Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising

In this episode of the Sontsa Rising Podcast, we sit down with Tibetan tattoo artist Cho Gonpo, whose work draws deeply from his Tibetan roots and the rich traditions of Tibetan art.

Gonpo’s journey to becoming a tattoo artist was far from straightforward. Born in India as a Tibetan refugee, he immigrated to the United States at a young age. Growing up in New York City, he earned a BFA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology before beginning his tattooing career in 2019. Although pursuing art was not initially the path his parents envisioned for him, his passion, persistence, and hard work ultimately helped him forge his own path.

Today, based in Minneapolis, Gonpo's focuses much of his work on Tibetan-inspired art, drawing inspiration from a tradition he describes as a deep world rooted in ancient art. We talk about his journey as an artist, the challenges of pursuing a creative path, and the mentors and experiences that helped shape his work.

Together, we explore what it means to bet on yourself, stay committed to your passion, and find strength and identity through art. Gonpo also reflects on his Tibetan roots and the ways his heritage continues to influence what he creates.

🎙️ Join us for a conversation about passion, persistence, identity, and the courage to forge your own path.

EP09: Betting on Yourself: A Tibetan Artist’s Journey of Passion and Persistence | Hosted by Tenzin Passang

Guest: ⁠@tgktattoo⁠

Host: Tenzin Passang

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on Instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

In this episode of the Sontsa Rising Podcast, we sit down with Kunsang Tsephel, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Yamuna Khimtsang Foundation.

Originally from Chamdo, Tibet, he left his hometown at the age of four and grew up in the Tibetan exile community in India. After completing his schooling at Tibetan Children’s Village, he pursued undergraduate and master’s degrees in Environmental Studies at the University of Delhi. His journey has since taken him from serving as Director of the Empowering the Vision Project to becoming an Atlantic Fellow at the London School of Economics and founding a nonprofit dedicated to building harmony between humans and animals.

We speak about his childhood, the experiences that shaped his commitment to community service, and the responsibility he feels toward supporting Tibetan youth. He also reflects on leadership, identity, resilience, and what it means to remain rooted as a Tibetan while navigating spaces where he may be the only one.

Together, we explore the potential of the younger Tibetan generation, the role they can play in shaping the future of Tibet and the wider world, and what “Sontsa” means to him personally.

🎙️ Join us for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, belonging, and turning personal experiences into meaningful service.

EP08: Say Yes to Opportunity, and Serve with Purpose Featuring Kunsang Tsephel | Hosted by Penpa Dolma

Connect with Kunsang on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunsang-tsephel-a8a7751a7/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on Instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

“You have to give it 30 good tries. In that 30, you'll get like three. And with those three, it will change your life.”

In this episode of the Sontsa Podcast, we sit down with Jamyang Tenzin, Director of Growth and Head of AI at Rose Rocket, former founder of Centro, and longtime mentor and community builder within the Tibetan diaspora.

In conversation with our co-hosts Tenzin Gyaltsen and Kalden Namgyal, Jamyang reflects on his journey from Dharamshala to Toronto, sharing stories of growing up as one of the only Tibetans in his school, navigating university, building a startup, and finding his place in the tech industry.

Throughout the conversation, Jamyang shares lessons on networking, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating opportunities for yourself and others. From sending cold messages and building relationships to embracing failure and taking chances, he explains why some of life's biggest opportunities come from simply putting yourself out there.

But more than a conversation about careers or startups, this episode is about identity, belonging, and community. We explore what it means to embrace your Tibetan identity, the power of mentorship, and why investing in the next generation is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back.

EP07: Why 30 Good Tries Might Change Your Life with Jamyang Tenzin

Connect with Jamyang Tenzin on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamyangtenzin/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on Instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

We often hear people say that AI will shape the future. But for Tibetans, an important question remains: will our language and stories be part of that future too?

In this episode of the Sontsa Podcast, we sit down with Tenzin Gayche from Monlam AI to talk about the journey of building Tibetan AI from the ground up.

In conversation with our host Tenzin Gyaltsen, Gayche shares the vision behind Monlam Melong AI and reflects on what it means to work at the intersection of technology, language preservation, and community responsibility.

We explore the excitement, challenges, and deeper purpose behind creating AI tools for a language and culture that have so often been left out of global technological spaces.

More than just a conversation about AI, this episode is about possibility. About young Tibetans entering rooms we were never expected to be in, building things many of us never imagined growing up, and proving that our language belongs not only in history, but also in the future.

Listen | Reflect | Imagine What’s Possible
Building Tibetan AI: Language, Identity, and the Future

Connect with Tenzin Gayche on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenzin-gayche-9a0aba1b9/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on Instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

In this episode of the Sontsa Podcast, we sit down with Tenzin Yeshi—a Data Analyst at Citi Bank based in Bangalore—who shares her journey from TCV classrooms to navigating the corporate world.

In conversation with our host Kalden, Tenzin reflects on the importance of staying open to opportunities, taking chances even when you don’t feel fully ready, and learning how to get your foot in the door.

We explore the realities of transitioning from college into professional spaces, the value of practical experience and college projects, and why soft skills, networking, and self-advocacy matter more than many students realize.

Tenzin also speaks candidly about entering unfamiliar environments, overcoming hesitation, and learning to “sell yourself” in interviews and professional settings—especially as a Tibetan navigating spaces where representation can often feel limited.

Throughout the conversation, one message remains clear: you can never be perfectly prepared, and growth often begins by simply being willing to try.

Take the Chance | Learn | Grow
Getting Your Foot in the Door: Why Taking Chances Matters

Connect with Tenzin Yeshi on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenzin-yeshi-310831193/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on Instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

In this episode of the Sontsa Podcast, we sit down with Nawang Palden—an engineer who went from TCV classrooms to working across NYC government agencies, often as the only Tibetan in the room.

In conversation with our host Tenzin Gyaltsen, recorded at Ngatso Cafe, Nawang reflects on his journey from Nepal and India to the United States, and what it truly means to build opportunity—not through luck, but through preparation, adaptability, and continuous learning.

We explore the importance of staying open and coachable, navigating new cultures, building meaningful relationships, and constantly investing in your own growth—even outside of your immediate field.

Nawang also shares his deep commitment to service. As he puts it: “There’s no better way to serve than to use your education to uplift your community.”

Beyond his professional work, Nawang has generously contributed his expertise to support the Tibetan Community Center of NY & NJ—offering months of pro bono technical guidance to help the community navigate complex building compliance processes. His work reflects a powerful example of using one’s skills to give back in meaningful and lasting ways.

Adapt | Learn | Rise
From TCV Classrooms to NYC Government

Connect with Nawang Palden on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawang-palden-a1331984/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

In today’s episode, our host Tsering Lhamo sat down with Tsering Yangdol, a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology, to talk about her journey, struggles, and the purpose that led her to this path.

From the conversation:

“I’ve come to accept that struggle is part of the process, not something to be afraid of. It’s something we all go through, and often where the most learning happens. Especially in moments without clear answers, I’ve found myself pushed beyond my comfort zone. Over time, I’ve learned to become more comfortable with that ambiguity.”

Currently Jamming: Sleepless Summer | གཉིད་མི་ཡོང་བའི་དབྱར་ཁ། By The Tibet Patient | བོད་ཀྱི་ནད་པ།།

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ6Ym0Z7EBo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsering-yangdol-31b12a14a/

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

In Episode 2 of the Sontsa Podcast, we sit down with Passang — a first-year student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, aspiring software engineer, and a UWC Red Cross Nordic and TCV Selakui alum who calls Dharamsala home.

Passang’s journey isn’t a straight line. She describes herself as an average student growing up—someone teachers often said “talked too much” and didn’t always meet expectations. But over time, through discipline, self-belief, and a willingness to keep trying (even after setbacks), she transformed her path—becoming a top-performing student, earning a UWC scholarship on her second attempt, and now studying in the U.S.

In this conversation, Passang reflects on what it really means to embrace failure, how self-belief is built over time, and why stepping out of your comfort zone can change everything. From TCV classrooms to UWC, and now Colorado College, her story is a reminder that growth often comes from the moments we least expect.

We talk about:

• Growing up in Dharamsala and early school experiences
• Being labeled an “average” student—and building self-belief
• Getting into TCV Selakui and key turning points
• Discipline, consistency, and academic growth
• Failure, setbacks, and her UWC journey
• Finding her place at UWC and beyond
• Stepping out of her comfort zone
• Life at Colorado College so far
• Why she started sharing her journey online
• Reframing failure as growth
• Advice for students navigating stress and uncertainty
• What she’s still figuring out

You can find Passang

Instagram: 10z_pass

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenzin-passang-47a4a638b/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bhumotenzinpassang

About the Sontsa Podcast

Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising is a new initiative by the Sontsa Initiative that highlights stories of Tibetans who are building, creating, and leading across different fields.

Our goal is simple: to share real journeys, spark ideas, and inspire young Tibetans to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

⸻

About Sontsa Initiative

Sontsa Initiative is a voluntary Tibetan youth-led initiative that supports Tibetan students in exile through mentorship, college guidance, and community building. We aim to expand access to opportunities and help young Tibetans navigate education, leadership, and professional paths with confidence.

If you would like to stay connected with our work:

• Follow @sontsa_initiative | @sontsa_podcast on instagram.

• Listen to the Sontsa Podcast

• Reach out if you are a student looking for guidance or mentorship - [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 01 of Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising. 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Tibetan tech founder Sean Dorje to explore what it means to build something new when the path ahead isn’t always clear. From his early curiosity about technology to launching his own company, Sean reflects on the risks, doubts, and moments of belief that shape the journey of building.

This conversation is about more than startups or tech. It’s about imagination, resilience, and expanding what feels possible for our community. What happens when we begin to see Tibetans creating, building, and leading in spaces we may not have imagined before?

Ep01 is hosted by Tenzin Gyaltsen - MA in Technology & Policy, MIT.

Rooted in who we are. Rising toward who we are becoming.

Learn more about Sontsa Initative here.

Learn more about Relixir

Losar Tashi Delek, and welcome to Episode Zero of Sontsa Podcast: Rooted & Rising. 🎙️

In this opening episode, we introduce ourselves and share the story behind the Sontsa Initiative — how it began, how our community has grown, and why we felt called to start this podcast at this moment.

Episode Zero is our foundation. We reflect on what it means to be part of Sontsa, the idea that this community isn’t about staying forever but about blooming, and how each of us carries our roots into new spaces — in college, in our careers, and in life.

This season is hosted by four members of the Sontsa community:
Tenzin Gyaltsen – MA in Technology & Policy, MIT

Penpa Dolma – MS in Economics, American University

Tsering Lhamo – MIA, Columbia SIPA

Kalden Namgyal – Brown University Alum

Rooted in who we are. Rising toward who we are becoming.

Thank you for listening and celebrating Losar with us. This is just the beginning.

Learn more about Sontsa Initiative here.