The Way Out Is In
Plum Village
This podcast series is aimed at helping us to transcend our fear and anger so that we can be more engaged in the world in a way that develops love and compassion.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphy ‘The Way Out Is In” highlights that the way out of any difficulty is to look deeply within, gain insights and then put them into practice.
"The Way Out is In" is co-hosted by Brother Phap Huu, Thich Nhat Hanh's personal attendant for 17 years and the abbot of Plum Village's Upper Hamlet, and Jo Confino, who works at the intersection of personal transformation and systems change.
The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App and Global Optimism, with support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphy ‘The Way Out Is In” highlights that the way out of any difficulty is to look deeply within, gain insights and then put them into practice.
"The Way Out is In" is co-hosted by Brother Phap Huu, Thich Nhat Hanh's personal attendant for 17 years and the abbot of Plum Village's Upper Hamlet, and Jo Confino, who works at the intersection of personal transformation and systems change.
The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App and Global Optimism, with support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 45min
In the Footsteps of the Buddha (1/6) | The Buddha: Down to Earth (Episode #102)
Shantum Seth, Dharmañacharya who has led pilgrimages in Thich Nhat Hanh’s lineage since 1988, guides listeners through sacred sites in India. He talks about meeting the Buddha as a human being. Scenes include a sunrise Ganges boat journey, Varanasi cremations, teachings on death and impermanence, and how pilgrimage practice fosters present-moment awareness.
Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 31min
Calm in the Storm Q&R, Part Two (Episode #101)
They answer listener questions about calming anxious thoughts and managing health anxiety. They discuss how calm can provoke others and how deep listening can transform anger. They explore raising children in uncertain times, accepting changing identities, and offering steady presence. They describe befriending inner darkness, building new habits, and using community to reduce overwhelm.
20 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 2h 8min
One Hundred Years of Thich Nhat Hanh (Episode #100)
Sister True Dedication, a Plum Village Zen nun and Dharma teacher, reflects on Thich Nhat Hanh’s centenary and the living legacy he left. She discusses making the Dharma accessible, Plum Village as a community of resistance, the role of monastic training, and the vision for an online monastery. Short, reflective stories and practical themes weave through the conversation.
11 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 34min
Walking the Path (Episode #99)
Brother Phap Huu, a Zen Buddhist monk who served Thich Nhat Hanh and led Plum Village's Upper Hamlet, shares reflections from 25 years of monastic life. He talks about the call to ordain, serving Thay closely, learning presence, community challenges, celibacy as service, moments of doubt, and renewing commitment to practice.
26 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 36min
Inner Space (Episode #98)
Join a thought-provoking conversation on creating inner space through meditation. Explore how modern life's busyness fuels a lack of stillness and what that means for our well-being. Learn about the benefits of meditation in fostering compassion and presence. The hosts share personal stories highlighting how awareness and flexibility thrive in an open mind. Discover how to integrate meditation into daily life and the subtle signs of deepening practice. A guided breath meditation wraps up the discussion, inviting listeners to cultivate stability and presence.
Dec 25, 2025 • 1h 36min
Calm in the Storm Q&R, Part One (Episode #97)
Discover how to find balance between kindness and anger in activism. Brother Phap Huu and Jo Confino discuss the power of deep listening and its role in healing. They share techniques for cultivating resilience amid adversity, including gratitude and community support. Learn how to care for yourself while serving others and the importance of modeling presence for young people. The duo also explores the complexities of control versus awareness in our chaotic world, encouraging listeners to embrace mindfulness.
20 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 25min
Self-Forgiveness (Episode #96)
Dive into the journey of self-forgiveness, exploring how to let go of past hurts and embrace the fullness of life. Unpack the significance of self-love and community in the healing process. Discover the Buddhist perspective on time and the necessity of nurturing our inner child. Engage in embodied practices that promote healing, like self-hugging, and learn to view identity beyond suffering. Each personal story illustrates the evolution of forgiveness, reminding us that it's a lifelong practice paved with compassion and growth.
21 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 1h 49min
Cultivating Joy and Togetherness in the Midst of Hardship (Episode #95)
Ocean Vuong, a Vietnamese American poet and essayist known for his poignant explorations of trauma and memory, shares deep insights on suffering and joy. He discusses his upbringing amid the opioid crisis and how Buddhist teachings provided solace. Together with Zen monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist Jo Confino, they highlight the importance of community, the power of storytelling, and the necessity of kindness in a fractured world. Ocean also contrasts visceral grief with intellectual despair and offers a chant of hope as a message of resilience.
15 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 28min
Silence (Episode #94)
Explore the transformative power of silence and its role in personal growth. Discover the practice of noble silence, which fosters deep listening and self-awareness. Hear about how silence aids reflection and healing, and contrasts sharply with a productivity-driven world. Delve into the wisdom of quiet, embodied listening, and learn how to integrate these practices into daily life. Experience the space silence creates for clarity and connection, and find out why resting can be an act of revolution.
25 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 14min
Guest Episode: Buddhist Practices for Busyness, Overwhelm & Burnout
In this engaging discussion, Brother Phap Huu, a Zen Buddhist monk and author, shares his journey through burnout and practical strategies for managing modern busyness. He emphasizes how contemporary lifestyles contribute to overwhelm and offers methods to embrace burnout with compassion. The conversation explores the importance of perspective, total relaxation techniques, and setting healthy boundaries without emotional armor. Brother Phap Huu highlights the art of doing nothing and provides insights on navigating toxic environments while maintaining kindness.
