Engaging, Not Retreating with Lucy Plummer – Walk Talk Listen (Episode 224)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Lucy Plummer, a youth advocate, doctoral researcher, and UN representative with Soka Gakkai International reflects on a deeply personal journey—from seeking peace through retreat, to discovering that real transformation happens through engagement, responsibility, and relationship. Drawing on her experiences in India and her Buddhist practice, she shares how her understanding of happiness shifted from isolation to connection. Lucy speaks candidly about youth despair, mental health, and why engagement—especially at the local level—matters more than ever in a fragmented world. She explains how spaces for dialogue, such as SGI’s community discussion meetings, create belonging and restore dignity in everyday life. Her reflections bridge lived experience, spiritual practice, and policy advocacy, offering a grounded perspective on what it means to take responsibility for one’s life while walking alongside others. The conversation also explores the Inner Development Goals, youth participation in sustainable development, and the inner–outer dynamic of change. Lucy offers a compelling reminder that progress is not only technical or structural—but deeply human. This episode is an invitation to resist retreat, stay present, and choose engagement—even when the path feels uncertain. Listener Engagement:

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