On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Lisa, a world traveler, current resident of Shanghai, and one of my class’s valedictorians. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First Question: What has surprised you most about living in China?

• what life in Shanghai is actually like, and how that stacks up to the American experience
• where has Lisa lived? (it’s an incredibly impressive list of notable places)
• what was her college path (journalism at Northwestern) and how did that lead to her living abroad?
• why does Lisa self-identify as a “huge f*cking nerd?” what contributed to that? and how is she different?
• what it’s like living in a country where elements of who you are are illegal and persecuted
• why teaching is a “full brain” occupation and how she works with teachers to help them grow, evolve, improve and transform
• having lived abroad for so long, what is the general impression of Americans outside of our borders? and has living abroad recontextualized her own American-ness?
• what are Lisa’s overall impressions of me from high school? and how was our particular class so chill and able to move between cliques?
• why it’s ok to have a hobby that you enjoy, but suck at
• how do we find fulfillment? and how do we have “enough?”
• what does she look forward to most about returning to Colorado?

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

Recorded over Google Meet.