The Bridge

How much difference can one person really make in the world? BeiBei begins the show with evidence that its far better to teach people how to fish, than to simply hand fish out-a metaphor for the ripple effect that takes place when people feel disconnected and removed from the big picture. John counters with the fact that once again, the headlines are simply a call to action, to the life lines, where real change takes place. The discussion takes a serious deep dive into what each of us can do, with what we have, wherever we are, that might not change the world for the better, but certainly our little corner of it is improved, which is really what it's all about.

Established in South Africa in 2015, the Rhino Pride Foundation was founded by specialist wildlife veterinarian Dr Jana Pretorius, who saw an urgent need to tackle the devastating rhino poaching crisis head-on. Realizing that most anti-poaching solutions focused only on the aftermath of poaching, Dr Pretorius established the Foundation to establish immediate, practical, ground-level preventative measures that would protect rhinos from poachers effectively and reliably. Dr. Jana joins John & BeiBei in a true international conversation between Chicago, Beijing and South Africa, to discuss the possibility of a world without rhinos, and how people around the world can support the mission of the Rhino Pride Foundation.

John has a least a half-dozen earphones he uses for various production purposes, but can't stop raving about his latest pair-that was suggested to him by Kaiser Kuo-who was a guest on The Bridge in 2020. BeiBei shares about her new gadget purpose-a sandwich maker. Then it's off to the market where BeiBei came across a man who is a professional ear cleaner-with a feather! The conversation makes a serious turn to how the sports culture differs between China and the USA when BeiBei grills John a bit on his many years playing football and if he thought it was worth it. John shares some of his experiences back in the day, when colleges were recruiting him to play football, and then the discussion goes to the high-cost athletes pay over time, when it comes to attempting to have a professional career. Finally, John talks about some of the lessons of sports that have stayed with him decades after he hung up his cleats and helmet.

The first part of the show has John answering questions from BeiBei and Cimcie, who are both reading his books. Recalling some of the more pivotal moments of his life sheds light on the journey of life, as Cimcie shares the work she is doing in creating a documentary about her father. Shifting gears, Cimcie follows up from a conversation from last week, and asks BeiBei about her spending/saving habits, that leads to a great back and forth about the importance of education, and they compare notes about their college experiences.

It's a mixture of listener's requests, and host favorites, including "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and "We Can Be Kind." Heyang offers up her favorites, starting with Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile, Patti LaBelle and The Blaxy Girls. John drops the needle on LaVern Baker and Playing For Change's version of "Love Train." The Bridge, bringing the world together, one song at a time.

Super Producer Cimcie jumps on this episode of The Bridge, as the show starts out with some thoughts on the blockbuster "Godzilla vs. Kong" that is racking up serious cash around the world. John, Liu Yan and Cimcie talk about the longevity of certain movie franchises and how people are in need of some escapism, and apparently the giant lizard and overgrown gorilla seems to fill the bill at this point. Then, the talk goes to the incredible popularity of karaoke in China and the US, so John drops the needle on "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic" that is one of the most requested songs Liu Yan performed as a bar singer in his former life. "Mack The Knife" by Bobby Darin and " I Love Rock 'n' Roll" from Joan Jett, which would be John and Cimcie's choices for performing at KTV (Karaoke Television).

John opens the show talking about his weekly hiatus from social media when he isn't working on The Bridge, and he wonders if a certain level of insanity now exists in the world due to the incessant pounding of news-we-can't-use. Liu Yan agrees on the point, and expands to include the great challenge of creating critical thinking skills that isn't taught on any level of education, and how important it is to hone the skills of discernment. Then, they share some of their inside experiences, as broadcasters and John brings up a documentary on the late author Ernest Hemingway, and his many struggles, to which Liu Yan points out how a person can be talented but tortured at the same time, and finally John shares his personal experience with PTSD, to which Liu Yan shares the concept of PTG (Post Traumatic Growth).

The show starts with John explaining the concept of a "gimme" to BeiBei, which is the first time she's heard that term, code word for a "little something extra." Then BeiBei is looking for clarification of a term (butt-coma) John used in his second book "Every Moment Matters" that is a condition common to parents that sit for hours on bleachers watching their kids' various athletic endeavors. The conversation turns to the relationships between parents and children, the importance of communication and keeping perspective. Then, BeiBei inquiries about the concept of "The American Dream" when it comes to home ownership. Finally, BeiBei and John talk about the pros and cons of college education, and how a great work ethic, is all important, no matter what you choose to do in life.

In an attempt to offset the negative news of the world, John brings up some good news stories, the first of which is a new movement in the USA called "The Green Funeral" where more and more people are choosing to be cremated at death and become part of a "living forest" where their cremains are mixed with the soil during the planting of a tree. Shifting gears, BeiBei and John talk about how the left-over residue of coffee harvesting is becoming a fertilizer for certain areas of land that need to be re-planted, with amazing results. While not a full environmental episode, John drops in an episode of "Earth Matters with Bill Kurtis" focusing on how one small change-using brown paper coffee filters rather than bleached white ones, can make a difference. Finally, John closes the show with the news that NASA has given the "all clear" from asteroids.

After comparing notes on flowers and trees to kick off the show, BeiBei gives John a choice of subjects to discuss, either a) the review of a 750-page book she just finished reading or b) the cultural difference when it comes to "leaving the nest" around the age of 18.  John chooses door #2 and it's a teeter-totter up and down conversation about the pros and cons of leaving home at a young age, that leads to more discussion about secondary education and whether or not the choice of college can ensure success in life. John makes the point that the big picture is about preparing children to live in the world on their own, and BeiBei counters with the idea of a more long-term relationship between parents and children as a way of life.