The Honest Drink Podcast

Dr. Steve Vinay Gunther is a renowned Australian Gestalt psychotherapist and founder of the acclaimed Northern Rivers Gestalt Institute in Australia. He is also the author of the bestselling book "The Woman In Your Life - A Man's Guide to a Happy Relationship". He has been in practice for over 40 years with an accomplished career in psychology, working with individuals, couples and families from all over the world. Today, Dr. Gunther shares why his focus shifted to China and we get into a deep conversation about relationships. We talk about what prevents us from sustaining healthy relationships and when to walk away. We cover failed marriages, self-awareness, listening for "grains of truth" and men's difficulty identifying and expressing deeper feelings. We talk about shame, "un-virtues" and why running away from pain doesn't work. We also discuss the over-simplification of therapy in this digital age, the dangers of using AI for emotional guidance, and a wholistic way of perceiving our own existence called systems thinking. We explore relationships from at least three levels, the relationship with ourselves, the ones we love, and society. Join us as we uncover some hard truths. www.gestalt2027shanghai.com www.gti.today www.learngestalt.com _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Matt Chen is a Chinese American entrepreneur, social media content creator, and builder of Daily Hanzi, an app helping people learn to read Chinese. Currently at 24 years old he's decided to ditch his aerospace engineering degree and restart his life by moving to China. Focused on bridging East and West through content about language, culture and identity he hopes to reconnect with his Asian heritage while improving his own Chinese literacy, finding a different path for himself in a new world. Today, we talk about Matt's experience growing up in the US as an ABC and compare it to our own experience from an older generation. We talk about his choice to move to China just ten months ago, his revelation during a job interview with a US defense contractor, and what's behind the "A Very Chinese Time In My Life" trend happening in America. We also talk about the broad anxiety amongst his younger generation, finding purpose, and balancing digital and analog life. Happy Chinese New Year! _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

We are joined by friends of the show Charles Zeng, owner of Charlie's Burger, and James Wu visiting from the U.S. Today we debate the pros and cons of having kids or not. James shares his reasoning on his and his wife's decision not to have kids. We talk about societal pressures, its impact on marriage and our thoughts on using physical force when it comes to disciplining our kids. We talk about chasing happiness, comparing kids to chocolate, and our biggest fears when it comes to growing old. We talk about the midlife crisis, aging and managing anger day to day. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

As the new year begins, the hosts dive into the effectiveness of resolutions, arguing about their frequent failures. They play a light-hearted game, exploring whether romance is fading in the digital age. The conversation takes a turn to the importance of addressing harmful habits like doomscrolling and conflict avoidance. In a humorous debate, they rank their worst habits to leave behind this year, while also envisioning a 'great reset' of the internet. Tune in for introspective discussions and entertaining banter!

Rico Zhang is a Chinese-Australian Director known for his technical filmmaking, award-winning music videos and bold aesthetic world-building. His most recent project was Dongji Rescue 东极岛 (2025), a film based on the true story of Chinese fisherman from Dongji Island who risked their lives to rescue over 300 British POWs after a Japanese transport ship was torpedoed by the U.S. Navy in WWII. Today Rico shares the challenges working on Dongji Rescue, finding cultural identity in his filmmaking in China and the West, and we discuss the complexities of being an ABC in today's world. We talk about the impact of cultural influence, and how the evolving global landscape shapes identity. Rico also reveals his fascinating physical ability to not get drunk and the importance of focusing on commonalities rather than differences. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

The hosts tackle the art of savoring moments in life, reflecting on their own tendencies to rush through experiences. They introduce the concept of 'Irish goodbyes' and share personal anecdotes about their exit strategies at social gatherings. With one of them moving to California, they discuss the emotional weight of relocation and what it means for their friendship and future podcast plans. Additionally, they explore societal implications of AI, friendship dynamics, and how distance affects relationships, all while ensuring their bond remains strong.

Today's conversation takes a deep dive into the paranormal, exploring Tilman's fascination with near death experiences, reincarnation, shared death experiences, and the time between lives. Tilman shares compelling stories and accounts, including documented cases of miraculous healings and children's memories of past lives. The discussion also touches on the transformative impact of these experiences, the concept of a higher power, and the importance of living authentically and without fear. This episode is a captivating exploration of the unknown and the unexplained. Tilman Rieger is the founder of 8C Consulting, focused on conflict management, interpersonal and nonviolent communication. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

c.j. Ng, a sales leadership coach and author, dives into the transformative power of sales as a vital life skill. He discusses the importance of empathy in communication and contrasts manipulation with genuine consultative selling. c.j. also explores cultural challenges around giving feedback, advocating for safe spaces and clear channels in workplaces. He highlights the need for sales education in schools and shares insights on the increasing demand for authenticity over hype in customer relationships.

Dr. George Hu, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist from the United States. He is currently the Director of Counseling, Wellness, Disability, and Accommodation at Duke Kunshan University, and the President of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association. Previously, he was the Department Chair of Mental Health at Shanghai United Family Pudong Hospital. Today, we discuss modern emotional and mental health challenges including social awkwardness, emotion regulation and fear. We talk about the cognitive impacts of technology and AI, societal shifts in the perception of masculinity, the importance of self-reflection, and the broader existential anxieties that shape our current age. Dr. Hu emphasizes the essential need for resilience and emotional intelligence in navigating today's uncertainties and highlights the importance of redefining societal values beyond professional achievement. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Cyrus Janssen, a YouTuber and self-proclaimed US-China ambassador, delves into the evolving relationship between the two nations. He explores cultural exchanges, highlighting the experiences of bilingual families balancing American and Chinese values. Janssen discusses the narratives shaped by travel vloggers and the rise of Chinese soft power in influencing American youth. The conversation also touches on economic realities, the contrasting cost of living, and the potential for collaboration between the US and China amid geopolitical complexities.