The Bridge to China
Episodes
Is the US facing an unimaginable water crisis? You need to hear this!
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 L...
Decoding the language of love
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
Cars, SpongeBob and The Shrek...what can an animation artist do?
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Gr...
Call me Naiba, call me stay-at-home dad
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
How are Gen Z and X Reshaping the Workplace?
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Can Fungi eat plastic to help deal with the pollution?
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Scientist Peter Mortimer has found fungi in China's protected forests of Yunnan that can eat plastics and latex rendering them biodegradable. Instead ...
Is there such a thing as American food? Recap: cultural diffusion
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
The Bridge takes you from culture shock to reverse culture shock at 500 miles per hour
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Are they dealing with food shortages, inflation and student debt... or nothing will change?
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 mor...
Tiny homes: solution to the housing crisis?
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
From dowries to dining: here's what it takes to get married around the world
04 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. Fin...
Were you happy when you were a kid? Are your children happy today?
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 kid...
Mass shooting in Texas elementary school. Enough is enough, but is there a solution?
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What if there were no delivery riders...recap
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Who should pay the bill and why do they fight over the bill?
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 bil...
How is inflation impacting you and what can you do about it?
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Can competition benefit meaningful progress?
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 compe...
Netflix added fees, CNN Plus canceled...what to watch and how in the future?
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From home theaters with surround sound to the experience of getting snacks and sitting in relative silence, we discuss the future of movies. Are strea...
Is Mother's Day celebrated or tolerated? Welcome to a mother's world on Mother's Day!
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Chin...
What's next in tech? A professional gamer talks about the future of metaverse
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
More and more Americans are complaining of being squeezed. Everything seems to be happening at once, from the pandemic to inflation and wage stagnatio...
Are Americans retiring into homelessness?
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The future of work is now and it's not far from the sofa
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Tea vs. Coffee: clash of the titans
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Chin...
Is social media destroying your social life?
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to clink your glass in style
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Are media the catalyst of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S.?
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The secret code of going green in China
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
A look at China’s pattern of giving humanitarian aid
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
That food looks good! But how to cook the dish?
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 cultur...
How is fatherhood changing these days?
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Why is standup comedy so popular in China?
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 he...
Is it a vacation if you Don't take a selfie?
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
What is the documentary A Christmas Without China all about?
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 makin...
Studying abroad at USC: not what we expected!
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 la...
Settling down in a new city? Everything starts with renting
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Is the fear of growing older the same in different cultures?
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to make a science fiction movie in China?
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 sci...
Fast fashion or fast pollution? That's the question
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 B...
Is it Time for a checkup?
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Is the US economy downshifting? Or is this fancy language for the Middle Class getting squeezed?
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Have big brands erased global cultures?
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Anti-Asian hate crimes are spiking at a terrifying pace in the West. What can be done?
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recent incidents in New York, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco are terrifying the Asian community. From assaults to murders, a very dangerous rac...
What does happiness mean in different cultures?
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We take you on a tour around the world to look at some of the trends in the pursuit of happiness. What do people in Europe, America, China and elsewhe...
With respect to what diversity means, there are diverse cultural perspectives
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge takes a deep dive into the complexity of ethnic and cultural harmony around the world. Find out more with Jason and Alex. Hosted on Acast. ...
What's women's role in society today?
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For America, the fight for gender equality dates back at least a century. China’s story is somewhat different. In China and the U.S., women make up ...
Who will be the future skiier, and skater?
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss what it takes to raise a child to be an athlete. How can we influence a child’s interests? Jason, Beibei, and Maurice discuss the differe...
How does the world get in shape in 2022? Tech is changing everything
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From gyms with no employees to digital mirrors that count calories and give feedback, technology is changing the way you change your body. Losing the ...
What are the latest hobby trends today? Listen in and we’ll share
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge takes a listen to the most relevant trends in free time around the world? Are Chinese people playing the same games as you? Americans might...
Winter Olympics in review: from Bing Dwen Dwen to renewed hope for our collective future
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge discusses the highlights of the Olympics from an international point of view. The most watched Olympics included robots, reused venues, and...
Why is Bing Dwen Dwen so popular?
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you got your Bing Dwen Dwen? Yes, the adorable Winter Olympic mascot panda! Well, it’s sold out now in China. But no worries, factories are spe...
Jesse Appell: what goes into planning a fantastic Chinese New Year's Gala at USC?
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How challenging is it to stage a Chinese New Year's Gala during Covid in the U.S.? On this special episode of The Bridge, guest host and stand-up come...
One billion and a half people tune in for one TV show. Think it's the Super Bowl? Think again!
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese New Year represents the largest annual migration of people in the world. Where are they going? From San Francisco to London to New York, we lo...
The Beijing Winter Olympics are almost here
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Beijing will be the first ‘Double Olympic City.’ In 2008 the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing rocked the world. As Beijing hosts the 2022 Winter Ol...
The Bridge takes a look back at 2021
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
2021 gave us Meta and an updated space station. But for many the year was tough. We take a look at the year full of change and growing pains, and hope...
It's about time or time to intervene? The Boy Scouts' bankruptcy rages on
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can this iconic institution be saved? The Bridge talks about this historic organization, its problems, and its future. Are there similar groups in oth...
Where are the coolest vacation spots on earth?
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From Paris to Dali this show highlights some of the world's best places to see. Wanna see China? Can it be done in just two weeks? Sanya of China and ...
In business, communication is EVERYTHING...
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can we be ready for success? Can the keys of communication unleash new potential at workplace? Alex and Jason discuss what it takes to market your...
When will the store's shelves be full again?
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With ships waiting off the coast of San Diego, can America get its goods? When will things normalize? How do shelves around the world look? Come on a ...
What to do and where to go at night in Beijing?
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From Sanlitun to Wukesong to Houhai Lake to the Hutongs, Alex and Jason review the most popular places to go on a Friday night in Beijing. This show a...
Who's using Traditional Chinese Medicine today?
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Some athletes in the United States have been using Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment such as cupping. More than acupuncture and cupping, the host...
Is chic too chic? Trendsetting fashions today
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From the runways to the airways to every day, fashion is changing, always. From American second hand stores to your Friday night, we explore the cloth...
How do we fix the cost of a higher education?
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With student loans crippling entire generations, is there an alternative? Our hosts discuss the heights of higher education and its limits. What is th...
What are the latest trends in commuting?
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When will high speed rail change your life? What other ways are there to get around in the world today? Jason and Alex discuss the latest tech changin...
'Play or study?'-a wise decision to make
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To study or to play? Play of course! An easy decision to make for kids. But how to provide good educaiton while ensuring a happy childhood remains cha...
What makes retirement cool?
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge host Jason discusses what American retirees like to do, from binge-watching to taking off in an RV. Alex showcases the lifestyle of Chinese...
Yesteryears' traditions matter in the transition to adulthood?
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Different cultures mark the change from child to adult in unique ways. How do they come into play in our modern world? We look at several traditions a...
How honest is too honest? Could you adapt to a world where everyone told the truth?
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Little white lies, are they holding us back? Different cultures the world over value the truth differently. Transitioning between these places can be ...
When is it cultural appropriation and when is it cultural appreciation?
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is it okay to embrace the cultures of others? We talk through the perilous prospect of embracing another people’s traditions. The Bridge gives you s...
To wok or not to wok: what's in your kitchen?
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We take a tour around the world and into your kitchen. From tumble driers to blenders, what appliances make the list in China and the US? Can we save ...
American trust in the CDC is at all time lows: how does this affect all of us?
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the Center for Disease Control routinely changing its recommendations, a lot of Americans are turning a deaf ear. As America creeps up on one mil...
How are the myths of the past relevant to the present?
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For Thousands of years people have been telling stories. Are the myths of the past still part of our world? The Bridge takes a deep dive into the stor...
Traditional culture and changing values: need they be at loggerheads?
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every generation these days defines itself differently from the last. In a fast changing world are there room for traditional crafts, clothes, music a...
Fun driving experiences in China and the U.S.
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We talk commuting in New York, LA, Beijing, and cruising highway. Are the roads more manageable with the transition to remote work? The Bridge also gi...
Can an American voice actor succeed in China?
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge interviews a professional voice actor in China. We talk being on the set, dubbing and more. You may be surprised to hear a familiar voice a...
Can you speak English in China? The answer may surprise you
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge takes you on a tour of talking. Do all Chinese people speak English today? In America, people increasingly learn another language. While Fr...
What's in your cup: tea and coffee make a splash
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Coffee has transformed America. And today's coffee isn't your grandparents' cup of tea. Coffee is seeing growth in sales in China. The Bridge hosts di...
How is the future paved with global ideas?
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ancient Silk Road brought the west tea, spices, silk, the iron plow and more. Today, the world is trading goods faster than ever. The Bridge takes...
From America to Europe and Asia: we talk about cuisine and give you a taste
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The team at The Bridge go abroad for you and find the absolute best food around the world. From continental, national, and regional cuisine to your ki...
Winter Olympics with tens of millions of new winter sports enthusiasts
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge shows you the future of sports in China. More than 300 million people across China have participated in winter sports since 2018. The excit...
Can masking up help lead to a zero Covid world?
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Different countries around the world handled the pandemic differently. The results are easy to see. How did the US fumble in the most important play o...
How are Gen Z and Millennials reshaping the workplace?
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From Baby Boomers to the next generation entering our work places, the cultures can seem worlds apart. How can people raised in different times share ...
Can you live without a credit card?
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From credit cards to digital payment, from student loans to monthly mortgage, what are those differences in financial habits between the people in the...
What's trending with what's trendy? Art right now
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We don't always realize how much what we see get to shape our world and impact how we understand it and how we think about ourselves. New York is the ...
Who can afford a domestic helper in China? More people than you think
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From repairing to cleaning to helping with the new baby, China has an abundance of people in the home service industry. Need child care? How about a l...
How safe is it to go outside at night? The Bridge takes a look for you
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Vlogger Jason has been traveling across China in the past ten years and for him it feels safe even walking alone on the street at midnight. The Bridge...
How do people meet the love of their life in different cultures and in different times?
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge takes you on a journey from cyberspace to public space. Can grandma find you a husband or wife? Is it okay to flirt at work? Alex and Jason...
Are our cognitive abilities on the decline? The latest science findings might just surprise you
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge looks at how you can protect your aging brain. From Chinese Traditional Medicine to learning another language, we talk activities to keep o...
Wealth inequality in our world and how we need to tackle the issue
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wealth inequality is worse than at any time in our modern world. The Bridge discusses the biggest squeeze of our times. What will become of the poores...
How many romantic holidays are there throughout the world?
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our team takes you on a journey to China where there are several special romantic days. Think someone feels alone on Valentines’ day? How can we mak...
Who's gonna be there for you when you're old?
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In China, taking care of one's elders has been taking place for millennia. Is Florida the retirement home of America? Does China have a retirement bas...
Where do Chinese go to experience China?
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
America has every climate imaginable. Is this why many Americans never travel abroad? While Chinese tourists love to see the world, increasingly China...
From Boomers to Gen Z, how are we changing the world and ourselves?
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The US once oversaw the largest technological transformations the world had ever seen. How we are changing the world and it's changing us, one generat...
Can Hollywood maintain its footing in China?
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
China has the most cinemas in the world. Hollywood has a long track record of producing great cinema. Increasingly the appetites of Chinese film lover...
Are parks still fun today?
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Beibei and Jason discuss some of the best parks in San Francisco, New York, Beijing and Wuhan. Where should you go if you want a casual day in Beijing...
Home delivery: Who's bringing change to your door?
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge discusses the emergence of the people and apps bringing you everything you desire. From China's Meituan to America's Deliveroo, the show he...
To be or not to be a face dancer? Performance art in the US, China and the world
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We take a look from box seats at the house and stage in our time. From Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts to your Friday night out in N...
What to do when you first move to a new city or a foreign country?
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge looks at renting a home in the US, China, and around the world. We examine rent prices and cultural Dos and Don'ts from New York to Beijing...
Solar panels are in. Who’s who in the new green revolution?
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Bridge takes a look into the makers and breakers of the biggest solar deals around. We show you the future and now. Can the US and China work toge...
Is the American Dream still alive?
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More and more Americans are complaining of being squeezed. Everything seems to be happening at once, from the pandemic to inflation and wage stagnatio...
How are the myths of the past relevant to the present?
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For thousands of years people have been telling stories. Are the myths of the past still part of our world? The Bridge takes a deep dive into the stor...