The Honest Drink

Today we talk about brain fog and cognitive decline.  We share our personal experience with feeling dumber and discuss what might be the reasons behind it, and what we can do about it.  We talk about why its so hard to speak up about intellectual weaknesses or to even admit experiencing temporary ones.  We talk about daily routines and addiction to screens and phones.  We discuss if global society has gotten dumber as a whole in the last few years, if ignorance is bliss, and what we should be doing to regain our cognitive fitness. Brainwave Tuner (Howie's sound waves to optimize focus) _____________________ 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.

Anna Yang is an award-winning advertising creative.  She is the youngest ever delegate to have represented China and won gold at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.  She has been named one of the Top 30 creatives in China by Campaign Brief.  She is also the recipient of the United Nations Common Ground Initiative Grant.  Today we talk about authenticity, purpose, love and acceptance.  We discuss our subconscious and Anna shares her experience with Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique.  We listen to recordings of her sessions under hypnosis and explore what might be visions of her past life.  We discuss finding balance away from the extremes of pleasure and pain, and as we learn from our guest, truth is best served at room temperature.   _____________________ 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.

In this episode, Jackie Wang and Andrew Trapp reflect on their experiences of living in China and their decisions to return to America. They discuss the factors behind their choices, including family concerns during the pandemic. They share insights about personal growth, preparing for reverse culture shock, and rebuilding life in a new country. The podcast also touches on practical matters like getting a car and tipping etiquette. The episode concludes with heartfelt goodbyes to a departing friend.

Today Justin and Aric reflect on inner demons or "old friends" that cause torment, such as self-doubt, unmet expectations, fear of repeating hurtful patterns, and the feeling of time slipping away.  We discuss acceptance vs being content, guilt vs shame, and mindfulness.  We talk about our awkward friendship and explore what makes a "one-on-one" friend.  We also talk about the limits of human perspective, when false assumptions collide and zooming out across time and space to see the larger context around people, events and conflicts rather than a narrow recent view. _____________________ 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.    

Today we talk about Baby Metal, a popular Japanese Kawaii-Metal band.  We talk about Asian countries re-appropriating Western culture such as Heavy Metal music and why its controversial to some.  We talk about the concept of "being cool" and the need to fit into a tribe during our youth.  We share our opinions on what "cool" actually means and talk about "artsy fartsy" people versus those truly rebelling against the status quo.  We also compare American players to European players in the NBA.  We speculate on the cultural differences that might account for the perceived difference in problematic behaviors on and off the court.  We get into the idea of American exceptionalism and question if that sort of attitude is really only unique to Americans.  We ask if Americans are less humble today than they were in the past and how a rich economy attracts better talent.  We talk about the immigrant work mentality and if foreigners have an advantage over the local residents of a country like the US when it comes to chasing the American dream.   We also talk about growing up rich vs growing up poor and what we would change about the way we were raised. _____________________ 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.   

Gabor Holch is an intercultural leadership coach, speaker and author.  He has coached public leaders, CEO’s and high-level decision makers in some of the largest multinational companies in over 25 countries.  A former diplomat, he holds degrees in international relations, diplomacy and certifications in several assessment and coaching methodologies.  His latest book "Dragon Suit" is available now.  Today we discuss our human responses towards isolation, change, identity crises and technology.  We talk about its affect on our careers and personal life.  We talk about the power of confronting the very real question of "what is wrong with me?".  We get into the difficulties of adjusting back to normal life after an acute crisis, how it may strip you of self-confidence and how these changes result in a feeling of lost identity.  We talk about life's upward and downward curves, the "suit of armor" executives wear to hide their insecurities and when it might be good to show vulnerability at work and home. We are reminded not to define ourselves based on temporary weakness in our abilities.  We discuss the perceived threats and benefits of AI, how many people have bosses that are now algorithms, and human fascination with fear and technology.  We also get into Gabor's latest book "Dragon Suit" which exposes the complicated human stories of expat life in China over the last several years and the revealing lessons and struggles learned from his clients curated throughout his coaching career.   _____________________ 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.            

Debora Malito is an author and Assistant Professor.  Her work surrounds questions of sovereignty and inequality in international politics.  Her current research focuses on how information is produced, international interventions and the reordering of states and political orders.  She is the author of "Destabilising Interventions in Somalia".  Today we unpack the intricacies of international interventions and how they often fail with disastrous consequences.  Debora argues interveners often create or worsen crises that then justify intervention, debunking the myth of the "benevolent intervention".  We talk about governance, inequality and the moral ambiguities of spreading democracy.  We reflect on the rising geopolitical tensions of our time, and with an optimistic lens, Debora hints at a world where growing multipolarity could champion genuine global accountability.  This episode was recorded right before the recent Israeli-Palestinian crisis. _____________________ 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.

Today we learn about a series of misunderstandings that led to Aric's angry disappearance from the show last week.  This gets us talking about how petty misinterpretations can often lead to larger problems. We learn about concepts like fundamental attribution bias, actor/observer bias and how we act and react emotionally without always having all the information.  We talk about how we fill in the gaps with either positive or negative information, why we behave irrationally, and if the human condition has really changed since our beginnings.  We discuss the Netflix show "Beef" and how relatable the characters are.  We also talk about our issues with previous Asian-American casted shows and films and Asian/Minority representation in Hollywood. _____________________ 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.

Today we have no idea where Aric is.  His disappearance gets us talking about what else we don't know.  As we explore the mysteries of the unknown, we talk UFO's, share personal ghost stories and things we've experienced that can't be explained.  We talk about sleep paralysis, deja vu and other dimensions beyond our own.  We dig into human intelligence and the human experience.  Whats the actual reality of how much we know versus don't know? _____________________ 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.

Franklin Yao, founder of Zrou, discusses their mission to create affordable plant-based meat alternatives. They compare Zrou to meat, talk about the plant-based meat hype in China, and explore topics like Buddhism, food security, and ghost kitchens. Franklin rejects plant-based advocacy and shares his shocking experiences with race relations in the US. They also discuss the creation of Zrou chicken nuggets, the importance of providing good choices, and their journey in building electric vehicles.