The Bridge

Covid-19 has put enormous pressure on the human population on the planet, and the diagnosis of depression is on the rise. John & Heyang share some of their own most difficult moments, and take a dive into the deep end of the pool as it pertains to the lessons of history when it comes to human behavior. They also take a hard look at the power of the placebo effect.

It's a no-holds barred, unplugged, unrehearsed conversation with John & Heyang on the ways that the Covid-19 virus has been dealt with in both the United States and China. Heyang points out that recently, nearly 637 million trips were made across China during the eight-day Mid-Autumn holiday, and there haven't been any domestic cases of Covid-19 that allowed the travel restrictions to be lifted. John insists that the lack of similar response in America, is an indicator that many people are more about "me" than "we."

Nearly 40 million Americans go camping every year (Pre-Covid) but it's nearly non-existent in China. After recently tying the knot, Cimcie is ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA and off to the Joshua Tree National Park, for some peace and quiet. Heyang hasn't ever slept in a tent or cooked breakfast over a campfire, and John has taken it to the extreme, camping in the middle of winter, and his face to face encounter with an armadillo in Arkansas. They also discuss the difference between camping and..."glamping" and Cimcie recalls the time she went bungee jumping in a gorge in China.

On October 12th, 1997 internationally known singer/songwriter/environmentalist John Denver perished in a plane crash. Denver was a long-time friend of John St. Augustine, and 23 years after that day, he recalls the impact of their relationship, and is joined by Tom Crum, Denver's closest companion, adviser and co-founder of the Windstar Foundation. John & Heyang talk with Tom about his and Denver's visits to China and JD's work as an ambassador of peace in the world, using his music as a bridge to bring people together.

BeBei is still on the road with her family visiting relatives and her time spent with elderly members has her talking with John about the differences between the US and China when it comes to caring for the older generations. The authenticity of the conversation becomes very apparent, as BeiBei becomes quite emotional about her own family.

Are the spending/saving habits of Americans any different than that of people in China? BeiBei and John take a dive into the deep end of the financial pool, and discuss the many lessons that money brings, and the eternal question..."Does money buy happiness?"

Once again John & Heyang close the 6,585-mile gap between Chicago and Beijing, covering everything from the ongoing energy challenges in both countries, and the many improvements in solar and wind power, along with the increasing market for electric cars and alternative sources of power. A wide-ranging discussion about the many way's humans impact the biosphere of Earth, and how we work out of the massive hole we've dug for ourselves as a species.

What are some of the more interesting differences and similarities between China and the US? Freelance writer Jerry Yan lived most of his life in China, but has been living in the United States for the past four years, and wrote some really interesting points/counterpoints when it comes to spending time in the United States. From our shopping habits to having to drive anywhere (and everywhere) in the states, to how Americans seem to love cooking out, it's an incredible perspective on The Bridge.

John and Heyang take a long look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the radio business. Everything from how small stations in the USA are the backbone of a community to the much larger picture when it comes the responsibility (or lack of it) when it comes to broadcasting in America and China. Heyang shares her thoughts on the Chinese National Day is celebrated on October 1st every year to commemorate the founding of People’s Republic of China. The 7-day holiday from Oct. 1st to 7th is called 'Golden Week', during which a large number of Chinese people go traveling around the country. The big attraction are mooncakes which is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The festival is about lunar appreciation and Moon watching, and mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy.

It's a dive into the deep end of the unsocial media pool with John, Heyang and Cimcie, as they discuss the pros and cons of the many applications of various platforms that people seem to lean on in order to communicate in the 21st century. Heyang changes the course of the conversation with her introduction of the annual ingestion of Hairy Crabs, which is a delicacy in China, and are so popular, they're made available in vending machines.