In this episode, Shasha shares how her multicultural background has shaped the way she sees the world and helped her appreciate our shared humanity. Having lived in many places and experienced different cultures, she has developed a deep sense of adaptability and a powerful capacity for self-healing. Healing is never easy, but she is walking that path with courage — she even created her own film along the way. Her love for books also shines through, especially towards the end of our conversation. I felt a sense of healing after talking with her, and I truly hope this conversation brings some warmth to you as well. 这一期，我和莎莎聊了她在多元文化环境中成长的经历，以及这些经历如何影响她看待世界、理解人性。 她去过很多地方，也经历了丰富的人生阶段，这些都让她慢慢发展出一种很珍贵的能力——适应力，以及自我疗愈的力量。 疗愈从来都不是一件轻松的事，但她一直在自己的节奏中前行，甚至还完成了属于自己的电影作品。 在对话的后半段，她对阅读的热爱也特别打动我。 这是一段轻松却很有温度的聊天，我在对话中感受到一种被疗愈的感觉，也希望它能带给你一点点温暖。

人，其实不应该把自己当作自然的主人， 而更像是自然中的一个谦卑的观察者。 我们不是来掌控这片土地的， 而是作为自然的一部分去生活、去感受， 去珍惜和守护我们所处的环境。 在这一期节目中， 我们将继续探讨中国传统哲学， 以及这些古老的思想，如何在今天影响着现代社会， 特别是年轻一代的思考方式和生活态度。 Human beings were never meant to be the owners of nature, but humble observers within it. We are not here to control the land, but to live as part of it— to respect it, to care for it, and to protect the environment that sustains us. In today’s episode, we continue our exploration of traditional Chinese philosophy, and reflect on how these ancient ideas still shape modern society— especially the way young people think, live, and relate to the world around them.

In this episode, 霞客 shares a dream she’s carried with her since childhood—to live close to the mountains and help people reconnect with nature. We talk about her journey as a cultural ambassador in Australia, where she not only brought Chinese wisdom abroad, but also discovered more about herself and what truly drives her. Eventually, she returned to China to build something of her own—a farm and a school dedicated to traditional Chinese learning. I feel so grateful to call her a friend, and to know that I now have a place to visit when I go back to China. 在这一期节目中，霞客分享了她从小就有的一个梦想——与山为伴，也帮助更多人重新回到自然之中。 我们聊到了她在澳大利亚担任文化使者的经历。在那里，她不仅把中国的智慧带向海外，也更深入地认识了自己，找到了真正热爱的方向。 后来，她回到中国，建立了属于自己的农场和一所致力于传统文化学习的学校。 我真的很开心她是我的朋友，也很期待下次回国时，有一个可以去拜访的地方。

A bit early morning ramblings with me and the birds

有时候，让人消耗的，不是别人说了什么， 而是你待在了一个不对的环境里。 这一期，我想分享一个很小的经历， 但它让我重新意识到一件事： 我们真正需要学会的，是选择自己所处的能量场。 Sometimes, it’s not about what people say— it’s about how they make you feel. In this episode, I share a small experience that reminded me how important it is to protect your energy and choose your environment wisely.

In the second half of our conversation, Helen reflects on what unconditional love looks like through the lens of a “Dongbei daughter.” She shares her journey of growing into her own person—with the support of her parents, but more importantly, through her own independence and diligence. She also encourages young people to keep an open mind when building a life abroad, and reminds us of the importance of seeking help and support when needed. Growth is never linear—it’s a curve. Be patient, and be kind to yourself. 在对话的后半段，Helen 从“东北女儿”的视角出发，分享了她所理解的无条件的爱。她讲述了自己如何一步步成为真正的自己——既有来自父母的支持，更离不开她自身的独立与努力。 她也鼓励正在海外打拼的年轻人保持开放的心态，在需要的时候勇于寻求帮助与支持。成长从来不是一条直线，而是一条曲线。对自己多一点耐心，也多一点温柔。

In this episode, Helen and I reflect on our journey as international students—at times joking about feeling almost “prehistoric” in unfamiliar environments. We talk about how working in a metropolitan setting has shaped her perspective, opening up new ways of understanding both the world and herself. Along the way, we explore the subtle yet fascinating subcultural differences across the U.S., and question the idea that life has to follow a predefined track set by the system. Ultimately, this conversation is about expanding one’s worldview, choosing your own path, and learning to appreciate what you already have. 在这一期中，我和Helen回顾了作为国际学生的经历，甚至开玩笑说有时会有种“史前人类”的错位感。我们聊到她在都市环境中的工作经历，如何一点点拓展她对世界以及对自我的理解。 我们也探讨了美国内部一些有趣而微妙的次文化差异，并反思：人生是否一定要沿着既定系统设定好的轨道前进。

In this episode, my friend Maomao and I explore our experiences with language learning and the journey of self-reflection. She shares how meditation has transformed the way she observes herself and connects with others. She also encourages English learners to let go of the feeling of shame when speaking, and simply practice as they go. Hope you enjoy today’s episode. 在这一期节目中，我和我的朋友猫猫一起聊了我们在语言学习中的经历，以及自我观察与反思的旅程。 她分享了冥想如何改变她看待自己、以及与他人沟通的方式。同时，她也鼓励所有英语学习者在表达时放下羞耻感，在实践中不断前进。 希望你喜欢今天的节目。

In this casual weekend conversation, Jenan and I caught up on what’s been happening in our lives over the past few weeks — both at work and beyond. We talked about how our comfort zones sometimes remind us to listen more closely to our gut feelings and instincts. We also shared stories from traveling to different cities and reflected on how empathy can actually be a way of understanding ourselves. Sometimes, through other people’s stories, we see our own journeys more clearly. It’s a simple and relaxed chat between friends — hope you enjoy it. 在这一期轻松的周末聊天里，我和 Jenan 聊了聊过去几周各自生活和工作的近况。 我们谈到了“舒适区”这个话题，有时候它其实在提醒我们去更认真地倾听自己的直觉和内心。我们也分享了一些在不同城市旅行的经历，还聊到一件很有意思的事情——有时候同理心其实也是一种理解自己的方式。通过听别人的故事，我们也更清楚地看见了自己的人生旅程。 这是一段很随意、很轻松的朋友聊天，希望你会喜欢。

In this wonderfully honest and open conversation, Tony shares how he gradually came to understand the dynamics behind the “silent treatment,” and how he learned that true maturity and inner stability come from not allowing others to hold power over our emotional state. We also explore the idea of building a fence rather than a wall in our personal relationships, and reflect on how emotional maturity is not a destination we arrive at, but a road we continue to walk. I’m deeply impressed by Tony’s thoughtful reflections, his wide-ranging knowledge, and his candid heart. I hope you enjoy this meaningful and in-depth conversation. 在这一期非常真诚、开放的对话中，Tony 和我们分享了他如何逐渐理解“冷暴力”（silent treatment）背后的心理动态，也谈到他如何意识到：真正的成熟与内在稳定，来自于不让他人的行为掌控我们的情绪。 我们还聊到了在人际关系中“建立篱笆而不是筑起高墙”的重要性，以及情绪成熟其实并不是一个终点，而是一条需要不断练习和行走的道路。 Tony 的见识、思考深度和坦诚的表达都让我非常欣赏。希望你也会喜欢这场真诚而有深度的对话。

Steve is proud to be a Floridian — or what many people jokingly call a “Florida Man.” But more than that, he’s even prouder to be Juju’s husband. In today’s relaxed and unstructured conversation, Steve shares the story of how his original plan to join the Peace Corps — the volunteer program run in collaboration with the U.S. State Department — didn’t quite work out, and how that unexpected turn eventually led him to teach in China instead. Along the way, he also gives us some entertaining insights about the state of Florida and the famous (or perhaps infamous) phrase “Florida Man.” Sit back, enjoy the conversation, and get to know Steve a little better. Steve 很骄傲自己是一个佛罗里达人，他来自于大家常常开玩笑说的 “不养闲人的佛罗里达”。不过比起这个身份，他更骄傲的其实是——他是 Juju 的丈夫。 在这一期轻松随意的聊天里，Steve 和我们分享了一个有点曲折但很有趣的人生选择：他原本报名参加美国国务院合作的志愿者项目 Peace Corps，但计划并没有按预想进行，反而阴差阳错地走上了去中国教书的道路。 聊天中他还带我们了解了一些关于佛罗里达州的小故事，以及那个著名（或者说有点“臭名昭著”）的词——“Florida Man”。 希望你会喜欢这一期轻松又有趣的对话。

In this laughter-filled conversation, my friend Jeremy, who now lives and works in Portugal, reflected on what it means to live between languages, cultures, and life choices. People are endlessly fascinating. We come from different places, speak different languages, and carry different perspectives. Yet beneath all that diversity, many of us are searching for the same thing — hope, meaning, and the goodness that still exists in humanity. This episode is a small reminder that when we slow down and truly listen to each other, the world becomes a little bigger, and a little kinder. 在这期充满笑声的对话里，我和生活在葡萄牙的Jeremy小哥哥 聊到了语言、文化，以及那些塑造我们人生选择的时刻。 人与人之间的差异其实非常迷人——我们来自不同地方，说着不同语言，也带着各自不同的视角。但在这些差异之下，很多人其实在寻找同样的东西：希望、意义，以及对人性的信心。 也许当我们愿意慢下来、认真倾听彼此的时候，这个世界就会变得更广阔一点，也更温柔一点。

Chris来自加利福尼亚，他说英语和西班牙语，也在努力学习中文。他的足迹遍布欧洲、亚洲与中东，有趣的是旅行中给他最大的“家”的感受的地方是机场：熟悉的场景与流程让他在于世界链接的过程里感受到安全与稳定。我们聊了平时的爱好和语言习惯，还聊了每一天都要做的三件事情：大笑，大哭，以及一些思考。希望你也可以和我们一起笑一笑，也想一想。 Chris is from California. He speaks both English and Spanish and is currently learning Chinese. His journey has taken him across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Interestingly, the place that gives him the strongest sense of “home” is the airport — the familiar routines and predictable rhythms make him feel safe and grounded while staying connected to the world. In this episode, we talk about our everyday hobbies, our relationship with language, and the three things we believe we should do every single day: laugh deeply, cry honestly, and take time to reflect. We hope this conversation invites you to laugh with us — and perhaps pause to think a little, too.

When Jenan and I talk, it's easily hours. We are able to go straight to the deepest spot of our souls and resonate with each other's recent discoveries and growth. I'm so proud to witness your journey, and I'm so glad to be your friend too, girl! 当我和 Jenan 聊天的时候，常常一聊就是好几个小时。 我们总是能很自然地走到彼此内心最深的地方， 分享最近的发现、成长与思考，并且真正产生共鸣。 能够见证你的成长与变化，我真的感到骄傲。 也很开心，在这段人生旅程里，我可以是你的朋友。

在不同语言、文化与社会的背景下，人们都渴望被看见被尊重。灵魂是平等的，又是五颜六色的。这一期和Banana的聊天里，我们讨论了共情、身份和自我成长，还给了英语学习者一些我们自身经验过的建议。希望大家喜欢。 In this episode, Banana and I talk about empathy, identity, and personal growth. We also share some practical insights from our own experiences for English learners navigating different cultural spaces. We hope this conversation resonates with you and offers something meaningful for your journey.