Have you ever wondered why Chinese people's conversations always seem to circle back to food?

In this episode, I take you on a tour of regional cuisines across China — from the spiciness of Guizhou and Hunan, to the freshness and lightness of Cantonese food, to the freshwater dishes and sweet-savory flavors of Jiangzhe.

There's also watermelon hot pot and live "drunken shrimp" — dishes that are truly out of the ordinary.

Honestly, by the end of recording this episode, I was hungry!

00:31 Why Chinese food matters so much

01:50 Where the diversity of Chinese cuisine comes from

02:59 My hometown Guizhou: endless varieties of chili

05:58 Hunan's Xiang cuisine

07:07 Cantonese cuisine

10:04 Cantonese-style morning tea culture

11:54 Jiangzhe cuisine

13:32 Changzhou's unusual dishes

你有没有想过,为什么中国人聊天总是绕不开吃饭这件事?

这一期，我带你尝遍中国各地的美食。从贵州、湖南的辣,到粤菜的鲜与清淡,再到江浙的河鲜与甜咸口味。

还有西瓜火锅、活吃醉虾这些让人千奇百怪的菜品。

这期我真的聊着聊着就饿了！

00:31 为什么中国美食如此重要

01:50 中国美食的多样性从何而来

02:59 家乡贵州:辣椒的千变万化

05:58 湖南湘菜

07:07 粤菜

10:04 广式早茶文化

11:54 江浙菜系

13:32 常州奇菜

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared some thoughts about overtourism and how it impacts my hometown.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/FuE2cilSz1o

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Turn 35 in China, and your career seems to come to an end.

In this episode, I dig into the notorious "35-year-old curse“: where it came from, why HR won't look twice at your resume, and the slang taking over Chinese social media.

Plus: is AI actually about to make this problem disappear?

00:51 What Is the "35-year-old curse"?

02:22 How It Shows Up

04:55 Where the "35" Cutoff Comes From

06:10 Which Industries Are Hit Hardest?

08:55 The Root Causes of the "35-year-old curse“

11:38 Is the Trend Changing?

13:45 Could AI Be the Turning Point?

在中国，一过35岁，似乎你的职业生涯就已经结束了。

这一期我们聊聊臭名昭著的“35岁危机“：它从哪里来、HR为什么直接把你的简历筛掉,还有正在中文互联网上刷屏的"老登/中登/小登"梗。

AI真的会让这个问题消失吗?

00:51 什么是"35岁危机"?

02:22 具体表现

04:55 "35岁"界限的由来

06:10 哪些行业受影响最大?

08:55 "35岁危机"存在的根本原因

11:38 现象是否在改变?

13:45 AI会是转折点吗?

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I recommended two really fascinating videos about Chinese characters that push the visual forms of Chinese characters to their limit.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/9Tr3liqn290

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Happiness is when you throw yourself completely into something, to the point of losing yourself in it, and through that you gain inner order and important answers.

In this episode, let's talk about my experience with flow.

00:30 I recently started a watercolor class, and my weekends got busier

01:19 My on-and-off relationship with painting as a kid

05:21 What is the "art exam"?

07:38 Trying watercolor again after moving to the Netherlands

08:19 The experience of flow

11:28 How to find what you truly love doing

12:01 Why artistic creation matters to me

13:14 How flow offsets work stress

幸福是当你全身心投入一桩事物，达到忘我的程度，并由此获得内心秩序和重要答案。

这期播客，来聊聊我的心流体验。

00:30 最近开始上水彩课，周末变忙了

01:19 小时候时断断续续的画画经历

05:21 什么是"艺考"？

07:38 来荷兰后重新尝试画水彩

08:19 心流体验

11:28 如何找到自己真心热爱的事情

12:01 什么艺术创作对我很重要

13:14 心流体验如何抵消工作压力

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I recommended two really fascinating videos about Chinese characters that push the visual forms of Chinese characters to their limit.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/1chqGHuo04I

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Let’s talk about how I wrote my first song and the lessons it taught me about learning. Along the way, I discovered what I believe is one of the most effective ways to improve any skill: combining theory with project-based learning.

02:12 The hardest part of songwriting isn't starting - it's finishing

05:45 A "Eureka" moment

08:16 From imitation to originality: what drawing and songwriting have in common

10:33 Theory + project-based learning

13:52 Applying project-based learning to language learning

16:32 Why combining projects with theory is the most effective way to learn

聊聊怎么开始写第一首歌，并从中悟到学习方法的最佳形态：理论+ 项目制学习

02:12 写歌最难的不是开始，而是结束

05:45 “任督二脉被打通”

08:16 从模仿到原创：画画和作曲的共同点

10:33 理论学习 + 项目制学习

13:52 项目制学习如何应用到语言学习

16:32 为什么项目和理论一起学效果最好

My first song Star Children:

https://youtu.be/w7Dqi4neivM

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared some good Chinese articles that I read. They are targeting at native speakers so might be a stretch to you. But challenge means progress so why not give it a try!

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yJNjijXDL0AVPGwh3ohcc?si=6C1apAxjQwOVafd1C7YX5Q

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/DMATxnXduwY

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Over the past year, AI has been developing far faster than most of us realize.

In this episode, we explore the three major waves of AI and what they actually mean for our work and daily lives.

No panic, no hype, just a clear look at what's really happening.

01:40 How the AI question has shifted

03:08 Where large language models stand today

06:04 The second wave Physical AI

09:03 A famous paradox in the AI world

11:09 The third wave AI for Science

12:29 How AI affects us personally

17:44 AI and employment

20:21 How I use AI

22:12 Where human advantage lies and how to prepare

在过去一年里，AI的发展远比我们感受到的要快。

这一期，我们来聊聊AI的三大浪潮，以及它们对我们工作和生活的真实影响。

不焦虑，不鼓吹，只是帮你看清楚正在发生的事情。

01:40 AI问题的转变

03:08 大语言模型的现状

06:04 第二浪潮物理AI

09:03 AI领域著名的悖论

11:09 第三浪潮科学AI

12:29 AI对个人的影响

17:44 AI与就业

20:21 我怎么用AI

22:12 人类的优势在哪里，我们该如何准备

#31 和人工智能共生 Do you use AI? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PuQB4HF0iVUaVJViyZwpb?si=RTP9rp8wSiWrKPr35qJFqg

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared 5 interesting Chinese articles that cover a wide range of topics, making it a great reading practice for you!

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/AN-FjkfCpjg

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Are humans actually getting dumber? And does it even matter to us as individuals?

00:30 The movie Idiocracy

04:21 Are humans really getting dumber?

06:06 The Flynn Effect and the reverse Flynn Effect

09:46 Reason one: our use of tools

12:24 Reason two: AI

14:32 Reason three: fragmented attention

17:05 Were ancient people actually smarter than us?

18:21 IQ is not the only measure of intelligence

21:01 A global trend and what it means for the individual

人类真的有在变笨吗？但这和我们每个人有关系吗？

00:30 电影Idiocrasy

04:21 人类真的在变笨吗？

06:06 Flynn效应与逆Flynn效应

09:46 原因一：工具的使用

12:24 原因二：AI

14:32 原因三：注意力碎片化

17:05 古人其实比我们更厉害？

18:21 IQ不是唯一标准

21:01 宏观趋势与个体的关系

Relevant articles:

Humans are getting dumber

Human intelligence sharply declining

95后成了第一代“不如父母聪明”的年轻人？

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared why writing Chinese lyrics is intrinsically more difficult than writing English or Japanese ones.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/VDmTXny-VMU

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Learning a language feels like riding a roller coaster: recently, I’ve felt like my language learning has entered another plateau. I’ve been feeling a bit drained and lacking motivation.

So, I decided to adjust my language-learning methods to help myself feel excited about learning languages again.

In this episode, I’ll share the changes I’ve made, as well as some broader thoughts on finding the right rhythm for language learning.

01:06 Learning three languages at the same time: challenges and finding what works for you

05:36 Why I decided to change my learning method

07:40 Learning in a relaxed state

09:19 A new approach to shadowing

10:57 A new way I use Anki

12:30 Audiobooks

14:49 The learning method I’ve always stuck with

学习语言就像坐过山车：我最近感觉自己的语言学习又进入了一个瓶颈期，并且感觉有些乏力，没有多少动力。

于是我调整了自己的语言学习方法，让自己再次为学习语言这件事感到“激动”。

这期播客里我就来分享一下我的调整，以及在总体层面上对语言学习节奏的思考。

01:06 同时学习三门语言：挑战与适合自己的方式

05:36 为什么决定改变学习方法？

07:40 放松状态下的学习

09:19 跟读的新方法

10:57 Anki 的新用法

12:30 有声书

14:49 一直坚持的学习方法

TED Talk mentioned:

How to learn any language in six months | Chris Lonsdale

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared some fun facts about Chinese lyrics writing and how listening to Chinese music can give you extra help on familiarizing yourself with the tones.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

Creativity has a methodology. That’s the perspective I gained after reading two books (one from the Western world and one from the Eastern world) and having a conversation with a creative director.

In this episode, you’ll hear why creativity doesn’t belong only to artists, and how ordinary people can become more creative by finding the right medium, focus time, and inspiration.

02:44 What is creativity?

06:49 Insights from two books and one conversation

07:00 Advice from John Cleese

09:43 Peak creativity – morning shower time

14:40 Stan Lai’s Creativity Studies and the “Creativity Pyramid”

19:10 Three practical tips from a creative director

创意是有方法论的。这是我在读了两本书（西方和东方世界）以及和创意总监的一次对话后得到的观点。

这期播客里，你可以听到：为什么创意不只属于艺术家，以及普通人如何通过找到合适的媒介、专注时间和灵感，让自己变得更有创造力。

02:44 什么是创意

06:49 两本书和一次对话带来的启发

07:00 John Cleese的建议

09:43 早晨洗澡时的创造力

14:40 《赖声川的创意学》和“创意金字塔”

19:10 创意总监给出的三个实用建议

Books mentioned:

赖声川的创意学 by 赖声川

Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared my opinion on the myth that there is no dyslexia in Chinese society.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/J9KoPHND5vU

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

Let’s talk about how cultural export has changed people’s impressions of China, and why Japan’s cultural export has been so successful.

I also share how these changes have affected my life in Europe.

00:19 What is cultural export?

04:08 Let’s talk about Chinatown

06:33 Milk tea culture0

8:38 Labubu and Pop Mart

09:49 Li Ziqi

11:13 YouTubers

12:37 Japanese cultural export

15:46 How cultural export has affected me

17:38 Countries with successful cultural export

聊聊文化输出如何改变了别人对中国的印象，以及日本的文化输出为什么成功。

这些变化对我在欧洲生活的影响。

00:19 什么是文化输出？

04:08 聊聊唐人街

06:33 奶茶文化

08:38 Labubu和泡泡马特

09:49 李子柒

11:13 YouTube博主

12:37 日本文化输出

15:46 文化输出对我的影响

17:38 成功的文化输出国家

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared my opinion on the myth that there is no dyslexia in Chinese society.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/DdXydrlp_Ic

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]

In this episode, I talk about my experience hiking in Italy for over a week, and also explore the differences between hiking in China and Europe.

Why did hiking make time feel slower, almost like it “extended my life”?

If you’re thinking about starting hiking, I’ll also share some simple and practical tips.

00:37 Hiking in Italy in April

01:52 Differences between hiking in China and Europe

04:17 Why it’s harder to start hiking in Europe

06:53 How beginners can start hiking

09:31 Accommodation tips and gear for beginners

13:52 Why I love hiking: making time slow down

聊聊我在意大利徒步一个多星期的经历，也聊聊在中国和欧洲徒步有什么不同。

为什么徒步让我觉得时间变慢，像是“延长了生命”？

如果你也想开始徒步，这期也会分享一些简单实用的建议。

00:37 四月意大利徒步经历

01:52 中国和欧洲徒步方式的不同

04:17 为什么在欧洲开始徒步更难

06:53 新手如何开始徒步

09:31 新手住宿建议与装备准备

13:52 为什么喜欢徒步：让时间变慢

-------------------------------------

In the latest newsletter, I shared my opinion on the myth that there is no dyslexia in Chinese society.

Interested in more Chinese content beyond the podcast and the video? Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/

The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read practice for you!

-------------------------------------

Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/5zJwbqxadLY

Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk

Support me via Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/realchinesetalk

Contact: [email protected]