How China Works

LILY LI | Chengdu Girl in Bordeaux

Lily Li (李莉娟) is originally from Chengdu, China, and lives in France. Lily works at Christie's International Real Estate and is an Asian Investment Consultant at Vineyards Bordeaux. Lily shares her incredibly inspiring journey, discussing everything from winning "The Voice of China" to becoming a best-selling author, gaining a successful career in France, as well as building cross-cultural bridges between China and Europe. Don't forget to subscribe, listen and share it within your communities!

2020 NYE Show with guest PADDY ROBERTSON

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and let us be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! This week, Brendan is catching up on editing and posting Yingying's recent interviews, and for our New Year's show we're very glad to bring you PADDY ROBERTSON. Paddy has been living in Beijing 6 years and is CEO of SmartAir. SmartAir is one of the first registered B-Corps in China and has been recognized and awarded as a leading Social Enterprise / Impact company. Happy New Years from us here at the show!...

WAHED AHMADZAI - 马赫 | Social Entrepreneurship

WAHED AHMADZAI - 马赫 is a Beijing-based social entrepreneur and community builder with six years of experience working and studying in China, devoted to building platforms for international talents to learn, share and grow together. Wahed Co-founded YOOFU International Culture Education, NHUB business Consulting, and UIBE Alumni Business Club, and currently is doing his MBA at the University of International Business and Economics.  In this episode, MA HE has shared his unique cultural int...

Fall 2020 Catch-Up Show | BRENDAN DAVIS and YINGYING LI

Welcome back! Please enjoy this BRAND NEW SHOW as Yingying and Brendan get caught up on what’s been happening the last several months, including Yingying’s massive Chinese historical project, Brendan’s new YouTube show, what it’s like for us at the moment in Beijing and Los Angeles, respectively, what’s next, and much more. This episode is available as both an audio podcast AND a multi-cam VIDEO show on YouTube at https://youtu.be/z5_bbkFR3C8 or howchinaworkspodcast.com for more info!

Top 10 Repost: DAVID THOMAS | Four Decades of China Engagement

On weeks without a new interview, we’re going to start reposting favorite episodes from our Top 10 most popular shows, in case you missed them, and we’re kicking that off with one of THE best and most timely shows (in retrospect) that we could hope to share with you in our current situation. DAVID THOMAS has a very special history with China. His father Michael was the Attorney General for Hong Kong in the early-mid 80s charged by the UK government with creating what ultimately became known ...

MENGFEI LI | Focusing on Solutions in Unprecedented Times

"Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do something.” Timeless words of wisdom, shared here by the ever-insightful Beijing-based MENGFEI LI on a very relevant episode of our show. His perspective - as an international journalist who lived in the US for 13 years and has a lot of love for the country, but who also has the clarity of someone trained to be a detached observer - has led him to many insights we’re glad to share. We discuss, among other things, how political re...

BEI WANG | Branding and Story Shaping Across Cultures

This week, Yingying Li talks with BEI WANG in the Netherlands about the Dutch response to COVID-19, how the media business has been changing there already and what to look for post-pandemic, the cultural messaging and other challenges of Europeans trying to reach China and vive-versa, and much more.    BEI WANG on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bei-wang-王蓓-06a54a2a/

BRENDAN DAVIS and YINGYING LI | Tomb Sweeping 2020 (So Far)

We recorded this show on April 4th, 2020 China time, which was the start of the Ching Ming Festival, aka Tomb Sweeping Day. This date is also now the national memorial day for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Yingying, sporadic burnings of “hell money” are the only visible sign of the old normal. Brendan shares LA updates, and together they discuss challenges of the present, hopes for the near-term future, and some of the bigger broader potentials for the post-pandemic world.

MEMO MATA | Using Holistic Education To Instill Self-Reliance

MEMO MATA is an American educator who’s lived in China for more than a decade. He talks with Yingying Li about the various types of Chinese parenting styles, evolution expectations for their children, leadership, COVID-19, and the importance of a holistic approach to raising the future leaders (or just happy adults) that we all hope to see more of. Memo was featured in Malcolm Clarke’s film BETTER ANGELS, and we are very glad to have him join us this week.

BILL REICHERT | Evolutionary Thinking In Action

Deep nuances of leadership dynamics. AI itself as not being an investible thesis. Knock-on effects of COVID-19 on VC valuations.Talent residing in the team. Entrepreneurial, cultural, and other powerful lessons learned from China, Silicon Valley, and the greater world beyond both. Today BILL REICHERT joins us for a fantastic conversation with Yingying Li discussing all of the above, and we are glad to share it with you. A must-listen. Bill Reichert BIO: Bill Reichert is co-founder and Ma...

DAVID THOMAS | Four Decades of China Engagement

David Thomas has a very special history with China. His father Michael was the Attorney General for Hong Kong in the early-mid 80s charged by the UK government with creating what ultimately became known as the Basic Law, and he had a front row seat as it all unfolded. David has been deeply involved with China ever since, and today - in an interview recorded before Covid-19 became a household word - he shares some of his insights from four decades of engagement with the Middle Kingdom. Also: ...

GANG LU | TechNode

GANG LU is the Founder and CEO of China’s leading English-language tech-focused media company TechNode, China’s answer to TechCrunch. They offer analysis in print, on video, and on their podcasts including China Tech Talk and China Tech Investor. Learn more about technode.com and visit howchinaworkspodcast.com for more info about our show!

How China Works NEW YEARS EVE Special

For our annual Year In Review / Look Ahead episode, Yingying and Brendan wanted to also do a video version, showing you exactly how (and where) we brainstorm on guests and episodes. Problem: it was New Years Eve, we didn't have proper cameras or lights, and my friends who do were all unavailable. Solution: two webcams, one old Canon Powershot, and our podcast mics. The video quality is lo-res (and the sync is slightly off in the first 15 minutes) but it sounds great, the conversation was FUN...

MARCUS FREITAS | The Brazil / China Relationship

MARCUS FREITAS is a visiting professor at the China Foreign Affairs University. Prof. Freitas brings a fresh perspective to our show as our first Brazilian guest (and the first with whom Yingying could practice her Portuguese). Our show topic only hints at the range of our talk; we had an engaged, eclectic conversation, and look forward to having him back on the show in the future. Visit howchinaworkspodcast.com for more - and Happy Holidays!

DAVID CHUNG | AI-ECG

DAVID CHUNG is the US Head of AI for Carewell, a medical devices and solutions company focused on heart health. David is using AI to help create wearable devices to monitor a wide spectrum of factors for at-risk people to provide an early-warning system to help avoid and treat a heart issue BEORE it happens. He’s doing the good work and we were glad to have him on the show. Find him on LinkedIn at on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmtchung/ and learn more about the show at howchinawor...

CORDELL CARTER | Education and Leadership

Cordell Carter is a lawyer, former Eisenhower Fellow, tech founder, and a graduate of The Socrates Program who now works at The Aspen Institute himself, helping to train emerging leaders. In his own words, he’s entirely “self-contrived”, having harnessed an innate desire to maximize his impact to build an impressive life and career for himself. He’s particularly passionate about helping young African-American men to also see their futures as being global in scope, which lead to him creating ...

JAY THORNHILL | Baopals

Jay Thornhill is a co-founder of Baopals, a website designed to help English-speaking expats in China access the wonderful world of shopping available on Chinese-only Taobao and its sister site, TMall. Their success story is really inspiring, and Jay’s insights gleaned along the way are priceless. Also this week we debut a NEW FORMAT for the show that we would love your feedback on. Learn more at howchinaworkspodcast.com!

FRANK MÜLLER | The Bridge To Luxury

Yingying sat down with Frank Müeller on the sidelines of the 2019 Horasis China Meeting to discuss his company, The Bridge To Luxury, a consulting firm assisting companies working in high-end products and services markets. It was a brief but fascinating talk, densely packed with Müller’s insights into not just the luxury industry but the changing landscape of the country’s evolving middle-class also. More information on the company can be found at http://www.thebridgetoluxury.com. 

GREGORY LaBLANC and BOB UPHAM | How China Works LIVE! at UC Berkeley

Today’s show was recorded live at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and features Greg LaBlanc and Bob Upham. This is our 3rd live show from our Fall visit to the US. Visit howchinaworkspodcast.com for more.

VINCENT YIP and PETER CHEN | How China Works LIVE! at Stanford University

Today’s show was recorded live at Stanford University and features our guests Vincent Yip and Peter Chen. This is the 2nd of 3 live shows we did in the US this Fall. Don’t forget to visit howchinaworkspodcast.com for more!   SEARCH our show everywhere or LISTEN to “How China Works” here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-china-works/id1440747395  ALL PLATFORMS: http://howchinaworks.libsyn.com

MIKE KEHOE and BIN LI | How China Works LIVE! in San Francisco

Welcome to the first of 3 “How China Works LIVE!” shows we did while in the US this Fall. Today we bring you our chat with Mike Kehoe of Onepiece Work (where we recorded this) and Bin Li. We also have video of the event plus bonus materials to share in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on howchinaworkspodcast.com and visit the Show Notes page for more info on our guests. 

LI XU | International Mergers & Acquisitions

“Behind cultures, we all want the same things”. Li Xu founded and runs International Mergers & Acquisitions (IMA), a company whose principal work is indicated by their name. But Li Xu’s diverse experience and perspective brings added value that extends far beyond their stated scope of work. Yingying Li sat down with her on the sidelines of the Horasis China Meeting in Las Vegas for a tight, focused conversation. Also, Brendan shares details of the THREE California Bay Area “How China Works L...

DR. BETTINA AL-SADIK-LOWINSKI | Global Women Career Lab

Dr. Bettina Al-Sadik-Lowinski is the founder of Global Women Career Lab. She has extensive global corporate experience as an author, researcher, and senior executive coach with a focus on helping mentor and train women for senior management leadership  roles. Yingying Li interviews her in front of a live audience and they have a focused, intensive talk. VISIT: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/

Coming Soon: “How China Works LIVE!” in the US

This week we have a quick solo show, with Brendan giving you an update on the next few weeks - including an announcement about two upcoming “How China Works LIVE” events he and Yingying are doing, in San Francisco and at Stanford. MORE INFO: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/

SIMON YOUNG | Red Circle Network

SIMON YOUNG is the founder of Red Circle Network, a full-service advisory designed to help businesses get China ready. Simon lived in Shanghai for years but spoke to us from New Zealand to give us his perspective and share tips and tactics to succeed across borders. Visit https://www.redcirclenetwork.com to learn more, and enjoy the show! SEARCH our show everywhere or LISTEN to “How China Works” here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-china-works/id1440747395  ALL PLATFO...

GORDON DUMOULIN | Herbs, Organic Health, & Education

GORDON DUMOULIN’s passion for herbs led to his career sourcing, trading, using, and exporting natural ingredients and botanical raw materials for pharmaceutical, health, food, skincare and cosmetics applications. He is also an educator, by way of his and his wife’s Easton Bridge Education center, and a writer and commentator, via his 5iZ China blog. Yingying and Brendan sat down with Gordon for Round 1 of what will no doubt be an ongoing conversation. Enjoy! MORE INFO: https://www.howchina...

JESSE APPELL at the US-China Comedy Center

“How China Works LIVE!” this month comes to you from the US-China Comedy Center in Beijing, where we were joined by its proprietor, comedian JESSE APPELL. Jesse and his venue are dedicated to exploring both English- and Chinese-language comedy by way of standup & improv performances. Jesse is also a student of Chinese xiangsheng or “crosstalk” comedy, which he demonstrates here. He's one of the most insightful writers and entertainers working in China, and it was a great talk. NOTE that duri...

VIDEO: FU HAN at The Bookworm w/ MARK LEVINE & ISABEL CROOK

We are very pleased to present the VIDEO version of our 1st “How China Works LIVE!” event, recorded at The Bookworm in Beijing, China on August 20, 2019. Businesswoman, artist manager, & filmmaker Fu Han presents her documentary “Isabel Crook: Childhood Memories From Bailuding” and then we interview her for our show, along with guest Mark Levine, with whom she performs two songs, & surprise guest Isabel Crook herself! You can also find the audio-only version of this show as Episode 068, but ...

HUANG HONGXIANG | China House

SHU CAO MO | A Minerval Education

SHU CAO MO lives at the intersection between art, education, and the public sphere. Her work merges cultural diplomacy, civic engagement, and community development both for & through the arts. The three of us had an introspective, philosophical conversation, and we hope you enjoy it. Visit https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources for more.

HCW Live! | FU HAN (w/ MARK LEVINE) Live at The Bookworm

Today we bring you our very first “How China Works Live!” event, featuring Chinese businesswoman & force of nature, FU HAN, w/ special guest Mark Levine. We discuss Fu Han’s collaboration with Mark, plus her documentary film about an incredible lady named Isabel Crook. Isabel is 103 years old, born in Chengdu to Canadian parents in 1915, and she joined us as well. Enjoy! MORE: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/fuhan

MARK LEVINE / 马克力文 | A True Friend Of China

MARK LEVINE is an American professor who has made quite an impression on China. He moved here ahead of the 2008 Olympics, and his love for his new home inspired him to write & perform original folk songs based on tales from the land and the people. He's both a China green card holder AND a recipient of the Friendship Award, which is the highest civilian honor China gives to foreigners. Mark is ALSO a special guest on our upcoming “How China Works LIVE!" event on August 20 in Beijing, with hi...

YINGYING LI & BRENDAN DAVIS | A Video (Re)Introduction

This new video episode is ALSO a do-over for Episode 0001, our Introduction to the series - which is the first thing most people hear when they subscribe. Since we’ve evolved and improved the show substantially, we wanted to record a fresh take on what we’re all about and WHY we do it. Please enjoy, & share / rate / SUBSCRIBE!  VISIT: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com LISTEN - APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-china-works/id1440747395 / ALL PLATFORMS: http://howchinawor...

KELVIN LIU | Illuminating The Process of Education

Kelvin Liu is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a Masters graduate of both Johns Hopkins and Cambridge, where he is also finishing his Doctorate. He has been a researcher at Tsinghua and Stanford, and he’s applied insights gleaned from his diverse educational experiences to found Illume Technology, an e-learning company using cutting-edge applied science to best help students learn HOW to learn. His perspective on this topic is not to be missed! VISIT: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com

JOEY YANG | Youth Leadership Exemplified

Joey Yang is a respected up-and-coming author, maker, doer, and thinker in the areas of philosophy, politics, & economics, among others. He’s also just 17 years old. Joey’s ideas are often brilliant, and his talents & ability to execute them are prodigious. We had a wonderful time talking with him in this very in-depth interview, and we look forward to a Round 2.  VISIT: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources LISTEN - APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-china-works/id...

VIDA ZHANG FARGIS | International Etiquette Education

VIDA ZHANG FARGIS is an etiquette expert with a special focus on preparing children who will live global lives for their journeys, and on empowering their mothers to be a modern Chinese woman. Vida uses the home environment as a laboratory, updating traditional roles to best meet the future. LINKS: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources “How China Works”: LISTEN - APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-china-works/id1440747395 / ALL PLATFORMS: http://howchinaworks.libsy...

OLIM ALIMOV | SCOLAR & The Future of Community

OLIM ALIMOV is a consultant, entrepreneur, and a co-founder of SCOLAR. The SCOLAR Network is a platform aimed at bringing together young leaders from 18 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries to strengthen connectivity, promote dialogue, and contribute to regional development. Olim sits down with Yingying Li to share some of his many excellent insights. LINKS: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources

MALCOLM CLARKE | BETTER ANGELS & The US-China Relationship

MALCOLM CLARKE is a 2-time Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker. His new film BETTER ANGELS examines the world’s most consequential relationship - that of the US and China - in a powerful, moving, & candid way. This week Yingying Li talks with him about the film, lessons learned, & much more. A fantastic talk. https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources

Prof. GREGORY LaBLANC | Fintech & Edtech in China and Silicon Valley

Dr. Gregory Lablanc is a Distinguished Teaching Fellow at UC Berkeley in the Haas School of Business, a lecturer in the School of Law specializing in Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Venture Capital, & Corporate Law, & Faculty Director of the Berkeley Fintech Institute. He has a special focus on China, and he shares some valuable thoughts regarding the road ahead with us on today’s show.  BLOG & LINKS: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources Dr. GREGORY LaBLANC online: LinkedIn...

Dr. PARAG KHANNA | The Future Is Asian

Dr. Parag Khanna wears many hats: as a strategic advisor & consultant to global companies and governments; a TED Talker, speaker, & world traveler with both data- and experientially based insights into a host of pressing issues; and an author. His most recent book, The Future Is Asian, discusses not just the well-trod “Asian Century”  concept, but seeks to have a pan-Asian conversation to look at how the entire world is becoming Asian-ized. Dr. Khanna has been on a speaking & consulting to...

CLARK RUBINO | Startup Grinding & Entrepreneurship in Chongqing

Clark Rubino (鲁比诺) is Founder & CEO of Chongqing Bright Ideas Business, & Chapter Director of Startup Grind in Chongqing. He arrived in Chongqing from the United States in 2011 with the goal of opening his own wholly owned foreign enterprise (WOFE), and he has not only reached his goal, but made Chongqing - the hidden gem of China - his home. Clark shares a lot of great cultural intelligence in this episode, especially related to community building in Western China. Visit us at howchinaworks...

MAHDI SHARIFF | Guanxi.Ai & Using Data For Good

Mahdi Shariff is a "Forbes30under30” honoree and the founder of Guanxi.AI. Their mission is to help people harness the power of data for good, and they have an admirable track record of doing so. Please enjoy the talk, and visit howchinaworkspodcast.com to learn more.

THINKING AHEAD & OUTSIDE THE BOX | Yingying Li & Brendan Davis

As China continues to evolve & grow, the best entrepreneurial opportunities aren’t always where you might expect. Today we look outside of major cities like Beijing and Shanghai to discover hidden gems, discuss our upcoming travels and speaking engagements, and we finish by looking at the sectors where English-speaking Chinese youth can specifically can have the most impact in China, and the world. Visit howchinaworkspodcast.com for more!

HCW REMIX: Season 1 Overview | Yingying Li & Brendan Davis

This week we bring you a special REMIX edition of “HCW"! We’re sharing an enhanced version of one of our most popular shows, which was originally released Dec 28, 2018 as a video summary of our Season 1 highlights. Brendan also shares information about Yingying’s upcoming speaking event in Beijing on May 22 (in Chinese), and invites you to check out his newest podcast, “If I Knew You Better” this week to hear an amazing China-expat story with Hollywood actress Lee Chen. Please visit https://...

DR. FRANK-JÜRGEN RICHTER | Global Economic Leadership

Dr. Frank-Jürgen Richter is a leading international thinker on economics & monetary policy. He is the Chairman of Horasis, which hosts four events a year providing political, business, and social leaders with a platform to find common ground. Formerly a Director of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Dr. Richter engaged with Brendan & Yingying for an extended conversation that ranges from the practical to the deeply philosophical. Visit https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources for links...

CHRIS “LU YI” ONIYA | The Entrepreneurial Life

Chris Oniya is from Houston, Texas but has been in China 11 years. He's a serial entrepreneur using his insights at the intersection of business and education towards some truly worthwhile ends. This is a high-energy, info-heavy talk and a lot of fun - we hope you enjoy it! Learn more and connect with Chris via our Resources page at https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources. 

XIAONING LYU | Viva la Vida: Life as Art

Xiaoning Lyu was inspired by Frieda Kahlo on a trip to Mexico and created Viva La Vida as a street-art project, but it’s grown into much more. Visit her website or connect with her online to learn more - all links available at https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources. 

HAN TIANQI | Voices of the Future

Han Tianqi is International Co-Chair and President of the China branch of the G20 Young Entrepreneur’s Alliance, CEO of APEC Voices of the Future (China), a Forbes "30 Under 30" honoree, and our guest this week on the show. Great talk!  MORE: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources

DIEGO GILARDONI | Decoding China

Switzerland-based Diego Gilardoni joins Yingying in Beijing for a great talk that flies by far too fast. Brendan chimes in at the end and likewise hopes for a Round 2 with all of us, in person. Diego has a lot to say, and we were honored to have him join us to say a little of it.  MORE: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources

CATCHING UP WITH BRENDAN & YINGYING | Yingying Li & Brendan Davis

Brendan & Yingying have a quick catch-up that’s packed full of info. It's a little like our Season 1 shows, but more relaxed, like we are now in Season 2. It’s UNEDITED, fun, and fast. We hope you like it! Another interview coming next week. MORE: https://www.howchinaworkspodcast.com/resources