We Thought About Ending Mandarin Monkey... Then This Happened | Podcast 460

·46 min·4 clips

Tom and Ula debate how to film their 'last episode' on a bed, revealing they considered ending Mandarin Monkey.

The episode opens with Tom and Ula discussing how to film a potential final episode, referencing a bed setup from their early days, which creates immediate intrigue about the podcast's continuity. They reveal that a previous episode titled as a goodbye generated 33 comments from new listeners, providing a warm response that reminded them of their audience's appreciation. Tom shares that they received an email ranking them 16th in the world for Chinese learning podcasts, but notes frustration that all others on the list are short-form content, unlike their long-form approach. Ula points out that their podcast requires at least HSK level 3 Chinese proficiency, making it less accessible to beginners who might prefer shorter formats. The hosts debate the trend toward short-form content, with Ula expressing annoyance at YouTubers making shorter videos due to declining attention spans. Tom explains that successful long-form podcasts like Joe Rogan's are guest-driven, contrasting with their host-centric format, and they discuss the challenge of finding bilingual guests for their mixed-language show. Ula mentions interviewing a new teacher who might join the podcast, adding potential for guest episodes. They brainstorm innovative content ideas, such as playing board games like Guess Who on the podcast to describe people in Chinese, aiming to attract game enthusiasts learning the language. The conversation shifts to personal matters, with Ula revealing that Tom might quit the podcast first due to busyness, leaving her as the sole host, which she feels unable to handle alone. Ula discusses her need to raise teaching rates because her Taiwanese salary is insufficient for living in the UK, highlighting financial pressures. Tom talks about their side gig in event filming, noting the high costs of equipment like lenses and drones, and the learning curve involved. They reflect on the importance of passion in work, with Ula encouraging Tom to engage more in their filming business to share the workload. The hosts exchange Chinese and English proverbs about pressure and hard work, such as '欲不拙不成器' (jade must be ground to become a tool). Tom considers ways to differentiate their filming services, like preparing interview questions to capture better footage. Toward the end, Tom confesses the podcast is becoming less of a priority due to other commitments, but listener comments remind him why they continue. They thank listeners for the support, especially Starbuck for engaging with old episodes, and muse about their children growing up around content creation. The episode closes with affectionate goodbyes and a promise to return next Friday.

As heard by us

A loose but sincere rethink of what Mandarin Monkey can be next.

The episode follows the hosts as they think through what Mandarin Monkey should become next, starting from the idea that if the show began on a table with a microphone, it should end on one too.

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Why you'd press play

Guess Who, GoPros, and the question of how Mandarin Monkey should end.

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