Podcast Production
This Is Uncomfortable
Everything's on fire, might as well get my nails done?
Are you guilty of doomspending? If you’ve looked at the state of the economy and thought, “You know what, I will get those expensive concert tickets,” then you’re not alone. Doomspending is the modern phenomenon of spending money to cope with the stress of looming disaster, whether that’s political, economic, environmental … you name it! And it’s an understandable impulse, but that doesn’t mean you should keep up the habit.
This week, host Reema Khrais talks with The Financial Diet’s Chelsea Fagan and behavioral economist Judd Kessler about the role doomspending plays in our lives, and why we should find other ways to manage anxiety about the state of the world.
Intern Producer
This Is Uncomfortable
Help! My work crush just became my boss!
In the latest edition of the “This Is Uncomfortable” advice column, “Work Drama,” Reema digs into your trickiest workplace dilemmas – from coworkers dozing off on the job to catching feelings for your boss. And she’s joined by podcast editor Tobin Low to help break it all down.
Intern Producer
This Is Uncomfortable
What happens when you can bet on anything?
Prediction markets are booming in popularity and sparking controversies across the country. These online platforms let people wager on the outcome of real-world events, from weather and sports to elections and wars, but at what cost?
Host Reema Khrais talks with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Fong and financial psychology expert Hanna Horvath about the psychology behind why more people seem to be drawn to betting, the social forces that fuel this trend, and what’s happening to our brains when more and more parts of our lives become subject to wagers.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism?
Bridget and Ryan are having their lunch break at a Chinese restaurant when they run into “Million Bazillion” listener Daphne with a big question: What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism? Turns out, each system was born out of people’s attempts to build a better society, but they have very different ideas about the role the government should play in our money lives. As the duo work their way through these "isms," they explore the problems that each system tries to solve and the tradeoffs that come with it.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
What if there was only one currency in the whole world?
We’ve talked a lot about how money works and why countries have their own currencies here on “Million Bazillion.” But listener Alessio wants to know: Why DOESN’T the whole world use the same money? And could the world’s nations all decide to just use one shared currency? In this bonus mini-episode, we’ll get some answers!
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
How does a company buy another company?
“Million Bazillion” listener Cora wants to know: How does a company buy another company? But before Bridget and Ryan can answer, Borpo, host of “Learning with Borpo” and CEO of a giant educational media empire, shows up with an offer to buy “Million Bazillion!” As the duo tries to figure out whether it’s a good deal or not, they’ll learn that buying (or selling) a company is more than just money on the table. It also involves intense negotiations, government regulations, and could change things for workers and customers.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
What is the gold standard?
In this episode, Bridget and Ryan travel through the history of money in front of a live audience of kids and families (for real!) to answer Sofia’s big question: What is the gold standard? Together, they explore this old money rule, how paper money became a thing, and why no countries in the world – not a single one – use gold to back their money anymore.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
What are checks? (Part II of the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con)
The episode you’ve been waiting for is finally here. This is part 2 of the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con cliffhanger episode from last season. Bridget and Ryan finally made it to the conference, only to find it’s entirely cashless. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer all your non-paper-money questions: What would happen if we lived in a cashless world and paid for everything with debit and credit cards? How do you send and receive money with mobile payment apps? And how exactly do checks work?
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
Where do game shows get their prize money?
“Million Bazillion” listeners and brothers John and Peter want to know where game shows get their prize money. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer this question as Ryan and Bridget find themselves competing on a chaotic game show with a chance to win $1 million on the line. While they take on one challenge after another, the duo uncovers the surprising ways game shows get the cash for those big prizes.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
Why does the price of gas go up and down?
If you’re anything like “Million Bazillion” listener, Elijah, you may have noticed gas prices change from one day to the next, sometimes by a few pennies, sometimes by a lot more. Why does that happen? Ryan and Bridget’s search for answers turns into a much bigger adventure when a falling star and misplaced wish mean Ryan’s car suddenly comes to life and takes them on a wild road trip. Together, Bridget and Ryan learn what the price we pay at the pump has to do with global forces and crude oil's long journey to becoming gas in our fuel tanks.
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
What are tax returns?
The 10th season of “Million Bazillion” is here just in time to mark Bridget and Ryan’s favorite holiday – Tax Day! There’s just one problem: Ryan hasn’t finished filing his taxes yet. With the clock ticking, Bridget steps in to help him out before midnight. Along the way, they tackle a great question from Kade: What exactly are tax returns? Will they figure everything out before time runs out?
Intern Producer
Million Bazillion
“Million Bazillion” Season 10 is almost here!
Hello, Million Bazillionaires, we’ve got a new season of “Million Bazillion” coming your way on April 14!
To mark the 10th season, Bridget and Ryan are going all out to answer your money questions. If you’re wondering why gas prices keep going up? We’ve got answers. Curious what the fuss is about Tax Day? We’ve got that covered too. Plus, a special episode about the gold standard, recorded in front of a real live audience.
Intern Producer
The Taiwan Take
Cannabis in Taiwan: Zoe Lee (Lawyer)
The state of cannabis in Taiwan with the country’s only lawyer who only takes on cannabis-related cases.
In 2020, Zoe Lee ran for a seat in the parliament on the platform of legalizing medical marijuana. She’s currently deputy secretary general of the Green Party in Taiwan. In March 2021, Ms. Lee won “Best Show Host” at the inaugural KKBOX Podcasts Awards for her podcast on cannabis, In The Weeds with Lawyer Zoe Lee produced by Ghost Island Media.
Marijuana remains a taboo in Taiwan. It’s a Class-2 narcotics. That’s the same class as meth. Possession over 20 grams can get you five years to a lifetime in jail.
There is a movement for legalization here in Taiwan, and Zoe Lee is a key person leading this movement. The global legal marijuana market, by one estimate, is predicted to be at 65 Billion USD by 2027.
Assistant Producer
The Taiwan Take
Taiwan’s Green Parties: Dafydd Fell (SOAS University of London)
Taiwan’s next referendum will soon vote on activating the nation’s fourth nuclear plant, as well as constructing a natural gas plant on an algal reef that's critical for Taiwan’s biodiversity. These decisions come as governments around the world are scrambling to meet the demands of the Paris Agreement, and as environmental activists fight for a more sustainable planet.
Green Parties propose an alternative voice in politics to tackle our environmental ruin. All over the world, there are 91 Green Parties that believe in committing our governments to environmental stewardship through electing green movement leaders into office. In Asia, Taiwan is home to the region’s oldest Green Party, which won a National Assembly seat in 1996 - their very first election campaign.
Our guest today is Professor Dafydd Fell, a political scientist at SOAS University of London and Director of the Centre of Taiwan Studies. Dafydd Fell is the author of the new book Taiwan’s Green Parties: Alternative Politics in Taiwan, published in March 2021 by Routledge.
Assistant Producer
Five Star Nation (Season 1)
[Mandarin Chinese]
Five Star Nation invites people who were born in China or have lived in China to "speak out" about their experiences in China: how China has shaped their lives, their thoughts, and even their way of life so that we can hear what it means to be Chinese. Inspired by the five-star flag of China, Five Star Nation features 12 interviewees divided into six categories: students, businessmen, Hong Kong people, exiles, social activists, and academics. Their attitudes vary from defiant to submissive, neutral to extreme.
Associate Producer
On the Right Side of the Ambassador [Mandarin Chinese]
A Mandarin podcast on diplomacy and soft power from the perspective of an ambassador’s spouse. Hosted by Jeane Huang and Cathy Hsu, cofounder of Ghost Island Media and producer of the award-winning podcast, In the Weeds.
For 20+ years, Jeane had the important (and often glamorized and misunderstood) role of the Ambassador’s Wife. We go behind the scenes to hear first hand what it meant to travel the world supporting your country - and your spouse.
Associate Producer