Best Talk Chineasy Podcasts (2025)

1
Burnout, Breakthrough, and Fluency: Chaniece’s Story 51:40

8d ago51:40

51:40

Chaniece Chen didn’t just study Chinese, she built her own major, battled burnout in an intensive language program, and came back for more. In this episode, Jared talks with Chaniece about her 12-year journey in China, from struggling with tones to thriving in Shanghai as a translator, community organizer, and content creator. Chaniece opens up abo…

1
Crutch or Catalyst? The Truth About Pinyin 27:40

22d ago27:40

27:40

You’re reading Chinese, and there it is, pinyin over every character. It feels helpful, even comforting. But is it actually holding you back? In this episode, Jared and John explore how pinyin can become a crutch that cripples your Chinese progress and keeps you from truly mastering characters. They revisit Jared’s blog post from years ago, Pinyin …

1
Starting Over in China: Chimsy’s Story of Risk, Grit, and Growth 49:19

1M ago49:19

49:19

In this episode, Jared sits down with Chimsy—marketer, meme connoisseur, and host of the China University Podcast—to dive deep into his unconventional journey from Costa Rica to China. What started as a challenge to prove a dismissive restaurant owner wrong turned into a life-changing adventure of language, culture, and self-discovery. Chimsy share…

1
Are AI Tutors the Future of Language Learning? 36:55

2M ago36:55

36:55

AI tutors are everywhere—but are they actually good for learning Chinese? In this episode, Jared and John take a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of AI-powered language learning tools. They explore how these AI tutors work and why tools that work well in English often fall short in Chinese. You'll learn: - The surprising limitations of AI whe…

1
City 不 City: How Paul Mike Ashton Memed His Way to Fame in China 52:29

2M ago52:29

52:29

Meet Paul Mike Ashton, the American content creator who turned a quirky catchphrase into a nationwide sensation with his viral "City 不 City" meme. Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, Paul's curiosity for Asian cultures led him to study Chinese, setting him on a path that would take him from the Amish countryside to the neon lights of Shangh…

1
Translating: A Tool for Fluency or a Crippling Crutch? 27:04

3M ago27:04

27:04

Is translation a necessary tool or a crutch that slows down your Chinese fluency? In this episode, Jared Turner and John Pasden dive deep into the role of translation in language learning. They explore the history of the grammar-translation method, the rise of communicative language teaching, and how translation can both help and hinder your progre…

1
How to Pass the HSK and AP Chinese Tests (replay) 59:30

3M ago59:30

59:30

In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Jared chats with Grant Brown, an expert in HSK and AP Chinese test prep. Grant shares why so many students fail, and more importantly, what you need to do to pass. Drawing on his experience as both a teacher and test prep specialist, he offers practical and often overlooked advice you won’t hear anywhere el…

1
104 - Sweet Dreams in Chinese with ShaoLan and Lucid Dreaming Teacher Charlie Morley 10:06

3M ago10:06

10:06

Lucid dreaming specialist learns how to wish someone “sweet dreams” in Chinese. ShaoLan shares more formal and less formal ways of saying this and which situations it will be appropriate in. And find out why Charlie recommends taking a nap when you’re busy. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download…

1
103 - Question in Chinese with ShaoLan and Founder and CEO Michael Schneider at Service 11:04

3M ago11:04

11:04

Creator of the amazing app “Service”, which helps people around the globe solve any kind of service-related questions, Michael Schneider learns how to say the Chinese word for “question.” ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.…

1
102 - Chinese Literature in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 6:28

3M ago6:28

6:28

Chinese culture is steeped in history, going back thousands of years. The written form of the language even originated from pictograms. ShaoLan and Transition drummer Josh discuss the word for “Chinese literature.” ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking con…

1
101 - Smart in Chinese with ShaoLan and and Author, Serial Entrepreneur & Mentor Sunny Bates 7:21

3M ago7:21

7:21

The amazing Sunny Bates calls in from New York to learn how to say “smart” in Chinese. A hugely successful individual, she is the CEO of Sunny Bates Associates and is on the board of some of the world’s most exciting companies, including Kickstarter and Creative Capital Foundation. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the Ap…

1
100 - Teacher in Chinese with ShaoLan and Lucid Dreaming Teacher Charlie Morley 9:01

3M ago9:01

9:01

Lucid dreaming specialist Charlie Morley shares invaluable insights as to why teachers are highly respected in Far Eastern culture and his own journey to accepting the title of the teacher himself. And find out which language ShaoLan most often dreams in! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download a…

1
099 - Red & Green Color in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 9:16

3M ago9:16

9:16

Why is the color red so significant in Chinese culture? How does it differ from Western culture? Transition’s drummer Josh chats with ShaoLan and offers some fascinating insights. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chine…

1
098 - Too Much Trouble in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 7:49

3M ago7:49

7:49

Can’t be bothered to learn Chinese today? Learn how to say “too much trouble” in Chinese with ShaoLan and Transition’s Jesse. A colloquial phrase that will make you sound like a native speaker in no time! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence fr…

1
097 - Lucky in Chinese with ShaoLan and Oncologist and Bestselling Author David Agus 9:13

3M ago9:13

9:13

David Agus is a doctor to the stars and author of the New York Times bestselling “A Short Guide to a Long Life.” In this episode, he joins ShaoLan to help Talk Chineasy listeners make their own luck and stay healthy in the long term. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for buildin…

1
096 - Dissertation in Chinese with ShaoLan and Founder and CEO Richard Price from Academia.edu 7:21

3M ago7:21

7:21

How many million dissertations can you read on academia.edu? Find out the answer and more in this fascinating episode as the founder Richard Price chats with ShaoLan about how access to elite knowledge is improving people’s lives all around the world. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and p…

1
095 - Today Tomorrow Yesterday in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 11:24

3M ago11:24

11:24

Jesse shares an exclusive clip of Transition’s hit song “jin tian wan shang” (今天晚上) and learns how to say Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday. Test your Chinese comprehension of the words at the end of the lesson along with Jesse. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your sp…

1
094 - Mountain Climbing in Chinese with ShaoLan & Nelson Dellis the 4x US Memory Champion 8:54

3M ago8:54

8:54

4x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis talks about his love of climbing mountains and his attempt to climb Mount Everest. Thanks to expert teacher ShaoLan, he learns how to say it in Chinese. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portal…

1
093 - 8 Times in Chinese with ShaoLan and Chief Science Officer Guruduth Banavar from IBM 12:03

3M ago12:03

12:03

One of IBM’s top stars Guruduth Banavar is also an accomplished composer. He shares the inspiration to one of his top songs Rise 8 times. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our website for more info about …

1
092 - Orange Color in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 4:41

4M ago4:41

4:41

Talk Chineasy’s resident special guest Josh learns how to say “orange” in Chinese. Find out why the Chinese love to eat a lot of oranges, especially during Chinese New Year. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Vi…

1
091 - What Do You Want in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 5:56

4M ago5:56

5:56

If you don’t learn any other Chinese today, then learn this! Transition drummer Josh discovers how to ask and how to answer the question “What do you want?” In China, you will use this phrase every day. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from…

1
Why Chinese Learners Know the Language Better Than Natives (Sometimes) 23:47

4M ago23:47

23:47

Surprise! When it comes to Chinese, learners sometimes know things native speakers don’t. In this episode, John and Jared explore intriguing aspects of the Chinese language that learners often understand better than native speakers. From tone change rules, verb conjugations (or the lack thereof), and those tricky three 的, 得, and 地, they break down …

1
090 - Air Conditioning in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 7:10

4M ago7:10

7:10

As spring approaches in Asia, Transition drummer Josh teaches the Chinese word for "air conditioning". It's a hugely important word to know, especially when experiencing the searing temperatures of the summer. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confiden…

1
089 - Knowledge in Chinese with ShaoLan and Founder and CEO Richard Price from Academia.edu 8:26

4M ago8:26

8:26

Knowledge is power, and in the academic world, Richard Price now has 78 million academics using his website academia.edu. Even farmers in the Sahara Desert have benefitted from expert research that has been shared on the site. ShaoLan helps you learn the origins of the Chinese word for "knowledge". ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is n…

1
088 - Organic in Chinese with ShaoLan and Founder Caron Proschan at Simply Gum 11:16

4M ago11:16

11:16

Ever wondered why organic produce is so important? Caron Proschan shares the secrets of her bestselling Simply Chewing Gum and learns the Chinese word for "organic". ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our …

1
087 - Learning in Chinese with ShaoLan and Co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn from Duolingo 7:08

4M ago7:08

7:08

Duolingo’s creator Luis von Ahn learns the word for "learning" in Chinese and shares his incredible vision for enabling millions of people all over the world to learn languages for free. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.c…

1
086 - Long Time No See in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 5:13

4M ago5:13

5:13

It is one of the classic sayings in Chinese that has even been assimilated into the English popular language. ShaoLan teaches Transition drummer Josh how to greet old friends and why it will take your business meeting to another level. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for build…

1
085 - Mount Everest in Chinese with ShaoLan and Product Director Erick Tseng from Facebook 8:43

4M ago8:43

8:43

It is one of the ultimate mountain climbing challenges, and Erick Tseng took on that challenge and even podcasted on the ascent! ShaoLan shares the Chinese word for Everest and mountains. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.…

1
084 - Sound Recording in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 7:18

4M ago7:18

7:18

Transition’s Jesse has recorded numerous albums in English and Chinese, but the word for Sound Recording in Chinese has always been a challenge. ShaoLan teaches him how to pronounce the words and the tones perfectly! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking c…

1
083 - Sounds Good in Chinese with ShaoLan and CFO Philip Rowley from Sony Pictures Entertainment 5:20

4M ago5:20

5:20

Bravo! It sounds good! CFO for Sony Pictures Entertainment Philip Rowley certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to good sound and visuals. ShaoLan teaches him this extremely useful Chinese phrase. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from…

1
082 - Music in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 9:50

4M ago9:50

9:50

Shakespeare once said: "If music be the food of love, play on!". Transition singer Jesse is put through his paces by ShaoLan who also discusses her own love of music. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our…

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081 - Productivity in Chinese with ShaoLan and Professor Erik Brynjolfsson from MIT 9:31

4M ago9:31

9:31

When are you most productive? How do you increase your productivity? And is technology a help or a hindrance?! The amazing Erik Brynjolfsson learns the Chinese word for "productivity" and discusses with ShaoLan the technologies that can cause ripples of productivity growth around the world. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live …

1
080 - May I in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 5:57

4M ago5:57

5:57

ShaoLan teaches Transition singer Jesse how to ask for permission to drive a friend's Ferrari, or ask someone on a date! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our website for more info about the app.…

1
079 - Daughter in Chinese with ShaoLan and her father Jui-Fang Hsueh 5:42

4M ago5:42

5:42

In this touching episode, ShaoLan invites her Dad to join the show and teach the word for daughter in Chinese. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our website for more info about the app.…

1
078 - Platform in Chinese with ShaoLan and Principal Research Scientist Andrew McAfee from MIT 8:02

4M ago8:02

8:02

"A balcony to watch the moon!" ShaoLan tells the world leading economist - Andrew McAfee the literal romantic meaning of platform, and the two explore the ways in which other kinds of platforms are shaping the world we live in. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your…

1
077 - Go Home in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 7:14

4M ago7:14

7:14

Living abroad is a huge adventure, but inevitably there can be moments when you feel like going home. Transition’s singer Jesse returns to share the inside story on another of the band’s hit songs 108,000 miles (Shi Wan Ba Qian Li) and ShaoLan teaches how to say "go home" in Chinese. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the …

1
076 - Bicycle in Chinese with ShaoLan and CFO Philip Rowley from Sony Pictures Entertainment 7:15

4M ago7:15

7:15

CFO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Philip Rowley, is back to learn how to say bicycle and share some stories from the adventures that his love of cycling has led him to undertake. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chin…

1
075 - School in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 5:29

4M ago5:29

5:29

Transition drummer Josh learns how to say "school" in Chinese while discussing a bit of what life is like for students at each stage of their school life in Asia. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/chineasy Visit our web…

1
074 - Fun in Chinese with ShaoLan and Director of Marketing Ken Yanhs from LEGO Education 8:12

4M ago8:12

8:12

Lego’s Ken Yanhs chats with ShaoLan about how to say "fun" in Chinese and reveals the best parts of his job working for Lego. Also taught in this podcast, "very fun" and "no fun"! The power is in your hands! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence…

1
073 - Good Ok Very Good in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 8:33

4M ago8:33

8:33

ShaoLan and Transition drummer Josh help you decipher Good, Ok and Very Good in Chinese. Learn how to rate your experiences and show your pleasure or displeasure with almost anything! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/c…

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072 - 365 Days in Chinese with ShaoLan and Jesse Edbrooke from Transition band 6:37

4M ago6:37

6:37

Learning how to say the days of the year in Chinese is not as hard as it sounds. Transition’s Jesse drops into the London studio to learn from ShaoLan how to master the days of the year as quickly as possible. ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confiden…

1
071 - It Is Raining in Chinese with ShaoLan and Josh Edbrooke from Transition band 6:45

4M ago6:45

6:45

Why do the English always talk about the weather? How do you say “It is raining" in Chinese? Transition drummer Josh chats with ShaoLan and teaches you in this weather related episode! ✨ BIG NEWS ✨ Our brand new Talk Chineasy App, is now live on the App Store! Free to download and perfect for building your speaking confidence from Day 1.portaly.cc/…

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