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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Going on our regularly scheduled break next week. Check back on Oct. 5 for episode 67. Thanks as always for your support!

Inkbrush style painting of an old Chinese man leaning back on a cot. The words "On Break" are written on the painting.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In this week's episode, San Zang is determined to make good on his pledge to sweep every pagoda he comes across, and then gives up three floors from the top. chineselore.com/2026/09/21/j...

Woodcut illustration of San Zang sweeping the pagoda.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This week on Journey to the West, the pilgrims come across one of their favorite kinds of business to meddle in -- the religious persecution kind. chineselore.com/2026/09/21/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This week, deities from multiple religions get involved in Sun Wukong's beef with the Bull Demon King. chineselore.com/2026/09/14/j...

Woodcut illustration of various gods helping Sun Wukong tame the Bull Demon King and get the banana leaf fan.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Reminder: I'll be participating in several sessions of the Flights of Foundry virtual conference this Friday and Saturday (9/18-9/19). The times listed in the screenshot are EST. If you're interested, register at flights-of-foundry.org.

Screenshot showing the following events that John Zhu will be a part of:

- Friday, Sept 18, 8 p.m. EDT: Keynote interview

- Friday, Sept 18, 10 p.m. EDT: Beyond Grimm: World Folklore and Fairytales

- Friday, Sept. 18, 11:00 p.m. EDT: Chill-n-Chat with John Zhu

- Saturday, Sept. 19, 8:00 p.m. EDT: Romance of the Three Kingdoms & Chinese Lore Podcasts Meet-up

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

On this week's episode of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong gets a taste of his own medicine. chineselore.com/2026/09/14/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

If Princess Iron-fan was mad at Sun Wukong for getting her son the best forced internship ever, imagine how she'll react to his little stunt this week. chineselore.com/2026/09/07/j...

Woodcut image of Sun Wukong pretending to the Bull Demon King and sweet-talking Princess Iron-fan.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This week, Sun Wukong finds out that he's actually responsible for the fiery obstacle in his way. chineselore.com/2026/09/07/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The podcast is on break next week. Episode 64 will drop on Monday, Sept. 7.

A serene ink-wash scene of a lone fisherman in traditional robes and a conical straw hat sitting on a rocky riverbank, quietly fishing amid misty mountains and pine trees, with the words "On Break" written above.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This week on Journey to the West, Sun Wukong pays a call to his sworn brother's wife, but she's ... not a fan. chineselore.com/2026/08/24/j...

Woodcut illustration of Princess Iron-Fan giving Sun Wukong a fan.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

In this week's episode, the pilgrims debate if they've reached the ends of heaven or are feeling the effects of climate change. chineselore.com/2026/08/24/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Just stumbled across this: My Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast was mentioned at the end of last week's episode of The Ezra Klein Show at the New York Times. 🫨 www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/o... Thanks @hlntnr.bsky.social for the mention and for listening to the show!

Screenshot from Helen Toner's interview on "The Ezra Klein Show", with a thumbnail of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the lower right corner as she is recommending the podcast.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

In this week's episode, all the gods and deities take turns pawning their monkey problem onto somebody else. chineselore.com/2026/08/17/j...

Woodcut illustration of the two Sun Wukongs asking the Jade Emperor to sort out which is the real Sun Wukong.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Excited and honored to be part of the lineup at Flights of Foundry (9/18-9/20), a virtual convention with 3 days of wall-to-wall programming for creators and fans of speculative arts. I'll be participating in several sessions on 9/18-9/19. Schedule and registration: flights-of-foundry.org.

A screenshot of the Flights of Foundry home page, with a row of five headshots of Guests of Honors. From left: John Zhu, A/V Fiction; V.M. Ayala, A/V Nonfiction; Reimena Yee, Comics; Diana M. Pho, Editing; and Nghi Vo, Prose.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This week on Journey to the West, two Sun Wukongs is one Sun Wukong too many for heaven, earth, and everyone in between. chineselore.com/2026/08/17/j...

Two Sun Wukongs pointing at each other, as a parody of the popular meme of two Spider-men pointing at each other.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

In this week's episode, San Zang sends Sun Wukong packing, but the latter takes a couple souvenirs with him on the way out. chineselore.com/2026/08/10/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong going through San Zang's stuff.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

This week, Sun Wukong draws San Zang's ire, and then the tables turn. chineselore.com/2026/08/10/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Next week is the podcast's regularly scheduled break. Check back on Aug. 10 for episode 61 of Journey to the West.

Chinese inkbrush style painting of an old man leaning back on a cot, with the words "On Break" written on the image.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Sun Wukong's Airbnb review for the pilgrims' lodging this week: Hospitable hosts, but the beds felt like straw and there were shady characters in the area, including the hosts' own son. Offered to kill him for them for disgracing the family. Might stay here again. chineselore.com/2026/07/27/j...

Woodcut illustration of San Zang encountering bandits on the road

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

This week on Journey to the West, Sun Wukong slays the living and then talks smack to the dead. chineselore.com/2026/07/27/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

In this week's episode, San Zang's abductor invites him to ... umm ... try her buns. chineselore.com/2026/07/20/j...

The scorpion demon telling San Zang to “taste her buns”.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The demon of the week on Journey to the West proves to be a handful for the disciples, so much so that she even dares to talk smack about the Buddha. chineselore.com/2026/07/20/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

This week on Journey to the West, San Zang would rather die than to lie with the queen, but has no problem lying TO the queen. chineselore.com/2026/07/13/j...

Woodcut illustration of San Zang telling the queen of the Kingdom of Women that he was just kidding about marrying her.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

We return from break to find San Zang trying his best to keep the queen's hands off himself in the Kingdom of Women. chineselore.com/2026/07/13/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Next week is the show's regular break. Episode 58 will drop on Monday, July 13. As always, thanks for your support!

Inkbrush painting of a Chinese fisherman sitting by a stream, holding a fishing rod. The words "On Break" are written on top of the painting.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

In this week's episode, religious zealots cutting off women's access to abortions only becomes a problem when men are inconvenienced by unwanted pregnancies. And then it's war! chineselore.com/2026/06/29/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong fighting against the Daoist priest Ruyi while Sha Zeng steals some of the magic spring water that induces abortions.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This week on Journey to the West, apparently a kingdom of only women who have done just fine without a patriarchy wishes for nothing more than a patriarchy to rule them for all eternity. chineselore.com/2026/06/29/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

At his wit's end about the origins of the Rhino King, Sun Wukong turns to the Buddha, who has the answer but jerks Wukong around instead of just giving it to him straight. chineselore.com/2026/06/22/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong asking the Buddha for help.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

This week, San Zang swears up and down that he will always listen to Sun Wukong from now on, just like the last time he got into trouble. chineselore.com/2026/06/22/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This week, Wukong goes to some extreme measures to free his master, like flooding the demon's cave even if it means drowning his master. chineselore.com/2026/06/15/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong asking the Yellow River God to unleash his power of water against the demons.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

We're back from break, and Sun Wukong is back at Golden Pocket Cave with some celestial reinforcements in his battle against the Rhino King. chineselore.com/2026/06/15/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The podcast will be on break next week. Episode 55 of Journey to the West will drop on Monday, June 15.

Chinese inkbrush painting of a man fishing by a stream, with the words "On Break".

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

In this week's episode, the worst trap ever meets the most obliviously obstinate desire to fall into a trap. Who wins? chineselore.com/2026/06/01/j...

Woodcut illustration of Zhu Bajie and Sha Zeng falling for the Rhino King's tricky vests while San Zang looks on helplessly.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This week on Journey to the West, San Zang and company set out to find trouble just because their DoorDash was a tad late delivering their food on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. 🙄 chineselore.com/2026/06/01/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

This week on Journey to the West, Guanyin comes to the pilgrims' aid while still in her PJs. chineselore.com/2026/05/25/j...

Guanyin being worshipped by members of the Chen Family Village

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

In this week's episode, a water creature offers to do the pilgrims a big favor out of gratitude, so Sun Wukong thanks him by running a rope through his nose and threatening to hit him on the head. chineselore.com/2026/05/25/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

This week, Sun Wukong admits that there IS something he can't do well when it comes to demon-taming, and pawns it off on Sha Zeng and Zhu Bajie instead. chineselore.com/2026/05/18/j...

Woodcut illustration of Zhu Bajie and Sha Zeng facing against the demon king underwater while Sun Wukong waits on the surface of the river.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

In this week's episode, San Zang gets introduced to the demonic version of an underwater meat locker. chineselore.com/2026/05/18/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Programming note: The podcast is on its regular break next week. Episode 52 will drop on Monday, May 18.

Chines inkbrush painting of a man leaning back on a bamboo lounge chair, with the words "On Break".

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

This week, we secretly replaced the demon king's annual tribute with a monkey and a pig. Let's see if he notices. chineselore.com/2026/05/04/j...

Woodcut illustration of the Chen Family Village delivering the annual sacrifice to the temple.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

This week on Journey to the West, Sun Wukong finds out his hosts' children were about to be eaten by a demon, and suggests they solve the problem by offering someone else's kids to the demon instead. chineselore.com/2026/05/04/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

This week, Sun Wukong gets to lean back, relax, and slip into a boiling oil bath. chineselore.com/2026/04/27/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong bathing in a cauldron of boiling oil.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

In episode 50 of Journey to the West, the pilgrims come across ... yawn ... another impassable river. chineselore.com/2026/04/27/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

This week on Journey to the West, the king keeps trying to let the pilgrims go on their way, but his Daoist priests just don't know when to quit. chineselore.com/2026/04/20/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

We're back from break, just in time to watch the scintillating meditation faceoff between San Zang and Tiger Immortal. chineselore.com/2026/04/20/j...

Woodcut illustration of San Zang and Tiger Immortal competing to see who can sit still the longest.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The podcast is on its regularly scheduled break next week. Episode 49 will drop on Monday, 4/20.

Chinese inkbrush painting of a fisherman angling by a stream, with the words "On Break".

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

In this week's episode, the Daoists resorts their magic to summon the rain, while Sun Wukong resorts to good ol' fashioned threats against the rain gods. chineselore.com/2026/04/06/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong threatening the rain gods while Tiger Immortal conducts his rain-summoning rituals.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

This week on Journey to the West, the pilgrims and the local Daoists face off in a contest over whose religion is the best religion. Or is it over whether the pilgrims should get away with murder? chineselore.com/2026/04/06/j...

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

This week, Sun Wukong turns slow carts into busted carts, and he's just getting started. chineselore.com/2026/03/30/j...

Woodcut illustration of Sun Wukong destroying carts and freeing monks.

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Chinese Lore Podcasts @chineselore.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

In this week's episode of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong and his brothers satiate their late-night munchies and have some fun with their foes at the same time. chineselore.com/2026/03/30/j...

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