Mosaic of China 英语脱口秀

Today I’m speaking with Vy Vu. Apart from how much I love the economy of her name, I also love the story of how someone who was feeling lost in Shanghai can ultimately become part of a fitness movement that’s spreading across China and the world. 

You’ll hear about how FitFam is not just about making people in China fit, it’s also about making them confident, and making them into future leaders. We also talk about how to manage a volunteer organisation, and then how to grow it without compromising on its founding principles. Our conversation is a good advert in general about the benefits of living and working overseas, and how you can go from knowing no-one in a new city to being in a position which helps define who you are. 

Vy Vu’s Object: this ceramic monkey lamp.

Vy Vy didn’t have a favourite WeChat sticker. Instead she had a favourite WeChat emoji.

Vy Vu’s recent favourite place to hang out: Blackbird.

Vy Vu’s favourite China-related fact: The lesser-known Chinese inventions of the wheelbarrow, the kite, the umbrella and the fishing reel.

Vy Vu’s favourite information source: The China History Podcast.

Vy Vu’s selfie with Oscar.

Vy Vy: A typical FitFam training session.

Vy Vu’s comment on the population of Shanghai versus the population of the whole of Australia.

Today I’m speaking with Vy Vu. Apart from how much I love the economy of her name, I also love the story of how someone who was feeling lost in Shanghai can ultimately become part of a fitness movement that’s spreading across China and the world. 

You’ll hear about how FitFam is not just about making people in China fit, it’s also about making them confident, and making them into future leaders. We also talk about how to manage a volunteer organisation, and then how to grow it without compromising on its founding principles. Our conversation is a good advert in general about the benefits of living and working overseas, and how you can go from knowing no-one in a new city to being in a position which helps define who you are. 

Vy Vu’s Object: this ceramic monkey lamp.

Vy Vy didn’t have a favourite WeChat sticker. Instead she had a favourite WeChat emoji.

Vy Vu’s recent favourite place to hang out: Blackbird.

Vy Vu’s favourite China-related fact: The lesser-known Chinese inventions of the wheelbarrow, the kite, the umbrella and the fishing reel.

Vy Vu’s favourite information source: The China History Podcast.

Vy Vu’s selfie with Oscar.

Vy Vy: A typical FitFam training session.

Vy Vu’s comment on the population of Shanghai versus the population of the whole of Australia.

Today’s episode is a special one, I’m usually trying to introduce aspects of the lives people lead in China without going over too much familiar territory to China experts. But with today’s episode, my role is reversed. My guest today is Michael Zee, who is a social media influencer with a global fan base on Instagram. However, Instagram is very difficult to access from within China, so there might be listeners to this in China who haven’t ever seen Instagram, let alone come across Michael’s account.
 
Michael’s background is as an educator, and there are other parts of his story that will lead you to conclude, as I did, that it’s no accident that he has become the biggest and best Food Instagrammer in China today. We discuss the fluctuating nature of national cuisines, the cultural connections between Shanghai and Liverpool, and the glamorous (and decidedly unglamorous) life of a full-time social media influencer in China.

Michael Zee’s Object: His signet ring, which tells a fascinating Shanghai/Liverpool family story.

Michael Zee’s Instagram Account: Symmetrybreakfast.

Michael Zee’s favourite WeChat sticker: Honey Boo Boo waving goodbye.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Michael Zee’s most recent karaoke experience.

Michael Zee’s favourite place to visit in China: 千岛湖 (Qiāndǎohú) Qiandao Lake / "Thousand Island" Lake.

Michael Zee’s best purchase in China: the customised pink leather chair he order from Taobao.

If he left China, Michael Zee would miss... old men wearing pajamas in public in Shanghai.

Michael Zee’s recent favourite restaurant: Heritage by Madison.

Michael Zee’s favourite China-related fact: 你好 (Nǐhǎo) doesn't mean hello.

Michael Zee’s favourite phrase in Mandarin: 腐 (Fǔ) meaning “Rotten” but also referring to the 腐女 (Fǔnǚ) “Rotten Women” subculture.

Michael Zee’s selfie with Oscar.

Some clues to Michael Zee’s journey in becoming a social media influencer.

Michael Zee’s comment on Sichuan chilli peppers: they only came to China 300 years ago.

Michael Zee’s comment on helping friends on social media: dealing in the drug of dopamine.

Today’s episode is a special one, I’m usually trying to introduce aspects of the lives people lead in China without going over too much familiar territory to China experts. But with today’s episode, my role is reversed. My guest today is Michael Zee, who is a social media influencer with a global fan base on Instagram. However, Instagram is very difficult to access from within China, so there might be listeners to this in China who haven’t ever seen Instagram, let alone come across Michael’s account.
 
Michael’s background is as an educator, and there are other parts of his story that will lead you to conclude, as I did, that it’s no accident that he has become the biggest and best Food Instagrammer in China today. We discuss the fluctuating nature of national cuisines, the cultural connections between Shanghai and Liverpool, and the glamorous (and decidedly unglamorous) life of a full-time social media influencer in China.

Michael Zee’s Object: His signet ring, which tells a fascinating Shanghai/Liverpool family story.

Michael Zee’s Instagram Account: Symmetrybreakfast.

Michael Zee’s favourite WeChat sticker: Honey Boo Boo waving goodbye.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Michael Zee’s most recent karaoke experience.

Michael Zee’s favourite place to visit in China: 千岛湖 (Qiāndǎohú) Qiandao Lake / "Thousand Island" Lake.

Michael Zee’s best purchase in China: the customised pink leather chair he order from Taobao.

If he left China, Michael Zee would miss... old men wearing pajamas in public in Shanghai.

Michael Zee’s recent favourite restaurant: Heritage by Madison.

Michael Zee’s favourite China-related fact: 你好 (Nǐhǎo) doesn't mean hello.

Michael Zee’s favourite phrase in Mandarin: 腐 (Fǔ) meaning “Rotten” but also referring to the 腐女 (Fǔnǚ) “Rotten Women” subculture.

Michael Zee’s selfie with Oscar.

Some clues to Michael Zee’s journey in becoming a social media influencer.

Michael Zee’s comment on Sichuan chilli peppers: they only came to China 300 years ago.

Michael Zee’s comment on helping friends on social media: dealing in the drug of dopamine.

“Failure is three meals a day”. You may have heard other tech entrepreneurs talk about how they embrace the idea of failure. But it has never sounded as genuine as when uttered by today’s guest, Gina Li. In our discussion, Gina tells the story of growing up on the Silk Road, embarking on a career in Hip-Hop, and eventually stumbling into the world of innovation and product design. If Gina defines her life as failure served up like three meals a day, then… I’ll have what she’s having. 

In our discussion we talk about the essence of product design, and how it is allowing China to rediscover its roots as a world leader in technology and innovation. We also discuss two examples of the products that Gina’s company, Beach IoT, has reimagined: the digital telescope and… the cotton candy machine, of course.

Gina Li's Object: The combination of a book and a notebook.

Gina Li’s favourite WeChat sticker: Super Mario rocking out.

(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Gina Li’s favourite phrase: 辛苦了 (Xīnkǔle - Thanks for all your hard work).

One of the products re-imagined by Gina Li’s company: the digital telescope.

One of the products re-imagined by Gina Li’s company: the robotic cotton candy maker.

Gina Li’s favourite place to visit in China: Her home, Gansu Province.

Gina Li’s favourite karaoke song: the 喜羊羊 (Xǐyángyáng - Pleasant Goat) theme song.

Gina Li’s favourite sources of information: 36氪 (36Kr) and 得到 (Dédào).

Gina Li’s selfie with Oscar.

“Failure is three meals a day”. You may have heard other tech entrepreneurs talk about how they embrace the idea of failure. But it has never sounded as genuine as when uttered by today’s guest, Gina Li. In our discussion, Gina tells the story of growing up on the Silk Road, embarking on a career in Hip-Hop, and eventually stumbling into the world of innovation and product design. If Gina defines her life as failure served up like three meals a day, then… I’ll have what she’s having. 

In our discussion we talk about the essence of product design, and how it is allowing China to rediscover its roots as a world leader in technology and innovation. We also discuss two examples of the products that Gina’s company, Beach IoT, has reimagined: the digital telescope and… the cotton candy machine, of course.

Gina Li's Object: The combination of a book and a notebook.

Gina Li’s favourite WeChat sticker: Super Mario rocking out.

(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Gina Li’s favourite phrase: 辛苦了 (Xīnkǔle - Thanks for all your hard work).

One of the products re-imagined by Gina Li’s company: the digital telescope.

One of the products re-imagined by Gina Li’s company: the robotic cotton candy maker.

Gina Li’s favourite place to visit in China: Her home, Gansu Province.

Gina Li’s favourite karaoke song: the 喜羊羊 (Xǐyángyáng - Pleasant Goat) theme song.

Gina Li’s favourite sources of information: 36氪 (36Kr) and 得到 (Dédào).

Gina Li’s selfie with Oscar.

Today’s guest is Jorge Luzio, who works for Coca-Cola as the Greater China Marketing Director for Sprite and Fanta. He’s originally from Venezuela, and has had an international marketing career with Coca-Cola in Caracas, Bogota, Atlanta and Mexico City before coming to China. 

Digital marketing in China is a real science, and today’s recording is a masterclass. Jorge discusses how he and his team mix anthropological and societal insights with digital functionality to reveal fascinating insights about the Chinese consumer. He also addresses the uniqueness of the overall marketing landscape in China: the dominance of Tencent and Alibaba; the unparalleled acceptance of digital payments; the boundless availability of big data; and the digital savviness of the creative talent who are tasked to analyse it. 

Jorge Luzio's Object: A bottle of Sprite, duh.

Jorge Luzio's favourite China-related fact: There are 675 million active gamers in China.

Jorge's favourite KTV Song: 飞得更高 by 汪峰.

To join the WeChat Group for Mosaic of China, either scan this QR Code, or search for User ID: oscar10877. After connecting, you will be manually added to the group.

Today’s guest is Jorge Luzio, who works for Coca-Cola as the Greater China Marketing Director for Sprite and Fanta. He’s originally from Venezuela, and has had an international marketing career with Coca-Cola in Caracas, Bogota, Atlanta and Mexico City before coming to China. 

Digital marketing in China is a real science, and today’s recording is a masterclass. Jorge discusses how he and his team mix anthropological and societal insights with digital functionality to reveal fascinating insights about the Chinese consumer. He also addresses the uniqueness of the overall marketing landscape in China: the dominance of Tencent and Alibaba; the unparalleled acceptance of digital payments; the boundless availability of big data; and the digital savviness of the creative talent who are tasked to analyse it. 

Jorge Luzio's Object: A bottle of Sprite, duh.

Jorge Luzio's favourite China-related fact: There are 675 million active gamers in China.

Jorge's favourite KTV Song: 飞得更高 by 汪峰.

To join the WeChat Group for Mosaic of China, either scan this QR Code, or search for User ID: oscar10877. After connecting, you will be manually added to the group.

Today’s interview is with Astrid Poghosyan, an Armenian violinist and the first non-Chinese management employee in the 140-year history of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Astrid is the youngest guest in Season One of the podcast, but she has achieved a lot in the nine years that she has been here in China. Astrid and I talk about her passion for music, her passion for Armenia, and her life as an unofficial ambassador for both those parts of her identity. Astrid was in the first batch of graduates who could stay on in China after completing their studies. Before that, graduates needed to leave the country and work elsewhere for a couple of years before searching for employment back in China. Her application number under the new Visa regime was "001", and at the time she became a focus of debate on Chinese social media on the value of allowing young foreigners to stay and work in Shanghai. So it's a pleasure to release this recording, and give her the final word on this debate.

Astrid Poghosyan’s Object: Her violin

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite WeChat sticker [1]: the victorious little girl.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite WeChat sticker [2]: the nonplussed little boy.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Astrid Poghosyan’s place of work: The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

Astrid Poghosyan’s home country: Armenia.

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite restaurant: Sichuan Citizen.

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite China-related fact: The length of the Chinese railway network would circle the globe twice. 

The thing that Astrid Poghosyan would miss the most if she left China: 小笼包 (xiǎolóngbāo - soup dumplings).

Astrid’s favourite destination within China: Hangzhou. Pictured: 西湖 (XīHú - West Lake).

Astrid Poghosyan’s selfie with Oscar.

Astrid Poghosyan’s appearances representing Armenia on the TV show “生活大不同 - WE ARE FAMILY”.

To join the WeChat Group for Mosaic of China, either scan this QR Code, or search for User ID: oscar10877. After connecting, you will be manually added to the group.

Today’s interview is with Astrid Poghosyan, an Armenian violinist and the first non-Chinese management employee in the 140-year history of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Astrid is the youngest guest in Season One of the podcast, but she has achieved a lot in the nine years that she has been here in China. Astrid and I talk about her passion for music, her passion for Armenia, and her life as an unofficial ambassador for both those parts of her identity. Astrid was in the first batch of graduates who could stay on in China after completing their studies. Before that, graduates needed to leave the country and work elsewhere for a couple of years before searching for employment back in China. Her application number under the new Visa regime was "001", and at the time she became a focus of debate on Chinese social media on the value of allowing young foreigners to stay and work in Shanghai. So it's a pleasure to release this recording, and give her the final word on this debate.

Astrid Poghosyan’s Object: Her violin

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite WeChat sticker [1]: the victorious little girl.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite WeChat sticker [2]: the nonplussed little boy.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Astrid Poghosyan’s place of work: The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

Astrid Poghosyan’s home country: Armenia.

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite restaurant: Sichuan Citizen.

Astrid Poghosyan’s favourite China-related fact: The length of the Chinese railway network would circle the globe twice. 

The thing that Astrid Poghosyan would miss the most if she left China: 小笼包 (xiǎolóngbāo - soup dumplings).

Astrid’s favourite destination within China: Hangzhou. Pictured: 西湖 (XīHú - West Lake).

Astrid Poghosyan’s selfie with Oscar.

Astrid Poghosyan’s appearances representing Armenia on the TV show “生活大不同 - WE ARE FAMILY”.

To join the WeChat Group for Mosaic of China, either scan this QR Code, or search for User ID: oscar10877. After connecting, you will be manually added to the group.