The Bridge to China

Sir Gilbert Van Kerckhove from Ghent, Belgium, has lived in China for four decades. While working in the country, he led the initiative to build Shanghai’s Line 3 in the 1990s and was involved in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In his book Toxic Capitalism, he shares extensive knowledge on global consumerism and wastage, and how to tackle these challenges. A recipient of the highest award for foreigners in China: The Friendship Award, Van Kerckhove is also the Rotating Chairman of Foreign Expert Committee, Belt and Road International Talent. We ask him about environmental efforts in modern China and how he views his 43 years in the Middle Kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bridge Podcast goes meta as we invite the hosts of The Honest Drink Podcast to join our show. Jason asks Justin, Howie and Aric about their collective 50 years living in China. What are the best places to visit? How has China changed in their eyes and how have our guests changed with it? Hear four Americans rap about their amazement at the modernity of life in both the US and China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are joined by a podcaster, who interviews folks who are making their mark in China. Oscar Fuchs is host of Shanghai's 'Mosaic of China' podcast. We ask him about his show and his time in Germany, Japan, Singapore and China. Beibei and Oscar discuss Chinese philosophy and talk about food. If you need some cultural fun and fabulous insights, this episode will have you laughing and thinking too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men in Japan and China are entitled up to four weeks of paternity leave, but many don’t take them. US citizens are entitled to neither maternity nor paternity leave, but many would take them if they could. France experienced riots protesting government’s plan to raise retirement age by two more years. On today’s show we examine the complicated global cultures of working and sometimes, not working. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From raging fires to smoldering mountains of trash and plastic oceans, our world feels out of control. Earth Day is here. In this episode we rapid fire the trends and celebrations of earth day from every corner of our globe. Be inspired. Be hopeful. And tune in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest David W. Ferguson has written several original books on contemporary China. His latest book takes a deep dive into the strategies used in China’s successful campaign to end absolute poverty. He has also researched the greening of Beijing and the methods China uses to promote environmentalism. Join us as we interview the editor of the Governance of China about China’s path to modernization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A college education used to be part of realizing the American dream for young Americans. But with the crippling Student Loan Crisis, college enrollment in the US is falling faster than any time in recent history. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, fall enrollments in 2010 were 21 million. By 2021, enrollment had fallen by three million to 18 million. Is a university degree becoming out of reach for less affluent Americans?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New technology promises to recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of textiles by 2030. The damage that the fashion industry brings to our planet is beyond belief. What’s at stake? How big is the problem? What can we do to address the problem of fast fashion in 2023? With Earth Day approaching, we take a look at impulse shopping and our unused wardrobe. There is hope, but only if we take a few steps together. Join the show to become part of the solution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest Michael Crook is a British/Canadian who was born in Beijing in 1951 to parents who met in China. Michael grew up on a university campus in Beijing, worked in Chinese factories, and went to university in Britain. Michael helped found the Western Academy of Beijing in 1994. He is also the Chairman of International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (known as ICCIC) which involves rural development, environmental protection, and heritage preservation, especially of old Beijing city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Statistics show that US police kill "Far more civilians than any other wealthy country." A Colorado sheriff recently received an honorary award after shooting an unarmed man at an elementary school. What's going on in US policing? How do other wealthy nations have such low incidence of policing-related fatalities? Can the US change, and what would it need to do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.