Podcasts about Asian

Plus: Regulators expand their crackdown on prediction markets. And Nvidia hits pause on some revenue-sharing deals with AI cloud companies. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the thing you're avoiding is exactly what you should pursue? Jack Cai broke three world records solving Rubik's Cubes blindfolded, for teh same reason America suppsoedly went to the moon. "Not because it is easy, but because it is hard" This episode explores the mindset shift that happens when you stop asking "How can I make this easier?" and start asking "What's so hard that almost no one else is doing it?" Jack shares his five-year journey from curiosity to world record, the habit systems that made elite performance possible, and the surprising question that emerged after he achieved his goal: now what? We discuss deliberate practice, the introvert's edge in mastery, and why the hardest problems often offer the best opportunities for people willing to embrace discomfort. Reframe difficulty as a competitive advantage, not a barrier Build systems that make extraordinary performance automatic over time After winning, redefine success on your own terms The remarkable life isn't found in avoiding hard things—it's found in seeking them deliberately. SPONSORS ☺️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MOD.com⁠ Prescription Modafinil for energy and focus. Free consultation, free shipping and 10% off Promo code PSYCHOLOGY at ⁠MOD.com⁠ UPGRADE to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

US equity futures are modestly lower. European equities are higher, while Asian markets ended mostly firmer. Focus is on Fed Chair Warsh's Jackson Hole speech amid uncertainty over the Fed's reaction function and the implications of recent Treasury buybacks. Markets are also watching the Strait of Hormuz, where there is still no concrete progress on reopening despite reports of an Iran-Oman agreement on revenue sharing. Iran is preparing conditions for reopening the Strait, while the US has rejected a return to June's MoU and continues to favor economic pressure. There are thoughts that US efforts in shuttling crude through the Strait is helping to cap oil prices.Companies Mentioned: Anthropic, NVIDIA, PayPal

A.M. Edition for Aug. 26. A bullish AI forecast from Nvidia lifts markets. And despite blockbuster growth and revenue forecasts, IG Markets' Chris Beauchamp says Nvidia still has more room to run. Plus, Fed chairman Kevin Warsh has so far kept his views on interest rates to himself. But investors hope that's about to change. And, WSJ's Tripti Lahiri brings us the latest from the devastating floods in Nepal and China. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Asian Democrats CONDEMN Timcast IRL Over Comments About Chinese U.S. War   BUY CAST BREW COFFEE TO SUPPORT THE SHOW - https://castbrew.com/ Become A Member And Protect Our Work at http://www.timcast.com Host: Tim Pool @Timcast (everywhere) | https://www.shoutout.fans/timpool My Second Channel - https://www.youtube.com/timcastnews Podcast Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TimcastIRL For advertising inquiries please email sponsorships@rumble.com

In this Supplement Ingredient Series episode, Nurse Doza makes the case for the B vitamin nobody talks about: vitamin B6. Everyone knows B12 — the pills, the injections, the whole routine — but B6 is the cofactor your body leans on to build serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, the neurotransmitters behind mood, focus, and steady daytime energy. He covers who tends to run low, why intake alone doesn't guarantee good status, and where an adaptogen-plus-adrenal formula like Zen fits in. FEATURED PARTNER Zen (Stress Relief) by MSW Nutrition is the formula Nurse Doza reaches for when the B6 conversation turns practical. Each capsule delivers 15 mg of vitamin B6 as P5P — the already-active form your enzymes can use directly — alongside 125 mg of bovine adrenal gland (Argentina) and a five-botanical adaptogen blend: rhodiola, Asian ginseng, eleuthero, schisandra, and licorice, plus vitamin C and 150 mg of pantothenic acid. It's built to support the body's adaptogenic response to everyday stressors and support energy production and stamina.

US equity futures are firmer, while Asian markets are mixed and European equities are mostly weaker. AI remains a key focus following Nvidia's earnings, with its strong revenue growth outlook reinforcing expectations for continued AI spending and supporting semiconductor and memory stocks. Nvidia also pushed back against concerns around circular financing. Elsewhere, lower energy prices are providing some support as Iran and Oman work toward finalizing an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz. In Europe, German consumer confidence beat expectations but remained deeply negative, while expectations for an ECB rate hike in September remain supported by recent policymaker comments.Companies Mentioned: Nvidia, Shein, Alibaba, Z.AI , MiniMax

How to navigate customer service and what to ask to avoid chatbots and speak to a real person. Also, an inside look at the popular Asian restaurant chain, "Panda Express". Plus, former tennis players John and Patrick McEnroe break down who the key players are at this year's U.S. Open. And, back-to-school supplies to help parents and students stay organized. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recessions, trade wars, labor unrest — in moments of societal crisis in the United States, Asian-Americans have been perennially targeted, from the destruction of Chinatowns by white mobs, to the mass internment of Japanese-Americans during WW2, to attacks against Asians during Covid. Historian Scott Kurashige reflects on more than 175 years of anti-Asian violence and its connection to U.S. empire abroad and a divided working class at home. (Encore presentation.) Scott Kurashige, American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism UC Press, 2026 Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash The post U.S. Capitalism, Empire, and Anti-Asian Violence appeared first on KPFA.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE...YET? Still, no, but if it's K-Drama woes that ail you, we have the remedy with Dr. Noonas Prescription Service. This is the Part 2 of us asking listeners to write in with their drama related ailments so we could prescribe the perfect medicine. Whether it's a light and fluffy romcom you can watch with the kiddos or a thoughtful drama to help you through hard times, the doctors are at your service. And if you're bummed you missed out on getting your prescription filled, have no fear! The doctors will be back with future segments. All you have to do is fill out THIS FORM to let us know what you need! Ready to download your first audiobook? Don't forget to click HERE for your free Audible trial.*Audible is a sponsor of Afternoona Delight Podcast*Are your family and friends sick of you talking about K-drama? We get it...and have an answer. Join our AfterNoona Delight Patreon and find community among folks who get your obsession. And check out www.afternoonadelight.com for more episodes, book recs and social media goodness. And don't forget about the newest member of our network: Afternoona Asks where diaspora Asians living in the West find ways to reconnect to Asian culture via Asian/KDramas.Last but CERTAINLY not least....love BTS? Or curious what all the fuss is about? Check out our sister pod Afternoona Army for takes on Bangtan life. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Today we talk about workplace drama! We dissect the different types of "drama" that happen in the workplace, and discuss how gossip in the office can enhance or detract from the work experience.Support the showFollow us on social media @eatyourcrustpod

SHOWNOTES Apple Podcast Description: Episode Title: In this episode of All Talk Oncology, host Kenny Perkins (Your Cancer Guy) talks with Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, a thoracic surgeon practicing in Northern California, to discuss a growing and often misunderstood health crisis—lung cancer in people who have never smoked. While many people associate lung cancer primarily with smoking, Dr. Velotta explains that an alarming trend is emerging, particularly among Asian women who have never smoked. Despite California having one of the lowest smoking rates in the United States, the state continues to see some of the highest lung cancer incidence and mortality rates. Dr. Velotta breaks down the surprising risk factors behind this phenomenon, why many patients are being diagnosed at Stage IV, and what individuals can do to advocate for themselves when symptoms appear. This conversation is an essential listen for patients, caregivers, and anyone concerned about lung health—especially those who believe they are not at risk. In this episode, Dr. Castro discusses: Why lung cancer is increasing among non-smokers The alarming rise of lung cancer in Asian women Why many patients are diagnosed at Stage IV Key risk factors beyond smoking The importance of early detection and recognizing symptoms Why persistent cough should never be ignored When to request a chest X-ray or CT scan Why getting a second opinion is critical for cancer care How patients can find clinical trials and new treatment options Dr. Velotta also encourages patients to become active participants in their healthcare by asking tough questions, advocating for themselves, and seeking the best possible care. This episode provides vital insight into a growing public health issue and empowers patients with the knowledge needed to take action early. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to help spread awareness about lung cancer and empower patients with life-saving information. Immortalize your voice by being an ALL TALK ONCOLOGY GUEST! Just fill-out this FORM. Invite Kenny Perkins to Speak or Participate on your event. Just fill-out this FORM.   SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: All Talk Oncology: Instagram & Facebook JOIN OUR FREE COMMUNITY: Facebook Community WEBSITE: www.alltalkoncology.com Hashtags:  #LungCancerAwareness #LungCancerInNonSmokers #ThoracicSurgery #CancerScreening #AllTalkOncology #YourCancerGuy #CancerEducation #CancerAdvocacy

St. Louis native and composer Julia Riew went viral on TikTok in 2022 with a Korean Disney-style princess she created to fill a representation void in musical theater. This spring, she published her second book, "Shim Jung Takes the Dive," a middle-grades novel inspired by a beloved Korean folktale. Riew discusses the development of the book and its connection to her 2022 TikTok video. She also describes how growing up in St. Louis, being Asian in different spaces including the arts, and taking risks have shaped her journey to becoming a professional artist.

Disney Parks Podcast Show #936- D23 Experences Recap 2026 This week, we cover the latest Disney Parks news, including:

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Asian equities declined as investors cut exposure to technology shares ahead of earnings this week that will test confidence in the artificial intelligence trade. The MSCI Asia Pacific equities gauge slipped 0.5%, with South Korean chip bellwethers SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. contributing most to the decline. The losses followed a selloff in semiconductor giants on Wall Street that dragged the Nasdaq 100 Index down nearly 1% on Monday, while Nvidia Corp. posted its longest losing streak since 2022. We speak to Mark Cudmore, Global Leader of the Markets Live Team at Bloomberg News. Plus - Leapmotor posted reported a strong first half profit due to surging sales but the company's net income missed analyst estimates. Bloomberg's Yvonne Man and David Ingles spoke to Co-President Michael Wu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Monsters: The Black-Eyed Children - Part One May We Come Inside? The New Monsters – Story Five, Episode One There are monsters that chase us through dark forests. There are monsters that wait beneath our beds. And then there are monsters that simply knock on the front door.�This week on The Devil Within, Branden Morgan begins a chilling new three-part investigation into one of the most enduring and unsettling legends of the internet age: The Black-Eyed Children. For nearly thirty years, ordinary people have reported eerily similar encounters with polite, soft-spoken children who appear unexpectedly at front doors, gas stations, parking lots, and lonely roadsides. They never force their way inside. They never make threats. They simply ask for help. A ride home. The use of a telephone. Permission to come inside. Then you notice their eyes. Completely black. No iris. No pupil. No white. In the first chapter of this new series, we travel back to Abilene, Texas, in 1996, where journalist Brian Bethel experienced what is widely considered the first modern encounter with the Black-Eyed Children. His extraordinary account would spread across the early internet, inspiring hundreds of similar reports and transforming a single frightening evening into one of the defining pieces of twenty-first-century folklore. But the story doesn't begin in Texas. As we explore the remarkable history behind the legend, we discover that humanity has been telling stories about children who aren't quite human for thousands of years. From the changelings of Celtic folklore to supernatural children appearing throughout European, Asian, and Indigenous traditions, every civilization seems to have inherited the same unsettling warning: sometimes evil doesn't arrive looking like a monster. Sometimes it arrives looking like innocence. Why do these stories appear across cultures separated by oceans and centuries? Why are human beings so deeply unsettled when children behave in ways that violate our expectations? And why does Brian Bethel's account continue to resonate with millions of people nearly three decades later? This isn't simply an investigation into a paranormal legend. It's an exploration of one of humanity's oldest fears—and the remarkable way ancient folklore continues to reinvent itself in the modern world. Next week, the legend explodes beyond a single eyewitness account. We'll examine the hundreds of reported encounters that followed, uncover the remarkable similarities connecting them, and�investigate why these mysterious children almost always ask the same question before anything else. "May we come inside?"

It's August (Not AgustD) and Arirang has wrapped Europe and is making its way through the last North American dates (concluding with LA in early September). Before Megan and Lea meet up at those concerts, we touched base to talk through what the last month has brought. Grab a white t-shirt and head into the rain!And remember--keep listening to Arirang top to bottom on your favorite streaming platform! And Come Over is now out on all platforms. Make sure to grab your copy on the iTunes Store. Also don't snooze on Normal! Watch, like, comment on the music video and add it to your playlists.Are your family and friends sick of you talking about K-drama? We get it...and have an answer. Check out our sister pod www.afternoonadelight.com for more episodes, book recs and social media goodness. And don't forget about the newest members of our network: Afternoona Asks where diaspora Asians living in the West find ways to reconnect to Asian culture via Asian/KDramas.Want to find more great BTS content? Head over to Afternoona Army for more takes on Bangtan life and links to our social media.

US and European markets are poised for a weak open. The US dollar is flat, while Asian forex shows little movement. Treasury and JGB yields are mixed within a narrow range. Precious metals are trading unevenly, with iron ore leading gains among base metals. Crude futures are sharply lower after the US announced extensive new economic sanctions on Iran. The Treasury buyback plan is increasingly viewed as unlikely to anchor yields long term against structural upward pressure—large fiscal deficits, rising inflation expectations, competition for capital from AI‑driven corporate issuance, and a resilient U.S. economy. Bessent signaled fiscal consolidation plans, but entitlement overhaul looks politically difficult, and AI funding needs keep upward pressure on issuance, raising doubts Treasury can sustainably suppress yields. Companies mentioned: Nvidia, Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Asian stocks edged lower, with the artificial intelligence trade in focus during a week set to be shaped by earnings from chip bellwether Nvidia Corp. and the Federal Reserve's annual gathering. Bloomberg's Paul Allen and Haidi Stroud-Watts speak to Pepperstone Research Strategist Dilin Wu. And - China said it continues to support a diplomatic end to the US-Iran war, in a delayed statement released shortly before the US is set to unveil measures to punish Tehran's economic partners. Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Paul Allen spoke to Christopher Smart, Managing Partner at Arbroath Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Aldrich joins John Ross to discuss Old Lhasa: A Biography, his richly detailed portrait of Tibet's historic capital. It's the third book in his trilogy on Asian cultural centers. He wrote the first two, on Beijing and Ulaanbaatar, while living in those cities, where he worked as a lawyer. There was no opportunity for this with Lhasa, so he had to rely on multiple trips (from his home in Taiwan) and an incredible amount of reading and research. Rather than writing a conventional history, Aldrich set out to present Lhasa as a living character – a city whose temples, alleyways, legends and surviving traditions can still tell their own stories. Books mentioned M.A. Aldrich The Search for a Vanishing Beijing: A Guide to China's Capital Through the Ages (Hong Kong University Press, 2006) Ulaanbaatar beyond Water and Grass: A Guide to the Capital of Mongolia (Hong Kong University Press, 2018) Old Lhasa: A Biography Originally published by Camphor Press in January 2023 and subsequently reissued in 2025 by Speaking Tiger Books with a new epilogue based on Aldrich's 2024 return to Tibet. The episode touches on the amazing story of Ekai Kawaguchi (河口慧海 1866–1945), a Japanese Buddhist monk who spent time in Lhasa in the early 1900s. He is the subject of Scott Berry's A Stranger in Tibet. The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Podcast host Amy Chavez is author of The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. and Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan. The Books on Asia website posts book reviews, podcast episodes and episode Show Notes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to the Books on Asia newsletter to receive news of the latest new book releases, reviews and podcast episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US equity futures are modestly higher, while Asian markets ended mostly higher and European equities are firmer. The bond market remains a key focus after Treasury yields reversed most of Wednesday's decline, with skepticism that larger Treasury buybacks can offset longer-term pressures from fiscal deficits and debt. Energy prices also remain elevated as attention turns to potential US financial measures against Iran, including possible measures aimed at China. In Europe, sentiment is supported by stronger business confidence in France and better-than-expected Eurozone PMIs, while UK consumer confidence reached a two-year high despite weaker retail sales.Companies Mentioned: Super Micro Computer, Intercontinental Exchange, Polymarket, Shein

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Asian bonds declined and the dollar remained under pressure after a rally in Treasuries faded, with investors betting that US efforts to contain long-term borrowing costs through buybacks may offer only a temporary reprieve. We speak to David Finnerty, Bloomberg's FX and Rates Strategist. And - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s profit plunged more than 75% after the company increased quarterly capital spending to almost $10 billion to safeguard its position in the global AI arena. Even so, Alibaba shares rose after the the company reported accelerating cloud revenue growth and better margins that offset fears over its AI spending. Bloomberg TV host Haidi Stroud-Watts and Paul Allen spoke to Arete Research Senior Research Analyst Shawn Yang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When acclaimed playwright, actor and theatre director Jovanni Sy went back to school a few years ago, he was told to direct something funny. He originally wanted to take on The Way of the World — William Congreve's British Restoration comedy from 1700. But over time, that morphed into a modern-day, fast-paced Asian rom-com set in Singapore. It's called The Tao of the World, and it opens at the Stratford Festival tonight. Jovanni joins guest host Garvia Bailey in the Q studio to explain how and why that all happened.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUNGA!!!OWWWWWW!!!!!Chunga has had it with Panda!!!  No, not our Panda, the Asian food chain!  Their "fortune" cookies SUCK!!! THEY'RE HORRIBLE!!!Chris and Bren are on their way home from London!  He'll be back on the next show!!So... Chunga, and Chandler have an idea. A wonderfully awful idea!!! They even asked Gregg and Chris for permission to do this idea!! What is it?!?Been a hard week for celebrity deaths... R.I.P Hayden Panettiere and ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard.CHUNGA POLL: What is your favorite college sports team!?! POST YOUR ANSWERS BELOW!!! Don't slack!!! The winning team will become the favorite team of Radio Ronin for the season!!!!PLUS!!!! Gregg has another spooky pre-Halloween movie shout-out!! LISTEN NOW!!!! It's on www.radioronin.com and everywhere you get your podcasts!!!!

Willie Macc, one of Jiaoying's dearest friends from the beginning pops onto the Tiger Mommy pod for a delicious episode. Jiaoying and Willie talk Asian women's feet, girls proposing to guys, and more!About Jiaoying Summers:Jiaoying Summers is a Chinese-American stand-up comedian, actress, and social media influencer known for her bold humor, sharp wit, and unique perspectives on life, culture, and identity. A proud mother and successful performer, Jiaoying's journey from her beginnings in China to becoming a comedy sensation in the U.S. is nothing short of inspiring. She uses herplatform to tackle topics like cultural differences, family, and self-empowerment, always leaving audiences laughing and thinking.Stay Connected With Jiaoying:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiaoyingsummers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiaoyingsummers/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiaoyingsummersX: https://x.com/jiaoyingsummersWebsite: https://summerscomedy.comSupport the showFollow Jiaoying Summers Social media & get tickets for Tiger Milf Tour!Facebook | Youtube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | Merch | Tour | Patreon | OnlyFans

In this Supplement Ingredient Series episode, Nurse Doza breaks down bovine adrenal gland — a glandular supplement with over a century of use, rooted in the ancestral practice of eating organ meat for nutrients the body needs to function. He explains how cortisol dysregulation can show up as afternoon crashes, mood shifts, and restless nights, and why adrenal glandular is paired with adaptogens and B vitamins in a three-in-one formula built to support the stress response. FEATURED PARTNER Zen (Stress Relief) by MSW Nutrition is the bovine adrenal gland formula Nurse Doza reaches for himself — and the reason is the ingredient itself, which is genuinely hard to find on a shelf. One capsule delivers 125 mg of adrenal gland tissue sourced from Argentina, paired with four standardized adaptogens (Asian ginseng, rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra), plus vitamin C, vitamin B6 as P5P, and pantothenic acid. That's the three-in-one Nurse Doza describes in this episode: glandular, adaptogens, and B vitamins in one capsule, formulated to support the body's stress response and steadier daily energy.

US equity futures are modestly lower, while Asian equities are mostly higher, and European equities are slightly softer. The Treasury rally remains a key market focus after the US Treasury announced an increase in long-dated debt buybacks, although questions remain over whether the move can sustainably contain longer-term yields. July FOMC minutes were somewhat dovish on the inflation outlook but did little to change rate expectations. Middle East developments remain an influence through energy markets, while the US has announced an intensified economic pressure campaign against Iran without providing specific details.Companies Mentioned: Banco Santander, Webster Financial Corp, JD, CECONOMY

Despite gains in recent years, Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities are still under-represented in the U.S. nursing workforce. We're going to explore that gap and how to close it on this episode of Raise the Line from Elsevier with Dr. Ernest Grant, Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the Duke University School of Nursing. "You get a patient who is more compliant when they see someone who looks like them, who is from their culture and who can advocate on their behalf," he tells host Lindsey Smith.  Dr. Grant bases that and other insights on a rich professional background that includes 50 years in nursing, being a leading advocate for his profession and breaking down barriers himself as a male nurse of color and the first man elected president of the American Nurses Association.  In this thoughtful conversation, Dr. Grant reflects on what it took to earn credibility in leadership roles, how he's navigating the political climate on DEI initiatives, and the causes and solutions to the persistent shortage in nursing faculty, among other pressing issues. Tune in for a uniquely-informed look at what it will take to build a stronger, more representative nursing profession. Mentioned in this episode: Duke University School of Nursing American Nurses Association If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Asian bonds and stocks gained as US plans to buy back longer-dated Treasuries to curb borrowing costs buoyed sentiment. The dollar steadied after sliding to a three-month low. We speak to Lianting Tu, Bloomberg's Managing Editor for Asia Equities. And - Initial public offering pipeline remains strong with close to 10 international companies from regions in Asia and the Middle East. That is according to Bonnie Chan, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Executive Director and CEO. She spoke to Bloomberg's Minmin Low. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris, Darrell welcomes award-winning singer, songwriter, television personality, host, and entrepreneur Ranella Ferrer. Based in Los Angeles, Ranella appeared on E!'s Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian and has become nationally recognized for performing the National Anthem for major sports organizations including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, Chargers, LA Kings, and LA Galaxy. As a recording artist, Ranella has shared the stage with and opened for artists including Stevie Wonder, Keyshia Cole, Tyrese, B2K, Ne-Yo, Twista, and Nelly. A GRAMMY-considered recording artist, she continues to use her platform to advocate for greater representation and opportunities for Asian artists throughout the global music industry. Ranella also serves as Director of Talent & Influencer Experience for Happy Group's LA Block Party concert series, overseeing talent relations, artist interviews, and influencer activations. Darrell and Ranella talk about her journey through music and entertainment, performing on some of the biggest stages, navigating the industry, and building a multifaceted career while helping create opportunities for the next generation of artists. Website www.RanellasRocks.com Social Media www.Instagram.com/ranellaferrer  About Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris The Music Matters Podcast is hosted by Darrell Craig Harris, a globally published music journalist, professional musician, and Sports Illustrated photographer. Music Matters is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean, and more. Each week, Darrell interviews renowned artists, musicians, music journalists, and insiders from the music industry. Currently, over 1.2 million global downloads in 40 countries. Visit us at: www.MusicMattersPodcast.com Follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh  Instagram: www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial For inquiries, contact: musicmatterspodcastshow@gmail.com Support our mission via PayPal: www.paypal.me/payDarrell Episode editing and Voice intro by Nigel J. Farmer of Voice Wrap Studios Representation:  Yvette Morales | YM & Associates PR Beverly Hills, CA YM-PR.com Email: YMoralesY@ym-pr.com                    

On this week's episode, everyone is really excited, but AI really failed us. JP had a birthday and Scotty forgot. Are electric vehicles good or bad, and is the WNBA doing a good job? Are jockstraps overrated or underrated, Is Asian food really Asian food in America, and what is something you still believed as a child that you still believe today? When are the worst times to have to seriously go poo, and should we have AI to write the show? Thank you so much and keep on laughing!

@THEKIDMERO@MREDDIEHUANG@VICTORYLIGHTPODCAST

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2026, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we've chosen it. This week, from April: A certain image of the tiger mom – strict, cold and demanding – is ubiquitous in popular culture. Why? By Rebecca Liu. Read by Ginnia Cheng. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Plus: OpenAI's revenues disappoint. And Chinese humanoid-robot maker Unitree surges in its Shanghai IPO. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week's Uncensored, we chat about Megan's first BTS concert experience, check in with how our top 25 dramas are looking, and discuss if Kdramas are still making us swoon. Also... how's Janus? Are your family and friends sick of you talking about K-drama? We get it...and have an answer. Join our AfterNoona Delight Patreon and find community among folks who get your obsession. And check out www.afternoonadelight.com for more episodes, book recs and social media goodness. And don't forget about the newest member of our network: Afternoona Asks where diaspora Asians living in the West find ways to reconnect to Asian culture via Asian/KDramas.Last but CERTAINLY not least....love BTS? Or curious what all the fuss is about? Check out our sister pod Afternoona Army for takes on Bangtan life.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Savor Sonoma at Graton Resort & Casino: Carey Sweet on AYA, Live Fire & Vine & Sonoma County Wine Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast Host: Katie Ambrosi Guest: Carey Sweet — longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer and Public Relations Manager at Graton Resort & Casino Episode Summary What's new at Graton Resort & Casino, and what can wine and food lovers expect from Savor Sonoma Live Fire & Vine? In this episode of the Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast, Katie Ambrosi sits down with longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer Carey Sweet at Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California. Carey shares her journey from covering the Sonoma County culinary scene as a journalist to joining the team at Graton, along with an inside look at the resort's major expansion, its growing culinary program, the new AYA restaurant, and the upcoming Savor Sonoma food and wine celebration on August 21–22, 2026. We also dive into the Live Fire & Vine Festival, featuring nationally known chefs cooking over live fire alongside a Sonoma County wine village, plus Graton's on-site farming program, sustainability efforts, upcoming restaurants and entertainment, and what makes Graton an increasingly important part of the Sonoma County food and wine scene. In This Episode Katie and Carey talk about: Carey Sweet's career covering Sonoma County wine, food, restaurants and hospitality and her transition from journalism to public relations at Graton Resort & Casino The major expansion underway at Graton, including a new smoke-free casino space AYA, Graton's new flagship restaurant led by Chef Roy Ellamar Chef Ellamar's California coastal cuisine with Asian, Hawaiian and Filipino influences Savor Sonoma, taking place August 21–22, 2026 The sold-out Friday Headliners Dinner and Saturday's Live Fire & Vine Festival Celebrity chefs including Aarón Sánchez, Marcus Samuelsson, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, Nyesha Arrington, Charlie Palmer, Dustin Valette and Roy Ellamar The Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, under the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, and its support of Latino youth pursuing culinary careers Graton's five-acre G5 farm and plans for the new 40-acre G40 farm Sonoma County sustainability, farm-to-table dining, living wages and community investment Graton's Sonoma County-focused wine program and Wine Director James Hernandez New and upcoming Graton restaurants including Revere (which is the rebranded 630 Park Steakhouse), Neon Kitty and Soco DoCo The Playbook's Detroit-style pizza and quesabirria tacos Graton entertainment, including John Legend, Third Eye Blind and plans for a new 3,600-seat theater Carey's favorite West Sonoma County food destinations What makes a great Sonoma County restaurant wine list Savor Sonoma 2026: Event Details Savor Sonoma takes place at Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2026. Friday, August 21: Headliners Dinner The Friday night Headliners Dinner is sold out and features a five-course collaborative dinner from acclaimed chefs including Aarón Sánchez, Charlie Palmer, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio and Roy Ellamar. Saturday, August 22: Live Fire & Vine Festival Time: Noon–5:00 PM Location: Poolside at Graton Resort & Casino General Admission: $165 VIP: $245, including the AYA after-party from 7:00–9:00 PM SOLD OUT Dress: Sonoma County elegant / resort wear Live Fire & Vine brings together acclaimed chefs cooking over open fire, Sonoma County and California wineries, live music and a poolside wine-country setting. Featured chefs: Aarón Sánchez, Chef, restaurateur and television personality known for MasterChef and Chopped Nyesha Arrington – James Beard Award finalist, alumna of "Top Chef," "Next Level Chef" and chef/owner of Native by Nyesha Cal-global restaurant in Los Angeles Marcus Samuelsson, Award-winning chef, restaurateur and Top Chef Masters winner Charlie Palmer, Sonoma culinary pioneer and founder of the Charlie Palmer Collective Bryan & Michael Voltaggio, Top Chef alumni and acclaimed restaurateurs Dustin Valette, Michelin-recognized Sonoma chef-vintner and founder of Valette Hospitality Roy Ellamar, Executive Chef of AYA at Graton Resort & Casino Wine Road Wineries at Savor Sonoma Live Fire & Vine We're especially excited to see several Wine Road member wineries pouring at Savor Sonoma. If you're attending Live Fire & Vine, be sure to look for these Wine Road wineries: A. Rafanelli Winery Bricoleur Vineyards Iron Horse Vineyards J Vineyards & Winery Ridge Vineyards Silver Oak Cellars These wineries are part of the Wine Road community representing the wines and wine experiences of Northern Sonoma County and Sonoma County wine country. Live Fire & Vine Chef Menu Aarón Sánchez Grilled Chicken Halves Congri, heirloom tomato and peach salad, Crystal Mojo sauce Marcus Samuelsson Whole Smoked Lamb Roasted pineapple, olive tapenade, roti and Scotch bonnet peppers Bryan & Michael Voltaggio Miso-Mushroom Cedar-Planked Cod Mushroom fideos, maitake mushroom, fennel pollen and Espelette aioli Dustin Valette Whole Pig Porchetta Smoked guanciale and white corn salad, Périgord truffle espuma Roy Ellamar Octopus Tinono & Pork Belly Lechon Sweet onions and Sungold tomatoes Nyesha Arrington Santa Maria-Grilled Tomahawk Ribeyes Kickback potato salad, charred spring onion and beef-fat vinaigrette Graton Resort & Casino Culinary Team G40 Vegetable Paella Pan-Roasted Camembert Local fruit and honey with Della Fattoria bread Cold Fruit Stand House-made chamoy, chili and lime salt Semolina Olive Oil Cake Whipped mascarpone and grilled summer stone fruit Wineries Pouring at Savor Sonoma Live Fire & Vine The Live Fire & Vine wine village features a broad selection of Sonoma County, Napa Valley and California wineries, including: A. Rafanelli Winery Aperture Cellars Bricoleur Vineyards Browne Family Wines Chappellet Hourglass J Vineyards & Winery Ledson Winery & Vineyards Martinelli Winery & Vineyards Ram's Gate Winery Ridge Vineyards Silver Oak Cellars Staglin Family Vineyard The Mascot Truchard Vineyards Turley Wine Cellars Valette Wines Vérité / Anakota Williams Selyem More About AYA at Graton Resort & Casino AYA is Graton Resort & Casino's new flagship restaurant, led by Chef Roy Ellamar, whose background includes working with legendary chef Joël Robuchon. The restaurant highlights California coastal cuisine with Asian, Hawaiian and Filipino influences while drawing ingredients from Graton's own farming program. Carey also talks about Graton's five-acre G5 farm and the planned G40, a 40-acre agricultural project designed to expand the resort's connection between farming, sustainability and its restaurants. New Restaurants & Entertainment at Graton Graton continues to expand its food, beverage and entertainment offerings. Carey gives us a preview of several projects, including: Revere: a reimagined version of the 630 Park Steakhouse with tableside presentations and a dramatic meat program. Neon Kitty: a playful, upscale concept inspired by Japanese convenience-store culture, expected to open in September. Soco DoCo: a brioche-based doughnut concept. The Playbook: serving casual favorites including Detroit-style pizza and quesabirria tacos. Graton is also expanding its entertainment offerings, with concerts including recent performances by John Legend and Third Eye Blind and plans for a new 3,600-seat theater as part of its hotel expansion. Carey Sweet's Sonoma County Food & Wine Picks In our rapid-fire round, Carey shares some of her favorite Sonoma County and West County destinations and discusses places including: Casino Bar & Grill in Bodega Valley Ford Creamery and Estero Gold cheese Rocker Oysterfeller's in Valley Ford Hazel in Occidental Cyrus in Geyserville SingleThread in Healdsburg Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg She also shares her philosophy on Sonoma County restaurant wine programs: start with the wines and build the menu around what you want to drink. Also Mentioned in This Episode Graton Resort & Casino AYA The Playbook Tony's Revere/630 Park Steakhouse Neon Kitty Soco DoCo Douglas Keane and Cyrus SingleThread Dry Creek Kitchen Casino Bar & Grill Valley Ford Creamery Rocker Oysterfeller's Hazel About the Wine Road Podcast Wine Road: Wine, When & Where explores the wineries, winemakers, chefs, restaurants, events and personalities that make Northern Sonoma County wine country such a special place to visit. Follow the Wine Road for more stories and events from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley, and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss our next episode.  

Why have Asian brands such as Teriyaki Madness done so well of late?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Michael Haith, CEO of the 200-unit Asian franchise.Teriyaki Madness's system sales increased more than 19% last year and the company said it is on pace to beat that so far in 2026. That fits with current industry trends, as Asian brands appear to be thriving.We talk with Haith about that performance and what sets his chain apart. We also talk extensively about franchising and franchise growth and how the company picks new operators to come into the system, and why that's important. 

As the birthplace of wine and the vinifera grape species, Georgia (the country), has wine deeply embedded in its culture. Yet, having survived conquest by three empires, fine wines are not the current norm in Georgia, where the Russian Communists focused on quantity over quality. Irakli Gilauri is launching Gilauri Wines to change that and to give wine collectors all over the world a chance to taste and connect with the best of the Ancient Terroir that is his home country of Georgia. Detailed Show Notes: Irakli's background: public company CEO (Bank of Georgia, Georgia Capital), wine collector for 20 years, took UC Davis winemaking coursesMission: to make a fine wine from Georgia that showcases the original terroir of wineGeorgia (the country) wine historyThe birthplace of wine, 8,000 years agoWhere vitis vinifera originated (the broader South Caucasus region)Located between the Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea and Caspian Sea; between Russia, Turkey, and AzerbaijanOne of the only biodiversity hotspots with a mid-temperate climateMain wine region Kakheti (Eastern Georgia), ~85% of grapes grown there, similar to Napa as it sits between 2 mountain rangesMain grape is Saperavi, closest to vitis silvestris, one of the original vinifera grape varietiesWine is embedded deep in Georgian culture, people believe grapes and wine allowed it to survive 3 empires (Persian, Ottoman, and Russian) and keep their language, script, and faithThe “oldest wine cellar in the world”~40k old bottles, from the early 1840s, including First Growth BordeauxsCollection of the Russian Romanovs (originally housed in St Petersburg)During WWII, Stalin moved the cellar into three places, including one in TbilisiGeorgian government is authenticating the wines and will auction some offGilauri WinesStarted w/ 10 grape varieties (incl Saperavi, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) in 5 locations, needed to conduct research on mapping terroir to deliver top quality because the Communists only cared about quantityStarted in 2022, but first vintage will be 2024, 2022 and 2023 wines will not be released as the quality was not high enoughHas the potential to produce 75k bottles, but 1st vintage will only be 1,800 bottles (1,200 Saperavi, 600 Chardonnay), with the rest bulked outWinegrowing is very different from the Georgian norm; focused on quality (e.g. - mixed Guyot pruning with only 1 cane, cover crops, green harvesting, 500L barrel fermentation, cold maceration for aromas (which cannot be done in traditional qvevri)Saperavi clonal material from Italy, Georgian nurseries have too much virusDTC focused brand; in order to share with fellow wine lovers, not enough for retail US, UK, EU, Switzerland availableIn US, also producing a Vine Hill Ranch Napa Cabernet with Nigel Kinsman at Wheeler Farms, and can use that license to import and sell Georgian wines DTC; Napa Cab as the sister wine to Georgian SaperaviHas conducted blind tastings of top New World and Old World wines to compare with Gilauri's “Ancient World” wineAllocations of 1st Georgian wines Dec 2026, 1st Napa wines Spring 2027Vanessa Conlin MW coming on to help promote the wines in the USJoin the allocation list at Gilauri.comWine, food, & travel go togetherSommTV producing a cooking show for Georgian cuisine, which is a mix of Asian, European, and Middle Eastern influencesWill have a free private concierge to organize wine trips to GeorgiaTrying to get access to “Stalin Cellar” for list membersLoyal clients will also have access to 4 bedroom house in GeorgiaExpected pricing:

What happens when recovery becomes more than surviving? When joy itself becomes an act of resistance? In this vulnerable and liberating conversation, Codi Renee Blackmon, PhD, shares how reclaiming authenticity, celebrating Black joy, and refusing to conform to the expectations of white-dominant culture transformed not only her own recovery, but the way she leads, parents, and cultivates inclusive communities.Together, Dr. Codi Renee and SHE RECOVERS team member Lisa Wall explore:Why Black joy is both an act of resistance and a pathway to healingHow authenticity became the foundation of her recovery and leadershipWhy race, trauma, and recovery cannot be separatedHow centering marginalized voices creates recovery communities where everyone has the opportunity to experience a sense of belongingABOUT CODI RENEE BLACKMON, PhDCodi Renee Blackmon, PhD, is a scholar, educator, and recovery leader passionate about creating accountable, inclusive spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. She brings together her experiences in recovery, teaching, writing, and research to amplify marginalized voices and support multiple pathways to healing.A Black woman celebrating recovery, Codi Renee supports people in recovery from trauma, mental health challenges, burnout, grief, codependency, and oppression. She is especially committed to supporting women, parents in recovery, neurodivergent minds, and Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and women of color.ABOUT LISA WALLLisa is a certified trauma professional, somatic practitioner, educator, and SHE RECOVERS Coach with additional training in addiction medicine, sound healing, circadian biology, intimacy education, and herbalism. With more than two decades of experience in community leadership, group facilitation, and program development, she integrates evidence-based practice with deep respect for lived experience and the wisdom of nature. As a senior leader with the SHE RECOVERS Foundation, she develops recovery-focused programming and helps inform equitable and trauma-informed standards of community care for women in recovery. Lisa lives and works on a remote island, where slow living, ritual, and reciprocity with the natural world continue to shape both her own recovery and the way she leads.EPISODE RESOURCESOur Recovery website https://bit.ly/ourrecoveryFollow Codi Renee & Our Recovery on Instagram https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourrecoveryConnect on Facebook https://www.instagram.com/our_recovery_matters/ Unveiling Racial Dynamics: Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous & Women of Color Technical Communication Within White-Dominant Online Recovery Support Spaces by Dr. Codi Renee Blackmon http://hdl.handle.net/10342/14021Maya Angelou's Still I Rise  https://youtu.be/NzQtGCw49uc?si=i4ZBWg0hblv3ChmG Ready to continue learning with Dr. Codi Renee? Take our Inclusive Recovery Training: Anti-Racist Spaces of Belonging. The work doesn't end here.EXPLORE THE TRAINING Here.

Is it truly the beginning of the end of Western dominance? Where did it all go wrong? And is this more than just an upheaval of the status quo?For centuries, Western powers dominated the global order and mistook that moment for permanence. Join Former President of the UN Security Council. Kishore Mahbubani, who argues the shift now underway is not upheaval but historical rebalancing. Asian and other non-Western societies are not “rising” but returning to their natural weight in world affairs. The danger lies in Western refusal to accept this reality. The West's clinging to primacy is distorting policy and fueling conflict."Arguably Asia's most influential thinker." - Martin WolfKishore Mahbubani is a Singaporean diplomat and scholar. A former President of the UN Security Council, his work examines the geopolitics of Asia's return to the global centre stage.Don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with your thoughts or questions on the episode!To witness such talks live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S&P futures are down (0.6%) and pointing to a lower open. Asian markets were mostly lower today. Japan benchmarks were sharply lower as tech names dragged. South Korea and Taiwan saw similar declines. Mainland China markets and Hong Kong pared morning losses but still closed in the red. Australia posted mild gains with mining giant BHP notably higher. European markets opened mostly lower today.

Some people celebrate birthdays with dignity. The Rizzuto Show celebrates them with sarcastic greeting cards, giant pastries, smoked deviled eggs, Italian rainbow cookies and a handcrafted pasta spoon featuring Tommy Wiseau.Welcome to Episode 201 of The Rizzuto Show, the comedy podcast where turning 48 apparently means your coworkers get unlimited permission to remind you that death is approaching.The show kicks off with some completely normal DuckTales appreciation before Lern proposes the crew go see Sebastian Bach, Quiet Riot and Great White. That immediately becomes a scheduling nightmare involving Rafe's Funny Bone weekend, Moon playing Valley Park Fall Fest and Rizz trying to figure out whether everybody can somehow attend three events simultaneously. Also, Moon may or may not have dreamed about Sebastian Bach. His dreams apparently have continuity now, so that's something everyone has to live with.Then Rizz brings up a movie theory that sounds just believable enough to ruin your productivity for the next hour: could The Goonies and Back to the Future take place on the exact same day?Back to the Future establishes October 26, 1985. Meanwhile, clues in The Goonies appear to place its adventure right around that same Saturday. Coincidence? Intentional cinematic universe? Evidence that Chunk was one DeLorean ride away from completely destroying the space-time continuum? We investigate with exactly the level of academic rigor you'd expect from this program.Which is none.Then Brian arrives with enough food to turn the studio into a French bakery: croissants, bread, ham and Swiss, smoked deviled eggs and more. This comes after the gigantic birthday cake he'd already made for Rizz, because apparently we're now trying to see whether a radio host can be defeated entirely by carbohydrates.From there, Crap on Celebrities brings another avalanche of entertainment news. The crew gets into Slipknot and Sid Wilson, Stray Kids dominating the Billboard charts, the debate surrounding a potential Asian pop Grammy category, and Frankie Valli continuing to perform at 92 — which leads everyone to wonder whether Frankie is enthusiastically choosing the stage or operating entirely on decades of muscle memory.Nate Bargatze also sets a massive comedy ticket-sales record, sending Rafe and the crew into a genuinely interesting conversation about club comedy versus arena comedy. Rafe explains why smaller rooms create that perfect pressure cooker of laughs while superstar comics eventually reach a level where playing a 200-seat club makes about as much financial sense as opening a lemonade stand inside Costco.Then somebody pays $192,000 for Sophia Petrillo's purse from The Golden Girls, because apparently having money is exhausting and eventually you simply run out of normal things to buy.The entertainment conversation keeps rolling into movies, celebrity stories and eventually Brad Pitt declaring that bad acting is so distracting he can't watch porn. This results in Rafe questioning Brad Pitt's acting credentials and nearly getting thrown off the show by everyone else. The crew debates whether Pitt is actually an elite actor, just exceptionally talented at playing Brad Pitt, or both.And somehow that's still not the most disrespectful conversation of the episode.Because it's Rizz's birthday.The crew surprises him with cards carefully selected to remind him that he's old, grouchy and one year closer to death. Lern gives him a Tommy Wiseau pasta spoon. Then Rafe produces Italian rainbow cookies from Sweet Seven Layers, delivered by a New York/Jersey baker who listens to the show and apparently understands exactly how to win over a “greasy meatball” birthday boy.It's heartfelt. It's insulting. It's carb-heavy.In other words, it's the perfect Rizz Show birthday.Hair metal, ridiculous movie theories, entertainment gossip, comedy talk, celebrity arguments and enough birthday shenanigans to make HR quietly close its laptop — Episode 201 is another completely normal comedy podcast from St. Louis.If you've ever wondered what happens when grown adults combine Sebastian Bach, The Goonies, Brad Pitt, Tommy Wiseau and Italian cookies into one morning show, congratulations. You've found your comedy podcast.Follow The Rizzuto Show → linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → 1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Pacific War. In late 1941, the Second Battle of Changsha ended with Chinese forces claiming victory despite suffering nearly 100,000 casualties against roughly 1,670 Japanese losses. Chiang Kai-shek's government launched an aggressive propaganda campaign, flooding international press with fabricated triumph narratives to sustain national morale. Behind closed doors, Chiang was furious at his generals' tactical failures, executing commanders and dismantling units. Meanwhile, geopolitical forces threatened China's survival. Japan's 1939 defeat at Nomonhan crushed hopes for a Soviet alliance against Tokyo. Germany's pact with the Soviet Union left China isolated, while Western powers remained reluctant to commit meaningful support. Britain offered little; the US provided only modest loans. By 1941, facing potential collapse, Chiang desperately searched for allies while Wang Jingwei's Japanese-backed rival government beckoned as an alternative. China's exhausted people endured horror—including a 1941 bombing massacre in Chongqing that killed over 400 trapped civilians. Then Japan unleashed a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.   #215 An Implosion in the East Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War.   In the early morning of December 7, 1941, the US Pacific Fleet was anchored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Two waves of Japanese bomber aircraft, launched from six aircraft carriers, attacked the vessels and their sleeping crews, destroying the battleship Arizona outright and damaging seventeen others, as well as most of the military aircraft parked nearby. Some 2,400 Americans died, and another 1,100 were wounded. Within a day Japanese invasion forces had attacked Siam, Malaya, and the Philippines. Chiang Kai-shek heard the news at one o'clock in the morning and immediately dictated a letter of support to President Roosevelt, pledging commitment to a new "common battle." The news reached Zhou Fohai in Shanghai as well. On December 8 across the international date line from Hawaii he had heard the sounds of firing as the Japanese took over the rest of the city, and then received reports that Japan had declared war on the Western powers. "I heard they'd bombed Honolulu, Manila, Singapore, and Hong Kong. From now on, the Pacific becomes a killing ground."   When Japanese carrier planes descended on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, they were executing far more than a tactical strike. They were unleashing the culmination of a strategic vision that had shaped Japanese military planning since the 1920s: the Nanshin-ron, or "Southern Advance" doctrine.    The Nanshin-ron represented a critical strategic choice that emerged from internal Japanese debates during the 1920s and 1930s. Japan faced an inescapable vulnerability: it was an island nation with virtually no natural resources of its own. The nation's population had doubled since the Meiji Restoration, growing to over 70 million by 1941. An industrial economy of tremendous sophistication, capable of producing world-class warships, aircraft, and military equipment, depended entirely on imported raw materials. Oil, rubber, tin, iron ore, bauxite, copper, and manganese all had to be acquired through foreign trade or conquest. This resource dependency was not a luxury problem; it was an existential one. A nation that could not feed itself or fuel its economy was a nation vulnerable to strangulation by enemies who controlled the resources it needed. Japanese strategic thinkers divided into two camps on how to resolve this vulnerability. The Hokushin-ron advocates, primarily within the Army, pushed for expansion northward into Siberia and Mongolia, seeking to conquer Soviet territory and resources. The Soviet Union possessed vast tracts of land, mineral wealth, timber, and agricultural output. From a purely materialist perspective, the Northern Advance made geographic sense—it was contiguous with Manchuria, which Japan had already secured in 1931. Yet by the late 1930s, the Hokushin-ron strategy had suffered a catastrophic blow. In 1938 and 1939, Japanese and Soviet forces clashed at Khalkhin Gol in Mongolia in what the Japanese called the Nomonhan Incident. The battles revealed a terrifying truth: the Soviet Red Army, under General Georgy Zhukov, was far more formidable than Japanese military planners had anticipated. Soviet armor, air power, and coordinated tactics annihilated Japanese forces. Japan suffered over 60,000 casualties while inflicting perhaps 10,000 on the Soviets. The defeat was concealed from the Japanese public, but it was unmistakable to military planners. A direct clash with Soviet power could end catastrophically. The Northern Advance, it became clear, would almost certainly provoke war with a nation capable of destroying the Japanese Army. This strategic defeat tilted the balance decisively toward the Nanshin-ron. If Japan could not safely expand northward, it must expand southward, toward Southeast Asia, the Dutch East Indies, Indochina, and the western Pacific. The appeal of the Nanshin-ron was immediately apparent to the Navy, which had always been more oriented toward maritime commerce and expansion across the ocean. The territories to the south were not militarily formidable. The colonial powers, Britain, the Netherlands, France, were either already defeated in 1940 or distracted by their own desperate struggles leaving Britain fighting alone against Germany. The United States, though potentially a formidable adversary, was not yet at war, and there was a chance, however slender, that a decisive blow against American naval power might convince America to negotiate rather than fight. But beyond strategic opportunity, the Nanshin-ron offered something that the Hokushin-ron did not: it offered resources of staggering abundance. The Dutch East Indies possessed oil reserves that could dwarf Japan's consumption for years. Malaya produced the world's rubber. Thailand offered agricultural bounty and geographic position. Burma's timber and agricultural products could feed Japan's growing empire. The Philippines possessed harbors, airfields, and economic output. These were not marginal additions to Japan's economy—they were transformative. Together, they would convert Japan from a resource-hungry island nation into the master of an imperial domain encompassing hundreds of millions of people and containing most of the strategic materials necessary for sustained industrial warfare. In the last episode I explained the western sanctions and embargoes that drained Japan's military of the resources they required to continue the China War. By 1941, Japan faced a civilization crisis. Japan imported roughly 90 percent of its petroleum, and the bulk of that came from the Dutch East Indies and the United States. Suddenly, the American supply was cut off entirely. Reserves would last perhaps 18 months if Japan's military and industrial consumption continued at existing rates. After that, the military machine would sputter and die. The industrial economy would collapse. Even civilian life would become impossible to sustain. Japan was facing not merely economic inconvenience but literal strangulation by the Western powers.   Yet it would be a mistake to reduce Japanese motivation to just materialism. Japanese military leaders wrapped their conquests in an ideological framework, one that many of them genuinely believed, or wanted to believe, served a higher historical purpose. The concept of the Daitoa Kyoeiken, the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere," posited a new regional order in which Japan would play the leading role in liberating Asian peoples from Western colonial domination and creating an Asian-centered political and economic system. This ideology drew on genuine anti-colonial sentiment. For a century, Western powers had dominated Asia, treating Asian peoples and nations as subordinate, colonized territories existing to serve Western economic interests. Japan, which had modernized and Westernized enough to avoid colonization, saw itself as the natural leader of an Asian renaissance—a civilizing force that would restore Asian dignity and independence even as it established Japanese hegemony. Of course, this was propagandistic. Japanese conquest represented a substitution of one imperial master for another, and often a harsher and more brutal one at that. But for understanding Japanese decision-making, the ideology mattered profoundly. It provided Japanese leaders with a moral narrative for conquest. It allowed them to understand themselves as liberators rather than mere conquerors. It provided a rationale for extracting resources from occupied territories and for mobilizing subject populations to support the Japanese war effort. And it resonated with anti-Western sentiment throughout Asia, making Japanese occupation seem, in some quarters, preferable to continued Western colonial rule. The slogan Hakko ichiu—"eight corners under one roof", captured this ideological vision: a unified Asia and eventually world under Japanese guidance. Whether Japanese leaders truly believed this vision or cynically deployed it as propaganda, it shaped how they understood their actions and justified them to their subjects. Now I know this is a podcast dedicated to the century of humiliation, ie: China's experience. But I thought it was necessary just to have one episode explain what Dan Carlin titled "a supernova in the east" and I have titled an implosion in the east. I won't go into depth into the campaigns as some of them have a lot of Chinese involvement and we will be covering them in depth, but rather I will explain the rationale for Japan's numerous invasions following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.   Japan's assault on Malaya began within hours of the Pearl Harbor attack, indeed, Japanese troops were already landing on the Kota Bharu beachhead on the Malaysian peninsula before dawn on December 8, 1941 local time. Malaya was one of the world's largest rubber producers, and Singapore, at the tip of the peninsula, was the linchpin of British naval power in the Far East.The Japanese interest in Malaya was straightforward but crucial: rubber. The Japanese military consumed vast quantities of rubber for tires, gaskets, hoses, and countless other applications. American and Dutch rubber supplies were now cut off by embargo. Malaya's rubber plantations represented perhaps the world's richest reservoir of this strategic material. Beyond rubber, Malaya and the surrounding region were major tin producers—essential for alloys and manufacturing. For Japan to conduct prolonged warfare, Malaya was not a luxury target; it was a necessity. Singapore represented something different: a symbol of Western power in Asia and a strategic chokepoint. As the major British naval base in the region, Singapore served as the anchor of British imperial authority across the South China Sea. By seizing Singapore, Japan would not only capture crucial resources and port facilities but would also deliver a psychological blow to the entire edifice of Western dominance in Asia. The fortress city that the British considered nearly impregnable fell within seventy days, a stunning demonstration of Japanese military capability and the vulnerability of overextended Western empires. If Malaya was critical for rubber, the Dutch East Indies was essential for oil. The region, comprising present-day Indonesia, was the world's third-largest oil producer and had reserves that could sustain Japanese military operations for years. This was the jewel of the resource-conquest strategy. Japanese planners had long eyed the East Indies, but direct conquest had seemed risky while Britain and America remained neutral or opposed. With both now at war, the window of opportunity had opened. Japan needed the oil so desperately that when the Dutch East Indies Petroleum Company initially agreed to some Japanese oil purchases before the war, Tokyo was already planning its takeover. The conquest of the Dutch East Indies would provide not just oil but also tin, nickel, bauxite, and other materials essential to an industrial war machine. The islands would also provide air and naval bases from which Japan could defend its new empire and potentially threaten Australia. The Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies, which began in late December 1941 and accelerated through January and February 1942, was methodical and comprehensive. Various island groups were targeted systematically: Java, Borneo, Celebes, and the Moluccas. Dutch military forces, though brave, were overwhelmed. By March 1942, Japan had secured the entire archipelago,a stunning logistical and military achievement that delivered vast resources into Japanese hands. Thailand presented a fundamentally different case from Japan's other targets. Rather than conquest, Japan pursued alliance with military strongman Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who had seized power in a 1938 coup as a nationalist ideologue determined to reassert Thai sovereignty and recover territory lost to French colonialism in the nineteenth century. Thailand was the last independent state in mainland Southeast Asia, hemmed in by British-controlled Burma and Malaya to the west, and French Indochina to the east. For a century, Thailand had survived by playing European imperial powers against each other. But by the late 1930s, this strategy was becoming obsolete. Europe was distracted by Hitler's Germany. Colonial powers were weakening. Japanese power was visibly ascending. Phibunsongkhram recognized both danger and opportunity. He could resist Japan and invite invasion, or he could ally with Japan and profit from rising Asian power. Japanese diplomats approached Thailand with sophistication: they offered military alliance and support for Thai territorial expansion at French expense. This addressed Thailand's deepest national wound, the humiliation of nineteenth-century territorial losses to France. The Franco-Thai War of 1940-1941 became transformative. With Japan providing military support, advisors, tanks, aircraft, Thai forces defeated the French for the first time in history. By May 1941, Thailand had recovered 54,000 square kilometers of Cambodian territory and portions of Laos. For Phibunsongkhram, this was extraordinary: he had achieved what Thai leaders could not in a century, reclaiming territory from a Western imperial power. Domestically, his position was dramatically strengthened. The parallel to China's century of humiliation—the foundation of your podcast is striking: Thailand too was reversing colonial diminishment through association with rising Asian power. The Thai-Japanese relationship was unique. Unlike the Philippines, Malaya, or the Dutch East Indies, Thailand would retain nominal independence. Phibunsongkhram remained in power. Japanese occupation was light. Thai forces maintained their own command structure. Most importantly, Thailand's territorial gains from the Franco-Thai War were recognized and secured. Japan valued Thai cooperation more than conquest. Burma, controlled by the British, was the next target in Japan's southwestward advance. Japanese planners had multiple motivations for invading Burma. First, it was strategically positioned on India's eastern frontier, and Japan harbored ambitions of eventually striking toward India and linking up with Germany in the Middle East or at least destabilizing the British position in South Asia. Second, Burma was a significant producer of timber and agricultural products. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the invasion of Burma was meant to cut the Burma Road, the crucial supply line that allowed American aid to reach Nationalist China. The invasion of Burma began in late 1941 and accelerated through early 1942.  The invasion of the Philippines, which began on December 10, 1941, just days after Pearl Harbor, served multiple strategic purposes. Like the assault on Pearl Harbor itself, it was meant to neutralize American military power in the region, in this case, the American garrison under General Douglas MacArthur and the American colonial administration. But the Philippines were also valuable in their own right. The islands sat directly in the path of what Japan envisioned as its defensive perimeter. By controlling the Philippines, Japan would make it extraordinarily difficult for American forces to project power westward into Southeast Asia. The territory would provide naval and air bases critical to defending Japan's new empire. Additionally, the Philippines possessed some agricultural and industrial resources valuable to the war effort, and their conquest delivered a psychological victory, defeating American forces and ending American colonial rule in Asia, which appealed to anti-Western sentiment that Japan tried to cultivate. Beyond Southeast Asia and the Philippines, Japan rapidly invaded Guam and Wake island to extend Japan's defensive perimeter further into the Pacific and eliminate American air and naval bases that could threaten Japanese operations. Guam, seized on December 10, 1941, fell within two days, the American garrison was small and the island's strategic value lay primarily in denying the United States a forward staging ground for any counteroffensive. Wake Island, attacked the same day and finally captured on December 23 after a brief but heroic American defense, served similar purposes: cutting off American reconnaissance and interdicting potential supply lines to the Philippines.  Now I believe that's enough of the implosion in the east, let's get back to the situation in China. After Chiang Kai-shek sent his letter of support to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, pledging Chinese commitment to what he termed a new "common battle." he did something most revealing about his mood towards the global war. He played "Ave Maria" on his gramophone, celebrating with an almost spiritual gratitude the implications of what had just transpired in the American Pacific. This moment crystallized the profound difference Pearl Harbor would mean to different members of the emerging Allied coalition. For the United States, the attack was pure shock, a violation of the sanctity of American soil and the complacency of American isolationism. For Britain, it was like the pricking of a large, painful blister—painful but perhaps not entirely unexpected given Japan's regional ambitions. But for China, the relief that surged through the government and the consciousness of the Chinese people surpassed even Britain's response. For four long years, China had fought Japan almost alone, watching as Western nations remained neutral or limited their commitment to rhetorical support and modest material assistance. Now, suddenly, the trajectory of the entire conflict had shifted with breathtaking speed. Chiang's emotional state at this moment could scarcely be contained, and those close to him understood that beneath his carefully maintained Confucian composure burned an intoxicating sensation of vindication. These Western powers who had been so impatient with Chinese strategy, who had mocked the retreats of the Nationalist Army and spoken scornfully of Japanese capabilities, were now themselves in headlong retreat from those very islanders. In Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila, British and American forces would be fighting desperately for their lives against the Japanese military that China had been contending with for years. Chiang could not have failed to perceive the irony: the Japanese had conquered vast stretches of China through relentless campaigns, yet Westerners had dismissed Chinese resistance as inadequate. Now the Japanese were proving that they posed a formidable challenge to Western military power as well. There was a bitter satisfaction in this vindication, even as Chiang understood that the strategic implications of American entry far outweighed any emotional satisfaction. What was pragmatic and strategically clear to Chiang, however, was far more important than any emotional satisfaction. The United States was now at war, and it was on China's side. This represented the transformation for which Chiang had labored for years, bringing the full weight of American industrial capacity and military might to bear against the Japanese enemy. The diplomatic foundations for this alliance had already been laid in the months preceding Pearl Harbor. Beginning in the spring of 1941, the United States had begun to commit significant resources to supporting China. In April 1941, following the conclusion of the Soviet-Japanese neutrality agreement, which had devastated Chinese morale by suggesting that Japan might attack the Soviet Union rather than move southward, the Roosevelt administration had determined to provide $45 million worth of militarily useful commodities to China as an immediate gesture of support. Then, on May 6, 1941, President Roosevelt had made a more formal commitment by announcing that the munitions provisions of the Lend-Lease Act applied to China, declaring a phrase that captured the strategic logic of American assistance: "defending China is the key to defending America." This declaration represented a significant shift in American policy, elevating China from a regional concern to a central element of American grand strategy in Asia. Subsequently, in July 1941, Roosevelt had sent Owen Lattimore to China to serve as political adviser to the Chinese government, a position that signaled deepening American engagement with Chinese affairs. In August, the administration appointed John Magruder as military attaché and head of the American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA), with the primary responsibility of overseeing the delivery of Lend-Lease material to the Chinese armed forces. On the diplomatic front, Chiang moved with remarkable alacrity. He had already severed relations with Germany on July 2, 1941, the very day after Hitler had formally recognized the Wang Jingwei puppet government in an attempt to appease Japan and encourage it to finally implement the Southern Advance. Now, on December 8, 1941, just one day after the Pearl Harbor attack, Chiang took the decisive step of formally declaring war against the Axis powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan. This declaration transformed China's position from a beleaguered nation fighting a war of survival into a formal member of the Allied coalition. Chiang had seized the opportunity that Pearl Harbor presented to ally China with a genuinely strong power against Japan, a gambit that fundamentally altered the diplomatic weight and international legitimacy of both the Chinese government and the Chinese cause. From a strategic perspective, the Japanese had committed what Chiang and others immediately recognized as a catastrophic blunder. On the operational level, Pearl Harbor was indeed a devastating tactical success, the American Pacific Fleet was crippled, and Japanese forces now enjoyed temporary naval superiority throughout much of the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Yet strategically, Pearl Harbor represented a failure of epic proportions, a miscalculation rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the intangibles of warfare: what motivated the Chinese people and what motivated the Americans. The Chinese had understood, through four years of brutal conflict, that warfare was about more than territorial conquest and resource acquisition. It was about will, about endurance, about the capacity to absorb punishment and continue fighting. The Japanese had learned this lesson imperfectly in China, where despite overwhelming military advantages they had been unable to force a decisive conclusion or compel Chinese surrender. The Americans would teach the Japanese this lesson even more emphatically. The attack on American sailors in Hawaii instantly galvanized the American population to prosecute an unlimited war, with Tokyo itself as the ultimate destination of American counterattack. While Americans would remember the "date that will live in infamy" primarily because of the assault on Pearl Harbor itself, the strategic consequence was that Japanese actions in Hawaii had introduced numerous new adversaries into the Pacific conflict: not only the United States, but also Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. These additions transformed what had been, from the Japanese perspective, a regional conflict with manageable parameters into a global war that Japan could not possibly win through any conceivable means. What made this particularly disastrous for Japan was the context in which the new theater had been opened. Japan was already deeply mired in a quagmire in China—a "malignant quagmire," as one observer would later characterize it, that had consumed vast resources, inflicted enormous casualties, and failed to produce decisive victory. In military strategy, it is sometimes wise to open a new theater in order to attack an enemy from an additional and unexpected direction, thereby dispersing their forces and creating new challenges for them to manage. But opening a new theater that introduces an entirely new, powerful adversary, and doing so when one is already overextended in an existing theater is a prescription for strategic catastrophe. This was precisely what Japan had done at Pearl Harbor. Chiang Kai-shek understood the magnitude of Japan's miscalculation with crystalline clarity. He understood that whatever the military complexities that lay ahead, whatever the challenges of coordinating with Western allies, and whatever the limitations of Western military assistance to China might be, the fundamental equation had changed. The United States would ultimately defeat Japan. The Chinese did not need to defeat Japan by themselves; they merely needed to survive long enough for American industrial and military capacity to grind the Japanese military into defeat. In the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor, Chinese and American officials moved swiftly to formalize the alliance and establish the mechanisms of wartime cooperation. Roosevelt asked Chiang Kai-shek to serve as commander in chief of the Allied forces in the China theater, a designation that recognized China's central role in the Pacific War and elevated Chiang's international standing to something he had long sought: a position as an equal partner in the Allied coalition, a seat at the "top table of global decision-making" alongside Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin. To support this expanded role and to ensure effective coordination of the military effort, Roosevelt dispatched Lieutenant General Joseph W. Stilwell to China. Stilwell was not chosen randomly; he brought fifteen years of experience in China, a deep familiarity with the country, its military, and its complexities that few American officers possessed. Stilwell was appointed to serve simultaneously as the U.S. government's military representative in China, as chief of staff of the China Theater, and as commander in chief of the American forces in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater. This appointment established the framework for joint Chinese-American military cooperation and represented an American commitment to the Asian theater that, while never receiving the resources devoted to the European theater, nonetheless signified recognition of China's strategic importance. Trust me, going forward we will be having a lot of time dedicated to the hilarious bromance / bro hatred of Vinegar Joe and Peanut.  Yet the formation of an alliance and the establishment of command structures was easier than the practical implementation of military cooperation. The fundamental challenge that would plague Chinese-American relations throughout the war emerged almost immediately: the problem of delivering military assistance to China. Before Pearl Harbor, the United States and China had reached agreement on three major points regarding military assistance. First, the United States would provide training and technical support to assist China in establishing a modern air force. Second, the United States would provide training and equipment for a ground army consisting of thirty divisions. Third, the United States would assist China in constructing railways and highways from Yunnan to Burma, along with the provision of rolling stock and vehicles to support these new transportation routes. These were ambitious plans, reflecting the extent of Chinese need and American willingness to support the Chinese war effort. However, the outbreak of the Pacific War threw American plans into disarray. The fundamental strategic doctrine guiding American policy was the "Europe first" strategy, which meant that the European theater and the defeat of Nazi Germany received priority over the Pacific theater. Additionally, China's geography made it extraordinarily difficult to supply. China could only be reached through supply lines of extraordinary length and complexity, either through the port of Rangoon in Burma and then overland via the treacherous Yunnan-Burma Road, or through the port of Hong Kong, which immediately fell into Japanese hands after Pearl Harbor. The first Sino-American loan agreement had specified that the United States would deliver commodities worth $45 million to China in 1941. However, shipping shortages meant that only $26 million worth of commodities actually left the United States. These commodities were shipped to the transit port of Rangoon, where a massive traffic jam developed as supplies accumulated faster than they could be distributed onward to China. Along the Yunnan-Burma Road, that "much-contested life line" as it came to be known, conditions were chaotic. The road had always been a source of trouble: it was long, extraordinarily difficult to keep in repair, fantastically dangerous to travel, and too narrow to permit much volume of traffic at any one time. Due to mismanagement and pilfering, the commodities that were shipped out of Burma suffered heavy losses in transit, and only one-third of them eventually arrived in Chongqing. Yet the United States had already established one valuable asset in China that could be deployed relatively quickly: an air force nucleus. Just before Pearl Harbor, a group of American aviators had been formally organized in Chongqing who worked on volunteer status for China under the command of Colonel Claire Chennault, an American aviation officer who served as instructor at the Chinese Air Force Cadet School. Some of these men had been flying in China since the Kuomintang first began purchasing American aircraft, having come to demonstrate the aircraft and remaining to pilot and teach. Others had hurried to China after being released from their volunteer service in Spain, where they had gained combat experience during the Spanish Civil War. It was a familiar joke that pilots from both sides of the Spanish conflict were likely to meet and work side by side in China, but political convictions proved immaterial to these professional aviators, they got on well enough with each other, mercenaries of the twentieth century united by their expertise and their willingness to fight. When American traffic on the Burma Road swelled in volume and became chaotic, with cargo lost to pilfering and trucks breaking down from mishandling, the air freight service into Chongqing became increasingly vital to maintaining Chinese military capabilities. The backbone of this organization was American, and it had been in operation for months before the Japanese attack. Halfway down the Burma Road, over the border in Burma, was a plane factory backed by American and Chinese capital, providing some degree of repair and maintenance capacity for the aircraft operating out of China. Recognizing the strategic value of these experienced aviators and the need to formalize and expand their operations, American and Chinese officials moved quickly to incorporate this volunteer group, formally known as the American Volunteer Group or "Flying Tigers," into the U.S. Army Air Force. This transformation of volunteer aviators into official American military personnel represented a commitment to providing air support to Chinese operations, recognizing that air power could compensate to some degree for Chinese numerical disadvantages in ground combat. In Chongqing, it was clear that among the United Nations fighting Japan, America was the only one taking China seriously, the only one prepared to invest significant resources in Chinese military capabilities and the Chinese war effort. Yet Pearl Harbor brought consequences that extended far beyond the strategic and diplomatic spheres. For Western civilians living in China,missionaries, teachers, doctors, businessmen, and journalists, the attack represented a catastrophic change in their status and their fate. Until December 8, 1941, Westerners residing in China had maintained a curious protected status as foreign neutrals, even in areas nominally controlled by the Japanese. This status had provided them with a measure of distance from, and protection against, the grinding reality of the war that had devastated Chinese populations. For a century, Americans had been part of an imperial presence in China, sometimes benevolent, sometimes violent, but always ultimately under Western control. That world came to an abrupt end on December 8, 1941. All across eastern China, Americans and Britons were rounded up and interned. The International Settlement of Shanghai—that remarkable oasis of neutrality that had persisted in the midst of a war-torn city—was now reunified under Japanese control. Thousands of foreigners with Allied nationality were sent to holding camps scattered throughout occupied China. Some, like the eleven-year-old British boy Jim Ballard, would remain imprisoned for the remainder of the war, enduring hunger, cold, and disease in camps like Longhua, which housed approximately 2,000 detainees. Forty years later, as the novelist J. G. Ballard, he would memorialized this experience in his semi-autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun. For missionaries like Velva Brown, the evacuation process was degrading and final. The missionary staff were permitted to pack no more than three suitcases with their belongings. As they prepared to leave, Japanese and Taiwanese "sightseeing" parties arrived to decide which houses they might want to occupy. The journey home aboard crowded Japanese ships offered no concessions to status or dignity; ambassadors, consuls, merchants, and missionaries alike were given "bed-sized strips of Chinese matting which we spread side by side on the iron floor of the hold," as Brown recorded. The humiliation was compounded by the finality of it all. For many, their decades-long presence in China was ending not in orderly retreat but in hasty evacuation, leaving behind "servants, many of whom had been with us for fifteen or twenty years." Despite these immediate human tragedies, the strategic transformation that Pearl Harbor wrought for China was undeniable. Chiang Kai-shek now embarked on an entirely new sort of life, heavily involved with the leaders and generals of the Western powers. He held diplomatic discussions with the leaders of the United Nations and military planning sessions with Western generals. In these unfamiliar circumstances, he did his best to live up to the Confucian ideal of the gentleman, seldom permitting the mask to slip—though the pressure of these new responsibilities and the intoxicating combination of vindication and anxiety would occasionally prove too much even for his considerable self-control. Within weeks of Pearl Harbor, Chiang demonstrated the value he could bring to the new alliance. He visited India and spoke with the leaders of the Indian independence struggle as an ally and friend, as a fellow non-European speaking to others seeking to escape from colonialism and imperial domination. He joined the Allies in their first joint campaign, not in China but in the jungles of neighboring Burma, committing Chinese forces to operations outside China's borders in support of the broader Allied military strategy. Yet the price that Chiang would pay for China's belated entry into the global alliance against the Axis powers would prove to be a heavy one. Chiang desperately needed his new American and British partners, but accepting this alliance would unleash forces within Chinese society that would threaten the very basis of his political control. The complexities of this bargain would become most visible in the four-year struggle between Chiang and General Joseph Warren Stilwell, the American officer who would become simultaneously his chief of staff and the administrator of American military assistance to China. This relationship, shaped by mutual suspicion, different strategic visions, and incompatible political agendas, would define Chinese-American military cooperation during the Pacific War and would have profound implications extending far beyond the battlefields of Asia. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Pearl Harbor's shock reverberated through Asia. Japan's assault on Hawaii, combined with invasions of Burma, the Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island, inadvertently transformed regional conflict into global war. Chiang Kai-shek, vindicated after four years of isolation fighting Japan, embraced American alliance with profound relief. The U.S. committed military aid, appointed General Stilwell as chief of staff, and recognized China as a co-belligerent. For Chiang, this partnership brought diplomatic status but also internal tensions that would define the Pacific War's final chapter.

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Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz delivers a detailed breakdown of the Recording Academy's decision to reconsider the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance Grammy category after BTS declined to submit its music for the 2027 awards. Explore the timeline from the June 2026 announcement through key August updates, BTS's stance on recognition versus regional segregation, eligibility rules based on Asian languages, the group's Grammy nomination history, recent K-pop milestones including Rosé and “Golden,” impacts on other artists like those under HYBE and Stray Kids, and the core debate over visibility versus potential boxing-in of Asian pop genres such as K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. Analytic Dreamz examines the Academy's response and what this means for Asian music representation.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/exclusive-contentPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fort Bend County, Texas, looks like the America we claim to want: a suburb where Black, White, Asian, and Latinx families share cul-de-sacs, schools, and celebrations. Residents trade dishes, honor one another's traditions, and take pride in their community's diversity. Yet beneath this harmony lies what sociologist Dr. Kiara Wyndham calls "the diversity contract"—an unspoken agreement that racial diversity may be celebrated, but racial inequality must not be named.  Drawing on two years of ethnographic research and more than 150 interviews, Diversityland: Hiding Racial Inequality in an American Suburb (University of California Press, 2026) reveals how the language of inclusion can obscure enduring racial hierarchy. In Fort Bend and communities like it, White advantage adapts to diversity rather than disappearing. Vivid and deeply researched, Diversityland transforms how we understand suburban life and challenges foundational narratives of what racial progress will look like in 21st century America. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

On this episode, we're excited to welcome author Susan Lee back to the podcast to catch up on BTS news as well as chat about her latest novel, See You at the Sunset, an adult romantic comedy about a young woman, who is staying with her grandmother in a Palm Springs senior living community after losing her job at a law firm in NYC, as she strikes up a relationship with her grandma's new neighbor's grandson, who also happens to be the man who signed her termination papers (as well as her one night stand)!Follow Susan on Instagram at @susanleewrites and check out her latest novel See You at the Sunset is available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba August 2026 pick is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo IshiguroThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

A record $432B July deficit, $40 trillion in debt days away, gold above $4,400... last week's fireworks were just the opening act.This episode is sponsored by Odoo. Sign up for free at https://www.odoo.com/r/peterThis episode is also sponsored by Pebl. Go to https://hipebl.ai to get a free estimate.This episode is also sponsored by Rockwell Automation. Download their 11th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report at https://rok.auto/sosmThe CPI came in tame. Hours later the Treasury reported a $432 billion July deficit... the worst single month in US history.Peter breaks down why the benign 0.1% July CPI is an accounting illusion: the BLS compares monthly averages, so June's oil collapse masked July's crude rebound, and August is set up to run hot. The real inflation news came later that day from the Treasury: a record $432 billion July deficit, $1.8 trillion in just ten months, and a national debt now less than $150 billion from $40 trillion. Bigger deficits mean more pressure on the Fed to choose inflation, which is exactly why the bond market refused to rally on the "good" CPI number.Gold holds above $4,400 and silver above $65 as heavy Asian buying signals the de-dollarization trade is back on, while Bitcoin sits dead at $63,500 and misses the entire rally. Peter also covers the yen back above 159 and the Fed's swap-line backdoor QE for Japan, both parties drifting left after the latest primaries, Trump family corruption from Truth Social premium access to Barron's $150 million, and the Iran endgame: no deal, a closed Strait of Hormuz, and a president claiming victory in a war America clearly lost.Chapters:00:00 Inflation Signals Not Prices01:22 CPI Print And Market Bets04:24 CPI Math Masks Energy Surge10:37 Deficits The Real Inflation Driver19:54 Gold Surge Debt And Yen QE31:09 Radical Left Wins Primaries32:00 Both Parties Shift Left34:17 Trump Corruption Claims37:51 Bitcoin Stalls vs Gold44:13 Iran War Reality CheckFollow @peterschiffX: https://twitter.com/peterschiffInstagram: https://instagram.com/peterschiffTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@peterschiffofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/peterschiffOur Sponsors:* Check out Blinds.com and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.blinds.com* Check out Chilipad and use my code GOLD for $255 off: https://sleep.me* Check out Factor and use my code gold50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com* Check out Fast Growing Trees and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/GOLD for a great deal: https://www.quince.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report" gives a first look at the stories you need to know to start your day, including House Democrats preparing investigations, subpoenas, and document requests targeting private companies and financial firms connected to President Trump if they retake the House; the Justice Department finding that Duke University School of Law intentionally discriminated against white and Asian applicants for three consecutive admissions classes after the Supreme Court restricted race-based admissions; and former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft to challenge the league's refusal to define what qualifies a player as a woman; and much more. #rubinreport #wnba #wnbanews #eneskanter #duke #discriminationexposed #democrats #trump #daverubin

Seven years ago, New Yorker staff writer Jia Tolentino coined the term “Instagram Face.” Now we talk about how current beauty standards are changing our relationship to reality. “It seems more explicitly anti-human right now than ever before,” she tells Tonya Mosley. “There seems to be something that's dove-tailing with the age of AI.” Also, we hear from Lee Sung Jin, creator of the Netflix series Beef. The second season is a story about class and blackmail at an exclusive country club. He talks about how he has pulled ideas from his own life, and his experience working in writers rooms as the only Asian person. Film critic Justin Chang reviews the new erotic comedy I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde.Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include bonus episodes and curated playlists of archive interviews. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy