The Bridge to China

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.

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 information.

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 more information.

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, especially of old Beijing city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 all these for children. Listen to this! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 build a common future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 information.

“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 information.

“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.

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.

As Women’s Day approaches, we at The Bridge discuss trending topics regarding the lives of ladies across the globe. From gender gaps in the digital industry, to gender-based violence and female leadership, we survey the landscape of inclusivity. Our hosts from China and the US bring you fresh insights into the often-hidden struggles of women around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's 'Two Sessions' is being held in Beijing. Folks outside China have little understanding of China's democratic processes. In 2022, research group 'Latana' proved Chinese folks were more likely to rank the Chinese government as 'democratic' than any other nation in the world would rank their own. With so little known in the West about what China calls "Whole-Process People's Democracy," we at The Bridge discuss the moving parts of this democratic system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Two Sessions", the biggest annual event on China's political calendar, will begin this weekend. Thousands of national lawmakers and political advisors will gather for these important political meetings that cover every aspect of China's development and people's wellbeing. The lawmakers and political advisors are from all walks of life in China, including farmers, workers, teachers…people from different regions and ethnic groups. The ideas and advices of regular Chinese folks sound a lot like the dreams Americans have too. Tune in to hear the hopes that we all share in common. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From exceeding your job description to quiet-quitting and lying-flat, the media sells us a mixed bag of seemingly incompatible narratives. So, which is it? Are we working too much or not enough? Alex and Jason delineate the borders of our changing career landscapes. If you want to avoid the landmines of today’s office culture, this episode is mandatory. So set your podcast to The Bridge, sit back and enjoy your compulsory relax time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a CNN article from January 27th, Louis Vuitton - Moët Hennessy, commonly known as LVMH, "cheers the 'spectacular' return of Chinese tourists." With hundreds of billions of dollars of income in the global tourism game at stake, who will win-over Chinese travelers? What are Chinese travelers looking for as they tour the globe? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the dynamic of "mentorship" changing shape? While mid-level leaders are still learning from seasoned professionals, a new tradition is trending. "Reverse Mentorship" is younger employees showing their mature leaders the ropes of new tech. We talk about youths volunteering to help retirees use social media. What can interns teach CEOs? Is your workplace is in need of a shakeup?. Alex explains trends in Chinese social media to Jason. This is The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From community organizer and volunteer in the US to winning China’s “Friendship” award and working as a volunteer across China, Dr. Mark Levine uses his time to help others. Need inspiration to change the world? Listen to a singer song writer building bridges between the US and China through Music, education, writing and giving back to the global community. He inspires our host; he’ll inspire you. And he concludes the show with an inspirational piece of music. This is The Bridge: our interview with Dr. Mark Levine, American in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the latest cases of anti-Asian hate crimes, anti-Black hate crimes and the roots that got us here. We examine the history, the political causes, and the role of big media companies in encouraging hate. What does economics have to do with the safety of our citizens? Listen in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a train wreck in Ohio of 20 cargo containers of toxic materials, the New York Post reports "animals falling sick, dying near hellish Ohio train derailment site" and ABC News reports that "there were more toxic chemicals on train that derailed in Ohio than originally reported." A dozen train wrecks have taken place across the US already this year and it's only February. What is happening? Why is it happening? The Bridge takes a deep dive to clear up the muddy waters with BeiBei and Jason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is China really a threat, or can we cooperate in technology and global development? Andy Mok, a former analyst for the Rand Corporation and current Fellow of CCG on the transformative technologies coming out of China. He discusses semi-conductors, the Chinese space station, the future of Huawei, and WeChat as a ‘remote for our lives.’ He shares his thoughts on how we can maintain global peace through empathy, benevolence and people to people exchanges at the highest levels of society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Shi and Jason Smith discuss the surprising problems with water in the wealthiest nation on earth. When the world thinks of America, they think of a developed nation. So, why does the US have millions without access to clean water? We take a deep dive into the problem and how America can get back on track. And what is a hydro-climatologist? From the shores of the US to China, Africa, and Laos we discuss water --- our past, present, and future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New research from ‘The Journal of Aging and Human Activity’ demonstrates a connection between Ball Room Dancing and staving off dementia. The research indicates that dancing has a stronger impact on maintaining brain health than simply walking for exercise. Alex Shi discusses trends in dancing from China to the US and Cuba too. Join the discussion on the complex and varied world of dance. Want to become a social media giant in China? We tell you how. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York just passed a law giving folks the right to fix their own stuff. We at The Bridge delve into the growing world of repairing your own gizmos and gadgets. If you can’t fix something, do you really own it? From changing watch batteries to global Repair cafes, the world is turning to their communities to reduce waste and save money. This is too exciting to miss. Listen in and be the talk of your friend circle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Greenspan, former FED Chair, said recently that a “US recession is likely.” Does two years of white-hot inflation, coupled with student loans coming due in Q3 and rising interest rates mean a recession is inevitable? In this episode, Jason and Alex offer you tips, tricks and insights that you might need to insulate yourself and your family from a possible recession.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From YouTube to Bilibili and documentary making and more, today’s guest literally rewrote the signs in Dongguan. Listen in as an English, Chinese, and Spanish influencer tells personal tales of travelling in a RV across China to produce an all-encompassing documentary. Mr. Gao also shares with us his sky-diving, scuba-diving, strongman-competition-finishing stories that are too good to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British stand-up comedian Kei Gambit describes the process of becoming the most well-known fictional character in China: The Monkey King. We ask him how he prepares for roles in movies like Moon Man, The Wandering Earth II and Battle for Changjin Lake. He and Alex discuss comedy clubs in Beijing and China. From a comic series and universe to publishing fantasy novels, Kei’s portfolio in media is hard to measure in scope. You’ll want to hear the stories of how this former Liverpool police officer became a star in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We invite UK-Australian key opinion leader and media commentator Jerry Grey for a discussion of China’s rebound. We talk about China’s feverish December hibernation and then rebound in consumerism. If you want the truth about life in China today, this episode will set the record straight. Who got COVID? Did Beijing turn into a ghost town? How did the biggest New Year’s Eve in years kick off after three weeks of hibernation across the fastest growing major economy in the world? Join in the discussion on The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting from January, passport applications have been resumed for outbound travelers in China. This is coupled with the removal of COVID tests and quarantine for all inbound traffic. With Chinese tourists spending twice as much as any other nation in 2019, the return of the tourism based global economy is here once again. We break down the business of busy businesses in the heart of the fastest growing major economy on earth. Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason and Beibei discuss the cultural similarities and differences between the US and China regarding kids having smartphones. Will your child be exposed to dangers real and digital? Or are smartphones indispensable to keeping up with the new digital literacy? What’s the balance between getting left behind and being exposed to all the information in the world? Increasingly Chinese kids have watches which watch out for them. We tell you how to keep your kids safe in a world of ones and zeros. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Kartha has already lived in three Chinese cities in his three years in China. Join us as he tells stories about the real life fairyland in Harbin. He explains why he walked 120,000 steps in the city of Ningbo in China. And he tells us about his family adventures throughout India and what he misses about the US. And what else does Chengdu have to offer other than pandas and hot pots? He also tells us about his favorite place on earth. Now where could that be? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which coastal city in China is attractive to expats? YouTuber and IG-Fashion-Influencer King Kwesi joins The Bridge. This influencer defines what’s trending unto himself. Listen in to how he made China his home, his take on fashion, food fusion, and building bridge between Africa and China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent study reveals that 38% of people managed to cope with anxiety and stress during the pandemic with the companionship from their pets. Ever wondered which animals are the most well-loved pets across cultures and continents? Can dogs cry tears of joy? Listen in and learn about the pets that are loved by 60 million Chinese families. Jason even tries to convince Beibei to adopt a dog… Will he succeed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sick of sickening stories and news? Tired of tiring tales of 2022? We at The Bridge give you reasons to realize that 2022 has had plenty to be celebrated. From renewable energy, rockets, and twin spacecrafts at the space station and 100% green energy grid in California, 2022 was actually quite spectacular. Listen in, relax, and let's share the good news. Jason and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, holder of 42 doctorates, world-renowned economics Professor, bestselling author and president of the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network, joins The Bridge. He discusses his ideas on the US-China relationship. We ask him how China and the US can work together to build a shared future. He explains how the US, Europe and China can work together to help develop Africa and other developing regions of the world for the benefit of everyone. This interview might just change your worldview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another year-end, and many have started to set up their new year's goal. What's practical and what's not? Can you work yourself to death? 2% of people who exercise suffer from exercise-associated hemorrhage according to Dr. Vivek Nambiar. Too little exercise can also lead to unpleasant consequences… Everything in moderation is a part of Chinese cultural outlook according to co-host Beibei. Listen in and be a part of the conversation on The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason and Alex bring you the Christmas angle you weren’t expecting. What is Christmas like in Beijing? Tens of millions of Christmas trees are wasted each year worldwide. Have you considered donating them to the nearest zoo? We talk turkey and the trending Christmas concepts lighting the way by starlight to your childhood memories. Listen, like, and lose yourself in the hilarity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to go home and see your family before Christmas or travel to some beautiful place to celebrate the New Year, but do you want to take a long flight where every passenger has their own musical instrument? Sounds either like a dream or a nightmare depending on who you are. This happened. Hear about the hilarious online ratio that has an airline rethinking its marketing strategy. Drinking, fighting, and taking over the intercom are just the start. We have the absolute funniest and most frightening stories from 36,000 feet. You will thank yourself for joining the conversation with Jason and Alex, on The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Persuasion also means willing to be persuaded. What is cordial discourse? How does it work? And where do we begin? From marketing to the logic of the Greeks, Beibei and Jason fill your tool kit. We give you the means to being nice, while changing hearts and minds. Like, subscribe and relax. We’ve got this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some know that the peace sign is an insult in certain countries but did you know that crossing your fingers for luck could also mean number ten or ‘I’m Lying’? Do you know the hand gestures for counting one to ten? We’ve got that too. Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of folks all over the world have spent time in isolation. We discuss the newly minted term ‘The Great Re-imagination.’ From divorces to new romance, meditation, dietary changes and upgraded skill sets, the world is not the same. Tens of millions of Americans have changed their jobs. Millions of others have learned new skills or gone back to university. Have people’s skills and priorities been upgraded? Listen in and we’ll let you in on today’s trends with BeiBei and Jason on The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss hygiene around the world in the twenty first century. Have we gone far enough or too far? Hand washing? Sure. Spraying babies with germ killing sprays? Slow down a minute. Is it time for us to boost our immune system? Find out more with Jason and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One man’s daughter asks her father to save the world, one bag of crisps at a time. His answer: “Alright then, I will.” We discuss their story and other companies taking on the plastic-apocalypse. Don’t have a credit card? That’s okay, that’s how much plastic is inside you right now. We were shocked too. Listen in and we explore answers to questions we’re all wondering. This is The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When does a healthy interest in celebrity life become a mental health issue? We discuss ‘Parasocial Relationships’. From movie posters to hysterical K-Pop fans and learning Spanish to talk to footballers, what’s a celebrity crush and what is obsession? When is a role model healthy? And when is it insanity? How would you feel if folks you don’t know followed you to your home? Listen in with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From contemporary dance in China’s capital to rescuing animals and maintaining the most advanced kindergartens in China, today’s guest doesn’t seem to rest. Where would you take you mom to in China? What shocked this guest in Beijing? Where does one garden in a megacity? Listen in to find out. Winners click the subscribe button. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The news is full of stories of war, famine and a coming global recession. All the while people are meant to believe the fault lies with other nations, peoples and ways of life. We’ve got the antidote: cross cultural communication. People in America, Mexico, England and China are just that: people. How can we understand each other better? Let’s talk. Sit down and we’ll bring you the tools you need to understand your neighbors around the world. This is The Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.