The Honest Drink Podcast

Clinical psychologist David Ammerschlaeger returns to ask what we lose when technology makes everything easier. From AI that does our thinking to dating apps and digital companions, we explore the temptation to replace effort, uncertainty and human connection with instant answers. Drawing on experiences in China and the West, David, Howie and Justin discuss why boredom matters, what children learn...

Yaling Jiang is a writer and researcher helping people understand China through real individuals, rather than through headlines or stereotypes.   Yaling is a former journalist and translator and founder of the popular newsletter Following the Yuan.   She is also the founder of the research and strategy consultancy ApertureChina.   Today, Yaling joins us to talk about what it really means to explai...

American fitness coach and social-media creator Mike Pistilli reveals what it's really like building an online following in China, including becoming the country's top livestream for all the wrong reasons. He is known on Chinese social-media with millions of followers as Coach Mike or 麦霹雳. We discuss the rules foreign creators face on Douyin抖音 (Chinese Tiktok), RedNote (Xiaohongshu小红书), Ku...

Professor Daniel Graff leads design and AI research at Tongji University's College of Design and Innovation.  He is a Distinguished Research Fellow, educator, and co-author of the 2026 book "Design Thinking with Artificial Intelligence".  With a background spanning design innovation, business, and emerging technology, his work explores how humans design, collaborate, and create alongside artificia...

Zak Dychtwald is the founder and CEO of BridgeWorks Global and author of the critically acclaimed book, Young China.  He runs a cross-geography collaboration lab, helping people in some of the world's largest companies get along better across national borders, through science and data backed research.  Zak is a distinguished speaker having delivered over 100 keynotes to Fortune 500 companies and g...

Cyrus Janssen is a YouTuber and speaker on China and the world.   Today we talk about countering fear-driven narratives about other countries, being a "global citizen", and its impact on how we engage or disengage with the rest of the world.   We also talk about Chinese brands in America, as cost-of-living pressures rise and US domestic polarization and war continues.   Cyrus also describes how he...

Julie Sun is a brand marketer and content creator who creates English content on Instagram and TikTok as, "Julie your China friend", explaining Chinese culture and dating to foreigners.  She uses her voice to introduce modern China to a Western audience, providing an honest perspective on Chinese society, dating and everyday life. Today we talk about modern society and the search for our place in...

Eric Hovagim is an American content creator, industrial engineer and political commentator who, in his own words, "moved to China in late 2025 to escape the American Century of Humiliation".   He's worked in politics in his home state of Arizona and in New York City, producing a handful of videos that helped get Zohran Mamdani elected NYC mayor in 2025.   Recently, Eric has been producing content...

Raffe is the owner of Cantina Agave,   the very first Mexican restaurant in Shanghai.   Today he is joined by some old friends, BT and Dino on the podcast, as we celebrate Cantina's 18th anniversary and the launch of his new restaurant, Vice.   We talk about why he's stayed in Shanghai and discuss the constant pressure to keep up with this unique city, the challenges of running F&B amid unpredicta...

Daniel Dumbrill is a geopolitical commentator, independent journalist, and entrepreneur.   He is known for his in-depth analysis of China, global politics, media narratives, and the shifting balance of power in an increasingly multipolar world.   His commentary explores US-China relations, international affairs, and how media framing influences public understanding of global events. Daniel is reco...

YI is the owner of fine jewelry brand YI Collection and former stylist for Vogue China.   Today we talk about "love bombing", attraction, sex and the city…literally.   We talk about the differences in what men and women might be attracted to and the games we play when we're in the chase.   We talk about rejection, self-worth, appearance vs personality, and judging faces.   YI shares her mindset af...

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 fr...

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 h...

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...

Today we welcome in the new year as we film a special episode facing the camera.   We play "agree or disagree" and discuss several relatable topics, from the effectiveness of New Year's resolutions to whether romance is dying.  We also rank our worst personal habits to leave behind from the past year.   This episode is packed with introspection, light-hearted debates, and a drive to live better in...

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.  ...

In this special episode, the hosts delve into the theme of rushing through life and reflect on their personal experiences with close friendships. They discuss the difficulty of savoring moments, and the significance of 'Irish goodbyes'.  The conversation centers around Aric's impending move to California, exploring the emotional and practical implications for their friendship and the future of the...

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 experienc...

c.j. Ng is a sales, leadership, and experiential learning coach.   He has helped companies ranging from Google, Volvo to Swarovski.   Today we talk about the often-overlooked skill of sales, not just as a career, but as a life-altering tool. We explore the nuances of effective communication, the need for empathy, and the fine line between influence and manipulation. We also discuss the challenges...

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 e...

Cyrus Janssen is a YouTuber, speaker and self-proclaimed US-China ambassador.   He returns to discuss his experiences and observations on the evolving relationship between China and the US, from ground level.   Today we talk about cultural exchange, economic challenges and its impact on both Chinese and American society.   We talk about the recent trend of travel vloggers and YouTubers coming to C...

Arthur Jones is a British documentary filmmaker and co-host of the "飞天胡说" podcast.   He directed "The Six" (六人), a documentary about the untold story of the six Chinese survivors onboard the Titanic.   Executive produced by James Cameron, the film explores an extraordinary story of survival and dignity in the face of racism and anti-immigration policy.   Today we talk to Arthur about his fil...

Ron Lee is an award-winning creative technologist and VP, head of growth at Monks, a digital-first marketing, technology services and consulting company.   He is a technical expert in the fields of digital interaction, game experience, connected retail, and integrated design.   As an industry opinion leader, Ron has been invited by media and top industry conferences to share insights on AI, future...

Lily Lam is a content creator and designer based in New York City.   She creates content that speaks to underrepresented voices and is an influencer within the world of Magic: The Gathering.   Today, we talk about gentrification in New York's Chinatown, cultural identity as Chinese-Americans, and the recent rise of Chinese soft power.   Lily shares her thoughts on deep systemic problems in America...

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...