Podcast Episodes

What if leaving your bedroom felt impossible?

Across Asia, a growing number of young people are becoming hikikomori, a term used to describe people who suffer from a severe social withdrawal. The…

1 month ago

Bonus: What caused Nepal’s deadly flash floods?

Frantic search efforts are underway in Nepal and the Tibetan side of the Chinese border after a devastating flash flood and landslide swept through a…

1 month ago

Why are lab monkeys so expensive?

Seen as pests in some parts of Asia, long-tailed macaques are highly sought-after in the world of biopharmaceutical research for drug development. B…

1 month ago

The fight to define ‘Asian pop’ at the Grammys

The Grammys created a new category for Asian pop music, but BTS have decided to withdraw from the awards in 2027. The group says music should be he…

1 month, 1 week ago

Why North East Asia is wary of immigration

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is tightening visa and residency rules for foreigners amid growing concerns about the pace of immigration in re…

1 month, 1 week ago

The politics around China’s own ‘manosphere’

China has a growing “manosphere”. But it isn't a copy of the one in the West. So what's fuelling the anger among many young Chinese men?

There are no …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Why Thailand welcoming Myanmar’s leader caused anger

Myanmar’s military-backed government is seeking legitimacy from its neighbours, more than five years after troops overthrew a democratically-elected …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Are the glory days of cheap flights in Asia over?

If you’ve ever booked a flight across Asia for less than US$100, you might have asked the question many travellers are now wondering: was that a temp…

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bonus: Why does Trump care about the Japanese yen?

In a highly unusual move, the US has stepped in to back Japan's currency, the yen. Donald Trump calls it a "signal of friendship" but what is Washing…

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Can China deal with a huge graduate glut?

A record 12.7 million university students in China are about to enter the workforce, putting an already strained job market under unprecedented press…

1 month, 3 weeks ago