We are joined by friends of the show Charles Zeng, owner of Charlie's Burger, and James Wu visiting from the U.S. Today we debate the pros and cons of having kids or not. James shares his reasoning on his and his wife's decision not to have kids. We talk about societal pressures, its impact on marriage and our thoughts on using physical force when it comes to disciplining our kids. We talk about chasing happiness, comparing kids to chocolate, and our biggest fears when it comes to growing old. We talk about the midlife crisis, aging and managing anger day to day.

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Today we welcome in the new year as we film a special episode facing the camera. We play "agree or disagree" and discuss several relatable topics, from the effectiveness of New Year's resolutions to whether romance is dying. We also rank our worst personal habits to leave behind from the past year. This episode is packed with introspection, light-hearted debates, and a drive to live better in 2026.

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Rico Zhang is a Chinese-Australian Director known for his technical filmmaking, award-winning music videos and bold aesthetic world-building. His most recent project was Dongji Rescue 东极岛 (2025), a film based on the true story of Chinese fisherman from Dongji Island who risked their lives to rescue over 300 British POWs after a Japanese transport ship was torpedoed by the U.S. Navy in WWII. Today Rico shares the challenges working on Dongji Rescue, finding cultural identity in his filmmaking in China and the West, and we discuss the complexities of being an ABC in today's world. We talk about the impact of cultural influence, and how the evolving global landscape shapes identity. Rico also reveals his fascinating physical ability to not get drunk and the importance of focusing on commonalities rather than differences.

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In this special episode, the hosts delve into the theme of rushing through life and reflect on their personal experiences with close friendships. They discuss the difficulty of savoring moments, and the significance of 'Irish goodbyes'. The conversation centers around Aric's impending move to California, exploring the emotional and practical implications for their friendship and the future of the podcast. They also touch on the broader societal impacts of AI and their evolving perspectives. Despite the impending changes, the hosts affirm their commitment to their deep-rooted friendship and the continuation of the podcast.

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Today's conversation takes a deep dive into the paranormal, exploring Tilman's fascination with near death experiences, reincarnation, shared death experiences, and the time between lives. Tilman shares compelling stories and accounts, including documented cases of miraculous healings and children's memories of past lives. The discussion also touches on the transformative impact of these experiences, the concept of a higher power, and the importance of living authentically and without fear. This episode is a captivating exploration of the unknown and the unexplained. Tilman Rieger is the founder of 8C Consulting, focused on conflict management, interpersonal and nonviolent communication.

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c.j. Ng is a sales, leadership, and experiential learning coach. He has helped companies ranging from Google, Volvo to Swarovski. Today we talk about the often-overlooked skill of sales, not just as a career, but as a life-altering tool. We explore the nuances of effective communication, the need for empathy, and the fine line between influence and manipulation. We also discuss the challenges of giving and receiving feedback in professional environments, particularly in Asian cultures. We discuss if it's better to give feedback anonymously or not. Whether you're in sales or another industry, c.j. emphasizes the importance of learning how to sell—be it a product, an idea, or yourself.

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Dr. George Hu, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist from the United States. He is currently the Director of Counseling, Wellness, Disability, and Accommodation at Duke Kunshan University, and the President of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association. Previously, he was the Department Chair of Mental Health at Shanghai United Family Pudong Hospital. Today, we discuss modern emotional and mental health challenges including social awkwardness, emotion regulation and fear. We talk about the cognitive impacts of technology and AI, societal shifts in the perception of masculinity, the importance of self-reflection, and the broader existential anxieties that shape our current age. Dr. Hu emphasizes the essential need for resilience and emotional intelligence in navigating today's uncertainties and highlights the importance of redefining societal values beyond professional achievement.

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Cyrus Janssen is a YouTuber, speaker and self-proclaimed US-China ambassador. He returns to discuss his experiences and observations on the evolving relationship between China and the US, from ground level. Today we talk about cultural exchange, economic challenges and its impact on both Chinese and American society. We talk about the recent trend of travel vloggers and YouTubers coming to China, the rise of Chinese soft power from Wukong, Deepseek to Labubu, and its effect on American youth. We also talk about the potential of US and China working more closely together, tariffs and societal values.

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Arthur Jones is a British documentary filmmaker and co-host of the "飞天胡说" podcast. He directed "The Six" (六人), a documentary about the untold story of the six Chinese survivors onboard the Titanic. Executive produced by James Cameron, the film explores an extraordinary story of survival and dignity in the face of racism and anti-immigration policy. Today we talk to Arthur about his film "The Six" as we dive into broader themes of identity, heritage, trauma, resilience and exclusion.

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Ron Lee is an award-winning creative technologist and VP, head of growth at Monks, a digital-first marketing, technology services and consulting company. He is a technical expert in the fields of digital interaction, game experience, connected retail, and integrated design. As an industry opinion leader, Ron has been invited by media and top industry conferences to share insights on AI, future brand experience and interactive technology. His work includes complex tech projects for clients such as, Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, Amazon, Nike, Adidas just to name a few. Today we talk about the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on creativity, work and family.

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