Shows
The Spark PodcastEp.45: Alex Kim Heads to South KoreaWe first had Alex Kim on The Spark in July of 2022 - go back and listen to episode 31 if you haven’t already.Last time we talked, we delved into the incredible work he’s doing to get the BIPOC community outside with Here Montana. To this day, it is one of our most listened-to and engaged-with episodes. Not just because of the work he’s doing with Here Montana, but also because of his personal story and what he shared with us about his own identity as a Korean-American.There are a lot of people...2024-05-0353 min
The Spark PodcastEp. 44: Amy's Big PromotionDisclaimer: On April 16th, Amy had the opportunity to finally have lunch with her mentor, the former president of NYU.On the night of the Year of the Dragon New Year’s Eve, Amy found herself in tears while FaceTiming her parents. In this episode, she continues the conversation from our previous installment, sharing her mix of anxieties and excitement surrounding her first significant promotion. As she transitions into this new role, Amy begins to grasp the deeper value of quality work: taking responsibility doesn't just mean excelling at your tasks; it means enabling and supporting others to...2024-04-2550 min
The Spark PodcastEp.43: To China and BackMeg is back from her first trip to China in five years. We said we’d be back in three weeks, but that quickly turned into eight. For Meg, jet-leg, getting back into routine, and processing this trip so that she can share her experience took a little longer.This is one of the most precise and poignant episodes we’ve ever recorded. The points of conversation we explore in this episode reignite why we set out to create The Spark Podcast and mark a new chapter in its story. There’s not much more we can say be...2024-04-021h 00
The Spark PodcastEp.42: Home for the Chinese New YearBy the time you read this, Meg will be on a plane to China for the first time in five years and you won’t hear from us for about a month. In this episode, Meg shares her thoughts as she finally gets to go back to China. Amy shares what she’ll be up to while Meg’s gone.当你读到这条消息时，Meg 已经在飞往中国的飞机上了。接下来的一个月你可能不会收到我们的更新，这是因为Meg要在中国好好体验。毕竟这是五年来她第一次回国。在这一集中，Meg 分享了她即将重回中国的心情。Amy 也分享了在Meg离开期间她将要忙碌的事情。And, we want to know what makes you giggle?与此同时……这期的问题是：我们想知道是什么让你开心地笑呢？If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spar...2024-02-0145 min
The Spark PodcastEp.41: When is a Risk Worth Taking?We all take risks, big and small, every day - especially those of us who are leading unconventional lives that span across multiple countries and cultures. In this episode we ponder the question, “When is a risk worth taking?”无论大小，我们每天都在冒险——尤其当我们是过着跨越多个国家和文化的非传统生活的人。在这一集中，我们思考一个问题，“何时冒险是值得的呢？”Listen along to hear our answers. Join in on the conversation and reach out and share yours!请聆听我们的答案。加入对话，联系我们并分享你的看法吧！Xo, 爱你的Amy Tianyi & MegIf you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （...2024-01-2645 min
The Spark PodcastEp.40: New Year, More UsWe’re baaaackkk! Did you miss us? In our 40th episode and first of 2024, we take some time to reflect on 2023 and share what we’re most looking forward to in 2024. Our first episode of each new year has become a ritual of sorts - a way for us to take inventory of where we’ve been and where we’re going.我们回来了！你想我们了吗？2024年的第一集也是我们的第40个整集。在这集中，我们花了一些时间回顾了各自的2023年，并分享了我们对2024年的憧憬。一年伊始，坐下攀谈，录制一期节目早已成为火花电台的传统，也成为了我们回顾过去和展望未来的方式。First off, it’s wild to think we’ve been on this sporadic podcasting adventure for five years now - that’s half a decade! Thank you for being here. When we first set out to let others in on the conversation, we never thought there would be thousands of you tuning in - but here you are. We see every single one of you and we are so incredibly grateful for you. We can’t wait for all the conve...2024-01-111h 10
The Spark PodcastEp.39: AI - The Future or the Foe?In this episode, Meg and Amy deep dive into AI, their experiences exploring its capabilities, where they think it will be adapted and where they think it won’t, and more. Both Amy and Meg share how it is or isn’t being used in their respective fields, and Meg shares the fun ways she’s been using it outside of work.Meg 和 Amy深入讨论了人工智能——这个可能对创意行业产生深远影响的发明。她们分享了在探索人工智能及其潜能方面的经验，以及人工智能在哪些领域能起到重要作用。Amy和Meg还分享了在截然不同的工作环境中，她们的日常工作是怎样受到人工智能和高端科技的影响。Meg还在节目结尾，和大家分享了人工智能在提升生活质量方面的妙用。If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spark Podcast 火花电台NetEase:The Spark Podcast 火花电台如果你是通...2023-09-1957 min
The Spark PodcastEp.38: Field Notes - Observations, Interpretations, and Reflections of a Life Lived WholeheartedlyWhat you might not know is that when Meg is not behind the mic for The Spark Podcast, she’s writing. Surveyor of life, midwife of stories - the truest thing Meg knows about herself is that she’s a writer. In May of 2022, she started a personal newsletter called Field Notes where she shares her lyrical essays, poems, and personal anecdotes.With Field Notes, she’s created a community of “messy, complicated, brave, courageous, vulnerable, adventurous, kind, wholehearted, free-spirited, perfectly imperfect, follow-your-gut, and lead-with-your-heart kind of people,” as she likes to put it.Her most recen...2023-09-011h 18
The Spark PodcastEp.37: We're All Just Barbies Living in an Oppenheimer WorldIn this episode, Amy and Meg sit down to talk about the Barbie movie - because it’s a MUST. IYKYK. They talk about their experiences going to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer, how the Barbie movie was received in both America and China, the stark contrast between Barbie and Oppenheimer, and their arrival at this moment in history.在这集中，Amy和Meg分享了观看电影《芭比》和《奥本海默》截然不同的观影体验，以及这两部电影在中国和美国引起的各类社会反响。在交谈中，两人对比了这两部火遍大江南北的作品的本质不同，以及我们是如何从被奥本海默极其一举一动影响着的历史，走向连芭比娃娃都有话语权的未来。 If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spark Podcast 火花电台NetEase:The Spark Podcast 火花电台...2023-08-171h 17
The Spark PodcastEp.36: Summer Check-InMeg and Amy sit down for a mid-summer check-in. They talk about what they’ve been up to since the last episode, visiting past versions of themselves, work, Amy’s trip home, and more as they look forward to what fall holds for The Spark.Meg 和 Amy在这仲夏之日，坐下聊了聊过去几个月发生的点点滴滴。她们分享了从刚开始做播客到现在的心态变化，工作上的起起伏伏，以及Amy的回家之旅。在这集的结尾，Meg和Amy分享了对“火花电台”接下来节目的策划和期盼。If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spark Podcast 火花电台NetEase:The Spark Podc...2023-08-0854 min
The Spark PodcastEp.35: One Life, Multiple CitiesMeg and Amy revisited their past episode "Two Cities, Multiple Lives” after three years of turbulence, travel bans, and growth. The world may seem and feel different after the pandemic. However, upon re-listening to the episode and reexamining their lives over the past three years, they realized that instead of splitting lives in between different places, it is in fact, the other way around.Meg 和 Amy 在经历了三年的风风和成长后，重听了三年前录制的单集“两个城市，多种生活”。这个世界在2020年后虽然有所不同，但两位姑娘意识到她们过去在各地的生活并未因为地点的变化而变得更加碎片化。换句话说，我们并非是换一座城市就换一种生活方式。相反，生活如同一条长河，就算起起伏伏，也始终如一。If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not, you can join us on Substack here - where you’ll be the first to know about every new episode and update.And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spark Podcast 火花电台NetEase:The Spark Podcast 火花...2023-05-0442 min
The Spark PodcastEp.34: Two Things Can Be TrueMeg and Amy reflect on episode 3: Scared But Brave, and episode 4: Hello 2020 - the two episodes recorded before the world as we knew it fell apart. Hello 2020 right? And when they look back they talk about how coincidental it was that the motto they went into to 2020 with, “Scared But Brave,” would be so necessary. They discuss the moments they had to be “scared but brave” over the past three years, and they further explore the concept and juxtaposition that the phrase brings. Life is full of dualities. You can’t have courage or bravery without fear. The only thing they...2023-03-0959 min
The Spark PodcastEp.33: Let's Start at the BeginningEvery great story starts at the beginning. Now that The Spark is almost four years old, Meg and Amy wanted to take a look back on how it all started. They reflect on their first two episodes and from it emerges a the topic of growth. Amy shares how she’s learned to less-critical of herself and Meg shares how she’s learned to become more herself and less self-conscious. Taylor Swift and Jay-Z (not Dr. Dre) lyrics are quoted along the way.If you’re reading this in your inbox or on Substack, yay! If you’re not...2023-02-2042 min
The Spark PodcastEp.32: We're Back!Meg and Amy are back behind the mic again for their first episode of 2023! They share where they’ve been, where they’re going, and what they’ve been up to since the last episode. Plus, what’s new for The Spark and the exciting new way to connect with Meg and Amy and others in The Spark community! Be the first to join in here: https://thesparkpodcast.substack.com/And be sure to follow along with us on…Instagram: @spark_podcastWeChat:TheSparkPodcastLittle Universe: The Spark Podcast （赵枣Amy_火花）Himalaya: The Spark...2023-01-2659 min
The Spark PodcastEp.31: You Belong Here - A Conversation with Alex KimIf you look at the outdoor industry, you usually see one type of person - white men. Alex Kim has set out to change that. Alex Kim is a first generation Korean American. Originally from Maryland, he’s the founder and director of Here Montana. Here Montana, is an outdoor program in Missoula, Montana that serves people of color to increase outdoor recreation around 4 pillars: joy, community, education and engagement. To learn more about Here Montana or to support its mission head to: https://www.heremontana.org And, follow along with Here Montana an...2022-07-1554 min
The Spark PodcastEp.30:回到梦开始的地方——再次对话楼佳凯然这并不是火花电台第一次采访楼佳凯，但这是我们第一次用中文与佳凯对话。佳凯是怎样从一个中国留学生，成长为一位拎着相机设备，义无反顾地深入丛林，牧场，和高山的纪录者？除了腾讯纪录片里收纳的情节，《一次远行》镜头后到底还发生了什么故事？在异国他乡学习生活多年后，如今，佳凯终于回到了老家义乌。他最近在忙什么？生活如何？ 摘下相机的佳凯，是一个什么样的人？希望通过这集，我们都可以更加了解我们的老朋友，故事叙述人，纪录片摄影人楼佳凯。 你可能已经听说过，或者看过腾讯视频的最新纪录片系列《一次远行》。《一次远行》记录了五名中国留学生在疫情期间，人在他乡求学生活的故事。纪录片的最后一集的主角是火花电台采访过的前嘉宾——自由纪录片摄影人楼佳凯。当我们第一次采访佳凯的时候，他人还在美国蒙大拿州的米苏拉。那时的他在人生岔路口徘徊，面临着到底回国，还是继续留在美国工作生活的艰难抉择。如果你看了那集纪录片，那么你一定知道佳凯最终选择了回国发展。《一次远行》的最后镜头定格在了他登机的那一瞬间。但是飞机降落后，发生了什么？在一张单程票的行程结束后，佳凯再次和火花电台隔空重逢。这回，我们用中英双语，畅谈了佳凯在离家多年后，终于回到梦开始的地方的种种经历和感受。 感谢聆听我们的最新单集。我们非常希望你也能加入我们的对话。我们也非常希望你能在更个平台上为我们的播客留言和打分！ 你也可以通过以下平台和我们直接交流： Instagram: @spark_podcast Facebook: @thesparkpodcastwithmegandamy 微信公众号：TheSparkPodcast 或给我们写邮件： hellosparkpodcast@gmail.com You may have seen the recent Tencent Documentary Series, Bon Voyage, that follows five Chinese students living abroad during the pandemic. In the last episode, they follow past Spark guest, Jiakai Lou. When we first talked with Jiakai, he was in Missoula, Montana at the height of the pandemic sitting at a crossroad: To stay in the U.S. or to go. If you’ve seen the documentary, you know that Jiakai ultimately made the decision to go home. His episode closes with him boarding his plane. But what happened after that? Jiakai came back to the Spark to share what life has been like after his plane landed in this two-part conversation (in both English and Mandarin) that you won’t want to miss. Thank you so much for listening! We’d love for you to join in on the conversation! If you haven’t already, please rate and review this podcast! You can also connect with us on Instagram: @spark_podcast Facebook: @thesparkpodcastwithmegandamy Wechat public account: TheSparkPodcast or send us an email at hellosparkpodcast@gmail.com! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2022-06-271h 18
The Spark PodcastEp.29: A One-Way Ticket Home - Catching up with Jiakai LouYou may have seen the recent Tencent Documentary Series, Bon Voyage, that follows five Chinese students living abroad during the pandemic. In the last episode, they follow past Spark guest, Jiakai Lou. When we first talked with Jiakai, he was in Missoula, Montana at the height of the pandemic sitting at a crossroad: To stay in the U.S. or to go. If you’ve seen the documentary, you know that Jiakai ultimately made the decision to go home. His episode closes with him boarding his plane. But what happened after that? Jiakai came back to the Spark to share wh...2022-05-031h 18
The Spark PodcastEp.28: Full Circle Moment - A Conversation with Diane Schäfer-SurénIn this solo episode, Meg caught up with the first foreign exchange student she knew who subsequently became one of her oldest and closest friends. Meg met Diane Schäfer-Surén in highschool on the Oregon Coast. The two take a walk down the memory lane, talking about all the instrumental moments that turned Diane’s foreign exchange experience into one of the best experiences in her life. Today, she works as a regional manager for Cultural Care Au Pair - the same company that made her foreign exchange student experience possible. For Diane, life has come full circle as s...2022-03-2448 min
The Spark PodcastEp.27: 从电脑前到讲台前 - 对话网络工程师李泽尧Amy终于在去年年底，采访到了一位她非常佩服的好朋友——李泽尧。目前，他的全职工作是一名在PINT任职的网络工程师。业余时间，他是纽约市立大学亨特学院的客座教授。从屏幕前到讲台后，作为一名年轻的外国教授，泽尧在美国公立大学教课的过程中经历了非常多有意思的身份转换和奇异故事。在这集中，我们均娓娓道来。 李泽尧是一名生长在北京，如今长居在纽约的网络工程师，设计师，以及教育者。他本科毕业于上海纽约大学，研究生毕业于纽约大学帝势艺术学院互动电子媒体学位。 感谢聆听！我们希望你能加入和我们的对话。你的评论和评分对这档播客至关重要，我们提前感谢你的参与。 你也可以和我们在以下社交平台直接对话： Instagram: @spark_podcast Facebook（脸书）: @thesparkpodcastwithmegandamy 或直接给我们的邮箱发邮件t hellosparkpodcast@gmail.com! 我们会尽最大努力，直接回复你的消息。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2022-03-0942 min
The Spark PodcastEp.26: Developing Webs and Minds - A Conversation with Zeyao LiIn this episode, Amy had a casual conversation about careers, lifestyles, and the meaning of being a global citizen in today’s context with one of her friends, Zeyao Li. Zeyao is a web engineer at PINT, an adjunct professor at the Hunter College Film and Media Department, and a fellow Bejinger / New Yorker/ NYU Shanghai Alumni. He unleashes his creativity through web design, and he is on his way to inspire hundreds with his can-do spirit and curiosity. Amy终于在去年年底，采访到了一位她非常佩服的好朋友——李泽尧。目前，他的全职工作是一名在PINT任职的网络工程师。业余时间，他是纽约市立大学亨特学院的客座教授。从屏幕前到讲台后，作为一名年轻的外国教授，泽尧在美国公立大学教课的过程中经历了非常多有意思的身份转换和奇异故事。在这集中，我们均娓娓道来。 李泽尧是一名生长在北京，如今长居在纽约的网络工程师，设计师，以及教育者。他本科毕业于上海纽约大学，研究生毕业于纽约大学帝势艺术学院互动电子媒体学位。 This episode was recorded last year during the holiday season. 这个单集录制于2021年。 Thank you so much for listening! We’d love for you to join in on the conversation! If you haven’t already, please rate and review this podcast! You can also connect with us on Instagram: @spark_podcast Facebook: @thesparkpodcastwithmegandamy or send us an email at hellosparkpodcast@gmail.com! 感谢聆听！我们希望你能加入和我们的对话。你的评论和评分对这档播客至关重要，我们提前感谢你的参与。 你也可以和我们在以下社交平台直接对话： Instagram: @spark_podcast Facebook（脸书）: @thesparkpodcastwithmegandamy 或直接给我们的邮箱发邮件t he2022-03-0943 min
The Spark PodcastEp.25: You Are Here. Happy New YearAmy and Meg are back with a brand new episode of The Spark in the New Year, kicking things off how it all began - in conversation, just the two of them. As they embrace the Year of the Tiger wholeheartedly, Chinese New Year brings the concept of home to mind. They realized that the concept of home and it’s definition has changed for the both of them, especially over the course of the pandemic. They also reflect on how far they’ve come since their very first episode and look ahead to what’s next. Thank you so much f...2022-02-0742 min
The Spark PodcastEp.24: Our MothersIn this episode, Amy and Meg sit down for one final conversation of The Spark’s Motherhood Series which organically stemmed from a single episode and turned into a beautiful, sensitive, and powerful series featuring three inspiring mothers. For Amy and Meg, it only felt fitting that the last guests of the series were the mothers they’ve been in conversation with since day one - their own. 在这集中，Amy 和 Meg 以回顾她们自己和妈妈的对话的方式结束了火花电台的母亲系列。这个“系列”最早从一个单集孕育而生。在采访了三位有故事的妈妈后，原本的 “单集” 演变成了一个美丽，敏感，但又充满力量的系列。Meg和Amy在进行了三轮采访后一致认为，没有比她们自己的妈妈更适合做最后一集特殊嘉宾的人选了。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-09-011h 15
The Spark PodcastEp.23: Jenny ZhengRaised in Shanghai, China, Jenny Zheng is a fellow millennial, entrepreneur, influencer, and a new mom in Manhattan. She is the founder of Velvet.Co, an international public relations and marketing agency and living her life to the fullest countering challenges with instinct. In this conversation, Jenny opens up about becoming a mother, striking the balance between work and life outside of work, and she shares her secret to fearless living. Throughout our time together, Jenny reiterated that the only way to achieve your goals is to love it more than you fear the process. 她长在上海，和我们一样是千禧一代。她是企业家，也是网红，还是一位住在曼哈顿的一岁半女婴的妈妈。她是国际公关和市场营销公司丝绒联合的创始人，在生活中，正是因为她勇敢地拥抱挑战，听从内心，Jenny才将生活的潜力发掘到了极致。在这集中，Jenny分享了成为妈妈的历程，平衡生活和工作的有效方法，以及如何无所畏惧地拥抱生活的每一天。从我们简短的座谈中，Jenny用自己的经历告诉我们她成功的秘密：一个人如果想要达成到事业和生活上目标，那么Ta对目标的热爱必须大于Ta对过程的畏惧。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-08-0449 min
The Spark PodcastEp.22: Dr. Wednesday MartinDr. Wednesday Martin is a social scientist, storyteller, and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. Her book, Primates of Park Avenue (translated into “I Am a Mother, I Need the Hermes Birkin Bag” in Chinese), stirred up a heated debate across oceans and sparked an greater awareness around “exhausted motherhood” and the scarcity mindset that runs rampant through circles of affluent mothers across the world. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Martin to demystify the social structures that stand tall around upper class societies and identify the common threads that connect all mothers - Birkin Bag or not. 韦内斯迪·马丁博士是一位社会学家，故事叙述者，以及纽约时报排名第一的畅销书作者。她的著作《我是个妈妈，我需要铂金包》（英文翻译为《回忆录：公园大道上的母猩猩》）描述了她作为一个“新人”在纽约上东区的妈妈圈“打怪升级”的过程。这本书触发了社会各界对“鸡娃”现象，和普遍存在于中产，甚至中上产阶级女性间的稀缺性心态的激烈讨论。在这集中，火花电台和马丁博士一同解密社会结构是如何造就了女性日益激增的焦虑感，以及真正让女性之间产生共鸣的东西——当然，这个东西不仅仅是爱马仕的铂金包。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-06-151h 40
The Spark PodcastEp.21: 酷妈黛安娜赞了：在母亲节之际，我们决定发布与一位实实在在的超能女性的对话。她是“酷妈黛安娜”。曾经的她是一位投行人士，一位时尚设计师，以及竞技拉丁舞舞者。现在，她是两个男孩的妈妈（认真的，她简直是全能）正巧录制于国际妇女节，黛安娜和Meg还有Amy分享了作为一位在不同文化和不同国家之间，养育具有世界观的小朋友的经历和故事。当黛安娜成为妈妈的时候，她必须学习如何重塑自己的崩塌的个人身份。内容创作和录制视频帮助她找回了内心的平静。在创作的世界中，她想利用自己的平台，讲述那些值得被听见的伟大和充满力量的女性和母亲的故事。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-05-0942 min
The Spark PodcastEp.20: Cool Mum DiannaWe're celebrating Mother's Day by kicking off a Motherhood Series in conversation with a true wonder woman and "cool mum," Dianna Lee. She's a former investment banker turned fashion designer, a Latin ballroom dancer and mother to two boys (Seriously, she does it all). Recorded by happenstance on International Women's Day of all days, Dianna shares with Meg and Amy the ins and outs of her world as a mother traversing between cultures and countries with her two children. When Dianna became a mother, she had to learn how to rebuild her self-identity. Content creation and video-making has brought...2021-05-0959 min
The Spark PodcastEp.19: Unlocking Creativity - A Conversation with Pelayo AlvarezPelayo Alvarez is the host, founder, and producer of The Forbidden Apple Podcast, a space to reclaim your spirituality. He’s also been one of Amy’s best friends for the past three years after she moved to New York City. Pelayo grew up in the Catholic Church in Gijon, a northwestern city in Spain. He never felt like he belonged. His personality and identity felt bigger than what Gijon could offer or hold space for. So he left. After an internship turned into a full-time job, he found solace in New York City. New York allowed Pelayo to embrace his...2021-05-031h 01
The Spark PodcastEp.18: The Latitudes of 2020 - A Conversation with Shihui ZhouThe third installment of the “Artist Series,” Meg and Amy dive deep into conversation with, founder of Latitude Gallery in New York City, Shihui Zhou. In this episode, Shihui Zhou shares her story and invites us all to come along with the adventure that is opening an art gallery in 2020, that today, is not only surviving, but in many ways thriving. Shihui also opens up about her journey here - the peaks and valleys - both professionally and personally, introducing the beautiful concept of “radical softness.” 在艺术家系列的第三集，Meg 和 Amy 与纽约Latitude Gallery的创始人Shihui Zhou展开了一场深入的对话。在这集中，Shihui Zhou向听众分享了她在被疫情席卷的2020年，在异国他乡创办自己画廊的故事。如今，这家画廊不仅存活了下来，而且朝气蓬勃。温柔且强大的Shihui在接受The Spark Podcast 的采访时提到了”理性的软弱“——那是从一个学生到一个创业者的过程，也是一个充满着事业上和生活上各种高潮和低谷的过程。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-04-161h 03
The Spark PodcastEp.17: From the Outside Looking In - A Conversation with Jiakai LouYou may have heard about Ting Zhao, the documentary filmmaker who recently became the first Asian Woman to win a Golden Globe for her film 'Nomad Land' - a film observing U.S. culture. Our guest on this episode of The Spark Podcast is an aspiring documentary filmmaker and visual journalist currently based in Missoula, Montana who is well on his way to following Ting Zhao's footsteps. Jiakai Lou, known as JK, has spent the last few years observing U.S. culture first-hand from behind a camera lens. In this episode, JK shares what led him not only to come...2021-03-081h 11
The Spark Podcast第十六集: 睁开双眼，敞开心扉 - 和Ariel Ziyi Cui的对话生长在北京的 Ariel Ziyi Cui从小就知道自己长大后想成为一个艺术家。从五岁拿起画笔的那一刻起，她就再也没有将笔放下。三年前，她来到纽约学习设计。今天，她在纽约的一家精品住宅建筑事务所做与室内整修相关的工作。她终于实现梦想，并且成为了一位展览和室内设计师。作为火花电台“艺术家系列”的第一位嘉宾，在访谈和交流中我们深入探索了在他想寻找灵感，追随创作热情的过程。对于Ariel而言，在不同文化间穿梭的生活方式让她终于可以睁开双眼，敞开心扉地生活。 Born and raised in Beijing, Ariel Ziyi Cui always knew she wanted to be an artist. She began painting at five years old and never stopped. Three years ago, she came to New York to study design. Today, she’s an exhibition and interior designer, and working for a boutique residential architecture firm specializing in gut renovations. The first in our Artist Series, our conversation with Ariel Ziyi Cui kicks off the exploration of what it means to pursue your passions and follow dreams far from home. For Ariel, living a life between cultures has left her feeling like she’s finally living with her eyes and heart wide open. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2021-02-0847 min
The Spark PodcastEp.15: Open Eyes, Open Heart - A Conversation with Ariel Ziyi CuiBorn and raised in Beijing, Ariel Ziyi Cui always knew she wanted to be an artist. She began painting at five years old and never stopped. Three years ago, she came to New York to study design. Today, she’s an exhibition and interior designer, and working for a boutique residential architecture firm specializing in gut renovations. The first in our Artist Series, our conversation with Ariel Ziyi Cui kicks off the exploration of what it means to pursue your passions and follow dreams far from home. For Ariel, living a life between cultures has left her feeling like she’s fi...2021-02-081h 01
The Spark PodcastEp.14: The Journey Here - A Conversation with Haocheng WangThe second guest on The Spark podcast is someone who Amy’s heard about most of her life, but Meg met him first. The Spark literally wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for this guest. Because of him, Amy and Meg met in the first place. Haocheng Wang is a prosecutor for the State of Montana and Meg’s husband. 13 years ago he came to the United States as an exchange student where he began building a dual life between China and the United States becoming not only bilingual, but bicultural and finding his own place in the world while ba...2020-12-061h 34
The Spark PodcastEp.13: There and Back Again - Traversing Between Cultures with Rachel Zheng (2)Following part one comes part two of The Spark’s interview with former fashion industry journalist and current editor at VICE Asia Pacific, Rachel Ruonan Zheng. In the second half of the interview Meg and Amy dive in deeper with Rachel as she shares the benefits and challenges of working and living in a bilingual environment. Together, Meg, Amy, and Rachel examine the cultural power gap existing within and beyond personal relationships. Wrapping up the conversation, Rachel discusses her journey in creating her own podcast, ZiYouZiZai 自由自在. 这一集是和（前VICE中国）的主编以及前时尚行业记者Rachel Ruonan Zheng 采访的下半部分。在第二段采访中，Meg 和 Amy 和 Rachel 深入探讨了在一个双语环境中工作的利弊。三个人更是一起深究了在感情中——不论是私人情感还正常生活中——有可能存在的文化权力差异。采访结束前，Rachel 和大家分享了她在工作之余创立的中文播客：自由自在。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2020-10-2255 min
The Spark PodcastEp.12: There and Back Again - Traversing Between Cultures with Rachel Zheng (1)Amy Tianyi and Meg are back with the second season of The Spark, where they open up the conversation by introducing their first guest, Rachel Ruonan Zheng. Rachel is a former fashion industry journalist and, currently, an editor at VICE Asia Pacific. Amy first met Rachel in New York City by happenstance when Rachel was one of the speakers at an event she attended. They immediately hit it off, sharing their bilingual writing backgrounds and their love for cross-cultural content creation. When choosing The Spark's first guest, Rachel instantly came to Amy’s mind. In this two-part episode, Rachel shares he...2020-10-0850 min
The Spark PodcastEp.11: It's Not My PlaceMeg and Amy are back with a brand new episode. The topic? Where each of their places are when it comes to speaking out on issues like racism in the U.S. - a conversation sparked by a video called #CallItCOVID19. The question of whether or not to speak out for each of them lies in their identities, inherent and espoused. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2020-07-0845 min
The Spark PodcastEp.10: "Wo-Men" Series Part 4 - With the BodyThis is the fourth and final installment of The Spark’s “Wo-men” series, celebrating Women’s History Month. In this episode, Meg and Amy walk you through their own personal journeys in finding their relationships with their bodies as women. Amy shares her confusion with her body due to the lack of sex education, and Meg shares how her relationship with her body was shaped by the emphasis on her beauty and outside expectations. Different journeys, same destination - shame around their bodies. 这是为了庆祝国际妇女历史月而特制的“我们”系列的最后一集。在这集中，Meg 和 Amy 将带领听众，回顾两人作为女性，在不同的环境下，对各自身体进行探索的波折旅程。Amy 分享了因为缺少性教育而导致的对其身体的困惑和惶恐；而Meg 分享了外界的期望和导向是如何影响和扭曲了她和其身体的关系。虽然我们经历了不同的旅程，但是我们得到了相同的结果 - ”羞耻“二字不论在任何文化中，都与”身体“二字紧紧相连。 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2020-04-1329 min
The Spark PodcastEp.9: "Wo-Men" Series Part 3 - Where do "Wo-men" fit into the picture?When Amy was young she found herself questioning a woman’s role in the family and her mother told her she must be smart, that if she were to take a step back she could see “both the sea and the sky.” But are women who can see “both the sea and the sky” truly happy? Meg shares what happened when she took a step back, which led Amy and Meg to explore the question, “Where do ‘Wo-men’ (WE) fit into the picture?" This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...2020-03-311h 10
The Spark PodcastEp.8: On Pause - CoronavirusThis is an episode that Meg and Amy have been contemplating on whether to record or not since January. Now that things have escalated and the whole world is connected and affected by COVID-19, they decided it was time. They paused the “Wo-men” Series to share their own stories and experiences watching this pandemic unfold. Amy also shares what it was like to go through the SARS Epidemic in China when she was young. Tune in for on the ground and from quarantine perspectives from two people from two of the countries at the heart of it all. ...2020-03-2757 min
The Spark PodcastEp.7: "Wo-Men" Series Part 2 - The Other SideIn this episode, Meg and Amy disclose alternative opinions around what it means to be a woman in the workplace. Warning: Potentially unpopular opinions. Listen for yourself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2020-03-1057 min
The Spark PodcastEp.6:"Wo-Men" Series Part 1 - From Girls to WomenWith the launch of The Spark’s first ever series "Wo-Men", Amy and Meg will dive into deeper conversations on various topics related to being a woman in today's day and age. In this episode, Amy and Meg kick-off the conversation with their experience growing up as young girls in different cultures. They then move on to discuss the confusing yet exciting journey of becoming women and the world they hope their future daughters will grow up in. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...2020-02-1158 min
The Spark PodcastEp.5: Two Cities, Multiple LivesMeg and Amy sit down to discuss a topic that comes up in their everyday lives - the question, “Where do you want to live?” For two women who are constantly traveling, who both have significant others from the opposite countries (China and America), and who both have lives and obligations in both countries, it’s a question that doesn’t have an easy answer. Join Amy and Meg in conversation as they explore the “trade-offs” that come with this lifestyle and what it means to constantly be in two different cities, living multiple lives. This is a public...2020-01-2654 min
The Spark PodcastEp.4: Hello 2020Meg and Amy welcome the New Year in more than one way as they prepare for Chinese New Year and share their experiences in committing to a “Tension Challenge” for the first two weeks of 2020, along with their New Year’s traditions for both New Year’s and Chinese New Year, and their highlights of 2019 and their hopes for 2020. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2020-01-2027 min
The Spark PodcastEp.3: Scared But BraveIn this episode, Meg and Amy each define what it means to be brave in the face of their fears. They open up about the fears that come along when moving across cultures and combating language and cultural barriers to forge connections. They come to the conclusion that fear and bravery can exist at the exact same time. If it were impossible for them to coexist, they wouldn’t be hosting this podcast today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.co2019-12-3038 min
The Spark PodcastEp.2: About IdentityMeg and Amy sit down to tackle the topic of identity. They each share their definitions of identity, how they interpret individualities and the challenges and the obstacles of navigating through both multi-cultural and homogenous environments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2019-11-1957 min
The Spark PodcastEp.1: "The Spark"In the intro episode of The Spark Podcast, Meg and Amy recall the night they met around a traditional Chinese dinner table in Nanchang, China. They each share their own accounts of the evening, their first thoughts about the other, and a peek inside their conversation that started it all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesparkpodcast.substack.com2019-10-0829 min