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

Reasons to visit Xinjiang

Our friend Fernando of Fermube joins the show to discuss his three-month journey into Xinjiang. Host Jason, who recently got back from Xinjiang, discusses the culture, food and landscape of the region. What is it like to travel in Xinjiang? How can you go? Where are the top destinations? And more importantly, how is the food? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 05, 202353 minEp. 226

Chinese science fiction is reaching for the stars

China held its annual Science Fiction Convention in Beijing’s Shougang Park. Chinese sci-fi story telling is stratospheric with new movies like The Wandering Earth II, Moon Man, and the TV series based on the book The Three-Body Problem. What is the past, present, and the future of science fiction in China? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 02, 202355 minEp. 225

What jobs will retain humans in the age of AI?

Which careers are safer from the obsolescence created by AI? A new research by Goldman Sachs shows that three skill sets are most likely to keep you relevant in the age of robots and generative art and text. We look expert opinions on how you can hedge your career in today's rapidly changing job market. Jason and Beibei debate the merits of the newest disruptive tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 31, 202354 minEp. 224

Is the Chinese postpartum tradition of ‘Sitting the Month’ going global?

Here comes a new trend in the west with ancient Chinese roots: taking a month for the mother to heal and to bond with the new baby. An article on CNN in May identifies the new modern shape of China’s tradition of a new mother taking time off in cozy comfort with support from family and hired help, with fancy herbal brews and massages thrown in to boot. How does the ancient tradition of ‘Zuo Yue Zi’ take maternity leave into a new future with BeiBei and Jason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

May 29, 202355 minEp. 223

Getting a medical degree in China

We interview a Jamaican about her journey into Wuhan to get a medical degree. She discusses the application process, financing, campus life and how to make new friends. We ask her about how she lived through the pandemic and how her community came together. Have you ever thought of studying abroad? Dr. La-Shawn Levy can offer you some insights that may change your life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 25, 202351 minEp. 222

Is paying for social media the new norm?

Elon Musk and the New York Times had a fight in front of the Twitter world about paying for social media? From April 1st, ‘legacy blue ticks’ have been removed. Blue Verifications cost about 8 dollars and Gold cost a whopping 1,000 US dollars a month. Will wielding influence become a game the world’s wealthy only? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 24, 202355 minEp. 221

We discuss protecting ourselves from spiking interest rates

The Fed keeps raising interest rates. We take a look at some of the advice being given in the financial world. Why has the Fed been raising interest rate? What is the Fed? Why doesn’t China suffer from inflation? And, can foreigners invest in Chinese stocks? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 202351 minEp. 220

It’s time to ask who is helping at home as we celebrate Mother’s Day

It’s Mother’s Day. New research suggests men are doing less to keep the home clean and tidy. Beibei, a mother, and Jason, not, take time to reflect on who is doing more work around the home. Have traditional gender roles been frozen in time? What does it take to get men to chip in? And are men and women around the world doing their part? This one is for moms everywhere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 14, 202355 minEp. 219

A British influencer in China shares her insights from YouTubing her way around the world

Nico in China has tens of thousands of fans around the world on YouTube. While she has travelled to dozens of countries in multiple continents, she has made China the focus of her channel. We ask her about China, the world and how to make it as an influencer. She explains why she chose China, how she made it with no money and her future plans in Europe. Join us and learn about the world through Nico’s story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 10, 202355 minEp. 218

Why are there more countries trading in currencies other than the dollar now?

The list of countries trading in currencies other than the dollar is growing by the day. According to Reuters, China is now trading less than half of its global trade in dollars. Bengal is beginning to trade with India in local currencies and the list has grown to include more nations than you might expect. But why? And what does this mean for American financial hegemony? We make the complex easier to understand, by taking a peek into the today’s most important trends. Hosted on Acast. See acast...

May 08, 202355 minEp. 217

We talk about consumer waste around the world with the author of Toxic Capitalism

Sir Gilbert Van Kerckhove from Ghent, Belgium, has lived in China for four decades. While working in the country, he led the initiative to build Shanghai’s Line 3 in the 1990s and was involved in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In his book Toxic Capitalism, he shares extensive knowledge on global consumerism and wastage, and how to tackle these challenges. A recipient of the highest award for foreigners in China: The Friendship Award, Van Kerckhove is also the Rotating ...

May 05, 202357 minEp. 216

Podcast Meets Podcast: One podcaster in China interviews three more

The Bridge Podcast goes meta as we invite the hosts of The Honest Drink Podcast to join our show. Jason asks Justin, Howie and Aric about their collective 50 years living in China. What are the best places to visit? How has China changed in their eyes and how have our guests changed with it? Hear four Americans rap about their amazement at the modernity of life in both the US and China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 04, 202352 minEp. 215

Podcast Meets Podcast: We playfully invite a fellow podcaster on as a guest

We are joined by a podcaster, who interviews folks who are making their mark in China. Oscar Fuchs is host of Shanghai's 'Mosaic of China' podcast. We ask him about his show and his time in Germany, Japan, Singapore and China. Beibei and Oscar discuss Chinese philosophy and talk about food. If you need some cultural fun and fabulous insights, this episode will have you laughing and thinking too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 26, 202353 minEp. 214

How many leave days are people around the world entitled to?

Men in Japan and China are entitled up to four weeks of paternity leave, but many don’t take them. US citizens are entitled to neither maternity nor paternity leave, but many would take them if they could. France experienced riots protesting government’s plan to raise retirement age by two more years. On today’s show we examine the complicated global cultures of working and sometimes, not working. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 24, 202355 minEp. 213

How Earth Day is celebrated around the world

From raging fires to smoldering mountains of trash and plastic oceans, our world feels out of control. Earth Day is here. In this episode we rapid fire the trends and celebrations of earth day from every corner of our globe. Be inspired. Be hopeful. And tune in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 202346 minEp. 212

How did China end poverty while fighting climate change? Today’s guest author explains

Today’s guest David W. Ferguson has written several original books on contemporary China. His latest book takes a deep dive into the strategies used in China’s successful campaign to end absolute poverty. He has also researched the greening of Beijing and the methods China uses to promote environmentalism. Join us as we interview the editor of the Governance of China about China’s path to modernization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 19, 202358 minEp. 211

Are more Americans turning away from higher education?

A college education used to be part of realizing the American dream for young Americans. But with the crippling Student Loan Crisis, college enrollment in the US is falling faster than any time in recent history. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, fall enrollments in 2010 were 21 million. By 2021, enrollment had fallen by three million to 18 million. Is a university degree becoming out of reach for less affluent Americans? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Apr 17, 202355 minEp. 210

Can a new recycling process save our Earth from a fashion nightmare?

New technology promises to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of textiles by 2030. The damage that the fashion industry brings to our planet is beyond belief. What’s at stake? How big is the problem? What can we do to address the problem of fast fashion in 2023? With Earth Day approaching, we take a look at impulse shopping and our unused wardrobe. There is hope, but only if we take a few steps together. Join the show to become part of the solution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...

Apr 14, 202355 minEp. 209

How did China lift 800 million people out of poverty?

Today’s guest Michael Crook is a British/Canadian who was born in Beijing in 1951 to parents who met in China. Michael grew up on a university campus in Beijing, worked in Chinese factories, and went to university in Britain. Michael helped found the Western Academy of Beijing in 1994. He is also the Chairman of International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (known as ICCIC) which involves rural development, environmental protection, and heritage preservation, espec...

Apr 12, 202351 minEp. 208

Why is police violence worsening in the US and what can be done?

Statistics show that US police kill "Far more civilians than any other wealthy country." A Colorado sheriff recently received an honorary award after shooting an unarmed man at an elementary school. What's going on in US policing? How do other wealthy nations have such low incidence of policing-related fatalities? Can the US change, and what would it need to do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 202355 minEp. 207

The US is finally getting High Speed Rail: get ready for a trip to Vegas

Is the US finally going to enter the High-Speed Rail game? A new article on KTLA says a line will connect a county outside LA with Los Vegas. With Spain, France, Germany, Japan, China and others in the club, we at The Bridge take a look at the global landscape of High Speed Rail, its advantages in using green energy, de-stressing, and easing road congestions. What's the past, present and future of High Speed Rail in the USA? Once we in the US get a taste, we’ll be demanding more. Hosted on Acast...

Apr 07, 202355 minEp. 206

China's Tomb Sweeping Day and Chinese culture diversity

As China observes annual Tomb Sweeping Day, we explain the tradition of burning joss money. From China to Amazon, the sacred money is going global. We take you inside the Chinese customs associated with respecting your passed loved ones. China doesn’t have a single set of traditions; we discuss the variety which makes understanding ‘China’ an ongoing exercise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 06, 202355 minEp. 205

Are some US states considering allowing child labor?

There are 500,000 kids working in agriculture in the US where “Unlimited Hours” are legal. For more than a century, Americans have fought to limit the work and related dangers that children could legally endure. The latest political trend in some states even weighs the merits of allowing children as young as twelve years old to work. A new law would increase both permissible work hours and the number of child workers, and protect employers from liability for injuries and even deaths at work, and...

Mar 29, 202354 minEp. 204

How to move to China and land your dream job in the world's fastest growing economy

Welcome to the first installment of The Bridge’s “Home Sweet Home, China,” where we show folks how to make China their home. And if you already live here, we have insights for you too. In this episode we’re going to cover how to come to China for work, choosing the right job, negotiating contracts, choosing the right city for you, getting a passport, visa, flights and all the steps you need to take to ensure your success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 29, 202356 minEp. 203

How are China and Africa working together to build a better world?

We interview Dr. Tang Xiaoyang, Chair of Department of International Relations at Tsinghua University in Beijing. A highly noted academic luminary on China–Africa economic cooperation, Dr. Tang has published extensively on the Belt and Road Initiative. He also has experiences working at the World Bank, UNDP, USAID, SAIS and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington DC. We ask him about his time in Africa. He discusses how China and Africa are working together to buil...

Mar 28, 202358 minEp. 202

From COVID to road tripping across China: Why do Chinese people trust their government so much?

Friend of The Bridge and frequent media commentator Fernando Munoz Bernal joins us. Hailing from Colombia, Fernando has lived in China for more than 20 years and was made an "honorary citizen" by the city of Dongguan. We discuss his journey through China by electric RV, how China's COVID policy saved lives, where to charge your EV on a road trip, and more. Want the truth about China and COVID? This is it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 24, 202355 minEp. 201

With fear of more layoffs looming in tech, will AI make even more jobs redundant?

With massive layoffs in the tech sector, many in 2023 are worried about their job security. According to the BBC, “As companies around the world slash positions, many workers are steeping in worry that they’re next…” As AI can now write online content, will corporate media be the next in line? Are we living in a cyber-punk-dystopia or is the world changing for the better? We take a look at the newest disruptive technology: artificial intelligence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...

Mar 23, 202352 minEp. 200

We bring you the fiery debates around climate change in 2023

“For the hundreds of millions of people living in small island developing states and other low-lying coastal areas around the world, sea-level rise is a torrent of trouble,” the UN Secretary General just warned. From climatologists flying to Davos in private jets, to Biden selling US gas on international markets and trending debates on the use of gas stoves, The Bridge radio show brings you the latest fiery debates regarding the climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Mar 20, 202354 minEp. 199

Is the newly proposed Texas law a 21st century version of the discriminatory ‘Chinese Exclusion Act?’

“A new law banning Chinese citizens from buying property has some wondering if they’re welcome in Texas” according to an article this month in the Los Angeles Times . Have we entered a new period where questions similar to the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Japanese Internment are becoming normalized in US discourse? What’s at stake and what can be done? The Bridge takes on this critical issue. Join our discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 15, 202352 minEp. 198

How can all of us play a part in building bridges between nations?

CEO of FastForward Marketing, Cyrus Janssen is a geopolitical analyst, investor, speaker, and social media influencer with over 1 million fans across his social media platforms. He recently gave a TED Talk to inspire the youth. Born in the United States, Cyrus lived in China for 15 years. He shares his insights on China with Jason&Alex and how the US and China can build new bridges together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 13, 202355 minEp. 197
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