Mosaic of China 英语脱口秀

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. If listening outside of China, it is better to subscribe to the global version: 

If there's one thing on which almost everyone can agree, it's on China's capacity to surprise. No matter whether you're a China outsider or someone who's been living here for decades, there will always be something to make you stop in your tracks. And this is just as much the case for Chinese people as it is for non-Chinese. 

Today's special compilation episode from Season 1of the podcast is an anthology of all the things that still surprise the guests about life in China. And listening to these answers together can remind us to keep that attitude of wonder in our lives. So what would be the thing that surprises *you* the most about life in China? Please contribute to the communities on WeChat, Instagram and Facebook. 

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. 

If listening outside of China, it is better to subscribe to the global version:

Today's compilation episode is all about the podcast guests’ favourite songs to sing at KTV, the Chinese version of karaoke. Out of all the questions asked on Mosaic of China, this one elicited the biggest array of emotions: joy, pride, embarrassment and… sheer terror. 

There’s a reason why karaoke is so popular in China and other East Asian societies with a Confucian heritage: it’s an important catalyst for group social harmony. Unfortunately that doesn’t always guarantee group *vocal* harmony. But since no-one really cares about that… what would be *your* go-to song to sing at karaoke? 

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. 

If listening outside of China, it is better to subscribe to the global version:

Today's compilation episode is all about the podcast guests’ favourite songs to sing at KTV, the Chinese version of karaoke. Out of all the questions asked on Mosaic of China, this one elicited the biggest array of emotions: joy, pride, embarrassment and… sheer terror. 

There’s a reason why karaoke is so popular in China and other East Asian societies with a Confucian heritage: it’s an important catalyst for group social harmony. Unfortunately that doesn’t always guarantee group *vocal* harmony. But since no-one really cares about that… what would be *your* go-to song to sing at karaoke? 

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. If listening outside of China, please subscribe to the Global version at https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mosaic-of-china/id1475631459.

If listening in China, the images accompanying this episode can be found on 微博at https://m.weibo.cn/status/4496103380446201.

For this special end of season wrap-up episode, I asked my friend and fellow podcaster Josh Ogden-Davis to join me for a chat. 

We talk about things like interview techniques, the editing process, and some of the show’s influences. But the main reason for recording this episode was to announce what’s coming next.

My interviewer was Josh Ogden-Davis, host of the Mandarin Slang Guide (“MSG”) Podcast. We talked about some of the workings and thoughts behind Mosaic of China, and I also reveal the plan for the next 20 weeks! 

Season One of the podcast has been 30 episodes in length.

The simple philosophy of the podcast is to shed light on life in China through the texture of its human stories. 

The reach of this podcast is global, but limited to curious and open-minded people. It is hard to reach those outside China who view the entire country with suspicion. And it is hard to reach those inside China who often see themselves as “China Experts” who can’t learn from the experiences of others. So I am grateful to every one of you who have sought out this podcast and haven taken the time to listen. 

My 3 top tips for interviewers are simple. 1) Shut up; 2) Mirror the energy of your guest, not the other way around; and 3) Listen deeply. 

Just two of the many inspirations behind the podcast: the British radio show “Desert Island Discs”, and the photojournalism from “Humans of New York”. 

A preview of the next twenty weeks...

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. If listening outside of China, please subscribe to the Global version at https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mosaic-of-china/id1475631459.

If listening in China, the images accompanying this episode can be found on 微博at https://m.weibo.cn/status/4496103380446201.

For this special end of season wrap-up episode, I asked my friend and fellow podcaster Josh Ogden-Davis to join me for a chat. 

We talk about things like interview techniques, the editing process, and some of the show’s influences. But the main reason for recording this episode was to announce what’s coming next.

My interviewer was Josh Ogden-Davis, host of the Mandarin Slang Guide (“MSG”) Podcast. We talked about some of the workings and thoughts behind Mosaic of China, and I also reveal the plan for the next 20 weeks! 

Season One of the podcast has been 30 episodes in length.

The simple philosophy of the podcast is to shed light on life in China through the texture of its human stories. 

The reach of this podcast is global, but limited to curious and open-minded people. It is hard to reach those outside China who view the entire country with suspicion. And it is hard to reach those inside China who often see themselves as “China Experts” who can’t learn from the experiences of others. So I am grateful to every one of you who have sought out this podcast and haven taken the time to listen. 

My 3 top tips for interviewers are simple. 1) Shut up; 2) Mirror the energy of your guest, not the other way around; and 3) Listen deeply. 

Just two of the many inspirations behind the podcast: the British radio show “Desert Island Discs”, and the photojournalism from “Humans of New York”. 

A preview of the next twenty weeks...

The final episode of the season is with the fashion designer Octo Cheung, who epitomises the phrase “East Meets West”. Raised in Hong Kong, trained in Europe, and employed in China, Octo explains how her own cultural development has helped to inform her personal philosophy and design aesthetic. You will find her observations fasting, no matter how much you care about fashion or clothing. 

The most intriguing part of Octo’s story is the mystery behind her ultra high-profile private client. Did we leave enough clues for you to guess who it is? 

Octo Cheung: Winning the DFA Young Design Talent Award in Hong Kong. 

Octo Cheung: Her graduation collection, which was shown during London Fashion Week at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. 

Octo Cheung: Some action shots from when she worked in Paris. 

Octo Cheung: When working with her famous private client, she needs to include details that subtlety communicate elements of Chinese culture. 

Octo Cheung’s favourite China facts are the variety of reasons for which the first Emperor of a new dynasty decided to overthrow the previous dynastic ruler. 

Octo Cheung’s two favourite places to hang out: Highline and Sober Company. 

Octo Cheung’s selfie with Oscar.

We’re almost at the end of Season 1, so I’m very happy to squeeze in an episode with a scientist before the end of the series. Sanford Browne has a background in microbiology and, at the time of recording, was the VP of Research and Innovation at L'Oréal China. He has since been promoted to the SVP position covering all of Asia Pacific and has also moved to Tokyo, so we were lucky to catch him while we could. 

From a scientific perspective, our discussion ranges from the cuticle angles of hair to the affects of urbanisation on skin. But the most fasting parts of our chat are when Sanford links his knowledge of science to his knowledge of the Chinese consumer, and reveals how these two factors together are influencing the world of beauty research and innovation globally. 

Sanford Browne’s object: This set of little wells of material. You’ll need to listen to the episode to discover what they are! 

Sanford Browne’s favourite WeChat sticker: This stunned pug. （Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker） 

Sanford Browne: L’Oréal products for China used to be designed for Europeans and later localised. Nowadays they are formulated specifically for the Chinese consumer. 

Sanford Browne: It is often said in the West that Chinese women have amazing flawless skin. But what do Chinese women see when they look into a mirror? 

Sanford Browne: There’s a reason why Chinese people’s hair is the world’s most susceptible to damage. Listen to the podcast to find out more. 

Sanford Browne: Historically, women in China would only wear makeup on special occasions such as their wedding or at Chinese New Year. 

Sanford Browne: Urbanisation has compounded the stresses on our skin, especially because of the synergistically negative combination of pollution and UVA rays. 

Sanford Browne: Smart materials are being developed that in future will be able to attack particular genes or skin cells. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite word or phrase in Chinese: 千里之行，始於足下 （Qiānlǐ zhīxíng, shǐyú zúxià - A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step）. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to visit in China （1）: 曲阜 （Qūfù）, the birthplace of Confucius.  

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to visit in China （2）: Mount Everest, particularly when the mountain suddenly appeared through the clouds. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to hang out （1）: Anywhere he can get to with his motorcycle and sidecar. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to hang out （2）: Hiya at the Edition Hotel. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite song to sing at KTV （karaoke）: 小苹果 （Xiǎo píngguǒ - Little Apple）. 

One of Sanford Browne’s favourite China-related information sources: SHINE （Shanghai Daily）. 

Sanford Browne’s selfie with Oscar.

We’re almost at the end of Season 1, so I’m very happy to squeeze in an episode with a scientist before the end of the series. Sanford Browne has a background in microbiology and, at the time of recording, was the VP of Research and Innovation at L'Oréal China. He has since been promoted to the SVP position covering all of Asia Pacific and has also moved to Tokyo, so we were lucky to catch him while we could. 

From a scientific perspective, our discussion ranges from the cuticle angles of hair to the affects of urbanisation on skin. But the most fasting parts of our chat are when Sanford links his knowledge of science to his knowledge of the Chinese consumer, and reveals how these two factors together are influencing the world of beauty research and innovation globally. 

Sanford Browne’s object: This set of little wells of material. You’ll need to listen to the episode to discover what they are! 

Sanford Browne’s favourite WeChat sticker: This stunned pug. （Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker） 

Sanford Browne: L’Oréal products for China used to be designed for Europeans and later localised. Nowadays they are formulated specifically for the Chinese consumer. 

Sanford Browne: It is often said in the West that Chinese women have amazing flawless skin. But what do Chinese women see when they look into a mirror? 

Sanford Browne: There’s a reason why Chinese people’s hair is the world’s most susceptible to damage. Listen to the podcast to find out more. 

Sanford Browne: Historically, women in China would only wear makeup on special occasions such as their wedding or at Chinese New Year. 

Sanford Browne: Urbanisation has compounded the stresses on our skin, especially because of the synergistically negative combination of pollution and UVA rays. 

Sanford Browne: Smart materials are being developed that in future will be able to attack particular genes or skin cells. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite word or phrase in Chinese: 千里之行，始於足下 （Qiānlǐ zhīxíng, shǐyú zúxià - A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step）. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to visit in China （1）: 曲阜 （Qūfù）, the birthplace of Confucius.  

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to visit in China （2）: Mount Everest, particularly when the mountain suddenly appeared through the clouds. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to hang out （1）: Anywhere he can get to with his motorcycle and sidecar. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite place to hang out （2）: Hiya at the Edition Hotel. 

Sanford Browne’s favourite song to sing at KTV （karaoke）: 小苹果 （Xiǎo píngguǒ - Little Apple）. 

One of Sanford Browne’s favourite China-related information sources: SHINE （Shanghai Daily）. 

Sanford Browne’s selfie with Oscar.

My guest today is Lissanthea Taylor, who specialises in rehabilitation and pain management. We have a fasting conversation about the different ways in which China and the West handle the natural ageing process, short-term and persistent pain, and overall mental wellbeing. And beyond that, we make the distinction between how the brain handles pain versus danger, and how medical practitioners exercise ‘receptivity’ over ‘empathy’. 

Recorded many weeks ago, this episode also gives us many prescient insights into what we’re all experiencing today during the global pandemic crisis. We discuss how our brains are wired to go into a protective state when faced with a negative stimulus, and also observe how patients in China have had many years of experience in accepting enforced periods of rest and isolation.

Lissanthea Taylor’s object: These crazy pink socks. 

Lissanthea Taylor’s favourite WeChat sticker: Liz Lemon giving herself a High Five. （Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker） 

Lissanthea Taylor: She is a supporter of the pinksocks organisation, which believes in putting the human at the centre of healthcare. 

Lissanthea Taylor: Action shots from her life in physiotherapy. 

Lissanthea Taylor: The road to a life free from persistent pain requires attention to habits and socialisation on top of the process of physical rehabilitation. 

Lissanthea Taylor: Modern thinking in pain relief challenge the notions about pain receptivity from Descartes. 

Lissanthea Taylor: Good bedside manner can't be about empathy; it’s about receptivity. 

If Lissanthea Taylor left China, she wouldn’t miss.... the pollen that rains down from the trees in the Shanghai Former French Concession. 

The thing that still surprises Lissanthea Taylor about life in China is the fact that the flavour of toothpaste in green packaging isn't mint, it's jasmine tea. 

Lissanthea Taylor’s favourite place to hang out: Cafe On Air. 

Lissanthea Taylor’s worst purchases in China: The outfits she impulsively had tailored at the fabric market. 

Lissanthea Taylor’s favourite song to sing at KTV （karaoke）: November Rain by Guns N’ Roses. The full 9-minute version. 

Lissanthea Taylor’s selfie with Oscar.