Xifan Yang is an award-winning German-Chinese journalist and foreign affairs correspondent for Die Zeit, one of Germany’s leading news outlets. Born in China and raised in Germany, Xifan has built a career reporting across borders. She is also the author of Als die Karpfen fliegen lernten (when the carps learnt to fly), where she tells the story of China’s recent history through the lens of her family.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Navigating cultural identity between China and Germany

• Writing about her family and unpacking hidden generational trauma

• Reporting under authoritarian constraints and the challenges of press freedom in China

• How the German media portrays China, and why nuance matters
  

You can find out more about Xifan’s work on her website and follow her on Twitter.

Chunchun Qiu is a German-Chinese entrepreneur and the former co-founder and CEO of Cyclio, a startup dedicated to helping women manage menstrual pain. After nearly three years of building the company, she and her co-founder made the difficult decision to shut it down.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why she started and closed her venture

• How her parents’ sacrifices shaped her ambitions and struggles

• The emotional complexity of sharing career pivots with immigrant parents

• Intergenerational conflict, unspoken expectations, and learning to set boundaries

You can find Chunchun on LinkedIn.

Mai Anh Nguyen is a Director of Rooms at Mandarin Oriental and has built an inspiring global career within the luxury hotel group. Born in Germany to Vietnamese parents, Mai grew up in Prague and studied in Switzerland. Her career with Mandarin Oriental has taken her around the world—from Prague to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Munich, Kuala Lumpur, and now Dubai.

Tune in to hear:

• Her family’s story from Vietnam to Germany and the Czech Republic 

• What she has learnt from her career with one of the world’s finest hotel groups

• How gratitude and mindfulness have shaped her life and mindset

You can follow her journey on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Kachun To is a Hong Kong-born, German-raised entrepreneur who started his career at McKinsey before launching several ventures. His latest project, Bao Gao Club, is more than just a dumpling business—it’s about sharing real Chinese food and fostering cultural understanding in Germany.

In this episode, we explore:

• How a prestigious scholarship changed his perspective.

• The subtle racism he’s faced in business and everyday life.
• Why he transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
• How food can be a bridge between cultures and why he wants to redefine Chinese cuisine in Germany.

Tune in to hear his story, and follow him on LinkedIn or @baogao_club on Instagram for updates on his latest venture.

Kexin Ye is a technology consultant and entrepreneur currently building her startup. Her entrepreneurial journey began early, as she supported her father and younger brother through various jobs and ventures while growing up without a mother. Kex gained international recognition as a participant on The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition, which aired in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

In this episode, we talk about Kex’s experience growing up in Gransee and Berlin, reconnecting with her mother, the origins of her entrepreneurial spirit, and what she learnt participating in The Apprentice: One Championship Edition.

Follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates on her entrepreneurial journey.

Ronald Metschies is the Project Lead for Promoting Ukraine’s Sustainable Economic Recovery at the GIZ, a prominent German development organisation. After studying Politics and Public Policy in the UK, Germany and Japan, Ron went on to work for the GIZ in Manila, Beijing and now Berlin, advising different government ministries on strategic international projects. Ron grew up in Germany with a German father and a Filipina-Chinese mother. 

Tune in to learn more about Ron’s experiences living in Germany and China as a mixed kid, his thoughts on Western vs Asian parenting styles, and why and how he got into the policy space. We also talked about grief, as Ron’s brother and father passed away quite suddenly, just as he was about to start his studies in the UK. 

Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

Lucy Ha is an award-winning Czech-Vietnamese multimedia journalist at Reuters. She studied history at UCL in London and journalism at Columbia University in New York, and has worked for the BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and Reuters. Lucy stands out as the first Asian European journalist I have met who produces both visual and written work in English.

Tune in to learn more about Lucy’s life and perspectives as an Asian European international journalist. Get a glimpse into the history of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic, and hear her advice for aspiring journalists.

Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter for more updates.

Philipp Hu is my younger brother, and the sibling I probably spent the most time with growing up. He studied business in Mannheim and technology and innovation management in Bath. Phil worked in strategy and data consulting at different companies before becoming a data and analytics governance manager at Loreal in Shanghai. In this episode, we talk about our childhood memories and the way our upbringing has shaped us. You can find him on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Tune in to learn more about our German-Chinese cultural influences, how we dealt with the absence of our parents, and get a taste of how we talk to each other behind the scenes. 

Dr Sophie Chung is the Austrian born Cambodian Chinese founder and CEO of digital health company Qunomedical. As one of the most influential women in business in Germany, she has featured in all kinds of media in her role as an entrepreneur. In this episode, we talk about her cultural heritage, drive, systemic biases, and thoughts on success, happiness, and independence. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Tune in to learn more about Sophie's cultural background, where she gets her motivation from, and why her parents fought when they first met.

Linda Do is a Czech-Vietnamese business owner who is openly and proudly lesbian. In this episode, we talk about Linda’s upbringing, how she came out to her parents, and the way she thinks about her cultural and sexual identity. Tune in to learn more about Linda’s story, what encouraged her to open up to her parents, and how she came to embrace her identity over time. I hope that it will encourage others to accept themselves more fully, whether it be from a cultural, sexual, or any other perspective. You can find Linda on Instagram.