Are you from a grassroots level or middle-class family in Myanmar? Are you feeling lost in life? If so, I would like to recommend you to listen to this podcast. This is not about motivation, but for realizing your situation well. I believe you will gain something useful from this.(Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2021-12-2109 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastRandom Thoughts - 1Many people think of success as money, position, power, or it's sometimes referred to as official education. Some people also say it as contentment or peace. How about you? How can we measure success? I have shared my thoughts and ideas with this podcast. (Created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast - narsinmyanmarpodcast@gmail.com)2021-12-1404 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastUpdates about NarSin Myanmar Podcast - December 2021This is to update you about NarSin - Myanmar Podcast. We are trying again to create and upload new episodes of our podcasts regularly in 2022, as we usually did before. So, please stay tuned.
We also created our YouTube Channel, NarSin - Myanmar Podcast in which you can find and listen easily to your favorite ones according to the hosts or topics by checking out respective playlists. We hope you enjoy it as well.
Not only on Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, NarSin Myanmar Podcast is also available on several podcast sites including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor.
(na...2021-12-0903 minInsight MyanmarDave Leduc: A champion stands with the peopleDave LeDuc loves all things Myanmar. But maybe more than anything, Dave loves stepping into a fighting pit without gloves or shoes, and giving well-placed head butts that knock an opponent cold! Dave is Myanmar’s first— and only— foreign champion of Lethwei, a traditional martial arts boxing practice that dates back centuries.Dave became interested in mixed martial arts and trained in a variety of forms. He eventually went to Thailand, and began looking for fighting opportunities. He landed a controversial bout through the Department of Corrections, which invited Dave into a Thai maximum securi...2021-11-151h 52Insight MyanmarYou Can't Go Home AgainThe ending line of Jessica Mudditt’s book, Our Home In Myanmar, puts a startling cap on her account of her life in Yangon in the 2010s. She writes, “Myanmar’s sudden returned to a dictatorship means that I have inadvertently written a history book.” This is the subject of the current episode, which charts Jessica’s hard-won attempts to live in Myanmar during the last decade.Jessica was primarily motivated to come to Myanmar to witness and report on the 2015 election, arriving a full three years in advance in order to be better positioned to understand that histo...2021-08-192h 21Insight MyanmarDr. Sasa on the COVID crisis in MyanmarFrom the moment you begin looking into the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar, the numbers are simply staggering. Some projections suggest half of the population might be infected within two weeks, and there is now the risk that the country will become a super-spreader Covid state that fuels outbreaks across the region, with a full one-third of the world’s population live in nations bordering Myanmar.This approaching, apocalyptic nightmare is the subject of today’s episode, which features Dr. Sasa. The former Special Envoy to United Nations, Dr. Sasa currently serv...2021-08-041h 09Insight MyanmarBhikkhu Bodhi on the Crisis in MyanmarHow can a dedicated meditator maintain the five precepts when encountering armed soldiers with orders to abduct, rape, torture, or even kill? How should devoted lay supporters of the Saṅgha respond when much of their own monkhood remains silent even as their country is burning around them? What is the best way that practitioners outside of Myanmar can support the protest movement at this time? These are just a few of the moral quandaries put to the Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, in an interview which he later admitted was “one of the toughest I’ve ever had.”Many of...2021-07-041h 29Insight MyanmarNavigating Rough WatersAt a time when corporations, countries, and individuals are speaking out, taking a moral stand, and considering action to support the Burmese people as state-sponsored terror grips their nation, what is the ethical responsibility of the vipassana organization of S.N. Goenka, who always reminded students of their “debt of gratitude” to the geographical region where their lineage hails from?To answer this question and many more, we turn to Daniel Mayer, the Coordinating Area Teacher (CAT) “to serve the Rest of Africa.” Daniel advises meditators to not stray towards one extreme or another. For those caught up in th...2021-03-101h 06Insight MyanmarFeeding Freedom, Not FearA world-renowned expert on Burmese cuisine and author of the best-selling book Mandalay: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen, Mi Mi Aye never imagined that one day she might become an activist. But as she has become increasingly invested in Myanmar’s current crisis, that is the role she has begun to take on.Having deep connections to the full range of Burma’s cuisine— running the gamut from humble street stalls to five-star dining— Mi Mi Aye was concerned when the pandemic broke a year ago, noting that the restaurant industry especially has been suffering. And alth...2021-03-071h 36Insight MyanmarActive Days, Restless NightsExhausted from the daily protests and sleeping at a different monastery roof with fellow protesters every night for safety, his face darkened from being out under the hot sun all day, his voice hoarse from giving daily speeches, and his words crackling with emotion as he struggles to describe his horror at the loss of freedom and the innocents who have died… Chit Tun takes listeners to the front lines of the protest movement. Struggling at times to find the right words, his mind so harried that he sometimes loses his train of thought, and at various points not eve...2021-03-022h 15Insight MyanmarThe Power of Mettā in ActionIn looking back at the turbulent recent history of her country, Sayalay Chandadhika, a Burmese Buddhist nun based in Germany, sees a never-ending spiral of destructive patterns that continue to produce the same disastrous results. How to disrupt this disturbing trend? In her words, the response is clear: “We need another method, and I cannot see another method rather than mettā.”Speaking to us from Germany, Sayalay Chandadhika affirms that mettā, or the practice of loving kindness, is not merely some optimistic or naïve way to engage with a difficult situation like Myanmar’s present circumstances, it is act...2021-02-221h 34Insight MyanmarFacing Darkness with Light“We are already in the danger. So we don’t care anymore. The dawn won’t be that much darker than the midnight. And we are already in the midnight, so the darkness can’t be much worse. We are at the peak of the darkness.”These were the words of Inda Aung Soe as military tanks were rolling past at the start of our free-flowing and open interview, when asked if he felt safe talking to us from the chaotic streets of Yangon. Inda’s brave response echoes a resilience exemplified by the Burmese people during the shocking...2021-02-1652 minInsight MyanmarFinding Inner Stability in Troubling Times“The Dhamma is so central to this culture, and [yet] not understood by the people who write about this place in the media from overseas. So all those sorts of things get reported from a vacuum of understanding about how incredibly important it is, for this whole culture.”So says Daw Viranani, an American Buddhist nun based in Chan Myay Myaing Monastery in northern Yangon. We were able to talk with her just before a nationwide Internet black-out hit the country. Since the military coup on February 1st, Myanmar has been one of the trending topi...2021-02-061h 19
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastExperiences & Emotions of people with HIVThis podcast is created by NarSin Myanmar Podcast for the Doh A Tu non-profit organization.2021-01-2812 min
NarSin - Myanmar PodcastJapanese Era Rangoon General Hospital: Memoir of a Wartime PhysicianWelcome back to a new episode at NarSin Myanmar Podcast. This time, let us bring you back to the memoir of a physician served in Yangon during Japanese era. Check it out and let us know how you find it!
(Hosted by JustMi)2020-11-2904 minInsight MyanmarMedia Corner: The Power Of Ethical Spiritual IntelligenceAlan Clements’ new book, Burma: Voices of Freedom, is a monumental achievement, a work more than three decades in the making. Alan interviewed hundreds of people in order to examine the intersecting lines between Burmese Buddhist practice and the turbulent history of the country, thus bringing together the worldly and the spiritual in profound ways. He decided to sit for just one full-length interview on his recent publication: here on Insight Myanmar Podcast! In Alan’s own words, the pages of Burma: Voices of Freedom “cover the historic national election of the National League of Democracy (NLD) to Parli...2020-11-192h 48Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Thabarwa EditionThe sixth episode in our “COVID-19 in Myanmar” series, this is the first show in this series in which all the voices are from a single place—in this case, Thabarwa Monastery in Than Lyin. This episode departs from previous ones in more ways than this, however. As some of the interviews were collected right as the world began to shut down because of COVID-19, we realized that while not that long ago in time, they seem eons ago in other ways, as so much has happened since then. So besides their original talk, you’ll hear...2020-08-282h 08Insight MyanmarMyanmar Dhamma Diaries: An Assault on FaithSometimes a single moment can be so profound… or so complex… that it takes hours, or even days, following the encounter to get a handle on it. In the story that follows, that “moment” has been taking years to process. In this case, the actual moment in question is simple enough: Yonie, an African-American vipassana meditator in the tradition of S.N. Goenka, travels to Myanmar to pay homage to the lineage of his teacher and consider monastic ordination. Several days into his stay at a Yangon monastery, he is in the dining hall awaiting lunch, when a long-s...2020-08-151h 35Insight MyanmarIntersection of Dhamma & Race: Episode #1This is a very different kind of show than any previous episode we’ve brought you on the Insight Myanmar Podcast. Regular listeners may remember that a few months ago, we interrupted our usual run of sit-down interviews to produce a special series on the coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar. In these episodes, we checked in with a number of monastics and practitioners, and inquired how they as meditators were coping with the world shutting down. As we were working to respond to the relevancy of that moment— itself no easy task for a skeleton crew volunteer team— another historic moment...2020-07-272h 25Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Sheltering At HomeWelcome to the fifth episode in our ongoing “COVID-19 in Myanmar” series, called “Sheltering in Place.” While the previous show told the stories of four expats who left just before the world closed down, the current episode relates the tales of four more expats who were in Myanmar at the time that the pandemic hit, and made the decision to remain in the country and ride out the storm in the Golden Land. The guests include:· Hampus Haraldsson, a Swedish yogi who had planned a series of meditation courses, self-retreats, travel and Buddhist study in Myanmar this year. He was ta...2020-07-171h 37Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Exiled Expats EditionHow has the coronavirus pandemic impacted foreign meditators in Myanmar? This is precisely the question we set out to answer in this “Expats in Exile Edition” of our COVID-19 in Myanmar series.The guests include:· Jose Molina, an agricultural economist based in Yangon, who observed that life stayed pretty much as usual in the city, even as the rest of the world shut down. Initially resisting the inclination to leave, he ultimately packed up his apartment and had an emotional farewell at Chan Myay Yeiktha Monastery, his primary place of practice. Now back in Massachusetts, he has had...2020-07-041h 55Insight MyanmarMyanmar Dhamma Diaries: Empathy for the ExecutionersIn 2017, Zach Hessler, then known as U Obhasa, was a forest monk in upper Myanmar. Following in the tradition of monks during the Buddha's time, one day he set out from his forest monastery on foot to wander among the mountains and villages in the vicinity. He did so with the intention of following a set of ascetic practices known as dhutaṅga. But he could not have imagined what would happen next. Unknowingly entering a forbidden area, he and his monastic companion suddenly found themselves surrounded by several dozen men wielding weapons, suspecting that the two bh...2020-06-271h 38Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Monastic EditionHow is the coronavirus pandemic impacting monastics in Myanmar? This is precisely the question we set out to answer in this very special “Monastic Edition” of our COVID-19 in Myanmar series. The guests include:· U Viveka, a Canadian monk studying under Sayadaw U Tejaniya, who is using the pandemic as an opportunity to examine his fear of death.· Ashin Sarana, a Czech monk who was teaching in the USA when the pandemic hit, and returned to undergo a mandatory (and then self-imposed) period of quarantine at a Burmese monastery.· Pabhassaro Bhikkhu, a Polish monk who found his ide...2020-06-162h 04Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Women's EditionIn the second installment of our ongoing COVID-19 in Myanmar series, we present the Women’s Edition. So often at times of crisis and at key moments in world events, it is the voices of men who make the news. This is certainly no less true in Myanmar, where speeches from revered Sayadaws and male meditation teachers dominate the Dhamma discourse. For this reason, this episode will highlight those voices and experiences of female practitioners, who discuss how they have responded to the current pandemic.The guests include:· Katie L’Estrange, a British teacher, fundraiser, and medita...2020-06-101h 34Insight MyanmarCOVID-19 in Myanmar: Burmese EditionIn this inaugural episode of our ongoing "COVID-19 in Myanmar" series, we present the Burmese Edition, where we hear from the four local voices who present their perspectives on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar. They reflect on how their Buddhist faith and practice has played a role in helping to them to understand and respond to the crisis. The guests include:· Zaw Win Htet, a local historian and monastic school supporter in Chaung Oo.· Dr. Jenny Ko Gyi, a Buddhist professor and translator.· Inda Aung Soe, a former monk and founder of an organic composi...2020-05-291h 29Insight MyanmarMyanmar Dhamma Diaries: Sobering Up in IngyinbinIn this inaugural edition of the “Myanmar Dhamma Diaries,” Joah tells the story of an alcoholic Airbnb guest from Europe who disrupts his Yangon home. Learning that the guest had chosen to stay there as a cry for help in battling his addiction problems, Joah arranges for him to meet two foreign monks to begin to learn about Dhamma, and eventually helps him to stay for several weeks under the care of Ashin Mandala at Webu Sayadaw Monastery in Ingyinbin village, in northern Myanmar. There the guest is given sensitive, personal guidance in meditation and the Dhamma, and his mind...2020-05-081h 23Insight MyanmarWelcome to the Insight Myanmar Podcast!We are proud to present the inaugural episode of the Insight Myanmar podcast! Our host, Joah McGee, will first give a brief introduction about the podcast’s mission and background, followed by short previews of each of the first six interviews we’ve conducted so far. The full-length podcasts will be aired once weekly and feature (in order of appearance on the trailer):Alan Clements, an American yogi, activist, and author, describes his time as a monk during the late 1970s and early 1980s in Myanmar.Sayalay Piyadassi, a Lithuanian nun, discusses her early years as a nun in M...2020-01-2042 min