Insider Stories｜Producer Zhang Ao: International news is like a TV series; I will sort out its historical background so that the audience understands why it happens

English Version

When I first opened the program page for "Classmate Zhang Ao (张奥同学) ," I was astonished to find that the podcast had over 1,000 episodes. Since 2019, "Classmate Zhang Ao" has been continuously updated for more than five years, posting daily except on weekends and holidays. This immediately reminded me of another daily podcast, "Sheng Espresso (声动早咖啡)." However, "Sheng Espresso" is the result of teamwork, while "Classmate Zhang Ao" is produced by Zhang Ao alone. I couldn't help but wonder, how does Zhang Ao, by herself, manage to accomplish what a team does?

I started searching for information about "Classmate Zhang Ao" and came across an episode of "Xie Gang Institute," where Zhang Ao was interviewed—"From Radio to Podcast: A Journalist's Decade-Long Passion for Broadcasting." After listening to the episode, I understood that Zhang Ao is a veteran journalist. She has worked as both a sports and financial reporter at radio stations, always actively seeking innovation. She has hosted two shows on her own, reporting on entrepreneurship as well as international news. Journalism is truly her passion.

The episode, released in 2022, provided a good background on Zhang Ao's work and study experiences in both China and the United States. Building on that, I wanted to explore the behind-the-scenes production of "Classmate Zhang Ao" and her interactions with listeners. I believe that after two and a half years, Zhang Ao must have developed new ideas about podcasting, and there must be new stories between her and her audience. After some effort, I was able to contact Zhang Ao, who readily agreed to my interview.

During our conversation, I could directly feel Zhang Ao's passion for journalism. Even though she left the industry and transitioned to business development after moving to the U.S., she consciously leverages her position to focus on global events happening in China, the U.S., and other countries. She could easily choose not to do this, but it seems she feels a sense of responsibility to provide Chinese listeners, often trapped in a single narrative, with a different perspective—helping them understand a more multidimensional world.

Because her target audience is primarily in China, Zhang Ao frequently faces censorship when producing her program. She knows that podcasts discussing Chinese news might be criticized by netizens or removed by platforms, so she adopts certain strategies to mitigate risks. For example, when reporting on the pandemic, she takes a comparative approach, explaining China's pandemic policies and contrasting them with those of European countries or the U.S., without judging right or wrong. Instead, she presents different approaches and lets her listeners think for themselves about how pandemic policies can better balance safety and freedom.

In terms of format, "Classmate Zhang Ao" also has its own distinctive features. Each episode begins with a casual chat where Zhang Ao shares her recent experiences—sometimes about her life in the U.S., other times about her business trips or travel. This quickly brings her closer to the audience, making listeners feel like they're hearing from a friend, preventing the content from feeling dry. Afterward, she delves into the news, usually focusing on one or two pieces, and explains the relevant historical context, helping listeners understand the broader picture.

What surprised me even more was the deep interaction between "Classmate Zhang Ao" and its audience. Through the podcast, Zhang Ao has met listeners from various backgrounds living all over the world. She often invites some listeners to record episodes and share their personal experiences living in different countries. She has also launched a book club, curating reading lists and leading discussions every weekend. She encourages friends to share their insights and discuss issues, recording the best moments to feature in her podcast. In this way, "Classmate Zhang Ao" becomes a podcast co-created by both Zhang Ao and her listeners, featuring perspectives from both sides.

The connection between Zhang Ao and her listeners has extended beyond the online realm. She dines and goes out with listeners and has even received custom-made gifts from them. Some listeners, knowing how challenging it is for her to run "Classmate Zhang Ao," have asked why she doesn't monetize it. Some have even offered to donate, but she has declined all offers. For Zhang Ao, producing "Classmate Zhang Ao" is not about making money; as long as she enjoys the process, she feels content.

The detailed interview with Zhang Ao is as follows.

Table of Contents:

Why would a BD do a news podcast?

How can news interpretation be both insightful and interesting?

What's the trick to making an episode in 90 minutes?

What countries do you follow regularly and how do you cover China news?

What trends can be seen through the annual news roundup?

How is diverse and deep audience interaction achieved?

How does censorship intensity and listener performance vary across platforms?

How has a business trip to Taiwan improved your understanding of Taiwanese?