Best Chengdu Podcasts (2025)

1
Chengdu 31:45

19d ago31:45

31:45

City sounds too exciting? Don’t worry—Chengdu’s sprawling history, panda diplomacy, and ancient irrigation systems are somehow still perfect for insomnia relief. Settle in for a bedtime story about tea, temples, and very slow urban development. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: h…

1
Swamps & Wetlands 32:30

7h ago32:30

32:30

Low-lying, soggy, and mostly avoided—swamps and wetlands offer just enough slow-moving detail to lull your brain into full retreat. Ideal for background noise, insomnia relief, or pondering how plants survive while half-drowning. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: https://icantsle…

1
Seeking the Next DeepSeek: the Chinese Generative AI Algorithm Registry, with Kendra Schaefer 1:03:57

2d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

This week on Sinica, I speak with Kendra Schaefer, the partner at Trivium China who heads their tech practice. She recently published a fascinating paper looking at the Cyberspace Administration of China's comprehensive database of generative AI tools released in China, and she shares the insights and big takeaways from her research on that databas…

1
Chess 33:39

2h ago33:39

33:39

Slow your racing mind with the intricate yet incredibly repetitive world of chess, where pawns dream big and queens do all the work. Ideal for bedtime pondering or insomnia relief, this slow march across 64 squares should do the trick. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support the show: h…

1
Glass 33:59

2d ago33:59

33:59

If you’re looking for a relaxing deep dive into something both fragile and oddly durable, this episode about glass should do the trick. From its sleepy silicate beginnings to its many transparent moods, there’s plenty here to lull your brain into a gentle stupor. Perfect for fans of insomnia relief, bedtime stories, and long, slow explanations of m…

1
Terrarium 37:22

5d ago37:22

37:22

Perfect for winding down, this bedtime read takes you on a slow, dirt-level journey through the surprisingly meticulous world of terrariums. If miniature glass ecosystems don’t put you to sleep, the Latin plant names probably will. A calm, relaxing choice for insomnia relief and fans of low-stakes greenery. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.i…

1
Bonus Ep: Rubio's Visa Revocations, with Jeremy Goldkorn [Explicit] 49:42

8d ago49:42

49:42

Jeremy Goldkorn joins for this largely unedited throwback to the early, sweary days of the show. We talk about the announcement made on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, on the "aggressive" revocation of Chinese student visas for students with Party "connections" or who study "critical fields." You've been warned! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv…

1
Choux Pastry 35:37

7d ago35:37

35:37

Flaky, hollow, and suspiciously light, choux pastry is the kind of delicate French dough that somehow became the backbone of everything from éclairs to swans. It’s made by cooking the flour before baking, which feels like cheating but makes for excellent bedtime reading. A soothing deep dive into pâte à choux—ideal for pastry fans, sleep seekers, a…

1
Mariana Trench 34:27

9d ago34:27

34:27

Deep sea relaxation meets crushing geological indifference as we drift down to the Mariana Trench, Earth’s most famous abyss and arguably its least inviting vacation spot. Perfect for insomnia relief or anyone who needs to feel small before bed. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: …

1
Sport Stacking 36:28

12d ago36:28

36:28

Rhythmic clattering and plastic cups might not scream “bedtime,” but the soothing repetition of sport stacking’s oddly competitive world just might. Ideal for insomniacs who find NASCAR too subtle, this episode stacks up nicely for sleep. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support the show…

1
Ukraine, China, and the Emerging Geopolitics of Resource Security 1:28:57

14d ago1:28:57

1:28:57

A bonus episode this week. On May 22, I moderated a panel organized by Vita Golod and the UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies. The focus was on the U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Security Partnership, and it features Ivan Us, Chief Consultant at the Center for Foreign Policy at the National Institute for Strategic Studies; Jim Mullinax…

1
House of Huawei: Eva Dou of the Washington Post on Her New "Secret History" of Huawei 1:08:40

16d ago1:08:40

1:08:40

This week on Sinica, I chat with Eva Dou, technology reporter for the Washington Post, about her terrific new book about Huawei. From its prehistory to its fight for its life under tremendous U.S. pressure, she tells its story in a way that's both deeply engaging and very evenhanded. 04:53 – Meng Wanzhou’s case and its impact on media interest in H…

1
Hedgehog 35:55

14d ago35:55

35:55

If your insomnia demands something with spikes but no real drama, hedgehogs may do the trick. These solitary, nocturnal insectivores bumble through gardens and folklore alike without stirring much excitement. Ideal bedtime material. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: https://icant…

1
Hydrogen 36:42

16d ago36:42

36:42

Drift off with a calming exploration of hydrogen, the element that somehow manages to be both the most abundant in the universe and the least interesting at dinner parties. This relaxing bedtime story about atomic simplicity, star fuel, and flammable gas is sure to bore your insomnia into submission. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsle…

1
NEW! China Talking Points Ep. 1: Trade Truce, J-10C Dogfight, and What Comes Next 1:04:49

22d ago1:04:49

1:04:49

The Sinica Network proudly presents a new podcast: China Talking Points, featuring Kaiser Kuo (host of the Sinica Podcast), Eric Olander (host of the China-Global South Podcast and China In Africa Podcast) and Andrew Polk, co-founder of Trivium China and host of its podcast. We'll be joined regularly by Lizzi Lee, Fellow on Chinese Economy at the A…

1
China's DeepSeek Moment — a talk given April 17 2025 at Carnegie Mellon 30:45

23d ago30:45

30:45

I had scheduled a show to record while I was in Providence last week, but it fell through and had to be rescheduled, so please give this talk I delivered at Carnegie Mellon last month a listen! Hope you enjoy. Kaiser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
Mercury 37:17

21d ago37:17

37:17

Mercury spins slowly, scorches in sunlight, and freezes in shadow—perfect conditions for a relaxing bedtime story about planetary extremes. Its lack of atmosphere and general refusal to support life make it oddly peaceful. Ideal for insomnia relief and planetary trivia lovers. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-…

1
Multiverse 45:50

23d ago45:50

45:50

If you’re looking for sleep, try contemplating the multiverse—an infinite number of universes where you still can’t find your keys. Theoretical physics has rarely been so quiet, or so unconcerned with practical application. Ideal for insomnia relief and cosmic-scale bedtime stories. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/requ…

1
Frogs 35:15

28d ago35:15

35:15

Cold-blooded and weirdly talented, frogs have been hopping quietly through evolution with their sticky tongues and surprise screams. This episode covers the amphibians’ bizarre lives in enough detail to cure even the most persistent insomnia. Perfect for sleep, relaxation, and background bedtime stories. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.ican…

1
Broken Engagement: Veteran China reporter Bob Davis on his new collection of interviews 1:15:47

30d ago1:15:47

1:15:47

This week on Sinica, I chat with veteran Wall Street Journal reporter Bob Davis, who has covered the U.S.-China relationship for decades. He recently published a new book called Broken Engagement, which consists of interviews with U.S. policymakers who were instrumental in shaping American policy toward China from the George H.W. Bush administratio…

1
Hot Dogs 39:40

28d ago39:40

39:40

Relax into the surprisingly uneventful tale of hot dogs, from old-world sausages to ballpark staples. A sleep-friendly stroll through culinary trivia perfect for bedtime stories, relaxation, and mild curiosity before dozing off. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: https://icantslee…

1
Cummins Diesel Engines 37:17

1M ago37:17

37:17

Heavy-duty diesel engines, fuel systems, and emissions control—everything you never knew could put you to sleep faster than melatonin. Ideal for fans of bedtime stories about torque curves, or anyone hoping to snore through the history of internal combustion. Your insomnia never stood a chance. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodc…

1
Uncle Iroh & Zuko 32:59

1M ago32:59

32:59

Sleep through the slow burn of redemption arcs, father issues, and jasmine-scented wisdom—perfect for bedtime, insomnia relief, or firebending cooldowns. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: https://icantsleep.supportingcast.fm/ Shop sleep-friendly products: https://www.icantsleeppo…

1
Dental Hygienist 39:23

1M ago39:23

39:23

Dental hygienist duties like tartar scraping and floss lectures might not scream “bedtime story,” but somehow, here we are. A slow drift into dental monotony for your insomnia relief. Want More? Request a topic: https://www.icantsleeppodcast.com/request-a-topic Listen ad-free & support: https://icantsleep.supportingcast.fm/ Shop sleep-friendly prod…

1
The EU-China Relationship in the Age of Trumpian Disruption, with Finbarr Bermingham of the SCMP 1:06:46

1M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

This week on Sinica, I chat with SCMP Senior Europe Correspondent Finbarr Bermingham, who joins from Brussels where he's been covering the EU-China relationship in fantastic depth and with great insight. 3:17 – EU-China relations in early 2025: the effect of the 2021 sanctions, who advocated for engagement versus confrontation with China, and the i…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chengdu Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen