一席英语·脱口秀:老外来了

一席英语·脱口秀:老外来了

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一席英语·脱口秀:老外来了 episodes

  • 你真的了解“松弛感”吗?中西双视角带你远离虚假的“松弛感”

    主播:Flora(中国)+Selah(美国)

    歌曲:How to Be Alone

    01. 什么是“松弛感”?

    Selah has often seen the Chinese phrase "松弛感" on the Internet. What is it?

    其实,松弛感我们可以说 “a sense of relaxation (一种放松的感觉)” 或者 “a chill vibe (一种松弛的氛围)”。

    Basically, on Weibo, a lot of people are posting pictures with the phrase "sense of relaxation" on them (发布配文有“松弛感”的照片). 最近关于the Paris Olympics(巴黎奥运会)的新闻也有一些带有“松弛感 (a chill vibe)” 的文案。

    Actually, a lot of people are looking for a sense of relaxation (寻找一种松弛感) these days. "Chill vibe" does sound like something you would want to be and feel, but it's sometimes counterproductive to strive for it intentionally (刻意争取有时会适得其反). 越想抓紧反而越得不到,“松弛感”就是这么一种神奇的感觉。

    • counterproductive adj. 事与愿违的

    • intentionally /ɪnˈtenʃənəli/ adv. 故意地

    真正的松弛感意味着:我们会更加注重inner peace(内心的平静)and fulfillment(满足),不再过度追求material satisfaction(物质满足)and external evaluation(外部评价),而是更加注重self-growth(自我成长)and enrichment of the inner world(内心世界的丰富)。

    02. 为什么会追求“松弛感”?

    It is actually related to (和......有关) the fast-paced life nowadays (当今快节奏的生活) . 它满足了年轻人stress relief(缓解压力)的intrinsic craving(内在渴望)。

    • intrinsic /ɪnˈtrɪnzɪk/ adj. 内在的

    The older generation, who have worked hard all their lives until they die, do not have such thoughts (一辈子操劳的老一辈,是没有这种念想的).

    Selah has also heard that Chinese people work very hard (中国人工作非常努力)。But at the same time there is a lot of pressure from all around them, society, their families, and their own selves (他们也面临着来自周围、社会、家庭和自己的巨大压力).

    So she can understand how young people think (她能理解年轻人的想法), they feel like "at least I can live differently (至少我能换个活法)".

    英国作家毛姆(William Somerset Maugham)在他的《在中国屏风上》(On a Chinese Screen)中就写到“To be harassed by the wear and tear of life, and to pass rapidly (被生活损耗、折磨,然后迅速走完生命历程), through it without the possibility of arresting one's course,-is not this pitiful indeed (根本得不到休息——这不是很可怜吗)? ”

    • harass /həˈræs/ v. 骚扰

    • wear and tear of life 生活的磨损:指日常生活中的压力、疲劳和损耗,对身体和心理造成的影响。

    • arrest v. 抑制

    “To labor without ceasing (苦苦地干,没完没了), and then, without living to enjoy the fruit (然后还没活到享受劳动果实的日子), worn out, to depart, suddenly (就疲惫地突然逝去), one knows not whither, -is not that a just cause for grief (也不知道会落个什么归宿——这难道不令人悲哀吗)?”

    • cease v. 终止,结束

    • whither adv. 到哪里,去哪儿

    • grief /ɡri:f/ n. 悲伤,悲痛

    What is the point of it all (这一切有什么意义) if you are not enjoying the journey? He is saying that is a cause for grief (这是悲伤的原因).

    03. 过度追求“松弛感”会怎样?

    It is indeed sad to be overworked and not thinking. But you can't get a sense of relaxation by deliberately pursuing it (但你不能通过刻意追求来获得放松感).

    • overwork v. 使过度劳累

    • deliberately /dɪˈlɪbərətli/ adv. 故意地

    It's the same as sleeping (这个其实跟睡觉是一样的). The insomniac who keeps thinking (失眠的人一直想) , "I have to fall asleep, I have to fall asleep," will probably have insomnia that night (那天晚上可能会失眠).

    • insomniac /ɪnˈsɑ:mniæk/ n. 失眠症患者

    When the chill vibe becomes a cultural symbol (成为一种文化象征), there are bound to be people who follow suit (一定会有人跟风) because it looks cool. 然而,真正的放松是模仿不来的,甚至是学不来的。

    • follow suit 效仿

    Because it requires the inner self-sufficiency (需要内在的自给自足) and peace (平和) that comes with maturity and time (伴随成熟和时间而来的).

    • maturity /məˈtʃʊrəti/ n. 成熟

    The real sense of relaxation is never a photo on social media, but your true feelings (真正的松弛感从来不是社交媒体上的一张照片,而是你的真实感受).

    04. 中国古人的松弛感

    (1)战国时期,庄子主张在天地间“逍遥游”,达到无己、无功、无名的境界。The most highly cultivated person (最有修养的人) can let nature take its course (顺其自然), forget himself (无己), and has no intention of seeking merit (无心求功), and the saint with moral learning has no intention of seeking fame (有道德学问的圣人无心求名).

    • saint n. 圣人

    It is kind of the saying “go with the flow (随遇而安)” instead of trying so hard to make something happen for you. 其实就是比较“佛系”。

    (2)要说“佛系”,魏晋时期的“竹林七贤”绝对算得上我们现在说的“佛系青年(Buddha-like youngsters)”。

    他们在竹林间(live in the bamboo forest),不闻外事,不问朝纲,只求开怀畅饮、放歌长啸、抚琴赋诗、谈玄论道,过潇洒惬意的生活(live a dashing and cozy life)。

    Actually, similar ideas have been around for a long time in the West as well (类似的想法在西方也已经存在很长时间了).

    05. 西方“廷臣”的松弛感

    西方的西塞罗(Cicero)(公元前106-43年)曾主张“deliberate negligence(有意的疏忽)”,意思是在演讲时故意隐藏修辞和技巧。

    Cicero was actually a famous orator in ancient Rome (西塞罗实际上是一位著名的演说家). 他善于雄辩。别的演讲者都是唯恐自己的言辞不够犀利、不能直击对方观点的要害,但他却提倡“deliberate negligence”。That's interesting.

    These Western concepts developed in the Middle Ages (这些西方观念发展到中世纪), and a phenomenally popular work appeared (一部现象级传播的作品出现) - "The Courtier (《廷臣》)".

    This is a great work that swept the whole of Europe (这是一部席卷整个欧洲的伟大作品) during the Italian Renaissance (在意大利文艺复兴时期).

    • phenomenally /fəˈnɑ:mɪnəli/ adv. 现象上地

    In the discussion of "grace (优雅)" and "sprezzatura", The Courtier pointed out that courtiers (廷臣) must "show appropriate calmness in all their actions (在行动中表现出适当的冷静) so that their words and deeds (言语和行为) seem to have been effortless and thoughtless (毫不费力、不假思索的)."

    • sprezzatura /sprettsaˈtu:ra/ n. 不羁,潇洒(意大利词汇,用于描述一种轻松、不费力地表现出优雅和自信的态度)

    在这本书中,一位廷臣要appear natural and unforced (表现出自然、不被强迫). Maybe that's what a chill vibe looks like.

    这本书还谈到the qualities of a perfect courtier(作为一个完美廷臣的品质),不仅要精通arms(武器)还要精通letters(文字),简单来说就是能文能武,而且还要体现sprezzatura。

    Basically it means "not caring (不关心)" but here it also contains the meaning of "calmness and confidence (冷静、自信)" and quick action (行动迅速).

    It reminded Flora of a Chinese fable (中国寓言故事). 有一个卖油翁,把一枚铜钱盖在葫芦口上,让油穿过钱孔倒进葫芦,而钱却没有湿。有人问他说:为什么手那么稳呢?他回答说:“无他,惟手熟尔(也没什么啦,不过是手法熟练罢了)。”

    06. 如何拥有真正的“松弛感”?

    (1)Practice makes perfect (熟能生巧)

    Flora thinks instead of mimicking someone else's chill vibe (与其模仿别人的松弛感), she'd rather learn how they practice to achieve proficiency (她更愿意学习他们如何练习达到熟能生巧). She believes there's a lot of things that give us a chill vibe when we've done them a lot (有很多事做多了之后就会有松弛感).

    • mimic /ˈmɪmɪk/ v. 模仿(人的言行举止)

    • proficiency /prəˈfɪʃ(ə)nsi/ n. 熟练,精通

    (2)Be present in the present moment (活在当下)

    Selah thinks we should be present in the present moment and focus on the matter itself (关注事情本身). 其实过去的已经过去,未来的还未到来,我们关注能把握的当下就好了。

    We cannot always be thinking ahead (提前思考) or be thinking about the next best thing. Developing an "Experiencer's Mindset (体验者的思维)" will allow you to enjoy the process (会让你享受这个过程).

    Flora believes life is like a game. Getting a good game experience is what matters (获得良好的游戏体验才是最重要的).

    (3)“Accept everything (接受一切)”

    Life is just about taking things as they come (随遇而安) and taking things in strides (大步向前). 允许一切发生,就像孔子在《论语》中说的:既来之,则安之。

    Besides, it is important to understand yourself and accept yourself (了解和接受自己很重要). Understand what matters to you (知道你觉得重要的事), what you care about (你关心的事), what you want to spend your time doing (你想花时间做的事), and how you want to go about life (你想怎样生活). 我们如何体验生活是一种选择(How we experience life is a choice)。

    认识和接受自己是爱自己的开始(Knowing and accepting yourself is the beginning of loving yourself)。Only then will we know what kind of life we want to live (只有这样,我们才会知道我们想要过什么样的生活).

    那时,你不追寻松弛感(when you don't seek the chill vibe),松弛感也会随之而来(the chill vibe will follow)。

    请留言告诉我们:

    你是怎么看待“松弛感”的呢?

    14 min
  • 中西戏剧对比 | 法国奥运会开幕式上的“酒神”来头不小!

    主播:Wendi(中国)+Selah(美国)

    歌曲:Helpless


    今年奥运会开幕式(the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony)的很多创意都来源于一些French plays(法国戏剧)。今天,我们来聊一聊中西方戏剧的对比。

    01 历史起源和剧种分类

    法国是an important source of plays(戏剧的重要来源)。法国戏剧起源于medieval religious dramas(中世纪的宗教戏剧),这是一种有关宗教题材的戏剧。如mystery plays(神秘剧),它演绎的是选自《圣经》的一段神秘的故事,miracle plays(奇迹剧),一般是关于某个圣徒的奇迹,还有morality plays(道德剧),目的是教给人们某个重要的品德。

    · morality /məˈræləti/ n. 道德,品行

    They often performed in churches or public spaces (经常在教堂或公共场所上演).

    The French Renaissance (法国文艺复兴) brought a revival of classical themes and structures (带来了古典主题和结构的复兴), influenced by Greek and Roman models (受希腊和罗马模式的影响).

    古希腊戏剧(Greek theater)起源于公元前6世纪的Athens(雅典),是世界最古老的戏剧之一。它最早是在religious festivals(宗教节日)上表演的,为的是献给Dionysus (狄俄尼索斯)——古希腊的酒神,也是古希腊戏剧之神。


    · theater n. 戏剧

    古希腊戏剧主要分为两种类型:tragedy(悲剧),一般是关于human suffering(人类经历的痛苦);comedy(喜剧),经常非常讽刺(satirical)。

    其实中国的戏剧也属于世界古老戏剧之一,据说最早也是一种民间的歌舞仪式,一般以祈福、求神、祭祀等等为主题,和古希腊戏剧有相似之处。

    中国的京剧(Peking Opera)主要有文戏和武戏两种类型。

    武戏一般是打斗的主题(martial subjects),有关war(战争), rebellion and intrigue(叛乱和阴谋),注重演员的martial arts(武术)功底和身体动作的表演。

    · martial /ˈmɑ:rʃ(ə)l/ adj. 尚武的


    文戏一般主题是和social life(社会生活)有关,通过dialogue(对白)和lyrics(唱词)来讲一段故事,传达角色情感。


    02 表演风格差异

    中西戏剧在performing style(表演风格)上有比较大的差异。

    西方歌剧在表演过程中focus on(注重)powerful singing(强有力的演唱)和emotional expression(情感表达),表演是self-explanatory(不言自明的),fluid(流畅的),以及life-like(写实的)。这些也和西方其他的艺术作品风格一脉相承。

    · explanatory /ɪkˈsplænətɔ:ri/ adj. 解释的,说明的

    比如舞台上的props(道具)都是identical to the object in real life(模仿现实中真实的物品),还有很多舞台效果都很写实,比如fake blood(假血), fake knives(仿真刀),或者sound effects(音效)等等。

    · identical adj. 完全相同的


    相比于西方戏剧,中国的传统戏剧更加的symbolic(写意)。For example, many movements(许多人物的动作)are just imitating actions (模仿真实情景), like riding a horse, or entering a room.

    · symbolic adj. 用作象征的,被认为是象征的

    It’s not so straightforward (它并不是很直接). It is symbolic where the audience infers what is happening in that moment (观众推断在那一刻在发生着什么).

    · infer v. 推断,推论

    舞台上的道具are also not exactly life-like(也不是那么写实)。有些剧里的道具只有一张桌子,当演员坐在旁边的时候它是桌子,当演员站在上面张望的时候它又变成了城楼。

    03 中西方戏剧的人物角色划分

    The roles in traditional Chinese operas(中国的传统戏剧) are fixed(是固定的)。

    京剧的角色有四大行当:生旦净丑。

    Sheng(生), which refers to male roles(男性角色),and Dan(旦), the female roles(女性角色)。

    除了the main male and female characters,还有Jing(净),who play with their face painted(花脸),他们扮演的是一些比较严肃的角色,比如warriors(士兵), heroes(英雄)还有statesmen(政治家)。

    Chou(丑), which is the clown(小丑), also has a painted face, with a patch of white paint around his eyes and nose(一般在眼睛和鼻子的这个位置会涂上一块白色),用来营造comic effect(喜剧效果)。

    京剧中,各类角色根据剧中人物的身份、气质与性格的不同,都有固定的脸谱、扮相和服饰。Using body and face makeup or paint is a great way to show which characters they are!

    在西方的戏剧中,会有protagonists(主人公),他们是整部戏剧的核心,drive the plot(推动着情节的发展),他们也经常face challenges or a tragic fate(面对挑战或者悲惨的命运)。

    · protagonist /prəˈtæɡənɪst/ n. 主人公

    主角的对立方就是antagonist,一般就是the character opposing the protagonist(剧里面的反派)。

    · antagonist /ænˈtæɡənɪst/ n. 对手;敌人

    西方戏剧里还有一类演员是the chorus,一个小的歌队或者合唱团,起的是类似于旁白的作用,他们会comment on the action(对情节做一些评论),provide background information(补充背景信息)。

    · chorus /ˈkɔ:rəs/ n. 合唱团

    除了这些角色之外,还会有heroes(男性英雄角色),heroine(女性英雄角色),comic heroes(喜剧角色),villains(恶霸角色),lovers(情人)等等。

    · villain /ˈvɪlən/ n. 恶棍

    西方戏剧中角色的分类不像京剧里这么固定,一般会根据他们的voice pitch(声调)和voice range(音域)来定。

    · pitch n. 音高


    04 中西方看剧的习惯

    The audience is also an important part of a play(观众也是戏剧很重要的一环). 一个好的喜剧是completed by the performers and the audience(由演员和观众共同完成)。

    audience /ˈɑːdiəns/ n. 观众

    中国的传统戏曲通常是performed in the open air(在露天演出),所以technically(严格说来)它不像是在一个closed theater(封闭式剧院)。

    有一个 rising trend nowadays(当下的趋势),就是这些戏剧正在moving into the theaters(搬到剧院里),而且there has been a resurgent interest among the young people(年轻人也重新拾起了对传统戏剧的兴趣)。

    resurgent /rɪˈsɜ:rdʒənt/ adj. 复兴的;再度流行的

    在西方,去剧院看戏剧也变得less common than it used to be(比之前更少见), 而且比较昂贵,但依然是valued in western culture(在西方文化中受到重视的)。 现在有了电视和streaming(流媒体),戏剧也can be watched online(可以在网上观看)。更丰富的选择和观看方式has opened up this world to many(为许多人打开了这个世界)!而在网上看到一些amazing(超级棒的)戏剧之后,很多中国年轻人也start to show great interest in going to the theaters(开始对去剧院这件事充满兴趣)!



    15 min
  • 夏天出了那么多汗,怎么不掉秤?

    主播:Anne(中国)+Erin(美国)

    歌曲 :Call You Mine



    转眼已是三伏天,很多网友们说夏天是一个lose weight(减肥)的好时候。所以今天咱们来聊聊how to lose weight in the summer!


    01 很多人喜欢夏季减肥


    虽然很多人为了look better in summer clothes(夏天穿衣服更好看)而减肥,不过主播们personally wouldn’t recommend people to lose weight just for the sake of looking pretty(个人不太支持大家单纯为了看上去好看而减肥)!尽管会有一些潜移默化的beauty standards(审美标准),不过主播们并不认为thinner is better(人越瘦越好)。

    for the sake of 为了……

    很多人会feel the societal pressure to be thin(感受到来自外界社会的要变瘦的压力),尤其是women and girls。所以主播们并不promote(提倡)that mindset of “you need to be thin in order to be pretty”(这种以瘦为美的心态)。

    mindset n. 心态

    如果要知道whether you need to diet or not(你是否需要控制饮食),一个很好的方式是check your BMI(查一下你的BMI),也就是body mass index(身体质量指数)。

    Ideally, you should be within a healthy range of BMI. (理想状态下,你应该保持在一个健康的BMI范围之内)如果你的BMI是 higher than 25,you would be considered overweight(你会被认定是超重)或者临床意义上的obese(肥胖)。

    这是一个valid reason to lose weight(减肥的正当理由)。

    obese /oʊˈbiːs/ adj. (临床意义上)肥胖的

    如果你的BMI是在normal range(正常范围)里,而你又想lose weight to the point where you’re underweight(减到过瘦的地步),还是要三思!

    Your health should be the most important thing when it comes to losing weight. (对于减肥而言,你的健康应该是头等大事)


    02 夏天出了那么多汗,为什么不掉秤?


    网上有种说法,说是因为夏天你会sweat a lot(出很多汗),所以你的metabolism(新陈代谢)will be faster(会更快), due to the heat(因为高温)和sweating(出汗),which makes it more effective for you to lose weight (让你减脂更高效)。

    这个说法does make sense(有一定道理),但不是entirely accurate(完全准确)。

    sweat /swet/ n.v. 汗;出汗

    metabolism /məˈtæbəlɪzəm/ n. 新陈代谢

    脂肪被排出体外有两种形式。Fat leaves the body (脂肪被排出体外)either as carbon dioxide(要么是作为二氧化碳) when you exhale(呼气), or as water(作为水) when you sweat or go to the bathroom.

    carbon dioxide 二氧化碳

    exhale /eksˈheɪl/ v. 呼气

    More than 80% of the fat goes out of your body through breathing in the form of CO2. (多于80%的脂肪是以二氧化碳的形式通过呼吸排出体外的。)The remaining 16% is excreted as water(剩下的16%是作为水被排出体外)。而这其中,出汗只是一小部分,doesn’t make too much of a difference in your weight loss(在你减脂里起到的作用微不足道)。

    所以有的人会裹着plastic wrap(保鲜膜)运动来多出汗以达到减脂的效果,这并不是非常effective(有效)。

    《黄帝内经》里有一句话,“汗为心之液”,所以出汗其实是对心脏有负担的,大量出汗就会容易心虚气弱,所以还是建议大家不要大量出汗。

    Especially(尤其) in the summer, if you sweat a lot, you need to wipe it with a towel(用毛巾擦干), change into clean clothes(换上干净的衣服), and try not to exercise at noon(尽量不要在大中午头锻炼)!


    03 为什么夏天适合减肥?


    What advantages(优势) does summer have that help you lose weight?

    首先,warmer weather tends to suppress your appetite(更热的天气往往会抑制食欲), 所以这会make you eat less(让你吃得更少)。

    suppress /səˈpres/ v. 压制

    appetite /ˈæpətaɪt/ n. 食欲;胃口

    高温会让你want to drink more water(想喝更多的水), 这会让你feel more full(感到更饱),所以during your meals(在正餐的时候),你就会吃得更少。

    有一种现象叫stress eating,就是人一压力大的时候就喜欢吃东西。而在夏天由于there’s more sunlight during the day(白天有更多阳光),你会更开心,have less stress(压力更小),就不那么容易stress eat。


    04 夏天减肥小贴士、

    Tip 1: 设定实际的目标 Set Realistic Goals

    Aim for a gradual weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week to make sure it’s sustainable.(以每周减少半斤到1斤的慢速减重为目标,确保这个过程是可持续的。)


    那种“一次性”(all at once)减掉大量体重的做法是不健康的!

    It’s also hard to keep the weight off if you lose too much too quickly! (如果减重太猛,很难保持体重不反弹)

    gradual /ˈɡrædʒuəl/ adj. 缓慢的





    Tip 2: 多锻炼 Stay Active


    可以做一些strength training(力量训练),因为减重期间很容易lose muscles(流失肌肉)。

    strength /streŋθ/ n. 力量

    muscle /ˈmʌsəl/ n. 肌肉

    主播Erin说,she’s been swimming and going on a calorie deficit(减少热量摄入)。她现在doesn’t really have time for the gym(没太有时间去健身房),偶尔会做一些ab workouts(腹肌锻炼),但不是super consistent(非常坚持)。

    Tip 3: 睡好觉 Sleep Well

    减重不光是多运动和少吃饭,而是要看how healthy you are as a whole(你整体有多健康)。所以,having a healthy lifestyle(有一个更健康的生活方式)能让掉秤更轻松 。

    Tip 4: 多喝水 Stay Hydrated

    hydrated /ˈhaɪdreɪt̬ɪd/ adj. 水分充足的

    你需要drink plenty of water(喝大量的水)来support your metabolism(促进你的新陈代谢)。


    “多喝热水”(Drink more warm water)可不是一句空话,it also applies to summer(放在夏天也一样适用)!尤其是right after an intense workout(刚做完剧烈运动),如果喝冷水或者冰凉的水(icy cold water)的话,it could be really bad for your health(可能对你的健康很不利)。

    Erin也开玩笑说,she drinks too much cold water for her own good(她喝的凉水太多了,对她自己并不好)!

    Tip 5: 注意你的饮食 Pay Attention to Your Diet

    少吃点可以,但不要starve yourself(饿着自己)!

    starve /stɑːrv/ v. 使…挨饿

    尽量在饮食中:

    Add fiber-rich foods(增加高纤维食品)

    fiber /ˈfaɪbɚ/ n. 纤维

    Avoid processed foods(避免加工食品)

    processed /ˈprɑːsest/ adj. 经过特殊加工的(食品);处理过的


    Limit sugar intake(限制糖分摄入)

    Eat more protein(摄入更多蛋白质)

    Consuming(摄入)更多蛋白质能够让你feel fuller for longer periods of time(感受更多更久的饱腹感),并且能在减脂过程中lower the risk of muscle loss(降低肌肉流失的风险)。

    比如chicken(鸡肉)就是一个很好的protein option(蛋白质选择)!

    protein /ˈproʊtiːn/ n. 蛋白质

    欢迎留言告诉我们:

    这个三伏天,你是否有减重计划呢?



    16 min
  • 从电影《抓娃娃》谈中式教育

    主播:Flora(中国)+Erin(美国)

    歌曲 :can you hear me? (by Munn)


    今天我们来聊一聊最近的一部关于“中式教育”的电影——《抓娃娃》(Successor)。


    01. 影片名《抓娃娃》和Successor

    Successor意为“继承者”,指影片中父亲马成钢培养儿子马继业为自己的“继承者”。而“抓娃娃”则为“抓孩子”或者抓孩子的education(教育)。


    02. 《抓娃娃》的影片内容

    There was a tycoon(富翁) named Ma Chenggang who had two sons.

    由于长子(his elder son)在优渥的条件下(under the favorable conditions)没多大成就,马成钢将此归咎于the living conditions were so good that he did not appreciate them(生活条件太好,所以他并不珍惜)。他觉得大儿子没能“成才”肯定是因为没有艰苦条件的磨炼。

    Then he decided that he would make sure (决定要确保) that his youngest son would be admitted to Qingbei University (小儿子被清北大学录取) to fulfill the wish that he had not been able to fulfill at that time (实现他当时不能实现的愿望).


    当时电影里频繁地出现“清北大学”估计就是暗示现实中国内的两所顶尖院校Tsinghua University and Peking University(清华大学和北京大学)了。They are the universities that not only many students but also many parents aspire to (不仅是很多学生也是很多父母向往的)。马成钢就是其中之一,他想让儿子满足this wish for him when he didn't get in himself (他自己未能实现的愿望)。

    Ma Chenggang paid for a professional team (成立一个专业团队) to simulate his growth environment (模仿他的成长环境) in order for his son to be admitted to Qingbei University.

    •be admitted to 被......录取


    这和《楚门的世界》一样细思极恐,周围的人都是一群演员。你生活的方方面面都暴露在摄像头下。There are even people who are specializing in analyzing your micro-expressions (有人专门分析你的微表情).

    • specialize v.专门研究(或从事)

    在发现真相后,继业打算break free from his father's control(摆脱他父亲的控制),去实现他自己的抱负(to fulfill his own aspirations):成为一名long-distance runner(长跑运动员)。


    其实,继业从小就喜欢长跑,但是后来因为父亲和周围的人都欺骗他,让他觉得他不适合这条道路,于是他就放弃了。


    The last scene shows Jiye running a marathon (最后一幕是继业跑马拉松). This is supposed to be a cause for celebration (本来是值得庆祝的事). All's well that ends well (皆大欢喜).


    But this is not fairy tale (童话故事). 他本来是第一名(He was originally in first place),但由于他以前developed habit of excessive frugality(养成了过度节俭的习惯),他看到空瓶子就想捡起来,等到捡完后,所有的选手都超过了他。

    This reflects that his parents' previous wrong education methods (之前错误的教育方法) had already had a profound effect on him (对他产生了深刻的影响).


    有很多网友都表示:这令人窒息的“中式教育”!Traditional Chinese-style education, it has been labeled as “authoritarian” (被贴上“独裁主义”的标签).


    Authoritarian parenting (专制型教育) is a style of child-raising that emphasizes high standards (强调高标准) and a tendency to control kids (控制孩子) through shaming, the withdrawal of love, or other punishments (通过羞辱、撤回爱或其他惩罚).

    But once people equalize Chinese education with authoritarian (一旦将中国教育等同于独裁主义), 必定会增加对中国教育的误解和偏见(misunderstanding and prejudice)。Because after all, not everything about Chinese education is negative (并不是关于中国教育的一切都是负面的).

    • equalize v. 使相等


    There are good aspects of traditional Chinese education, such as the importance that families place on cultivating a sense of frugality (培养节俭意识), self-reliance (自立) and filial piety (孝顺) in their children.

    These are increasingly overlooked by modern youth (这些越来越被现代年轻人所忽视). 就像这次的抓娃娃电影,人们好像一提到中国式教育首先想到的就是suffering parenting, guilt-based parenting and control-based parenting(过度的苦难教育,内疚式还有控制式教育)。


    People may have their reasons for interpreting it that way, but anyway they're not exactly the same.

    • interpret v. 把……理解为


    03. 一些错误的教育方法

    (1)Suffering parenting(过度的苦难教育)

    Suffering parenting refers to a form of education in which the recipient (受教育者) is made to undergo suffering (遭受痛苦) in order to improve his or her overall qualities (为了提高整体素质).


    这种教育方式是的初衷其实是好的,它的目的是让受教育者的综合素质得到提升。For example, it's supposed to develop a sense of frugality(节俭意识) and resilience(抗压能力).

    However, most of the so-called "suffering parenting" that exists nowadays is just a formality (现存的多数“苦难教育”仅停留于形式) and does not serve the purpose of education (与其教育初衷相违背).


    It's fine to develop or improve his or her overall qualities, but life itself can give us that, or we can get it in other ways (生活本就可以给予我们这些,我们也可以通过其他方式获得).

    也难怪很多人说:我的生活本来就很苦了,你还要给我制造这么多苦难?

    Flora saw a video posted by a mom complaining about her daughter (视频关于一个母亲抱怨自己的女儿). 她带着女儿出去旅行,本可以给她买一张seat ticket(坐票),但她却intentionally bought a standing ticket(故意买了一张站票)。


    They traveled for hours and her daughter cried the whole way (她们有几个小时的车程,女儿哭了一路).

    What's even more unbelievable is that this mother is still complaining to the internet (这位母亲还在网络上抱怨) that her daughter doesn't understand her good intentions (说女儿不懂自己的良苦用心). What a terrible mindset!


    (2)Guilt-based education (内疚式教育)

    Guilt-based parenting is when parents control their children by making them feel guilty (通过让他们感到内疚来控制孩子) through showing weakness (通过表现出软弱) and complaining(抱怨) or even self-mutilation (甚至是自残).


    其实内疚式教育就是以爱为名的情感绑架。它会让孩子产生sense of guilt(愧疚感)、增加mental stress(心理压力),削弱他们的self-esteem and self-confidence(自尊心和自信心)。


    Some people call them toxic love (有毒的爱). 最经典的就是餐桌上的一句:我舍不得吃,都留给你吃。

    (3)Control-based parenting(控制式教育)

    It is when parents or educators control their children's lives, learning, socialization, and hobbies (控制孩子的生活、学习、社交和业余爱好) to achieve their goals (去实现他们的目标). 这类父母通常控制欲极强。


    其实以上三种教育方式与exam-oriented education(应试教育)不无关系,比如电影里马成钢费尽心思其实就是想让继业考上清北大学。

    04. Exam-oriented education(应试教育)

    Exam-oriented education has received mixed reviews (评价褒贬不一).

    这种教育体系可能不利于学生的all-round development(全面发展),but it is conducive to the popularization of basic knowledge(有利于基础知识的普及),而且选拔人才的成本较低。

    05. Quality education (素质教育)

    在西方,特别是在美国,高质量教育的重点是holistic development(全面发展),encouraging creativity(鼓励创造力)、critical thinking(批判性思维)和a broad array of extracurricular activities(广泛的课外活动)。This approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals (旨在培养全面发展的个人).

    • a broad array of 各种各样的

    • extracurricular /ˌekstrəkəˈrɪkjələr/ adj. 课外的

    虽然素质教育的理念听起来很理想,但它并非没有挑战。One major concern is whether quality education can sometimes be overemphasized (有时素质教育会被过分强调).

    • concern n. 担忧

    • overemphasize /ˌəʊvərˈemfəsaɪz/ v. 过分强调


    美国的top-tier universities(一流大学)的生源基本上是来自美国排名前100 的高中,但是在这里面public schools(公立学校)只有6所。The reality is that attending a private high school is often the most effective way to receive a quality education in the US (在美国,上私立高中往往是接受优质教育的最有效方式).


    然而,the high tuition fees(高昂的学费)使得许多家庭望而却步。这可能会reducing social mobility(降低社会流动性)。

    这可能会造成一个循环,只有那些能负担得起私立教育的人(those who can afford private education)才会继续dominate top university admissions(主要影响顶尖大学的录取率)。


    When social mobility decreases(当社会流动性下降), 不同的社会经济阶层之间的差距(the gap between different socioeconomic classes)会扩大. This can lead to a society where opportunities are concentrated among the wealthy(这导致机会都集中在富人手里), 会限制多样性(diversity),延续不平等(inequality).

    06. “An idealized education system (理想化的教育制度)”

    It’s clear that both China and the US face unique challenges with their educational systems (中美的教育体系都面临着独特的挑战).

    过分强调高质量教育(overemphasizing quality education)而像美国那样without addressing accessibility(不解决教育的可获得性),可能会exacerbate social divides(加剧社会分歧).

    • exacerbate /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/ vt. 使加重

    Some people just blindly worship the western education system (一些人盲目崇拜西方的教育体系), 但每个教育体系都有自己的挑战,盲目照搬绝对是不可取的,适合自己的才是最好的。


    China's education system, while making strides in popularizing basic education (尽管在普及基础教育方面取得了重大进展), still heavily focuses on academic performance (非常关注学业成绩). 这往往会给学生带来immense pressure(巨大的压力),并且overlooks the importance of holistic development(忽视全面发展的重要性)。


    许多人担心中国教育的未来,并试图找到改变它的方法,有些人提出了很多宝贵建议,但有些很多建议是极端的。This is why we're doing this podcast to correct that (这就是我们想做这期节目来更正它的原因).

    The key takeaway is that (关键的结论是) there is no one-size-fits-all solution (没有一刀切的解决方案). What we need is a balanced approach tailored to each country’s unique context (针对每个国家国情的平衡的方法).


    It’s really about finding the middle ground—integrating (融合) the strengths of quality education (高素质教育的优势) with the rigor of traditional academic excellence (传统学术卓越的严谨性) while ensuring accessibility for all students (同时确保所有学生都有入学机会).

    • rigor /ˈrɪɡər/ n. 严格

    这种平衡的方法就像是我们说的“中庸”,可以帮助develop well-rounded individuals(个人全面发展),without compromising on inclusivity and equity(而不损害包容性和公平性)。

    • compromise /ˈkɑ:mprəmaɪz/ v. 折中,妥协


    请留言告诉我们:

    你看了电影《抓娃娃》吗?对这部电影你有什么看法?

    16 min
  • 《原子习惯》:设计一个坚不可摧的习惯养成系统如此轻松!

    主播:Anne(中国)+Vip(澳大利亚)

    歌曲 :If Today Was Your Last Day


    上期节目提到(戳链接�《原子习惯》这本书,让你无痛建立新习惯!),building a good habit(建立一个好习惯)必不可少的是一个好的system(系统)。这期节目,咱们就继续来聊聊——如何设计一个“坚不可摧”的习惯系统。How to design a habit system that is indestructible?

    indestructible /ˌɪndɪˈstrʌktəbəl/ adj. 坚不可摧的


    01 Four Stages 习惯的4个步骤

    Before we actually build the system for a habit, we need to understand what a habit is. 在建立习惯系统之前,我们先要去深入认识习惯的本质。

    每一个习惯的养成(when a habit is formed),看似只是一个单纯的行为,实则involves(涉及到)4个stages:Cue(提示),Craving(渴望), Response(反应), Reward(回报)。Let’s break it down!

    Take phone scrolling as an example(拿刷手机举个例子):

    1) Cue 提示:cue就是when you see your phone。

    2) Craving 渴望:当你have the urge to pick up your phone(有拿起手机的冲动)的时候,然后start scrolling(开始刷),这就是craving。尤其是当我们感到bored(无聊)或者in a bad mood(在坏情绪里)的时候,we all know how it feels(大家应该都懂)!

    3) Response 反应:我们会naturally(自然而然地)respond to that urge(回应那个冲动),所以response就是when you pick up the phone and start scrolling。

    4) Reward 回报:就是当你开始刷手机看short-form videos(短视频)时,your brain would be very satisfied(你的大脑会感到非常满足)。

    这四个步骤形成了一个loop(闭环),就开始了刷手机的无限循环……


    02 Four Principles 养成习惯的4大法则

    中文里讲“养成”习惯,强调好习惯需要日积月累的培育和灌溉,说的是习惯的本质;而英文里讲“build” a habit,强调像建房子一样建立一个习惯,侧重于习惯的构造。

    这个文化差异(cultural difference)不得不让人觉得fascinating(神奇)!

    建立一个好习惯系统,就是要based on these four stages(基于上面提到的四个阶段),逐个击破,这里《原子习惯》的作者提出了4个basic principles(基本法则):

    #法则一:Make it obvious(让它显而易见)

    作者提到,当你想要建立好的习惯的时候,environment matters more than motivation(环境比你的动力更重要),所以不要try to test your motivation by placing yourself in a bad environment(通过将自己置于不良环境中来测试自己的动力)。比如说,你想要晚上好好休息, don’t put your phone in the bedroom where you can see it.

    再有一个点就是,you should use habit stacking(你应该使用习惯叠加),pair a new habit with an existing one(将新的习惯与现有的习惯配对)。The habit stacking formula(公式) is: After [CURRENT HABIT](现有习惯), I will [NEW HABIT]. 而且,you should include time and location as well(你还要把时间和地点包含进去)。

    比如你想要养成晚饭后不用手机和电脑的习惯,那你就在晚饭后turn off your phones and computers right away(立马关上手机和电脑),然后把它们放在卧室外。如果你有工作要做的话,you could wake up early in the morning and do it.

    #法则二:Make it attractive(让它有吸引力)

    You should make a habit attractive. 要让它变得吸引人,有诱惑力!Habits are formed when they give you that dopamine hit. 我们养成习惯,都是因为它们能带给我们多巴胺。要想养成习惯的话,你要pair what you want to do with what you need to do(把你想做的和你需要做的事情相结合)。在马上要做一个相对困难的行为习惯之前,你可以do something you enjoy(做一件自己喜欢的事情)。

    比如说,在你要做一个hard workout(困难的健身)的时候,你可以eat your favourite candy(先吃你最喜欢的糖果)。If you do this a few times(几次这样做之后), your brain will associate these two things together(你的大脑会自动地把糖和困难的健身联系起来), and make you crave the difficult workout(然后你就会特别渴望健身).

    associate /əˈsəʊʃieɪt/ v. 联系

    #法则三:Make it easy(让它变简单)

    如果你想要do a workout in the morning(早上锻炼),你可以lay out workout clothes the night before in advance(提前一晚把锻炼要穿的衣服准备好)。

    另一种让习惯变得简单的方法就是to start with 2 minutes of doing it(先做个2分钟)。为了确保能stick to a habit(坚持一个好习惯),你需要do it as many times as possible(尽可能多地重复)。The 2 minutes rule can get you start doing the habit very easily. 做10次2分钟要比做1次20分钟更加管用,重要的是要先开始起来。

    #法则四:Make it satisfying(让它变得令人满足)

    一旦你完成这个养成习惯的行为之后,you should give yourself reward IMMEDIATELY(立刻奖励自己)。

    对于主播Anne来说,如果她能够关闭电子产品,她会这样奖励自己:read the novel that she likes(读自己喜欢的小说),或者do facial(敷个面膜)或者light a scented candle(点个香薰蜡烛)。

    除了上面提到的4个原则之外,你还可以使用a habit tracker to track habits(记录你的习惯养成),habit trackers可以是some apps或者a notebook。

    总是对你的习惯复盘是行之有效的,and make changes to your system if you’re not sticking to the habit(如果你无法坚持这个习惯,你可以随时改变你的系统)。





    17 min
  • 《原子习惯》这本书,让你无痛建立新习惯!

    主播:Anne(中国)+Vip(澳大利亚)

    歌曲 :Smile

    To build a habit(养成习惯)对于很多人而言是the hardest part(最难的部分)。今天,我们跟大家聊一本能帮助你真正养成习惯的书——Atomic Habits《原子习惯》,它的作者是James Clear。一提起习惯指南,这本书就会成为大家的go-to book(首选)。

    书名中的atomic意思是“原子的”,作者的中心思想其中之一就是you need to start with very small changes,你要从非常小的改变开始做起,不要想一步登天。

    要想养成习惯,我们要先搞清楚习惯的定义。习惯就是你日常生活中做出的small decisions(微小的决定)以及actions,这些决定和行为不需要你刻意思考或纠结。但是大多数人对于习惯都有误解,今天我们先来看看three common misunderstandings that most people have about habits(人们对于习惯的三个误解)。


    #人们对于习惯的误解一

    Small but positive changes don’t matter. 微小但积极的变化并不重要。


    无论是好的改变还是不好的变化,都会compound(累积叠加)。假设以一年为单位,good changes will compound into a huge improvement, and the same goes for bad changes(好的改变会变成巨大的进步,坏的变化也会产生巨大的影响)。


    有一个词叫compound interest(复利),再小的的改变只要一年就会累积成巨大的进步,所以好习惯就是“利滚利”,那反之坏习惯就是“高利贷”了。

    #人们对于习惯的误解二

    You should focus on what you want to achieve. 你应该专注于你想要实现的事。


    有很多人可能会想,是不是搞错了,养成好习惯不就是要focus on what you want to achieve(专注于你想要达成的那件事吗)?


    但《原子习惯》的作者却说,养成习惯最高效的做法是to actually focus on your identity(专注于你的身份)。你首先要决定what kind of person you want to become(你想成为一个什么样的人),然后choose the habits that align with this identity(选择与这个身份相符的习惯)。

    align with 与……达成一致

    比如说,对于你想要的一个结果“I want to lose 20 pounds”或者“I want to squat 300 pounds”,你应该告诉自己“I am a person who never misses a workout(我是一个从来不会错过锻炼的人)”,而且你要really believe it,把它内化成你的信念。

    比如说,你想要做到sleep and wake up early,你不要想“我要早睡早起”,这样只会加强你对自身不足的看法,反而,你就应该告诉自己:我就是一个早睡早起的人。我就是一个睡眠自由的人。


    王阳明先生提到过的“吾性自足”的信念,就是告诉我们要向自己的内心寻求力量。当然了,只靠信念是不够的,at the same time you need to also prove it to yourself(还需要做些事情来证明给自己看)。不要做很困难的事情。You need to prove it to yourself with very small wins in your life that align with your identity. (以微小的胜利来向自己证明这个新身份是合理的。)

    比方说你想早起,在早上的时候,you did get up early,那就对自己说:see I am a morning person. I knew it.(看吧,我是一个能早起的人,我就知道我可以。)这样的话,你的信念会越来越强大。千万不要这样对自己说:oh I finally get up early for once, I hope I do it next time.(我这次早起了,我希望下次我也能做到。)


    再简单一点,when your alarm rings(闹钟响的时候),simply open your eyes in the morning,然后你就可以自信地告诉自己:我是一个能早起的人!

    It’s not a lie,这并不是对自己撒谎,而是在利用这种信心和信念的力量给自己降低行动的阻力,增加动力。信念的力量真的太神奇了!


    #人们对于习惯的误解三

    You should focus on setting goals. 你应该专注于设定目标。

    大家应该都有同感,想一想自己每年的new year resolutions(新年决心)就知道了,有多少是真的实现了呢?


    If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead. 忘掉你设定的目标,转而是要专注于你的“习惯养成系统”。缺乏系统化思维(systematic thinking)也是很多人在养成习惯时屡战屡败的原因。你的目标没有实现,是你设计的“习惯养成系统”有漏洞!

    下一期节目,我们会重点聊聊how to design a system to build habits that is indestructible(如何设计一个坚不可摧的“习惯养成系统”)来帮助你养成好习惯。干货满满,记得关注哦。



    11 min
  • 你实现睡眠自由了吗?这些助眠Tips,助你一夜好梦

    主播:Anne(中国)+ 梅莉(法国)

    歌曲 :Turn the Page


    现代社会,睡眠已经成了一大难题。A lot of people have sleeping issues. 很多人会stay up late(熬夜),也有一些人have trouble falling asleep(入睡困难),有的人甚至会stay up all night(睁眼到天明)。当然,也有很多年轻人会选择报复性熬夜(revenge bedtime procrastination)。

    procrastination /prəˌkræstɪˈneɪʃn/ n. 延迟,拖延

    所以,现在,有越来越多的人开始追求“睡眠自由”了。

    01 睡眠有多重要

    有一位很著名的neuroscientist神经科学家(斯坦福的副教授),发布过一篇关于睡眠的贴文,他在文中写道:

    Best nootropic: sleep(最能提高你大脑认知能力的药物就是睡眠)

    Best stress relief: sleep(最好的解压手段就是睡眠)

    Best immune booster: sleep(最能提升免疫力的方式还是睡眠)

    Best emotional stabilizer: sleep(最佳情绪稳定器依然是睡眠)


    This post really sums up the importance of sleep. 这篇文章确实总结了睡眠的重要性。总之,就是一句话:睡饱睡足比啥都重要。

    聊到睡眠的重要性,不得不提的就是sleep debt(睡眠债)。

    你睡不够的那些时间,并不会凭空消失,just like debt,they add up over time(它们会累积起来),最后it can really have a negative impact on your health(它真的会对你的健康产生负面影响)。

    If you miss one hour of sleep every night, you have seven hours of sleep debt in just one week. 那周末补觉不就都补回来了?大错特错!According to research, it takes four days to fully recover from one hour of lost sleep. 缺一个小时的觉,需要四天来完全恢复。

    02 到底怎样才能实现“睡眠自由”?

    # Tip 01

    You should check for any sleep disorders. 检查一下你是否有睡眠障碍。

    常见的睡眠障碍或者说睡眠方面的疾病有:

    insomnia 失眠症

    sleep apnea 睡眠呼吸暂停症(症状是you stop breathing during sleep)


    如果说你正在经历着snoring(打鼾),feeling sleepy during the day(白天嗜睡)or having very poor sleep(睡眠非常差),可以考虑去医院检查一下是不是有sleep apnea。

    # Tip 02

    You should go outside and view sunlight within 30-60 minutes of waking up in the morning, and before sunset in the late afternoon. 你要在醒来以后的半小时到一小时以内,以及在临近日落的时候,出门去看看阳光。

    It doesn’t mean that you should look at the sun directly(并不是直视太阳),just looking at things in the sunlight is fine.

    在晴天的时候,try to view sunlight for at least 10 minutes,如果是阴天的话,double the time,看20分钟。Glasses,contact lenses(隐形)都是可以的,but do not wear sunglasses(墨镜),并且尽量不要stay in the shade(待在阴凉地里)。而且还要注意,you can’t look at sunlight through the windows(不要透过窗户看阳光),因为窗户会过滤掉很大一部分的蓝光的波段。

    一天两次看阳光的时间timing很关键。When you view sunlight, the closer it is to sunrise and sunset, the better. 跟日出和日落的时间越接近越好。其实也就是印证了那句古训,“日出而作,日入而息”。

    # Tip 03

    It is best to have a schedule. 最好有一个睡眠时间表。

    给自己设定好,7-8 hours of sleep every night, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day(每天尽量在同一时间睡觉和起床)。When you first start to feel sleepy, don’t fight it, just go to bed and sleep. 当你一有困意的时候,不要挣扎,赶紧去睡。

    Try to maintain this so your body can get used to it. 尽量保持这个习惯,你的身体会慢慢适应它。

    # Tip 04

    Do not go to bed hungry or stuffed. 饥饿或者太饱的时候不要入睡。

    Try to stop eating three hours before your bedtime!


    # Tip 05

    Avoid caffeine within 8-10 hours of bedtime. 在你睡前的8-10个小时内避免咖啡因。

    含咖啡因的食物有milk tea(奶茶)、tea、sodas like cola(可乐)、energy drinks(功能性饮料)、chocolate 以及some medications(药物)。如果你想睡个好觉的话,avoid all of these after 12pm(中午12点后这些都不要碰)。

    有一个误区,很多人都认为睡前喝两杯可以助眠,但是alcohol will actually mess up your sleep(酒精真的会扰乱你的睡眠)。


    # Tip 06

    Create a restful environment. 创造一个适合休息的环境。

    Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. 你的房间应该是凉爽、黑暗又安静的。

    你可以考虑装一个blackout curtains(遮光帘),这样的话可以很好地block out(阻挡)外面所有的光。

    遮光窗帘能遮挡外面的光,却挡不住the light from your phone screen(你手机屏幕的光)。所以,you should avoid using any electronics (电子产品) at least an hour before you sleep!

    根据研究,在晚上10点到凌晨4点之间you should actually avoid all bright lights, 尤其是overhead lights(顶灯)。因为我们的眼睛really sensitive to light(对光非常敏感),including the angle of the light(对光的角度也非常敏感)。

    当你看到不同的灯光时,your eyes are sending different signals to your brain:比如说it’s time to wake up,或者说it’s time for bed。但是现代人的大脑接受到的信号全乱套了。

    我们的古人非常讲究入睡和起床的时间。亥时,也就是21时-23时是古人们推崇的最佳入睡时间。亥时从汉代起也被称为“人定”,意思就是人静(you should be resting quietly)。但入睡最晚最晚尽量不要超过晚上11点,因为那个时候胆经正旺。在中医理论里,胆又叫少阳,“少阳不升,天下不明”。晚上11点不睡觉,胆经没法照常运行,人就容易昏昏沉沉的。古代人喜欢五更起,很多人一般早上4点左右就起来了。

    除了注意睡眠的时间和睡眠时的光线,你在睡前可以diffuse some essential oils(用一些精油)。


    # Tip 07

    Limit daytime naps to less than 90 mins, or don’t nap at all. 将白天的小睡控制在90 分钟以下,或者根本不要小睡。

    这个对于上班族来说还是比较容易做到的。


    # Tip 08

    You should also try to stay active. 要经常运动。

    适当的锻炼will make you tired,更容易帮助你入睡。但是要避免too active before going to bed。You could do some stretching(拉伸) before bed.

    # Tip 09

    Manage your stress. 管理好你的压力。

    Find a way to put all the stressful things aside before you go to bed(找到睡前把所有有压力的事情放在一边的方法),比如说meditate(冥想),推荐大家可以去找一些NSDR(non-sleep deep rest)这样的视频,或者是write them down somewhere(把这些事从脑子里腾到纸上),and then put them aside(然后把它们扔到一边去),就算天塌下来,睡醒了再说!

    03 拿到“睡眠自由”,我说了算!

    改善睡眠质量其实也没那么复杂,但是很多时候就是,“I know what to do, I just don’t want to do it”。很多人晚睡的一个深层的心理原因是因为太想要有一部分可以完全由自己掌控的时间。


    当你stay up late at night and scroll on your phone(熬夜刷手机)的时候,你会认为“I have this time all to myself”(这段时间全部都属于我),还会觉得“it’s completely under my control”(完全受我控制). 在某种程度上说,it’s kind of like mental self-care(这有点像心理上的自我照顾)。

    但是,越是这样,越会在不知不觉中又失去了对人生的掌控。因为staying up late真的会让你lose more control of your life。通过掌控好自己睡眠,才有可能去真正掌握人生的主动权。其实大家可以这么想,每一天的醒来都是一次重生(Tomorrow is not only a new day, but a new life)。

    希望我们大家都可以有早睡早起的勇气,实现睡眠自由,成为睡眠的百万富翁,甚至亿万富翁!

    26 min
  • 巴菲特修改遗嘱 | 聊聊基金会的那些事儿…历史上最早的基金会在北宋!

    主播:Wendi(中国)+ Selah(美国)

    歌曲 :Money, Money, Money


    今天,我们聊聊“股神”巴菲特(Warren Buffett)修改遗嘱这件事。

    Warren Buffett is a legendary value investor(是一个充满传奇色彩的价值投资者).

    He is best known for(因……被熟知) being a very successful investor(成功的投资者) and the head of Berkshire Hathaway(伯克希尔哈撒韦公司的负责人), a big company with many businesses.

    *legendary /ˈledʒənderi/ adj. 传奇的

    他通过buying and holding undervalued companies(收购和持有价值被低估的公司)赚了很多钱。为人们所熟知的是,he gives away a large part of his fortune to charity(他把他的大部分财产捐给了慈善机构),而且he lives a simple, modest life despite his wealth(尽管他很富有,但他却过着简单、低调的生活)。

    *undervalued /ˌʌndərˈvæljʊ/ adj. 售价过低的

    01 Buffett’s latest will 巴菲特最新遗嘱

    巴菲特之前说要把遗产捐赠给the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation(比尔盖茨和他妻子Melinda的基金会),但是前不久,Buffett just changed how his considerable fortune will be spent following his death(他改变了死后巨额财富的使用方式)。

    *considerable /kənˈsɪdərəb(ə)l/ adj. 相当大

    93岁的巴菲特说,he has again re-worked his will(他又一次重新调整了他的遗嘱) — and that he does not plan to continue donations to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after he dies. He will put his wealth in a new charitable trust overseen by his three children(他将把自己的财富存入一个由他的三个孩子监管的新的慈善信托基金中).

    *trust n. 信托基金机构

    *oversee v. 监管

    He has changed his will several times(他已经改变了好几次遗嘱了),and he put together the newest plan(他制定了最新的计划)due to the trust he has in his children’s values(因为他信任孩子们的价值观)and how they will distribute his wealth(也信任孩子会如何分配他的财富).

    *distribute /dɪˈstrɪbju:t/ v. 分发


    在巴菲特的遗嘱修改之前,the largest portion of his fortune was designated for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation(他最大一笔遗产是要给比尔·盖茨和他的妻子的这个基金会的)。

    02 巴菲特和盖茨基金会之间啥联系?

    The Buffett and Gates families have been friends for over 3 decades(30多年). As some of the wealthiest people in the world (同为世界富豪), they have pooled their resources together to make much change and good happen in the world(他们一起用自己的资源改变世界,让世界变得更好).

    *pool v. 集中资源

    虽然都是世界富豪,比尔盖茨稍微更有钱一点,位居世界第四(Bill Gates is the 4th richest person in the world),巴菲特是第六(Buffett is the 6th)。

    Buffett was on the board of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for many years(巴菲特曾在比尔和梅林达·盖茨基金会的董事会任职多年), and is said to have contributed $43 billion dollars to them over the last 20 years(在20年里向Bill and Melinda Gates基金会捐赠了430亿美元).

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation在很多领域都做出了卓越的贡献,比如说eradicating polio(帮助消除小儿麻痹症) 、reducing malaria(消除疟疾)以及帮助发展中国家发展,比如improving education through investments in K-12(通过投资改善从幼儿园到12年级的孩子教育),alleviating poverty by supporting agricultural development(通过支持农业发展来减轻贫困),improving sanitation (改善卫生设施)。

    *eradicate /ɪˈrædɪkeɪt/ v. 消灭

    *alleviate /əˈli:vieɪt/ v. 减轻

    *sanitation /ˌsænɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 卫生系统或设备

    03 基金会都有哪些种类?

    There are many different types, for example, Private Foundations(私人基金会), like the Gates Foundation, Corporate Foundations (Established by a corporation)(由公司创立的企业基金会).

    大多数的私人基金会都是由wealthy people来创立,这样的话,他们可以reduce the inheritance taxes(少交一些遗产税)。而且,it allows the donors to decide how their money is used for charitable purposes(它允许捐赠者决定他们的钱如何用于慈善目的)。

    *inheritance /ɪnˈherɪtəns/ n. 遗产

    还有一种基金会是Family Foundations(家族基金会),这种基金会通常目标是passing down philanthropic values across generations(将慈善价值观代代相传)。

    *philanthropic /ˌfɪlənˈθrɑ:pɪk/ adj. 博爱的

    04 历史上最早的家族基金会在北宋

    据说历史上最早的家族基金会是在北宋由范仲淹创立的,叫“范氏义庄”。In 1050, Fan Zhongyan, who was then 60 years old and was serving as the governor of Hangzhou(在杭州做官), donated his life savings(捐赠了他的终身储蓄), purchased more than 1,000 acres of fertile land in Suzhou(在苏州买了1000多亩田), and founded the charity organization "Fan's Charity House"(“范氏义庄”), which supported three parts: land, housing, and education(“义田”“义宅”“义学”).

    *purchase /ˈpɜ:rtʃəs/ v. 购买

    1000年后,a similar design appeared in the United States, like these family foundations(家族基金会),大家比较熟悉的可能有Carnegie Foundation(卡耐基基金会),Rockefeller Foundation(洛克菲勒基金会),这些基金会目的都是to pass on their wealth(传承财富), with the aim of allowing their families to have a secure and comfortable life(保障家族后代的生活)。比较典型的洛克菲勒家族基金会has been passed down for 7 generation(已经传承了7代了)。

    范氏宗族规定任何族人都不能卖族田。Similar to the Fan’s House, it is stipulated that the descendants of these wealthy people cannot sell the property of the family foundation. 欧美富豪的后代不能卖掉家族基金会的财产。

    *stipulate /ˈstɪpjuleɪt/ v. (尤指在协议或建议中)规定

    *descendant /dɪˈsendənt/ n. 后代

    But a slight difference of the Fan’s House is that it not only took care of its own descendants(自己的后人) but also the whole clan(全族之人), including the distant relatives(远亲). 范仲淹的宗族制度不仅照顾自己的后人,还有全族之人,这一差异可能是由于中西方不同的家庭观和宗族观造成的。

    *clan n. 家族

    05 国外网友怎么评价巴菲特更改遗嘱?

    Truthfully, most normal people do not have much to say. 网友并没有什么反应。

    由于the Gates divorce(盖茨的离婚),there has been family drama in the Gates family the past few years(盖茨家庭发生了家庭闹剧)。导致巴菲特改编遗嘱的原因之一可能是Melinda Gates recently announced that she is leaving the foundation herself(梅林达·盖茨最近宣布她将自己离开该基金会)。巴菲特可能does not trust the future of the company as much(不那么相信公司的未来)。

    13 min
  • 我们喜欢用携程、智行…,受外国年轻人喜欢的出行软件是…

     主播:Wendi(中国)+ Selah(美国)

     歌曲 :I Will Survive

    暑假期间又到了旅游旺季。People all around the world (世界各地的人) are traveling (都在旅行).


    Young people, both in school and those that are out of school, do a lot of traveling too (上学的和不上学的年轻人也会旅行). It is easier for them because they have more time and fewer responsibilities (因为他们的时间更多、责任更少).


    Especially young kids. Summer and winter breaks (寒暑假) are probably the best time to go travelling (旅游的最好时间).

    Selah刚刚结束了她三周的假期。She went to France, Egypt and Kenya (法国、埃及和肯尼亚). It was so much fun! 她看到了很多的风景(sights),体验了许多different cultures(不同的文化)。

    Wendi plans to visit some cities in southern China (计划去中国南方的一些城市旅游) with her family. 因为他们住在北方,所以views and cultures in the south (南方的观点和文化) 对他们来说非常different and interesting(不同且有趣)。

    01 The Difference between Chinese and Western Young People Making Travel Plans

    中西方年轻人制定旅游计划的区别

    In China, there are many apps for booking tickets and hotels (有很多关于预订门票和酒店的应用程序), like去哪网,携程,and 智行。Wendi will always compare the prices on these apps (比较一下这些应用程序里的价格) and try to look for the cheapest offer (试着找最便宜的报价).

    For flights, Selah uses websites like Kayak (客涯) or Hopper to compare flight prices (比较航班价格) across a lot of platforms (在很多平台). Because prices on different platforms can be really different (因为在不同的平台上的价格可能会差别很大).

    For accommodations (住宿), it depends on (取决于) what type of place we want to stay (我们想住什么类型的地方) and how long we are staying for (以及我们要待多久).


    Selah’s first choice is usually Airbnb (爱彼迎), because it is cheaper, convenient, and has more space. 他们也带有厨房。So we can cook our own meals (自己做饭) and save money by buying groceries (买食品杂货可以省钱).

    Airbnb is actually someone has their own house or apartment, they turn it kind of into a hotel (他们把它变成了一家旅馆) so someone can pay and stay in that apartment or house for however long your vacation is (有人可以度假时付钱住在你的公寓或房子里). And they give you a password (给你一个密码) and you are able to stay. 非常方便。

    If Selah is booking a hotel, she will typically start with the area she wants to stay in (从她想住的地方开始), and then go onto Booking.com (缤客) or just do a general google search (谷歌搜索) to find a hotel with good reviews (找到一个有好评的酒店).

    选择你想待的地方很重要。You need to consider the distance it has to all the tourist spots you want to visit (考虑和你想去的所有旅游景点的距离), and make sure it has good transport links (确保它有良好的交通连接).

    Selah选择旅馆的时候, 她想选择一个包括免费早餐的(she wants one that has a free breakfast included).

    Sometimes Wendi would like to go to a nearby market (去附近的市场) and enjoy some local breakfast (享受当地的早餐)。这是一种体验那里的文化的好方法。

    02 Who Would You Like to Travel with?

    你想和谁一起旅行?

    Selah’s advice for young people traveling (给年轻人的旅行建议) is, firstly, to do it with a friend (和你的朋友去旅行) or someone you want to share that memory with (或者和你想与之分享这段回忆的人).

    It’s nice to have friends around, but it’s not always easy. There’s a saying that (有句话说) travelling is the best way to test your relationship (旅行是测试关系的最好方式) with your friends or your loved ones (与你的朋友或者你爱的人).


    There are many people that enjoy solo-traveling (享受独自旅行), which has its own perks (有自己的好处). Because they can go anywhere and do anything completely based on their own will (完全根据他们自己的意愿).

    Some more advice she would have is to plan ahead (提前计划). 如果你在最后一刻做出选择(make choices at last minute), prices are often very high and it gets expensive.

    In addition, if you can, avoid eating out (避免外出就餐), or eat out only once (只出去吃一次) during your trip. Buying cheap meals, cooking yourself and buying groceries (买便宜的饭菜,自己做饭和买食品杂货) mean you can experience other things more (体验到更多的其他东西). 

    Another advice is to prioritize what you want ahead of time (提前优先考虑你想要的东西), make a budget(做预算).给自己一个机会来体验当地的美食(local cuisines)、风景(sights)和文化(culture)。Let yourself explore!

    *prioritize /praɪˈɔ:rətaɪz/ v. 优先考虑(处理)


    03 "Military-style"  travelling

    “特种兵式旅游”


    A term called "Military-style" travelling (特种兵式旅游) went viral online last year. It is a traveling style (旅行风格) of some Chinese college students, or young people (大学生或者年轻人), who spend as little money as possible to travel to as many places as they can (花尽可能少的钱去尽可能多的地方旅行) during the weekend, or a short holiday.

    They rarely take any break (很少休息), as if they were on a military training (好像他们在接受军事训练).


    To do this, they usually take a late-night train (通常乘坐深夜的火车), because it’s cheaper, sleep on the train (睡在火车上), and arrive at their destination the next morning (第二天早上到达目的地).

    Then they will explore that city real quick (快速探索这座城市), and probably go to another nearby city if they have time (可能去附近的另一个城市).

    If they want to spend another day in that city, to save money, some people choose to stay in a 24-hour restaurant (选择住在一家24小时营业的餐厅里), like the McDonald’s (比如麦当劳).

    So, the schedule is really tight (时间表真的很紧), but they can really explore many places with minimum cost (以最低的成本探索许多地方).

    *minimum adj. 最小的,最低限度的

    Some people think this way of traveling is just wandering around (这种旅行方式就是四处闲逛), like they can’t really learn something deep about that city (不能真正了解那个城市的东西). 但旅行只是为了好玩。人们可以有不同的目的(People can have different purposes)。

    *purpose n. 目的,意图

    12 min
  • 快乐还分层次?最高层次的快乐你可能至今从未体验过…

    主播:Flora(中国)+ Erin(美国)

    歌曲 :Miles on it


    今天我们来聊一个比较实在的话题——怎么获得快乐呢?因为在当下时代,获得快乐的能力真的很重要。Especially in this fast-paced era (快节奏时代), happiness seems to have become something unattainable (快乐似乎遥不可及). 对一些人来说,快乐已经成为一种luxury(奢侈品)了。

    01 The Different Levels of Happiness

    不同层次的快乐

    有人把幸福分为三个层次:感官快乐(sensory happiness)、情绪快乐(emotional happiness)和精神快乐(spiritual happiness)。

    (1)感官快乐(sensory happiness)

    Sensory happiness, comes from physical pleasures (身体上的快乐) and material gains (和物质上的获得). It's the joy you feel when you eat your favorite food (吃你最喜欢的食物), buy a new gadget (买一个小物件), or enjoy a beautiful sunset (看一场漂亮的日落).

    这些经历是直接的(immediate),并且是有形的(tangible),但往往也是易逝的(fleeting)。

    (2)情绪快乐(emotional happiness)

    相比之下,情绪上的快乐(emotional happiness)要更加地深刻和持久(deeper and longer-lasting)。它来自关系以及个人的成就(relationships and personal achievements)。

    比如,和你所爱的人共度美好时光(spending quality time),在工作中庆祝晋升(promotion),或者享受一个令人满意的爱好(a fulfilling hobby)。这种程度的幸福通常涉及到一种连接感和归属感(a sense of connection and belonging)。

    *quality time 美好时光:花费时间全神贯注地陪伴亲近的人,例如自己的孩子。

    All of these are more difficult to access than sensual happiness (比感官上的快乐更难获取一些). So it is progressively harder to acquire from sensual pleasure to spiritual pleasure (从感官快乐到精神快乐是越来越难获取的).

    *progressively /prəˈɡresɪvli/ adv. 渐进地

    *pleasure /ˈpleʒər/ n. 快乐;满足

    (3)精神快乐(spiritual happiness)

    精神上的快乐是来自inner peace(内心的平和)还有 self-fulfillment(自我满足)。通常是通过mindfulness(正念),a sense of purpose(一种使命感),还有a connection to something greater than oneself(与比自己更伟大的事情产生连接),比如说大自然。

    02 Why We Are Prone to Unhappiness?

    为什么我们容易不开心?

    Few people can access spiritual happiness these days (很少有人能获得精神上的快乐), and some never even experience it (有些人甚至都没体验过).

    *access /ˈækses/ v. 接近;进入


    In today’s digital age (数字时代), finding true happiness can be challenging (找到真正的快乐是有挑战的). Modern life, influenced by social media and consumerism (被社交媒体和消费主义所影响), often emphasizes material wealth and status (通常强调物质财富和地位).

    *material /məˈtɪriəl/ adj. 物质的;非精神上的

    现在的短视频平台无疑会amplify(放大)这种comparison(对比)还有 envy(羡慕嫉妒)的心态。

    心理学上有个词叫“相对剥夺感”(Relative Deprivation),这感觉就像是我们觉得我们有权享有,但并不拥有。

    *deprivation /ˌdeprəˈveɪʃən/ n. 匮乏;剥夺

    比如一个人 swipes on a video (刷短视频) 然后看到a rich man who sits in a mansion and a luxury car (一个坐拥豪宅和豪车的富豪),会觉得he should have all of that too, but he actually doesn't (自己也该拥有,实际上并没有)。

    *swipe /swaɪp/ v. 滑动

    *mansion /ˈmænʃ(ə)n/ n. 宅邸


    这种落差可能让他产生嫉妒(envy)甚至是愤恨。它有些侵蚀了一个人的理性(reason)以及对自我的认知(self-cognition)了。

    That's why we've been emphasizing the need to control the amount of time spent watching short videos (这就是为何我们一直强调控制看短视频的时间).The more we watch them, the less attention we may pay to our own lives (看别人的视频越多,对自己生活的关注就越少).

    这也许就是我们说的“乱花渐欲迷人眼”,沉醉于这种几乎零成本的感官快乐(sensory happiness)当中自然会上瘾。但关键是,人总会对“这种快感”脱敏,一旦脱敏之后就只能通过更大的刺激让大脑保持愉悦。

    这就是为什么人们把短视频叫做the "spiritual opium" of the times (时代的“精神鸦片”)。The algorithms of short video plat forms (短视频平台的算法) can calculate what you want to watch very precisely (能精准地算出你想看什么).

    人很容易get addicted to this bad loop (沉迷于这个不好的循环),所以这种情况下我们一定要保持警惕,不要让自己陷入“信息茧房”中。

    loop n.(程序中)一套重复的指令

    *get addicted to 对……上瘾

    不仅是视频的受众,创作者也要警惕优越感(superiority)带给你的“快乐陷阱”。由优越感带来的“快乐”一定是短暂的(fleeting)、不可持续(unsustainable)、并且是不健康的(unhealthy)。

    True happiness is simple (真正的快乐是简单的). 它可以来自self-satisfaction (自我满足)、家庭、人际关系和自然。我们需要意识到,the joy from materialism is temporary (来自物质主义的快乐是短暂的)。

    There's always someone better, richer, or more accomplished (总有人更优秀、更富有或者更有才华), which makes this pursuit endless and exhausting (这种追赶是无穷无尽的). 最终只会让自己落入绝望的深渊。

    所以真正的问题是,我们如何break free from these desires (摆脱这种欲望的控制) 并且找到lasting happiness (持久的快乐)?

    03 How to Achieve True Happiness?

    怎样获得真正的快乐?

    Harvard University suggested some habits that can help us achieve true joy.

    哈佛大学给出了一些可以帮助我们获得真正快乐的习惯。

    (1)Be grateful (心存感激)

    Practicing gratitude(练习感恩)shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have (把我们的注意力从我们缺乏的东西转移到我们拥有的东西上), fostering contentment (培养满足感).

    *contentment n. 满足;满意

    The truth is that what you take for granted may be something that others will never reach in their lifetime (你认为理所当然的,可能是别人在有生之年永远不会触及的东西). 比如世上还有些地方战火纷飞,人们的性命都岌岌可危……

    *take…for granted 把……视为理所当然

    Some people keep a gratitude journal (有些人写感恩日记), and it is amazing how much it helps them appreciate the little things in life (帮助他们感激生活中的小事).

    (2) Choose friends wisely (谨慎择友)

    Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who uplift you (与积极向上的、支持你、让你振作起来的人为伍).

    *uplift v. 鼓舞


    Always distance yourself from (一定要远离) people who bring you down (让你沮丧的人), or negatively impact your habits and goals (对你的习惯或目标产生负面影响的人).

    *distance v. 远离

    (3)Live in the present (活在当下)

    Focusing on the here and now (关注当下和现在) helps reduce anxiety about the past and future (会减少对过去和未来的焦虑).、

    (4)Don’t forget the importance of forgiveness (谨记宽恕)

    Letting go of grudges (放下怨恨) frees us from negative emotions that hinder our happiness (让我们从阻碍我们快乐的负面情绪中解放出来).

    *hinder v. 阻碍,妨碍

    In fact, sometimes it's really hard to forgive someone (有时很难原谅一个人), especially when they've done something that's unacceptable to you (尤其是当他们做了一些你无法接受的事情) and there's no way you can ignore the pain it causes (无法忽视它所带来的痛苦).

    So forgive, but don’t forget (宽恕,但不要遗忘). Let go of being angry at them (不对他们愤怒), but don’t forget what they have done (但也不要忘记他们的所作所为). 其实,这个时候选择宽恕并不是赦免对方的罪恶,实际上是放自己一条生路——一条免于被仇恨侵蚀的生路。

    这绝对不是historical nihilism (历史虚无主义),我们不能忘记过去。That's true of individuals (个人如此), and of nations (国家亦是如此).

    04 中国传统文化中获取快乐的方式

    In Chinese culture, wisdom is offered on finding joy (中华文化蕴含着寻找快乐的智慧).

    孔子的弟子颜回“一箪食,一瓢饮,居陋巷,人不堪其忧,回也不改其乐。”

    这就是一种简单的快乐,与物质无关。

    Confucius’ disciple Yan Hui found happiness in simplicity and contentment (颜回在简单和满足中找到快乐), despite his modest living conditions (尽管他的生活条件简朴).

    *modest adj. 朴素的

    老子在《道德经》中强调了与自然和谐相处的简单快乐。These teachings (教诲) show that true happiness doesn't rely on external conditions (真正的幸福并不依赖于外部条件) but comes from inner development (而是来自于内在的发展), wisdom, and spiritual growth (智慧和精神的成长).


    05 西方文化中的快乐是什么样的呢?

    西方文化中的快乐,与爱(love)、助人(helping others)以及分享(sharing)有关。

    These values can also be instilled through family and societal norms (这些价值观可以通过家庭和社会规范来灌输). For example, in a family where acts of kindness are a daily practice (日常实践中有善举的家庭), it can deeply influence a sense of happiness (会深刻地影响幸福感).

    *instill v. 逐渐灌输

    In both Eastern and Western traditions (在东、西方传统里), the essence of happiness (幸福的本质) lies in connecting with others (与他人产生联系), being grateful (心存感激), and finding peace within ourselves (在自己内心找到和平).

    *lie in 在于

    请留言告诉我们:

    你是怎么获得快乐的呢?

    14 min

About 一席英语·脱口秀:老外来了

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