Lewis Birch (the previously most listened to China and in person podcast guest) returns to the show on one of his final nights in the country. Having been friends nearly three years, he’s one of the easiest people to shoot the shit with I’ve met. Give a listen and I think you’ll see why. Stay safe out there.

Emma was a tinder date turned friend. She was born and raised in China and studied in the UK and Australia. We talk about her passion for standup comedy, unhealthy personal standards, working with people of different ages, how self analysis can be a trap, her desire to make Shanghai’s expat community stronger, and awkward interactions we shared. Stay safe out there.

Curran McQuade was my debate coach/roommate/partner in crime in college. One of the smartest, sweetest, and strange people I know. We talk for a recording breaking amount of time, so I’ve split the parts up loosely by topic. Stay safe out there. Part 1: Leaving big corporations for bartending Living in Philly Southern vs Northern racism Being in an interracial couple Tv shows and movies Part 2: Living together College regrets Debate team stories How businesses target progressives Part 3: Why do racists feel comfortable in church? How conservatives like Ben Shapiro/Jordan Peterson debate Part 4/5: Q&A with standard questions Part 6: Curran asks questions, including about living in China

Patrick “Paddy” Body is one of my oldest friends in Shanghai. He’s traveled the world, edits a business magazine, and is addicted to puns. We’re also neighbors. We talk about lockdown, living abroad, the differences between Americans and English (he’s English), how charity is a scam, and the last hour is almost exclusively Star Wars related. Enjoy. Stay safe out there.

I’m talking with my baby brother, the one and only William “Yung Squil” Kahler. We talk about television and our love for animation, relationships and how they make us grow, and how cops overdosing from accidentally touching fentanyl is a big joke. Plus some other stuff. He’s a cool guy. I think you guys will enjoy. As always, thanks for listening, and stay safe out there.

For season 2 (that’s what I’m calling it) we’ve got my lifelong friend Robert Hill Bronson back on the show. We talk about Shanghai lockdown, why talking and learning about things can be a waste of time, how podcasts are definitely a waste of time, and how there are too many ways humanity is doomed to even comprehend! But it’s fun sometimes, I promise. Rob wants me to clarify, the last hour and a half is the best.

I’m talking with my friend Justin Drury. We focus a lot on the idea of how being vulnerable can be painful, but something we find worthwhile. We also discuss connecting with our inner child, growing up in the American church, our frustrations from a young age about being separated from female friendships, performative transparency, and pitfalls/successes we’ve experienced in relationships, both platonic and romantic. Stay safe out there.

I talk (for a podcast record breaking length) with my friend from college and former roommate Michelino Ricci. When Mike and I lived together we’d have conversations literally go for days and this is a taste of that. We talk about a wide range of topics, including politics, religion, debate, and Star Wars. Stay safe out there.

I’m talking with my grandmother! We discuss her life growing up in small town PA, how her spirituality has been shaped over the years, raising ten children, working with refugees, Midnight Gospel, traveling to expand your mind, and what love looks like. This ones special, and I hope y’all enjoy. Stay safe out there.

I talk with my friend Jimmy Paton about growing up Pentecostal, how our relationship with Christianity has changed over the years, and what role we think religion has in today’s society. Easily the most public I’ve been about my thoughts on Christianity since I became an atheist four years ago. I’ve wanted to share my thoughts for a while, but in a conversational non-structured way, because I think that helps convey my head and heart better than writing, which can be a bit detached from emotion. Hope you enjoy. Stay safe out there.

I’m talking to my friend Tay about spirituality, how to be true to ourselves, and different life lessons we’ve learned along the way. Stay safe out there!

Jade and I arrived in China on the same day and have been friends ever since. She talks about living in San Francisco vs Shanghai as an Asian American as well as her recent experiences regarding the rising racism her community is facing. We also talk about Covid (duh), how much we love each other (duh), and Andrew Yang and UBI (duhh.) She’s great and I hope y’all enjoy our talk. Stay safe out there.

My friend (of over a decade!) John is a writer with a new limited reprinting of his poetry collection Pomegranate coming out soon. We talk about the book, what it means to be a fan, the vaccine rollout under the current state of politics, as well as some of our favorite experiences with books and film. Stay safe out there.

I talk with my mom about her experiences growing up as the oldest of ten, her jobs including being a pastor and a politician, and what it will take to help bridge the gaps in America, as well as a wide range of other topics. There are a few audio issues throughout, including a few seconds of missed connection in the second hour. Apologies for that. Stay safe out there.

Lewis Birch is a friend from my first and second job in Shanghai. He’s also an Englishman, so we discuss the differences between the UK, US, and China, as well as the Royals, Skins, and other British things. We also talk about films and tv and how rewatching content from our childhood provides a new lens. Keeping on with women’s month we also discuss women we look up to and how what it means to be a man in 2021 has shifted from the past. Stay safe out there.

I talk to Mady - my sister and one of my favorite people - about her job at a shelter for women and children as well as working in her community as a prevention educator. We also discuss how to treat kids, what a real apology looks like, and women we look up to. Stay safe out there.

I talk to one of my oldest friends and 1/4 of Cowboy Meatball, Robert Hill Bronson. Due to our wide range of topics I listed them out for y’all. Stay safe out there. 11 - Starting a podcast and the work hard mindset 30 - High school/college sports and traumatic brain injuries 56 - Dealing with more conservative people 1:05 - Rob plugs his podcast 1:10 - How Christian ethics do and don’t relate to our modern morality and work norms 1:21- Why English people are annoying 1:29 - Jojo Rabbit, Trump, and GameStop 1:42 - Famous people aren’t that jacked just from working out 1:49 - Talking about drugs on a podcast and with parents 1:59 - Rob loves costumes, can’t buy normal clothes, and then melts down 2:09 - Final question: dealing with the death of a loved one

Dannie (a China native and my designated drinking buddy) and I discuss cultural differences between China and the US and a wide range of other topics with some help from Fern. Stay safe out there.

I (Andrew) run through my potential podcast plan with Fern, at his behest. Trying to figure out this app. Stay safe out there.

My name is Andrew Kahler and these are recorded conversations with people I admire and care about so I have them available in the future. If you enjoy listening, that’s even better. Stay safe out there.