"The Complete Podcasting Course" is now LIVE !
I am very happy to announce that my long-in-the-works, how-to program to help YOU (or someone you know) make a podcast or improve one you are already publishing, "THE COMPLETE PODCASTING COURSE with Brendan Davis", is now available on the learning platform Udemy!
For a limited time only, I am offering friends of the podcast a discount coupon for a FREE copy of the course! All I ask is that IF you like it, you rate and review it well. If you DON'T care for it, that's unfortunate but fine - just don't rate or review it. I spent about 200 hours making this and don't want to pay for negative feedback. :D
For YOUR free coupon, message me HERE or contact me via any of my socials that you have. Please allow about 24 hours for a reply, as I am on China time and between work and time zone differences I am likely not seeing your messages in real time.
Thanks!!
- BD
Bonus: "REPATRIATED" Teaser Episode!
If you love podcasts, you might've heard of a contest recently being run by Squarespace and Gimlet Creative called CASTING CALL. It's essentially a podcaster talent search, with the winner getting a mini-series and maybe a full series on the Gimlet Media platform, home of many great shows (including one of my favorites, Mogul).
The new show I pitched is called "Repatriated". This is what it's about:
"This is a show about real people from around the world who are on the journey of their lives: returning to their country of origin. My plan with 'Repatriated' is to identify and follow a handful of people who are preparing to make a global move of their own, and to follow them and the people in their lives throughout a season - before, during, and after the move."
The rules don't prohibit contestants from sharing their entry, so here is mine for you to check out if you're curious. Chelsey Mark was nice enough to come back in and role-play a version of himself who is poised to return home to Canada soon, and he reflects on this from the perspective of having lived 18 years in China and considers what waits for him and what he'll leave behind.
The demo is only 3 minutes and I'd seriously love to hear your thoughts, so please have a listen and let me know - here, via the Contact form, or on any of the socials. Thanks!!
- BD
More info on the contest, if you're curious:
BD's "Complete Podcasting Course" Coming Soon!
Hi everyone! Today I'm excited to announce that I am hard at work on a complete course on podcasting, which will be available on Udemy.com in just a few weeks.
Udemy is a leading resource for life-long education, and since I've had so many requests to help people with making their own shows, I thought I'd combine two things I love - podcasting and teaching - to create a course of my own that I can point people to.
If you've thought about starting your own podcast, I hope this course can answer all your questions and more. In the meantime, as I work on it, please let me know any questions you have so that I can make sure I cover as much as possible. Thanks! - Brendan
BD on "AMERICANS IN CHINA"
To mark the one-year anniversary of my podcast, I'm working on a special live event - details coming soon - as well as preparing to spill a few other pieces of news. So it was nice to see this episode of "Americans in China" that Ioana Gomoi directed that talks a bit about that:
http://chinaplus.cri.cn/…/america…/1659/20180521/133987.html
Thanks to Ioana and her team for the fun piece. More soon!
BRENDAN DAVIS ON "FEI'S WORLD" PODCAST
Today the new episode of Fei Wu's podcast "Fei's World" was released, and it features me - "Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom" host Brendan Davis.
You can read Fei's excellent Show Notes and find the episode here: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/brendan-davis
In it, we discuss my unsettled childhood, spending my 20s as an aspiring pro rock guitarist, my years as a film and TV technician based out of Atlanta, Georgia, how 9-11 spurred my move to Los Angeles to commit to my creative filmmaking career, and ultimately, my interest in and eventual move to China.
Basically: If you REALLY want to know what makes me tick, this is a great starting point.
The episode also contains practical tips for happy expat living and lots of laughs, so it's not all "heavy", but it is by far the most personal, in-depth interview anyone has ever done with me, and I think Fei and her team did a great job putting it together with skill and sensitivity. It inspires me to up my game, and if you listen to it, I hope you enjoy.
Chinese New Year 2018's Record-Breaking MOVIE BOX OFFICE (CGTN)
Thanks to my friends at CGTN for another opportunity to appear on their international arts & entertainment show "Culture Express"! I added my two cents to the lead story about the record-smashing Chinese New Year box office, right at the top of the episode. Fun fun!
Watch the archived show HERE: CGTN's "Culture Express" - Friday, February 23, 5:30PM CST
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM BEIJING!
I just posted a super short audio and video bonus episode showing you a couple of the holiday items that came my way in Beijing this year, including the "Christmas apple” (what? details below). We have ONE more regularly-scheduled episode coming up this year on Thursday, plus a big wrapup / retrospective of Season 1 of the podcast with a look ahead to Season 2 in 2018. Next year looks to hold some amazing new developments for me personally and professionally here on China, in both the podcasting and film worlds, and I can’t wait to give you a little preview of all that on New Year’s Eve.
But for now: have a great holiday if you get one, and I’ll see you again on Thursday!
"Christmas Apples":
the long version - http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-christmas-china-apple-20131225-story.html
the short version - https://www.quora.com/Why-do-Chinese-people-give-red-apples-for-Christmas-gifts
Holiday FUNDRAISING Drive - SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/
Brendan Davis on WeChat:
BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter:
@VeritasInLux
BFMK website:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com
Other links to LISTEN:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/
Brendan Davis interviewed on "12 Minute Convos w/ Engel Jones"
Podcaster and entrepreneur Engel Jones (https://twelveminuteconvos.com/) interviewed me for his fun, very short podcast "12 Minute Convos w/ Engel Jones". Engel is from the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago and has a very unique format for his show. In a (slightly longer than 12 minute) discussion, I ramble about my podcast inspirations ("WTF with Marc Maron", "The Tim Ferriss Show", "Rune Soup", and "How I Built This, with Guy Raz" in particular), meditation, "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" by The Ramones, prenatal memories, fireflies at night in the American South, and much much more.
We actually don't even really talk too much about China, now that I think about it. Wow.
Anyway, it was big fun for me, and if you check it out, I hope you enjoy it! Search it in your favorite podcatcher, or listen / directly download via the links below.
- BD
Brendan Davis on "12 Minute Convos w/ Engel Jones":
Apple / iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/12-minute-convos-w-engel-jones/id1098716772?mt=2#episodeGuid=8140cb055c46940b14672c770144b54d
Castbox:
https://castbox.fm/vd/58742774
Direct download:
12 Minute Convos w/ Engel Jones: 1471:Brendan Davis hosts the weekly "Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom" podcast, featuring in-depth interviews... http://traffic.libsyn.com/12minconvos/1471_Brendan_Keith_Davis.mp3?dest-id=367710
New LOGO!
I woke up today to a very nice surprise: my friend and previous show guest Ronald Paredes (episode #022) sent me the new LOGO that he designed for me. He is writing a post about all the symbolism he included that I will quote and repost here when that goes live, but for now, let me just say THANK YOU to Ronald for doing such a great job! I think that in this image, he really captured the essence of what I am aiming for with this show, and I couldn't be happier with the result.
Please visit Ronald at his site for more information about this very talented artist, and if you missed his interview, listen to Episode #022 of "BFMK". Enjoy!
- Brendan
GREGORY JOSEPH ALLEN: Acting on Stage & Screen in China
This week’s guest is stage and screen actor Gregory Joseph Allen. Greg brought a lifetime’s worth of acting training and experience with him when he moved here some years ago from California, and in addition to his own work he now uses his skills and background to teach young actors in Beijing.
Some guests had a very specific goal in mind when they made their first foray to the Middle Kingdom, but Greg talks about moving to China on more of an exploratory impulse and finding his new calling here. I’ve noticed that if you’re lucky, and stick with it through the rough spots, China can do that to you, or maybe I should say, allow you to change yourself in unexpected ways. Good times.
Greg took me back to an upbringing not too unlike parts of my own. We both have fond memories of the now-extinct practice of all the kids in high school (and a few older kids) ”parking” in a big supermarket lot somewhere after a football game or other big school event, and in plain site of everyone, openly drinking beers and being rowdy (but not seriously violent) as they hung out. It was a different world and time, but fun to reminisce about.
We talk about the differences between city versus country upbringings in the US, and how our mix of experiences informed who we are today and how we relate to China. Having seen enormous growth myself in my lifelong journey first across the US, then to Europe and Africa, and now finally to the Far East, I can relate to things here with a much different lens than if I had been either raised here OR never traveled as I did starting from way back home. Greg’s experience is his (of course) but there are a lot of syncs and parallels between us, which really helped me relate to his story even though it’s not exactly my own.
I really appreciated hearing about Greg’s approach to teaching, namely: how he doesn’t just give out gold ribbons for participation, but actually expects students to make the effort to EXCEL, and he rewards excellent work with appropriate recognition while still encouraging those struggling to find their footing. There is an art to doing this that I tried to find when teaching as well, and I still remember today the teachers I had who succeeded at it with me, so I know what a positive difference that makes.
We talk candidly about our thoughts regarding the norms and changing landscapes here as well as back home - economic, political, societal and cultural, etc - and we also get politically specific, in a new twist for the show. Overall I’d say that it gets pretty damn real, and I beeped a few choice words to keep our “Clean” rating, but I left it alone as much as possible in order to own what I think and to allow Greg the same courtesy. You don’t have to agree with either of us to appreciate the show, but let me know what you think regardless.
On a technical note: I used a slightly looser hand with this edit wherever I could, letting it breath a little more naturally, mostly because I thought Greg’s dramatic or thoughtful pauses added to the honesty of his story. He is a trained storyteller, after all, so I think it flows well but doesn’t feel too long (again, in my opinion). As I keep developing the show, I will keep tweaking my approach. Again - let me know, and I hope you enjoy.
Greg’s reel:
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjgwMTc2ODc4NA==.html?spm=a2h3j.8428770.3416059.1
The Queen show at Live Aid that Greg referenced:
https://youtu.be/A22oy8dFjqc
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-live-aid/
Brendan Davis on WeChat:
BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter:
@VeritasInLux
BFMK website:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com
BFMK Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/
Other links to LISTEN:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/
SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/
BFMK PayPal direct DONATION link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K5W6EANCYSQHU
MARTIN BARNES: Mountains of Imagination
“I used to introduce myself in the wrong way, and I used to talk about the mechanics, because I felt like that’s what people needed to know, and that that’d make me appear to be an expert. But I don’t need to know how my 4G works for me to buy a smartphone. I want to know: what are the results I get? And so I realized by my mistakes, I need to show the audience in my message. So my message went from WHAT I do, to WHY I do it.”
- Martin Barnes
Today’s guest is Martin Barnes. Martin is from South London and came to China 14 years ago. He has a very eclectic background and has worn a lot of hats professionally, mostly centered around art and design. He’s created logos, t-shirts - including a run back in the day with past show guest Dominic of Plastered8 - and done loads of work for advertising agencies, major car companies, etc.
His current company though, Mountains of Imagination, is based on designing presentations - you know, the need to stand up in front of a person or a group and drive a PowerPoint as you talk - in a way that you not only most effectively tell your story, but that you ENJOY yourself while doing it, too. The genius of this approach, as I saw for myself firsthand when I heard Martin speak at a event a few weeks ago, is that if you can prepare properly and relax enough to enjoy yourself while speaking, then your audience can relax enough to enjoy listening to you, and the story you’re sharing will stick in a way that isn’t possible otherwise.
This simple insight has proven to be a very successful one for Martin to build a company and a career around, but it’s the life lessons he learned leading up to this moment in his life that he shares in the interview that I think hit home the strongest with me. There’s a relevance in Martin’s methods to communicating that can positively impact ALL endeavors and transactions, both in business and in life. I think this is a very special one, and I hope you enjoy it.
On a personal level, I had a few takeaways that I’d like to share, too...
The first is about WeChat. I’m going to do a totally unpaid plug for WeChat - not that they need it here in Asia, but those of you listening from places where it hasn’t become the norm yet: my advice it to get it - it’s free - and learn it, live it, love it. I have friends & family back home that I’m basically their only WeChat friend, and we use it ALL THE TIME. Get it. Then add me! My WeChat ID is just my name, BrendanDavis, with no space between Brendan and Davis. Easy.
But the conversation also got me thinking about opportunity. As we talk about in the episode, opportunities are everywhere, but the ones in China are particularly significant. And interestingly, it’s the very things that often drive people from more Western cultures a bit crazy here that are the same things that CREATE massive opportunity for innovation.
For my industry, it’s the awareness that China will never be Hollywood. And I don't think for a second that it wants to be. It just wants to be...itself. But it's still discovering what that means. Luckily, I think I can help. Which is why I’M here. :D
On a more universal note, my take on things it that as an outsider, we need for our contributions to bring enough value that we are worth the extra effort it takes for locals to deal with and take care of us (between language issues, cultural difficulties, the higher pay we expect and the higher expectations that go along with that) and vice versa.
Anyway, speaking of opportunity and in the spirit of asking for what you want and need, and since you never know who's listening who might need exactly what I have to offer, I'm going to be super candid here and share that the personal benefit of hearing Martin’s lessons was that it gave me extra fuel to help me work out the business plan for the new company I want to build here - and the show is one small part of that.
I’m proud of the growth in both quality and audience that we’ve had so far, and with support, I can continue to make it better and better and also expose it to a much wider audience, which is essential to make this what I see that it can be.
So if you're a potential sponsor or partner for the show, please reach out and let's discuss what that could look like. And in the meantime: if you feel that you receive value from the show, you can help support it with a share, a like, a comment, or a donation to the cause. Support links to Paypal and WeChat Pay are in the show notes and on the website, crazyinagoodway.com. It's fast, it’s easy, and it would really make a difference. Thanks!
Okay, now on with the show. This one is long and in-depth, and highly practical but fun and philosophical, too. Enjoy it!
Martin Barnes & Mountains of Imagination:
http://www.mountainsofimagination.com
Start With Why by Simon Sinek:
https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
https://startwithwhy.com/
Brendan Davis on WeChat:
BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter:
@VeritasInLux
BFMK website:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com
BFMK Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/
Other links to LISTEN:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/
SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/
BFMK PayPal direct DONATION link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K5W6EANCYSQHU
My Tom Petty Story
Since I work to keep the podcast episodes evergreen and not get into current events in them, my new favorite way of procrastinating when it's time to edit each week's show is to record a short video about my thoughts on the week.
In light of all the awful news from back home and the heightened geopolitical tensions around the world right now, I wanted to share a story that made me smile when I remembered it due to the untimely passing of musical legend Tom Petty...
*Spoiler alert* I didn't meet him in person; it was on a phone call. But still, I thought it was a funny little random story and worth sharing, in a time of such otherwise wretched news. It involves Athens, Georgia, a crappy telemarketing job at a place called DialAmerica, and my (then) young musician's sense of ethics.
Enjoy!