What happens when an American comedian immerses himself in Chinese comedy? Jesse Appell’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, Jesse shares how his curiosity about language led him to study in China, become a Fulbright scholar, and apprentice under a master of Xiangsheng (traditional Chinese cross-talk comedy). He takes us through the highs and challenges of performing comedy in Chinese, founding a bilingual comedy club in Beijing, and why understanding humor is the ultimate test of language fluency.

Jesse also discusses his shift into social media and entrepreneurship with Jesse’s Tea House, his global tea business. Plus, hear his insights on learning Chinese, navigating cultural differences, and why embracing the hard parts of language learning leads to real growth.

Links from the episode:

• Jesse’s Teahouse

• Jesse Appell Comedy | Laugh Beijing

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There is a growing buzz around "RedNote" (小红书), as westerners—especially “TikTok refugees"—flock to this Chinese social media platform. But what is beyond the hype and can you use it to learn Chinese?

In this episode, Jared and John dive into how you, as a Chinese learner, can use this tool to level up your language skills. Because there is no division between Chinese and international content on the app, they discuss how you can find content tailored to your interests and engage with the unique environment and community that offers real-world context for learning Chinese and building cultural awareness.

Links from the episode:

• Mandarin Companion | Graded readers

• Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Vincent, a passionate Chinese and Spanish teacher in California. While growing up in rural Ohio, he visited cousins living in France which sparked his interest in languages. Later while in high school, he spent a year as an exchange student in Taiwan, an immersive and challenging Chinese learning experience that transformed his perspective.

Joseph reflects on his journey from struggling with tones and characters to achieving fluency, emphasizing the role of community, persistence, and connection. He also shares how these experiences inspired his teaching philosophy and offers practical tips for language learners.

Tune in to hear Joseph’s story and gain insights into mastering Chinese, the impact of immersion, and how learning languages can unlock a deeper connection to the world.

Links from the episode:

• Mandarin Companion | Graded readers

• Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us