The Bridge to China - podcast cover

The Bridge to China

Acorn Studioshows.acast.com
Our hosts, from the US and China, discuss what unites us. Using enlightening stories and brilliant guests from all walks of life, we join hands in laughter, building bridges across our cultural world. This is The Bridge to China.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

What does it take to make it as a journalist in China?

The Bridge invites Shanghai Daily's Andy Boreham to the show. We discuss life as a journalist in China. Andy talks food, travel and Mandarin in China's metropolitan Shanghai. He's been to many places in China, including the most remote areas. He also reported in the flood in Henan Province, interviewed people in Hong Kong, and went to Xinjiang. Tune in to this episode of The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 11, 202255 minEp. 106

For some travelling is back. We tell you what you need to know to get back in the air

Alex and Jason at The Bridge have travelled to dozens of cities across the world. Our hosts lay what you need to know before you touch down in Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, and other places the world over. Should you tip in Asia? Listen in and learn the secrets of world travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 08, 202256 minEp. 105

Is EV the future? Will you miss the Vroooom...?

Gas prices are now sky high in the United States. More Americans have turned to electric cars. Is there a similar trend in China? Listen in to The Bridge to hear about the global and the local with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 08, 202255 minEp. 104

Is the US facing an unimaginable water crisis? You need to hear this!

China has been using the North South Water Diversion Project for a few years now to bring water from the wet south to the dry north. The US’ Great Lakes has more water than one can dream, yet much of the west is in perpetual drought. Is the problem a water shortage or a shortage of will? We look at the many contexts affecting our perceptions of water in the US from climate change to bizarre laws preventing you from collecting rain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 28, 202255 minEp. 103

Decoding the language of love

What is intercultural dating like? It's a dream straight out of a movie – live abroad, meet a cute local, and partner up together for life. Jesse and Tom talk intercultural dating and there are STORIES! Tom shares how he met his Chinese wife in the USA and travelled all the way to Beijing to be with her, and Jesse shares tales of dating a European in China. What really makes intercultural couples work? And will Jesse be single forever? Jesse Appell is a standup comedian. Tom Xia is a Chinese Ame...

Jun 24, 202254 minEp. 102

Cars, SpongeBob and The Shrek...what can an animation artist do?

What kind of people could create characters like SpongeBob and Shrek and dedicate to such career? Jason thinks they must be a bunch of kids. Dalton Grant Junior has worked with Pixar, DreamWorks, Amazon, Netflix, Nickelodeon and more. He tells us about working with huge animation companies in the U.S. and his new journey into China, where he and his partner have founded a studio in Beijing: Floating World Animation Studios. He tells a story about how to tell a story. Join in to learn about cinem...

Jun 23, 202255 minEp. 101

Call me Naiba, call me stay-at-home dad

Tom Xia and Jesse Appell are guest hosts on The Bridge. Tom Xia is a Chinese American director living in Los Angeles, and Jesse used to perform stand-up comedy in China. Now both of them are in L.A.. Tom's got two young kids and it's turned everything upside-down! He's a Naiba now - a 'stay-at-home Dad' – but what does that really mean nowadays? The phrase 'Naiba' is seen all over the Chinese internet nowadays as the global phenomenon of men's role as the sole breadwinner morphs and changes. See...

Jun 20, 202255 minEp. 100

How are Gen Z and X Reshaping the Workplace?

From Gen Z to the next generation entering our work places, the cultures can seem worlds apart. How can people raised in different times share their time in a work evolving workplace. What are the new ethics of a generation willing to forgo work that isn't suitable? Has unemployment dropped because they aren't looking for work? The Bridge shines a light on everything from gaps in your resume to spiraling inflation. You need to hear this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Jun 17, 202255 minEp. 99

Can Fungi eat plastic to help deal with the pollution?

Scientist Peter Mortimer has found fungi in China's protected forests of Yunnan that can eat plastics and latex rendering them biodegradable. Instead of a planet filled with land waste we may just turn plastic into fertilizer. Listen in to learn about the cutting edge of humanities search for a solution to the plastic crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 202255 minEp. 98

Is there such a thing as American food? Recap: cultural diffusion

When Chinese kids enjoy the cheese burger from McDonald's thinking it's American food, are they really having American food? Is there really such a thing as American food? Is there any food in China deeply affected by other cultures in history? Jason and Alex talked about cultural diffusion and found that we are all connected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 15, 202230 minEp. 97

The Bridge takes you from culture shock to reverse culture shock at 500 miles per hour

The Bridge gives you the secrets to surviving in a new country. The first few weeks in a new country are often called the honeymoon phase. Then comes the shock. Who'll survive and who should've stayed home. We tell you the stories of the 'runners' who didn't make the grade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 202255 minEp. 96

Are they dealing with food shortages, inflation and student debt... or nothing will change?

US inflation hits 40-year high as costs for food, gas and shelter keep rising. Some experts even suggest that Americans with low income should eat more lentils instead of meat to deal with rising food prices. What is the reality of the American economy today? Find out more on The Bridge with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 202255 minEp. 95

Tiny homes: solution to the housing crisis?

The global movement to shrink the traditional home is growing larger. From a micro-trend for the young and hip to a feasible way to provide homes in an economy no one could have predicted these homes may be the future. We take you around the world to look at markets you hadn’t even considered. Is the big house outdated? Listen to the data and you may be downsizing and living large. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 10, 202255 minEp. 94

Were you happy when you were a kid? Are your children happy today?

What do two parents and a professional teacher know about raising kids? We tackle the global and the modern ways to prepare the next generation of kids for a changing future. What are the skills they need today? How are confidence, love and talent interlinked? Maurice from Hong Kong joins Beibei from Beijing and Jason from California to tackle the future of our world: kids. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 01, 202255 minEp. 92

Mass shooting in Texas elementary school. Enough is enough, but is there a solution?

The Bridge pays condolences to those who lost their children in the recent mass shooting in a Texas elementary school. At least 21 people were killed Tuesday morning on May 24th, including 19 school children. This episode of The Bridge was recorded and produced before this tragedy. Podcaster Jason chose this topic because too many mass shootings had happened in the U.S. in recent months. According to the Gun Violence Archive, as we entered the 144th day of the year, this recent case is at least ...

May 25, 202255 minEp. 91

What if there were no delivery riders...recap

Have you ever imagined what would happen during this whole trying time if there were no delivery services nor delivery riders sending us parcels, food and medicine...? Jason and Alex talked about their own experiences in life in a previous episode and now welcome to tune in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 25, 202227 minEp. 90

Who should pay the bill and why do they fight over the bill?

In this recap piece of The Bridge, Jason, BeiBei and Maurice discuss the culture difference between China and the U.S. when it comes to paying the bill. This is a fun part to listen to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 202229 minEp. 89

How is inflation impacting you and what can you do about it?

The Bridge takes the long view on inflation and gets you the insights you need to survive. We ask why some nations are struggling while others aren't. Why are CEOs making record profits and your family is paying more than ever? Tune in to understand the context of the greatest loss of middle class wealth in a generation. Tune in with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 202255 minEp. 88

Can competition benefit meaningful progress?

China is labeled as a threat by the U.S.. Different political systems, and narrations. But has U.S. benefited from China's development, and will competition bring destroy or opportunities for both sides? Find out with Jason and BeiBei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 17, 202255 minEp. 87

Netflix added fees, CNN Plus canceled...what to watch and how in the future?

From home theaters with surround sound to the experience of getting snacks and sitting in relative silence, we discuss the future of movies. Are streaming services disrupting the legacy of film? Are you pissed off by the rising fees? Want some insider tips? We’ve got those too. Get your popcorn ready, we’ll handle the rest. Jason and Alex discuss the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 202255 minEp. 86

Is Mother's Day celebrated or tolerated? Welcome to a mother's world on Mother's Day!

American host, Vlogger and writer Jason Smith talks about Mothers’ Day and how his mum raised four boys, and how he tried to please his live-in Chinese mother-in-law. Beibei, a freelancing expert on literature and full-time mother shares mums’ stories, struggles and conflicts, laughs and tears. Listen in to this hilarious discussion and explore how people appreciate their mum in different cultures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 08, 202255 minEp. 85

What's next in tech? A professional gamer talks about the future of metaverse

More and more Americans are complaining of being squeezed. Everything seems to be happening at once, from the pandemic to inflation and wage stagnation. You may be surprised to find out whether the American Dream is still alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 05, 202255 minEp. 84

Are Americans retiring into homelessness?

While politicians seem to be sitting on their hands, the hands that furnish their lives are sitting in the streets. With homelessness on the rise and people ill prepared for retirement, what will happen to the millions of Americans with no savings? The Bridge discussed global solutions that may suit the new needs of an American crisis in the making. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 03, 202255 minEp. 83

The future of work is now and it's not far from the sofa

The contemporary moment has accelerated the change from fixed time in the office to working from home and flexible working hours. The Bridge looks at the situation in the US, China and around the world and tells you what’s next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 202255 minEp. 82

Tea vs. Coffee: clash of the titans

Tea and Coffee - it’s East vs. West played out in the caffeine choice of billions of people every day. Or is it? Jesse and Tom discuss how China and America view both drinks, who drinks what, and why. Jesse also shares his story starting a tea channel on TikTok that has almost half a million followers in America, and why tea is such an extraordinary pathway for bridging cultures. Jesse Appell is an American comedian who spent nine years in Beijing performing in Chinese. Tom Xia is a Chinese Amer...

Apr 29, 202255 minEp. 81

Is social media destroying your social life?

How much screen time is too much? Are people really connecting online? Or is the online world disconnecting us from others and our best selves? Listen in as we weigh the latest trends and ideas around a changing world with Jason and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 202255 minEp. 80

How to clink your glass in style

From New York to Hong Kong to Shanghai, The Bridge takes you out to paint the town red. Special guest and international businessman of Hong Kong talks about the English tea and Beijing's Baijiu. We show you how to fashionably hobnob around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 26, 202255 minEp. 79

Are media the catalyst of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S.?

Over the recent two years America’s anti-Asian hate crimes have spiraled out of control. We look for the root causes of this phenomenon. Join us for a critical discussion of how it started, how it’s going, and how to stop it. We need your support to end anti-Asian hate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 202255 minEp. 78

The secret code of going green in China

The US and China spend the most on renewable energy of any two countries in the world. It may surprise you to learn that China spends more than double the US. Need some good news about the future? We’ve got that too. Join us on The Bridge for a deep dive into the future of everything green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 202255 minEp. 77
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