Best Same Building Different Views Podcasts (2025)

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Own Your Weirdness: A Guide to Really Good Improv (Performances) 18:46

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7h ago18:46

18:46

In this episode, I explain how to commit to your authentic self in your improv practice. You will learn to reframe perceived weaknesses into compelling strengths on stage. Your messy and imperfect parts are exactly what your scenes need. I discuss how neurodivergent performers can use their unique traits. The episode also covers how to collaborate …

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How China’s view of career is transforming? 59:13

22h ago59:13

59:13

More than twice as many Chinese respondents said “advancing my career” was among the top three aspects of life as did Americans. In China, does a good career mean a good life? Or, are attitudes changing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Can America survive its own tariff war? 1:01:19

6d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Today's guest is Dr. Liang Yan, Professor of Economics at Willamette University, U.S.. She discusses China's economy, US tariffs, and the future of Sino-US trade. This will shock you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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How impoliteness is different in America and China? 56:01

7d ago56:01

56:01

According to Pew Research “About a third of Americans (34%) say they almost always or often see people behaving rudely when they’re out in public.” What behaviors are seen as rude, and is it the same in China? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Keeping pace with 'China Speed' 1:00:27

13d ago1:00:27

1:00:27

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How tourism can save the US economy? 57:59

15d ago57:59

57:59

According to a new survey by Booking.com 67% of Chinese folks plan to spend much more, or some more time travelling, whereas 45% of Americans plan to, as well. We discuss the future of travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Futurism, technology and the rise of China 1:00:38

20d ago1:00:38

1:00:38

We Interview influencer and technology analyst Orikron on the rise of China. Orikron has just lived in China for one month, but amazingly he can speak fluent Chinese. He tells stories of urbanism, technology, and how the future is arriving in Beijing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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How China came to dominate E-Commerce? 55:00

22d ago55:00

55:00

According to new research, Chinese companies take all three top spots in online third-party sales, crushing eBay, and other competitors. How do sales in China, differ from sales in the US online ecosystem? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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How China dominates in global car sales 55:00

25d ago55:00

55:00

According to International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, China produced 31.3 million cars in 2024 vs the US’ 10.6 million. With companies like BYD and Wuling taking the top spots in Chinese car purchases, what does the future of cars look like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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The future of the factory 1:00:11

27d ago1:00:11

1:00:11

Dr. Jostein Hauge of the University of Cambridge discusses his book, the future of the factory, China and the developing world. Just how can industry create a better, more equal world? Listen in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Do couples in China have the same arguments? 52:15

1M ago52:15

52:15

A new article 'Top Reasons American Couples Argue' puts tone of voice and money at the top of the list of why US couples argue. We look at China and see if there are parallels. Jason and Beibei talk about marriages in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Crossing Xinjiang by bicycle 50:48

1M ago50:48

50:48

Today's guest is Jerry Grey, an Australian freelancer who has lived in China for more than two decades and cycled five times to China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. He shares his views on the massive changes that have taken place in Xinjiang throughout the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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How to avoid the latest scams? 53:51

1M ago53:51

53:51

Online scams are destroying lives. According to Pew Research 73% of Americans have been scammed online with most saying they get a scam call at least once a week. How to avoid the scams? Find out more with Jason Smith and Alex Shi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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You might also like... The Human Internet Theory 1:37

1M ago1:37

1:37

The week I recorded this trailer and my first episodes - the second week of September 2025 - Sam Altman had just tweeted “I never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now.” And then a couple days later Inception Point AI announced they were going to generate 3000 new podca…

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Real life in Xinjiang 57:27

1M ago57:27

57:27

British Influencer LivinlavidaLuke, Luke Johnston, is getting his doctorate in China. For months, he has lived in Xinjiang, China. During his leisure time, he'd go travelling across Xinjiang. What is it like to be living in Xinjiang? Find out more on The Bridge to China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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America's number one problem is Still inflation! 55:00

1M ago55:00

55:00

For four years in a row Americans rate the country's biggest issue as inflation! Jason and Alex Shi discuss how China has been shielded from the storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Uncovering the truth about Xinjiang 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

Today's guest is Fernando Munoz Bernal, a journalist from Columbia. He toured in Xinjiang by RV, spending months exploring the region. We ask him to tell us what local life in Xinjiang is really like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Four Ways to Give your Characters a Clear Point of View 19:27

2M ago19:27

19:27

In this episode, I'm really getting into what I believe is the most important element for creating a compelling character: their point of view. I’ve found that the most interesting thing about a character isn't what they do, but why they do it. A strong, consistent POV is the lens through which your character sees the world, and it’s what separates…

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The cost of moving out of Mom's house in 2025 51:12

2M ago51:12

51:12

What does the cost of living look like in China vs the USA? When do people leave the nest and how many own their own homes? Jason asks Alex Shi in Beijing if it’s the same in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What's living in China really like? 55:00

2M ago55:00

55:00

We invite British influencer James Wood onto the Bridge. What shocked James about moving to China, and why he plans to stay, forever…find out more on this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Power of Silence: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting 20:12

2M ago20:12

20:12

Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting In this episode, I'm diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing scene work with little dialogue, or even none at all. I’ve found that learning to use physicality, emotional reactions, and environment is what changes a performance from "just sayi…

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How to filter out the lies about China? 55:00

2M ago55:00

55:00

We invite noted Hong Kong based journalist and writer Nury Vittachi onto the show. He explains how western media became so deviant, and how to find out the truth about China and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv 18:11

2M ago18:11

18:11

Your inner critic might be a key reason you feel stuck, anxious, or in your head during an improv scene. But trying to fight it or ignore it doesn't work. This episode reveals a completely different approach: give that critical energy to your character. I break down the science of why your brain creates that critical voice and how it’s connected to…

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Remembering a ‘Flying Tiger’ 52:29

2M ago52:29

52:29

We ask the son of a US intelligence officer about his time in China during World War II. Peter MacInnis is the son of a 'Flying Tiger' whose job it was to gather intelligence for the USA and China. He tells us about his father, Donald MacInnis and his passion for China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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An Improv Workout: 6 Exercises to Build Your "Failure Muscle" 21:48

2M ago21:48

21:48

We know that failure is the engine of learning, but how do you actually practice it in a safe and productive way? In this episode, I provide a full workout plan with SIX specific exercises designed to put you in challenging situations. Learn practical drills for your practice groups or classes that train you to handle wild scenes, distracting envir…

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How Forgetting Can Help to Get Out of Your Head in Improv 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

We are often taught that forgetting is a weakness, especially in improv where details seem really important. It's what we practice all the time! However, forgetting can be a skill to practice. In this episode, I explore the science behind why our brains are designed to forget, and how we can use this adaptive process to our advantage in our scenes …

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The expats who stayed: foreigners in China during WWII 1:02:15

3M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

We interview Michael Crook, son of Isabel Crook, both foreign friends, born in China. Michael regales us with stories of the foreigners who stayed in China during the people’s War of Victory over Fascism, WWII. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Fail More to Learn More (Plus Seven Hacks to Help!) 18:48

3M ago18:48

18:48

What if the key to becoming a great improviser is the number of failures you accumulate? That moment when you feel like you have failed in a scene, or a scene is falling flat, can feel awful. But it is also one of the most valuable data points for your growth. In this episode, I help you reframe failure as a solvable technical problem. You will lea…

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America's love affair with gas 53:24

3M ago53:24

53:24

Beibei and Jason discuss the US oil addiction and new ways forward to a green future. And how is Chinese technology transforming tomorrow's world in 2049…take a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The future of social-media explained 55:00

3M ago55:00

55:00

While News-Influencers are getting onto Truth-Social and Bluesky, no one else is. Why social media giants may be settling their spaces, and how China may lead the charge against AI-bots…Find out more on this episode with Jason Smith and Alex Shi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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What should the US do instead? 52:47

3M ago52:47

52:47

Today's guest, analyst John Pang explains why the world will not decouple from China, and how China is developing its partners. We ask him what the USA should do, now that its tariff war has backfired. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Improving Communication Skills So You Can Improvise With Anyone 18:57

3M ago18:57

18:57

To be a successful improviser, you have to communicate effectively with everyone on your team. But what happens when people think, communicate, and experience the world differently? In this episode, I break down the common causes of communication breakdown between improvisers, and why assuming everyone is on the same page can lead to invisible stru…

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Why world perceptions of the USA are in decline? 55:00

3M ago55:00

55:00

Jason and Alex Shi discuss the fall of the US image abroad based on the recent Pew Research findings. How did the US go from the shining example to a dystopian nightmare in the minds of the world? Why are we here and what can be done? Find out more on this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Mind Blank on Stage? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Brain 19:18

3M ago19:18

19:18

That feeling of your mind going completely blank on stage is a top fear for any performer. But what if it's not a personal failure? This week, I explain how this is often a biological response to being overwhelmed, not a lack of ideas. In this episode, you'll learn a simple, three-step system to effectively reboot your brain when it crashes. This p…

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Multipolarity: India, China, and the USA 54:31

3M ago54:31

54:31

Journalist SL Kanthan visits Xizang to explore modern Tibetan life. We ask him about the multipolar world, the future of Sino-Indian relations, and how to build a better shared future for all humanity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Pain of Learning Improv: What to Assess, How to Respond 11:21

4M ago11:21

11:21

Feeling frustrated, stuck, or even like you're getting worse at improv? This episode reframes the struggle. Discover the difference between productive learning pain and the unnecessary pain that you can walk away from. Learn a clear framework to assess your comedy practice, connect with your "why," and decide if your creative struggle is worth it. …

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A Source of Great Improv Ideas (bonus: Get Out of Your Head) 11:33

4M ago11:33

11:33

If you struggle to come up with specific or original ideas in your improv scenes, there's something you can do between scenes to help with that struggle. This episode of Your Improv Brain reframes the problem of trying to get ideas into a scene. Discover why the key to better creative output isn't forced thinking, but quality input and curiosity to…

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Sino-US cooperation key to US economic growth 51:46

4M ago51:46

51:46

Today's guest, Kyle Chan, is a Sociologist at Princeton University. We talk about seeing the larger relationship beyond the trade war to the multiple dimensions of the USA and China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Should we fear AI? 55:00

4M ago55:00

55:00

According to Zhang Hongjiang, founder of Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence: ‘AI systems should never be able to deceive humans.’ But are there other reasons to fear AI? Alex Shi and Jason Smith explain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Improv Burnout? Prioritize Yourself for Better Improv Performances 15:55

4M ago15:55

15:55

Are you sacrificing your well-being for your improv team? This episode of Your Improv Brain challenges the myth that good improvisers must be comedy doormats. Always saying yes outside the scene doesn't help your scene partner in the end. Discover why putting yourself last leads to burnout and how "doing comedy for you first" actually creates more …

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Lessons from China's ascent 55:00

4M ago55:00

55:00

We interview author Carlos Martinez about China's economic system. He explains how China’s unique path to modernity can inspire the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Minority rights: China vs the USA 58:22

4M ago58:22

58:22

While minorities are being extradited without trials in the US, China relishes and celebrates its minority groups. What can the US learn from China's system of elevating and embracing its myriad differences? Find out more with BeiBei and Jason Smith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Beyond "React Like Yourself" - Level Up Your Grounded Improv Characters 18:21

4M ago18:21

18:21

Tired of being told to "just react like you would in real life" to ground an improv scene? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores advanced techniques for playing the voice of reason or grounded characters in a scene or sustaining them long-term. Discover how shifting from simply "acting normal" to dynamically balancing the scene can make you a …

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The cost of living: China vs the USA 55:00

4M ago55:00

55:00

Today we delve into the finances of the average American. When polled, 25% of Americans say they “Cannot pay some of their bills.” How bad is it and how painful is it at the grocery store? Find out more with Jason Smith and BeiBei. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Is an inner monologue useful for improv comedy? (ft. NYC improviser Sabrina Banes) 25:04

4M ago25:04

25:04

Tired of being told to "get out of your head"? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores a different approach. Discover how your active inner voice, often seen as a distraction, can actually become a powerful tool for your improv. Host Jen deHaan and guest Sabrina Banes discuss practical ways to understand and even harness your mental chatter for …

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Can Crypto Save the US Economy? 59:38

5M ago59:38

59:38

Economist Ben Norton joins us. We ask him about the state of the US economy. Whose foreign aid is helping the Global South? And, can crypto save the US from bankruptcy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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How the US lost its own trade war? 55:00

5M ago55:00

55:00

Despite the US-led trade war affecting the world, Americans' negative views of China remain surprisingly subdued. We examine how the US public perceives China, how Chinese view Americans, and whether the global community sees the US trade war as an act of bullying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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China: realities vs expectations 55:00

5M ago55:00

55:00

We interview a Chinese influencer on the realities of life in China. Kenny Wow, who lives in a 5th tier city, makes content about real life in China. We ask him about some of the myths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Forget what you think you know about China 56:52

5M ago56:52

56:52

Today's guest is the host of Life in China with Patrick Freeman. Patrick actively seeks out folks with bad takes on China and tries to explain what China is really like. We ask him about his quest to spread the truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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How the US began believing its own disinformation 57:59

5M ago57:59

57:59

Host of Silk and Steel Podcast, geopolitical commentator Carl Zha joins the show. He explains how the US has been drinking its own propaganda about China. And experts in the US no longer understand China, whatsoever. Listen to this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.