Podcast
The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski
Hosted by Steven Sirski · EN
The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.
89episodes
Episodes
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SSAB - July 7, 2026
Yesterday00:44:39Tap to summarizeSummer continues and it’s getting hot! Getting up at 3 am again… why don’t I just stay up?Cleaning begins, what else can I throw away? More clothes, shoes, cables and studio stuff. Still finding it hard to depart with some stuff.Talking with people around the compound, is 36 almost 40? And a Mother encourages her son to leave Beijing… the economy here is no good!Making plans for the summer months… every time I’ve done this it never works, so why bother?And listening to the first few episodes of the No Agenda Show, quite the development! How long per segment?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Summer Heat Opener00:35 Who Am I Now03:23 Podcast Origins and Format05:32 PayPal and Expat Mission08:09 Visa Overstay Story11:06 No Agenda Lessons15:18 Cadence and Workflow17:29 Chinese Study Struggles24:41 Summer Weather and Sleep29:14 Gym Pass and Flight Dates31:28 Visa Paperwork Stress35:35 Summer Plans and Seminars40:53 Decluttering the Apartment43:16 Wrap Up and Links
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SSAB - July 6, 2026
2d ago00:43:27Tap to summarizeDidja make it back, Steve? Didja make it back? Yes, I did. Hello from Beijing, China. Which connections are working now?Happy 250 US America!England wins! Canada loses!How was the flight back? OOF!Final thoughts on Singapore?Hello to Sebastian from Dublin! Came up to me after recording Friday’s episode and then we were seat mates on the plane!And great news over the weekend as Final Cut Pro newest release now includes AUTOMATIC SUBTITLES!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great start of week!00:00 Back in Beijing01:24 Singapore recap and visa fallout04:18 YouTube focus and going online09:35 VPNs that work in China12:11 America 250 and media bias14:24 World Cup talk and responsibility rant21:32 Flights home and China job logistics26:11 Meeting Sebastian on the plane31:05 Overnight flight strategy and Singapore thoughts39:05 Final Cut Pro captions breakthrough42:14 Wrap up and links
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SSAB - July 3, 2026
4d ago00:40:18Tap to summarizeAnd out of Singapore we go! Three days, is that enough, eh? Yes. I’m tired.Final day walk around the city, Little India, Chinatown, and the Raffles Hotel (no Singapore Sling for us this time). Owie my feet hurt!Neat little find, some oils from India. Like cologne but not as strong. Trust the people who sweat! Did we buy anything else? Just chocolates from Singapore, 8 for $10! Yesterday we paid more per box. I guess we’ll see how each tastes. SILVER a popping! How do we know? A stop at Bullion Star. People a shoppin!And how is Changi airport? Yes, it’s the airport with the big waterfall inside of it. No food shops near A Gates in Terminal 3, just fyi.Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingSafe travels back!00:00 Leaving Singapore00:33 Changi Airport Setup02:42 No Food at A Gates04:37 Waterfall and Terminals07:45 Trip Recap Overview10:12 Little India Morning Walk11:24 Scented Oils Find15:05 Raffles Hotel and Long Bar20:24 Chinatown and Coffee24:23 Durian Redemption 99 Trees27:29 BullionStar Gold and Silver36:56 Midnight Flight Wrap Up39:15 Final Sign Off
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SSAB - July 2, 2026
6d ago00:50:03Tap to summarizeAnother busy day walking around and back to Sentosa. Beaches (Siloso, Palawan, Tongjeng), billy carts (luges), and the southern most point of continental Asia. And almost lost my phone. That was scary.Today’s food samplings included:-Tim Hortons for coffee and donuts, which were as good as what’s available in Canada.-Then up to the food court at Vivocity at the Sentosa sky train for water jiaozi, roast duck, and kaya sandwiches by Toast Box. Lots of carbs!-Evening time we tried Mr. Coconut, a coconut milk shake.-Popiah = some sort of roll-And A&W… which was nothing like in Canada.Off to the Gardens by the Bay for a light show at night and a walk back to the hotel with a stopover at the Merlion.And the underground skate scene in Singapore… how is it? Quite in the open. Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingSafe travels!00:00 Day Plan Teaser00:32 Visa Run Mishap01:50 Heat And Tourist Pace03:36 Early Start No Window04:26 Sentosa Luge Basics06:43 Chairlift Nerves08:36 Tourism Staff Vibes10:43 Beach Hopping Tour13:09 Cleaners And Crowds16:44 Phone Lost And Found18:47 Singapore Food Mix20:05 Tim Hortons And Toast Box22:16 VivoCity Food Court23:11 Douyin Coupons Debate25:22 Basement Food Finds25:46 Mr Coconut Shake25:56 Papaya Popiah Rolls26:50 Mochi Rice Treats28:24 A&W Expectations Clash31:38 Food Court Drink Drama33:29 How It Tasted34:29 Michelin Popiah Recap36:03 Gardens Light Show38:36 Singapore Versus China39:23 Merlion And Marina Walk44:44 Underpass Youth Scene46:45 Anti Drug Messaging48:58 Wrap Up And Links
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SSAB - July 1, 2026
1w ago00:40:54Tap to summarizeHappy Canada Day!Made it to Singapore and enjoying my time.How was the flight over? Did you get over the visa incident? Had a few people reach out to commiserate, empathize and sympathize. Off to Universal Studios Singapore AGAIN! Did we get all the rides in? YES! Well… I did. The gf’s niece and sister didn’t want to go on the super fast rides, but we went on a few of the moderate ones and the big screen rides as well. A few shows, but Waterworld is closed until the end of December. Despite what I said yesterday, none of the rides seemed closed today, though the Battle Stare Galactica had technical issues throughout the day which meant they closed… then reopened with much shorter rides.What’s the plan for tomorrow?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingSafe travels!00:00 Canada Day Arrival00:28 Visa Overstay Story03:27 Law Lessons and Fines08:36 Singapore Heat and Hotel09:53 Audio Podcast vs Video13:39 Midnight Flight Review18:09 Why Singapore Works21:36 Universal Studios Day25:22 Rides Lines and Food37:50 Tomorrow Plans and Wrap
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SSAB - June 30, 2026
1w ago00:52:24Tap to summarizeWell, happy pre-Canada Day, now pay 500 RMB and leave the country within the next 24 hours.So what happened and why? What’s the solution and where to next?Will it still be Singapore or… will you renew your visa?Anything else happy to talk about? VPN’s dead. AND… you can take 50 grams of gold and silver out of China without declaring it. Duly noted.Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Cold Open Visa Panic00:39 Who I Am And What Happened01:52 Airport Stop At Passport Control05:46 No Onsite Fix Flight Lost07:29 Police Pickup And Charge Translation08:56 Station Intake Translator And Emotions10:40 Inventory And Phone Concerns12:10 Inside The Holding Cell16:37 Waiting Lunch And Rule Double Standards20:26 Manager Interrogation Fine And Visa Extension25:40 Visa Overstay Shock26:51 Taiwan Visa Argument28:43 How China Counts Days31:15 Fine Before You Leave34:26 Paperwork and Cameras36:44 500 RMB and Transcript39:03 Holding Cell Waiting42:54 Released and Family Fallout44:46 Rebooking Singapore Flight47:57 Lessons and Final Warning
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SSAB - June 29, 2026
1w ago00:51:30Tap to summarizeEnd of the month and preparing to go yet again! Don’t be late, though this time the gf paid!Sorting stuff and throwing out! When we get back it might be time to get seriousRead a book on how to make it on YouTube, I think I’m doing it wrong. WHERE’S YOUR STORY??And went to see an acrobatics performance… WOW! What would you do if one of them showed up late to class, or missed it entirely??Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great start of week!!00:00 Packing and deadlines00:38 China visa countdown01:51 Singapore flight mixup04:06 Decluttering travel wardrobe08:33 Sentimental shirts11:33 Selling stuff and lease risk14:04 Life speeds up in your 40s18:32 Universal Studios plans21:16 YouTube grind and blueprint25:07 Aristotle and Storycraft26:39 Vlog Inspirations and Formats29:25 Story Versus Plot Basics30:01 YouTube Blueprint Takeaways34:21 Passion Versus Teaching37:51 Document or Present Language Learning40:50 Singapore Plans and Video Ideas41:58 Chinese Acrobat Show Highlights49:31 Packing Up and Sign Off
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SSAB - June 26, 2026
2w ago00:44:20Tap to summarizeMarkets slammed! Why? Who knows! Chinese stonks a dropping even HARDER!Building up the website bit by bit, why not just use Wordpress? Let’s try to vibe code it.Workout in! Deadlifts.. OWIE! 120kg for 3 reps. Should’ve warmed up first. Still managed to get the weighted run done in: 6.51 km in 1hr 2 min 17 sec. 70 pull up, 140 push ups, 210 squats… what about the others? Did 30-40 weighted pull ups in the gym this morning.Using DeepSeek on my evening walks! New little routine is record this podcast then head on out for a walk, a listen and a read using all China-based APPs.Throwing stuff out and in need of new gym clothes!And a new TV!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great weekend!00:00 No Warmup Regrets00:33 Deadlift Back Scare04:34 Murph Run Breakdown08:14 New TV Upgrade11:10 Waking Up at 3AM14:18 Markets Get Slammed16:34 Chart Patterns and Moving Averages19:56 Tracking Stocks and Disclaimers21:44 Gold Options Check-In23:56 China Stocks Oversold Play27:35 Market Snapshot Chaos28:13 Building a Simple Website34:29 Teaching vs Consulting Pivot37:55 DeepSeek Language Walk Routine42:10 Decluttering Before Singapore43:00 Links Thanks and Sign-Off
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SSAB - June 25, 2026
2w ago00:46:23Tap to summarizeTo the embassy I go to get not ONE, but TWO copies certified of my degree. What’s the latest? It IS an authentication that can be used IN CHINA! What does HR lady do? Goes to CSCE to check and lo and behold, YES it can be used! Does she even know what she’s doing? “I’ve never had someone apply from within Beijing before.” Maybe you should have said something.GOLD hitting 873 SELL 887 BUY per gram RMB. What about that China article?https://sinocism.notion.site/Implementation-Opinions-of-the-Ministry-of-Commerce-and-8-Other-Departments-on-Accelerating-the-Deve-38384ece41d781d5b4fde17458782cf9?pvs=27&qid=1%3Ad6203849-c2e4-498b-a64b-0e7e40c90763%3A0-basically says everything should be AI, wired up and “intelligent”-elderly care-smart technologies of all sorts (school cafeterias, home appliances, tourist destinations)Collagen gone, how’s the supplement stack now? Still taking ashwaghanda, fish oil, MCT coconut oil, Maca, Ubiquinol, Milk Thistle, Magnesium and Zinc. How’re you feeling?Waking up at 3 am for some reason. And Steve, didn’t you say you had to leave the country. Where are you going next?! SINGAPORE!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Embassy Paperwork Quest00:34 Job Offer and Visa Clock02:05 Apostille Confusion and HR Drama06:26 Embassy Visit and Certified Copies10:38 The $700 Police Check Mistake17:18 Deadlines and Decision Fatigue20:17 Gold Prices and Buying in China22:55 China Stocks and AI Push30:05 Supplement Stack Breakdown38:51 3 AM Wakeups and Anxiety41:08 Singapore Visa Run Plans45:10 Wrap Up and Links
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SSAB - June 24, 2026
2w ago00:45:37Tap to summarizeApostille update, re yesterday’s confusion. 1) Still have to send it to Ottawa, but then it has to go to the Chinese embassy to be authenticated. I’m ready to give up. Don’t care any more. I don’t think they even know what’s going on. Tomorrow I’ll go to the Canadian embassy anyway to get some documents in order.Stonk market a dropping! China stonks getting SLAMMED! Do they PROCEED a US sell off? That would a North American sell off into November. But look at those banks… wow. Let this be a lesson!China article: https://sinocism.notion.site/Implementation-Opinions-of-the-Ministry-of-Commerce-and-8-Other-Departments-on-Accelerating-the-Deve-38384ece41d781d5b4fde17458782cf9?pvs=27&qid=1%3Ad6203849-c2e4-498b-a64b-0e7e40c90763%3A0Alan Greenspan passes away at age 100.Getting points deducted from TikTok! Can’t live stream while displaying other documents?? Still using these as rehearsals for other publications.Thinking… if one minute shorts pull 1000 views and 10 cents, what about 6-8 minute daily vlogs? What if… what if they were daily musings on the life of an expat in China?Workout in! Upper body rows and shoulder presses, some legs for good measure. 7km run in 44.06. Should you do cardio before or after weights? And this thing has a recovery time. Ok?Building websites… bro, do you even know how to HTML?And yes, I forgot to put the audio file at the end of yesterday’s episode. Here’s another test.Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Mic Check Cold Open00:32 Podcast Setup And Rebrand Thoughts04:31 Substack Interviews And Audio Cleanup05:36 Xiaomi Watch Recording Test10:38 Workout Stats And Running Challenges13:10 Degree Apostille Visa Headache23:37 Markets Slide And Greenspan Obit29:42 China Stocks Signals And Bank Trades36:52 TikTok Points And Daily Vlog Plan43:47 Wrap Up And Mic Comparison Outro
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