Podcasts about great wall

Assassin's Creed Dynasty provides a vivid recreation of China as it was 1300 years ago, during the reign of the Tang Dynasty. The story focuses on a pivotal moment for the emperors, when a huge rebellion plunged the empire into a civil war that took nearly a decade - and the brutal deaths of millions - to end.Yet despite this turbulence, the Tang Dynasty is often thought to have ruled over a golden age in Chinese history, characterised by peace, stability and the peak of ancient art.To make sense of this apparent contradiction, Matt Lewis welcomes back Dr Jeremiah Jenne, host of the Barbarians at the Gate history podcast, and the historical travel podcast, By Their Own Compass. Listen to his fascinating recounting of the long history of the Great Wall of China.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Michael McDaidProduced by: Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Theme Master by Aaron Miller & Mark RutherfordForbidden City (Calm Session) by Aaron Miller & Mark RutherfordIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here.Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Heritage: A Journey of Tradition and Connection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-26-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 冷冽的冬季天空下，长城雄伟的身影蜿蜒而去。En: Under the cold winter sky, the majestic silhouette of the Great Wall wends its way.Zh: 古老的石墙两侧，五颜六色的摊位排开，售卖着各种喜庆的春节装饰品。En: On either side of the ancient stone walls, colorful stalls are lined up, selling various festive Spring Festival decorations.Zh: 空气中弥漫着节日的气氛，夹杂着阵阵冷风，家人和游客们在这些摊位间穿梭，寻找新年必备的装饰品。En: The atmosphere of the festival fills the air, mixed with gusts of cold wind, as families and tourists weave through these stalls, searching for must-have decorations for the New Year.Zh: 梁站在一个小摊前，眼神迷茫。En: Liang stood in front of a small stall, his gaze bewildered.Zh: 对于一个生于华夏的年轻人，他却感到自己与文化的距离遥远。En: Although a young man born in China, he felt a great distance from his culture.Zh: 他想找一些有意义的春节装饰，用以感受节日的温馨和传统的力量。En: He wanted to find some meaningful Spring Festival decorations to feel the warmth of the festival and the power of tradition.Zh: 然而，琳琅满目的红灯笼、剪纸、福字似乎都在对他微笑，但每一个却又似乎都没有不同。En: However, the array of red lanterns, paper cuttings, and Fu characters all seemed to smile at him, yet each appeared indistinct.Zh: “我应该选哪个呢？En: "Which one should I choose?"Zh: ”梁轻声自言自语，眉头微皱。En: Liang muttered to himself softly, frowning slightly.Zh: 这时，旁边一个摊位上，一个正在认真挑选装饰的女孩抬起了头。En: At this moment, a girl who was seriously selecting decorations at a nearby stall looked up.Zh: 云是一名大学生，正在研修中国文化，对于传统习俗有着极大的热情和理解。En: Yun was a university student majoring in Chinese culture, with great enthusiasm and understanding of traditional customs.Zh: “需要帮忙吗？En: "Need some help?"Zh: ”云的声音温和，是难以拒绝的邀请。En: Yun's voice was gentle, an invitation hard to refuse.Zh: 梁有些犹豫，但还是点头。En: Liang hesitated a bit, but nodded nonetheless.Zh: “我想买一些有意义的春节装饰，但我不知道该选哪些。En: "I want to buy some meaningful Spring Festival decorations, but I don't know which ones to choose."Zh: ”云微微一笑，点头赞许。En: Yun smiled slightly, nodding in approval.Zh: “春节装饰有很多种，每种都有自己的意义。En: "There are many types of Spring Festival decorations, each with its own significance.Zh: 红灯笼代表着好运和团圆，福字倒贴象征着福到了，而春联传递了对新一年的美好祝愿。En: Red lanterns represent good luck and reunion, Fu characters pasted upside down symbolize the arrival of fortune, and couplets convey beautiful wishes for the new year."Zh: ”梁听得认真，渐渐放松下来，他点点头。En: Listening intently, Liang gradually relaxed and nodded.Zh: “原来如此。En: "I see.Zh: 我觉得这些不仅美丽，更是对传统的一个连接。En: I feel that these are not just beautiful, but also a connection to tradition."Zh: ”在云的指导下，梁终于选出了一些他感到共鸣的装饰。En: With Yun's guidance, Liang finally chose some decorations he resonated with.Zh: 有红艳的灯笼，有剪纸的福字，还有一对红红的春联。En: There were bright red lanterns, paper-cut Fu characters, and a pair of red couplets.Zh: “谢谢你，云。En: "Thank you, Yun."Zh: ”梁感激地说道，眼中流露出真诚。En: Liang said gratefully, genuine emotion in his eyes.Zh: “能帮你找到你想要的，我很高兴。En: "I'm glad I could help you find what you want."Zh: ”云回应道。En: Yun responded.Zh: 两人选好装饰后缓缓离开，感受到节日的气氛愈加强烈。En: After selecting their decorations, the two slowly left, feeling the festival atmosphere grow stronger.Zh: 梁在阳光下露出舒心的微笑，他知道这不仅仅是买到了装饰，更重要的是，找到了一种久违的连接感。En: Liang smiled contentedly in the sunlight, knowing he had found not just decorations but also a long-missed sense of connection.Zh: 他面对即将到来的春节，满怀期待。En: He looked forward to the upcoming Spring Festival with great anticipation.Zh: 分别时，梁邀请云在春节来到他的家，一同感受节日的喜悦和传统。En: As they parted ways, Liang invited Yun to his home during the Spring Festival to enjoy the joy and tradition of the holiday together.Zh: 云欣然同意，他们约定好在不久的将来再见面。En: Yun gladly agreed, and they planned to meet again in the near future.Zh: 长城的影子依然静静伫立，见证着这一切。En: The shadow of the Great Wall remained quietly, witnessing it all.Zh: 而此刻，梁的内心也像这座古老的墙一般，坚实而温暖。En: At this moment, Liang's heart, like the ancient wall, was solid and warm. Vocabulary Words:majestic: 雄伟的silhouette: 身影gust: 阵风bewildered: 迷茫array: 琳琅满目indistinct: 不清晰frown: 皱眉invitation: 邀请hesitate: 犹豫approval: 赞许significance: 意义upside down: 倒贴convey: 传递intently: 认真地resonate: 共鸣genuine: 真诚anticipation: 期待parted: 分别solid: 坚实wends: 蜿蜒stall: 摊位festive: 喜庆的decorations: 装饰品tradition: 传统customs: 习俗reunion: 团圆couplets: 春联contentedly: 舒心地witnessing: 见证remained: 伫立

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Most agencies don't have a marketing problem. They have a sameness problem. Their websites, their services, their "award-winning team" language. It's all the same. They even have the same promises that sound impressive but mean absolutely nothing to a prospect who's heard it 50 times this week. Today's featured guest has a pretty good idea of why agencies are blending into the background and how the ones that win are doing the opposite. He'll get into differentiation, AI, pricing confidence, RFPs, and why playing it safe is the fastest way to disappear. David Brier is the the branding expert CEOs call when their marketing hits a wall. He calls himself "rehab for brands" to help get them profitable. He is the author of Brand Intervention and Rich Brand, Poor Brand, and he's built a career around one core idea most agencies completely miss: branding isn't about looking better but about being different. After realizing there were more than 25,000 branding books and no agreed-upon definition, David distilled branding down to four words: the art of differentiation. That idea alone reframes how agencies should think about positioning, pricing, and growth, especially right now. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why Differentiation Isn't Optional in the Age of Lazy Thinking. Get Rid of the Agency Speak Saying 'No' as a Strategic Advantage Different is Better Than Better Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Why Branding and Differentiation Are No Longer Optional for Agencies David's definition of branding cuts through the noise because it mirrors how humans actually behave. We notice what's different. We ignore what feels familiar. If your agency sounds like a remix of every other agency, your prospects' brains will quietly check out. That's why brands like Apple feel predictable in a good way. As Seth Godin once said, you know what an Apple sneaker would be like. You don't know what a Marriott sneaker would be like—and that's the problem. One owns a point of view. The other plays it safe. For agencies, differentiation means making a choice and being willing to lose people who aren't a fit. That's uncomfortable, especially if you're used to trying to appeal to everyone. But the agencies that scale aren't trying to be a choice. They're working to become the choice for the right clients. How "Agency Speak" Is Killing Your Sales Ask most agency owners what makes them different and you'll hear the same three things: our people, our process, our portfolio. That language doesn't differentiate you, it only anesthetizes the conversation. You wouldn't advise your clients to use the language of the competition, so why would you? Additionally, David also believes that brands that take a stand and aren't afraid to be bold will automatically stand out from the many many agencies that are too timid and too afraid to offend. This doesn't mean you have to be divisive. You can be bold in a way that actually brings people together. This fear of being truly different comes from the way we're all wired to believe that an amazing portfolio will be enough to draw people in. But the portfolio isn't the most important thing in the room, is the person sitting across from you. Stop leading with your work and start leading with questions. When you ask better questions and actually listen, prospects feel seen. By the time you show your portfolio, if you even need to, they've already decided whether they trust you. That kind of confidence signals maturity—and it instantly separates you from the agencies still performing their pitch deck like a talent show. Why AI Is Fueling a Sea of Sameness in Agency Marketing AI isn't the enemy… but lazy thinking is. David sees it as everyone is now outsourcing their ingenuity to the same tools, using the same prompts, producing the same safe output. The result is, of course, a sea of indistinguishable brands with no soul and no pulse. What he calls "The Great Wall of Beige." The mistake agencies make is thinking AI replaces brilliance. It doesn't. It amplifies whatever you bring to it. If you don't have a point of view, AI will happily help you sound like everyone else faster. The agencies that win in this era will use AI as a tool, not a crutch. They'll still ask, "Why the hell not?" They'll still challenge assumptions. And they'll still bring conviction, creativity, and human judgment to the table, because that's the part clients can't automate. The Power of Saying No: Reclaiming Pricing and Positioning When a buying process is run by a committee, the goal isn't excellence, it's consensus. And consensus is where great ideas go to die. This is why David stopped participating in RFPs. The most powerful move an agency can make isn't trying harder to win bad deals. It's being willing to walk away. The ability to say no signals strength. It reframes the relationship. When you stop chasing every opportunity and start choosing your clients, pricing objections lose their power. As David put it, when prospects ask why he's so expensive, he flips the script: "Why is everyone else so cheap?" That mindset shift alone changes how clients perceive your value. What's Next for Agencies to Stay Profitable in a Changing Market The landscape is changing even from week to week with new technologies, which makes it harder to predict how the industry will change in years to come. For David, it all boils down to knowing what you're selling. Agencies that sell themselves as commodities will basically go out of business. As he points out, AI is accelerating output but not judgment, taste, or leadership. When everyone has access to the same tools and prompts, the middle ground disappears fast. Agencies that sell "deliverables" instead of thinking will find themselves racing to the bottom on price, competing with software instead of strategy. In a market flooded with instant, AI-generated work, the real differentiator becomes the ability to think on your feet, challenge assumptions, and connect dots in real time. The greatest athletes, actors, comedians, and entrepreneurs in the world were able to think for themselves and could take something unexpected and work with it and improvise. Can you give people something unexpected? That's something no tool can replicate, and it's why experience is becoming more valuable, not less. Why Different Beats Better: Escaping the Race to the Bottom David strongly believes that in these times of sameness and an abundance of content that lacks pulse and personality, different is better than better. Agencies that have completely given up trying to create something unique and have instead relegated the thinking to AI will try to stand out by repeatedly stating they're better, faster, or bigger. David, however, prefers to offer something different. This gives him the confidence to face clients that come to a meeting with rehearsed questions they got from other creators to assess him and counter with "actually, you're asking the wrong question. What you should be asking is…" No framework replaces conviction. The best leaders don't answer scripted questions—they redirect them. That's how you elevate the conversation. That's how you escape commodity pricing. And that's how you build a brand people remember. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Heartfelt Connections on the Great Wall's Wintry Eve Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-23-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬天有一种特别的魅力。En: The Changcheng in winter has a particular charm.Zh: 白雪覆盖在古老的砖石上，远远望去，像是一条威严的巨龙，蜿蜒在起伏的山丘之间。En: White snow covers the ancient bricks and stones, and from a distance, it looks like a majestic dragon winding through the rolling hills.Zh: 空气冷冽而清新，而此时也是农历新年的前夕。En: The air is crisp and fresh, and it is also the eve of the Nongli Xinnian (Lunar New Year).Zh: 灯笼高挂，烟火耀眼，四处洋溢着喜庆的气氛。En: Lanterns are hung high, fireworks are dazzling, and a festive atmosphere is everywhere.Zh: 廉生一直渴望重新探索他的根。En: Liansheng had always longed to explore his roots.Zh: 在新年到来之际，他终于有机会来到长城。En: With the arrival of the new year, he finally had the opportunity to visit the Changcheng.Zh: 他希望能找到与家族过去更深层的联系。En: He hoped to find a deeper connection with his family's past.Zh: 他的堂姐美玉也一同前来，她热衷于与廉生分享他们家族的故事。En: His cousin Meiyu also came along, eager to share the stories of their family with Liansheng.Zh: 对于美玉来说，能在这样一个重要的节日陪伴自己的兄弟，是她最大的快乐。En: For Meiyu, being able to accompany her brother on such an important holiday was her greatest joy.Zh: 他们的导游是景伟，一个了解长城每一寸土地的当地人。En: Their guide was Jingwei, a local who knew every inch of the Changcheng.Zh: 他热爱向游客分享长城的历史和秘密。En: He loved sharing the history and secrets of the Changcheng with tourists.Zh: 景伟不仅是个出色的向导，他还充满热情，总是能感染身边的人。En: Jingwei was not only an excellent guide but also incredibly passionate, always able to infect those around him with his enthusiasm.Zh: 在游览长城的过程中，廉生步履沉重。En: During the tour of the Changcheng, Liansheng walked with heavy steps.Zh: 他想要感受更多，却总是感到有些力不从心。En: He wanted to experience more but always felt a bit helpless.Zh: 突然，他的胸口一阵剧痛，令他不得不停下脚步，捂着心口，满脸痛苦。En: Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, forcing him to stop, clutching his heart with a face full of agony.Zh: 美玉和景伟赶紧靠过来，紧张地询问发生了什么。En: Meiyu and Jingwei quickly came over, anxiously asking what had happened.Zh: 景伟立刻意识到这是心脏病发作，必须马上休息。En: Jingwei immediately realized it was a heart attack and that rest was urgently needed.Zh: 美玉又急又担心，她不想失去这个和兄弟一起共度新年的机会。En: Meiyu was both worried and concerned; she didn't want to lose the chance to spend the new year with her brother.Zh: 面对心脏病的威胁，廉生陷入了两难。En: Facing the threat of a heart attack, Liansheng found himself in a dilemma.Zh: 他想继续他的探索之旅，这也许是他唯一的机会。En: He wanted to continue his journey of exploration, as this might be his only opportunity.Zh: 但他也知道，自己的健康更为重要。En: But he also knew that his health was more important.Zh: 在景伟和美玉的劝说下，廉生决定放下执念，留在安全的地方，静静等待夜幕降临。En: With Jingwei and Meiyu's persuasion, Liansheng decided to let go of his obsession and stay in a safe place, quietly waiting for nightfall.Zh: 随着新年的烟火在空中绽放，廉生感受到一种既胜利又恐惧的情感交织。En: As the new year's fireworks lit up the sky, Liansheng felt a mix of triumph and fear.Zh: 他意识到，过去的联系固然重要，但和亲人在一起的当下才是最珍贵的。En: He realized that while connections to the past are important, the present with family is the most precious.Zh: 在美玉和景伟的陪伴下，廉生和他们一起欣赏着漫天烟花。En: In the company of Meiyu and Jingwei, Liansheng watched the fireworks filling the sky.Zh: 他终于明白，家庭是他真正的过去和现在的连接。En: He finally understood that family is his true connection to both past and present.Zh: 在这璀璨的烟花下，廉生心中充满了温暖和感激。En: Under these dazzling fireworks, Liansheng's heart was filled with warmth and gratitude.Zh: 故事的结尾，廉生虽未能实现他心中最初的愿望，但他找到了更深层的满足。En: By the end of the story, Liansheng may not have fulfilled his initial desire, but he found deeper satisfaction.Zh: 他的改变不在于对过去的追寻，而是对身边亲人关系的珍惜。En: His change was not about the quest for the past, but in cherishing the relationships with the loved ones around him.Zh: 长城在他眼中不再只是历史的象征，而是承载着他与家人共同度过的珍贵时光。En: The Changcheng no longer appeared only as a symbol of history but as a bearer of precious moments spent with his family. Vocabulary Words:particular: 特别charm: 魅力majestic: 威严的winding: 蜿蜒crisp: 冷冽eve: 前夕dazzling: 耀眼festive: 喜庆的atmosphere: 气氛longed: 渴望explore: 探索opportunity: 机会eager: 热衷于accompany: 陪伴inch: 寸passionate: 热情infect: 感染tour: 游览helpless: 力不从心agony: 痛苦anxiously: 紧张地immediately: 立刻dilemma: 两难persuasion: 劝说obsession: 执念triumph: 胜利present: 当下gratitude: 感激cherishing: 珍惜symbol: 象征

Some Christians believe that God's words in Genesis 1:3, "Let there be light," . . are a biblical description of the Big Bang that some scientists say created the universe. But perhaps we Christians should be a little more careful about assuming that modern science knows very much about the origin of the universe.Astronomers recently announced that they had discovered the largest structure yet to be found in the universe. They described the structure as a great wall made up of high concentrations of galaxies. Just to get our perspective, the average galaxy contains over 1 billion stars. The great wall contains concentrated "clumps" of galaxies!This discovery delivers two apparently fatal blows to the Big Bang theory. If the universe was the result of the Big Bang, scientists would expect to find stars evenly distributed in space, not "clumped" together and certainly not built into giant structures. Second, the clumps of galaxies they found are very precisely and evenly spaced—not the kind of order that results from an explosion. One of the researchers said, "It is safe to say that we understand less than zero about the early universe."There is another good reason for Christians not to try to find the Big Bang in Genesis. According to the Bible, it is the end of the world and the universe, not its beginning, that could more accurately be described as a "big bang." Christ Himself has completed your preparations for that day. Are you ready?Isaiah 34:4"All the hosts of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; all their host shall fall down as the leaf falls from the vine, and as fruit falling from a fig tree."Prayer: Dear Lord; I cling to Your saving work for my preparation for the end of the world. Be with me now and prepare me to spend eternity with You. Amen.REF.: Galaxy clumps' may shed light on cosmic creation. Minneapolis Star Tribune. Image: Sloan Great Wall, Willem Schaap, CC BY-SA 3.0, WikipediaCommons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

- EU Auto Stocks Drop on Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats - Tariffs? Porsche Hit Record U.S. Sales In 2025 - China Auto Exports Soared In 2025  - Lincoln Moves HQ To Downtown Detroit - Humanoid Payback Is Less Than a Year - Great Wall Motors Disses EREVs - Chery Promises Solid State Battery This Year - Farley: Ford to Be “Porsche Of Off-Road”

- EU Auto Stocks Drop on Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats - Tariffs? Porsche Hit Record U.S. Sales In 2025 - China Auto Exports Soared In 2025  - Lincoln Moves HQ To Downtown Detroit - Humanoid Payback Is Less Than a Year - Great Wall Motors Disses EREVs - Chery Promises Solid State Battery This Year - Farley: Ford to Be “Porsche Of Off-Road”

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Snowstorm on the Wall: A Journey of Friendship and Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬天，有着磅礴的美。En: The Great Wall in winter has a majestic beauty.Zh: 白雪覆盖着古老的墙砖，天空灰暗，只有狂风时不时地呼啸着打破寂静。En: White snow covers the ancient bricks, the sky is gray, and only the howling wind occasionally breaks the silence.Zh: 梅、亮和伟三人站在长城的一处，望着远处似乎没有尽头的墙。En: Mei, Liang, and Wei stand at a section of the Great Wall, gazing at the seemingly endless wall in the distance.Zh: 梅是一位年轻的历史学家，充满探险精神。En: Mei is a young historian full of adventurous spirit.Zh: 她一直渴望深入探索那些少有人触及的古迹，以完成她对古代中国的研究。En: She has always longed to explore little-visited ancient sites to complete her research on ancient China.Zh: 然而，现在的她内心有些纷乱，En: However, at the moment, her mind is somewhat in turmoil.Zh: 雪已经开始下得很大，寒风刺骨，她的心里既有紧张也有犹豫。En: The snow has begun to fall heavily, and the biting cold wind fills her with both anxiety and hesitation.Zh: 亮和伟是她的同伴，也是她的朋友。En: Liang and Wei are her companions and friends.Zh: 他们来看望梅，并希望可以过一个特别的农历新年，但没想到天气骤变，遇上了猛烈的暴风雪。En: They came to visit Mei and hoped to have a special Lunar New Year, but unexpectedly, the weather changed suddenly, and they encountered a fierce snowstorm.Zh: 风雪打乱了他们原本的计划，大家只得停下脚步。En: The blizzard disrupted their original plans, and they had no choice but to stop.Zh: 梅知道这一路很危险，但她无法停止去那座鲜有游人到达的高塔的渴望。En: Mei knows that this path is dangerous, but she cannot stop yearning to reach the tower that few tourists visit.Zh: 她相信那里一定藏着她需要的答案。En: She believes it holds the answers she needs.Zh: 然而，亮劝她留下，他们在这里等风雪停下来再做打算。En: However, Liang advises her to stay; they should wait for the storm to pass before making any plans.Zh: 梅犹豫不决。En: Mei is indecisive.Zh: 她本可以和朋友们回去找个避风之处，但内心的驱动力让她决定独自向前。En: She could go back with her friends to find shelter, but her inner drive compels her to move forward alone.Zh: 但当她走出一段路，暴风雪更为猛烈，她的每一步变得无比艰难，寒冷刺入骨髓。En: Yet as she walked a bit further, the blizzard became more intense, and each step turned exceedingly challenging, the cold penetrating her bones.Zh: 终于，梅意识到这样的坚持可能让她付出极大代价。En: Eventually, Mei realized that such persistence might come at a great cost.Zh: 她转身，忍着失望回到亮和伟身边。En: She turned back, enduring her disappointment, and returned to Liang and Wei.Zh: 朋友们看到她平安回来，露出欣慰的笑容。En: Her friends, seeing her safe return, gave relieved smiles.Zh: 三人依靠彼此的鼓励，寻找了一处墙体的拐角避开风雪，共同度过了这段艰难的时光。En: The three of them, encouraged by each other, found a corner of the wall to avoid the wind and snow, and together they weathered this difficult time.Zh: 在这里，他们找到了一些老兵遗留的物品，像是一块历史的碎片。En: There, they found some items left behind by old soldiers, like a piece of history.Zh: 这让梅兴奋不已，她和朋友们一起仔细研究。En: This thrilled Mei, and she and her friends studied them carefully.Zh: 对他们来说，这是一次难得的经历。En: For them, it was a rare experience.Zh: 一同的经历让他们间的友情更加深厚。En: The shared adventure deepened their friendship.Zh: 暴风雪过去了，阳光重新洒在长城上。En: The blizzard passed, and sunlight once again shone on the Great Wall.Zh: 梅感受到，自己不仅仅收获了研究的灵感，还有在人生旅途中不可或缺的友情和团队协作。En: Mei felt that she had not only gained inspiration for her research but also irreplaceable friendship and teamwork on her life journey.Zh: 她明白，学术成果固然重要，但与朋友们共同经历这片风雪后的温暖，才是生命中无可替代的财富。En: She understood that academic achievements are undoubtedly important, but the warmth experienced with friends after the storm is an invaluable treasure in life.Zh: 这份体验，她将永远珍藏。En: This experience, she will cherish forever. Vocabulary Words:majestic: 磅礴的howling: 呼啸ancient: 古老的adventurous: 探险turmoil: 纷乱biting: 刺骨anxiety: 紧张hesitation: 犹豫companions: 同伴unexpectedly: 没想到fierce: 猛烈blizzard: 暴风雪disrupted: 打乱yearning: 渴望indecisive: 犹豫不决shelter: 避风之处compels: 驱动力intense: 猛烈exceedingly: 无比persistence: 坚持disappointment: 失望relieved: 欣慰corner: 拐角weathered: 度过items: 物品thrilled: 兴奋不已adventure: 经历deepened: 更加深厚inspiration: 灵感irreplaceable: 无可替代

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Connection on the Great Wall: A New Year's Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-19-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬天的天空下显得格外壮丽。En: The Great Wall of China appears particularly majestic under the winter sky.Zh: 雪轻轻地洒在古老的石墙上，四周飘荡着节日音乐和欢声笑语。En: Snow gently falls on the ancient stone walls, with festive music and laughter drifting through the surroundings.Zh: 红灯笼挂满了长城，空气中弥漫着冬天的清香。En: Red lanterns decorate the Great Wall, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of winter.Zh: 这是春节的时节，En: It's the Spring Festival season.Zh: 梅从上海来到这里，En: Mei has traveled from Shanghai to this place.Zh: 她是一位独立的旅行爱好者，喜欢探索历史遗址。En: She is an independent travel enthusiast who enjoys exploring historical sites.Zh: 梅想在长城上度过一个特别的节日体验。En: Mei wants to spend the festival experiencing something special on the Great Wall.Zh: 然而，拥挤的人群让她感到无奈，她努力想要找到宁静的一角，但似乎无处可去。En: However, the crowded scenes leave her feeling helpless; she tries hard to find a tranquil corner but seems to have nowhere to go.Zh: 与此同时，梁正忙着带领一群游客。En: Meanwhile, Liang is busy leading a group of tourists.Zh: 他是来自北京的一名历史爱好者，节日期间义务做向导。En: He is a history enthusiast from Beijing, volunteering as a guide during the festival.Zh: 梁希望能分享他对长城历史的热爱，但游客们被各种活动分了心，使得他很难管理这群人。En: Liang hopes to share his passion for the history of the Great Wall, but the tourists are distracted by various activities, making it difficult for him to manage the group.Zh: 在熙熙攘攘的人群中，梅和梁相遇。En: Amidst the bustling crowd, Mei and Liang meet.Zh: 梅看出了梁的困扰，梁也注意到了梅的困惑。En: Mei notices Liang's struggle, and Liang also sees Mei's confusion.Zh: 他们决定一起合作——梅作为同伴旅行者，梁提供他的专业知识，去探索长城上较为安静的部分，悠闲地享受节日。En: They decide to collaborate—Mei as a fellow traveler and Liang offering his expertise—to explore quieter parts of the Great Wall and leisurely enjoy the festival.Zh: 经过一段时间的行走，他们找到一个人迹罕至的观景点。En: After a while of walking, they find a rarely visited viewpoint.Zh: 此时，夕阳西下，红色的灯笼开始亮起，灯光映照在他们脸上，营造出一种神奇的氛围。En: As the sun sets, the red lanterns begin to light up, the glow illuminating their faces, creating a magical atmosphere.Zh: 梅和梁站在那里，欣赏着广阔的风景，感受到了一种特别的连接。En: Mei and Liang stand there, appreciating the vast scenery, feeling a special connection.Zh: 他们共享这份安静时光，意识到这段旅程让他们的关系变得意义深远。En: They share this quiet moment, realizing that this journey has deepened their relationship.Zh: 梅和梁交换了联系方式，期待将来一起旅行。En: Mei and Liang exchange contact information, looking forward to future travels together.Zh: 梅在旅途中变得更加开放，愿意接纳伙伴，而梁则学会了在历史热情与个人联系之间找到平衡。En: Mei becomes more open during the trip, willing to embrace companionship, while Liang learns to balance his historical passion with personal connections.Zh: 长城上，他们的新年愿望是——继续探索，继续分享这份美好。En: On the Great Wall, their New Year's wish is to continue exploring and sharing this beauty. Vocabulary Words:majestic: 壮丽gently: 轻轻地ancient: 古老festive: 节日laughter: 欢声笑语decorate: 挂满scent: 清香independent: 独立enthusiast: 爱好者exploring: 探索historical: 历史helpless: 无奈tranquil: 宁静sand: 无处可去leading: 带领volunteering: 义务distracted: 分了心manage: 管理bustling: 熙熙攘攘confusion: 困惑collaborate: 合作expertise: 专业知识viewpoint: 观景点illuminating: 映照atmosphere: 氛围vast: 广阔connection: 连接realizing: 意识到companionship: 伙伴balance: 平衡

Kicking off 2026, Tu and Lei return from CES in Las Vegas with firsthand insights into how the global auto industry's center of gravity continues to shift toward China, AI, autonomy, and robotics.  This episode unpacks why CES is no longer about cars, but about who controls the software, silicon, sensors, and robots that will define the next decade of mobility. From Geely and Great Wall's growing U.S. ambitions, to Hyundai's robot-only keynote, to Ford's quiet but meaningful autonomy reset, the hosts connect dots that most headlines missed.Tu and Lei also break down the Geely “coming to the U.S.” scoop, Rivian-style AI days spreading to legacy OEMs, and why Western automakers are increasingly borrowing from China's playbook—from ADAS and silicon strategy to embodied AI and robotics.The episode closes with a deep dive into autonomy's three tracks (L2++, consumer L3/L4, and robotaxis), the growing importance of LiDAR scale, and why Donut Labs' solid-state battery and in-wheel motor reveal could become a true industry disruptor—if it scales.Fast, candid, and packed with on-the-ground context, this episode explains why CES 2026 marked a turning point—and why the race is no longer just EVs vs ICE, but ecosystems vs incumbents.___

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Chasing Dreams on the Great Wall: A Winter Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-12-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城如一条巨龙，在寒冷的冬季，静静地卧在绵延不绝的山丘上。En: The Great Wall resembles a giant dragon, lying quietly on the endless hills during the cold winter.Zh: 空气中弥漫着春节将至的气息，学生们的笑声在空中回响。En: The air is filled with the scent of the approaching Spring Festival, and the laughter of students echoes through the air.Zh: 这是一个学校的班级旅行，所有同学都期待着在长城上度过一个有趣又特别的日子。En: This is a school field trip, and all the classmates are eager to spend an interesting and special day on the Great Wall.Zh: 贾浩和美琳，两个自小就形影不离的好朋友，站在一起，正准备开始一次充满探索的旅程。En: Jiahao and Meilin, two inseparable friends since childhood, stand together, ready to embark on a journey of exploration.Zh: 贾浩是一个好学又充满好奇心的学生，他对古代中国的工程技术尤其感兴趣。En: Jiahao is a studious and curious student, particularly interested in ancient Chinese engineering.Zh: 这次旅行是他寻找灵感的重要时机。En: This trip is an important opportunity for him to seek inspiration.Zh: 他有一个个人计划，就是拍摄一些长城的照片，为他的项目增色。En: He has a personal plan to take some photos of the Great Wall to enrich his project.Zh: 他已经为这个项目准备了很久，希望能取得高分。En: He has been preparing for this project for a long time, hoping to achieve high marks.Zh: 然而，天气不作美。En: However, the weather is uncooperative.Zh: 冷风肆虐，天上布满了乌云，时不时飘落几片雪花，给探索之旅带来了许多不便。En: A cold wind howls, the sky is filled with dark clouds, and occasionally a few snowflakes drift down, bringing many inconveniences to their exploration journey.Zh: 美琳看了看贾浩：“看来我们要快点，不然会没时间拍好照片。”En: Meilin looked at Jiahao, ""It seems we need to hurry, otherwise we won't have time to take good photos."Zh: 在游览过程中，贾浩一直专注地拍照，按捺不住对长城每一个细节的探究欲望。En: During the tour, Jiahao focused intently on taking pictures, unable to suppress his desire to explore every detail of the Great Wall.Zh: 但时间有限，老师已经提醒过，勉强调队会在游览结束后即时返回。En: But time was limited, and the teacher had already reminded them that the team would return immediately after the tour.Zh: 贾浩和美琳稍稍落在了队伍后面。En: Jiahao and Meilin fell slightly behind the group.Zh: 贾浩抓住机会，急忙商量：“要不我们走那边的一个小道，那里好像能看到更好的景色。”En: Jiahao seized the opportunity and hastily suggested, ""Why don't we take that small path over there? It seems we can see better scenery."Zh: 美琳犹豫了一下，但为了好朋友的愿望，她点了点头。En: Meilin hesitated for a moment, but for the sake of her friend's wish, she nodded.Zh: “好，我们快去快回。”En: "Okay, let's go quickly and come back."Zh: 两人果然找到了一个较少人去的长城段，一片壮丽的景观展现在他们眼前。En: They indeed found a less frequented section of the Great Wall, where a magnificent view unfolded before them.Zh: 贾浩激动不已，但天气越来越恶劣，寒风刺骨，雪也越下越大。En: Jiahao was thrilled, but the weather grew worse, with biting winds and increasing snowfall.Zh: 女士把帽子拉紧，对贾浩喊道：“快拍照，我们得马上回去！”En: She tightened her hat and shouted to Jiahao, ""Take the picture quickly, we must go back at once!"Zh: 越过长城的一段陡坡，贾浩终于按下了快门，记录下他心目中的完美瞬间。En: Crossing a steep slope of the Great Wall, Jiahao finally pressed the shutter, capturing what he imagined as the perfect moment.Zh: 这也许并不是最专业的照片，但这段经历让他倍感珍惜。En: It may not have been the most professional photograph, but the experience made it immensely precious to him.Zh: 尽管冒险，他们终于赶在大部队集合前回到了大巴上，车上其他同学纷纷夸赞说，“看吧，还是按时回来的。”En: Despite their adventure, they made it back to the bus just before the main group gathered, and other classmates praised them, saying, ""See, they made it back on time."Zh: 回程的路上，贾浩望着窗外逐渐远去的长城，心里充满了感慨。En: On the way back, Jiahao looked out the window at the Great Wall gradually receding into the distance, filled with emotion.Zh: 他深刻地体会到，追求目标固然重要，但与朋友共同享受旅途中的点滴同样珍贵。En: He deeply realized that while pursuing goals is important, sharing moments of the journey with friends is equally precious.Zh: 他们这次的旅行，带给贾浩的是比单纯的照片更多的珍贵回忆。En: This trip brought Jiahao memories more valuable than mere photos.Zh: 在这个即将到来的农历新年，在家人和朋友的陪伴中，他发现了平衡的快乐。En: With the approaching Lunar New Year, among family and friends, he discovered the joy of balance.Zh: 对于贾浩来说，这是一个新的开始，一个更加丰富的成长之旅。En: For Jiahao, this was a new beginning, a more enriching journey of growth. Vocabulary Words:resembles: 如giant: 巨dragon: 龙embark: 开始exploration: 探索studious: 好学inspiration: 灵感uncooperative: 不作美howls: 肆虐dark: 乌drift: 飘落suppress: 按捺不住opportunity: 机会hastily: 急忙scenery: 景色hesitated: 犹豫biting: 刺骨magnificent: 壮丽hat: 帽子precious: 珍惜adventure: 冒险team: 大部队gathered: 集合praised: 夸赞gradually: 逐渐receding: 远去emotion: 感慨pursuing: 追求balance: 平衡enriching: 丰富

Real beauty is timeless, and so should be the architectural masterpieces of humanity, right? Well, some of them do have a chance to survive for centuries from now. When you stroll into the Pantheon in Rome, it puts on a show just like it did almost two thousand years ago. Then we've got the impressive Hoover Dam in the USA, designed to harness hydroelectricity and prevent water from going where it shouldn't. While it's not a single building, the Great Wall of China is an ancient marvel that has survived for centuries. And, luckily, it's just the beginning of the list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Brewing Adventure: A Tale of Friendship and the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-06-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 茶屋里，暖意融融，空气中飘满了各种茶的香气。En: The chayu was warm and inviting, with the air filled with the aroma of various teas.Zh: 红灯笼高挂，窗边贴着漂亮的剪纸，迎接着即将到来的春节。En: Red lanterns were hung high, and beautiful paper cuttings adorned the windows, welcoming the upcoming Spring Festival.Zh: 窗外，寒风呼啸，雪花在空中飞舞。En: Outside, the cold wind howled, and snowflakes danced in the air.Zh: 这里是冬天里的一处温暖角落。En: It was a warm corner amidst the winter.Zh: 连和智坐在一个靠窗的小桌子旁。En: Lian and Zhi sat by a small table next to the window.Zh: 桌子上放着一壶热气腾腾的绿茶，两杯茶碗氤氲着白雾。En: A steaming pot of green tea sat on the table, with two cups emitting white mist.Zh: 连正翻阅着一本厚厚的计划本，上面密密麻麻地记满了字。En: Lian was flipping through a thick planner, which was densely packed with writing.Zh: 智，半靠在椅子上，正专心地呷着茶，无所事事的样子。En: Zhi, half-reclined on the chair, was focused on sipping tea, appearing leisurely.Zh: “智，我们要不要再订一个酒店？我听说长城附近的宾馆很难订到。”连皱着眉头，认真地问。En: "Zhi, should we book another hotel? I heard it's hard to get a reservation near the Great Wall," Lian asked seriously, frowning.Zh: 智慢悠悠地放下茶杯，微微一笑。“连，我们去长城是为了探索，不是去享受酒店的。”En: Zhi slowly put down the teacup and smiled slightly. "Lian, we're going to the Great Wall to explore, not to enjoy hotels."Zh: 连的眉头皱得更紧了。“但我不想旅途中出差错。”En: Lian's frown deepened. "But I don't want any mishaps on the trip."Zh: “但是，”智打断她，“有些意外也是旅行的一部分。我们去感受自由，而不是被计划束缚。”En: "But," Zhi interrupted her, "some unexpected events are also a part of traveling. We're going to experience freedom, not be bound by plans."Zh: 连沉默了一会儿，看着智，心里开始动摇。“可是，我担心会出问题。”En: Lian was silent for a moment, watching Zhi, beginning to waver. "But I'm worried things might go wrong."Zh: 智这时坐直了身子，认真地说道：“我们可以妥协。你安排好基本行程，我负责一些惊喜活动，怎样？”En: Zhi then sat up straight and said seriously, "We can compromise. You handle the basic itinerary, and I'll take care of some surprise activities, how about that?"Zh: 连思索着，手指轻轻敲打着桌面。En: Lian pondered, gently tapping her fingers on the table.Zh: 这个提议让她有些不安，但又感受到了一丝兴奋。En: This proposal made her a bit uneasy, but she also felt a hint of excitement.Zh: 她点了点头。“好吧，我们试试这样。”En: She nodded. "Alright, let's try it this way."Zh: 智露出了宽心的微笑。En: Zhi gave a reassuring smile.Zh: 两人相视而笑，心情逐渐放松下来。En: They exchanged smiles, gradually relaxing.Zh: 决定后的氛围轻松了很多。En: The atmosphere lightened a lot after the decision.Zh: 连开始讲述她对长城的期待，智则分享了许多即兴想法。En: Lian began to share her expectations for the Great Wall, while Zhi shared many spontaneous ideas.Zh: 茶壶里的茶水喝完了，计划也逐渐成型。En: The teapot was emptied, and the plan gradually took shape.Zh: 最后，连笑着说：“这次或许会是一次难忘的旅程。”En: Finally, Lian smiled and said, "This might be an unforgettable trip."Zh: 智点点头：“是啊，我们一起期待。”En: Zhi nodded, "Yes, let's look forward to it together."Zh: 在这温暖的茶屋里，两个人的友谊更加稳固。En: In the warmth of the chayu, their friendship became even stronger.Zh: 连学会了享受些许意外的乐趣，而智也体会到了计划的重要性。En: Lian learned to enjoy a bit of the unexpected, while Zhi also understood the importance of planning.Zh: 期待着他们的长城之旅，为即将到来的春节增添了别样的色彩。En: Their anticipation for their Great Wall trip added a unique color to the upcoming Spring Festival. Vocabulary Words:chayu: 茶屋inviting: 融融aroma: 香气howled: 呼啸smiled slightly: 微微一笑bound: 束缚waver: 动摇compromise: 妥协itinerary: 行程spontaneous: 即兴mishap: 差错unforgettable: 难忘anticipation: 期待howled: 呼啸adorned: 贴着steaming: 热气腾腾reclined: 半靠leisurely: 无所事事explore: 探索unexpected: 意外reassuring: 宽心uneasy: 不安pondered: 思索emitting: 氤氲densely: 密密麻麻mirth: 欢欣firmness: 稳固enthusiasm: 热情corner: 角落mist: 白雾

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world. First up today, ARC Commercial Director David Leyden Dunbar joins the show to tell us what we can expect from the new Friday Night Live series, set to be screened on ITV4 over 5 fixtures and beginning this weekend. Plus, Martin Dwyer on his boss and mentor Ian Balding, David Redvers on acquiring new stallion King of Change, ex-jockey-turned-Hong Kong based entrepreneur Joe Lodder on his monumental 3,000 km run from the Great Wall of China, and Tony Lacy - Keeneland Sales VP - on what's on offer next week. Nick and Dave also pose the question: is Nicky Henderson soft-launching Constitution Hill's likely appearance in the Champion Hurdle with his quotes in the Sun today?

Of all the world's Muslim communities, the multiethnic Muslims of China are perhaps the least known, as though secluded by a Great Wall of linguistic, geographical and political dimensions. Yet preserved in mosques and shrines across the whole length of China—as well as India and Thailand —are manuscripts, woodblock prints and lithographs that reveal the interconnections of China's Muslims with their coreligionists in other parts of Asia.  In this episode, we travel far and wide by following these books and their authors from Nanjing and Xinjiang to Kanpur, Sri Lanka and Mecca. We learn about such influential figures as Wang Daiyu (c.1570-1660) and Ma Lianyuan (1842-1903), who not only wrote books in Chinese and Persian but also pioneered the development of Muslim printing. We also see how their teachings and travels linked China's Muslims to various regions of Asia beyond that illusory Great Wall. Nile Green talks to Rian Thum, author of Islamic China: An Asian History (Harvard University Press, 2025).

A Nagging Feeling; A Gift by Autumn Dickson Welcome to the Old Testament. I remember the first year I prepared to teach from the Old Testament back in 2022, and I remember being quite overwhelmed with the idea of it. The Old Testament is a very foreign way of writing; it holds a lot of cultural context that can make it difficult. As I worked to prepare messages that year, I found that I wasn't totally wrong in my apprehension. The Old Testament was hard, and it took me much longer to find messages in there and to understand the messages. But I also grew to love the Old Testament that year. I testify that it is worth studying, and it's worth the extra effort. Oftentimes the things that require the most of us are the very things that draw us closer to Christ and therefore, become our favorite things. Which is actually what I want to share today. I remember sitting in a church class and hearing someone say something along the lines of, “We need to stop making people feel bad if they don't study everyday. Some of us just can't, and God still loves us.” I thought that was an interesting observation to make for a couple of reasons. The first reason I found it interesting was because I hadn't heard a single comment that was remotely condemning towards those who hadn't been studying everyday. If someone was feeling guilty about not studying, it wasn't coming directly from the other people who were commenting. Was it coming from the Holy Ghost or from social pressure? I'm not sure. However, let's focus more on my second reason for finding this comment interesting. That reason is going to take the rest of my message. The Lord very strongly asked me to start creating content for the Come Follow Me program. It started with a blog; I felt much more comfortable with this because I could hide behind my writing and not put my face up there. I still didn't want to do the blog because it sounded like it would take a ton of effort, but it sounded more doable than other forms of sharing content. The Lord is tricky that way sometimes because after I got the hang of a blog, He told me to expand my efforts to YouTube. Then a podcast. Instagram. Facebook. TikTok. I fought Him every step of the way if we're being totally honest. There are a couple of reasons I fought Him. The first reason was that I didn't want to be more visible. I had spent a good portion of my life trying to make myself more visible to feel better about myself, and it had only ever burned me. There came a point when I started doing the exact opposite. The second reason is more applicable to what I want to talk about. It was going to be so much work. And it was. Oh my, this has all been so much work. Each step of the way has required a huge learning curve. Creating a website was overwhelming, and there were many angry tears. I almost gave up completely the first time I ever filmed a video and if it hadn't been for my husband forcing me back into the room to try again, I might have given up. Every step of the way, my soul fought with Him over adding just a bit more. I argued that I already didn't have time to do what I was doing. I argued that it was already requiring so much of me to put myself out there. I argued that I was already sacrificing a lot for this. But He persisted and has won up to this point. The effort extended beyond just a learning curve for technology. Trying to share a message about Jesus Christ every single week has been…stretching. I can't tell you how often I've felt that I had nothing left to share. I can't tell you how many times I've had writers block and stared at the screen for a collective number of hours with nothing to show for it. I've been led down research rabbit holes that sometimes amounted to something, and other times, it all came to an anticlimactic stop. I'm a stay-at-home mom who started creating content in 2020. I will hit my 6 year mark this year. To say that I have studied the scriptures is an understatement because my qualifications for this were non-existent beyond what my parents had lovingly taught me at home. I had to study, harder than I ever studied in school, to allow the Lord to help me create. I testify that it was so much work, and  can't testify enough of how this work has changed me. Behind the role of mother and wife, creating this content week after week after week has completely transformed me. It has changed me more than my mission changed me. I am completely new. So should my friend feel bad about not reading the scriptures? Many people would say, “No! Don't make them feel bad! It's better to just teach them the happy effects of scripture study to inspire them.” And you know what? Maybe they're right. I think oftentimes, it is most effective to try and inspire someone into doing the right thing to make their life better. On the flip side, the only reason I started this journey was because I could no longer enjoy my TV show or book while my kids were napping. Every time I sat down to watch and take my break, I felt that nagging feeling that I needed to be investing my time in what God wanted me to do. To be 100% honest, I felt bad for ignoring Him. Feeling guilty that I wasn't following what He had asked me to do is the very thing that got me started on one of the most life-changing things I've ever experienced. The bad feeling was exactly what I needed. So was my friend feeling the Holy Ghost or the pressures of the society around her? I don't know. But I do know this. Acting on that guilty feeling and prioritizing study (because heaven knows the Old Testament requires study) is life-changing. It is hard, but all the best things are. Don't miss out. Someday you'll be given the opportunity to see what you missed out on, and I'm almost positive that's half the reason for the gnashing of teeth on the other side. We will be so mad at ourselves for missing out. Studying in order to create content each week has been so hard. So hard. So painfully hard. Weeks on end of feeling like I was trying to move the Great Wall of China with just my hands. But studying is worth it. I can testify of that principle more than I can testify of a lot of principles. You don't have to be perfect. There were so many imperfect days, but even the imperfect days contributed to changing me. Commit to yourself that this year is the year that you'll engage in scripture study. The Old Testament has to be studied. When the day comes that you're willing to engage in the commandment to study the word of God everyday, you will get to the point where you will wish you had started earlier. Oh how I wish I had developed the hope I have now while I was still in high school. It would have saved me in so many ways. I testify that scripture study is worth it. I testify that the Old Testament has a lot to give if you're willing to give. God stands ready to speak to you and change your life. He stands ready to let the hope of Christ completely transform how you feel about everything important in your life. Let the Spirit tell you that you need to give more of yourself because that is the Spirit telling you how to elevate your life to a whole new level. Listen. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Introduction to the Old Testament – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Warmth on the Great Wall: A Dongzhi Festival Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-25-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬日的薄雪下静静地伫立，古老的石砖被装饰得五光十色，因为冬至节快到了。En: The Great Wall stood silently under a light dusting of snow in winter, its ancient stones decorated with a myriad of colors as the Dongzhi Festival approached.Zh: 五彩的灯笼在夜空中轻轻摇曳，节日的欢笑声在古老的墙上回荡，宛如一幅神奇而喜庆的画卷。En: Multicolored lanterns gently swayed in the night sky, and the sound of festive laughter echoed across the ancient walls, resembling a magical and joyous painting.Zh: 梅站在长城上，呼吸着清新的冷空气。En: Mei stood atop the Great Wall, breathing in the crisp, cold air.Zh: 她已经很久没有感受到这种节日的氛围。En: It had been a long time since she felt this festive atmosphere.Zh: 身为一个事业心极强的职业女性，她总是忙于工作，忽视了自己个人的生活和感情。En: As a highly career-driven professional woman, she was always busy with work, neglecting her personal life and feelings.Zh: 然而，这个冬至节，她决定给自己一个假期——参加在长城举行的文化庆典。En: However, for this Dongzhi Festival, she decided to give herself a break—by attending a cultural celebration held on the Great Wall.Zh: 梅一边喝着热乎乎的姜茶，一边四处张望。En: While sipping on hot ginger tea, Mei looked around.Zh: 不远处，她看到一个神情专注的男子正在欣赏灯笼上的图案。En: Not far away, she saw a man with a focused expression appreciating the patterns on the lanterns.Zh: 他是金，一个同样被繁忙工作淹没的年轻人，对真挚的交流有着强烈的渴望。En: He was Jin, a young man also overwhelmed by busy work, who had a strong desire for sincere communication.Zh: 梅有些犹豫。En: Mei hesitated a bit.Zh: 过去的伤害让她变得不容易敞开心扉，而她总是忙碌的工作计划也不给她太多时间去探索个人生活。En: Past hurts had made her less open, and her perpetually busy schedule left her little time to explore her personal life.Zh: 然而，这一刻的美好气氛和节日的氛围最终让她鼓足勇气上前。En: However, the beautiful atmosphere of the moment and the festive spirit finally gave her the courage to step forward.Zh: “你好，这些灯笼真漂亮，不是吗？En: "Hello, these lanterns are really beautiful, aren't they?"Zh: ”梅轻声说道。En: Mei said softly.Zh: 金抬头微笑，“是啊，特别是在这样的夜晚更显得有生气。En: Jin looked up and smiled, "Yes, especially on a night like this, they seem even more vibrant."Zh: ”两人慢慢交谈起来，共同体验着节日带来的愉悦。En: The two began to talk slowly, sharing the joy brought by the festival.Zh: 而当雪默默飘落在灯笼和古砖之间，梅和金不约而同地感受到一种久违的温暖。En: And as snow silently settled between the lanterns and the ancient stones, both Mei and Jin felt a long-lost warmth.Zh: 两人决定共度这个特别的夜晚，走遍每一个灯笼点缀的角落。En: They decided to spend this special evening together, exploring every corner adorned with lanterns.Zh: 尽管寒风凛冽，他们在彼此的陪伴中找到了温暖和快乐。En: Despite the biting wind, they found warmth and joy in each other's company.Zh: 这个冬至节，梅意识到，生活中不仅仅需要工作和目标，也需要时间去与他人建立真正的联系。En: This Dongzhi Festival, Mei realized that life is not just about work and goals; it's also about taking time to build genuine connections with others.Zh: 她感受到一种新的平衡，一种充满希望的新开始。En: She felt a new balance, a hopeful new beginning.Zh: 也许，这段旅程是友谊的开始，或者是更深层次的关系。En: Perhaps this journey would be the start of a friendship, or even a deeper relationship.Zh: 梅和金在古老的长城上，微笑着，仿佛看到了更广阔的未来。En: Mei and Jin smiled at each other on the ancient Great Wall, as if seeing a broader future ahead. Vocabulary Words:stood: 伫立dusting: 薄myriad: 五光十色approached: 快到gently: 轻轻swayed: 摇曳echoed: 回荡resembled: 宛如breathing: 呼吸crisp: 清新neglecting: 忽视sipping: 喝着patterns: 图案hesitated: 犹豫courage: 勇气vibrant: 生气sharing: 体验settled: 飘落adorned: 点缀biting: 凛冽genuine: 真挚connections: 联系balance: 平衡journey: 旅程broader: 广阔ancient: 古老stones: 石砖festive: 节日atmosphere: 氛围overwhelmed: 淹没

Want more exclusive content?! http://prometheuslens.supercast.com to sign up for the "All Access Pass" and get early access to episodes, private community, members only episodes, private Q & A's, and coming documentaries. We also have a $4 dollar a month package that gets you early access and an ad free listening experience!==================== SummaryIn this engaging conversation, the hosts explore the intriguing figure of Prester John. They discuss the intersection of myth and history, the motivations behind historical actions, and the significance of legends in understanding cultural beliefs. The conversation delves into the complexities of faith and history, revealing how lost narratives can shape our understanding of the past and present. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the legend of Prester John, exploring its historical context, connections to Ethiopia, and its significance in Christian traditions.They discuss the myth of India, the Great Wall of China, and the Ark of the Covenant, while also touching on lost civilizations and the role of cartography in shaping our understanding of history. The conversation emphasizes the spiritual and mythical aspects of Prester John and the journey of discovery that fuels curiosity about ancient mysteries. ==================== 

①Beijing to open new Great Wall section ②China's "Jiutian" large drone takes first flight, aims for versatile civil roles ③China steps up cultural heritage protection to keep its past alive for the future ④New China-Vietnam air route boosts links with ASEAN ⑤China's northernmost satellite data receiving station put into operation ⑥Canal-city universities unite to tackle global challenges

The Playoff Chaos w/ guest Joey Coleman.On this week's TechTalk, Dr. Jay and Brad had the pleasure of hanging out and talking college football with their great friend, Joey Coleman.As a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and consultant, Joey Coleman helps businesses design creative ways to engage their customers and employees - especially in the crucial First 100 Days® of the relationship lifecycle.Joey Coleman has an eclectic background that has seen him defend "alleged" criminals, sell custom research to Fortune 500 executives, race along the Great Wall, juggle in front of the Taj Mahal, emcee charity auctions, work in the White House, sing a solo at the Kennedy Center, and travel to 51 countries (and counting).As a professional speaker who has given thousands of speeches all over the world, Joey Coleman also works with a small number of private coaching clients to develop and hone their speaking skills.His #2 Wall Street Journal best-selling book Never Lose a Customer Again discusses the 8 phases your customer has the potential to travel through as part of their customer journey and the 6 tools you can use during that journey to create remarkable experiences for your customers.His new book, Never Lose an Employee Again discusses the importance of creating remarkable employee experiences. Published by Portfolio/Penguin, this book is now available via e-book, audiobook, and hard back!

The EGO is not clearly understood by most people. In Buddha's Teachings, the Buddha shows that the ego is very much in control of our lives. Without understanding this ego we can never liberate ourselves from the bondage of sufferings.

In episode 82 of the I'M PEAKING Podcast, your hosts sit down and dive into current events that's been happening in the edm festival scene in this holiday episode. From the best and most underwhelming festivals of the year, to Tiësto possibly playing at the Pyramids of Giza, we discuss how far the scene has come. Wearing ear protection after discussing Andrea Botez losing her hearing, the the “Great Wall of ABGs", and an unreal Illenium and Seven Lions B2B at Ember Shores! We also dive into the chaos of the Phoenix Festival disaster (aka Fyre Festival 3.0) and wrap things up with honest advice on how to approach someone at a festival. Nothing but honest, chaotic, and jolly fun in this episode you won't hear anywhere else. Be sure to tune into this one and we hope you enjoy!! ❤️

The Great Wall Is Poisonous + 11 Must-Know Facts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Share a commentEver notice how a life can look successful on the outside while quietly unraveling from within? We dig into Ecclesiastes 10 to expose five habits that sabotage character, corrode communities, and leave even gifted people vulnerable: indulgent comfort, chronic neglect, shallow love of money, a loose tongue, and aiming at the wrong target with flawless precision. Through a vivid story of the Great Wall of China and Solomon's piercing proverbs, we connect breached empires to bribed gatekeepers and then to our own hearts, where integrity—not image—guards the door.We shift the spotlight from “those leaders out there” to the influence each of us carries at home, at work, and in our circles of faith. Solomon's contrast is sharp: pampered rulers who feast at dawn versus disciplined leaders who feast for strength. We talk about what dignified leadership looks like in ordinary life—self-control, service over self, and a steady refusal to let appetites set the agenda. We challenge the cultural chorus that “money answers everything,” unpack why wealth can amplify a voice but cannot grant wisdom, and show how indifference turns small leaks into structural collapse.The turning point is repentance—literally a change of direction. We explore how re-aiming your life begins with admitting the wrong target, then building practices that keep you aligned: daily intake of truth, timely restraint, relational maintenance, and words that heal more than they harm. From social posts to private thoughts, we learn to guard the tongue and steward influence with humility and courage. Walk away with a clear grid for decisions, a renewed aim for your ambitions, and hope that change is possible today.If this conversation helped you refocus, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review to tell us which “leak” you're fixing first.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentEver notice how a life can look successful on the outside while quietly unraveling from within? We dig into Ecclesiastes 10 to expose five habits that sabotage character, corrode communities, and leave even gifted people vulnerable: indulgent comfort, chronic neglect, shallow love of money, a loose tongue, and aiming at the wrong target with flawless precision. Through a vivid story of the Great Wall of China and Solomon's piercing proverbs, we connect breached empires to bribed gatekeepers and then to our own hearts, where integrity—not image—guards the door.We shift the spotlight from “those leaders out there” to the influence each of us carries at home, at work, and in our circles of faith. Solomon's contrast is sharp: pampered rulers who feast at dawn versus disciplined leaders who feast for strength. We talk about what dignified leadership looks like in ordinary life—self-control, service over self, and a steady refusal to let appetites set the agenda. We challenge the cultural chorus that “money answers everything,” unpack why wealth can amplify a voice but cannot grant wisdom, and show how indifference turns small leaks into structural collapse.The turning point is repentance—literally a change of direction. We explore how re-aiming your life begins with admitting the wrong target, then building practices that keep you aligned: daily intake of truth, timely restraint, relational maintenance, and words that heal more than they harm. From social posts to private thoughts, we learn to guard the tongue and steward influence with humility and courage. Walk away with a clear grid for decisions, a renewed aim for your ambitions, and hope that change is possible today.If this conversation helped you refocus, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review to tell us which “leak” you're fixing first.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

①Great Wall excavation yields key archaeological discoveries in Beijing ②Beijing's specialized SME board hits 1,000-company milestone ③China's electronic information manufacturing industry reports steady growth in Jan.-Oct. ④First direct air route between China, Argentina launched ⑤How red leaves spark tourism boom across China

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Winter Bonds: A Sibling Journey on the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-14-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬天有一种特别的魅力。En: The Changcheng has a special charm in the winter.Zh: 白雪轻轻躺在墙头，仿佛给这历史悠久的建筑披上了一层洁白的披风。En: The white snow gently lies on the walls, as if draping a white cloak over this ancient structure.Zh: 在这个冬至节，连和她的哥哥伟决定来到这里旅行。En: On this Dongzhi Festival, Lian and her brother Wei decided to travel here.Zh: 对连来说，这不仅是一次简单的旅行，更是一个修复与哥哥感情的机会。En: For Lian, it was not just a simple trip; it was an opportunity to mend her relationship with her brother.Zh: 连满怀期待地看着伟，但他一直盯着手机，手指在屏幕上飞快地滑动。En: Lian looked at Wei with anticipation, but he kept staring at his phone, his fingers swiftly sliding across the screen.Zh: 他正忙着处理工作邮件，对连的盛情视而不见。En: He was busy dealing with work emails, ignoring Lian's enthusiasm.Zh: 连知道伟是个工作狂，但她希望在这个特别的节日里，能够让他停下脚步，享受与家人共度的时光。En: Lian knew Wei was a workaholic, but she hoped that during this special holiday, he could pause and enjoy time with family.Zh: 为了引起伟的注意，连决定带他来到一个长城上著名的景点。En: To catch Wei's attention, Lian decided to take him to a famous spot on the Great Wall.Zh: 这里景色壮丽，既能让人忘记城市的喧嚣，也是重温历史的好地方。En: The scenery here is magnificent, capable of making one forget the noise of the city and a good place to revisit history.Zh: 伟勉强答应了，心不在焉地收起了手机。En: Wei reluctantly agreed, absentmindedly putting away his phone.Zh: 他们沿着蜿蜒的长城缓缓前行。En: They slowly walked along the winding Great Wall.Zh: 寒风呼啸，但连心里却是温暖的。En: The cold wind howled, but Lian felt warm inside.Zh: 忽然，天空中降下了雪花，开始时零零落落，不久后便化作一场雪暴。En: Suddenly, snowflakes began to fall from the sky, sparse at first, but soon turned into a snowstorm.Zh: 大雪遮蔽了视线，脚下的路变得滑溜不堪。En: The heavy snow obscured their vision, and the path beneath their feet became treacherously slippery.Zh: 连和伟必须携手合作，找到安全的回程路。En: Lian and Wei had to work together to find a safe way back.Zh: 在这一刻，伟放下了他的手机，专注地帮助连。En: At that moment, Wei put down his phone and focused on helping Lian.Zh: 他用手护着连的肩，指引着她小心前行。En: He sheltered her shoulder with his hand, guiding her carefully forward.Zh: 一路上，他们并肩而行，彼此靠近，渐渐找回了昔日的亲密。En: Along the way, they walked side by side, drawing closer to each other, gradually rekindling their old closeness.Zh: 最终，他们安全地回到了避风处。En: Eventually, they safely returned to a sheltered place.Zh: 夜幕降临，连和伟围坐在餐桌前，共享节日的团圆汤圆。En: As night fell, Lian and Wei sat around the table, sharing the holiday reunion tangyuan.Zh: 甜甜的汤圆象征着团圆，连微笑着对伟说：“试着多和家人在一起，也许会发现其中的快乐。”En: The sweet tangyuan symbolized reunion, and Lian smiled at Wei and said, “Try to spend more time with family, and maybe you'll find joy in it.”Zh: 伟点了点头，若有所思地回答：“也许工作不是一切。”En: Wei nodded thoughtfully and replied, “Maybe work isn't everything.”Zh: 这个冬至夜，连和伟在讲述过去的故事中，重新找到了彼此。En: On this Winter Solstice night, Lian and Wei found each other again through stories of the past.Zh: 他们明白，家人才是人生中最重要的陪伴，哪怕在寒冷的冬天，也能带来温暖。En: They understood that family is the most important companionship in life, bringing warmth even in the coldest winter.Zh: 通过这次长城之旅，连收获了表达自己的勇气，而伟领悟到了家庭的重要。En: Through this trip to the Great Wall, Lian gained the courage to express herself, and Wei realized the importance of family.Zh: 就这样，在灯火明亮的屋内，她和哥哥一起迎来了一个温暖的冬至节。En: Thus, in the brightly lit house, she and her brother welcomed a warm Winter Solstice together. Vocabulary Words:charm: 魅力draping: 披上ancient: 历史悠久的anticipation: 期待swiftly: 飞快地workaholic: 工作狂magnificent: 壮丽absentmindedly: 心不在焉地winding: 蜿蜒的howled: 呼啸obscured: 遮蔽treacherously: 滑溜不堪sheltered: 避风处gradually: 渐渐rekindling: 找回tangyuan: 汤圆symbolized: 象征着joy: 快乐thoughtfully: 若有所思地companionship: 陪伴courage: 勇气express: 表达lit: 明亮snowscape: 雪景trek: 旅行relationship: 感情swift: 迅速的leisure: 休闲sentiment: 情感perspective: 视角

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Warmth: A Family's Winter Solstice on the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-09-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 李伟穿上厚厚的羽绒服，踏上了长城的石阶。En: Li Wei put on a thick down jacket and stepped onto the stone steps of the Great Wall.Zh: 这个冬至节，他和家人在长城上野餐。En: This winter solstice, he was having a picnic on the Great Wall with his family.Zh: 冬日的长城，上面覆盖着一层薄薄的雪，像银色的丝带蜿蜒山岭。En: In winter, the Great Wall is covered with a thin layer of snow, resembling a silver ribbon winding through the mountains.Zh: 四周是浓重的雾气，远处的群山影影绰绰。En: All around was dense fog, with distant mountains faintly visible.Zh: 李伟站在墙头，四周的家庭在欢声笑语中忙着布置餐布和食物。En: Li Wei stood on the wall, surrounded by families who were busy spreading tablecloths and setting out food with laughter and joy.Zh: 他的家人们已经准备好了一些传统美食，热气腾腾的饺子、放满红豆的汤圆，还有一壶热茶。En: His family had laid out some traditional delicacies: steaming dumplings, tangyuan filled with red beans, and a pot of hot tea.Zh: 这样的团聚，本应是温暖而愉悦的，但李伟心中却隐隐有些孤寂。En: Such a gathering should be warm and delightful, yet Li Wei felt a vague sense of loneliness inside.Zh: 他从小就不是个多话的人，总觉得与家人隔着一层。En: Since childhood, he had not been a talkative person and always felt a barrier between him and his family.Zh: 他们总是热衷于传统，而他却感到似乎被抛在一旁。En: They were always enthusiastic about traditions, but he felt somewhat left out.Zh: 一年中的这个时刻，他特别渴望找到与家人的联系，感受文化的根源。En: At this time of year, he longed to find a connection with his family and feel the roots of his culture.Zh: 然而，面对眼前的一切，他又有些手足无措。En: However, in the face of everything, he felt somewhat at a loss.Zh: “小伟，来帮忙打灯笼吧。En: "Xiao Wei, come help me with the lanterns," his sister called over to him.Zh: ”妹妹招呼他过来。En: Li Wei hesitated for a moment but nodded.Zh: 李伟犹豫了一下，点了点头。En: The family worked together on the wall to light one red lantern after another, their glow flickering in the cold air, filling the Great Wall with a festive atmosphere.Zh: 家人在长城上齐心协力地点燃了一个个红灯笼，火光在寒冷的空气中摇曳，这时候的长城，充满了节日的气氛。En: "Li Wei, are you okay?"Zh: “李伟，你还好吧？En: his mom asked softly.Zh: ”妈妈轻声问道。En: In the warm glow of the lantern, her eyes were full of concern.Zh: 在灯笼的暖光下，她的眼里充满了关切。En: Li Wei paused, suddenly feeling an urge to speak.Zh: 李伟停下来，心里忽然有了想说的冲动。En: He looked at his family, took a deep breath, and said, "I feel... somewhat distant from you all.Zh: 他看了看家人，深吸一口气，说：“我觉得……好像和你们有些远。En: I want to be more involved but don't know how."Zh: 我想要更多的参与进来，却不知道怎么做。En: His father patted his shoulder.Zh: ”父亲拍拍他的肩膀，“我们都想了解你更多。En: "We all want to understand you more."Zh: ” 他的话语如同冬日的阳光，温暖而安慰。En: His words were like winter sunshine, warm and comforting.Zh: 随着他们的话语，李伟心中的紧张渐渐消散。En: With their conversation, Li Wei's tension gradually dissipated.Zh: 他开始与家人讨论那些传统的背后故事，细细聆听每一个笑话和回忆，仿佛第一次真正融入其中。En: He began to discuss the stories behind the traditions with his family, listening carefully to every joke and memory, as if truly becoming part of them for the first time.Zh: 日影西斜，长城上点亮的灯笼开始发出柔和的光芒。En: As the day wore on, the lanterns on the Great Wall began to emit a soft glow.Zh: 李伟望着这景象，心中充满了一种从未有过的平静。En: Li Wei looked at this scene, feeling a peace he had never felt before.Zh: 他第一次感受到家和传统的温暖，仿佛一颗漂泊的心找到了栖息的地方。En: For the first time, he felt the warmth of family and tradition, as if a wandering heart had found a place to rest.Zh: 夜幕降临，寒冷的冬夜里，他们在长城上分享着热腾腾的食物和那无尽的亲情。En: As night fell, in the cold winter evening, they shared hot food and endless affection on the Great Wall.Zh: 李伟知道，今夜过后，他的心再也不远。En: Li Wei knew that after this night, his heart would no longer feel distant. Vocabulary Words:solstice: 冬至dense: 浓重faintly: 影影绰绰delicacies: 美食steaming: 热气腾腾vague: 隐隐barrier: 隔enthusiastic: 热衷roots: 根源barrier: 隔着hesitated: 犹豫lanterns: 灯笼flickering: 摇曳concern: 关切urge: 冲动distant: 远involved: 参与tension: 紧张dissipated: 消散discuss: 讨论traditions: 传统soft glow: 柔和的光芒peace: 平静wandering: 漂泊rest: 栖息affection: 亲情endless: 无尽distant: 疏远thick: 厚厚gathering: 团聚

In this “Timelines” episode, we connect three iconic sites built during the same era: Petra's stunning rock-cut city in Jordan, the mysterious Nazca Lines etched across Peru's desert, and the monumental Great Wall of China. Explore how the Nabataeans engineered Petra's hidden oasis, why the Nazca created massive geoglyphs only visible from above, and what drove dynasties to construct thousands of miles of wall across China. Discover the origins, uses, and enduring mysteries of these world wonders, and see how ancient ingenuity and ambition shaped civilizations across continents—all within a shared moment in history.LinksSegment 1: PetraBedal, L. W. (2003). The Petra Pool Complex: A Hellenistic Paradeisos in the Nabataean Capital. American Journal of Archaeology.Parr, P. J. (2013). “Petra.” In Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley-Blackwell.Schmid, S. G. (2001). “The Nabataeans: Travellers Between Lifestyles.” In Aram Periodical.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – PetraAmerican Center of Research (ACOR) – Petra Archaeological ParkBienkowski, P. (1990). Petra. British Museum Press.Hammond, P. C. (1973). “The Nabataeans: Their History, Culture, and Archaeology.” Biblical Archaeologist.Smithsonian Magazine – Petra's Great TempleBurckhardt, J. L. (1822). Travels in Syria and the Holy Land (rediscovery account).Segment 2: Nazca LinesSilverman, H., & Proulx, D. A. (2002). The Nasca. Blackwell Publishers.Reindel, M., & Isla, J. (2001). “Nasca: Wunder der Wüste.” C.H. Beck.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and PalpaAveni, A. F. (2000). Between the Lines: The Mystery of the Giant Ground Drawings of Ancient Nasca, Peru. University of Texas Press.National Geographic – Nazca Lines: Mystery on the DesertOrefici, G. (2012). “Cahuachi: Capital of the Nasca World.” Andean Past.Ancient History Encyclopedia – The Geoglyphs of Palpa, PeruSilverman, H. (1993). Cahuachi in the Ancient Nasca World. University of Iowa Press.Isla, J., & Reindel, M. (2016). “Nasca and the ‘Puquios': Water and Ritual in the Peruvian Desert.” Antiquity.Segment 3: Great Wall of ChinaWaldron, A. (1990). The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth. Cambridge University Press.Lovell, J. (2006). The Great Wall: China Against the World, 1000 BC–AD 2000. Grove Press.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – The Great WallMan, J. (2008). The Great Wall: The Extraordinary Story of China's Wonder of the World. Da Capo Press.Steinhardt, N. S. (1990). The Great Wall of China: Dynasties, Dragons, and Warriors. Oxford University Press.The China Guide – Famous Sections of the Great WallState Administration of Cultural Heritage, China. “Archaeological Discoveries Along the Great Wall.”Barfield, T. J. (1989). The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China. Blackwell.Friends of the Great Wall – Research and PreservationContactChris Websterchris@archaeologypodcastnetwork.comRachel Rodenrachel@unraveleddesigns.comRachelUnraveled (Instagram)ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN Discord: https://discord.com/invite/CWBhb2T2edAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this “Timelines” episode, we connect three iconic sites built during the same era: Petra's stunning rock-cut city in Jordan, the mysterious Nazca Lines etched across Peru's desert, and the monumental Great Wall of China. Explore how the Nabataeans engineered Petra's hidden oasis, why the Nazca created massive geoglyphs only visible from above, and what drove dynasties to construct thousands of miles of wall across China. Discover the origins, uses, and enduring mysteries of these world wonders, and see how ancient ingenuity and ambition shaped civilizations across continents—all within a shared moment in history.LinksSegment 1: PetraBedal, L. W. (2003). The Petra Pool Complex: A Hellenistic Paradeisos in the Nabataean Capital. American Journal of Archaeology.Parr, P. J. (2013). “Petra.” In Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley-Blackwell.Schmid, S. G. (2001). “The Nabataeans: Travellers Between Lifestyles.” In Aram Periodical.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – PetraAmerican Center of Research (ACOR) – Petra Archaeological ParkBienkowski, P. (1990). Petra. British Museum Press.Hammond, P. C. (1973). “The Nabataeans: Their History, Culture, and Archaeology.” Biblical Archaeologist.Smithsonian Magazine – Petra's Great TempleBurckhardt, J. L. (1822). Travels in Syria and the Holy Land (rediscovery account).Segment 2: Nazca LinesSilverman, H., & Proulx, D. A. (2002). The Nasca. Blackwell Publishers.Reindel, M., & Isla, J. (2001). “Nasca: Wunder der Wüste.” C.H. Beck.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and PalpaAveni, A. F. (2000). Between the Lines: The Mystery of the Giant Ground Drawings of Ancient Nasca, Peru. University of Texas Press.National Geographic – Nazca Lines: Mystery on the DesertOrefici, G. (2012). “Cahuachi: Capital of the Nasca World.” Andean Past.Ancient History Encyclopedia – The Geoglyphs of Palpa, PeruSilverman, H. (1993). Cahuachi in the Ancient Nasca World. University of Iowa Press.Isla, J., & Reindel, M. (2016). “Nasca and the ‘Puquios': Water and Ritual in the Peruvian Desert.” Antiquity.Segment 3: Great Wall of ChinaWaldron, A. (1990). The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth. Cambridge University Press.Lovell, J. (2006). The Great Wall: China Against the World, 1000 BC–AD 2000. Grove Press.UNESCO World Heritage Centre – The Great WallMan, J. (2008). The Great Wall: The Extraordinary Story of China's Wonder of the World. Da Capo Press.Steinhardt, N. S. (1990). The Great Wall of China: Dynasties, Dragons, and Warriors. Oxford University Press.The China Guide – Famous Sections of the Great WallState Administration of Cultural Heritage, China. “Archaeological Discoveries Along the Great Wall.”Barfield, T. J. (1989). The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China. Blackwell.Friends of the Great Wall – Research and PreservationContactChris Websterchris@archaeologypodcastnetwork.comRachel Rodenrachel@unraveleddesigns.comRachelUnraveled (Instagram)ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN Discord: https://discord.com/invite/CWBhb2T2edAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Snowfall and Solstice: Reviving Traditions on the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-06-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 白雪轻轻覆盖在古老的长城上，整个北方的景色显得空旷而美丽。En: The snow gently covered the ancient Great Wall, making the entire northern landscape appear vast and beautiful.Zh: 严冬的寒风带着历史的肃穆，冷冽地环绕在人们的耳边。En: The cold wind of the severe winter carried the solemnity of history, chillingly blowing around people's ears.Zh: 冬至即将到来，长城的维护队正在为即将到来的游客们做准备。En: With the Winter Solstice approaching, the maintenance team of the Great Wall was preparing for the incoming visitors.Zh: 主任明华站在高处，深吸了一口新鲜的冷空气。En: The director, Minghua, stood at a high point and took a deep breath of the fresh, cold air.Zh: 他的目光扫过这片熟悉而又亲切的土地，心中涌起一丝对童年的怀念。En: His gaze swept over this familiar and dear land, as a wave of nostalgia for his childhood surged in his heart.Zh: 他出生成长在附近的村庄，那时每到冬至，村子里就会热闹非凡，大家围坐在一块儿吃汤圆，讲古老的故事。En: He was born and raised in a nearby village, where every Winter Solstice, the village would be bustling with activity.Zh: 大家围坐在一块儿吃汤圆，讲古老的故事。En: Everyone would sit together, eating tangyuan and sharing ancient stories.Zh: 这些记忆一直伴随着他，也成为了他心中珍贵的传统。En: These memories had always accompanied him, becoming a cherished tradition in his heart.Zh: 然而，此刻的工作并不轻松。En: However, the current work was not easy.Zh: 年轻的工人梁干劲十足，他希望在队伍中展示自己。En: The young worker, Liang, was full of energy, eager to prove himself within the team.Zh: 梅是旅游局的代表，虽然心系景区的宣传，但她内心始终对自己的工作充满疑惑。En: Mei, representing the tourism bureau, though focused on promoting the scenic area, harbored doubts about her work.Zh: 梅希望通过冬至期间吸引更多游客来参观长城，因此为团队制定了紧凑的工作计划。En: Mei hoped to attract more tourists to visit the Great Wall during the Winter Solstice period and therefore formulated a tight work schedule for the team.Zh: 天气变幻无常，冷风夹杂着冰雪，让工程推进困难重重。En: The weather was unpredictable; cold winds mixed with snow made progress difficult.Zh: 梅不断施压，希望能按时完成，为迎接游客做好准备。En: Mei continued to pressure the team to finish on time to prepare for the visitors.Zh: 但是，明华意识到安全才是最重要的。En: However, Minghua realized that safety was of utmost importance.Zh: 他必须做出选择，是将队伍推向极限完成任务，还是暂时停工以保证每个人的安全？En: He had to decide whether to push the team to their limits to complete the task or halt work temporarily to ensure everyone's safety.Zh: 忽然，天空中飘起了更大的雪花。En: Suddenly, larger snowflakes began to fall from the sky.Zh: 明华决定让大家休息。En: Minghua decided to let everyone take a rest.Zh: 他对梅解释道：“我们不能让时间表凌驾于安全之上。让我们利用这个机会，感受冬至的意义吧。”En: He explained to Mei, "We cannot let the schedule override our safety. Let's use this opportunity to appreciate the meaning of the Winter Solstice."Zh: 于是，整个队伍围坐在长城上，倾听着明华讲述关于冬至的传统故事。En: So, the entire team gathered on the Great Wall, listening to Minghua recount traditional stories about the Winter Solstice.Zh: 梅也安静地坐下，感受到一种前所未有的宁静。En: Mei also quietly sat down, experiencing an unprecedented sense of peace.Zh: 通过这些故事，她开始理解传统的重要性，而不仅仅是像以往那样视作宣传手段。En: Through these stories, she began to understand the importance of tradition, rather than merely viewing it as a promotional tool as before.Zh: 随着天空渐渐放晴，一种团结的气氛在队伍中蔓延开来。En: As the sky gradually cleared, a sense of unity spread among the team.Zh: 每个人都感受到了彼此之间的温暖与共同努力所带来的成就感。En: Everyone felt the warmth between each other and the sense of accomplishment brought by their joint efforts.Zh: 明华看着这一切，心中充满了对过往和未来的感激。En: Minghua looked at everything, filled with gratitude for the past and the future.Zh: 梅也意识到，尊重文化遗产有时比迎合商业需求更为重要。En: Mei also realized that respecting cultural heritage is sometimes more important than catering to commercial demands.Zh: 长城仍在那里，坚固而古老，仿佛也是在见证着这些深刻的改变。En: The Great Wall remained there, strong and ancient, seemingly witnessing these profound changes. Vocabulary Words:gently: 轻轻ancient: 古老solitude: 空旷landscape: 景色severe: 严solemnity: 肃穆chillingly: 冷冽地maintenance: 维护nostalgia: 怀念cherished: 珍贵tradition: 传统eager: 渴望harbor: 充满schedule: 计划unpredictable: 变幻无常pressure: 施压progress: 推进fathom: 理解decide: 决定override: 凌驾于unprecedented: 前所未有appreciate: 感受unity: 团结accomplishment: 成就感gratitude: 感激commercial: 商业demand: 需求profound: 深刻heritage: 遗产witness: 见证

This binge compilation contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. The Sword (December 01, 2025)2. The Drunk (December 02, 2025)3. The Captain of Three (December 03, 2025)4. The Betrayal (December 04, 2025)5. The Last Order (December 05, 2025)---Episode 1: The SwordWelcome to Season Five!!

Connor Bedard is so hot right now Mugatu is going to be after him soon. Wedgewood is hurt and it could ruin the team Canada dream. And Jordan Binnington is having such a hard time he could lose his Olympic spot too. The Great Wall of St Paul is trying to show everyone he's the best goalie in the league. The ice in Milan is too small. We need more no bucket warmies. The professors are back and literally cannot stop giving winners. And Pucked has returned and is raunchier than ever. Don't miss a game of What's The Connection! NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! Watch full episodes, shorts, and clips on YouTube. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. Subscribe & follow Empty Netters everywhere: YouTube: / @emptynetters Instagram: @EmptyNetters TikTok: @EmptyNetters X: @EmptyNetters PRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager! Thanks to our Sponsors! BetMGM: Use bonus code NETTERS when signing up to receive up to $1500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses. Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/EMPTYNETTERS. Promo Code EMPTYNETTERS CHUBBIES: Your Holiday wardrobe awaits! Get 20% off @chubbies with the code NETTERS at https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/NETTERS #chubbiespod Bauer: Make your holidays stress‑free with curated gifts, savings, and custom gear at https://Bauer.com Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seriously, why would anyone hate this movie? Even if you account for film buffs being horrified by Zhang Yimou's apparent Hollywoodization, there's so much in THE GREAT WALL that average audiences would enjoy. Lots of theories in this Real Talk segment, in addition to unabashed praise for the film — and regret for not having supported it when it first opened. Matt Damon's daughter is wrong on this one!TIMELINE00:01:26 What happened?00:02:12 Real Talk00:51:37 The Future & Patreon Stuff- Interested in more Contrarians goodness? Join THE CONTRARIANS SUPPLEMENTS on our Patreon Page! Deleted clips, extended plugs, bonus episodes free from the Tomatometer shackles… It's everything a Contrarians devotee would want!- Our YouTube page is live! Get some visual Contrarians delight with our Contrarians Warm-Ups and other fun videos!- Contrarians Merch is finally here! Check out our RED BUBBLE MERCH PAGE and buy yourself something nice that's emblazoned with one of our four different designs!- THE FESTIVE YEARS have been letting us use their music for years now and they are amazing. You can check out their work on Spotify, on Facebook or on their very own website.- Our buddy Cory Ahre is being kind enough to lend a hand with the editing of some of our videos. If you like his style, wait until you see what he does over on his YouTube Channel.- THE LATE NIGHT GRIN isn't just a show about wrestling: it's a brand, a lifestyle. And they're very supportive of our Contrarian endeavors, so we'd like to return the favor. Check out their YouTube Channel! You might even spot Alex there from time to time.- Hans Rothgiesser, the man behind our logo, can be reached at @mildemoniospe on Instagram or you can email him at mildemonios@hotmail.com in case you ever need a logo (or comics) produced. And you can listen to him talk about economy on his new TV show, VALOR AGREGADO. Aaaaand you can also check out all the stuff he's written on his own website. He has a new book: a sort of Economics For Dummies called MARGINAL. Ask him about it!Up next, we put our cowboy boots on as we tackle the show's first John Wayne movie, THE SEARCHERS! Until then, let us know what you thought of The Great Wall: is it unfairly maligned? Were you even aware of its connection to Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower? Were you lucky enough to catch it in 3D? E-mail us at wearethecontrarians@gmail.com or share your thoughts with us on Threads or BlueSky!

You're telling us the director of Hero and House of Flying Daggers made a movie where Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal team-up with the Chinese army to battle aliens at the Great Wall of China… and it somehow wasn't a smashing success? Was it the man-bun? THE GREAT WALL sports a shameful 35% Tomatometer score, which means Alex & Julio must jump (er-dive) to its rescue. And you get to listen!TIMELINE00:01:24 The Great Wall00:16:51 Contrarians Corner- Wanna know how we really feel about THE GREAT WALL? Check out the Real Talk (RT) episode, on your feed RIGHT NOW! (or pretty soon — Spotify can be a pain when it comes to refreshing the feed)- Interested in more Contrarians goodness? Join THE CONTRARIANS SUPPLEMENTS on our Patreon Page! Deleted clips, extended plugs, bonus episodes free from the Tomatometer shackles… It's everything a Contrarians devotee would want!- Our YouTube page is live! Get some visual Contrarians delight with our Contrarians Warm-Ups and other fun videos!- Contrarians Merch is finally here! Check out our RED BUBBLE MERCH PAGE and buy yourself something nice that's emblazoned with one of our four different designs!- THE FESTIVE YEARS have been letting us use their music for years now and they are amazing. You can check out their work on Spotify, on Facebook or on their very own website.- Our buddy Cory Ahre is being kind enough to lend a hand with the editing of some of our videos. If you like his style, wait until you see what he does over on his YouTube Channel.- THE LATE NIGHT GRIN isn't just a show about wrestling: it's a brand, a lifestyle. And they're very supportive of our Contrarian endeavors, so we'd like to return the favor. Check out their YouTube Channel! You might even spot Alex there from time to time.- Hans Rothgiesser, the man behind our logo, can be reached at @mildemoniospe on Instagram or you can email him at mildemonios@hotmail.com in case you ever need a logo (or comics) produced. And you can listen to him talk about economy on his new TV show, VALOR AGREGADO. Aaaaand you can also check out all the stuff he's written on his own website. He has a new book: a sort of Economics For Dummies called MARGINAL. Ask him about it!

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Love and Resilience: A Journey Along the Snowy Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-03-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 长城在冬至这一天显得格外雄伟。En: The Changcheng appeared particularly majestic on the day of the Winter Solstice.Zh: 白色的雪覆盖在城墙上，阳光下闪烁着点点亮光，大地静谧而广袤，仿佛世界也停了下来。En: White snow covered the walls, sparkling under the sunlight, the land vast and silent, as if the world had come to a halt.Zh: 这一天，梁和梅决定来这里，希望在这古老的地方找回，他们之间失去的联系。En: On this day, Liang and Mei decided to come here, hoping to find the lost connection between them in this ancient place.Zh: 他们沿着长城缓慢地前行，寒风凛冽，吹得脸颊发红。En: They walked slowly along the Great Wall, the biting cold wind reddening their cheeks.Zh: 梅挽着梁的手臂，她的一边脸仰望着他，脸上挂着微笑，但心中却充满了担忧。En: Mei held Liang's arm, her face upturned to him with a smile, yet her heart was full of worry.Zh: 她怕梁心里藏着什么，说不出口。En: She feared that Liang held secrets in his heart that he couldn't speak of.Zh: 其实，梁心里确实有很多疑虑。En: In truth, Liang did have many doubts.Zh: 他在这段关系中感到彷徨，总在思考该如何面对这些沉默的问题。En: He felt lost in the relationship, always pondering how to face these silent issues.Zh: 为了梅，也为了他自己，他希望今天能找到答案。En: For Mei, and for himself, he hoped to find answers today.Zh: 走了一段后，他们在一个较高的地方停了下来。En: After walking for a while, they stopped at a higher point.Zh: 这里的景色让人震撼，白雪覆盖的山脉连绵不绝。En: The view here was breathtaking, with snow-covered mountains stretching endlessly.Zh: 梅叹了口气，看向梁：“你还好吗？En: Mei sighed and looked at Liang, "Are you okay?"Zh: ”梁看着远方，不知从何说起。En: Liang stared into the distance, not knowing where to begin.Zh: 他的心在这冷风中沉重，却在期待中跳动。En: His heart was heavy in the cold wind, yet it beat with anticipation.Zh: 他深吸了一口气，终于说：“梅，我一直有些事情没有告诉你。En: He took a deep breath and finally said, "Mei, there are things I haven't told you.Zh: 我对我们的未来感到不确定。En: I'm uncertain about our future."Zh: ”梅愣了一下，迅速却温柔地抓紧了梁的手，“别怕，梁。En: Mei paused, then quickly but gently tightened her grip on Liang's hand, "Don't be afraid, Liang.Zh: 我们可以一起面对。En: We can face it together."Zh: ”这时，寒风似乎停了一瞬，一切都安静下来。En: At that moment, the cold wind seemed to pause, and everything fell silent.Zh: 梁感受到梅的温暖，心头的疑惑仿佛融化了。En: Liang felt Mei's warmth, and the doubts in his heart seemed to melt away.Zh: 他看着梅的眼睛，继续说：“谢谢你，也谢谢你总是这么乐观。En: He looked into Mei's eyes and continued, "Thank you, and thank you for always being so optimistic.Zh: 我不再想逃避。En: I don't want to run away anymore."Zh: ”在雪地上，他们紧紧相拥。En: In the snow, they embraced tightly.Zh: 此刻，双方心中的疑虑和不安都化成了理解和承诺。En: At this moment, both their doubts and anxieties transformed into understanding and commitment.Zh: 梅微笑着说：“我们一起走下去。En: Mei smiled and said, "Let's keep moving forward together."Zh: ”梁点点头，眼中闪烁着坚定。En: Liang nodded, determination gleaming in his eyes.Zh: 长城的某个地方，阳光照在他们身上，仿佛为他们的新起点注入了无尽的力量。En: Somewhere on the Great Wall, the sunlight shone on them, as if injecting endless strength into their new beginning.Zh: 故事在这团结中结束，梁变得更坦诚，而梅则对梁有了更深的理解。En: The story ends in this unity, with Liang becoming more honest and Mei gaining a deeper understanding of him. Vocabulary Words:majestic: 雄伟halt: 停下来biting: 凛冽reddening: 发红upturned: 仰望pondering: 思考breathtaking: 震撼sigh: 叹了口气anticipation: 期待uncertain: 不确定grip: 抓紧embraced: 拥anxieties: 不安commitment: 承诺optimistic: 乐观determination: 坚定gleaming: 闪烁understanding: 理解connection: 联系heart: 心silent: 静谧sparkling: 闪烁lost: 失去doubts: 疑虑face: 面对endlessly: 连绵不绝paused: 愣了一下transformed: 化成unity: 团结vast: 广袤

China EVs & More is back with a special Thanksgiving episode — and the China auto world did not take the week off.

Vesper's carefully constructed plan teeters on collapse as he tracks down George, the Captain of the Lower Quarter and the third piece of his rebellion against the Merchants Guild. The hunt leads him through abandoned guild halls and suspicious craftsmen to the Crooked Loom—a tavern built against the Great Wall where men drink to forget. What he finds isn't the leader he needs, but a broken man drowning in ale and despair, wearing a crooked captain's badge like a mockery of authority. With the steel secured and Bertram eliminated, Vesper's two-legged stool threatens to tip. Can a drunk hiding in the shadows be transformed into the ally he desperately needs, or has the Lower Quarter's captain given up for good?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

It has been five years since we started Chatsunami and it has been an incredible journey. Huge shout-out to our amazing Pandalorians who have supported us for all this time you are all incredible!In this episode, Satsunami is joined by his amazing partner MsTsunami to talk about their experience in China! In this part the duo discuss their journey to Beijing and Chongqing. What was it like walking along the Great Wall of China? How did China's Cyber Punk city hold up? And what were the highlights of the trip? Let's find out!This podcast is a member of the PodPack Collective, an indie podcasting group dedicated to spreading positivity within the podcast community. For further information, please follow the link: https://linktr.ee/podpackcollectiveCheck out all of our content here: https://linktr.ee/chatsunamiWebsite: chatsunami.comTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ChatsunamiPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatsunami/TikTok: tiktok.com/@chatsunamiPatrons:Super Pandalorian Tier: Battle Toaster Ghostie Cryptic1991Red Panda Tier: Greenshield95 Danny Brown Aaron HuggettFree Members: Middle-aged Bodcast Rob Harvey Aaron (Super Pod Saga) Billy Strachan SoniaUse my special link zen.ai/chatsunami and use chatsunami to save 30% off your first three months of Zencastr professional. #madeonzencastrCreate your podcast today! #madeonzencastrStay safe, stay awesome and most importantly, stay hydrated!

Yes, we eventually get into the inevitable Deckard/Replicant discussion. But there is so much more to talk about when it comes to BLADERUNNER - and with four of us on the panel, you know there will be some clashing opinions in this Real Talk segment! Ridley Scott would be proud (if he cared).TIMELINE00:01:26 Prodigal Son00:01:54 Real Talk01:15:54 The Future & Patreon Stuff- Interested in more Contrarians goodness? Join THE CONTRARIANS SUPPLEMENTS on our Patreon Page! Deleted clips, extended plugs, bonus episodes free from the Tomatometer shackles… It's everything a Contrarians devotee would want!- Listen to Ryan & Rachel discuss all sorts of sci-fi movies and TV shows over at the Yum Yum Podcast!- Our YouTube page is live! Get some visual Contrarians delight with our Contrarians Warm-Ups and other fun videos!- Contrarians Merch is finally here! Check out our RED BUBBLE MERCH PAGE and buy yourself something nice that's emblazoned with one of our four different designs!- THE FESTIVE YEARS have been letting us use their music for years now and they are amazing. You can check out their work on Spotify, on Facebook or on their very own website.- Our buddy Cory Ahre is being kind enough to lend a hand with the editing of some of our videos. If you like his style, wait until you see what he does over on his YouTube Channel.- THE LATE NIGHT GRIN isn't just a show about wrestling: it's a brand, a lifestyle. And they're very supportive of our Contrarian endeavors, so we'd like to return the favor. Check out their YouTube Channel! You might even spot Alex there from time to time.- Hans Rothgiesser, the man behind our logo, can be reached at @mildemoniospe on Instagram or you can email him at mildemonios@hotmail.com in case you ever need a logo (or comics) produced. And you can listen to him talk about economy on his new TV show, VALOR AGREGADO. Aaaaand you can also check out all the stuff he's written on his own website. He has a new book: a sort of Economics For Dummies called MARGINAL. Ask him about it!Up next, we go overseas to help Matt Damon find gunpowder in ancient China as we tackle THE GREAT WALL! Until then, let us know what you thought of Bladerunner: does it need one more cut? Did it need a sequel? Where do you fall on the “Is Deckard a replicant” debate? E-mail us at wearethecontrarians@gmail.com or share your thoughts with us on Threads or BlueSky!

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Fearless Heights: Ming's Kite Adventure at the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-21-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的长城，美丽如画。树叶变得五彩缤纷，微风轻拂着游人的脸颊。En: The Great Wall in autumn is picturesque, with tree leaves turning into a kaleidoscope of colors, and a gentle breeze brushing against the tourists' cheeks.Zh: 明、珍和莲站在一个观景台上，准备放风筝。En: Ming, Zhen, and Lian stood on a viewing platform, getting ready to fly a kite.Zh: 明充满激情地想拍下风筝在长城上空飞舞的照片。En: Ming was passionately eager to capture photos of the kite soaring above the Great Wall.Zh: 他相信这组照片会赢得本地摄影比赛。En: He believed that this set of photos would win the local photography contest.Zh: 然而，明有一个问题——他怕高。En: However, Ming had one problem—he was afraid of heights.Zh: 明看着悬崖边缘，心里有些犹豫。En: Ming gazed at the edge of the cliff, feeling a little hesitant.Zh: 风筝在他手里，轻轻舞动。En: The kite fluttered lightly in his hand.Zh: 珍稳重地拍了拍明的肩膀：“别担心，我们有备用计划。”En: Zhen reassuringly patted Ming's shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, we have a backup plan."Zh: 而莲兴奋地笑道：“明，别怕！我们在这里陪着你。”En: Lian excitedly laughed and said, "Ming, don't be afraid! We're here with you."Zh: 于是，他们开始了尝试。En: So, they began their attempt.Zh: 明小心翼翼地靠近边缘，他的心跳加速。En: Ming cautiously approached the edge, his heart racing.Zh: 风有时会停，时而又突然变大。En: The wind would sometimes die down and then suddenly pick up.Zh: 珍提议：“我们可以等风更稳定些，再放高风筝。”En: Zhen suggested, "We can wait until the wind is more stable before flying the kite higher."Zh: 他们决定三人一起合作，把风筝放得更高。En: They decided to work together to lift the kite higher.Zh: 莲在一旁鼓励着：“你能做到的，明！”En: Lian encouraged from the side, "You can do it, Ming!"Zh: 终于，风开始稳定。En: Finally, the wind stabilized.Zh: 风筝升得更高，在蓝天中划出一条美丽的弧线。En: The kite rose higher, tracing a beautiful arc in the blue sky.Zh: 明的手上冒出了汗。En: Sweat appeared on Ming's hands.Zh: 这时，一阵强风突然袭来，差点把风筝带走。En: Just then, a strong gust of wind suddenly hit, almost taking the kite away.Zh: 明知道这是他拍下完美照片的机会，但如果他放弃，这个完美的瞬间可能会消失。En: Ming knew this was his chance to capture the perfect photo, but if he let go, this perfect moment might vanish.Zh: 他必须做一个决定。En: He had to make a decision.Zh: “我不能放手！”明一脸坚定。En: "I can't let go!" Ming said with determination.Zh: 珍和莲紧紧抓着他的手臂，给他勇气与支持。En: Zhen and Lian held his arms tightly, giving him courage and support.Zh: 最终，他们齐心协力，把风筝顺利地拉回来。En: Finally, they worked together to successfully reel the kite back in.Zh: 明按下快门，捕捉到了风筝在长城上翱翔的动人瞬间。En: Ming pressed the shutter, capturing the moving moment of the kite soaring above the Great Wall.Zh: 回家的路上，明看着相机里的照片，满脸欣慰。En: On the way home, Ming looked at the photos in his camera, full of satisfaction.Zh: 他明白到，面对恐惧时，有朋友的支持是多么重要。En: He understood how important the support of friends is when facing fears.Zh: 同时，他也为自己克服了恐惧而感到骄傲。En: At the same time, he felt proud of himself for overcoming his fear.Zh: 长城的秋色依旧迷人，但明心中的那道墙却悄然消失了。En: The autumn scenery of the Great Wall remained enchanting, but the wall in Ming's heart had quietly disappeared. Vocabulary Words:picturesque: 美丽如画kaleidoscope: 五彩缤纷breeze: 微风cliff: 悬崖fluttered: 舞动reassuringly: 稳重地hesitant: 犹豫gust: 一阵强风vanish: 消失determination: 坚定support: 支持enchanted: 迷人overcoming: 克服passionately: 充满激情captured: 拍下belief: 相信stable: 稳定encouraged: 鼓励arc: 弧线shutter: 快门sweat: 汗courage: 勇气moment: 瞬间satisfaction: 欣慰racing: 加速capture: 捕捉attempt: 尝试successfully: 顺利地enchanting: 使人入迷quietly: 悄然

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Li Ming's Single Day Revelation atop the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-16-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的长城在明亮的阳光下显得格外庄严。En: The Great Wall of China in the autumn sun appears especially majestic.Zh: 在红黄相间的树叶映衬下，长城的古老石砖如同一位历经沧桑的老者，见证着历史的变迁。En: Against the backdrop of red and yellow leaves, the ancient stones of the wall look like an elder who has weathered the ages, witnessing the changes of history.Zh: 在这样一个特殊的日子——光棍节，长城上游客如潮，欢声笑语此起彼伏。En: On such a special day—Singles' Day, the Great Wall is flooded with tourists, filled with laughter and cheer.Zh: 而在这纷扰的人群中，李明的心情却格外复杂。En: However, amidst the bustling crowd, Li Ming's emotions are exceptionally complex.Zh: 李明是一位三十出头的专业人士，单身的他，一直被家人催促着尽快成家立业。En: Li Ming is a professional in his early thirties, who remains single and is constantly urged by his family to settle down and establish a career.Zh: 光棍节原本是他最大的压力来源，沉重的孤独感扑面而来。En: Singles' Day used to be his greatest source of pressure, as an overwhelming sense of loneliness washed over him.Zh: 但今年，他做了个不同寻常的决定：在长城举行一场家庭聚会。En: But this year, he made an unusual decision: to hold a family gathering on the Great Wall.Zh: 他希望趁此机会，拉近与家人的距离，分享自己的心声。En: He hoped to use this opportunity to get closer to his family and share his heartfelt thoughts.Zh: “李明！”随着一个亲切的呼唤，陈伟和张磊向他走来。En: "Li Ming!" With a friendly call, Chen Wei and Zhang Lei walked towards him.Zh: 陈伟是李明的表弟，在海外工作多年；张磊是他的堂兄，总是充满智慧与善意。En: Chen Wei is Li Ming's cousin, who has worked overseas for many years; Zhang Lei is his older cousin, always full of wisdom and kindness.Zh: 他们都很高兴见到李明，并对他的邀请表示感谢。En: They were very pleased to see Li Ming and expressed gratitude for his invitation.Zh: 三人登上长城，欣赏风景的同时，也开始了倾心的谈话。En: The three of them ascended the Great Wall, enjoying the scenery while also engaging in a heartfelt conversation.Zh: 李明深吸了一口清新的冷空气，鼓起勇气，说出压抑在心中已久的话：“我知道你们都希望我早日成家，但我有自己的目标。我希望你们能理解和支持我的决定。”En: Li Ming took a deep breath of the fresh, cold air, gathered his courage, and spoke words that had long been suppressed in his heart: “I know you all wish for me to settle down soon, but I have my own goals. I hope you can understand and support my decision.”Zh: 陈伟拍了拍李明的肩膀，说：“每个人都有自己的道路，我们支持你。”En: Chen Wei patted Li Ming on the shoulder and said, "Everyone has their own path; we support you."Zh: 张磊点头附和：“我们要的是你的幸福，不论这意味着什么。”En: Zhang Lei nodded in agreement, "What we want is your happiness, whatever that means."Zh: 随着对话的深入，李明感受到了一种前所未有的轻松。En: As the conversation deepened, Li Ming felt an unprecedented sense of ease.Zh: 他在内心深处找到了那个真正的自己，一个在家庭期待之外，仍能坚定自我的人。En: He found his true self within, someone who could remain firm outside the expectations of family.Zh: 他笑了，望着辽阔的长城，仿佛看到了未来。En: He smiled, looking at the vast Great Wall, as if he could see the future.Zh: 家庭聚会在一片欢声笑语中结束。En: The family gathering ended amidst laughter and cheer.Zh: 这个光棍节，他们收获的不只是购物季的折扣，而是一种新的理解和支持。En: This Singles' Day, they gained not just the discounts of the shopping season, but a new understanding and support.Zh: 离开长城时，李明感受到秋风的温暖，上面带着他最珍贵的家人的关爱。En: As they left the Great Wall, Li Ming felt the warmth of the autumn breeze, infused with the love and care of his cherished family.Zh: 虽然秋日的阳光渐渐西沉，但李明心中充满了希望。En: Although the autumn sun was gradually setting, Li Ming's heart was filled with hope.Zh: 他明确了自己的人生目标，也收获了珍贵的家庭支持。En: He had clarified his life goals and gained valuable family support.Zh: 对他来说，这个惊喜的团聚是一次新的开始，是他个人成长道路上重要的一步。En: For him, this surprising reunion was a new beginning and an important step in his personal growth journey. Vocabulary Words:majestic: 庄严backdrop: 映衬weathered: 历经沧桑witnessing: 见证bustling: 纷扰emotions: 心情exceptionally: 格外professional: 专业人士urged: 催促overwhelming: 沉重unusual: 不同寻常gathering: 聚会courage: 勇气suppressed: 压抑support: 支持laughter: 欢声笑语discounts: 折扣infused: 带着clarified: 明确valuable: 珍贵growth: 成长shining: 明亮elder: 老者settle down: 成家path: 道路kindness: 善意breeze: 秋风unprecedented: 前所未有ease: 轻松deepen: 深入

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Capturing Serendipity: A Photographer's Great Wall Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-15-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的长城，美得令人心醉。En: The qiutian (autumn) Great Wall is stunningly beautiful.Zh: 金，作为一个热爱旅行的摄影师，想要在这时抓拍到一张完美的照片。En: Jin, a travel-loving photographer, wanted to capture a perfect photo at this time.Zh: 他和朋友李一起站在宏伟的长城之上。En: He stood atop the magnificent Great Wall with his friend Li.Zh: 虽然是旅游淡季，但这里依然不乏游客。En: Even though it was the off-season for tourism, there was still no shortage of visitors.Zh: 金仔细地调好了相机，满心期待。En: Jin carefully adjusted his camera, full of anticipation.Zh: 他专心地观察着，寻找一个没有人的景点。En: He focused intently, searching for a spot without people.Zh: 李则无忧无虑地享受着手中的小吃，也偶尔调侃金：“这儿真美！En: Li, on the other hand, was carelessly enjoying the snack in his hand and occasionally teased Jin: "It's really beautiful here!Zh: 你确定不用给食物拍一张吗？En: Are you sure you don't want to take a picture of the food?"Zh: ”然而，每当金觉得时机成熟，按下快门的时候，总有一群游客走过。En: However, every time Jin felt the moment was right and pressed the shutter, a group of tourists would walk by.Zh: 最有趣的是其中一个女游客，美，似乎总是误入金的镜头。En: The most interesting among them was a female tourist, Mei, who seemed to always accidentally enter Jin's shot.Zh: 美穿着鲜红的外套，笑容灿烂。En: Mei wore a bright red coat and had a radiant smile.Zh: 她丝毫没有意识到自己成了镜头的主角。En: She was completely unaware that she had become the main subject of the lens.Zh: 金微微有些沮丧，他思考着要不要换个地方拍摄。En: Jin was a little frustrated and contemplated whether to change locations for the shoot.Zh: 可换地方可能就没有这段长城的壮丽景色。En: But changing locations might mean missing this majestic view of the Great Wall.Zh: 他决定耐心等待，哪怕需要多站一会儿。En: He decided to wait patiently, even if it meant standing a bit longer.Zh: 突然，天空变得阴云密布，天气变幻莫测。En: Suddenly, the sky became overcast, and the weather changed unpredictably.Zh: 金还没来得及调整相机，这时的美又出现在镜头前，竟然在他面前摆起了一个夸张的自拍姿势。En: Before Jin could adjust his camera, Mei appeared in front of the lens again, striking an exaggerated selfie pose.Zh: 金差点按捺不住。En: Jin almost couldn't hold back.Zh: 这时，李笑着给了金一个友好的拍肩：“也许这就是旅行的乐趣吧，意外往往更有趣。En: At this moment, Li gave Jin a friendly pat on the shoulder with a smile: "Maybe that's the joy of traveling, unexpected moments are often more interesting."Zh: ”金想了想，放下相机，转过身去。En: Jin thought for a moment, put down his camera, and turned around.Zh: 他对美笑了笑，然后灵光一闪。En: He smiled at Mei, and then had a sudden inspiration.Zh: 他再次举起相机，对美说：“要不，我们一起拍一张？En: He raised his camera again and said to Mei, "How about we take a picture together?"Zh: ”美愉快地同意，这次金终于按下了快门。En: Mei happily agreed, and this time Jin finally pressed the shutter.Zh: 照片里，美的笑容和长城的背景融为一体，形成了一幅完美的画面。En: In the photo, Mei's smile and the background of the Great Wall merged into a perfect image.Zh: 金突然意识到，有时候精彩是一种意外。En: Jin suddenly realized that sometimes brilliance is a surprise.Zh: 故事以金的开心而结束，他终于明白了，旅途中最重要的是享受当下，而不是追逐完美的瞬间。En: The story ends with Jin feeling happy, having finally understood that the most important thing during a journey is to enjoy the present rather than chase the perfect moment.Zh: 至此，他会心一笑，这趟旅程有了一个不同寻常而又可爱的收尾。En: With this realization, he smiled contently, giving the trip an unusual yet lovely ending. Vocabulary Words:stunningly: 令人心醉magnificent: 宏伟的anticipation: 期待carelessly: 无忧无虑地teased: 调侃shutter: 快门radiant: 灿烂contemplated: 思考着majestic: 壮丽overcast: 阴云密布unpredictably: 变幻莫测exaggerated: 夸张的selfie: 自拍friendly: 友好的pat: 拍肩inspiration: 灵光一闪merge: 融为一体realization: 意识到brilliance: 精彩unusual: 不同寻常contently: 会心一笑end: 收尾autumn: 秋天photographer: 摄影师tourism: 旅游tourist: 游客background: 背景enjoyment: 享受present: 当下journey: 旅程

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Unveiling Leadership at the Great Wall: Lihua's Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-14-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在深秋的一个凉爽早晨，寄宿学校的学生们准备用校车前往长城。En: On a cool morning in late autumn, the students of the boarding school were preparing to head to the Changcheng, the Great Wall, by school bus.Zh: 一阵金色的阳光洒在山峦之间，翠绿的树叶开始变成橙色和红色。En: A golden sunshine spread across the mountains, and the green leaves began to turn orange and red.Zh: 秋风轻轻拂过，空气中弥漫着秋果的清香。En: An autumn breeze gently swept through, filling the air with the refreshing scent of fall fruits.Zh: 丽华坐在校车的最后一排，内心久久无法平静。En: Lihua sat in the last row of the school bus, unable to calm her restless heart.Zh: 她是个勤奋好学的学生，总觉得自己被比她更受欢迎的金海掩盖了光芒。En: She was a diligent and studious student, always feeling overshadowed by the more popular Jinhai.Zh: 金海总是带领着同学们，大家也很习惯依赖他。En: Jinhai always led the classmates, and everyone was accustomed to relying on him.Zh: 然而，这次丽华决定展示自己，证明她不仅有想法，也有能力。En: However, this time Lihua decided to show her own capabilities, to prove that she not only had ideas but also the ability.Zh: 昨天晚上，丽华花了很长时间来设计这次旅行的部分行程。En: Last night, Lihua spent a long time designing part of the itinerary for this trip.Zh: 她在行程中加入了许多教育活动，比如讲解长城的历史和建筑之美。En: She included many educational activities, such as explaining the history and architectural beauty of the Changcheng.Zh: 校车慢慢驶进长城的入口，学生们欢呼雀跃。En: The school bus slowly drove into the entrance of the Changcheng, and the students cheered with excitement.Zh: 丽华和金海一起带领大家，开始在古老的石阶上攀登。En: Lihua and Jinhai led everyone, beginning their climb on the ancient stone steps.Zh: 长城似一条巨龙，蜿蜒穿行在山脉之间。En: The Changcheng resembled a giant dragon, winding through the mountains.Zh: 阳光洒在他们的身上，给这个历史古迹增添了几分神秘色彩。En: Sunlight fell on them, adding a touch of mystery to this historical monument.Zh: 当他们到达一个高耸的塔楼时，丽华组织大家听她讲解长城的历史。En: When they reached a towering watchtower, Lihua organized everyone to listen to her explanation of the Great Wall's history.Zh: 她描述着秦始皇如何统一中国，命人建造这条横亘东西的长城。En: She described how Qin Shi Huang unified China and commanded the construction of this wall stretching from east to west.Zh: 随着她投入的话语，学生们纷纷竖起耳朵，不自觉地自丽华的讲述中感受到了她的热情和知识。En: With her passionate words, the students perked up their ears, subconsciously drawn to Lihua's enthusiasm and knowledge.Zh: 然而，在大家聚精会神的时候，金海不小心掉了队，很可能在繁茂的秋叶和厚重的城墙之中迷路了。En: However, while everyone was engrossed, Jinhai accidentally fell behind and possibly got lost among the lush autumn leaves and the thick walls.Zh: 丽华意识到群体的有序组织和安全是她肩上的责任。En: Lihua realized that the orderly organization and safety of the group were her responsibilities.Zh: 她深吸一口气决定暂时接管领导。En: She took a deep breath and decided to temporarily take over the leadership.Zh: “大家别慌，我们分小组去找金海，”丽华镇定自若地说。En: "Everyone, don't panic. We'll split into small groups to find Jinhai," Lihua calmly said.Zh: 她带领着一组学生仔细地搜索城墙的每一个角落，终于在一个历史遗迹旁边找到了有些慌乱的金海。En: She led a group of students carefully searching every corner of the wall and finally found the somewhat flustered Jinhai beside a historical relic.Zh: 看到丽华带着小组找来，金海心中感激不已：“谢谢你，丽华，我以为我永远不会找到回去的路！”En: Seeing Lihua coming, with a group, Jinhai felt incredibly grateful: "Thank you, Lihua, I thought I'd never find my way back!"Zh: “我们是一组的，共同合作就能攻克一切困难。”丽华自信地说。En: "We are a team, and together we can overcome any difficulty," Lihua confidently said.Zh: 这次事件之后，丽华不仅得到了同学们的赞赏，还赢得了老师的信任。En: After this incident, Lihua not only earned the praise of her classmates but also gained the trust of the teachers.Zh: 金海在回程的车上对丽华说:“其实我也有担心的时候，你的领导力让我看到团队的力量，我很高兴能与你合作。”En: Jinhai, on the way back on the bus, told Lihua, "Actually, I have moments of worry too. Your leadership showed me the power of teamwork, and I'm very glad to work with you."Zh: 满载着自信和新的友谊，丽华看着窗外渐行渐远的长城，心中充满了成就感。En: Filled with confidence and newfound friendship, Lihua looked out at the gradually receding Changcheng through the window, a sense of achievement filling her heart.Zh: 她知道，今天她不仅找到了千里长城的尽头，也找到了属于自我的那条道路。En: She knew that today she not only found the end of the Great Wall but also discovered her own path.Zh: 金海则学会了分享责任，让每个人都有机会一显身手。En: Jinhai, meanwhile, learned to share responsibility, giving everyone the chance to shine. Vocabulary Words:cool: 凉爽boarding school: 寄宿学校golden: 金色sunshine: 阳光spread: 洒mountains: 山峦autumn breeze: 秋风restless: 无法平静diligent: 勤奋overshadowed: 掩盖itinerary: 行程cheered: 欢呼excited: 雀跃ancient: 古老resembled: 似wind: 蜿蜒towering: 高耸watchtower: 塔楼subconsciously: 不自觉地engrossed: 聚精会神luscious: 繁茂relic: 遗迹flustered: 慌乱grateful: 感激accomplishment: 成就感receding: 渐行渐远responsibility: 责任group: 群体temporal: 暂时perked up: 竖起

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Connection Beyond the Great Wall on Singles' Day Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-11-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 金秋时节，长城在绚丽的红橙金色树叶衬托下蜿蜒盘绕。En: In the golden autumn season, the Great Wall winds its way through a backdrop of magnificent red, orange, and golden leaves.Zh: 今天是一个阳光明媚的秋天，正好是光棍节。En: Today is a sunny autumn day, just right for Singles' Day.Zh: 梅是一名活泼的导游，她正在带领一群游客参观长城。En: Mei is a lively tour guide leading a group of tourists around the Great Wall.Zh: 虽然笑容满面，但她心里有点孤单。En: Although she wears a bright smile, she feels a bit lonely inside.Zh: 光棍节，她想和别人真正地联系一次，而不是看到每个人都忙着看手机和寻找购物优惠。En: On Singles' Day, she longs for a genuine connection with others, instead of seeing everyone engrossed in their phones and hunting for shopping deals.Zh: 梅带着游客走上长城，她用明亮的声音介绍历史：“据说，古时候长城就像一条巨龙，守护着我们的家园。”En: Mei leads the tourists up onto the Great Wall, introducing its history with a bright voice: "It is said that in ancient times, the Great Wall was like a giant dragon, guarding our homeland."Zh: 然而，大部分游客只是在低头看手机，有的在算着购物折扣，有的拍照发朋友圈。En: Yet, most of the tourists are just looking down at their phones, some calculating shopping discounts, others taking photos to post on social media.Zh: 小梁是这次旅行团里的一名年轻人，他也在看手机。En: Xiao Liang is a young man in this tour group, also looking at his phone.Zh: 不远处的金则是一位历史学者，他对手机并不感兴趣，认真听着梅的介绍。En: Not far away, Jin, a historian, uninterested in his phone, is listening intently to Mei's introduction.Zh: 梅注意到了他眼里的好奇，决定讲述一个个人故事来吸引大家的注意。En: Mei noticed the curiosity in his eyes and decided to share a personal story to capture everyone's attention.Zh: “其实，我第一次来长城是在十年前。”梅轻声说，目光投向远方。En: "In fact, I first came to the Great Wall ten years ago," Mei said softly, her gaze cast into the distance.Zh: “那时候，我在这里认识了一位老人，他告诉我这道墙不仅是防御，更是连接。En: "At that time, I met an old man here who told me that this wall is not just for defense, but also for connection.Zh: 当年战士们在这里守护家园，他们之间的友谊和信任就是我们今天的文化根基。”En: Back then, soldiers guarded their homeland here, and their friendship and trust are the foundation of our culture today."Zh: 这时，金抬起了头，望向梅，显然被她的话打动了。En: At this moment, Jin lifted his head, looking at Mei, clearly moved by her words.Zh: 他走到梅身边，低声说：“能告诉我更多吗？关于长城的人情故事。”En: He walked over to Mei and quietly said, "Can you tell me more? About the human stories of the Great Wall."Zh: 梅很高兴地开始与金交流，他们分享彼此对历史和文化的热爱。En: Mei happily started to converse with Jin, sharing their love for history and culture.Zh: 随着话题的深入，周围的游客似乎也渐渐被吸引，放下了手机，开始听两人讲述。En: As the conversation deepened, the surrounding tourists seemed to be drawn in as well, putting down their phones and starting to listen to the two's storytelling.Zh: 当天的游览结束时，梅和金互相留下了联系方式。En: By the end of the day's tour, Mei and Jin had exchanged contact information.Zh: 他们计划再次见面，继续在长城下的故事中寻找历史的脉动。En: They planned to meet again to continue uncovering the pulse of history in the stories beneath the Great Wall.Zh: 梅看着手中的联系方式，心里温暖了许多。En: Looking at the contact information in her hand, Mei felt much warmer inside.Zh: 她明白，哪怕是在意想不到的时刻，真正的联系也是可以发生的。En: She understood that even in the most unexpected moments, genuine connections can happen.Zh: 长城依旧守望着大地，而梅终于在偌大的世界里感受到了温暖的连接。En: The Great Wall continues to stand watch over the land, and Mei finally felt the warmth of connection in this vast world. Vocabulary Words:winding: 蜿蜒magnificent: 绚丽backdrop: 衬托lively: 活泼genuine: 真正engrossed: 忙着defense: 防御foundation: 根基converse: 交流uncovering: 寻找curiosity: 好奇human stories: 人情故事engulfed: 沉浸intertwined: 交织pulse: 脉动historians: 历史学者solar term: 节气homeland: 家园gaze: 目光intonation: 腔调detachment: 疏离profound: 深刻immerse: 浸入amidst: 在…中melancholy: 忧郁transcend: 超越reminisce: 回忆exhilaration: 愉快resonance: 共鸣legacy: 遗产

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Solitude: A Student's Journey at the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-09-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天，长城在阳光下闪烁着金色的光辉。En: In the autumn, the Great Wall of China glimmered with a golden sheen under the sunlight.Zh: 一群学生们兴奋地在这古老的长城上来回穿梭。En: A group of students excitedly wandered back and forth on this ancient wall.Zh: 李伟、陈和君是这次学校秋季旅行中的一员。En: Li Wei and Chen Hejun were part of the school's autumn trip.Zh: 他们跟随老师一边走，一边听讲解古老长城的历史。En: They followed the teacher, listening to the explanation of the Great Wall's history as they walked.Zh: 但是，李伟却心不在焉。En: However, Li Wei seemed distracted.Zh: 他对长城的兴趣与日俱增，想要独自一人走走，感受历史的痕迹。En: His interest in the Great Wall grew by the day, and he wanted to walk alone and feel the traces of history.Zh: 可是，同学们的喧闹声和自拍照让他有些烦躁。En: Yet, the noise from his classmates and their selfies made him a bit irritable.Zh: 他想要找个属于自己的安静时刻。En: He wanted to find a quiet moment for himself.Zh: 他看了看周围，然后做出了一个大胆的决定。En: He looked around and then made a bold decision.Zh: “我只需要一会儿，”李伟心想。En: "I just need a moment," Li Wei thought.Zh: 他悄悄地离开了大部队，沿着一个小道走去。En: He quietly left the main group and set out along a small path.Zh: 走了一会儿，李伟发现一个安静的角落。En: After walking for a while, Li Wei discovered a quiet corner.Zh: 这里视野开阔，大地的辽阔与长城的雄伟让他心安宁静。En: The open view and the vastness of the land, combined with the grandeur of the Great Wall, brought him peace and tranquility.Zh: 他闭上眼睛，感受着脚下石头的历史厚重感，仿佛穿越时空，与古人在对话。En: He closed his eyes, feeling the heavy sense of history beneath his feet, as if he were traveling through time, conversing with the ancients.Zh: 这一刻，李伟感受到了一种从未有过的亲近感。En: At this moment, Li Wei felt a sense of closeness he had never experienced before.Zh: 他想起了中秋节，这个合家团圆的日子。En: He thought of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions.Zh: 这片风景似乎在对他说，历史总是连接着我们的过去与现在。En: The scenery seemed to speak to him, saying that history always connects our past with the present.Zh: 时间过得很快，李伟知道该回去了。En: Time passed quickly, and Li Wei knew it was time to return.Zh: 他向远处最后看了一会儿，仿佛牢牢记住这一刻的感动。En: He looked into the distance one last time, as if to firmly remember this touching moment.Zh: 然后，他迅速返回到队伍中。En: Then, he quickly returned to the group.Zh: 刚好，老师正在召集学生准备回程。En: Just in time, the teacher was gathering the students to prepare for the return journey.Zh: 陈和君看到李伟，调皮地问道：“去哪儿啦，你没有迷路吧？”En: Chen Hejun saw Li Wei and playfully asked, "Where did you go? You didn't get lost, did you?"Zh: 李伟微微一笑，没有说话。En: Li Wei smiled slightly, not saying a word.Zh: 他感觉到了一种新的力量，寻找属于自己的方向。En: He felt a new strength, aiming to find his own path.Zh: 尽管旅途结束了，但李伟内心的那份宁静与喜悦却长久地伴随着他。En: Although the trip was over, the peace and joy inside Li Wei stayed with him for a long time.Zh: 他意识到，追随内心的旅程同样重要。En: He realized that following the journey of the heart was equally important.Zh: 而这次长城之旅，让他更加坚定地走在自己的路上。En: And this trip to the Great Wall made him more determined to walk on his own path. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天glimmered: 闪烁sheen: 光辉ancient: 古老distracted: 心不在焉irritable: 烦躁bold: 大胆tranquility: 宁静grandeur: 雄伟conversing: 对话closeness: 亲近感reunions: 团圆connecting: 连接journey: 旅程touching: 感动determined: 坚定wandering: 穿梭explanation: 讲解irritable: 烦躁quiet: 安静path: 小道corner: 角落vastness: 辽阔peace: 心安ancients: 古人strength: 力量reunions: 团圆enjoyment: 喜悦followed: 跟随conversation: 对话

We all know and learned about the 7 wonders of the world, from The Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal in India... but it got me thinking, what are the 7 wonders of Los Angeles? I had fun diving into this and am thrilled to share what's on my list of the 7 wonders of L.A.!

Snoop and Sniffy are back for their biggest international case yet in the Forbidden City of Beijing, China. Mysteries lurk around every corner as the dynamic duo races through the ancient city, uncovering secrets from hidden temples all the way to the iconic Great Wall of China. With danger at every turn, will Snoop and Sniffy crack the case before time runs out?

Paul, June, and Jason break down the 2016 alien flick The Great Wall starring Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Tian Jing. LIVE from the Chevalier Theatre in Boston, they cover the space dogs, Matt Damon's many accents, all the beards and rattails, magnets, and so much more. (Originally Released 03/26/2020) • Go to hdtgm.com for tour dates, merch, FAQs, and more• Have a Last Looks correction or omission? Call 619-PAULASK to leave us a voicemail!• Submit your Last Looks theme song to us here• Join the HDTGM conversation on Discord: discord.gg/hdtgm• Buy merch at howdidthisgetmade.dashery.com/• Order Paul's book about his childhood: Joyful Recollections of Trauma• Shop our new hat collection at podswag.com• Paul's Discord: discord.gg/paulscheer• Paul's YouTube page: youtube.com/paulscheer• Follow Paul on Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/paulscheer• Subscribe to Enter The Dark Web w/ Paul & Rob Huebel: youtube.com/@enterthedarkweb• Listen to Unspooled with Paul & Amy Nicholson: unspooledpodcast.com• Listen to The Deep Dive with June & Jessica St. Clair: thedeepdiveacademy.com/podcast• Instagram: @hdtgm, @paulscheer, & @junediane• Twitter: @hdtgm, @paulscheer, & msjunediane • Jason is not on social media• Episode transcripts available at how-did-this-get-made.simplecast.com/episodesGet access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using the link: siriusxm.com/hdtgm

Erik and Chris zoom in a couple of fans to talk about noisy upstairs neighbors and getting a private tour of the Egyptian Pyramids. They also discuss times they've been in aw, the Great Wall of China, and a fictional sitcom starring the Wahlbergs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.