Culture, Power, and the Pen
Culture, Power, and the Pen is a podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of Asian minority communities through conversations with writers, activists, and storytellers. Hosted by Andy Liu, each episode explores how language and literature become tools for reclaiming identity, challenging dominant narratives, and illuminating cultures that are often overlooked. If you’re passionate about literature, social justice, or simply curious about the stories that shape our world, you’re in the right place!
Culture, Power, and the Pen
Voice for the Voiceless: A Conversation with Tenzin Tsundue
In the second episode of Culture, Power, and the Pen, host Andy Liu speaks with Tibetan poet, writer, and activist Tenzin Tsundue about what it means to grow up in exile, caught between a lost homeland and a future that remains uncertain. From childhood tales of snowy mountains and yaks to the monsoon-soaked streets of Dharamshala, Tsundue shares how poetry became both his refuge and his form of resistance. Together, they discuss the legacy of colonial boarding schools, the fight to preserve the Tibetan language, and the challenges of writing personal truths under political erasure. They also reflect on Tibetan New Year rituals, the comfort of family gatherings over momos, and the hope that fuels Tsundue’s next book—an archive of Tibetan refugee stories.