On this episode of the podcast, Amanda Head sits down with Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center, to uncover the story behind Shen Yun as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Founded in 2006, Shen Yun was created to revive and preserve 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture—heritage that Browde says has been systematically suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Through a powerful series of 20 vignettes, the production brings ancient legends, spiritual traditions, and modern-day stories to life on stage.

But behind the beauty is a darker reality. Browde details how Shen Yun and its performers have faced ongoing threats, including alleged sabotage efforts and intimidation tied to the CCP’s broader crackdown, particularly against practitioners of Falun Gong.

This conversation is about cultural survival, political pressure, and why Shen Yun has become a global symbol of resistance and awareness against authoritarian control.