We left the kids with Grandpa and went camping in the Cotswolds.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Surviving storms, wind, and wasps
• Setting up camp like amateurs
• Watching a movie in our tent with a projector
• Exploring Banbury and Woodstock
• Learning Mandarin through real, honest conversation

Ula speaks Mandarin. Tom speaks English. You get natural Mandarin input with built-in context. No textbook. No boring repetition. Just real talk, in two languages.

Perfect for learners who want to:

• Train their ears with native Mandarin
• Use context clues instead of translations
• Hear real-life conversations, not scripted phrases

Want more? Join lessons, hangouts, or get bonus content:

👉 https://www.mandarinmonkey.com

💬 Email: [email protected]

🎧 Join us on Patreon: 

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Think learning Mandarin is all flashcards and peaceful study sessions? Try doing it with three kids, zero time, and a brain that forgets half the vocab by lunch. In this episode, we talk about the real side of language learning—messy, inconsistent, and occasionally shouted across the room.

We cover how we keep (some of) our Mandarin skills alive, why casual conversations aren’t enough, and how learning a language with your partner can be… character-building. There’s also some talk about camping, future dreams, and why structured study is like flossing—everyone says they do it, but come on.

www.mandarinmonkey.com

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Dive into another lively episode of the Mandarin Monkey podcast, where we celebrate the power of life's small victories and recount some unforgettable weekend adventures. From the thrill and challenges of landing a new job (hello, creative video applications!) to the quirky misadventures of a family boating trip overtaken by spiders, this episode covers it all with humor and heartfelt reflections. All in Mandarin and English.

Join us as we explore how appreciating "little wins" can significantly boost happiness and why balancing work, family, and play is essential for a fulfilling life. Plus, we'd love to hear from you, share Tom's top 10 favorite films in the comments, and you might get a shoutout in our next episode!

Get involved: Drop your favorite films below—we'll spotlight your picks in the upcoming episode!

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In this episode, we dive into the joys and chaos of family travel, focusing on our experiences in Taiwan. From navigating holidays with kids to finding moments of peace in the middle of it all, we reflect on what makes a trip truly memorable. We chat about Taiwan’s rich cultural moments like Children's Day, the importance of good food, and why nostalgia plays such a big role in where we go next.

0:00 Intro & Banter  

1:00 Planning Holidays with Kids  

3:30 Jet Lag Struggles  

4:30 Family Holidays in Taiwan  

6:00 Taiwan’s Children’s Day  

9:00 Mixing Fun & Peace in Holidays  

12:00 The Joy of Having Nowhere to Be  

15:00 Feeling Safe Abroad  

18:30 What Makes Travel Peaceful?  

23:00 How to Recreate That Feeling  

26:30 10 Years of Chaos & Reflection  

29:00 Planning Without Overplanning  

32:00 Japan Adventures & Spontaneity  

35:00 Time Pressure & Wanting More  

36:00 Tandems & European Dreams  

37:30 Travel Safety & Tourist Bubbles  

39:30 Safari Dreams & Travel Timing  

40:30 Christmas in Taiwan?  

44:00 Back to Taiwan: Where & Why  

47:00 Cities vs Countryside  

49:00 Mountains & Memories  

52:00 Revisiting Old Places  

53:30 Wrapping Up

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In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the messy, hilarious, and honest journey of personal growth. From embracing the cringe that comes with putting yourself out there creatively, to exploring how AI is transforming content creation, they get candid about the highs and lows of doing what you love. They also dream out loud about future community events, live gatherings, and the lifelong journey of learning languages. Expect laughs, real talk, and a healthy dose of encouragement to just keep going.

0:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene

5:45 – Reflections on Personal Growth and Change

12:51 – Navigating Cringe and Embracing Creativity

17:37 – The Role of AI in Content Creation and Daily Life

24:51 – Niche Challenges in Language Learning

26:18 – Innovative Event Ideas for Language Learners

33:58 – Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Creativity

42:05 – Travel Aspirations and Future Plans

48:00 – Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways

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In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula get reflective about some of life’s biggest questions—what does wealth really mean, and is it the same as happiness? The pair open up about their journey through podcasting, parenting three kids, and navigating life’s chaos while trying to stay sane (or at least, mildly caffeinated).

They explore how wealth without purpose feels hollow, why goals matter even if they shift, and the underrated power of boredom when your brain needs a break. Tom and Ula share travel dreams, the lessons they learned from their parents, and how to find those rare moments of peace in a noisy world.

This episode mixes humour, cultural reflections, real-life stories, and a few honest admissions that might hit home. It’s raw, relatable, and full of practical wisdom for anyone trying to do life without losing their mind.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we get personal. We talk fatherhood, the shifting idea of what it means to be a ‘man,’ and how dads today are navigating emotion, law, and family. From our own experiences to the broader cultural shifts, we explore how parenting and masculinity are evolving, sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully.

Then we zoom out. We dive into the brutal reality of the job market, how AI is flipping industries on their heads, and what that means for all of us. We explore the future of learning, creativity, entertainment, and why, surprisingly, libraries still matter.

This one’s a mix of heartfelt and hard-hitting. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and a look at how the world’s changing fast and how we’re trying to keep up.

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In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula take listeners on a conversational journey covering everything from rescuing snails to the surprising genre of cozy fantasy. They share personal stories, listener feedback about subtitles, and survival tips for the salt flats, all wrapped in reflections on parenting, cultural sensitivity, and language learning.

Whether it's talking to kids about historical figures, planning travel adventures, or discussing the purpose behind the show, this episode blends practical insight with humour and heart.

 Key Takeaways

• The show blends listicle-style episodes with free-flowing conversations.
• Personal stories (yes, even snail rescues) make it feel real.
• Talking history with kids is challenging—but worth it.
• Subtitles are helpful but polarising—feedback is split.
• The podcast’s mission has shifted from teaching to connecting.
• Salt flat survival tip: know your landmarks.
• Altitude sickness is real—plan ahead when traveling.
• Cozy fantasy offers a gentle, feel-good reading experience.
• Curiosity is good—but cultural awareness is better.
• Asking where someone’s from can be a genuine way to connect—if done right.
• Kobo is a solid platform for Chinese-language reads.

www.mandarinmonkey.com - Mandarin Chinese Lessons

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In this episode, we dive into the joys and pains of podcast production, the growing importance of bilingualism in career paths, and how AI is quietly reshaping language learning and job interviews. We also tackle parenting in the tech age, the screen-time struggle, and how different generations navigate the digital world. Oh, and yes—streaming has definitely changed everything.

Key Takeaways

• Making a podcast is harder than it looks (trust us, we’ve done a few).
• Being bilingual gives you a serious edge in today’s job market.
• Not every role needs perfect fluency—context matters.
• AI’s creeping into interviews and learning tools—be ready.
• Parents are stuck between wanting peace and fearing screens.
• Screen time? Not evil. But moderation is everything.
• Your nan’s tech habits probably aren’t the same as your kid’s.
• We’ve gone from VHS to infinite scroll—media has changed.
• We want your feedback—it actually helps.
• Fresh air still matters. Get outside now and then.

Chapters

0:00 – Intro & New Year Hellos

06:13 – Bilingualism & Better Jobs

11:59 – AI’s New Role in Language Learning

21:01 – Kids, Screens & The Digital Dilemma

26:59 – Tech vs. Trees: Finding Balance

32:54 – How Generations Use Tech Differently

38:57 – From Telly to TikTok: Media Evolution

44:48 – Listener Feedback & What’s Next

[email protected]

www.mandarinmonkey.com

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