FEI WU | Making Art & Reconciling the Expat Experience

Fei Wu is the host of the Feisworld podcast, a documentary filmmaker, & a digital marketer. She left China to finish high school in the US, where she's lived for almost 20 years now, but lately she's been revisiting her China roots and supporting her artist mother, whose paintings illustrating Chinese literature classic The Dream of the Red Chamber made her famous and which are now getting a permanent gallery home in Qingdao.

Fei Wu is the host of the Feisworld podcast, a documentary filmmaker, & a digital marketer. She left China to finish high school in the US, where she’s lived for almost 20 years now, but lately she’s been revisiting her China roots and supporting her artist mother, whose paintings illustrating Chinese literature classic The Dream of the Red Chamber made her famous and which are now getting a permanent gallery home in Qingdao. We also touch on Fei’s passion promoting palliative care for the sick & dying, which she developed after her father’s long illness and passing when she was a little girl. This topic just became highly relevant to me, too, as my own father died just this past Monday (after the interview was recorded). The first 10 minutes of the show is me talking about that, but the interview with Fei is fun, enlightening, fresh, and optimistic about the power of art to transform. Please enjoy this very special episode of the show.

FEI WU links:
Web: https://www.feisworld.com
BJ Miller show link re Palliative care: feisworld.com/blog/bj-Miller

LISTEN:
SEARCH “If I Knew You Better” in all podcatchers OR listen:
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-i-knew-you-better/id1457785319 / WEB PLAYER: http://ifiknewyoubetter.libsyn.com/website/ LINKS https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/knew-resources

“Big Fish Side Dish”: Punk Rock | JONATHAN GARRISON

In this inaugural episode of "BIG FISH SIDE DISH"*, Jonathan Garrison and I riff on how punk rock and other hardcore music helped shape our childhoods and changed our life trajectories. A 12-pack of Harbin Beer might've been involved. In a related note, you get to hear how much I curse when I don't pay attention and mind my manners.

#068 - “Big Fish Side Dish”: Punk Rock | JONATHAN GARRISON

In this inaugural episode of “BIG FISH SIDE DISH”*, Jonathan Garrison and I riff on how punk rock and other hardcore music helped shape our childhoods and changed our life trajectories. A 12-pack of Harbin Beer might’ve been involved. In a related note, you get to hear how much I curse when I don’t pay attention and mind my manners. Enjoy. 

*”Big Fish Side Dish” is a companion show to “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” that invites a previous show guest to sit down for a more casual conversation focused on a specific topic - unedited and uncensored. 

Please SUBSCRIBE to “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” and rate / leave a nice REVIEW at Apple Podcasts / iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fish-in-the-middle-kingdom/id1237037187?mt=2 or search and subscribe wherever YOU get your podcasts!

SPONSOR: 
“The Complete Podcasting Course” - https://www.udemy.com/complete-podcasting-course/learn/v4/overview

GUEST:
Jon Garrison / En Route: http://www.enroute-global.com/

“BFMK" HOST / SHOW:
“Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/
Brendan Davis on WeChat: BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter: @VeritasInLux
Other links to LISTEN: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links

CYNTHIA SANTANA: The Poetry of Emotion

Cynthia Santana is from Boston and she pretty much defines the term "free spirit". She has a background in acting and education, has traveled extensively, and knew she wanted to spend some time living and working abroad.

#053 - The Poetry of Emotion | Cynthia Santana

Cynthia Santana is from Boston and she pretty much defines the term “free spirit”. She has a background in acting and education, has traveled extensively, and knew she wanted to spend some time living and working abroad. Here in Beijing, Cynthia has become a regular at poetry slams around the city, and she is working to put together her own business that puts her poetry on clothing, using commerce to spread a very positive, loving message. Enjoy!

Please SUBSCRIBE to “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” at Apple Podcasts / iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fish-in-the-middle-kingdom/id1237037187?mt=2 or search and subscribe wherever YOU get your podcasts

SPONSOR:
My upcoming e-book LITTLE FISH IN THE BIGGEST POND looks back at the first year of the show and my own favorite China adventures so far. Preorder TODAY to save more than 33% off the pre-launch price! Learn more and preorder at: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/book/ 

GUEST:
Cynthia Santana on Instagram: boricuainbeijing

“BFMK" HOST / SHOW:
“Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/\
Brendan Davis on WeChat: BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter: @VeritasInLux
Other links to LISTEN: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/

FEI WU: Chinese Podcasting & Mastering XimalayaFM

Fei Wu is our very first guest who has now done two full episodes. I wanted to have her back on to discuss everything she's been up to lately related to China. In this episode we talk a lot about the dominant Chinese audio platform called XimalayaFM and Fei's upcoming efforts to help bridge the gap for international podcasters and consumers to use and enjoy it.

#049 - Chinese Podcasting & Mastering XimalayaFM | Fei Wu

This weeks’ guest is Fei Wu. Fei is a “returning champion” guest, our very first who has now done two full episodes. I wanted to have her back on to specifically discuss everything she’s been up to lately related to China. In this episode we talk a lot about the dominant Chinese audio platform called XimalayaFM and Fei’s upcoming efforts to help bridge the gap for international podcasters and consumers to use and enjoy it. Note that I say “platform” and not “app”, because in the very Chinese way of doing things, Ximalaya isn’t “just” a podcast app. It’s a media universe unto itself, and if you want to be a big deal in China you’ve gotta get on it. Since Fei is a Chinese person who speaks the language but has lived more than half her life in the US and has run a successful English-language show for 3.5 years now, I think she’s pretty much an ideal person to help open that platform up to a more international audience.

On a personal note, Fei has definitely inspired me to find an intern and get “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” up to date and active on Ximalaya again, but I need help. So if you are bilingual English-Chinese, have some spare time, and want to either earn college credit OR get an inside view at how we make the podcast donuts here, please get in touch!

SHOW NOTES:

[1:30] - B. Davis appeal for bilingual INTERN

[1:50] - BDC launch info

[2:15] - B. Davis e-book PREORDER announcement

[3:30] - “BFMK” PATREON announcement

[6:30] - Fei Wu trip to Zhuhai, China

[11:00] - Fei’s Mom contributes to Zhuhai charity auction

[12:45] - Zhuhai Red Cross efforts

[14:30] - XimalayaFM introduction & efforts

[17:00] - Fei on becoming a larger mix of cultures

[19:00] - Fei’s upcoming course to master XimalayaFM in ANY language

[22:00] - scope of XimalayaFM (500+ Million users; inclusive, WeChat-paradigm platform)

[26:30] - overcoming barriers to entry with XimalayaFM

[27:00] - XimalayaFM offerings

[28:00] - opportunity for English podcasts on XimalayaFM

[29:45] - creating themed sub-channels to collect “like” content

[31:30] - post-production demands of Fei’s World podcast

[32:00] - Fei’s XimalayaFM show format will be a beta at launch

[34:30] - being China-smart re cultural differences

[35:15] - Brian Koppleman (“The Moment” podcast; “Billions” TV show co-creator) as inspiration

[36:15] - change is good, embrace it 

[37:30) - Fei’s documentary film about her journey in podcasting 

[39:00] - how Fei’s World has transformed her, and some of her guests as well

[39:30] - Fei on the importance of self-care; wrap-up

[40:30] - B. Davis outro

Please SUBSCRIBE to “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” at Apple Podcasts / iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fish-in-the-middle-kingdom/id1237037187?mt=2 or search and subscribe wherever YOU get your podcasts

SPONSOR:
Stackry “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” sign-up link: http://bit.ly/BigFish2018 or (if bit.ly doesn’t work for you) https://www.stackry.com/?utm_source=Big_Fish&utm_medium=Campaign&utm_term=10%25

Use the offer code BIGFISH at the checkout, and save 10% off your first shipment!

BD’s “My Stackry Unboxing Video": https://youtu.be/FvEWXxzZm3I 

GUEST:
Fei’s World site: https://www.feisworld.com
Fei Wu's XimalayaFM course: Feisworld.com/course

BDC (Brendan Davis Consulting): https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/brendan-davis-consulting/

LITTLE FISH IN THE BIGGEST POND e-book PREORDER page: 

“BFMK" HOST / SHOW:
“Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/
Brendan Davis on WeChat: BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter: @VeritasInLux
Other links to LISTEN: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/

Bonus Episode: NEW YEAR’S 2017 | Brendan Davis

In this special NEW YEAR’S EVE edition, recorded and posted just hours before the champagne pops in Beijing, I discuss the “inciting incident” in my move to China, the launch and first season of the show, a snapshot of EACH guest, my recent appearance on CGTN, and I talk about what else I’ve been up and what’s coming next in 2018. Many good times were had, and there are many more to come! 

BD on the “Culture Express” Year-End Special on CGTN:
https://goo.gl/D59be5

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/

MIKE WESTER: True Run Media

#032 - True Run Media  | Mike Wester

My guest this week is Mike Wester, co-founder of True Run Media, which publishes The Beijinger, Jing Kids, and more. In the episode we talk about Mike's journey from the Boston area to Taiwan, back to the US for grad school, and then his ultimate move to Beijing, a city he's called home for 17 years. Pictured above are Mike with his daughter Eloise and his wife, Toni. Mike and his team have built quite a publishing presence in China, and his thoughtful insights on society reflect a deep passion for quality journalism and the people it impacts - i.e., all of us. 

In this episode I also discuss my upcoming special New Year’s show, an appearance I’ll be making on CGTN soon talking about film in China, the podcast’s holiday fundraising drive, and much more. Full details are in the show intro and all the links are available in the show notes below or via the blog post at https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/home/2017/12/27/mike-wester so check it out. Enjoy!

Mike Wester contact:
mwinchina

True Run Media brands:
thebeijinger.com
beijing-kids.com
jingkids.com

TheBeijinger QR code

Beijing-Kids QR code

Jing Shanghai QR Code

Jing Beijing QR code

AWA Health (mention the show and get a 20% discount):
4th Floor, THE PLACE mall
Guanhua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing China
137-1618-2745 (Chinese)
186-0083-9624 (English)

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/

MIKE SHAW: From Boston to Beijing

#029 - From Boston to Beijing | Mike Shaw

This week’s episode features Mike Shaw. Mike is a vegan PR professional from Boston who is fascinated by the extraordinary potential of the global expat community, and he aims to do something about it. In this episode we talk a lot about what it’s like to be here bearing witness to China’s ascendancy at this historic moment in history, and how global people like us can find our way in and find a purpose. As expats, we are at the leading edge of that, which is not always without its growing pains, but as wiser men than me have said: you buy the ticket, you take the ride.

We also touch on a few more esoteric topics, like the rise of the petro-yuan and the unique place that Boston has in the psyche of former Bostonians, withersoever dispersed around the globe. And towards the end, Mike shares the very cool love story of how he met and finally came together with his wife across three continents. It’s something special, and I think the more romantically inclined among you will especially appreciate it. Ultimately, this episode is a love letter to Boston and it is also a testimony to the incredible diversity of China, and how much Mike - and I - love being here and carving out our own new paths in ways that we really couldn’t do anywhere else in the whole world. Enjoy.

Mike Shaw contacts:
https://twitter.com/zax2000
https://plus.google.com/+MikeShaw-zax2000

AWA Health (scan the QR code, mention the show, and get a 20% discount):
4th Floor, THE PLACE mall
Guanhua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing China
137-1618-2745 (Chinese)
186-0083-9624 (English)

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/

SUPPORT BFMK via PayPal or WeChat:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/donate/

JESSE APPELL: The Comedy Scene in China

“I always sum up China in two words: cognitive dissonance.” - Jesse Appell

Boston native Jesse Appell has launched a successful business and speaks Chinese like a local, but that’s not all he’s accomplished during his time in Beijing. Jesse is one of only a handful of Westerners who is trained in the Chinese comedy art of xiangsheng, or crosstalk. It’s a discipline with a storied history here, and Jesse won a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to come study under a true master of the art, Ding Laoshi. But that was just the start of his career in China.

Jesse’s primary focus nowadays is on running the US-China Comedy Center here in Beijing. At the Center, they feature both single language and bilingual improv and standup comedy shows. Jesse founded the Center just about a year ago, but it’s already become a focal point for the growing comedy scene here. To give you an idea of what these shows are like, in the show notes I am including links to several examples of Jesse in action, which are subtitled and really funny regardless of your native language.

As a writer, Jesse has also been working hard to crack the elusive cross-cultural comedy code for movies. He has been developing a buddy picture that’s designed to truly appeal to both markets, and from what he says about it here, I think he might be onto something. 

This episode gets very deep into the worlds of comedy, creativity, and filmmaking, so it’s  especially worth checking out if you work in those worlds, aspire to, or just enjoy them and want to learn more. But Jesse’s thoughts about the obstacles to true communication are keenly observed, and should be interesting to anyone trying to understand the other cultural better. I hope you enjoy it!

Lastly, another quick reminder that we are still a featured show on the Castbox.fm website and the Castbox podcast app! Castbox works in your web browser, iOS, and they have an especially nice new app for Android devices. Please check us out on Castbox, and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to us. 

US-China Comedy Center:
www.uschinacomedy.com

WeChat:
Uschinacomedycenter

Weibo:
@艾杰西

Jesse Appell - Chinese standup (subtitled):
https://youtu.be/UA2P-q9MxXk

"Chinese Mitch Hedberg" routine
http://m.youku.com/video/id_XNzU3ODkyNDgw.html 

Xiangsheng overview:
https://youtu.be/7QxW-KBE6EA

"BFMK" site:
https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/

Brendan Davis on Twitter:
@VeritasInLux

Carl King (composer):
http://carlkingdom.com

Apple Podcasts:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fish-in-the-middle-kingdom/id1237037187?mt=2

CastBox:
http://castbox.fm/u/4711710

Ximalaya:
http://m.ximalaya.com/82109155/album/8651374