Aye 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 evoke Myanmar’s atmosphere. She inquires about the podcast’s approach to guest selection, emphasizing trust and comfort, especially for sensitive topics. Aye Mon suggests that the podcast’s commitment to honest storytelling makes it a vital tool for both awareness and connection in these challenging times.

Episode #294: This is the second installment of Grahame White’s discussion with Insight Myanmar. He picks up the thread being back in Australia, running group sittings that grew in popularity. Joseph Goldstein was invited to conduct the country's inaugural ten-day course, setting off an explosion of interest. This soon resulted in the building of the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre, complete with a Burmese style pagoda and relics brought over by Sayadaw U Lakkhana.

Over time, Grahame found himself in the middle of a tug-of-war at the center between emphasizing the more traditional forms of practice, and presenting a stripped-down emphasis of technique. Although Grahame favored the former in some manner, the center’s board chose the latter.

While there were few possibilities for practice in the West when he started out on this path, Grahame is not averse to the plethora of meditation styles and teachers available today in Australia, and around the world. He realizes that similar to the young hippies who unexpectedly assumed the mantle of imparting the profound teachings of the Dhamma to a Western audience, the present generation is trying to formulate and disseminate the practice within their own distinct context and society, including a message that is more inclusive of previously marginalized communities, and its relevance in a rapidly changing world.

In closing, Grahame, returns to the current horror that has overtaken Myanmar, the land which has given him so much. “There's been certain emotions going on in my mind, like shock and horror, and real sadness that the Dharma is no longer there in the sense that it was for many, many years,” he says, adding, “As these situations arise, they've been living with it for a thousand years, and up to the present day, and this one will pass as well...”

Episode #293: Journalist Thomas van Linge shares his insights into the dire situation in Karenni state, contrasting the devastation caused by the military junta versus the resilience of the Karenni people. From the beginning of the coup in February 2021, Thomas closely followed the bravery of Burmese protesters who transformed civil resistance into an armed struggle. His work mapping the conflict revealed that the junta's control is weaker than originally thought, with military forces largely confined to isolated, hilltop bases.

The resistance, despite being outgunned, has shown remarkable unity and determination. Lacking a central leadership, they operate in a uniquely cooperative way, effectively countering the junta's efforts. Thomas notes how the Karennis’ community-driven spirit allows them to weather internal conflicts and maintain unity, even without a dominant leader.

Thomas also highlights the failures of the international community, criticizing ineffective humanitarian aid and the refusal of neighboring Thailand to provide adequate sanctuary to refugees. Yet he points out that while the lack of international intervention is legitimate grounds for criticism, it does have an upside, as it enables the resistance to maintain a grassroots character, free from external manipulation.

"Despite all these hardships, all these difficulties, I've never sensed any despair or dip in morale among the people... They're all keeping their spirits up," he says. "Where we visited, most of the villages have been abandoned because they are within the artillery range of the regime. But the regime itself is now isolated in the hilltop camps and could be eliminated from those bases in different perceivable future! So when those areas are completely cleared, then the people could leave the IDP camps and come back to their villages to start rebuilding."

Episode #292: Anrike Visser is Senior Policy Advisor at The Sentry, an investigative and policy organization. She focuses on economic statecraft, and joins us to discuss the challenges and complexities of sanctions in conflict zones like Myanmar.

Anrike brings a wealth of insight into the mechanics and challenges of using economic measures to weaken Myanmar’s military junta. Drawing on years of expertise in financial regulation and international policy, she explores how targeted restrictions aim to disrupt the junta’s revenue streams while avoiding harm to ordinary citizens. Anrike also unpacks the junta’s reliance on financial hubs like Singapore and Thailand and its sophisticated evasion tactics, including proxy companies, fake certifications, and illegal trade routes.

Anrike highlights how global enforcement gaps allow these measures to fall short, emphasizing the need for better coordination among Western powers and regional actors. Through examples like Myanmar’s timber and oil industries, she explains how some sectors remain critical revenue sources for the junta, while others, such as the garment industry, may require a lighter touch to avoid undue harm to civilians. The role of civil society organizations and investigative journalism is central to her analysis, showcasing how their on-the-ground expertise uncovers vital details about the junta’s networks and operational methods.

Anrike also stresses the importance of closing enforcement loopholes, accelerating response times to evidence of evasion, and harmonizing sanctions across jurisdictions. By combining these efforts with broader diplomatic strategies, she illustrates how economic measures can effectively constrain oppressive regimes.

In closing, Anrike calls for the international community to step up and support these local organizations who are now doing so much, and while in harm’s way. She says: “I just want to acknowledge that they are the ones that should receive a lot more support from the international community, financial, training, capacity, just to keep doing this work under these difficult circumstances.”

Episode #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 and resilience of Myanmar’s Generation Z activists, who have built self-sustaining governance structures in the face of brutal repression by the military regime, the SAC. He notes that many Western policymakers indulge in “fairy tale” thinking, overlooking the complex realities of Myanmar’s situation while simultaneously withholding meaningful support. In his view, Myanmar’s emerging grassroots governance—largely led by young, educated activists—proves the people’s capacity for self-determination. Petrie’s journey into Karenni State allowed him to witness both the hardships imposed by the SAC’s violent tactics and the unbreakable resolve of Myanmar’s revolutionary forces.

Petrie critiques the West’s inaction and the UN's failure to stand firmly for its foundational values. While he views the UN as a flawed, symbolic institution, he believes it must still be preserved. He sees the UN as a beacon of hope for future generations advocating for justice and a better world. Ultimately, Petrie’s reflections emphasize the need for honest, courageous global engagement to genuinely support Myanmar’s fight for freedom.

Episode #290: Nyo Mar's story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a relentless fight against discrimination in Myanmar. Born into a Muslim minority family in a remote area of Myanmar, her early life was shaped by the harsh realities of being a part of a marginalized community. Her father, a government health supervisor, faced derogatory slurs and institutional discrimination, which deeply angered Nyo Mar. This experience, along with witnessing her father's humiliation, ignited a strong desire to understand the roots of discrimination against her people.

As she navigated through her schooling and later university, Nyo Mar faced significant barriers, such as discrimination in the citizenship process and being denied opportunities simply because of her Muslim background. Her experience as a university student in Yangon was marred by further prejudice, including a professor publicly humiliating her. These instances of exclusion were compounded by violent religious conflicts in her hometown, where Buddhist extremists targeted Muslim communities, burning homes and killing people.

Despite these challenges, Nyo Mar persisted in her education and professional aspirations, facing both institutional and societal rejection. Even as she entered the field of public health and social activism, including leading HIV/AIDS awareness programs, she encountered barriers such as military surveillance and harassment. This persistent discrimination, both personal and professional, prompted Nyo Mar to seek change, and she went on to found the Feminist Minority Women's Institute, focusing on empowering minority women to participate in political decision-making.

Through her ongoing studies and advocacy, including her work on gender and sexuality in Myanmar’s political framework, Nyo Mar continues to fight for a more inclusive future. “We have to understand each other and accept each other and respect each other. Human dignity is the most important thing.” Her story is not just her own; it is the story of many in Myanmar—of those who dream of a future where they are seen, heard, and accepted as equals.

Episode #289: Patrick Burgess is an Australian barrister, international human rights lawyer, and singer-songwriter who has spent his life working at the intersection of law, conflict, and advocacy. His career has taken him to conflict zones such as Rwanda, East Timor, Yemen, Cambodia, as well as Burma.

Patrick’s career took shape upon seeing scenes of the horrors of the Rwanda genocide on TV, which inspired him to join humanitarian mission there. Working in emergency relief, he helped children and communities devastated by violence, realizing that his calling lay in humanitarian work. Then in East Timor, Patrick played a critical role in organizing the independence referendum and establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, further solidifying his dedication to transitional justice.

Patrick's involvement in Burma began as he witnessed the brutal repression under the military junta. He collaborated closely with local organizations, documenting widespread human rights abuses and empowering community-led initiatives to resist the junta's control. His commitment deepened significantly after the military coup in 2021, as he worked tirelessly to support grassroots resistance efforts, assist political prisoners, and amplify the voices of those struggling for freedom.

Building on his extensive experience, Patrick co-founded Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) alongside his wife, Galuh Wandita. AJAR empowers local human rights defenders and ensures that survivors of violence take central roles in the decision-making process, focusing particularly on transitional justice throughout Southeast Asia.

“In this context of Burma right now, one of the amazing things is that there are millions of heroes, and they're sustaining each other, and I just hope we can sustain that, that sense of community inspiration as time goes forward as well."

Episode #288: Anagarika Munindra was born in 1915 in a village that later became part of Bangladesh. Raised in an ancient Buddhist clan, he grew up in a loving family and showed a profound interest in the Dharma from an early age. He left his village for Calcutta in 1936 and later joined the Mahabodhi Society. Munindra eventually moved to Burma in 1957, where he studied with Mahasi Sayadaw and immersed himself deeply in meditation and Pali studies. He valued experiential knowledge, which made him a well-rounded and influential teacher.

Mirka Knaster, the author of "Living This Life Fully,” a biography of Munindra, shares about the life of this great spiritual teacher. She describes how Munindra’s approach to teaching was unique—more as a "spiritual friend" than a traditional guru. He prioritized the needs of his students, extending loving kindness (metta) in practical ways, ensuring that they were cared for both physically and emotionally. His openness to different meditation techniques and his inclusive, adaptable nature made him an inspiring figure for many Western students.

Upon returning to India, Munindra began to influence Westerners arriving during the counterculture movement. This significantly impacted the growth of Western interest in Buddhism. His students, such as Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg, would later become major figures in the spread of mindfulness in the West, helping to establish centers like the Insight Meditation Society. He also became close with S.N. Goenka and would accept an invitation to spend several years at Dhamma Giri, in addition to his time teaching at International Meditation Society (IMC) and Spirit Rock.

As Mirka highlights, Munindra’s influence was both personal and profound, offering an alternative model of spiritual practice that combined kindness, curiosity, and openness. His contributions were crucial to the development of mindfulness and meditation practices in the West. She comments in closing: “I couldn't imagine he would be anything but delighted to see how much the Dharma has spread!”

Episode #287: “I actually find the process of rock climbing quite similar to activism, because during rock climbing, you always fall! You always get disappointed about why couldn't I just get to the top and get to the peak?! But every time we fall, we just keep going. Like what we do in activism.”

Johnson Yeung, a prominent pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong, has been at the forefront of regional and global activism, particularly through his involvement in the Milk Tea Alliance. His activism began during his student years, when he played a significant role in the Umbrella Movement. This popular protest in 2014 advocated for democratic reforms, resisting the increasing Chinese authoritarian influence over Hong Kong.

Following the government crackdowns, Johnson continued his activism, working with labor rights organizations, and eventually his focus expanded beyond Hong Kong as he realized the interconnectedness of struggles across Asia. In 2020, Johnson became a key figure in the Milk Tea Alliance, a digital solidarity network linking pro-democracy movements across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, and other countries facing authoritarian challenges.

Johnson firmly believes that activism must transcend borders, especially as authoritarian regimes collaborate to suppress dissent. He highlights how repression in Hong Kong parallels the military coup in Myanmar, leading him to advocate for increased solidarity between movements

“Those stories have tied us together, have continued to inspire us that we are on the right side, and we have entitlement to what we are fighting for,” he continues. “And that's what the authority is afraid of! That's what every single dictator in the region is afraid of—that people will be able to see through the smoke and mirrors and be able to take power in their own hands.”

Episode #286: “Some people during the so-called transition, people in Yangon, were like, 'The military is changing!' Like, no, they're not; they're changing the way they talk to you, to elites, but they're not changing on the ground. And if you spent as much time speaking to survivors of military violence, you'll notice that they torture and kill basically for sport. There's no logic behind it, other than, ‘We can get away with this.’”

David Mathieson, a longtime advocate, activist, and scholar focused on human rights in Myanmar, addresses the military's entrenched behavior and the country's complex socio-political landscape. He discusses the regime’s arrogance, sense of entitlement, and institutional cruelty, which he describes as a “culture of recreational sadism.” He emphasizes that while the generals attempted to appear reformist to elites in previous years, its actions on the ground have always remained brutal and unchanged. 

Mathieson delves into Myanmar’s cycles of oppression, resistance, and the military’s failure to innovate in governance or counterinsurgency. He cites the 2017 Rohingya crisis as an example of brutal tactics leading to increased international condemnation and isolation. 

He also critiques oversimplified international narratives, urging the importance of local perspectives and understanding the complexities of both the military and ethnic armed groups like the Karen National Union and Arakan Army. Mathieson highlights the failure of peace processes such as the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, attributing it to the military's refusal to engage meaningfully with ethnic minorities, and with the added the complicity of international supporters who endorsed the agreement, thereby legitimizing a flawed peace process.

Ultimately, Mathieson paints Myanmar as a country trapped under an irrational military enforcing fear while insisting on its own necessity. He concludes with a stark view of the military's strategy: a deliberate use of overwhelming violence to enforce submission, reflecting a “deplorable, disgusting” policy that has persisted for decades.