Best Pondering Pandas Podcasts (2025)

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EP10: Is It Weird to Eat at a Graveyard? Uncover China’s April 4th Tomb Sweeping Festival 48:31

2d ago48:31

48:31

In this episode of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan dive deep into China's April 4th Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingming), a tradition rooted in honoring ancestors— and how ancestral rituals shape identity, connection, and even personal purpose. From superstitions around the number 4 to burning paper money and hiking into mountain graveyards, they sh…

1
EP9: Culture Shock, Racism, and Rebuilding: Our Immigration Stories 57:35

9d ago57:35

57:35

In this episode of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan get deeply personal about their immigration journeys—from the icy streets of Canada to the mental fog of language barriers and culture shock. Jayden shares what it was like arriving as a child and being thrown into public school with zero support, while Ryan opens up about the quiet loneliness of…

1
EP8: We Took the MBTI 16 Personalities Test—Did It Get Us Right? 45:31

17d ago45:31

45:31

In this episode of Pondering Pandas, Jayden and Ryan dive into the world of the 16 Personalities Test, also known as MBTI, to uncover whether it truly reflects who we are—or just who we think we are. As they reveal their latest test results and compare them to past outcomes, the conversation quickly evolves into something deeper: how personality sh…

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EP7: Toxic Relationships: Gaslighting, Love Bombing & Taking Back Control 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

Toxic relationships come in many forms—family, friendships, workplaces, and romantic entanglements—but how do you recognize when you're stuck in one? In this episode of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan dive deep into the dynamics between people pleasers and narcissists, exploring how power imbalances, emotional manipulation, and gaslighting play o…

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EP6: Is Your Favorite Asian Food Even Real? The Authenticity & Ethics Dilemmas 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

Westernized Asian food is everywhere, from General Tso’s Chicken to California Rolls. But is it still authentic? In this episode of Pondering Pandas, Jayden and Ryan break down the evolution of Westernized Asian food, from its immigrant-driven origins to its impact on culinary identity. They explore how traditional Asian dishes have been adapted to…

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EP5: Stuck in the Rat Race? How Debt and Consumerism Keep You Chained 47:13

2M ago47:13

47:13

Debt isn’t just about money—it’s about survival, social status, and a system that keeps people running in circles. In this episode of Pondering Pandas, Jayden and Ryan break down the reality of debt from both an Eastern and Western perspective. They dive into the differences in how debt is viewed in China versus North America, from student loans an…

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EP4: Why Asians Don’t Relate to Asian American Movies 55:54

2M ago55:54

55:54

Are Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere All At Once truly Asian movies, or are they just Western interpretations of Asian identity? In this episode of Pondering Pandas, Jayden and Ryan break down why these films made a cultural impact in the West but left many in Asia feeling disconnected. From the philosophy of nihilism to the pressures of…

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EP3: The Great Firewall Cracked?! Asian Reaction on TikTok Refugees to RedNote (Xiaohongshu) 44:12

2M ago44:12

44:12

When a TikTok ban sent American users scrambling for alternatives, many landed on Xiaohongshu (Red Note), a Chinese platform once untouched by Western influence. What started as an act of protest quickly became a chaotic digital migration, revealing deep contrasts in privacy concerns, online culture, and even economic realities between China and th…

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EP2: AI, Humanity, and Our Place in the Future 45:24

4M ago45:24

45:24

In this episode, we dive into the ever-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and what it means for humanity’s place in a tech-driven future. From the excitement of AI as a second brain to the existential fear of robots outsmarting us, we ask the big questions: Are we shaping AI, or is AI shaping us? Can we truly coexist, or are we heading towar…

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EP1: Asian vs. Asian American: Where Identity Gets Spicy 47:39

4M ago47:39

47:39

In this episode, we dive into the intricate and often humorous journey of navigating identity as Asians living in the West. Through the eyes of two "pandas"—one who grew up immersed in the bustling heart of China and the other who moved to North America as a child—we explore cultural contrasts, moments of confusion, and the unexpected joys of livin…

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EP0: Intro - So...who are the Pandas? 16:28

4M ago16:28

16:28

In our first episode, we embark on a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be Asian American, viewed through the distinct lenses of two "pandas"—one who grew up in the heart of China and the other who was raised in the West. Together, we unravel the differences and similarities in our experiences, identities, and the ways we navigate the world…