On The Ground in China

About On The Ground in China

Follow Aubrey and Doug to explore On The Ground in China, where global headlines meet lived experience. Hear our ethnographic blending with statistical approach to highlight experience from the Chinese communities that rarely make it into Western conversations.

Publisher

OGL

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Jan 2026

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   President Xi coming to the White House

   Hi friend, Welcome back to On The Ground in China Episode 18! In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Professor Doug Guthrie look ahead to a historic diplomatic milestone: President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visit to the White House to meet with Donald Trump. Following Trump’s spring visit to Beijing—where he brought an entourage of 17 high-profile American CEOs to the symbolic Temple of Heaven—Xi is traveling alone as the singular "CEO of China". We examine the evolving dynamics of this "G2" relationship, the slow erosion of Western manufacturing self-sufficiency, and how steady, long-term strategic execution continues to challenge Western trade policy. Later in the show, Doug and Aubrey tackle the widening philosophical chasm in artificial intelligence: why the U.S. is channeling resources into social chatbots and conversational agents, while China is systematically using AI to engineer the most sophisticated industrial supply chains on the planet. Expect to learn: The White House Summit: What Xi Jinping arriving solo signals about Beijing’s posture compared to Trump’s 17-CEO delegation in May. The Temple of Heaven vs. The Oval Office: How the choice of diplomatic backdrops reflects ancient symbolic authority versus conventional Western statecraft. The Tariff Dilemma: Why tariffs fail to revive domestic industry when the underlying factory supply ecosystems take decades to recreate. AI’s Real Battlefield: How Chinese tech leaders like Lens Technology’s Zhou Qunfei are applying AI to precision manufacturing rather than chatbots. A Cultural Cautionary Tale: What the history of globalization, trade anxieties, and American industrial politics can teach us about today's geopolitical tensions. Filling the Aid Vacuum: How China’s Belt and Road Initiative steps in across Africa and the Global South as Western aid programs pull back. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp 00:30 Introduction: Gas Prices, Politics, and Everyday Pressures 01:40 Setting the Stage: Xi Jinping’s Upcoming White House Summit 03:00 Flashback to May: The “G2” Narrative and 17 American CEOs in Beijing 06:45 The Solo Diplomat: Xi Arriving as the Singular “CEO of China” 07:30 Temple of Heaven to the Oval Office: Decoding Diplomatic Symbolism 09:15 Immigration Trends, Brain Drain, and the Global Vacuum 10:41 Slow and Steady: Supply Chains, Outsourcing History, and the 2032 Projection 13:45 Tariffs and Supply Realities: Apple, TSMC, and BYD in Michigan 16:44 Reflections on Globalization: From 1990s Classrooms to Industrial Anxieties 22:10 The State of AI: Critical Thinking in Education vs. Calculator Syndrome 26:45 Industrial AI: How DeepSeek and Factory Automation Eclipse Chatbots 30:21 Feeding the AI vs. Feeding the Human: Aubrey’s Tech Startup Story 35:38 Global Favorability Shifts: Soft Power, USAID Cuts, and Belt & Road 38:39 Semiconductor Supply Crunches and Looking Ahead to TSMC in Arizona --------- Visit Our Website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (https://ongloballeadership.com) Learn more about Doug Guthrie and contact us here: ProfGuthrie.com (https://profguthrie.com/)

2. 

   12 Sept 2026

   Inside Apple & China: What Tim Cook Left Behind

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 17! Apple has announced that Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO, marking the end of one of the most transformative leadership tenures in modern business history. While Steve Jobs was celebrated as the ultimate product visionary, it was Tim Cook’s operational genius that scaled Apple into a multi-trillion-dollar titan—largely by weaving the company directly into the industrial fabric of China. In this episode, Aubrey Martinson sits down with Professor Doug Guthrie, former Senior Director of Apple University in China (2014–2019), for an insider look at how Apple navigated the era of Xi Jinping. Doug breaks down the untold story of Apple’s supply chain: how embedding operations managers rather than hardware engineers transferred crucial “tacit knowledge” to Chinese factories, why Beijing began recognizing Apple’s $55 billion annual labor spend as fixed-asset investment, and what the transition to engineer John Ternus means for the future of hardware innovation. Expect to learn: The Tim Cook Legacy: How an operations master transformed Apple into the world’s most valuable company by betting on China’s manufacturing clusters. The $55 Billion Breakthrough: How Apple convinced the Chinese government that teaching supply line efficiency counted as fixed-asset investment rather than mere cheap labor extraction. Tacit Knowledge over Tech Transfer: The story of Lens Technology’s Zhou Qunfei and how Apple embedded operations leaders onto factory floors to master touchscreen glass production. The Second-Order Effect: How the industrial clusters Apple helped build laid the foundation for China’s electric vehicle boom and companies like BYD. The Three-Tier Strategy: Why success in China requires coordinated alignment across central authorities, provincial leaders, and municipal governments. Passing the Torch to John Ternus: What moving from an operations-first CEO to a hardware engineer signals about Apple’s next chapter of product innovation. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp 00:35 Introduction & Catching Up on Recent Travels 01:34 Consulting in China: Deploying the Three-Tier Strategy for AMP 05:16 Justin Yifu Lin and the Power of Government Relationships in China 07:15 Tim Cook Announces Departure: Setting the Stage 08:15 From Steve Jobs to Tim Cook: Balancing Product Vision with Operations Mastery 10:45 China Joins the WTO (2001): Ending Quid Pro Quo Market Access 14:00 Building the Network: Managing 1,600 Suppliers Across China 18:27 The Xi Jinping Era Begins: Consumer Day 2013 and Apple’s Wake-Up Call 21:30 The CSR Crisis & The Floating Population Labor Law Shift 29:08 The Legendary Story of Justin Yifu Lin 32:59 Mattresses on the Factory Floor: Zhou Qunfei, Touchscreen Glass, and Tacit Knowledge 36:20 The Breakthrough: Reclassifying $55 Billion in Labor as Fixed-Asset Investment 39:49 From iPhones to EVs: How Apple’s Supply Chain Model Built BYD and Changzhou 44:38 Geopolitical Realities: Trade Wars, Canada, and the Global South 46:17 The John Ternus Era: Where Does Apple Go From Here? Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) Learn more about Doug Guthrie and contact us here: ProfGuthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

3. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Inside China's Economic Anxiety: The "Lying Flat" Generation & Trump's 3-Year Stability Pact

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 16! Subscribe now (%%checkout_url%%) Professor Doug Guthrie is back from an intensive two-week, boots-on-the-ground research trip across China. Traveling through major economic hubs like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenyang, Doug embedded himself with local officials and industry leaders to see how the country is truly navigating its next economic chapter. Despite the recent diplomatic relief of a new bilateral pact, Doug caught a palpable wave of anxiety and nervousness among senior Chinese officials regarding youth unemployment, crashing domestic markets, and long-term stability. Expect to learn: The “Lying Flat” Crisis: How the cultural ripple effects of the One-Child Policy created Tangping (the “lying flat” generation), leading to an unmotivated youth labor pool and staggering generational unemployment. Trump’s 3-Year Stability Pact: Inside the uncharacteristically docile agreement of “constructive strategic stability” struck between Trump and Xi, perfectly timed to cover the remainder of Trump’s presidency. The 40% Savings Divide: Why Chinese citizens refuse to spend money despite Beijing’s heavy promotion of a domestic consumption economy, heavily rooted in centuries of Taoist and Confucian philosophy. The Rust Belt Playbook: What rising Chinese manufacturing cities are learning from the post-industrial economic and cultural transformations of American Midwest cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Cleveland. The Hidden Power of Ningbo: A look inside the quiet city of 10 million people that has rapidly grown to become the largest container shipping port in China and the fourth largest in the world. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp: 00:34 Recap of Doug Guthrie’s 2-Week Return to China 01:59 Reconnecting with the OGL Team in Shanghai 02:51 Port Tours and Regional Focus: Ningbo, Guangdong, and the Rise of Liaoning Province 07:33 Shifting Vibes: Feeling a Palpable Sense of Anxiety and Fear in across the Pacific 11:22 The Consumption Weapon: Adam Smith’s Virtuous Cycle vs. China’s 40% Savings Rate 14:30 The Auto Export Boom: Why BYD is Moving Globally 17:49 Local Governments as Industrial Firms: Fostering Regional Entrepreneurship 20:55 Lessons from the Midwest: Applying Rust Belt Transformation Strategies to China 25:51 Demographics & Disillusionment: The Reality of the Tangping (”Lying Flat”) Generation 28:15 Technical Re-alignment: Vocational Training for Smart Manufacturing & AI 31:59 Constructive Strategic Stability: De-escalating the Trade War on Air Force One 34:45 Congressional Friction: Why Chuck Schumer and U.S. Lawmakers Still Oppose Chinese EV Entry 38:39 The New Structural Economics: China’s Expanding Leadership in the Expanded BRICS Bloc Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

4. 

   22 May 2026

   Geopolitics & Symbolism: Meeting at the Temple of Heaven

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 15! The long-anticipated, highly telegraphed summit between President Trump and Chairman Xi Jinping in Beijing has concluded. Despite widespread expectations for an explosive, 2017-style meeting defined by aggressive tariff blockades , the post-summit news reflects a vastly different outcome. In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Doug Guthrie analyze why the quiet nature of this summit actually signals a major symbolic victory for China. We examine the immense corporate stakes riding on this dialogue where the economic health of 19 American business heavyweights hung in the balance and why President Trump ultimately tempered his aggressive trade stance. We also decode the profound cultural diplomacy at play, transitioning the historical meeting spot from the Forbidden City to the deeply symbolic Temple of Heaven. Expect to learn: The Post-Summit Verdict: A breakdown of the key agendas: Trade, the Strait of Hormuz, and Taiwan. And why China emerged looking significantly stronger The Temple of Heaven Symbolism: The historical significance of why Beijing chose this specific mid-1400s monument to stage a modern geopolitical dialogue. The 2032 Timeline Status: Why OGL is maintaining its projection for China to become the world’s largest economy based on a steady 4.5% growth rate. The “Lying Down” Generation (Tangping): A deep look into China’s demographic constraints and the legacy of the One-Child Policy The Global Supply Shift: Why some suppliers migrating manufacturing nodes to Southeast Asia and India isn’t harming China’s economic engine. Timestamp 00:35 Introduction and Post-Summit Reflections 01:39 Breaking Down the Agenda: Did Much Actually Happen? 03:36 The Geopolitical Stalemate & Public Perceptions of American Power 05:17 Corporate Dependencies: Why Tesla, Apple, and Nvidia Moderated the Rhetoric 07:45 Cultural Diplomacy: The Forbidden City vs. The Temple of Heaven 12:23 Will the Summit Accelerate China’s Path to the Number One Spot? 14:12 Labor Markets on the Ground: Job Shifting and Supplier Diversification 15:28 The Demographic Crisis: One-Child Policy Backlash & Tangping 25:17 Analyzing the 15th Five-Year plan Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

5. 

   14 May 2026

   The G2 Summit in Beijing: Can CEOs Save U.S.-China Relations from the Brink?

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 14! The wait is over. President Trump has arrived in Beijing for high-stakes meetings on May 13th and 14th, 2026. In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Professor Doug Guthrie analyze the composition of the U.S. delegation and the massive geopolitical hurdles facing both leaders. From the ongoing conflict in Iran to the non-negotiable “One China” policy regarding Taiwan, this summit is a defining moment for the global economy. We discuss the strategic decision to bring an entourage of “heavy hitter” CEOs, just to name a few: Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Larry Fink. This sends a clear signal: despite political friction, the U.S. and China remain economically “married.” Expect to learn: The CEO Entourage: Why representatives from Apple, Tesla, Boeing, BlackRock, and Cargill are essential to these negotiations. The “Married” Economy: A look at Apple’s Chinese suppliers and why “decoupling” remains a mathematical impossibility for major U.S. firms. The Tariff Trap: Why raising prices at the border fails when domestic manufacturing supply chains take decades to build. The Taiwan Question: A deep dive into the complex history of the “One China” policy 15th Five-Year Plan: Why China’s focus on energy independence and vocational education is positioning itself to become the world’s largest economy Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction: The long-awaited meeting in Beijing. 01:2 1 The List: Musk, Cook, Fink, and the “G2” business delegation. 03:08 Why Partnership wins over Trade Wars: The OGL Perspective. 08:34 The U.S. Position: Navigating the Supreme Court’s tariff rulings and the Iran conflict. 10:37 Analyzing the Logic of Tariffs: Tesla vs. Apple. 16:12 What the U.S brings to the table: Finance, AI, and White-Collar Expertise. 20:16 The History of “Consumer Day” and how Apple survived Xi Jinping’s early years. 23:00 How Doug Guthrie helped Apple in China 25:03 The Taiwan Question: Arms sales, historical context, and the risk of conflict. 36:14 The 15th Five-Year Plan: Reopening Foreign Joint-Venture Universities. 38:32 Our advice to Business Leaders looking to enter Chinese market Stay tuned for our follow-up episode, where we will recap the results of this historic meeting and what it means for your business. Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

6. 

   12 May 2026

   Upcoming Xi-Trump meeting: The G2 Summit Reality and Why China is Winning the EV War

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 13! Subscribe now (%%checkout_url%%) With less than a few days to go before President Trump’s high-stakes visit to Beijing, the world is watching to see if the U.S. and China can return to a “G2” partnership. In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Professor Doug Guthrie discuss the immense pressure on both nations as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, driving gas prices up and causing significant economic pain for Chinese citizens. We also take a deep dive into the extraordinary rise of BYD. Drawing on recent research from Thunderbird’s students, we explore how this Chinese powerhouse surpassed Tesla by leveraging a “system vs. system” advantage. From its origins as a battery manufacturer in Changzhou to its current status as the world’s leading EV seller, BYD’s success reveals the true depth of China’s sophisticated manufacturing supply chain. Expect to learn: The “G2” Expectations: Why Chinese citizens are skeptical of the Trump visit, viewing the U.S. less as a model economy and more as a “troublesome distraction”. Beyond Subsidies: Why supply chain depth, engineer classes, and policy execution, rather than just state money, are the real drivers of China’s industrial climb. The Case of BYD: How a local government in Jiangsu province helped foster an industrial cluster that allowed BYD to crush global revenue and sales records. The “Ocean Silk Road”: China’s strategic expansion into the Global South and its leadership within the expanded BRICS economy. Cultural Competence: Why history, local political economy, and even country-specific AI tools are essential for doing successful business in China. Timestamp 00:34 Introduction: Current Events: U.S. Treasury urges China to help open the Strait of Hormuz 03:49 The Impact of the Iran War: Oil prices and the delay of the March summit 06:09 Public Sentiment: Why Chinese citizens are losing faith in the U.S. model 08:43 The “Married” Economies: Why Apple and Tesla still depend on Chinese partnerships 13:03 Beyond Subsidies (https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3351863/beyond-subsidies-whats-really-driving-chinas-industrial-climb?module=opinion&pgtype=section): What is truly driving China’s manufacturing edge? 22:07 BYD Deep Dive: Presentations from students at Thunderbird 23:10 How BYD is ahead in the EV war 25:01 Industrial Clusters: The story of battery manufacturing in Changzhou 28:40 Drone Technology: Why the U.S. is at risk of falling behind in commercial tech 30:27 Cultural Competence in Thunderbird: Why culture and history matter in global leadership 36:09 Final Thoughts: Interconnectivity and the upcoming leadership talks Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

7. 

   1 May 2026

   China's Space Race: How China is competing with the U.S

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 12! In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Doug Guthrie explore the high-stakes evolution of U.S.-China relations as we approach a critical mid-May summit between President Trump and Chairman Xi. We dive into why the “G2” concept—the recognition of the U.S. and China as the world’s two indispensable economic leaders—remains the most powerful narrative for global stability, even as regional conflicts create new layers of friction. Expect to learn: The Marriage Metaphor: Why the deep embeddedness of giants like Apple, Tesla, and Walmart makes “decoupling” a catastrophic risk for the U.S. economy; The Cost of War: How the conflict in Iran is directly impacting Chinese auto sales; The Savings Divide: The cultural and philosophical roots of China’s high savings rate vs. the U.S. 3% rate, and why it isn’t necessarily an economic weakness; 15th Five-Year Plan in Aerospace: China’s new strategic focus on commercial space launches, satellite internet dominance, and deep space exploration; The Global South Rebrand: Why countries in the Middle East are beginning to refer to themselves as “West Asia” as they align closer with China’s leadership in the Global South. Timestamp: 00:01 Introduction: 45 Years of U.S-China Partnership since 1979 03:45 The Trump-Xi Meeting: Preparing for the mid-May Red Carpet in Beijing 05:30 Current Events: How the Iran Conflict is affecting the Chinese economy 07:15 Oil and Gas: The Strait of Hormuz and China’s Middle East strategy 10:47 Leverage: Does the war give the U.S. more negotiation power? 14:26 AI Competition: China blocks Meta’s $2.2B acquisition of a Chinese startup 22:36 The Stock Exchange Shift: Mainland companies moving to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange 28:45 15th Five-Year Plan: The Aerospace Layer and the “Crowded” Orbit 35:23 “Going Out into the Ocean”: China’s leadership in the Global South and BRICS Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

8. 

   24 Apr 2026

   China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Why the "Collapse" Narrative Fails and the G2 Reality

   Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 11! Aubrey Martinson and Doug Guthrie are back to discuss the massive shifts occurring in the global political economy. This episode centers on the formal passage of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: a strategic roadmap that dates back to the 1950s but has never been more relevant to the West than it is today. We also dive into how the conflict in Iran is delaying critical diplomatic meetings and impacting small businesses through rising oil costs and why the current “G2” dynamic between President Trump and Chairman Xi remains a fragile but essential partnership. Expect to learn: How China balances top-down central planning with a “culture of innovation” at the local government level, Why blocking Chinese automakers from the U.S. might actually hinder American job growth and manufacturing learning as well as The difference between user-friendly U.S. AI and China’s math-heavy, logistics-focused AI designed to build the world’s best manufacturing engine Timestamp 00:00 Introduction: Catching up on OGL Creative Leadership with Prof. Slocum 02:27 Current Events: Jensen Huang comments about AI and Huawei’s new chips 06:46 U.S Senators’ Letter: Why blocking BYD from Michigan is a strategic mistake 11:05 The War in Iran: Impact on the Trump-Xi meeting delay and global oil prices 16:29 The 15th Five-Year Plan: History and the “Better at Capitalism” debate 20:39 Local Governments as Industrial Firms: How China advances political careers through KPIs 25:26 Education & High-Value Patents: The return of Foreign Joint Venture Universities 31:30 Strategic Focus: Science, Engineering, and Global Collaboration 33:46 The Contrast: U.S. Market-Driven EV Consumption vs. China’s Coordinated Effort 37:10 Final Thoughts: Independent thinking in a polarized world Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

9. 

   17 Apr 2026

   China vs. U.S. Favorability: The Global Shift

   Who is Winning the "Global Popularity" War? Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 10! In this episode, Doug Guthrie is joined by David to discuss the critical state of U.S.-China relations. As Gallup releases its most recent Global Approval Ratings (https://news.gallup.com/poll/707945/china-edges-past-global-approval-ratings.aspx) in April 2026, China’s global approval surpass that of the U.S for the first time. This unprecedented rating comes at a time when President Trump’s highly anticipated visit to Beijing is delayed by five weeks due to conflicts in the Middle East and a different leader made a significant move: Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary and reinforce a vital partnership. We explore why the current narrative of “decoupling” is often at odds with economic reality. With a trillion-dollar trade surplus and a manufacturing supply chain that spans over 1,000+ suppliers for Apple alone, China remains an indispensable partner for the world’s largest companies. Expect to learn: Why President Trump’s branding of U.S.-China relations as “The G2” was a major symbolic victory for Chinese diplomacy, Why tariffs fail when a domestic manufacturing supply chain doesn’t exist to replace Chinese production, and a fascinating look from Dubai at how the Middle East is beginning to reorient its identity toward the East. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp 00:00 Introduction: Welcoming David and the OGL Philosophy 04:35 The Importance of Visits: From Bertrand Russell (1922) to Tim Cook 08:30 The Theory of Tariffs and the Reality of Supply Chains 09:40 The G2 Meeting: Moving from the “Kids Table” to Global Partnership 11:20 Why is Tim Cook Visiting China? 12:30 What to Expect from Trump’s Postponed May Visit to Beijing 16:16 Why Barring Chinese Automakers is a Mistake for U.S. Jobs 19:10 The TSMC Example: How Half a Trillion Dollars Investment is Transforming Arizona 22:00 Global Approval Ratings: Why China is Winning the Favorability War 25:00 The Global South: BRICS, Belt and Road, and “Going Out” 27:40 Perspectives from Dubai: Is the Middle East becoming “Western Asia”? 29:00 Final Thoughts: Navigating a Critical Time in Global Relations

10. 

    10 Apr 2026

    A New Age of Creative Leadership & AI: Navigating the Complex Modern Global Reality

    Challenges of a Neurodivergent Working in the C-Suite Hi friend, Welcome to a special edition of the OGL Podcast! In this episode, Doug Guthrie is joined by OGL co-founder and creative leadership expert Prof. David Slocum. While our “On The Ground in China” series usually focuses on the ebbing and flowing of geopolitics, we are taking a deep dive into the second pillar of our organization: Creative Leadership. David shares his decades of expertise on the evolution of Creative Leadership to explore how creativity and innovation are essential in all roles in navigating complex global business systems. We also have a deeply personal and candid conversation about Neurodivergence in leadership when Doug shares his own experience being neurodivergent working in C-suite and discusses why the modern business world needs to move beyond “neuro-normative” standards to embrace vulnerability and different ways of thinking. Expect to learn: How the concept of creative leadership has shifted from a niche marketing term to a central requirement for navigating “poly-crises”, The “Three Loops of Learning” as a framework for operational, strategic, and cultural learning that helps leaders thrive in unfamiliar global markets and How Artificial Intelligence can act as a “cognitive orthotic” for neurodivergent team members and creative leaders. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music Timestamp 00:00 Introduction: 30 Years of Friendship at NYU, GW, and Thunderbird 04:15 Boots on the Ground in Dubai: Leadership in Turbulent Times 05:50 The History and “Fall” of Creative Leadership 08:33 Reframe “Poly-Crises” as “Poly-Opportunities” 11:02 Forming the Berlin School of Creative Leadership 12:23 Innovative Leadership with the Case Study of Apple 13:46 Example of Expanding the Concept of Creative Leadership 15:34 Creating the Creative Leadership Hub Community 18:13 Frameworks: Componential Creativity & The Three Loops of Learning 24:22 Leading with Vulnerability: Doug’s Journey Being Neurodivergent 28:39 Neurodivergence: A New Frontier in Business Education 31:26 Brené Brown:Power, and the Need for Vulnerability in Modern World 35:22 AI: A Tool for Creative Leaders and Neurodivergent Support Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/)

11. 

    4 Apr 2026

    The Problem of China: Bertrand Russell’s 100-Year Prediction and the Future of the G2

    Is China's Rise a Problem to the World? Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 09! In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Professor Doug Guthrie explore the deep historical roots of China’s modern economic rise. We revisit the 1922 classic, The Problem of China by British philosopher Bertrand Russell. Written during a time of national chaos, Russell’s book predicted that China would become the world’s greatest power alongside the United States if it could master three things: orderly government, industrial development, and popularized education.A century later, that reality has arrived. The 'G2' partnership, defining the U.S. and China as the world's two largest economies, is currently being strained by trade investigations, a prolonged delay in high-level diplomatic talks, and growing friction over Taiwan. Expect to learn: the significance of the "G2" label and why it matters for Chinese diplomacy, if China’s rise is a problem to the world, and why treating China as a partner rather than an adversary is essential for the stability of the global economy. Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Amazon Music Timestamp 00:00 Introduction 01:15 The current state of U.S.-China relations: From Xi-Trump meeting to Trade Probes 04:00 Tensions in the Taiwan Strait and upcoming U.S. delegation visits 06:01 The “Partnership vs. Competition” Debate: Why We Are “Married” to China 09:47 Reflections on Bertrand Russell’s The Problem of China (1922) 13:00 A brief history of Chinese innovation: From the Silk Road to 1424 15:10 How Russell predicted a “G2” world over 100 years ago 16:30 Is China’s rise a “Problem” to the World? 22:33 The vision of young leadership: Deng Xiaoping’s journey to France 23:50 The rise of Modern China 26:45 The “Woven Fabric” analogy: The catastrophic cost of decoupling 30:00 Education and Culture: Dropping the Illiteracy Rate and Lifting Millions out of Poverty Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com

12. 

    27 Mar 2026

    Trump-Xi Delay: Geopolitics, Tim Cook’s Visit, and the Future of U.S.-China Relations

    Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China episode 8! In this episode, Aubrey Martinson and Doug Guthrie discuss the shifting landscape of global politics as the highly anticipated meeting between President Trump and Chairman Xi is delayed. Originally scheduled for beginning of April in Beijing, this diplomatic pause comes at a critical moment when U.S. attention is increasingly pulled toward international conflicts. Is delaying this high-level dialogue a mistake for U.S. economic interests and global stability? Expect to learn: the strategic implications of the Trump-Xi meeting delay, Tim Cook’s recent visit to China and its impact on the tech sector, how OGL’s "boots on the ground" team views China’s reaction to these moving geopolitical pieces. Timestamp 00:00 The Importance of U.S-China Relations 12:32 Tim Cook's Visit to China 22:16 Apple's App Store Rate Change. Who Wins? 39:22 Geopolitical Implications of Business Relationships

13. 

    14 Mar 2026

    Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting: Will U.S-China Decoupling Happen?

    Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 7! The upcoming summit between President Trump and President Xi, scheduled for late March to early April 2026, marks a critical pivot point in modern geopolitics. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the relationship between the United States and China remains the most consequential factor in global stability. Will the U.S-China Decoupling Happen in April? Expect to learn in this episode: If the U.S-China "decoupling" is a reality or a myth, how China is leveraging the Middle East conflict to its advantage, how economic strategies are set in China and much more… Timestamp 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Is it possible for U.S to decouple itself from China? 06:26 China’s Reaction to the Middle East situations 10:39 Energy Dependency and Geopolitical Strategies 13:23 China’s Subtle Approach to Global Influence and Economic Power 18:06 China’s Long-Term Economic Vision and Strategy 21:11 Our Advice to the Administration 21:36 U.S-China Diplomatic Communications 23:16 Upcoming U.S-China’s Leaders Meeting and Is the US well-prepared for this talk? 24:06 How China Determines its Economic Strategy 27:23 Global Relationship and China’s Role in the Global South 30:15 How “The Art of The Deal” Might Be Implemented 30:54 Our Counsel to Business Clients

14. 

    7 Mar 2026

    Why I am Bullish on China Being the Next Super Global Superpower

    Hi friend, Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 6! Why do we believe that China will outpace the U.S and secure the top economic spot? China now possess a trillion-USD-trade-surplus, a superior manufacturing supply chain and a fostered culture of innovation seen everywhere in the political machinery of Beijing and local governments. Is the “Collapse” narrative that is so popular in Western media about China’s economy really true? Expect to learn: the next EV revolution might be in China as BYD might outpace Tesla, the unique China’s culture of innovation in its political environment, AI development differences between China and the US, internal risks to Chinese development like the real estate bubble, and our strategic counsel for business clients and much more… Visit our website: OnGlobalLeadership.com (http://ongloballeadership.com/) For more info on Doug Guthrie: profguthrie.com (http://profguthrie.com/) Contact us for sponsorship options: doug.guthrie@thunderbird.asu.edu Timestamp 00:00: Introduction 04:05 Prediction on Chinese economy being the largest in the world 05:06: Trillion-Dollar Question 07:01 BYD is set to surpass Tesla as EV manufacturer 09:17 China Cultivates an Effective Culture of Innovation 13:23 Differences in AI Development between China and U.S 14:45 Zhou Qnfei and Innovation in Manufacturing at Lens 16:05 Soft Power and Cultural influences 18:57 Policy Planning and Strategic Positioning of China and the Global Economy 21:50 Potential Risks to the Chinese Economy 22:34 Are the Real Estate Bubble and Consumption Economy Really a Problem? 25:28 Instability Caused by Major International Conflicts 29:47 How We Are Counseling Our Business Clients To Do Business in China

15. 

    27 Feb 2026

    The Hidden Truth About Tariffs: Why the US-China "Marriage" Isn’t Over

    We are married to China. And tariffs might not be the best solution. The ground is shifting beneath the global economy. In this episode, Doug Guthrie and Aubrey Martinson unpack the recent Supreme Court ruling declaring certain tariffs illegal and what it means for the "G2" relationship between the US and China. Expect to hear: How can officials in China advance their career within the Chinese Communist Party? What US mayors could learn from Chinese local officials about economic development? And a case study in how Chinese youth are remixing Western pop culture with traditional "Fu" (fortune) signs. This podcast also features exclusive on-the-ground footage from our OGL team in China, capturing the unique atmosphere of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Enjoy!

16. 

    16 Feb 2026

    ASU's Bold Move in China and The Rise in Chinese Global Influence

    In this episode, Doug joins Aubrey to recount his recent two-week trip to Beijing and Shanghai, highlighting a major push for a new university collaboration between Arizona State University and Chinese partners. The conversation explores a significant "rupture" in global geopolitics, examining Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategic visit to China and what it signals about the diminishing trust in U.S. global leadership. Doug also provides deep insights into the resilience of the Chinese economy, the notable "dumping" of U.S. Treasury bonds, and the growing importance of people-to-people exchange as a foundation for cultural and economic stability in an increasingly unstable world. Expect also to learn why an unexpected character in Harry Potter suddenly becomes the centerpiece for Chinese New Year! 00:00 : Recent Trip to China and Future of US-China relations through education 07:29: The U.S-China Relationship and Global Implications 10:44: Mark Carney’s Visit to China 15:00 Canada’s Strategic Shift towards China 21:30: China’s Economic Rise and Global Partnerships 24:30: The Decline of the US dollar 33:20: People-to-People Exchange 38:03: The Decline of U.S Educational Exchange 38:50: Chinese New Year and an unexpected rise of the Slytherin house 42:00: The Epstein File and How the World sees the U.S

17. 

    10 Feb 2026

    Japanese PM remarks about Taiwan and Japan-China relations

    Welcome to On Global Leadership's (https://ongloballeadership.com) most recent podcast/video. In this podcast/video, we discuss the relationship between China and Japan. On November 7, 2025, Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested in parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on island Taiwan could constitute an existential threat to Japan and could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Beijing viewed the remark as a serious provocation and promptly lodged solemn representations and issued strong protests. So far, despite China’s counter-moves and the objections at home and abroad, Takaichi has not retracted her remarks. This podcast/video is heavy in history, but we aspire to give our listeners and right historical context to think about the important geopolitical circumstances that are unfolding right now. 00:00 -- Introduction 1:09 -- Methodological Issues: The Importance of Historical Context 3:30- -- What Happened in November: Prime Minister Takaichi's Comments About Taiwan (Heavy Emphasis on Historical Context) 12:10 -- Implications of the Comment (for China-Japan Relations and for the World)18:25 -- One China Policy/Principle 20:40 -- What Does This Mean for US-China Relations and American Citizens? 25:55 -- Chinese and Japanese Citizens' Views of Each Other 35:13 -- Closing Out: Commercial Perspctive... What Does This Mean for Companies? (Strategic Perspectives, Companies Advocating for Deep Cooperation and Collaboration...) ENJOY! and looking forward to your comments!

18. 

    10 Feb 2026

    China Consumption Economy and Rare Earth Dominance

    Welcome to episode 2 of On Global Leadership's (https://ongloballeadership.com) podcast. In this podcast/video, we discuss three important topics the OGL Team has been engaged with in recent months. In particular, we discuss OGL’s work on the China’s Consumption Economy, our work on the Rare Earths Economy, and the US actions in Venezuela and the implications of these actions for US-China relations. 00:00 -- Introduction 1:05 -- China’s Consumption Economy 16:13- -- China’s Dominance in Rare Earths 22:55 -- US Military Action in Venezuela, Implications for US-China Relations 33:30 -- Closing out ENJOY! and looking forward to your comments!

19. 

    21 Jan 2026

    AI in China and Chinese companies going Global

    Welcome to On Global Leadership's (https://ongloballeadership.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbElBcW1qMFFYdFQtbHd3QkZLM29mRllyMWVEUXxBQ3Jtc0tuSk1yd2RqNDRuM2FnU1BxSWFlYl9QcXBXalNhck5taXMwVFpKS0RTaHNPT2NVcjVNdWVTUDhvTDI5V2dkRWVGRHNzaWtYNVp0U1dERFlDY1ItQ01zY1JZTHh2U1FldzcxRFN2SlNHaWZwVk5IZGkwSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fongloballeadership.com%2F&v=4n9NcTxhTcc)) most recent podcast/video. In this podcast/video, we discuss the hot topics OGL has engaged in over the last year and over the last month. In particular, we discuss AI in China and Chinese companies going global. Please watch our podcast/video, and we will look forward to hearing dialogue over these important topics. 00:00 -- Introduction to Doug Guthrie, Aubrey Martinson, OGL, and OGL Methodology ("Economic Analysis and Boots on the Ground...") 12:40 -- AI in China 24:25 -- Chinese Companies Going Global 43:15 -- Getting in Trouble with the US Department of State 44:05 -- Celebrating Justin Lin's work 45:55-END -- Closing out.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact On The Ground in China

Guest appearances

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