Podcast festival unites young creators worldwide to share ideas and amplify the power of youth voices.
A group of international podcasters demonstrated how young voices are redefining cultural exchange at the first Gen Z International Podcast Festival — one episode at a time.
The event's award ceremony took place on Dec 22 at the Communication University of China (CUC).
Since its launch in July 2023, the initiative received 675 podcast submissions from creators across more than 10 countries and regions, in languages including Chinese, English, Italian, and Thai. Ultimately, 26 entries were recognized with awards.
Among the winners was Liu Yukuan, a 20-year-old student at CUC's School of International Studies, whose podcast "Liudehua FM" (FM for Foreign Students in China) focuses on sharing practical tips and addressing cultural differences for international students in China. It was named one of the best podcasts in the intercultural communication category.
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Liu drew inspiration for the podcast from his daily observations. He noticed that international students often face challenges upon arriving in China, such as navigating subway systems using QR codes or finding job application resources before graduation.
"These are hardly problems for Chinese students, but I was surprised to discover that it usually takes a lot of time for international students to find solutions," Liu said.
By collecting questions from international students around him and providing guidance in both Chinese and English, Liu has continuously received feedback from his foreign friends, which has encouraged him to keep updating his channel.
Yu Yujun and Zhang Xinwen, two 20-year-old students at Yanching Institute of Technology in Langfang, Hebei province, shared Liu's intention to help others.
They created the podcast "Taiyouzhongle! Girl" (Girl, You're Fantastic!), which earned them a prize in the creative topics category.
In the podcast, Yu and Zhang share inspiring stories of prominent women, such as top Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen.
They also help their fans address everyday challenges typically faced by women. For example, one listener shared her struggle with finding self-esteem and confidence in romantic relationships, explaining that she had never felt cherished or praised by her parents while growing up.
"We hope to help our audience see things from different perspectives and discover their inner power instead of being trapped in self-doubt," Zhang said. "We want to bring warmth and strength to more women."
Through recording the podcast, Yu and Zhang not only guide their audience through hardships but also gain a deeper understanding of feminine power themselves.
"We don't have to be politicians or leaders to be powerful women; we all shine in our own light — no matter how dim it might seem. Whether in our careers or for our families, women's power may be tender, but it is firm," Yu said.
Zhang Keting, 20, a student majoring in international communication at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China in Zhejiang province, has been managing the podcast "Kuangyedianbo" (Radio Wave from the Wilderness) since its debut in September 2023.
The podcast targets college students, inviting experienced professors and alumni to share their insights and advice on topics such as job application, future planning, basic money management, and how to develop a life attitude with an international perspective.
"They say, 'Life is not a track but a field.' We hope that by providing students with more information, they can make well-rounded decisions and feel encouraged to break free from life's set tracks to embrace broader opportunities," Zhang said.
Global insights
At the award ceremony, Zhang was surprised to see many international participants and felt a sense of pride when she discovered that they were telling stories about China through podcasts.
One such participant is Anurak Kitpaiboonthawee from Thailand, who has been exposed to Chinese literature since childhood and has worked as a Chinese-Thai translator for 20 years.
His podcast, "Mitrting Point", a term harmonized to mean "exchange of ideas" in Thai, is deeply rooted in his experiences as a translator and his passion for Chinese culture.
For example, in the first episode, Kitpaiboonthawee discussed Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese game that went viral worldwide last year, including in Thailand.
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To help Thai gamers better understand the game, Kitpaiboonthawee introduced the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West — the story that inspired the game — drawing on knowledge gained through his translation experience.
Kitpaiboonthawee said he was delighted to attend the award ceremony, where he met many creators and recognized the potential of podcasts.
"Podcasting is still in its early stage in Thailand, while in China, it is already well-developed and produced on a professional level. By exchanging ideas with podcast creators at this event, I see a great future for podcasting in Thailand," he said.
"Although we seem to be living in an era dominated by visuals, audio products have carved out a unique market in recent years, especially among young people," said Zhou Ting, the festival's program director and the executive director of CUC's Institute of Regional and National Communication.
"By bringing young podcasters from around the world together, we aim to help them connect with one another and exchange insights on creativity and production. We also hope to link them with more resources, such as cutting-edge techniques, podcasting networks, and future opportunities," she added.
