The Honest Drink Podcast

HaHa Monsters

Three American-raised friends living in China candidly explore the madness of modern behavior. We'll be sipping on drinks with special guests as we tackle different topics on current culture, self-help, society, human psychology, nationality, politics, news and life. All this in an effort to reduce misconceptions about the world and ourselves. Tune in as we make these attempts and stumble our way towards becoming happier, healthier and wiser.

  1. 5d ago

    Julie Sun: Love Practically

    Julie Sun is a brand marketer and content creator who creates English content on Instagram and TikTok as, "Julie your China friend", explaining Chinese culture and dating to foreigners.  Having worked in international marketing across the world, her sociological research has brought her traveling to over 30 countries, often by herself.  Now she uses her voice to introduce modern China to a Western audience, providing an honest perspective on Chinese society, dating and everyday life.  Today we talk about modern society and the search for our place in it.  We talk about when after receiving countless messages from foreign men asking her to help them find a Chinese wife, Julie found herself researching China's matchmaking industry—and what she discovered raised difficult questions about love, practicality, immigration, family expectations, and whether the search for the "perfect partner" has become one of the defining struggles of our generation.  We talk about differences between Western and Chinese communication styles, criticism and social norms around hugging, staying friends with exes, and saying "I love you".  We also get into marriage customs like cai li or dowry, financial independence, and the quarter-life crisis.   _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    Julie Sun: Love Practically

  2. Jul 7

    Eric Hovagim: The New American Dream

    Eric Hovagim is an American content creator, industrial engineer and political commentator who, in his own words, "moved to China in late 2025 to escape the American Century of Humiliation".  He's worked in politics in his home state of Arizona and in New York City, producing a handful of videos that helped get Zohran Mamdani elected NYC mayor in 2025.  Recently, Eric has been producing content for popular political commentator, Hasan Piker.  He was also previously part of a climate-policy think tank in the US and an engineer on the Hyperloop team.  Today, we talk about why Eric is here in China and what he hopes to learn.  He shares his frustrations with the state of affairs in the US and the crisis of the American dream.  He argues the need for revolutionary change and optimism as we talk about what he's observing and studying from his experience in China that he could one day bring back to America.  We also talk about our experiences with policing and surveillance in China, societal fear, AI concerns, Eric's self-identification as a socialist and what annoys him being here.  We share plenty of laughs in an otherwise serious discussion, and we might also have offended all French people.    _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    Eric Hovagim: The New American Dream

  3. Jun 16

    Raffe, BT & Dino: To Live and Die in Shanghai pt.2

    Raffe is the owner of Cantina Agave,  the very first Mexican restaurant in Shanghai.  Today he is joined by some old friends, BT and Dino on the podcast, as we celebrate Cantina's 18th anniversary and the launch of his new restaurant, Vice.  We talk about why he's stayed in Shanghai and discuss the constant pressure to keep up with this unique city, the challenges of running F&B amid unpredictable rules and high turnover, and how the city shifted from "wild east" days to stricter, safer, more equal enforcement.  We compare Shanghai's convenience and safety with rising costs, crime, and lenient enforcement in the U.S., especially LA, and talk about perspective, media-driven fear, and cultural adaptation. We talk about a renaissance in Shanghai's dining scene, social media's impact, and Cantina's clientele flipping to 70% local Chinese. We also end the episode with a blindfolded taco taste test that doesn't go as planned.   _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

  4. May 19 ·  Video

    Daniel Dumbrill: Why Western Narratives About China Don't Work Anymore

    Daniel Dumbrill is a geopolitical commentator, independent journalist, and entrepreneur.  He is known for his in-depth analysis of China, global politics, media narratives, and the shifting balance of power in an increasingly multipolar world.  His commentary explores US-China relations, international affairs, and how media framing influences public understanding of global events. Daniel is recognized for challenging conventional narratives and encouraging audiences to examine geopolitical issues with a critical and evidence-based approach.  Today we talk about defending China against Western propaganda.  How control of information is influencing global discussion, society, and personal beliefs.  We also talk about life in China, the great firewall, censorship, and lessons from China's past.   _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    Daniel Dumbrill: Why Western Narratives About China Don't Work Anymore

  5. Apr 14

    YI: The Love Bomb

    YI is the owner of fine jewelry brand YI Collection and former stylist for Vogue China.  Today we talk about "love bombing", attraction, sex and the city…literally.  We talk about the differences in what men and women might be attracted to and the games we play when we're in the chase.  We talk about rejection, self-worth, appearance vs personality, and judging faces.  YI shares her mindset after leaving a relationship of eight years, her views on independence, loneliness, monogamy, white expat men, and dating strategies like negging and acting dumb. We discuss ethnicity and identity as Chinese-Americans, changing beauty standards, and the importance of health and fitness in maintaining marriages and relationships.  We also talk about squat toilets.   _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    YI: The Love Bomb

  6. Mar 29

    Dr. Steve Vinay Gunther: The Truth About Us

    Dr. Steve Vinay Gunther is a renowned Australian Gestalt psychotherapist and founder of the acclaimed Northern Rivers Gestalt Institute in Australia.  He is also the author of the bestselling book "The Woman In Your Life - A Man's Guide to a Happy Relationship".  He has been in practice for over 40 years with an accomplished career in psychology, working with individuals, couples and families from all over the world.  Today, Dr. Gunther shares why his focus shifted to China and we get into a deep conversation about relationships.  We talk about what prevents us from sustaining healthy relationships and when to walk away.  We cover failed marriages, self-awareness, listening for "grains of truth" and men's difficulty identifying and expressing deeper feelings.   We talk about shame, "un-virtues" and why running away from pain doesn't work.  We also discuss the over-simplification of therapy in this digital age, the dangers of using AI for emotional guidance, and a wholistic way of perceiving our own existence called systems thinking.  We explore relationships from at least three levels, the relationship with ourselves, the ones we love, and society.  Join us as we uncover some hard truths. www.gestalt2027shanghai.com www.gti.today www.learngestalt.com _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, 小红书, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Ximalaya, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    Dr. Steve Vinay Gunther: The Truth About Us

  7. Feb 12

    Matt Chen: A Chinese Time In My Life

    Matt Chen is a Chinese American entrepreneur, social media content creator, and builder of Daily Hanzi, an app helping people learn to read Chinese.  Currently at 24 years old he's decided to ditch his aerospace engineering degree and restart his life by moving to China.  Focused on bridging East and West through content about language, culture and identity he hopes to reconnect with his Asian heritage while improving his own Chinese literacy, finding a different path for himself in a new world.  Today, we talk about Matt's experience growing up in the US as an ABC and compare it to our own experience from an older generation.  We talk about his choice to move to China just ten months ago, his revelation during a job interview with a US defense contractor, and what's behind the "A Very Chinese Time In My Life" trend happening in America.  We also talk about the broad anxiety amongst his younger generation, finding purpose, and balancing digital and analog life.   Happy Chinese New Year! _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

    Matt Chen: A Chinese Time In My Life

  8. Jan 27 ·  Video

    Chocolate, Weapons & Midlife - James Wu & Charles Zeng

    We are joined by friends of the show Charles Zeng, owner of Charlie's Burger, and James Wu visiting from the U.S.  Today we debate the pros and cons of having kids or not.  James shares his reasoning on his and his wife's decision not to have kids.  We talk about societal pressures, its impact on marriage and our thoughts on using physical force when it comes to disciplining our kids.  We talk about chasing happiness, comparing kids to chocolate, and our biggest fears when it comes to growing old.  We talk about the midlife crisis, aging and managing anger day to day. _____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating! Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestdrink_/ RedNote: THD The Honest Drink WeChat: THD_Official Find us on: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, 小红书, Ximalaya, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, Bilibili or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

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4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Three American-raised friends living in China candidly explore the madness of modern behavior. We'll be sipping on drinks with special guests as we tackle different topics on current culture, self-help, society, human psychology, nationality, politics, news and life. All this in an effort to reduce misconceptions about the world and ourselves. Tune in as we make these attempts and stumble our way towards becoming happier, healthier and wiser.

Information

  • Creator
    HaHa Monsters
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    212
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © HaHa Monsters 2026
  • Show Website
    The Honest Drink Podcast

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