Escape From Plan A

Shorter pod today where Teen gives his thoughts on why we aren't facing Iraq War Redux, and why liberals are engaging in mass self-deception as a form of covert therapy rather than an assertion of their (completely discredited) world view. Bonus pod this week is a discussion with Carl Zha about initial impressions of the US bombing of Iran, as well as how life is going on 6 years after abandoning life in the United States. To access: patreon.com/planamag Links: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-858546 https://youtu.be/zsRvCiXOXCs

Steve joins Teen from HK to talk about soft retirement plans. What if instead of working your ass off like a chimp until you earn the brass ring (FAKE), we just hit a target number and fade into 'maintenance' mode? Part 1 of 2 For access to Part 2 and bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

John Pang joins Teen to discuss the contrast between America's dark vision of tech leading us into a dystopain near-future, while Asia dreams of a tech utopia. And theories on why China is building data centers in space. Part 1 of 2. To get access to bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Angelica Oung joins Teen from Taipei to talk about perfect bilingualism, wayward Taiwanese politics, and Noah Smith's weaboo fixations. Pt. 1 of 2 Bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Shan and Teen talk about Evgenia Kovda's epic multi-day Twitter rant against stunted American adults who refuse to grow up, have children, and become 'tethered to life'. Do only parents experience the primal source of love? Can only parents be trusted to save the world? Why is the Pope an unmarried, childless bachelor? A married couple tackles these question. Pt. 1 of 2 For bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Q Anthony Ali joins Teen from Tianjin to talk about leaving Toronto, starting a new chapter in life in China, and the small things about adjusting to life in China. Pt 1 of 2 To access bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

CS Taniguchi joins Teen to talk about trying to live your best life in an objectively bad era. Part 1 of 2 To get access to Part 2 and all bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Trevor joins Jess and Teen to follow up on the discussion of Jewish American culture and its under-appreciated impact on American culture overall (see ep. 586). This time with a focus on the films 'Annie Hall' and 'Quiz Show' and how the Asian American experience echoes these earlier works, but in ways that don't often get expressed in Asian American culture. Pt 1 of 2 To get access to pt 2 and bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Mike joins Teen to break down last week's "Liberation Day" against the whole world, the stock market meltdown, and what kind of sense can be made of what seems to be economic seppuku by the United States. What does any of this shit mean? Part 1 of 2 To access bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

Mike joins Teen to talk about figuring out an alternative to the career-family path, people just cracking under the pressure, and The White Lotus. Part 1 of 2. For access to bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

John Pang joins Teen to talk about Trump's escalating trade war with China, and why we in America may have grown complacent with China only playing defense i.e. responding in kind and proportion to American aggression. Is it possible that era of Chinese conservatism is over, and that we could see China taking the tempo of the fight and switching to offense? What could China do to us? See Teen's related article on Substack here: https://interarma.substack.com/p/scott-bessents-coming-war-against?r=6pahq To support Plan A and get access to bonus episodes and the Discord community: patreon.com/planamag

Prof Fred Lee and Chong join Teen to talk about the state of higher education, why universities are bloated with administrators but short on full time professors and instructors, and the way college and grad/professional programs have become finishing schools to sell oneself into the corporate market. Part 1 of 2 To access Part 2 and all bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Trevor from Champagne Sharks joins after a long hiatus to talk with Jess and Teen about 90s media culture, the context-lite stochastic New York City of primetime sitcoms, the exceptionalism of 'Seinfeld', and crypto-Jews. Part 1 of 2. To access Part 2 and all bonus episodes, become a supporter at patreon.com/planamag

Mike, Steve, and Teen find the Lagrange Point of LA, HK, and NYC to catch up on all things degenerate: California, stocks, economy, and the first 30 days of Trump 2. This is part 1 of 2. For access to part 2 and all bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Lei Gong joins Teen to talk about the continuing attacks online against Asian diaspora women as a group, and whether the use of politics is a just a disguise to hide an underlying racialized misogyny with deep psychosexual roots (guess the answer). Part 2 bonus of this episode is a discussion about Chinese stocks and whether it's time to buy. Totally different topic! To gain access to bonus episodes: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Mike (@Meow_Meow_2020) joins Teen to talk about Trump being a Gorbachev figure in American history. The Final Leader, the Empire's Last Man. "You are an old man who thinks in terms of nations and peoples. There are no nations. There are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multinational dominion of dollars. Petro-dollars, electro-dollars, multi-dollars, reichmarks, rins, rubles, pounds, and shekels." To get Part 2 of this episode, support us at patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Filip joins after a long dad-duty break to chat with Mike and Teen about the DeepSeek drop, their experiences and opinions of AI tools, especially whether it's something to fear as a job destroyer or a SuperFriend when we reach are old and lonely. To get access to Part 2 and other bonus pods, support us at: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Q. Anthony Ali (@NobleQAli on Twitter) joins Teen to talk about Trump's second term, what the new political alignments will look like, Elon's sieg heil, and whether the fall of the Empire might truly be upon us. To support the pod and gain access to Part 2 of this episode: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Friend of the pod John Pang joins from Hangzhou to discuss his home country of Malaysia with Teen. Why do Malaysians seem so familiar to us Asian Americans? And why does the modern history of Malaysia track that of America in surprising ways? The story of Malaysia can radically alter how Asian American diaspora understand our own place in the world. To support the pod and gain access to Part 2 of this episode: patreon.com/planamag

Pt. 1 of 2 The elusive Han Feizi (aka @DoggyDog1208 on X) joins Teen to discuss how to think about Chinese economics, as well as national security ideas, without the usual Western media ideological bullshit distortion field. You can read his wry, informative columns at Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/author/han-feizi/ To join our Patreon and get access to bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Jess joins Teen to talk about how 2024 appears to be the decisive end point of the multi-decade liberal era. With that comes the necessary end of the Asian American liberal identity and its beliefs about culture, race, assimilation, and what the good life means in America. Also, ~~Happy New Year Escape From Plan A listeners!!!~~ To get access to bonus episodes inc. Part 2 of this podcasts: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Taiwanese political commentator and rapper Xiangyu joins Teen from Taipei to talk Taiwanese politics and cultural identity, pro-China/pro-Communist diaspora viewpoints, and why people seem to lack soul these days. Xiangyu's podcast 'Strait Talk': https://straittalk.xiangyu.tw/ To get access to Part 2 and the Escape From Plan A Discord: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 Mike (LA) and Steve (HK) join Teen (NYC) to talk about mid-life morass of having all your material needs met, your major life goals satisfied, but then having no idea wtf to do. Is it an issue of money or metaphysics? To get access to bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

Pt. 1 of 2 Professor Fred joins Teen to talk about the Catherine Liu's polemical assessment of the professional managerial class (PMC) in her book "Virtue Hoarders" and what this group of people -- a great many who are Asian -- really face in terms of politics of both the materialist and idealist realm. To get access to bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

Pt. 1 of 2 Mike and Teen talk about the sudden risk-on asset pump after Trump, and the dumping of safe haven assets like Treasuries and gold. Are there actual changes that need adjusting to, or is this just temporary euphoria to get a tiresome, chaotic election behind us? To get access to bonus pods: patreon.com/planamag

The “most important election of our lifetimes” is happening tomorrow, if you live in America. John Pang, Carl Zha and I hosted a two hour space on the eve of the US election to talk about everything that's not being said about it in the media. In part 2, @ineedsheet joins to talk about the Asian diaspora experience with liberalism, and why many of us may prefer to ‘obscene' culture of MAGA chuds over that of the liberal elites we have so long strived to join.

The “most important election of our lifetimes” is happening tomorrow, if you live in America. John Pang, Carl Zha and I hosted a two hour space on the eve of the US election to talk about everything that's not being said about it in the media. In part 2, @ineedsheet joins to talk about the Asian diaspora experience with liberalism, and why many of us may prefer to ‘obscene' culture of MAGA chuds over that of the liberal elites we have so long strived to join.

Jess and Teen talk about why kids growing up now seem so much younger than we were in our day at the same age. Is it a cognitive bias -- we were the same, actually -- or is there an actual change in the development path? And are parents smothering their kids these days or what? This is part 1 of 2. Part 2 is available on the Patreon feed for subscribers. To join: https://patreon.com/planamag

Mike (from Jersey) talks with Teen about whether the various discrete wars raging will merge into something like a world war. Is something actually going to Happen? This is Part 1 of 2, the second is on the Patreon. To support Plan A and get access to bonus eps and the Discord: patreon.com/planamag

Steve joins Teen from Hong Kong to recount life 1 year into his reverse-immigrating (emigrating?) to Hong Kong, what parts of it lived up to expectations and what parts did not, and the class and cultural complexity that such a move presents for his daughters. This is Part 1 of 2, the second is on the Patreon (and Mike joins as well). To support Plan A and get access to bonus eps and the Discord: https://patreon.com/planamag

Mike and Teen talk on a Wednesday night (happy Mid Autumn Festival) about owning property, getting tired of your city, and whether the thing to do is sell all your shit and move to Southeast Asia. Part 2 is available to Patreon supporters: www.patreon.com/planamag

Mike, Steve and Teen find time on Saturday morning of Labor Day Weekend to catch up on the markets and the economy, a few current events, what's going on in each of LA, HK, and NYC, and try to avoid the doomerism of the news cycle. Easy listening podcast for hard times. To support and get access to premium episodes, go to: patreon.com/planamag

Adam is back! One of the regulars when Plan A got started, Adam is back to talk with Teen about his work with the transnational adoptee organization Also Known As, the importance of volunteerism, and some just some shooting of the shit. To support: patreon.com/planamag

Part 1 of 2 John Pang joins Teen to talk about the phenomenon of a global return to traditional cultural norms, and where that leaves American liberal culture as it passes beyond its apex. To support: patreon.com/planamag

This isn't a full episode, but just a short rant about the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony and what a missed opportunity it was to give the world a message of unity and hope. Instead, it was a display of narcissism and European insularity.

This is the recorded audio of a Twitter Space held by the America Watchers (Carl Zha, John Pang, and Teen) on July 19 to talk about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the selection of JD Vance, and the return of traditional "honor politics" in America. This includes the discussion between Carl, John, and Teen. There was a lot of discussion with listeners in the Space which is available on the Patreon feed. To support: https://patreon.com/planamag

Fred Lee is a professor with a joint appointment in political science and Asian American Studies. He joins Teen to talk about his observations about mass burnout, the symptoms, causes, and likely effects. Byung-Chul Han's "Burnout Society" is discussed as well as Nietzsche's notions of sovereignty and will. Part 1 of 2 -- the related bonus episode can be found on the Patreon feed. To join the Plan A Patreon go to www.patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Jess and Teen talk about the phenomenon of married women with kids suddenly finding out in early middle age that their husband is fully checked out of family life. Teen relates personal experience as to what may be at play that causes this desire for solitude. Part 1 of 2 -- second part can be found on the Patreon feed. To join the Plan A Patreon go to www.patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Mike joins Teen to discuss the rise of white supremacist anti-Semitism, the non-distinction between liberal interventionists and neocons, and the foreign policy reasons to consider a vote for Trump over Biden. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Chong and Mike join Teen on the eve of Juneteenth to talk about being alienated from suburban landscapes, lifestyle, and ultimately suburban people. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

The second installment of a series whereby Teen gets into a public verbal confrontation, Shan records it, and then the couple reviews it like it's Inside the NBA. What was done well, what could be done better, and whether all of this nonsense could have been avoided. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Mike, Steve, and Teen have a discussion about buying real assets in a world dominated by financialized investment products. Primarily fun, but also maybe to hedge against future financial crises. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

John Pang joins Jess and Teen from Hangzhou, China to talk about the need to study America as it really is, what life is really like here, and get beyond the outmoded tropes about this place so that the world can better understand us. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Hen Zee (aka Dr. Z) joins Teen to talk about the recent sentencing and imprisonment of John Ong following a 2020 racist attack at his family's home in Manhattan Chinatown. Why we need to let go of our naive belief in (legal) justice, why and how to get prepared for hostility and danger, and to let go of our childish investments in liberalist ideas. Full video of attack: http://bit.ly/attackonongs Dr. Z IG: http://instagram.com/arsenal_nyc DCC: Instagram.com/dragoncombatclub DCC Class sign-up: http://bit.ly/dccgantry24 Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Mike H. joins Teen to talk about Boeing's shocking failures, financialization, and how the economy became fake. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 John Pang joins Jess and Teen to discuss what Teen saw in person at the Columbia campus over the weekend, the seriousness of the conflict, and why we are seeing internecine warfare within elite institutions and society. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Jess and Teen record a long pod about nostalgia for retro tech, only to hang up, continue the conversation, and realize the after-talk was actually the better pod. Here is the after-talk , about the virtualization of all technologies into software, the corruption of software as trojan horses into our lives, and the suspect loyalty of the technology we bring into our homes. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Jess and Teen talk about how time and experience allows a more mercenary and disillusioned relationship with work and jobs, and how the cultish mythology around work and passion (esp in tech) was the cause and not the cure to the anxiety and pressure of careerism. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Jess and Teen discuss Wim Wenders' 2023 film 'Perfect Days' and what it says about aging and internal monologue. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Jess is back after a long hiatus to catch up with Teen on important life matters: the importance of spring in New York, the exquisite quality of computer manuals in the 1970s, and what the hell 'internal monologue' means. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)

Part 1 of 2 Mike, Steve and Teen find a timezone compromise between LA, NYC, and HK to talk about managing our money in what seems like mad world of overpriced investment assets and unprecedented risk to the US dollar system. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamag EFPA Theme:
 "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)