Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom

This week we have another special BONUS video episode, with just me. In it, I give you an update about what’s been going on and what’s coming up next, and I also share some cool things that I’ve seen, done, or taken part in lately.

Find more episodes or say hi on the website at https://www.crazyinagoodway.com and I’ll see you next week!

This week’s guest is John Artman. John is the Editor In Chief of TechNode and a host of two podcasts himself. TechNode is one of China’s leading technology media outlets as well as a sponsor of live events related to the tech space. John and I discuss his background in radio, the implications of the rise of AI in China, and what he sees for the future in general here.

This week’s guest is Matthew Byrne. Matt is a transplant from Britain who runs the arts and literary magazine and collective Spittoon. We discuss the next Spittoon event taking place tomorrow, this Thursday, 25th January at 8pm - in Matt’s words, “ ...there will be fantastic English language poetry but also Chinese poetry in translation. A new host will also be announced who has great new ideas, plus there will be a special music / poetry collaboration performance from Spit-Tunes to round off the even

This week’s show features historical preservationist Rosie Levine. Rosie is from Boston but grew up as a little girl in Beijing before moving back to the States to finish school. Among other efforts, she’s on a mission to help save the hutongs, the classic ancient neighborhoods that are a key part of Beijing’s unique cultural heritage, through her work as Program Director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), a China-based NGO.

This week’s guest is Keith Collea. Keith has such a diverse background that it’s hard to sum up: he has training as an engineer, then military experience, then he shifted into dance and performance art that also incorporated radical video effects elements. This eclectic resume led to mainstream Hollywood filmmaking, and ultimately, to China. Keith is a much-lauded and awarded pioneer in the technology of the arts. Enjoy!

Welcome to the first show of 2018! My guest is Daniel Rothwell, a trombone-playing, ‘zine-writing, drama-educating force of nature from Essex, England. We have a splendid conversation and laugh nonstop; good times. It’s also the last show before I turn FIFTY (yikes!) this Friday, Jan 5, so I talk about that a little, plus the last days of the show FUNdraising drive, and my recent appearance on CGTN, which led to my almost starring in a...cat food commercial? Enjoy!

In this special NEW YEAR’S EVE edition, recorded and posted just hours before the champagne pops in Beijing, I discuss the “inciting incident” in my move to China, the launch and first season of the show, a snapshot of EACH guest, my recent appearance on CGTN, and I talk about what else I’ve been up and what’s coming next in 2018.

Holiday FUNDRAISING Drive - SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:

https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/

My guest this week is Mike Wester, co-founder of True Run Media, which publishes The Beijinger, Jing Kids, and more. In the episode we talk about Mike's journey from the Boston area to Taiwan, back to the US for grad school, and then his ultimate move to Beijing, a city he's called home for 17 years. Mike and his team have built quite a publishing presence in China, and his thoughtful insights on society reflect a deep passion for quality journalism and the people it impacts - i.e., all of us.

This is a super short bonus episode showing you a couple of the holiday items that came my way in Beijing this year, including the "Christmas apple” (what? details below). We have ONE more regularly-scheduled episode coming up this year on Thursday, plus a big wrapup / retrospective of Season 1 of the podcast with a look ahead to Season 2 in 2018. Next year looks to hold some amazing new developments for me personally and professionally here on China, in both the podcasting and film world, and I can’t wait to give you a little preview of all that on New Year’s Eve. 

 

But for now: have a great holiday if you get one, and I’ll see you again on Thursday!

 

"Christmas Apples": the long version - http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-christmas-china-apple-20131225-story.html

the short version - https://www.quora.com/Why-do-Chinese-people-give-red-apples-for-Christmas-gifts

 

Holiday FUNDRAISING Drive - SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:

https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/

 

Brendan Davis on WeChat:

BrendanDavis

 

Brendan Davis on Twitter:

@VeritasInLux

 

BFMK website:

https://www.crazyinagoodway.com 

 

Other links to LISTEN:

https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/

This week’s guest is Kyle Mullin, a Canadian journalist who works as a writer and editor at The Beijinger. We discuss his interest in the environment, the Beijing food & beverage scene, music, and more. Plus we do a look back at some of the big China stories of 2017 - enjoy! This is also Week 2 of my Holiday Fundraising Drive, so if you’d like to make an expat podcaster smile for Christmas, please visit crazyinagoodway.com and visit the SUPPORT page to spread a little holiday cheer.