Pondering Pandaz

Pondering Pandaz

You found us Asian pandas, good, we are pondering now. Have you ever felt confused about the modern world and wondered why almost nothing makes sense? If so, you’re not alone. What influences our lives? Is it money, culture, race, gender, language, or beliefs? And what lies beyond the status quo? Is everything just black and white (or red and white)? Let’s unpack & ponder together.

  1. 06/12/2025

    EP20: Scarcity, Shame & Self-Worth: Money Talks We Never Had

    #PonderingPandaz #AsianPodcast #Money What does it mean to feel safe in a world where the price of everything is rising but your peace of mind is shrinking? In this vulnerable episode, Jayden and Ryan explore the crushing weight of financial anxiety - from the everyday stress of budgeting and lifestyle downgrades, to the deeper wounds of shame, guilt, and inherited expectations. They open up about growing up with immigrant parents, the pressure to become self-sufficient, and how survival mode shapes our identity, relationships, and mental health.  But it’s not just about money. It’s about redefining wealth beyond material things - into time, love, freedom, and self-trust. With quiet honesty, they unravel the complex emotions we tie to money: what we owe our families, how we give and receive support, and the fear of never having “enough.” In the end, this is a conversation about healing. About finding abundance, even in uncertainty.  00:23 – Financial anxiety and lifestyle shifts in today’s economy  01:54 – Childhood influences: How money shaped our beliefs  08:19 – Redefining wealth beyond income and status  20:56 – Shame, guilt, and emotional baggage around finances  25:37 – Is money a love language in immigrant families?  29:23 – The fear of financial instability and its mental toll  45:39 – Scarcity vs. abundance mindset  53:12 – Evolving definitions of wealth in a changing world

    55 min

  2. 06/05/2025

    EP19 - Cultural Obsessions: Asia's Love Affair with Western Luxury

    #Luxury #AsianPodcast #brands In this episode of Pondering Pandaz, hosts Jayden and Ryan engage in a lively discussion about luxury brands and the complexities surrounding them. They explore how different people perceive luxury in terms of fashion, technology, and automobiles. The conversation delves into personal experiences with luxury purchases, the perceived exclusivity and value of well-known brands like Louis Vuitton and Apple, and the environmental and ethical implications of these luxury items. They also touch on cultural factors influencing the demand for luxury goods in Asia, particularly China, and the real cost and sustainability of electric vehicles and other 'green' products. The hosts ponder whether luxury items genuinely offer better quality and contribute positively to the environment or if they are merely products of exceptional marketing. 00:00 Introduction and Favorite Brands 01:23 Starting the Podcast 01:37 Defining Luxury 02:19 Personal Luxury Purchases 08:50 Luxury as an Investment 14:06 Cultural Perspectives on Luxury 27:49 Luxury Cars and Pricing 29:56 Defining Luxury and Non-Luxury Car Brands 30:55 Car Prices in China vs. North America 32:30 Perceptions of Asian vs. Western Products 36:36 Emerging Asian Brands and Market Trends 46:43 Environmental Impact and Greenwashing 54:13 Challenges with Electric Vehicles 57:12 Ethical Concerns in Manufacturing 01:00:03 Consumer Choices and Brand Perception 01:02:34 Conclusion and Farewell

    1h 3m

  3. 05/29/2025

    EP18 - The Sky-High World of the Canadian Real Estate

    #asianPodcast #realEstate #AffordableHomes In this episode of Pondering Pandaz dives into the perplexing world of the Canadian real estate market. They discuss the exorbitant prices of properties in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, the income disparity, and the struggles of young professionals in affording homes (most don’t). They also examine the impact of rising interest rates, the challenges of obtaining mortgages, and the possibility of a housing market crash. Tune in to gain insights into why real estate in Canada is so expensive and what the future might hold for potential homeowners.   00:00 Introduction and Real Estate Banter 02:38 Canadian Real Estate Market Overview 07:37 Comparing Canadian and US Real Estate 11:23 Challenges of Affording Homes in Canada 19:35 Personal Experiences and Reflections 28:32 Understanding Property Value Inflation 29:06 Refinancing and Investment Strategies 30:59 Challenges of Positive Cash Flow 32:57 Impact of Interest Rates on Real Estate 34:48 Real Life Example of Mortgage Struggles 43:08 Potential Housing Market Crash 49:33 Comparing Financial Crises: US vs Canada 54:09 Future of the Real Estate Market 55:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    56 min

  4. 05/22/2025

    EP17: Faith Without Action Is Useless? The Truth About Manifesting Your Future

    #LawOFAttraction #Podcast #Manifesting #Faith We’ve all heard it: “Just believe and it will come.” But is the Law of Attraction real wisdom, or just wishful thinking in a glittery package? In this refreshingly honest episode, Jayden and Ryan get personal about faith, frustration, and what it really takes to attract the life you want. From job rejections to boba cravings, they unpack the gritty reality behind positive thinking.  Spoiler: manifestation without movement is just procrastination. This conversation goes deeper than dream boards: into mental exhaustion, survival choices, and the quiet belief that gets you through when logic says give up. Come for the theory, stay for the laughs, and leave with a little more trust in your own messy journey.  00:00 – Intro & why we’re skeptical about Law of Attraction 02:55 – Personal stories: rejection, doubt & pushing through 14:26 – The myths (and dangers) of “just thinking positive” 22:10 – Visualizing the future vs. surviving the present 29:58 – What faith really means when logic says “give up” 40:32 – Religion, control, and letting go 46:17 – Final reflections: belief is nothing without movement

    55 min

  5. 05/15/2025

    EP16: When Immigration Becomes a Shortcut: China, Canada & the Cost of Belonging

    #PonderingPandaz #ThirdCultureKid #SlowMedia #CanadaImmigration  Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/PonderingPandaz In part two of their immigration deep dive, Jayden and Ryan unravel the shifting dynamics of modern migration, from pandemic era policy loopholes to post-pandemic survival struggles.  With personal stories, sharp observations, and tender frustration, they explore how immigration has changed since their arrival: the rise of diploma mills, cheap labor bidding wars, international students trying to survive on coffee shop wages, and the unsettling reality that for many newcomers, Canada is no longer a destination… it’s just a stepping stone to the U.S.  They wrestle with big questions: What happens when a country opens its doors too fast? Can you build national identity on imported hope? And is it still possible to dream in a system built for extraction?  This isn’t a policy breakdown. It’s a conversation from the inside: honest, imperfect, and still full of hope.  00:00 – Black bean crackers and podcast updates 01:36 – Immigration accents and the Ching-Chong effect 04:55 – Chinatown, racism, and colonial urban planning 06:30 – The boom-era dream: why Ryan’s parents chose Canada 08:35 – West profits, East builds: China’s rise and global friction 12:36 – Pandemic shifts: Canada opens its doors, diploma mills cash in 16:00 – The immigrant grind: PRs, coffee shops, and bidding wars 19:00 – Inflation, housing, survival—and the cheap labor addiction 22:00 – Are people using Canada as a U.S. backdoor? 24:00 – “We have land, water, and beauty. Why can’t we build a future?” 30:00 – Final hopes for Canada: more identity, more heart, more infrastructure

    32 min

  6. 05/08/2025

    EP15: Mother’s Day, Memory & Making Time: Honoring the Women Who Raised Us

    #MothersDay #AsianPodcast #NewPodcast #Mother #PonderingPandaz #Holidays Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/PonderingPandaz This episode is a love letter. To all the moms who gave more than they had… and to all the adult children still learning how to say thank you. In this heartfelt edition of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan reflect on what Mother's Day really means across cultures, generations, and distances. From school plays and handmade cards to running restaurants on every holiday, they share personal stories of love expressed through food, sacrifice, and quiet acts of care. Jayden opens up about feeling disconnected across oceans, and his wish to honor his mother not just with gifts, but with time, presence, and acknowledgment. Ryan remembers his mom carrying him up seven flights of stairs when he was sick—and defending him when schools said he wasn’t enough. Together, they explore the invisible strength of Asian mothers, the tenderness that often hides beneath control, and the desire to be better sons as they grow older. Whether your relationship with your mother is close, complicated, or somewhere in between, this episode is a reminder that appreciation can start today—through stories, small actions, and the courage to see them as full people, not just parents. 00:00 – Mother’s Day begins… with sexy voices and science fiction 03:00 – China’s approach to filial piety: crafts, foot-washing, and gratitude films 07:00 – When you realize your mom is human too 12:00 – Childhoods spent working on holidays & neglected traditions 15:00 – Acts of care vs. acts of obligation 20:00 – Gifts without memory vs. shared moments that last 26:00 – “I’m not where I want to be yet” – success, shame, and love 30:00 – Dinner table debriefs & family feedback loops 36:00 – Why it’s hard to talk—and how we can start anyway 41:00 – Stories of strength: Moms who showed up no matter what 45:00 – Our future dreams for them: freedom, fun, and peace 52:00 – “You were everything to us. We see you now.” 54:30 – A gentle closing: Happy Mother’s Day

    55 min

  7. 05/01/2025

    EP14: Asian Parenting, Bamboo Sticks & Quiet Love: Between Discipline and Healing

    #AsianParent #AsianPodcast #NewPodcast #Beating #PonderingPandaz Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/PonderingPandaz What does it mean to be raised by love that sometimes hurts—and to still carry that love into adulthood? In this powerful episode of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan dive into their childhood experiences with Asian parenting, where care and control often came hand-in-hand. From family dinners cooked by grandparents to slippers, feather dusters, and “don’t flinch or I’ll hit harder,” they explore the spectrum of discipline—from well-intentioned structure to physical punishment and emotional trauma. But this isn’t just a story of pain. It’s also about memory, resilience, and the subtle moments of love that threaded through it all. Jayden shares raw reflections on growing up inside a chaotic family business, where video games and beatings coexisted. Ryan opens up about passive emotional control and the pressure to be a “good kid” in a system that rarely asked what he wanted. Together, they reflect on how these experiences shaped their identity, relationships, and evolving views on parenthood. They don’t offer easy answers—but they hold space for truth, growth, and the possibility of change. Whether you were raised by tiger parents or soft silence, this episode offers comfort, connection, and a gentle invitation to reflect on how we were raised—and who we want to become. 00:00 – Welcome to Pondering Pandaz: Parenting with love, confusion, and contradiction 01:05 – East vs. West childhoods: arcade bedrooms, boarding schools & grandma dinners 11:00 – Boarding school drop-off: grief in a first-grade goodbye 15:00 – Piano lessons, air cadets, and “extracurriculars we didn’t choose” 22:00 – When discipline becomes punishment: feather dusters, slippers & silence 28:00 – Canada’s child services & the blurry line between care and harm 33:00 – “Who gave you the courage to do that?”: The language of fear 40:00 – “I’m beating you, but I hurt too”: twisted love and generational trauma 46:00 – Education pressure & emotional detachment at home 53:00 – Rebuilding relationships: Can we be friends with our parents? 57:00 – Advice to future parents: coach with trust, not control 01:00:30 – Letting go, showing up, and loving differently

    1h 2m

  8. 04/24/2025

    EP13: Feng Shui Fails, Fire Dogs & Fortune Battles: Can Energy Really Shape Your Life?

    #Fengshui #AsianPodcast #NewPodcast #fortunetelling #PonderingPandaz Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/PonderingPandaz What happens when two modern Asians try to decode the ancient art of Feng Shui, with a healthy dose of skepticism, laughter, and personal anecdotes? In this episode of Pondering Pandaz, Jayden and Ryan dive into the fascinating, confusing, and sometimes absurd world of Feng Shui. From fish tanks for fortune to knife-shaped skyscrapers in Shanghai, they explore how this age-old Chinese practice is shaping (and reshaping) homes, cities, and mindsets across the globe.  They unpack how Feng Shui connects to identity, spiritual belief, and the human hunger for certainty, while also questioning whether some of it is just really clever interior design... or really good marketing. Expect humor, heart, cultural insights, and even a fiery German Shepherd named Qiqi.  Whether you’re a Feng Shui believer, a curious skeptic, or just someone trying to make sense of your living space, this episode will get you thinking about energy, intention, and what it really means to feel “in harmony.”  00:00 – Pondering intentions: making space for growth  02:46 – What is Feng Shui? Google explains, we improvise  05:21 – Our personal Feng Shui stories (fish tanks, Vegas lions & Chinese moms)  12:00 – Trees, taboos & house-hunting superstitions  16:00 – Cluttered space = cluttered mind?  18:00 – Birth charts, lucky directions & elemental personality types  25:00 – Feng Shui in the West: design or destiny?  26:57 – Hong Kong & Shanghai’s Feng Shui battles (yes, with knife buildings)  33:30 – Career changes: should we become Feng Shui masters?  36:00 – Fire dogs, water people, and love elements  41:00 – Conflicting advice: when five Feng Shui masters disagree  44:00 – Business or belief? The fuzzy line of fortune consulting  50:00 – Wrapping up: do we believe… or are we just having fun?

    52 min
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About

You found us Asian pandas, good, we are pondering now. Have you ever felt confused about the modern world and wondered why almost nothing makes sense? If so, you’re not alone. What influences our lives? Is it money, culture, race, gender, language, or beliefs? And what lies beyond the status quo? Is everything just black and white (or red and white)? Let’s unpack & ponder together.

Information

  • Creator
    Pondering Pandaz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pondering Pandaz