Liminal Space 临界之间

In this episode, we sit down with Gideon Goldfeder—American educator, longtime Beijing resident, and self-described old Beijinger—to trace a life built on curiosity, adaptability, and an almost accidental commitment to China. Gideon's story begins in Rochester, New York, where growing up Buddhist and Jewish in a predominantly white suburb made him an outsider long before he ever left the country....

In this episode, we sit down with Ruby Pak—hospitality entrepreneur and third-culture operator—to trace a life shaped by constant movement across systems, cities, and expectations. Ruby’s story begins in Hong Kong and stretches across Beijing, Vancouver, the UK, and now Shanghai—a trajectory that exposes the subtle frictions of growing up between cultures. From language barriers and social exclusi...

In this episode, we sit down with Gab Liu—entrepreneur, cultural observer, and prolific side-project builder—to explore how a life lived across systems shapes the way you see opportunity. Gab grew up navigating Beijing’s highly structured education system before finding intellectual and personal freedom in the U.S. at Oberlin and Wellesley. That experience of moving between worlds—Chinese and Amer...

In this episode of Liminal Space , we sit down with Ming Khor (education entrepreneur, former digital nomad, and cross-cultural bridge-builder) to talk about identity, service, and what it means to live between worlds without needing to dominate them. Ming reflects on growing up in a multicultural environment in Washington, D.C., and how a formative experience volunteering as a teacher in China re...

In this episode, we sit down with Owen Sutter—an Oregonian who crossed the Pacific in search of opportunity, challenge, and a life that would never feel boring. From the chaotic charm of Ho Chi Minh City to the hyper-efficient pace of Shenzhen, Owen’s story reflects what happens when you place yourself at the edge of comfort and let the world reshape you. We talk about ethical manufacturing, cultu...

What happens when love sends you halfway across the world, and food brings you back home? In this episode, Susan and I sit down with Tina Zhao — chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Alinta, a Shanghai restaurant that fuses Australian ease with Chinese precision. Tina first left Shanghai at 17 to chase love in Melbourne, only to discover something else entirely: her calling in the kitchen. From culin...

What does it mean to grow up with music, and then grow into it? In this episode of Liminal Space , we speak with Henry Kong—festival organizer, music promoter, and 75th descendant of Confucius—about his journey from teenage rock star to cultural bridge-builder. Henry reflects on his first bands, the vibrant indie scene in Beijing, and the challenges of staying authentic as commercialization reshap...

What does it mean to build something massive, precise, and powerful—while rebuilding your own sense of belonging? In this episode of Liminal Space , host Susan Su and co-host Matt Lu talk with Julia Meyn, a naval engineer from Texas now working in Jiangyin, China. Julia shares her journey into the world of shipbuilding, from feeling like an outsider in her engineering program to forging a place fo...

What does it really mean to live in-between—cultures, dreams, identities? Joshua Charles Woodard, entrepreneur, engineer, artist, and nightlife maestro, has spent his life exploring this very question. In our first episode, Josh (affectionately known as "Jashy") shares the incredible journey that took him from Chicago's South Side to Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Schola...