Chinese Podcast EP205: We’re in Our 40s and Still Don’t Know What We Want

Chinese Podcast EP205: We’re in Our 40s and Still Don’t Know What We Want

June 12, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

Three Chinese teachers in their 40s discuss fate, free will, and the impact of their life choices.

Are we in control of our lives, or are we just being pushed along?In this episode of Dashu Mandarin, three Chinese teachers in their 40s sit down for a painfully honest conversation about fate, free will, and the choices that shaped them.🔸 One of us got “forced” into chasing a girl in high school — and later realized he didn’t even like her.🔸 Another grew up in China’s intense exam system, became a “learning machine,” and now lives in Spain… but still can’t relax.🔸 And the third? He decided to stop blaming the system and started learning piano and guzheng in his 40s.We talk about:Chinese education and the “gaokao” mentalityWhy it’s so hard to start new hobbies as adultsThe guilt of relaxing when you grew up in a hardworking culture

More episodes of Dashu Mandarin Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Dashu Mandarin Podcast podcast page.