In the Name of the Podcast

In the Name of the Podcast

Welcome to In the Name of the Podcast, where Jessica and Elaine take you through the 2017 hit Chinese television show, In the Name of the People (人民的名义 rénmín de míngyì). Join us as we explore the scandal, the intrigue, the political context, and the real life inspiration behind China’s own “House of Cards” - the first TV show to tackle the anti-corruption campaign currently underway in China.

Episodes

Episode 20 - The Truth is a Matter of Degrees

June 30, 2018 • 35 mins
In this week’s podcast: Young Zheng shoots a movie, a bromance blossoms, and we are all tired of Cai Chenggong’s lies. Also: We talk about fake schools in China. Extra topic begins at 27:50.
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Episode 19 - From Freeways to Three-Ways

June 6, 2018 • 28 mins
In this week’s podcast: Debriefings, interrogations, and debt revelations. Also: We talk about Èrguōtóu 二锅头, the working man’s baijiu. Extra topic begins at 19:13.
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Episode 18 - Neither Fast Nor Furious

May 22, 2018 • 30 mins
In this week’s podcast: Fashion police, divorce, and a very chill car chase. Also: We talk about the classic Chinese novel Water Margin (水浒传 Shuǐhǔzhuàn). Extra topic begins at 25:40.
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Episode 17 - Crouching Bureaucrat, Hidden Bureaucrat

May 7, 2018 • 31 mins
In this week’s podcast: Houzi gets called to the principal’s office, Old Chen learns what a Lamborghini is, and Li Dakang gives a good stink-eye. Also: We discuss the real-life inspiration behind those uncomfortably low service windows found at the petitions office. Extra topic begins at 24:32.
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Episode 16 - Less Action, More Talk!

April 19, 2018 • 28 mins
In this week’s podcast: We delve into some character work histories, a plan is hatched to snare Ou Yangjing, and more weird dialogue about Qi Tongwei’s relationship with his wife. Also: We discuss the Eight-Point Regulations (八项规定 bā xiàng guīdìng), a list of rules that helped kick off Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive in 2012. Extra topic begins at 18:17.
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Episode 15 - The Bicycle Chief

April 10, 2018 • 30 mins
In this week’s podcast: Lu Yike’s mother sticks her dumplings where they don’t belong, Old Zheng grows a backbone, and Sha Ruijin wobbles his way through a bicycle tour. Also: We discuss parents and their role in matchmaking and marriage in China. Extra topic begins at 18:30.
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Episode 14 - The Flirt Locker

April 2, 2018 • 36 mins
In this week’s podcast: a two-punch K.O., some inappropriate worktime flirting, and the birth of a new factory. Also: We talk about those red phones adorning the desks of powerful people across China. Extra topic begins at 25:59.
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Episode 13 - Aria Going to Finish That?

March 24, 2018 • 24 mins
In this week’s episode: Li Dakang’s domestic problems, too much opera at the table, and a late night commiseration sesh at the hospital. Also: We talk about the revolutionary opera Shājiābāng 沙家浜, one of the ‘Model Works’ (样板戏 yàngbǎn xì) made during the Cultural Revolution. Extra topic begins at 17:54. Note: Due to an equipment malfunction, Jessica’s audio this week is appalling...
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Episode 12 - My Love From Another Starr

March 12, 2018 • 37 mins
In this week’s episode: Houzi and Lu Yike are finally friends, Li Dakang’s wife day drinks, and Houzi finally almost but not quite makes it to that dinner with Qi Tongwei. Also: We discuss the massive popularity - and recent ban - of Korean Dramas in China. Extra topic begins at 27:02.
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Episode 11 - Social Media Justice Warriors

January 9, 2018 • 30 mins
In this week’s episode: Old Zheng lands in the clink, Zheng Jr. takes to Weibo, and Qi Tongwei fits in a round of golf. Also: We discuss golf in China. Extra topic begins at 24:05.
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Episode 10 - I Don't Give a Damn 'Bout My Bad Interrogation

December 14, 2017 • 37 mins
In this week’s episode: Lin Huahua is the worst, Cai Chenggong finally squeals, and Li Dakang continues to yell at people. Also: We discuss Liú Qīngshān 刘青山 and Zhāng Zishàn 张子善, the first officials ever executed for corruption in Communist China. (If you’re interested, there is also now a full-length feature film about the case called 第一大案 dì yī dà àn.) Extra topic begins at 31:40.
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Episode 9 - A Tale of Two Jurisdictions

December 6, 2017 • 26 mins
In this week’s episode: A spicy showdown between jurisdictions, cattiness abounds at the provincial party meeting, and Cai Chenggong needs a nap. Also: We discuss land sales and local government budgets in China. Extra topic begins at 18:05.
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Episode 8 - The People's Resistance Against Passive Aggression

November 27, 2017 • 37 mins
In this week’s episode: Rival factions face off, Old Chen takes an emotional trip down memory lane, and somebody finally shuts Houzi down for being so smug. Also: We discuss the history of Chiang Kai-shek, the Whampoa Academy (黄埔军校 huángpù jūnxiào), and the Whampoa Clique. Extra topic beings at 27:58.
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Episode 7 - Say Yech to the Dress

November 16, 2017 • 35 mins
In this week’s episode: A lengthy dinner, an ugly dress, and a pile of tires. Also: We discuss Hunan TV, the hit-making provincial television network that released In the Name of the People. Extra topic beings at 21:46.
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Episode 6 - An Episode for the Birds

November 8, 2017 • 25 mins
In this week’s episode: An excessive amount of birds, a softball press conference, and some very brown nose-y yard work. Also: We talk about the legal efforts to crack down on internet rumors in China. Extra topic begins at 18:54.
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Episode 5 - Happiness is a Warm Bun

October 31, 2017 • 20 mins
In this week’s episode: Yet another factory showdown ensues, everybody gets free breakfast snacks, and the fate of a little toy BB gun teaches us the importance of vigilance on China’s crosswalks. Also: We talk about the growing trend in factory protests across China. Extra topic begins at 17:00.
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Episode 4 - A Song of Rice and Fire

October 20, 2017 • 29 mins
In this week’s episode: A factory protest goes viral, Old Zheng learns about the internet, and we finally meet Houzi’s wife. Also: We talk about the live streaming (直播 zhíbō) phenomenon in China. Extra topic beings at 21:56.
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Episode 3 - Look Hou's Coming to Dinner

October 13, 2017 • 33 mins
In this week’s episode: IOUs are made, old people play with plants, and a factory protest escalates.
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Episode 2 - The Money Shot

September 29, 2017 • 28 mins
In this week’s episode: Champagne drinking, finger pointing, and money poking! Also: We delve into the true-life inspiration behind that villa. Extra topic beings at 19:49.
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Episode 1 - In the Name of the Pilot

September 22, 2017 • 20 mins
Welcome to In the Name of the Podcast! In this our pilot episode, main characters are introduced, a man eats noodles, and dead-eyed officials cock-block an investigation. Also: We discuss the “naked official” (裸官 luǒ guān) phenomenon in China. Extra topic beings at 13:00. Be sure to check out our blog, where we will eventually post all those “charts and graphs” Jessica promised in this epis...
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