9 Comments

  1. Jen
    Jen March 23, 2021 at 7:50 pm | | Reply

    I also hate when people ask ‘how are you?’ and I’m American. I wonder what it is like to live between worlds like this, after learning some of the complicated history of her country after arriving here. I worry that I’d be lonely but it seems like her curiosity keeps her company and that goes with her everywhere. Thank you for this story.

  2. mike leonard
    mike leonard March 24, 2021 at 5:52 am | | Reply

    Great story and music! I love getting insights into how others grew up so much different than I did. It was so refreshing to hear how others embraced her rather than stigmatized her for being the second child. I wonder if she would consider doing a playlist of Chinese music that we could all enjoy. I would love to hear more…..

  3. Tamar Cole
    Tamar Cole March 24, 2021 at 9:20 am | | Reply

    This is a brilliant episode. Everyone should listen to it! Thank you Erica and Han.

  4. Simon
    Simon March 24, 2021 at 8:47 pm | | Reply

    Wow, another great episode. Meimei’s story in Guilin and Florida was fascinating.

    It made me laugh when Meimei mentioned in her story that she felt odd whenever people greeted her with “how are you (doing)”.
    When someone greeted me this, I had to pause for a few seconds, searching my mind, thought about it but always responded with “good”, sometimes I felt guilty with this “good” answer. How are you doing? This is not an easy question for us to answer-:)

    The story and the well selected music brought me back to my childhood, appreciate it.

    I recommend anyone who is interested about 1980’s China to read Paul Theroux’s insightful book on China:
    Riding the Iron Rooster: By train through China.

    Erica did an excellent job to let Meimei unfold her story.
    Thank you Erica and Meimei for such a great episode.

    Kindest Regards,
    from Shanghai

  5. sel
    sel May 16, 2021 at 1:41 pm | | Reply

    hello! is there any chance we could get the playlist? if that’s okay? (unfortunately i don’t speak any kind of chinese so i couldn’t look them up :((.) :)) this episode was very insightful. han meimei’s vivid retelling and your questions hit several nails on the head. i especially loved the parting segment, mainly because it can speak to anyone, really: “i decided that knowing the answers to these questions are the most worthy of my time. this is how i want to spend my time.” that statement is such a delight to hear, coming from han and the need to make sense of everything else. i hope she’s doing well and isn’t being so bombarded with small talks (or at the very least, i hope she can have handy strategies to avoid them!). thank you!`

  6. Jessica K.
    Jessica K. July 18, 2021 at 1:18 pm | | Reply

    I so loved this endearing episode! Hearing Han’s narrative style and voice was such a joy! The chocolate rabbit tale was just hilarious (I mean, it was PALM-sized!), and I hope that many more people get a chance to listen to her experiences growing up in China as the 2nd daughter. Erica, your show is magic and you have a real gift for holding space for others so that they may speak their true self into something shareable. Your podcast allows people to do something that just doesn’t happen these days — to actually listen to another human being without interrupting them, and that is a rare treasure! THANK YOU for continuing to do what you do – I am certain that your podcast is soon to catch like wildfire.

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