In the 1970s, long before “Made in China” became inescapable, a series of seemingly small diplomatic and trade decisions quietly rewrote the global economic order. What began as symbolic textile imports and geopolitical chess moves ended up hollowing out American manufacturing, lifting hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty, and creating the interdependent yet tense superpower rivalry we live with today.

Elizabeth O'Brien Ingleson is a historian specializing in the histories of capitalism, US-China relations, and US foreign relations. She is also an Associate Professor at the International History Department at the London School of Economics, co-organizer of the LSE-Tufts Seminar in Contemporary International History, and Author of Made in China: When US-China Interests Converged to Transform Global Trade.

Website - elizabethingleson.com

Made in China - harvard.edu

10/21/2025

In Episode 230 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS),  breaks down U.S.-China relations as a "cautious ceasefire" amid deep economic ties and mutual distrust. He contrasts China's vision under Xi Jinping with U.S. internal debates, the rise of China's technology sector, Hong Kong, and global futures. 

You can find Scott Kennedy at CSIS online (https://www.csis.org/people/scott-kennedy), and his podcast, China Field Notes, on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

10/03/2025

In Episode 229 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Reilan Sandoval discusses challenges of previous generations as opposed to the current one, how our current system lacks color and keeps us distracted, and how faith just might have the answers.

You can find Reilan online (https://www.artbyrei.com/) and on Instagram/TikTok (@artbyrei).

09/10/2025

In Episode 228 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Malachi opens up about fatherhood, navigating life and death, and balancing a growing business. From building a creative community to post production work flows and learning by making mistakes, the moral of the story is this: just keep going. 

You can find Malachi online (www.mlstudiosphoto.com), on Instagram (@mlstudios_photo), TikTok (@mlstudiosphoto) and YouTube (@Mlstudios_).

07/02/2025

In Episode 227 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Tyler Parr joins us to discuss everything from vaccines and the chemicals in our food, to Israel and Trump, life as a boxing coach, illegal immigration and more.

Tyler Parr is the Co-Owner of Body Works Alpha Annex, a private fitness club that offers 24/7 access, fitness classes, personal training, boxing and more. He is also a boxing coach and podcaster. You can find Tyler on Instagram (@coachtylerjparr). You can find Body Works Alpha Annex online (bodyworksalpha.com), on Facebook (@alphafitnessclubs) and Instagram (@bodyworksalphaannex).

07/10/2025

In Episode 226 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Gianna Eckhardt, Professor of Marketing at King’s Business School, King’s College London, and Vice Dean Engagement and Executive Education, and Alex Atanasova, Assistant Professor / Lecturer in Marketing at Bayes Business School, City St George's University of London, unpack digital nomadism, from its roots in Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek to its explosion during COVID. They debunk the Instagram myth of beachside laptops, highlighting the hustle, community, and economic necessity driving this lifestyle. With AI threatening freelance jobs, they explore the future for nomads.

Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/2024/02/the-new-reality-of-digital-nomads), Nomadland review (https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/mgdr/vol6/iss1/2/).

07/01/2025

In Episode 225 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, 6x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis shares his journey from YouTube to mastering memory techniques and tackling Mount Everest. He dives into the physical and mental challenges of high-altitude climbing, the power of memory skills in everyday life, and the risks/rewards of AI.

You can find Nelson and his work online (@nelsondellis.com), on YouTube (@NelsonDellis) and on Instagram (@nelzor).

06/30/2025

In Episode 224 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Eric Black, Arcata News creator, dives into healthy living, creative hustles and film projects. From the rise of AI generated video content to the war between Israel and Iran. What's happening in Gaza? Will the U.S. enter the war with Iran? No Kings protest? Buckle up. 

You can find Eric on YouTube/Facebook/Instagram (@arcatanews) and on X (@TheTopHousexx).

In Episode 223 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Dr. Dan Ariely, author and Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight, reveals how to conquer regret and rethink life’s choices. From surviving severe burns to facing personal attacks and a wave of misinformation during COVID, Dan shares insights on making the ‘last chapter’ of life meaningful, embracing risk, and overcoming fear of change. Learn why we cling to open doors and how empathy can bridge divides.

You can find Dan, his books like Predictably Irrational, Misbelief, and The Upside of Irrationality, as well as his current work, online (danariely.com). You can also find him on YouTube/X/Instagram (@danariely) and on Facebook (@danarielyofficial).

05/07/2025

In this episode Nick and Dr. Emily Zarka discuss her journey from childhood fascination with horror to her scholarly career. Emily highlights her web series "Monstrum," which aims to make academic insights on monsters accessible, drawing parallels to Anthony Bourdain's storytelling. They explore how monsters reflect societal fears, the evolution of figures like vampires, and the impact of technology on horror narratives. Discover how she found her passion, why monsters hold deep meaning, and how horror can have a cathartic element. From her PhD in British romantic literature with an emphasis on the Gothic to pitching a hit YouTube show, Emily’s story inspires resilience and creativity.

You can find Monstrum on YouTube ( ⁨@pbsstoried⁩ ), online (pbs.org), and the PBS History Channel. You can find Dr. Emily Zarka online (dremilyzarka.com).

04/16/2025