Employee training in decline?

American firms are cutting back on employee training, while Chinese companies are expanding their programs. Despite these opposing approaches, workers in both countries say the training they receive is often irrelevant to their real needs. If this is the case, is anyone actually helping employees build the skills required to advance in their careers? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected].(17:58) On the show: Heyang, Steve & Li Yunqi

In an effort to ease the burden on elementary and middle school students, some Chinese schools are embracing more vacations and fewer study aid workbooks. This new approach is designed to give young minds time to rest, recharge, and explore beyond the classroom. The critical question is whether these measures will genuinely reduce stress and enhance learning, or if parents and educators will find new ways to fill that freed time with academic pressures. On the show: Heyang, Steve & Li Yunqi

Our deep bond with pets often conflicts with modern demands like work and travel, leaving a lingering sense of guilt. Tech companies now promise solutions through gadgets that automatically feed, water, and entertain pets in our absence. But we must wonder whether these tools represent true progress in pet welfare or merely a way to profit from our emotional vulnerability. / Your milk tea comes with a cliffhanger on the receipt (14:30). On the show: Heyang, Steve & Yushun

Buy now, pay later plans break purchases into smaller installments, a method that has surged in global popularity for its apparent convenience. This new approach to spending walks the line between a practical budgeting tool and a dangerously sugarcoated habit, offering short-term ease with potential long-term financial consequences. On the show: Heyang, Steve & Yushun

The traditional salon experience often includes a shampoo, blow dry, and small talk. A new wave of barbershops strips this down to the basics. The "10 yuan haircut" offers a swift, efficient trim for one low price. Does this surging popularity among young urbanites indicate that modern consumers are now prioritizing pure efficiency and affordability above everything else? / Motivational Monday (16:33)! On the show: Heyang, Steve & Yushun

The eternal hunt for an available charging spot is a major headache for any electric vehicle owner, often draining time and patience. But what if your EV could get a charge with the same effortless convenience as a food delivery order? Enter mobile charging vans: the innovative solution that brings the power directly to you. They simply pull up, plug in, and replenish your battery while you go about your day. On the show: Heyang, Steve & Yushun

Occupying the essential center of the sandwich generation means being the first call for homework help and the immediate update after a doctor's visit. It is a role of constant motion, where profound love continuously meets relentless logistics, a testament to those tirelessly holding everything together even during the days when it feels like barely holding on. / Round Table's Happy Place (17:13)! On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yunqi

The Golden Panda Awards honor the highest achievements in film and television, yet their influence reaches far beyond the ceremony. These stories act as powerful economic engines and cultural passports, vividly showcasing China's landscapes and heritage on a global stage. This cinematic spotlight directly fuels tourism, drawing both domestic and international visitors to explore in person the captivating scenes they first witnessed on screen. On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yunqi

Say goodbye to dull textbooks. Imagine learning science by scrolling through engaging TikTok shorts, exploring AR-powered interactive exhibitions, or chatting directly with scientists in live online sessions. This is the vision of China's first National Science Popularization Month, transforming science into an experience as dynamic and captivating as your favorite app. / Stub it out! Social media influencers leading the anti-smoking charge (15:47)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei.

Think of the most unforgettable moments in film: epic battles, dazzling visuals, and dreamlike worlds. At the heart of them all is technology, now supercharged by AI, which shapes what we see and feel on screen. Chinese filmmakers are pioneering these tools in innovative ways, and the Golden Panda Awards celebrate this remarkable technological evolution in global cinema. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei.