The man making a business out of China’s burnout generation

The Audio Long Read

The Guardian

Society & Culture

4.3 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Li Jianxiong was a highflying marketing executive in Beijing until a breakdown sent him to the west on a wellness voyage of discovery – just as his peers were losing faith in the Chinese Dream. By Chang Che. Read by Vincent Lai. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is The Guardian.
0:09.0	Getting money from clients can feel like trying to wrestle honey from a grisly bear
0:12.6	that hasn't eaten in days.
0:15.3	While an amorous skunk clings to your leg.
0:17.7	Not now, skunky.
0:18.8	But with zero online invoice payments through Stripe and Go Cardless,
0:21.8	you can give customers more ways to pay and keep your cash flow flowing.
0:25.9	Soon, rather than wrestling a grizzly bear,
0:28.0	it feels more like you're cuddling a koala bear.
0:30.2	Aw.
0:31.1	On a really soft sofa, while watching your favourite soap.
0:34.2	I can't believe she was his mother.
0:36.6	The healthy business, search zero with an ex.
0:41.3	People can't stop talking about Golden Globe nominated for Best Picture Drama, September 5.
0:46.2	There's a hostage situation right now in the Olympic Village.
0:48.8	A claustrophobic masterpiece, The Times, Ed Potten.
0:51.8	ABC wants news to take over.
0:53.1	Your sports, you're in way over your head.
0:54.9	Based on true events.
0:56.1	If they shoot someone on live television,
0:58.3	whose story is that?
0:59.2	Is it ours or is it theirs?
	...

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