China's youth choose sawdust over showrooms

China's innovators are using AI to translate animal sounds—from barks to birdsong—into human language. While this could deepen our connection with nature, it also forces us to ask: Just because we can, does that mean we should? / Bibliotherapy: Reading as therapy (16:30). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushan

China's cities are cultivating intimacy with nature through pocket parks—hyper-local green interventions that reimagine urban functionality. Yet their true potential lies not in isolation, but in synergy. Can these scattered oases weave together into a transformative urban infrastructure? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushan

A new generation of makers is swapping swipe-to-buy for measure-twice-cut-once, crafting bespoke furniture that defies cookie-cutter consumerism. This hands-on renaissance celebrates the irreplicable satisfaction of building rather than buying. In our age of digital disposability, could woodworking be the ultimate counterculture? / Is using coupons on a first date thrifty or a red flag (14:08)? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

The breakneck pace of fast tech—with its disposable gadgets and relentless upgrades—comes with hidden consequences: a global e-waste crisis growing heavier with each "must-have" release. While consumers chase the dopamine hit of new tech and brands fuel the cycle with products designed for obsolescence, we're left grappling with the real question—who shoulders responsibility for this unsustainable system? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

Is this love, loyalty… or just clinging to what we’ve already spent? We keep paying for past investments with our future—throwing good time after bad. When you’ve given so much of yourself, how do you know when the cost of staying outweighs the cost of walking away? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected] (19:22). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei

Choosing a major was once a single high-stakes decision. But with new disciplines emerging, 'hot' fields evolving, and transfer policies becoming more flexible - are students finally gaining real freedom to design their futures? Or has this created a maze with endless doors but no clear map? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei

We're diving into the power of intellectual humility—why admitting "I might be wrong" isn't a weakness, but a real strength. This mindset can transform relationships, sharpen our thinking, and make life more interesting. Let's explore why being humble about what we actually know or don't know is truly smart. / Motivational Monday (19:50)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

For generations of Chinese people, caring for a loved one in the hospital meant being by the patient's side, day and night. China's new pilot program, 'family-free hospital care', promises change for the better. How does this new system work? And perhaps the biggest question of all: where will the money come from? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Spiky yet delicate, ancient yet trendy—this summer, lychees are everywhere from street markets to craft cocktails. Prices have plunged as harvests surge, but beware: their intoxicating sweetness comes with a cautionary tale. Have you heard of Lychee Disease? / Round Table's Happy Place (21:26)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

From AI-powered driving lessons to exclusive graduation deals on tech and travel, businesses are racing to capture the attention—and wallets—of a generation stepping into newfound independence. As summer kicks off and post-exam freedom sets in, Gen Z's choices reveal more than just a desire for fun; they signal a generation eager to control their own journey. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun