Audio

What can the end of the Ming Dynasty tell us about the election of Donald Trump and what comes next

What can the end of the Ming Dynasty tell us about the election of Donald Trump and what comes next

Trump's re-election disappointed many in the U.S. and abroad. To help them process, Jeremiah and David talk with literary translator and Pennsylvania voter Brendan O’Kane about Zhang Dai, the Ming-Qing transition, and living through an age of upheaval.

Historical Battles: Rewriting China's Past to Shape the Future

Historical Battles: Rewriting China's Past to Shape the Future

Jeffrey Wasserstrom joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss the legacy of the Hong Kong protests, Xi Jinping’s patriotic education law, and how Beijing’s control over historical narratives is reshaping academic engagement with China.

Dan Snow's History Hit: The Creation of the People's Republic of China

Dan Snow's History Hit: The Creation of the People's Republic of China

How China transitioned from imperial rule to Chinese Socialism and all about the key characters whose opposing visions for China's future created so much chaos along the way.

Back to School 2: The View from the EU

Back to School 2: The View from the EU

In this episode of Barbarians at the Gate, David and I welcome Kārlis Rokpelnis to discuss the decline in student exchanges in China and contrast U.S. and European approaches to relations with China and the promotion of study abroad in the PRC.

Back to School

Back to School

David and Jeremiah discuss Chinese students studying in the US, the cautious return of Americans to China, and lament the lack of nuance in reactions to Tim Walz’s China ties. They also give their takes on UNESCO status for Beijing's Central Axis.

Edge of Empire with author and journalist Edward Wong

Edge of Empire with author and journalist Edward Wong

In this episode of Barbarians at the Gates, Edward Wong of the New York Times joins David and me to discuss Ed's new book, At the Edge of Empire. We discuss frontiers, what the Qing Dynasty means for China, and the different generational perspectives on China's recent past.

There and Back Again: Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour and the Legacy of Reform and Opening in China

There and Back Again: Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour and the Legacy of Reform and Opening in China

In this episode, Jonathan Chatwin discusses his book "The Southern Tour," focusing on Deng Xiaoping's 1992 tour to revitalize market reforms in China, Deng's legacy, Xi Jinping's stance on these reforms, and the challenges of publishing about China today.

What happens after a Barbarian walks away from the Gate?

What happens after a Barbarian walks away from the Gate?

On the latest episode of Barbarians at the Gate, David Moser and I discuss new directions. We reflect on our COVID-era episodes, discuss the current situation on academic exchanges in China with cautious optimism, and outline future plans for the pod.

Seeking News, Making China

Seeking News, Making China

In this episode of Barbarians at the Gate, we talk to historian John Alekna about his new book "Seeking News, Making China," which examines the role of information technology in 20th-century China, from the early radio era to the Cultural Revolution.

The Mountains are High

The Mountains are High

On the latest episode of Barbarians at the Gate, David and I welcome back author (and friend of the podcast) Alec Ash to talk about Dali, rural escapism in China today, and his latest book, The Mountains Are High.

Exile from Expat-Ville

Exile from Expat-Ville

David and Jeremiah speak with Mike Wester about running @thebeijinger, organizing the “Safe and Sane” communities during the pandemic, and the future of expats in Beijing. Also, Jeremiah surprises David and Mike with an announcement.

No Laughing Matters: The State of Stand-up in China Today

No Laughing Matters: The State of Stand-up in China Today

On this episode of Barbarians at the Gate, David Moser and Jeremiah talk to journalist Chang Che about the state of comedy and entertainment in China and the precarious nature of creative expression in an increasingly ideological cultural landscape.

History Wars: The PRC pushes back against unsanctioned views of the past

History Wars: The PRC pushes back against unsanctioned views of the past

David and I discuss what's going on with the Qing history project, a controversy about Genghis Khan in France, and how PRC continues punching back against potentially problematic pasts.

Do you really need to learn to write characters to study Chinese?

Do you really need to learn to write characters to study Chinese?

Hosting solo in this week’s episode, David takes a geeky deep dive into the digital revolution in Chinese language learning in conversation with Chinese language pedagogy expert Matt Coss. 

A Career of Change Making: A Conversation with Isabel Nepstad of Bellaterra Consulting

A Career of Change Making: A Conversation with Isabel Nepstad of Bellaterra Consulting

Isabel Nepstad, CEO of BellaTerra Consluting, takes time out of her busy schedule to drop by the Barbarians at the Gate studio to share her career journey, give advice to those looking to pursue their professional lives in China and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the environmental and agricultural sectors in China and around the world.

Have Tunes, Will Travel: The Musical Adventures of DJ Bo

Have Tunes, Will Travel: The Musical Adventures of DJ Bo

With David off on summer shenanigans, Jeremiah flies solo as DJ Bo drops by the BATG studio to talk about his adventures performing across China, what drives his passion for music, and the case for Shanghai as the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll.