The Bridge

This episode is another outing in shared and changing perspectives, and also big "AHA" moments, especially for John, when Heyang shares the idea that while China is thousands of years old as country, its relatively new and still emerging as ideas, concepts and experiences that are the norm in the USA, are still being figured out in China.

Full disclosure is always in play on The Bridge, and Heyang admits to doing the show in her pajamas, John admits that Heyang is probably the politest person he's ever met in radio, and the conversation heads in the direction of how very important perspective plays in the way we see the world. Heyang wonders if all Americans are confident and John shares his thoughts about the idea that Asians are quiet and reserved. 

She is the first Asian-American elected to the Illinois State Legislature, and has become a force for positive change. State Representative Theresa Mah joins John & Heyang to discuss how her Chinese heritage plays a role in her political career, and the deep influence her grandfather had in her life.

Once again working without a script, this is a powerful un-plugged episode that starts out with a casual conversation between John & Heyang about the universal tradition of "Happy Hour" and quickly becomes a serious discussion about the challenge of alcohol, as Cimcie (producer of "The Bridge") shares her path to sobriety and the many lessons learned along the way.

Not since the Great Depression have so many young adults moved back in with their parents. Nearly 52% of 18-29-year olds are still living under the same roof where they grew up. John & Heyang discuss the differences between American culture that has long held the belief that young people are out the door at the age of 18, which is in direct opposition to the Chinese view, which considers having their grown children at home as normal. It's a dive into the deep end of the pool, about the many factors that play into having to reside with relatives and overcoming difficult times.

Once again, The Bridge closes the gap with a fun but intense discussion between John & BeiBei on everything from how education is similar (or not) childhood memories and the concept of "allowing" vs. "pushing" when it comes to creating a life of success and meaning.

Malena Crawford is the best-selling author of "A Fistful of Honey." She joins BeiBei & John from Washington D.C. and it's a powerful conversation as she shares her journey as a writer, the impact the creation process had on her personally, and how important it is for each of us to find our purpose. 

Is it possible to find common ground, even if the problems that plague us seem impossible, insurmountable and overwhelming? Internationally known business strategist and best-selling author, Lisa McLeod, joins John & Heyang to discuss some of the best ways for people to apply new solutions to age-old problems.

As it's been said, these are the best of times and worst of times. John & Heyang are trying figuring it all out, from the effects of unsocial media, to the ups and downs of living life in the 21st century to reclaiming the best of ourselves no matter what, it's another to important virtual trip to the middle of "The Bridge."

The headlines are filled with doom and gloom, highlighting the very worst of human behavior, and keeping people in a constant state of "fight or flight." John & Heyang discuss the adverse effects of the negative information onslaught, and offer up some headlines of their own, in their ongoing efforts to push back on the erosion caused by all the chaos that grabs our attention.