Barbarians at the Gate
History
About
A semi-serious deep dive into Chinese history and culture broadcast from Beijing and hosted by Jeremiah Jenne and David Moser.
Episodes
- This Was Funnier in China: Jesse Appell's Cross-Cultural Comedy Journey
Jesse Appell, a Chinese TV comedian and cultural bridge-builder, discusses his book about studying traditional Chinese humor "crosstalk." His video clips have garnered over half a billion views online.
- The Business of Burgers in Beijing: What Fast Food Festivals Reveal About China's Economy
This episode discusses the rise of burger festivals in China, initiated by Mike Wester, and their connection to the country's economy and commercial real estate trends. It covers the evolution of burgers as a popular cuisine and the social…
- Barbarians Remix: Do you really need to learn to write characters to study Chinese?
This episode of Barbarians at the Gate features a solo discussion with Chinese language pedagogy expert Matt Coss about the digital revolution in learning Chinese. They explore the potential reduction or elimination of handwriting requirem…
- The Many Lives of Da Shan: Mark Rowswell on Chinese Poetry, Performing Live, and Staging Shawshank in Mandarin
Canadian performer Mark Rowswell, known in China as Dashan, discusses his journey from xiangsheng performer to TV host and cultural ambassador. He shares details about his viral online recitations of Chinese poetry, including collaboration…
- Lee Moore's China Backstory: Why Saying "History Proves" Actually Means "I Haven't Done the Reading"
Lee Moore, author of "China's Backstory," joins the podcast to discuss his book which examines Taiwan, Xinjiang, the Chinese economy, and Hong Kong. The conversation challenges both Chinese propaganda and Western punditry by exploring hist…
- Décadence Mandchoue: The wild (and almost certainly fictional) affair between Sir Edmund Backhouse and Empress Dowager Cixi
Barbarians at the Gate and China Books Review collaborate to examine Edmund Backhouse's memoir 'Decadence Mandchoue.' The discussion focuses on Backhouse's controversial claims of a sexual relationship with Empress Dowager Cixi and whether…
- Barbarians at the Gate x By Their Own Compass: Emily Hahn's Shanghai
This bonus episode, cross-posted from By Their Own Compass, focuses on the life and travels of American writer Emily Hahn in China. It covers her experiences during wartime Shanghai and Hong Kong, her notable relationships, and her distinc…
- Lost in Thailand: The New Chinese Diaspora from Bangkok to Addis Ababa
This episode of Barbarians at the Gate discusses the downturn in Chinese tourism in Thailand, attributed to factors beyond the pandemic, including concerns about scam centers and a shift towards independent travel. It also explores the cha…
- Perilous Prognostications for China in 2026 with Yajun Zhang
Yajun Zhang rejoins the podcast to analyze China's outlook for 2026, a year traditionally associated with progress. The discussion covers the potential return of foreign students amidst geopolitical tensions, the real-world effects of AI b…
- Barbarians Remix: Horse Racing, History, and the Final Champion's Day in Old Shanghai
This episode revisits the history of Champions Day in Shanghai, November 1941, exploring horse racing, the funeral of Liza Hardoon, and celebrations for Sun Yat-sen amidst Japanese occupation, as historian James Carter discusses his book o…
- The Dowager and the Dynasty: How did Empress Dowager Cixi rule China and should we blame her for bringing down an empire?
This episode details Empress Dowager Cixi's ascent from concubine to the de facto ruler of China, employing regency tactics like "ruling from behind the curtain." It covers her maneuvers to maintain power, the brief Hundred Days' Reform, a…
- Barbarians at the Gate x China Books Review: From Heaven Lake
This episode features a discussion on Vikram Seth's 1981 journey across China, documented in "From Heaven Lake." It covers Seth's experiences traveling with limited funds and basic tools, and his observations as an Indian writer in a China…
- The Destruction of the Old Summer Palace (Remix)
This episode discusses the 1860 destruction of the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan, by French and British forces. It covers the political and cultural clashes leading to the event, its significance for China's national self-image, and ongo…
- The Voyages of Zheng He
This episode of Barbarians at the Gate focuses on the 15th-century Chinese admiral Zheng He and his extensive naval expeditions. The discussion covers his fleets' global reach, diplomatic gifts like giraffes, and China's subsequent withdra…
- Barbarians at the Gate x China Books Review: The Records of the Grand Historian
Jeremiah and Alexander Boyd explore the story of Sima Qian, the historian who faced execution or castration from Emperor Han Wudi. Sima Qian chose castration to finish his family's historical work, prompting discussions on moral courage an…
- Barbarians Remix: Seeking News, Making China
John Alekna joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss his book, "Seeking News, Making China," detailing the influence of information technology on 20th-century Chinese society, news access, and state power through periods like the May Fourth…
- AI-Laoshi Will See You Now: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Chinese Language Learning
This episode of Barbarians at the Gate examines how Artificial Intelligence is changing Chinese language learning. Hosts Jeremiah and David discuss teaching strategies with readily available translations, integrating AI, and maintaining hu…
- Calling all China Nerds
Literary translator Brendan O'Kane fills in for David Moser, discussing Chinese dynastic decline, translating Mencius, Chinese terminology, Xi Jinping's titles, and Matteo Ricci.
- Barbarians Remix: The Year of the Boxers with historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom
Historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss the 1900 Boxer War, reframing it as a cycle of uprisings and reprisals that shaped modern China's engagement with the West. The episode explores the term "Year of the Bo…
- Is America Beginning to Look More Like China?
The Barbarians at the Gate podcast features author Jacob Dreyer discussing US-China relations, governance, technology, and geopolitical tensions. The episode examines whether the China model is outperforming Western democracies and if Amer…
- Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires
Author David Chaffetz joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss the horse's significance in Chinese culture, covering its influence on warfare, mobility, and empire-building, as detailed in his book. The conversation touches on China's histo…
- Barbarians Remix: Mandarin Mayhem I
This 2020 episode of Barbarians at the Gate examines Putonghua, commonly known as Mandarin Chinese. It delves into the evolution of Putonghua, the distinction between dialects and languages in China, and the differences between dynastic-er…
- Emergency Pod: The Trump Administration restricts Harvard International Enrollment as State Department Reviews Chinese Student Visas
This emergency episode discusses the Trump administration's actions restricting international student enrollment at Harvard and revoking visas for Chinese students. The discussion covers potential impacts on US-China academic exchanges, Am…
- The Six: Recovering the Lost Story of the Titanic's Chinese Survivors
Steven Schwankert joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss his research on the six Chinese survivors of the Titanic. The episode covers their survival, maritime backgrounds, challenges in historical identification, and the discrimination th…
- Dealing with Culture Shock when Studying and Living in China
Jeremiah and David explore culture shock experienced by American study abroad students in China. The discussion is informed by their extensive experience with these programs.
- Let Only Red Flowers Bloom with NPR Correspondent Emily Feng
NPR Correspondent Emily Feng discusses her book on Xi Jinping's China, exploring intensified state control and its effects on society, politics, and culture through personal stories of Uyghurs, lawyers, educators, and citizens.
- Curating Chinese Internet Culture for Global Audiences with What's on Weibo founder Manya Koetse
Manya Koetse, founder of What's on Weibo, shares insights into Chinese internet culture and the role of Weibo. She discusses how Weibo reflects trends in Chinese nationalism, commercialism, social unrest, and anti-Western sentiment.
- Is this America's Cultural Revolution Moment? with Chris Stewart of the History of China Podcast
Host Jeremiah Jenne talks with Chris Stewart of the History of China podcast about his move from Shanghai to Montana, his path to studying Chinese history, and the challenges of podcasting. They also discuss COVID-19's impact, the cultural…
- Experiencing the World of Jazz in China
This episode of Barbarians at the Gate discusses the world of jazz in China, featuring insights from Jeremiah and David. David shares his experiences from Beijing in the 1980s, detailing the challenges and liberation Chinese musicians foun…
- The Challenges of Foreign Reporting in China: An In-Depth Discussion with Jane Perlez
Jane Perlez, former New York Times Beijing bureau chief, joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss the difficulties of foreign reporting in China. The episode covers the decline of press freedom, obstacles for foreign media staff, and journa…
- From the Archives: Xi Built This City
This archive episode discusses global digital urbanism with a focus on China, comparing Beijing's development as a modern and ancient capital. It covers the Xiong'an smart city initiative, its challenges, and the merging of Marxist ideolog…
- Shalama: An Epic Story of Family, Community, and Survival in Republican-era China
Jean Hoffman Lewanda joins "Barbarians at the Gate" to discuss her book "Shalama: My 96 Seasons in China." The book uses her mother's perspective to narrate the family's journey from Harbin to Shanghai during the mid-20th century, incorpor…
- Where have all the American China Experts Gone?
This episode features Rory Truex discussing the low number of American students researching in China, the difficulties of academic research in China, and potential effects of a new US administration on US-China relations and educational ex…
- Laws of the Land: Feng Shui in Chinese History
Tristan Brown discusses his book examining the influence of Feng Shui on imperial Chinese law and society, highlighting its role in power, belonging, and spatial control.
- What can the end of the Ming Dynasty tell us about the election of Donald Trump and what comes next
The episode connects the fall of China's Ming Dynasty to the election of Donald Trump, drawing insights from late Ming literary expert Brendan O'Kane. Discussions include Zhang Dai, the Jin Ping Mei, and historical parallels to understand…
- Historical Battles: Rewriting China's Past to Shape the Future
Professor Jeffrey Wasserstrom joins the podcast to discuss the increasing focus on historical narratives under Xi Jinping
- Back to School 2: The View from the EU
Hosts Jeremiah Jenne and David Moser, with guest Karlis Rokpelnis, explore the shifts in international education in China, including declining student exchanges and differing US/European strategies. They discuss motivations for studying in…
- Back to School?
The episode discusses the shift in Chinese students studying in the US and American students returning to China, offering advice on presenting Chinese culture separately from government policies. It also touches on US presidential race cov…
- Edge of Empire with author and journalist Edward Wong
Edward Wong joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss his book 'Edge of Empire,' which blends his family's history in China with his own experiences as a student and journalist. The conversation covers the legacies of empire, China's frontie…
- There and Back Again: Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour and the Legacy of Reform and Opening in China
Jonathan Chatwin returns to the podcast to discuss his book, The Southern Tour: Deng Xiaoping and the Fight for China
- From Firefly to Fox News: The Evolution of "Chimerican" Media
Fan Yang explains her concept of "Chimerican media," analyzing how US-China political and cultural entanglements are depicted in media such as film, TV, and journalism, using examples like "House of Cards" and "The Three Body Problem."
- What happens after a Barbarian walks away from the Gate?
This episode marks a shift for "Barbarians at the Gate" as Jeremiah moves to Geneva. It revisits the podcast's early days, discusses the current state of academic exchange in China with cautious optimism, and outlines future directions for…
- Seeking News, Making China
John Alekna discusses his book "Seeking News, Making China: Information Technology and the Emergence of Mass Society," detailing the impact of evolving communication technologies on news dissemination and public access in 20th-century Chin…
- The Mountains Are High with author Alec Ash
Author Alec Ash shares insights from his personal account of spending a year in Dali, Yunnan Province, after an emotional crisis. The episode covers his experiences with fellow escapees, challenges of off-grid living, resisting the interne…
- Exile from Expat-ville
Michael Wester, founder of True Run Media and The Beijinger, joins Barbarians at the Gate to discuss his long-term residency in Beijing, leading the city's top expat publication, and his experiences organizing "Safe and Sane" WeChat commun…
- Xi Built This City
This episode features Andrew Stokols discussing digital urbanism in China, comparing 21st-century Beijing with its ancient capital status and detailing the progress and controversies surrounding the Xiong'an "smart city." It also explores…
- No Laughing Matters: The State of Stand-up in China Today
This episode discusses the impact of government regulation on stand-up comedy in China, following a $2 million fine levied against a comedy company in May 2023. Reporter Chang Che shares insights into the challenges faced by comedians and…
- Art with Altitude
Kristel Ouwehand, also known as Tenzin Dolma and founder of Snowland Academy, shares her experiences teaching young Tibetan artists in Gansu province. She details her extensive travels and her mastery of traditional arts like thangka paint…
- History Wars: The PRC pushes back against unsanctioned views of the past
The Qing History Project, involving institutions like Renmin University and CASS, has been halted by PRC authorities. The project's draft was deemed politically unacceptable, with objections focused on its "New Qing History" perspective, w…
- Riding the "Harmony Express" with author Thomas Bird
Journalist and travel writer Thomas Bird joins the podcast to discuss his book, "The Harmony Express," which chronicles his journey across China by train. They explore his experiences with diverse cultures, the evolution of Chinese train t…