Today, we are hearing about the largest persecuted minority that you and I have likely never heard of before.

My guest today is Cynthia Sun, a Senior Researcher at the Falun Dafa Infocenter, who is based in New York. Her work focuses on persecution documentation, transnational repression, and public policy. She authored a report on Chinese influence at American colleges, which was featured by the Hudson Institute and Radio Free Asia. Cynthia has spoken at the Council of Foreign Relations, Harvard University, the US Congress, and more. Her latest testimony on state-controlled religion in China was published by USCIRF in October 2025. She recently concluded her service as a Freedom of Religion or Belief fellow at the First Freedom Foundation in September 2025. Before joining the Falun Dafa Information Center, Cynthia worked as a Research Affiliate at the Innovations for Peace and Development and at the Edward A. Clark Center for Australian & New Zealand Studies.

The persecution of various minorities under the ruling Chinese Communist Party or CCP is severe, and so we have a lot of ground to cover today, from how a religious movement is perceived as a threat to the dictatorial regime, what the reality on the ground in China is, and how people in China and abroad can work around the heavy censorship. We are talking about communism and what I have misunderstood about it for a long time, and we’re also discussing the difference between doctrine and religion, of which doctrine plays a role in everyone’s life, but not all of it is equally free or unhindering. We will also uncover deeper reasons why it is crucial that we have the freedom to criticise our leaders, how we can avoid state-sponsored propaganda, and the scope of influence of third-party legislators such as the US State Department.

Trigger Warning: We will hear unfathomable realities from daily life as a person under the thumb of the Chinese regime, including crimes against humanity, inherent free thought being stripped away, horror stories from the biggest black market for organ trafficking, mentions of bodily harm, torture, dictatorial oppression, and much more. Please be aware.

• Find Cynthia on LinkedIn here
• Find The Falun Dafa Information Center's website here
• More information on Falun Dafa Minghui
• Shenyun Production: China Before Communism

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My guest today is Ruthi Forer, a Somatic therapist specializing in sexuality and Tantra, focusing on trauma and nervous system regulation using body-based (somatic) tools, based in central Israel. We are talking about how she combines her extensive experience, training, and knowledge to teach people how we can regulate our nervous system, why institutions created to control society make use of shame around sexuality, and how we can now destigmatize it.

We will touch on the tremendous influence of social media, how to create boundaries in relationships, contemporary as well as outdated gender roles and their influence on sexuality, consent in dating and relationships, how to deal with the images portrayed by the porn industry, and how we can ultimately have a healthy relationship to our body and sexuality and how we can teach the next generation because as you will hear, how you are being raised has everything to do with it.

Find Ruthi here

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Linktree with Current Workshops
• WhatsApp Group for weekly updates & tips

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Join the conversation and leave us your comments, remarks, and opinions on our Instagram, Youtube, Facebook or via E-Mail to theupfrontpodcast@gmail.com. Please share, subscribe and leave a review to help The Upfront Podcast reach more people.

My guest today is Roy Barkan, a writer, performer, and public figure from Israel. He is the son of the late prominent Israeli actor and pop culture phenomenon Yehuda Barkan. Roy wrote a book based on his life experiences that touches on many topics that you don't usually hear much about.

We are talking about his life’s story, including having celebrity friends with addictions to drugs, and how this ultimately landed him in prison. Roy is also talking about how his life unfolded, all while living under the scrutiny of being in the public eye, his experience with overcoming addiction, and ultimately, we’ll get to hear about the relationship with his late father.

Find Roy on social media:

Facebook, Instagram

Find Roy Barkan's book (in Hebrew)

Resources for help with addiction:

• Retorno
• Organizations in Israel
• Organizations in the US
• International helpline directory

Send a text

Support the show

Join the conversation and leave us your comments, remarks, and opinions on our Instagram, Youtube, Facebook or via E-Mail to theupfrontpodcast@gmail.com. Please share, subscribe and leave a review to help The Upfront Podcast reach more people.