The Bridge

When Renata and Rolf Winters made the decision to break away from society, all they wanted was to find a different way of life and a different way for their children to grow up. At that time, they had no idea that this was only the beginning of a much larger journey and that it would lead them to make a film. Rolf shares how the calling to start recording their encounters with the Earth Keepers came three years into their journey, when they realized how the profound wisdom of the elders could impact people around the world. The film "Down to Earth" is about to be released on YouTube. A profound, wisdom filled episode of The Bridge.

The conversation goes right to the heart of the Christmas season-music. A totally impromptu episode that reveals BeiBei's love of "The Sound of Music" and Julie Andrews, and John joins in sharing how "O Holy Night" is his favorite song for the season, especially when sung by his friend and country music superstar John Berry. An emotional stroll down memory lane on The Bridge.

After a quick review of the 100th episode, BeiBei and John head down the rabbit hole of technology-as it pertains to the electronic devices that have taken over our lives-for better or for worse. BeiBei is willing to disconnect from her cellphone for thirty minutes before she goes to bed, in an attempt to quiet her mind, and find some measure of rest.

It's an intense and emotional episode as John & Heyang talk about the effects of the pandemic, but from the perspective of a survivor who at 102, has beaten Cyrus the Virus twice in 2020, and lived through the 1918-1919 pandemic as well. Then the conversation turns to the importance of maintaining some sort of physical exercise in the current climate, and Heyang shares the story of the "bear claw" that serves coffee and the story behind its success.

Mary Peng is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS), the first full service international standard animal hospital and pet care facility in China, founded in 2006. Headquartered in Beijing, ICVS is the premier companion animal hospital and humane animal welfare resource center providing best practice medicine in line with the protocols of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Mary shares her experiences and passion for pets, with John & Heyang, and her work as the Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Jane Goodall Institute China and a Trustee of the Jane Goodall Institute Global Board of Directors, moving forward the mission to restore critical habitat to save chimpanzees and endangered wildlife from extinction; promote humane animal welfare; improve health for women and education for girls.

The whole team is lined up to share their thoughts on the 100th episode of The Bridge. John, Heyang, BeiBei, Cimcie and Dan Mason all weigh on the incredible achievement of "building something, from nothing." Excerpts from the most popular, downloaded episode "Country Roads" and BeiBei's conversation with the author of "The Master Bao Series" Tom Hanratty are included, along with some great reflections and memories on this milestone achievement.

Super Producer Cimcie makes her weekly visit to The Bridge, and in this episode the conversation ranges from the best candy, to how many fitness and other online instructors are becoming wealthy in China via live streaming. Heyang shares her thoughts about lessons learned from the challenges of the past six months, and John recalls a moment from his time on the couch channel surfing, and coming across a PBS show with his friend John Denver-backed up by Cimcie's mom-Conrad Reeder from a concert in 1986.

Anyone who’s anyone in Beijing knows the name and voice of Jess Meider. One of China’s best jazz vocalists, Jess has spent 20 years gracing stages, festivals and music venues all over China with her amazing voice. She moves between her jazz quartet, her singer-songwriter project and her electronic band, “Chinatown.” A resident jazz artist for Beijing’s acclaimed East Shore Jazz Club for 4 years, she has also shared the stage with highly popular vocalist Gong Lin Na, sung for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, performed at an event for Quincy Jones and has appeared for the highly popular Midi Music Festival shows all over China. John and Heyang have a fascinating conversation with this amazing performer, who is also a successful entrepreneur with her skin care company-The Green Room.

Stress is the common denominator when it comes to sleepless nights. BeiBei shares one of her most recent dreams to kick off the show, John admits that his time in The Land of Nod is mostly devoid of dreams, and they both agree that getting enough rest is one of the keys to a productive life, whether you are on Wall Street or Main Street. BeiBei sends a shout-out to a longtime listener, which leads to a conversation about the ups and downs of radio, and John gives BeiBei a heads-up on the meaning of the saying "Not all their oars are in the water" and a few other choice perspectives.

As the holidays begin to roll around once again, John admits his addiction to a certain brand of cookie, that only comes out once a year. BeiBei insists that she thinks the old-fashioned bakeries might make a come back as people grow tired of buying everything online. BeiBei shares her feelings about when her husband returned from an extended trip, and brought her the gifts of radishes and flour. Then, it's a crash course on the importance of certain vegetables in Chinese culture, and John learns about "wood ears."