Why are marriage rates in China hitting historic lows?

In this episode, we unpack the structural, cultural, and emotional forces driving the shift: from gender inequality within marriage to the burdens of unpaid caregiving, from overwork culture to changing definitions of a “successful life.”

Our guest, a sociology professor from Shanghai university, shares new frameworks like "mosaic modernity" to explain how tradition and modernity now co-exist and clash in China’s contemporary transformation.

We ask: should we be worried? And more importantly, what kind of future do young women want for themselves?

*this episode is conducted in Mandarin.

"There is nothing wrong with working hard; the mistake is tying your entire self-worth to it.“

What does 'meritocracy' entails, and how does it shape the East Asian education system? How do its roots in Confucian ideals shape both our strengths and our struggles? What are we really saying when we call ourselves 'try-hards'? Join two Chinese girls as they navigate their experiences in contact with educational meritocracy and perfectionism, finding a sense of balance and examining it from a cross-cultural lens to envision meaningful change.

* This episode is conducted in Mandarin

How are western philosophy and Chinese philosophy drastically different, yet culturally intertwined? Beyond the walls of political divides and daily trivialities, what kind of philosophy does the increasingly polarized world needs today?

Sharing his journey from being immersed in Chinese philosophy to encountering Western philosophy in the US, Miller invites us to see the world from an innovative lens of philosophy: one that transcends boundaries, encourages global collaboration, and shares humanity to address universal challenges.

Check out this episode to explore how philosophy can bridge cultural gaps and forge a more interconnected future!