Chinese Lore Podcast

Water Margin 006: Minced 11.02.2019 28:53 ↓

Shi Jin makes a new friend, and we explore the question on everyone’s mind: Exactly what DO you do with minced pork fat?

Water Margin 005: Party 04.02.2019 29:43 ↓

Shi Jin and the bandits from the nearby mountains make it a Mid-Autumn Festival to remember.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 001: Cuju 30.01.2019 13:26 ↓

A quick look at the ancient Chinese game of football that allowed Gao Qiu to break into government service.

Water Margin 004: Pupil 28.01.2019 28:35 ↓

Wang Jin turns a one-night farm stay into a nice little gig by knocking his host’s son on his butt.

Water Margin 003: Ball 14.01.2019 32:29 ↓

How do you rise up to be the future ruler's right-hand man? Certainly not through brilliance or hard work.

Water Margin 002: Demons 07.01.2019 32:41 ↓

The capital is facing a crisis, and the only hope is basically the 12th-century Chinese equivalent of Anakin Skywalker from "The Phantom Menace." Ugh.

Water Margin 001: Introduction 01.01.2019 26:44 ↓

An overview of the podcast and an introduction to the Water Margin, aka Outlaws of the Marsh, one of China’s great classic literary works.

3 Kingdoms 154: Looking Back, Looking Ahead 14.05.2018 16:17 ↓

A reflection on this four-year ride, and a glimpse of things to come.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 020: Carousel of Characters 09.05.2018 29:42 ↓

A rapid-fire look at a bunch of supporting players in the novel.

3 Kingdoms 153: Podcasts Under Heaven … 07.05.2018 13:06 ↓

One hundred and fifty-three episodes later, we have finally reached the “long divided, must unite” part of the novel.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 019: Food 02.05.2018 25:08 ↓

A look at what they ate and drank during the Three Kingdoms era.

3 Kingdoms 152: Mutual Loathing and Admiration 30.04.2018 27:24 ↓

While their respective states are sizing each other up for conquest, the Jin and Wu commanders at the borders are getting along famously.

3 Kingdoms 151: How Quickly They Forget 16.04.2018 28:46 ↓

Sure I just lost my kingdom, but look at all the fun stuff they have in the Wei capital!

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 018: Sima Yi, Fact and Fiction 12.04.2018 15:36 ↓

We look at the architect of the Sima clan's rise to power.

3 Kingdoms 150: Ulterior Motives 09.04.2018 25:05 ↓

Everyone has a hidden agenda, except maybe for the guy suspected of hatching an insurrection. (Note: Special guest narrator this week)

3 Kingdoms 149: We Ain’t No Fortunate Sons 02.04.2018 28:31 ↓

A Shu commander tries to live up to his father's legacy, while a Shu prince refuses to follow his father's example.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 017: Sun Quan, Fact and Fiction 28.03.2018 15:41 ↓

A dive into the real life of the guy who ran the family business for 50-plus years.

3 Kingdoms 148: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 19.03.2018 27:42 ↓

While Jiang Wei scrambles to mount a last-ditch defense, his old nemesis searches for a way to go around his roadblock.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 016: Learning to Delegate 14.03.2018 11:10 ↓

Meet two statesmen who really mastered the art of saying, "That's not in my job description."

3 Kingdoms 147: The Empire Strikes Back 12.03.2018 27:24 ↓

Tired of Shu's perpetual encroachment on its borders, Wei decides to take the fight to its nemesis.

3 Kingdoms 146: Pyrrhic Victory 05.03.2018 27:28 ↓

Jiang Wei finally gets the better of Deng Ai, but even that ends up backfiring.

3 Kingdoms 145: Even More Chaos at Court 19.02.2018 28:07 ↓

Discord between lord and vassal simmers in the court of Shu, while things boil over in the court of Wei.

3 Kingdoms 144: Chaos at Court 12.02.2018 28:56 ↓

While the Shu and Wei continue to slug it out in the West, the kingdom of Wu deals with internal unrest at the highest level.

3 Kingdoms 143: How the Southeast Was Won, Again 05.02.2018 27:41 ↓

Sima Zhao takes the emperor on a buddy road trip to put down another insurgence in a particularly troublesome part of the kingdom.

3 Kingdoms 142: Mildly Wild West 22.01.2018 27:51 ↓

Oh look: Another Northern campaign by the kingdom of Shu. Yawn.