The Honest Drink

Jason Oakley is a renowned Chef who has spent his career working in multiple Michelin star restaurants and 5 star hotels around the world, including the Mandarin Oriental, St Regis, Peninsula, Wynn Las Vegas, the French Laundry and 3 on the Bund just to name a few.  Having spent a career serving upscale fine dining patrons, he now pursues his real passion with Sub Standard, a humble neighborhood sandwich store making some of Shanghai’s most popular sandwiches, keeping it casual, accessible and unpretentious.  Sub Standard frequently tops the charts for most repeat customers on China’s biggest food delivery apps.  Today we talk about why Shanghai never had a good sandwich culture, the ups and downs of western cuisine in China, and the cliche of “popular” western dishes here.  We also talk about corruption with the Michelin guide ratings, why authentic Italian pizza is bad and fighting mosquitoes at night. _____________________ 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.

In a lively conversation, former pharmacist Amy Fu shares her transformative journey of embracing a minimalist lifestyle while living in a van for two years. She reflects on breaking societal norms, quitting her corporate job, and the challenges of being disowned by her traditional parents. The discussion dives into the joys and struggles of van life, the importance of connecting with nature, and the pursuit of authentic happiness beyond material success. Together with John Kuo, they explore themes of personal growth and the need for simplicity in an urbanized world.

Matt Galat (加油马特) is a vlogger, global traveler, and filmmaker.  He is best known for his video channel JaYoe Nation and his newer YouTube channel Nuance, where he continues to explore East-West topics while traveling.  Tice Kralt is a bicycle tourer turned web developer, currently working remotely as a full-stack engineer in Taiwan.  Today we talk about life in transit, adjusting to America’s suburban lifestyle, and returning to China’s dynamic urban cities.  Matt and Tice share the energy they feel rediscovering China again and how it compares elsewhere.  We also talk “van life”, gun violence, and we compare experiences on social issues, culture, technology, language and travel.  _____________________ 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, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Cameron Johnson returns to talk about the current US trade war, tariffs, and the new world order.   Cameron Johnson is an expert in supply chains, manufacturing, and technology. He is frequently sought out for his expertise on US-China trade and supply chain issues, and is a delegate to Washington DC where he advises US politicians and officials. He is also a professor at New York University and former Vice-Chair of the board at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. He is a senior partner at Tidalwave Solutions with clients in various high technology sectors and he has been quoted by both American and Chinese news outlets alike. _____________________ 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, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Anna Yang is an award-winning advertising creative.  She has been named one of the Top 30 creatives in China by Campaign Brief.  She is also the youngest ever delegate to have represented China and won gold at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.  In this episode, we engage in a chaotic and diverse conversation about chaos theory, gravity, and Anna’s eviction and attack in New York.  We talk about the philosophical nature of math, whether anything is truly random in life, and how we are all modern day cyborgs.  The discussion then delves deeply into the cultural and biological significance of blood, examining how blood may serve as a social construct that connects all of humanity. This episode is a mix of science, personal anecdotes, and reflective thought experiments on kinship and love. _____________________ 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, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Cameron Johnson, a supply chain expert and NYU professor, dives deep into the complexities of US-China trade relations. He discusses the concept of ‘de-risking’ from China, while highlighting the oversimplified narrative of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. The conversation also touches on the challenges American companies faced during the pandemic in PPE production. Johnson emphasizes the importance of navigating global supply chains to mitigate conflicts and advocates for stronger bonds between nations to foster cooperation over mistrust.

Frank Tsai is the largest organizer of public lectures in Shanghai.  He is the founder of China Crossroads, hosting public talks on "China and the World" where he invites senior figures in academia, politics, business and foreign affairs.  He formerly worked at The Economist, and Control Risks, the top global risk consultancy.  He is an American with a background teaching geopolitical risk analysis and international media.  Today we talk passionately about a wide range of topics, including societal biases towards extroverts, the evolving socio-political landscape in China, and U.S. President Donald Trump.  We talk about cycles of tightening and opening in national policies and society, the low bar for some China “experts”, and why media and public figures speak in hyperbole.  We explore the framework of U.S. and China relations, exit plans, and global stability.  Frank also reflects on America under Trump, the loss of civic education and the weakening global perception of American democracy.  The conversation wraps up with a critique of the “melting pot” ideal, exploring the tension between individualism and unity in both China and America. _____________________ 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, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Steve Shi is one of China’s leading psychotherapists and host of the 史蒂夫说 podcast. He returns to discuss Inner Wild, his unique project that combines boxing with mental health discussions. We talk about young professionals and couples grappling with pressures of modern society and the importance of physical contact, controlled aggression and building emotional resilience. We examine the societal effects of emotional suppression in Chinese culture, exploring its ties to economic struggles and violence among disenfranchised individuals. The conversation also touches on vulnerability, human connection, and the challenges of adapting to a less intimate world. We reflect on finding balance between optimism and pessimism in an uncertain future. Finally, we share our own violent fantasies and discuss the meanings behind them. This episode offers an inspiring look at mental health, culture, and personal growth. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ Red Note: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

As we head into Chinese New Year, return guest and intercultural leadership coach Gabor Holch joins Justin and Aric for a thought-provoking conversation on self-reflection, leadership, and the human condition. Gabor shares how gratitude and perspective helped him overcome recent challenges while embracing the freedom of self-employment. Together, we explore the impact of AI on work, the influence of parenting styles on personal development, the roots of envy and why the grass always seems greener on the other side. Gabor emphasizes the importance of questioning beliefs, practicing humility, and fostering open-mindedness to bridge cultural divides, especially regarding perceptions of China. Packed with Gabor’s insights and stories, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone looking to grow as a leader and individual.  Happy new year... _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ Join Us On WeChat: THD_Official 小红书: THD The Honest Drink Find us on: Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.  

Dr. Stewart Desson is a leading expert in psychometrics and the developer of the renowned personality assessment, Lumina Spark. His approach is a blend of the “analytical” and the “humanistic” for personal and organizational development. He is also on the board of the Association for Business Psychology (ABP) and is the CEO of Lumina Learning.   Yimin Wang is a personality development and leadership coach.  He is one of the highest certified people development coaches in China, the CEO of Sense Consulting and a Global Partner of Lumina Learning. Jonathan Cannon is a certified business psychologist working in psychometrics.  He is responsible for the research & development of Lumina Learning and its core psychometric assessments.  Today we talk about the challenges of personality stereotypes, psychological & neuro diversity and the impact of psychometric assessment tools on personal development and organizational culture.  We talk about the prevalence of bias and labeling in traditional psychometric tools and society, particularly the overvaluation of extroversion.  We talk about the need for a more inclusive approach in recruitment and hiring practices and explore the strengths associated with different neurodivergent traits.  We also talk about improving relationships, managing conflicts, our sense of control over our lives, what it takes to actually change our personalities, and if thats even possible.  _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ Join Us On WeChat: THD_Official 小红书: THD The Honest Drink Find us on: Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.