The Bridge to China

Hong Kong's Maurice, Wuhan's Beibei, and California's Jason discuss a world wrapped in heat waves. Are you going to experience power cut this summer in the US? Is this nature or mankind? What can be done? Do you know that Chinese people have their own smart ways to protect the sunburn? We discuss the best ways to stay cool in the boiling heat according to different places and people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Asian communities in the US are being targeted for home break-ins. The Bridge breaks it down for you. What do you need to know to be safe? Why is crime so rampant in the US? Listen in and learn some of the latest trends in criminality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can easily find a TCM clinic now in big cities of the US. Cupping and Acupuncture have been popular outside of China for decades, but cupping is a more recent phenomenon in the United States, although it dates back to 3000 BC in Asia. Jason and Alex outline what you might need to know to improve your quality of life. You need to hear this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nations around the world apply for Intangible Cultural Heritage status for their nations sacred traditions. Beyond saving The Pyramids and The Great Wall, we discuss the dances, teaching styles and medicines that are being saved. What will we pass to future generations? Listen, reply and participate in our discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a previous episode, BeiBei and Jason discussed about whether our attention is taken away by the content providers of social media, and whether we should rethink our time and energy consumed on phones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 American director. Now both of them are in Los Angles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 cinema, animation, trade secrets, storytelling, life and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 how Tom is working through the change of role and how he balances child-raising tasks with his and his wife's careers as Chinese film directors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We show you the latest trends in tying the knot. From red dresses to bowing to your parents, here's what it takes to plan for your big day, today. Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 the 212th mass shooting. Americans used to be proud for their freedom and choice to carry firearms since it's believed to be a way of self-protection. But people died and more are dying, including children. Vice-president Kamala Harris said, 'Enough is enough.' When can we really call it an end? The discussion was between Jason Smith and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 American director who used to make films in China and now in L.A., California. Both of them performed comedy shows together in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has and continues to grow global trade in ways that are bringing prosperity to every corner of the world. Even so, China often sends humanitarian aid to disaster zones before its global peers. From digging wells to building bridges, The Bridge brings you to the front lines of China’s global prosperity campaign. Find out more with Jason and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don’t listen while hungry – today’s show is all about food. Jesse Appell and Tom Xia discuss Chinese food and its role in sharing Chinese culture around the world, and at the nature of internet chefs being some of the most effective cultural bridges left in the US-China exchange. See if your favorite food channel gets a mention! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bridge takes the long view at fatherhood. Our hosts see the emergence of a new type of father in the US, China and around the world. Are more men willing to take care of the kids and more women are making higher salary? Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab the mic! Jesse shares stories of his 10+ years in the Chinese standup comedy scene, how it grew and evolved, and where the future of comedy is heading. Tom and Jesse discuss their roles as Chinese TV show writers and how to make people laugh in another country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, yes, the world is kind of still enduring the pandemic, but that doesn't stop us from sharing travel stories! Jesse and Tom share stories of their favorite places in China and America to visit, what made them so good, and each culture's evolving view on where and why to travel. Also, what the internet is doing to our ideas of travel, and is it really getting away from it all if you're documenting the whole trip on stories? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lights, Camera, Action! This episode, Jesse talks to co-host Tom Xia about his experience directing films in China, why he was inspired to start making movies as a Chinese-American growing up in LA, and the nature of the film industry in both China and the US. He once filmed a documtary 'Christmas Without China' to see whether an American family could make it through a Christmas without using anything made in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesse Appell is the guest host of The Bridge. Jesse is an American comedian who spent nine years performing stand-up comedy in Chinese and enjoys a large fan base in China. In this special episode, Jesse interviews students from the Chinese Students Association of University of Southern California, and finds some kindred spirits whose experiences of studying abroad in America mirror her own of studying in China. What is the biggest challenge for Chinese living in America nowadays? And how does living in another country change someone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eviction Moratoriums are ending soon in waves across many states in the U.S.. Real estate is being bought up by Wall Street. How can you stay ahead in the new game? We discuss trends in renting and buying a home in The US and abroad. You need to tune in to this episode of The Bridge with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As people approach their twilight years, often there is some fear of growing older. The Bridge looks at the issue of aging throughout our lives, what it means, and how different cultures around the world see themselves and each other at different times in their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bridge asks a pair of professional director-producers about what it takes to make a movie in today’s market. We discuss the growing genre of science fiction in China, shooting in extreme weather, and what it is like working in the fast pace business of visual media. Linq Yim, originally from Hong Kong, who studied in New York and now lives in Beijing. He won the ‘Sky Award’ at the Pingyao Film Festival. Sheena Tang is a movie producer, and she’s won awards at the Beijing International Film Festival in 2020. Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are collectively making enough fashion trash that it simply cannot be given away and re-used. Even donations are simply going into landfills. The Bridge looks at the figures and helps you figure out how to avoid contributing to the biggest new trend in destroying our earth. Tune in with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the pandemic, a lot of people have been putting off health checkups, especially for cancer and age related disease. We are getting to the point where going to the hospital is more realistic again. We discuss what kinds of screenings we need and the differing natures of hospitals around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many economists are warning of inflation, low wages, and near term interest rate increases. Will this mean the end of the US middle class? How can we survive an era of increasing inequality? The Bridge takes a deep dive with Jason and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global chains and amenities have popped up the world over. From soda, to pop stars to soda pop, the world’s cities are saturated with the branding of big business. Can traditional culture survive the constant influence of global brands? Listen in and decide with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent incidents in New York, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco are terrifying the Asian community. From assaults to murders, a very dangerous racist vein in the west is swelling up. We take you through the tough talk necessary to examine the source of this heinous violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.