Cyrus Janssen: It's Not All Scary
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 was recently offered $10,000 US dollars to lie to his viewers, and how the money was ultimately traced back to perhaps the most recognizable AI company in the world. ...
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Julie Sun: Love Practically
The Honest Drink Podcast
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. Having worked in international marketing across the world, her sociological research has brought her traveling to over 30 countries, often by herself. Now 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 it. We talk about when after receiving...
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190- Eric Hovagim: The New American Dream
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 for popular political commentator, Hasan Piker. He was also previously part of a climate-policy think tank in the US and an engineer on the Hyperloop team. Today, we talk...
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189- Raffe, BT & Dino: To Live and Die in Shanghai pt.2
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 unpredictable rules and high turnover, and how the city shifted from “wild east” days to stricter, safer, more equal enforcement. We compare Shanghai’s convenience and safety...
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Daniel Dumbrill: Why Western Narratives About China Don’t Work Anymore
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 recognized for challenging conventional narratives and encouraging audiences to examine geopolitical issues with a critical and evidence-based approach. Today we talk about defending China...
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187 - YI: The Love Bomb
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 after leaving a relationship of eight years, her views on independence, loneliness, monogamy, white expat men, and dating strategies like negging and acting dumb. We discuss...
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186. Dr. Steve Vinay Gunther: The Truth About Us
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 from all over the world. Today, Dr. Gunther shares why his focus shifted to China and we get into a deep conversation about relationships. We talk about what prevents us from...
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185 - Matt Chen: A Chinese Time In My Life
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 heritage while improving his own Chinese literacy, finding a different path for himself in a new world. Today, we talk about Matt’s experience growing up in the US as an ABC and...
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Chocolate, Weapons & Midlife - James Wu & Charles Zeng
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 about chasing happiness, comparing kids to chocolate, and our biggest fears when it comes to growing old. We talk about the midlife crisis, aging and managing anger day to...
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183 - Happy In The New Year
The Honest Drink Podcast
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 2026. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on:...
info_outlineIn 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 podcast. They also touch on the broader societal impacts of AI and their evolving perspectives. Despite the impending changes, the hosts affirm their commitment to their deep-rooted friendship and the continuation of the podcast.
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