I’m so sorry, Bugs Bunny
As part of a Mosaic of China podcast recording in Chengdu back in early March 2022, I was told by my delightful guest that 300 million rabbit heads are eaten in Sichuan Province every year. So I figured… I should at least try it once.
I’m so sorry, Bugs Bunny. 😵🐰
For the Instagram version, see here.
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the YouTube version, see here.
For the Mosaic of China version, see here.
The Mosaic of China Podcast Enters its Third Season
Like many of us in Shanghai, I’ve been feeling thoroughly displeased for the last few months. But I’ve decided that it’s time to come out of mourning for ‘life before COVID-Zero’ and to start living again. Or at least to enjoy whatever window of freedom we have been granted for this moment.
Luckily, I found 200 people who felt the same way, and we gathered in Shanghai to celebrate the Season 03 launch of the Mosaic of China podcast. With a fantastic slate of 30 new guests coming up over the next 30 weeks, this season is the reminder we all needed that there are still some amazing people under our noses, representing 30 unique perspectives on what it’s like to live and work in China. A true Mosaic.
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
Interview with the China-Britain Business Council
These days I have a love/hate relationship with the label ‘entrepreneur’. But the life of an independent content creator and an entrepreneur is very similar. You can be fueled with pride for your mission one day, and paralysed with doubt and self-loathing the next. But with the help of positive people around you, you do have the chance to live comfortably with this creative tension, and preserve your equilibrium.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
For the China-Britain Business Council Website version, see here.
100,000 Downloads
A big thank you to everyone who helped Mosaic of China achieve its 100,000th download at the beginning of this month.
It's still a modest project, but I'm grateful for every single person who has taken the time to engage with these stories.
For the Instagram version, see here.
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
Sixty Stories
Yes, there’s a podcast about China that is both informative… and fun.
Leaving aside political and ideological differences, there’s much to be learnt from the stories of people living their lives in China. Whether you’re in the arts, business or science, every episode will provoke your curiosity and challenge your assumptions, no matter where in the world you live.
A big thank you to all 60 guests who have so far appeared on Mosaic of China, and a special thanks to everyone who joined us at the end-of-Season party in Shanghai.
For the Instagram version, see here.
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
Mosaic of China Season 02 Begins
I spend most of my time either a) scuttling between coffee shops and a tiny recording studio 🦀 or b) holed up at home, editing audio in my loungewear. 🦨
So it was lovely to bring together 100 people to celebrate the upcoming launch of the new season of the Mosaic of China podcast. A huge thanks to everyone who came, you have made this project come to life. 🥂🥰
For the Instagram version, see here.
For the Facebook version, see here.
40,000 Downloads
In the big scheme of things, 40,000 downloads is very modest. But I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of them.
Thank you to everyone here for all your support of the Mosaic of China podcast. I’m looking forward to Round 2!
For the Facebook version, see here.
The Job of an Independent Podcaster
So what actually is the job of an independent podcaster?
It’s now halfway through 2020 and I’m approaching the 1-year anniversary of the Mosaic of China podcast. So I thought I would have a go at writing my own job description.
1) Technical Production
Audio Equipment Set-Up
Web Hosting & Content Aggregators Set-Up
2) Artistic Production
Format & Content Design
Brand & Art Design
Sound & Music Design
Web & Social Media Design
3) Content Production
Series Content Production
Guest Outreach, Research & Coordination
Studio & Interview Production
Editing & Post-Production
4) Audience Outreach & Marketing
Copy Writing & Image Sourcing
Web & Social Media Community Management
Marketing & Audience Building
Most people think that recording interviews is the main part of my job, so it might be a surprise to see it tucked away in part 3c) of the list above. In fact, most of my time these days is spent in guest coordination, sound editing, and audience outreach.
I hope this helps to demystify the effort it takes to get a project of this kind up and running. My question for anyone else in the podcasting arena is, does this correlate with your experiences? What have I missed out?!
For the Facebook version, see here.
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
A Plethora of Platforms
I recently did an audit, and have discovered the Mosaic of China podcast listed on 53 different podcasting platforms. FIFTY THREE! This *does* include two platforms in China (喜马拉雅 and 微博) but it *doesn't* include those Android apps that I can't access from my Apple phone. So I'm assuming the total number would be even higher.
My questions to both podcasting fans and professionals are:
What did I miss in my audit? I believe I've curated the most comprehensive list, but tell me if I'm wrong. New podcasting platforms seem to be popping up on the daily.
Does anyone have a sense of when we can expect some consolidation in this space? Or is this confusing podcasting multiverse forever here to stay?
The Sage Kings of Karaoke
There’s a reason why karaoke is so popular in China and other East Asian societies with a Confucian heritage: it’s an important catalyst for group social harmony.
The Sage Kings of ancient China used the rites of music to help bond their subjects together. It’s no coincidence that the Chinese Communist Party emphasised the use of patriotic songs to instill doctrinal fervour. And today, many Chinese corporations still use company songs, alongside collective exercise routines, to inspire loyalty.
Today's compilation episode from Season 1 of Mosaic of China is all about the podcast guests’ favourite songs to sing at “KTV”, the Chinese version of karaoke. Out of all the questions asked to guests on the show, this one elicited the biggest array of emotions: from joy and pride, to embarrassment and… sheer terror.
It’s a shame that group social harmony doesn’t always guarantee group *vocal* harmony. But since no-one really cares about that… what would be *your* go-to song to sing at karaoke?
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
For the Mosaic of China version, see here.
A Symbol of Hope
On January 20th, I instagrammed a photo from the Shanghai Disney Resort. By January 24th, the park was closed, and it would remain so for over 100 days.
Today, it is the first Disneyland resort in the world to reopen, with reduced capacity and a slew of extra density control, screening and sanitation measures.
If ever the world needed an image that symbolises the hope of a scrupulously planned road to recovery, then the time is now and this is it.
The first episode of the Mosaic of China podcast was with Philippe Gas, who was the President and General Manager of the Shanghai Disney Resort. Despite my newbie technical errors, it’s still one of my favourite interviews of the season. Let’s hope Philippe’s philosophy of positivity and international cooperation will be another message of encouragement for the future.
For the Instagram version, see here.
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For the Mosaic of China version, see here.
The First Thirty Tiles
One podcast season. Thirty human stories. 一个播客节目。三十个人类故事。
Revealing China through the lens of journalism, fashion, technology, food, theatre, diplomacy, marketing, hospitality, art, invention, beauty, history, touring, luxury, music, diversity, playwriting, sport, entertainment, language, jewelry, comedy, business, wellbeing, broadcasting, addiction, dance, entrepreneurship, film, and... fish. 🐟
Each episode is around 25-minutes long, designed to be entertaining and informative without overstaying it’s welcome.
I want to say a big thank you to all 30 guests in the first season of Mosaic of China, to all the individuals and organisations who have supported the project, and of course to you for listening. It has been a pleasure to share these stories with you.
Who is Your Audience?
“The starting point to writing is knowing who your audience is”. These words, spoken by Gigi Chang on the latest episode of Mosaic of China, inspired me to write this short piece.
LinkedIn: Your audience is in a professional mindset, so keep your writing concise. Storytelling can be used as a device to elicit interest, but shouldn’t be used in isolation.
Instagram: Your audience is in a happy mindset, so keep your writing positive. Release your inner frivolity and snark, but don’t overshare your negativity or vanity. Leave that for...
Twitter: Your audience is in an antagonistic mindset, so simply avoid. I love my friends there, but the platform brings out the worst in them. Please try and convince me otherwise, I promise to hear you out.
Facebook: Your audience is in a generous mindset, so write what you want. Assuming that you have carefully curated your friends there, write content from all three categories above, and be as personal as you feel comfortable.
WeChat: The same as Facebook, but in Chinese.
What have I missed out?
For the LinkedIn version, see here.
For the Instagram version, see here.
Halfway Through Season 1
With 15 episodes released, we have now reached the halfway point of Season 1 of Mosaic of China. It’s a podcast series of short interviews with interesting people, designed to be entertaining no matter how much you know (or don’t know!) about China.
Let me know your thoughts if you have the chance to listen. And big thanks to everyone who has helped with the project so far, including Milo de Prieto Desmond for editing support, Denny Newell for graphic design support, and Alston Gong for China technical support.
I Added One More Podcast To The Giant Podcast Bin
I’m excited to be launching the new Mosaic of China podcast.
