The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

By: Steven Sirski

Language: en

Categories: Society, Culture, Places, Travel, Personal, Journals

The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.

Episodes

SSAB - January 9, 2026
Jan 10, 2026

Up and out the door to… Starbucks! Still thinking: would an office be a good idea? The coworking desks don’t start until 9 am, but the offices are available from 5 am. Am I just getting ahead of myself?
Didn’t get to the gym till afternoon aaaand… there were fewer people there! Lol!
Met a lady from Florida who moved up here to be with her partner… interesting.
Hey! My air filter arrived!
And started taking collagen. Why not? 10g a day with water first thing in the morning (this likely breaks fasting.)
Donate to the show...

Duration: 00:41:20
SSAB - January 8, 2026
Jan 09, 2026

Morning workouts continue, but jet lag subsiding! Don’t know why but I did a back day today, even though yesterday was chest. Tomorrow?
The students are concerned about their marks! I understand… but what can I do?
SLV Episode 69 done and published… thinking… what is the goal with this in 2026? Especially if I have to pay for hosting?
Remember that comment my professor said about doing the hard work now? Thinking… that’s ALSO applicable for AI workflows.
Need to finish those BLCU courses!
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Duration: 00:33:02
SSAB - January 7, 2026
Jan 08, 2026

Hey, forget about Maduro, what about Alberta? Is the CIA in there?
Workout in! Chest today, still surprised by how many people show up early in the morning. Not running as much but am doing some high intensity cardio (battle ropes, rope work).
SLV 69 edited, not posted just yet. Got an idea for another YouTube channel.
Is this sustainable?
And are the Chinese markets a popping?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on...

Duration: 00:38:19
SSAB - January 6, 2026
Jan 07, 2026

My apologies about the roughness of the episodes as of late. I’ve been rambley, more so than usual.
Was going to re-do yesterday’s episode but decided to just leave it.
SLV 69 re-recorded, much cleaner episode I think. Need to work on my workflow.
Things are settling down a little, catching up on a few things.
Met a professor of mine from years ago, thoughts on AI?! And has he changed my mind on teaching in the classroom?
And any thoughts on the Maduro extraction/capture/kidnapping/arrest?
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Duration: 00:36:58
SSAB - January 5, 2026
Jan 06, 2026

Weekend over! But it’s been busy!
The State of the Jet Lag is… 9pm, up at 3am!
Off to IKEA for some items! Steve, I thought you were supposed to be getting rid of things? Yes, but… tried the deluxe breakfast. Canadian Tire for… an air FILTER! (Not the whole unit.) Best Buy for another hard drive. A visit to the ol alma mater.
Thinking of renting an office space… the price of coffee alone might be worth it.
And Canada lost to Czechia in the quarter finals so they played Finland for third place. The World...

Duration: 00:33:43
SSAB - January 2, 2026
Jan 03, 2026

Awake and ready to record! Do it now!
Asleep at 3, up at 6, gym at 7.00. Back day and a treadmill run.
How was IKEA? Didn’t go… tried Amazon instead. Bought a Xiaomi filter! Looked at Blue Air (mentioned this yesterday), also Cosway and the IKEA ones.
DID go to Artists Emporium to find sketchbooks, but they didn’t have the ones I wanted. Bought some fancy pencils for the niece.
How are those allergies doing?
And how is Jamuary coming along?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale...

Duration: 00:29:56
SSAB - January 1, 2026
Jan 02, 2026

Welcome to the New Year!
New donation! $60! What will I do with it?
Slept till 5… but went to bed at 1.30. Fells asleep again today at 5pm, up at 8 or 9. So how does this jet lag work? Looks like I’ll be falling asleep early in the evening and then waking up.
How was New Years?! Peaceful in the city. Got to the gym around 7.00, another guy showed up at 7.30, and a bunch came in at 8.00. Chest day, but elbow is still bothering me.
Spent the day creating the Cio Cio video.
December Drumming done, Jamuary begi...

Duration: 00:29:41
SSAB - December 31, 2025
Jan 01, 2026

It’s New Years! Happy New Year! Any plans? Trying to stay awake! Finally fell asleep.
Up at 3 this morning! Off to Starbucks for 6.00.
Workout in, leg day, but no run. Bought a month-long membership.
Also got a SIM card, easy enough to set up.
A couple of articles on cell phones in the classroom:Banning cell phones in classhttps://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/school-phone-ban-test-scores-66f8dab7
Quittinghttps://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/a-teacher-did-all-he-could-to-keep-kids-off-phones-hes-quitting-in-frustration-753061ca?
December Drumming ends!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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Duration: 00:33:47
SSAB - December 30, 2025
Dec 31, 2025

Up at 4, asleep at… 3? How are the allergies doing? Did you get the workout in? (No.)
Out to the cafe at 7 AM?! Why so late? Starbucks opens at 5.30!
Did some shopping for food, how are prices? $100 of groceries, much of which I did not need. Was told coffee was expensive but it was between $15-$20 CAD per 500g bag, seems reasonable.
Off to see Zootopia 2 with the kids! I fell asleep.
December Drumming coming to an end, Jamuary to start up? Want to get upstairs to my old room to do some recording!
Donate to th...

Duration: 00:33:17
SSAB - December 29, 2025
Dec 30, 2025

Made it to Winnipeg!
Allergies attacking and IT’S COLD!
Workout in! Old gym, old workout! Tire flipping, farmers carriers,
How was the flight? Anything interesting?
Uneventful! Food was decent between Beijing and Vancouver, though seems portion sizes are smaller. Slept most of the way. Vancouver to Winnipeg, mountains looked nice.
So what’s the plan?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cd...

Duration: 00:32:11
SSAB - December 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025

Last episode in China for 2025!
Am I even ready to go back? No.
It’s Boxing Day, what did you do? Spent the day editing yet another video (now up on the Language Vlog). Is this the life I signed up for? Six views so far! The podcast is doing well though, or, at least as well as a podcast could do.
Is AI tech a good idea in Beijing?
Workout in… but didn’t get there till 7.00. Was a lady and her Mother also there. They looked rich enough.
December Drumming coming to a close...

Duration: 00:40:00
SSAB - December 25, 2025
Dec 25, 2025

Merry Christmas!
Gf was busy today: apple tarts, mulled wine, cookies not to mention breakfast and dinner. On her day off!
Meanwhile, I edited SLV Episode 68 and that is now LIVE.
Need to get one more video done, then hopefully shoot another around the neighbourhood before Sunday night’s departure.
Morning workout in and thinking… is it an EdTech company I’m looking to build?
And GOLD keeps going!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Duration: 00:39:21

SSAB - December 24, 2025
Dec 24, 2025

It’s Christmas Eve! And all was quiet, except for the podcaster saying it.
Stay for a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s Twas the Night before Christmashttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17135
Another morning workout in! Today was gentle. Back and shoulders, worked on rehabbing the shoulder joint. Then, later in the day, a 7 km run in 46.25.
SLV Episode 68 in the works.
Looking to get a few more things done before I leave. Possibly SSP episodes?
Have another video for SLV I gotta get done before I go back to Canada, too.
Have a Merr...

Duration: 00:40:05
SSAB - December 23, 2025
Dec 23, 2025

It’s almost Christmas!
Flights still the same price!
Morning workout in! Legs for the day, then a 6.44 km run in the evening. Slow going but got it done.
SLV Episode 68 recorded!
Spent the day setting up N8n on Hostinger… and trying to get an Astrill discount code!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4
Newsletter over at stev...

Duration: 00:39:29
SSAB - December 22, 2025
Dec 22, 2025

It was the solstice! Days are now getting longer! Barely!
Up at 5.20 and off to the gym. Workout in! Chest and delts, Jacob’s Ladder, rope work and 20 minutes on the treadmill. Shoulder hurts! AC joint? How do I do this, get up so early?
Still need to book a ticket out of here. Gotta be out by next Tuesday.
No SLV podcast recorded just yet, but looking into automations and course building.
Visitor comes over, how is Shanghai? CROWDED! HOT! PREFERS BEIJING!
Off to Blue Frog for dinner as it’s the last week to e...

Duration: 00:39:20
SSAB - December 19, 2025
Dec 19, 2025

And that’s it! I’m done! And I was supposed to be out of the hotel today? HTF was that supposed to work? Good thing I didn’t go to first class then?!
What’s next? the students asked. Canada, Chinese business visa, then who knows.
No workout in, spent the day giving out gifts, packing, and time with the students who showed up (all girls except one guy showed up to check his grades).
And I went to the library to have a look around. Some interesting books and I sure do believe I didn’t take adv...

Duration: 00:38:38
SSAB - December 18, 2025
Dec 19, 2025

Grades submitted and done! The LENGTHS they went to in order to crawl their grades up.
Best use of AI this semester - me in the classroom with a bunch of non-Chinese-looking “students” in the background. Thank you Doubao!
Got a gift! A 3D notepad. I’ve never seen these before but apparently they’re neat.
How much more is there to go with AI?
Hitting 1K views on my YT Shorts, but monetization is slow. What’s next for the channel?
GOLD consolidating high, will it continue? We’re in a dicey time!
Donate to th...

Duration: 00:33:33
SSAB - December 17, 2025
Dec 17, 2025

In the middle of sending grades, now they have a day to verify. Even now I have one student wanting a higher score. How many tears do you endure?
Workouts in! Back to the grind! 3.51km in 26.02, then to the gym for legs, then back out for another 7.54 km run in 52.34. Legs were alright, but will probably feel it tomorrow or the next day. Also practicing wider grip pull ups, maybe that will help the shoulder? (Cause of overuse from the other version.)
Sleeping better, and certainly have some ideas for the next few months though nothing set...

Duration: 00:36:10
SSAB - December 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025

SLV Episode 67 out! Not having much success with DaVinci cutting down my work time very much.
Thinking of that visa situation, would an M visa be that hard to get?
Thinking… if I don’t want to teach English, why am I creating all of these “how to learn English materials”? What else can I do about that idea to BUILD for other teachers? Learning the business of AI and automation for small businesses.
Got a workout in and thinking… what’s my attack plan for Canada? It’s going to be cold.
And, Gary Vee says learn how...

Duration: 00:39:28
SSAB - December 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025

Coming up to the last week. Am I excited, worried, nervous? Honestly, a little thankful it’s over but at the same time VERY much aware of the situation I’ve put myself in.
SLV Episode 67 FINALLY out! Took two weeks to edit this one. Did I just drop the ball? And trying out some new ad placements. But what am I selling?
Workouts in! Runs and weights. How will I stay in shape while travelling? 3.51km run in 25.27, then off to the gym for a light workout, mostly upper body, then back outside for another 4.66km run in 2...

Duration: 00:36:00
SSAB - December 12, 2025
Dec 12, 2025

What a nap! This is in strict contrast to one of my students who left class saying she was going to the bar in Sanlitun. She invited me but I declined the offer.
We got snow! And it’s cold!
Debates are over! Did it wrong since I booked resubmits on Friday afternoon and they all showed up! Sneaky cell phone usage!
Getting essays done, this is the last weekend!
iTalki closes applications aaaaand… I forgot to press submit! What about Preply, Verbling or other online platforms?
And what about those workouts, how are they goin...

Duration: 00:35:02
SSAB - December 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025

Reading Reddit and what do the Elders say? What of the ESL industry, its career progression, and WTF you’re supposed to do in it? What happens to the long-timers?
Should I get an MA in TESOL? TEFL? Whatever? That would move me into administration, this is something I was looking at with the DELTA a few years back. I know people who the full suite of DELTA Modules completed, and they’re still working the same job and not seeing their pay increase.
There’s no way around it: I think this is it for ESL.
You kn...

Duration: 00:41:08
SSAB - December 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025

HEY! What about GOLD?!
YouTube introduces AI Studio… sounds like ChatGPT!
SLV Episode 67 recorded, not published!
Checking out iTalk.
And what about this six month thing? What else is there to say?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4
Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com
Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog
Hope you have a gr...

Duration: 00:40:29
SSAB - December 9, 2025
Dec 09, 2025

Impatience to leave is not a good sign! Hello students, this is an exam!
Have there been any highlights from the debates? Yes!
How did the sound go? Wasn’t there when I woke up but I had to play my ocean waves throughout the night.
And what could the next six months look like?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pv...

Duration: 00:40:29
SSAB - December 8, 2025
Dec 08, 2025

I’m guessing she just turned it down… why not turn it off?
Teacher! You’re so serious! Wait, I wasn’t before? Isn’t this an exam?
I guess exams begin but to me it’s just a speech.
No SLV podcast recorded just yet, spent much of yesterday setting up cameras! Tried out the Zoom H5 and then… decided to just record it tomorrow.
No workout on Sunday, a small workout today (full body), three runs: 3.51 km in 25.51, 3.52 km in 25.22, 3.01 km in 24.06. Taking it easy as I gotta get some grading done.
And, what about thi...

Duration: 00:42:05
SSAB - December 5, 2025
Dec 05, 2025

I’m glad it’s over! No more “teaching”, just grading.
First set of debates in, one really good, one really bad. (Guy showed up just before the debate was to start!)
Got crunched… Granola gives me a review of my year.
Workout and feeling it! Thinking I might have to re-arrange my workout days. Should I put the pull ups at the beginning of the week? 3.51 km run in 26.52, off to the gym to do unweighted pull ups, push ups and squats (took 58.02 to do), then back out for another 4.53km run in 31.15!
And what if I just...

Duration: 00:41:47
SSAB - December 4, 2025
Dec 04, 2025

Up from a nap, am I getting sick? It is cold outside.
There’s a gym on campus?? I should’ve known. (Not a very big one.)
DaVinci workflow update, how did it compare to Descript? (It failed. MUCH faster in Descript.)
And looking into TCM… can it replace my current supplement stack?
Western SupplementTCM EquivalentNotesCoQ10黄芪 (Astragalus)Energy, ATP supportPQQ灵芝 (Reishi)Mitochondrial growthBacopa远志 + 石菖蒲Cognitive + memoryMaca淫羊藿 or 肉苁蓉Libido, energyMilk Thistle茵陈蒿 + 决明子Liver detoxFish Oil紫苏籽油 / 亚麻籽油Plant omega-3sMagnesium钙镁片 or 麦饭石水MineralsZinc葡萄糖酸锌Cheap & common
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://steven...

Duration: 00:40:02
SSAB - December 3, 2025
Dec 03, 2025

Listening through last year’s December Drumming… apparently I DID do it! But Jamuary 2025? Nope.
DaVinci to take over Descript in my workflow? Not just yet. But it could lead to more automation!
Went to the library to have a look around, not bad. Kinda miss being able to sit in a library. Too bad the area near the magazines and journals smelled like toilet.
Workouts in! COLD outside! But that new jacket sure does the trick. No warm up run, but hit the gym for legs today then out for a 7.51km run in 55.15.
Donate to t...

Duration: 00:37:25
SSAB - December 2, 2025
Dec 02, 2025

Ripping out apartments again!
It’s COLD outside!
Students FINALLY showing up, should they be included?
Less students showing up overall, but those who do… some fall asleep.
The semester is almost over, which things are winding down in terms of classes, but winding up in terms of grading.
And SLV Episode 66 is up and out! Thinking… should I start scripting? How is DaVinci working out?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Not...

Duration: 00:36:13
SSAB - December 1, 2025
Dec 01, 2025

The State of the Drum begins! December Drumming! Will I continue? Can I continue! How will I continue!-Song A Day Jonathan Mann still continues!-70% bad, 20% good, 10% gold
SLV Episode 66 recorded but not yet published, how is it editing with DaVinci Resolve Studio? (Made some mistakes.)
Workouts in! 3.51 km run in 26.24, then to the gym for chest and back, then back out for another 4.51km run in 29.14. What does ChatGPT think of my workout?
And Black Friday deals a go go… the REAL value of software??
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://ww...

Duration: 00:34:31
SSAB - November 28, 2025
Nov 28, 2025

About that AI revolution and who’s it affecting… remember how I said yesterday that there are LOTS of jobs IF you’re willing to move? And are businesses willing to help out? Well, what if AI is taking away jobs from the developing countries by way of AI voice calling?! And what if the JOBS ARE IN the US AND the people in these developing countries ARE willing to move?!
And what about China implementing AI bots in their factories? Will this keep costs down? What about employment?!https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-robots-china-manufacturing-89ae1b42?mod=itp_ws...

Duration: 00:34:12
SSAB - November 27, 2025
Nov 27, 2025

Layoffs are happening, but why? Is it because of AI or because of… over-hiring?
Is the middle class being squeezed into a rental life?https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/the-middle-class-is-buckling-under-almost-five-years-of-persistent-inflation-4d783aee?mod=itp_wsj,djemITP_h-No Agenda says that we’re headed to a new world order of rental living
Tina Huang on the current employment atmosphere-don’t just go learn AI cause it’s not a cure all
How do artists make money? (New podcast I’m listening to)
And how do you buy a business? Look at the things you buy most often… then go buy...

Duration: 00:36:43
SSAB - November 26, 2025
Nov 26, 2025

More wind and a possibility of snow!
Workouts in! Post-class run 3.54km in 26.50, off the to gym for legs and some shoulders, then back out for another 7.51km in 53.30.
How am I learning DaVinci? In Chinese! Will it work this time?
Pizza with kale, am I doing it wrong?
And some thoughts on the labour market as it stands. (To be continued…)
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.si...

Duration: 00:31:44
SSAB - November 25, 2025
Nov 25, 2025

Black Friday deals a go go! How many do you really need? Despite my middle class struggles, seeing and thinking about what I could get now to make life a bit easier (in terms of video editing).
Every expat says “This time is different!” But it never is. It’s simply easier to keep going where you are rather than moving any further.
What else did ChatGPT say about going to the Middle East?
No real workout in, had to keep grading.
And, new video up on the language vlog, all about the electric pipa.
Donate...

Duration: 00:33:50
SSAB - November 24, 2025
Nov 24, 2025

Big winds a howling! Still got the workouts in today! 3.53km run done in 20.36, then to the gym for chest and back, then back out INTO THE WIND for a 4.51km run in 30.24. Feeling rather knackered now.
SLV Episode 65 recorded and published, how was DaVinci in the workflow?
Grading continues, will I make the deadline? And what sort of deadlines can there really be? Just get it done.
And what about the Middle East? How serious are you? About as serious as every other expat whose contract is coming up for renewal.
Donate to the show...

Duration: 00:41:40
SSAB - November 21, 2025
Nov 21, 2025

No class this morning so an easy start, but that got me thinking…
Stay in China or head on out? A few things to think about: There are no foreign billionaires living in China. What about millionaires?
Workouts in! Still feeling heavy doing these pull ups. Did 105 or 110 total, 25 with 5 kg, 25 with 10 kg, plus 210 push ups, 315 squats. 4.51km run in 28.36, then another 5.01 km run after the gym in 33.42.
Cloudflare goes poof! Good thing I fell asleep instead! Didn’t really notice anything off any more than usual (thanks China!)
Donate to the show! PayPal link below! Duration: 00:54:07

SSAB - November 20, 2025
Nov 21, 2025

They had red velvet cake at breakfast!
Preparation for speaking presentations begin! A panel debate - one example is if a good education is needed for a happy and successful life.
Successfully convinced one class to stay for an extra hour so we don’t have to have class tomorrow morning!
I should clarify, I didn’t START drinking at 13, I had my first beer at 13… though maybe my Dad gave me a sip when I was even younger.
No podcast recorded today as I spent much of my afternoon shuffling files around and installing plugins for Da...

Duration: 00:36:01
SSAB - November 19, 2025
Nov 19, 2025

Fell asleep early last night!
Trade schools for the win?https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ford-motor-ceo-jim-farley-mechanic-shortage-autos-skilled-workers-334ae52d?mod=itp_wsj,djemITP_h
Workouts in! 7.51km morning run in 49.28, then modified afternoon chest and back workouts, then ran back to the university for 5km in 29.33 to invigilate the exam. Had to modify the typical back workout so not as focused as before. But I remember I DID actually workout on Tuesday, just a simple 30 minute full body.
Alcohol and McDonalds are bad, but mushrooms are okay?! Bryan Johnson weighs in. (Also, look at his workouts.) Makes me...

Duration: 00:41:18
SSAB - November 18, 2025
Nov 19, 2025

Hey, I’ve been pirated! My Military Museum video has been re-uploaded and dubbed over in Chinese by some fake YouTube account. Guess I gotta make a claim.
DaVinci installed! Speed Editor charged!Does it work?! Not as intuitive as Final Cut. But LOTS of memory being taken up. (DaVinci for iPad is a different subscription.)
No workout in, but putting in suggestions for work… waitaminute, is this freshman fantasy?
Maca motivation or is it all in the dreams?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA Duration: 00:34:00

SSAB - November 17, 2025
Nov 17, 2025

Cold outside and the heat is on!
New SLV Episode out, new video up! Where to go next?!
All that tech I talked about on Friday, is it necessary?-Final Cut Pro-Apple Motion-FxFactory-BorisFX
-DaVinci Studio-MotionVFX-Speed Editor-Blackmagic Camera-Blackmagic Cloud
Pro Cam I & II by MomentHalide Mark II
-Logic Pro-iZoptope
Workouts in! Saturday, Sunday, Monday… and tomorrow? 3.52km in 24.56, then to the gym for legs, then out for another 4.52km in 28.08. It’s windy! And… I tripped on Saturday!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA Duration: 00:35:54

SSAB - November 14, 2025
Nov 14, 2025

You dropped the ball, Steven! You could’ve got them talking about math!
Bought DaVinci… I can always return it.
Downloading some video editing plugins, looking to make video editing fun again. I spent money on the audio editing, should I do the same with video?
Workouts in! 3.51km run in 26.04 (with a backpack, computer n all), then off to the gym for 110 or so pull ups, 220 push ups, 330 squats. Then did a quick chest and leg workout, then back out for another 4.53km.
New Camera APP! Yey! I’ve been pre-ordering APPs, what am I doing...

Duration: 00:43:00
SSAB - November 13, 2025
Nov 13, 2025

Are they asleep already? Just who IS living next to me?
SLV Episode 64 recorded, getting a little better at focusing my episodes. All about Music Engineering. Was NOT as dorky as it could’ve been… even showed them some old videos of myself!
Peaked into another class to see what the students were doing… they were sleeping! Students doing math in class… maybe cause their marks aren’t so good and they find my class STIMULATING so they do their homework during my class.
Went to the library for the first time, thinking… what a nice thing to have on c...

Duration: 00:34:23
SSAB - November 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025

Lost, then found! Good thing I ran around! Displaced my university food card and so had to go looking for it. Found it as someone had put it on the curb.
Workouts in! No morning run, but did end up doing 8km after the gym this afternoon. took 54.52. Chest and glutes again today.
How is the Maca motivation going?
How is your Chinese going?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA
***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski...

Duration: 00:34:04
SSAB - November 11, 2025
Nov 11, 2025

Lest we forget! Remembrance Day in the West, shopping day in China! Anything good to buy? Doesn’t look like it.
Workout in! And trying some different APPs. Did back and shoulders today. Currently trying out the APP Hevy. Looks interesting, but too bad I can’t copy + paste my workout. Maybe AI has made me lazy?-Hevy-Strong-Strava-runo APP-Tempo-PUSH-JeFit-iMuscle2-Runkeeper
And should I go study Chinese in the mountains?
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on N...

Duration: 00:35:19
SSAB - November 10, 2025
Nov 10, 2025

Back is killing me after sitting in this chair all weekend!
Marking begins! Starting early and looking to get it done quick.
Workouts in! 3.5km run in 20.57, then hitting legs today, then back out for another 4.5km run in 27.42.
SLV Episode 63 up and out! Stats looking good.
And a bit of sad news: a death in the family, how do bereavement flights work?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski...

Duration: 00:33:06
SSAB - November 7, 2025
Nov 07, 2025

Adding to yesterday’s one year analysis, what’s the issue? The issue isn’t so much that I haven’t built the next thing, it’s that all of the things I have done in the last year could have been done while at my old job. Basically, I created a bunch of work for myself that really only led to me making less money and still just getting the same number of things done.
Tried to sit down and re-write yesterday’s transcript into a blog and it just took forever. Not a speedy thing. They’re different medi...

Duration: 00:39:44
SSAB - November 6, 2025
Nov 06, 2025

Steve, do you miss your old job one year on? No, maybe the size of the paycheques, but not the monotony.
KFC on campus! Same with Luckin! Is this CAPITALization of the university education a good thing or bad thing? And did I try anything?
Moderations done, so marking begins. Learning a lot about the structure of sentences, ie, what would be considered strictly compound and complex sentences.
Found the smoking hole in the apartment, it’s right by the air conditioner… and where the birds try to come into my apartment!
Donate to the show! PayP...

Duration: 00:39:45
SSAB - November 5, 2025
Nov 05, 2025

Easy going day, but this won’t last.
Looking into voice and SMS services, Twilio, Eleven Labs, Retell AI, and a few others. Doesn’t have to be perfect, but does need to be effective.
Back to YouTube Shorts as they garner a higher view rate than my long form videos. Also looking to build out the Chinese course again this year.
Workouts in! 7.51km in 50.07 (didn’t want to go!), Back upper body workout in the gym this afternoon, then back out for another 4.57km run in 30.18. Thinking, wouldn’t it be cool if there was an APP t...

Duration: 00:39:04
SSAB - November 4, 2025
Nov 04, 2025

From Shanghai to Song Shan, this podcast is with you!
Getting cold, or getting a head cold? Gotta bundle up!
No workout in today cause had to do my moderation, did the kids listen to what was needed?
New AI tools to try out, and getting ready for a revised Chinese course! Gamma AI, Retell AI, and how else can I use the podcast to promote these things? Duped by Mac Whisper! I thought it was an official program! Turns out not! Transcriptionist seems better, though simpler.
Bought some sales courses, will see how they go.<...

Duration: 00:39:29
SSAB - November 3, 2025
Nov 03, 2025

Up from a nap!
Welcome to the new month! November here we are!
New AI tools to try out, and getting ready for a revised Chinese course! Gamma AI, Retell AI, and how else can I use the podcast to promote these things?
Workouts in! De-load week? 3.58km run in 22.04, then to the weight room for legs and chest, then back outside for another 4.51km run in 28.12. Getting cold! And I don’t want to get my new jacket sweaty! hahaha
And, I can tell you’re not from Beijing… you thought I was cool. Meeting a grou...

Duration: 00:41:56
SSAB - October 31, 2025
Oct 31, 2025

Guess I have some editing to do!
聊斋志异 by request! But… some different stories.
Workout in! Only a 4.52km run AFTER my workout. Did get 110 pull ups done, 220 push ups, 330 squats, but all were unweighted. Took about 30 minutes to do.
Just wasn’t feeling it but mainly because I hadn’t slept well. Was working on yesterday’s episode in the morning, the freelance course, then had to finish editing my Tiananmen video (finally published).
Mid-term writing exam done, next week is listening and reading. End of next month will be descriptive essay. Then, speaking component.
How was the free...

Duration: 00:51:54
SSAB - October 30, 2025
Oct 30, 2025

Twas the night before Hallow’s Eve, and all was a-twitter, frothing hither and tither, especially the critters…
The US testing nukes, but… against whom? Given yesterday’s talk about Project Serpo and all the alien stuff, do you think those nukes are for us? Or just a proof of technology AND, more importantly, a big step in the RESEARCH and DEPLOYMENT of the knowledge?
No workout in, even though had plenty of time. Feeling fine, could I have gotten one in time?
SLV Episode 62 recorded, all about the gamification of education.
Morning class cancelled tomorrow, but exam...

Duration: 00:59:12
SSAB - October 29, 2025
Oct 29, 2025

Workouts in! 7.52km in the morning in 47.02, weight room in the midday for mostly upper body but some legs too, then out for another 4.52km in 29.27.
Natty gains: Mike Israetel with Jeremy Ethierhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vawuA8-CLWw-sleep is important - stress can affect it, so can alcohol-how much can you actually gain? Will your gains change over time?
Another video edited and should be up soon. No SLV podcast recorded just yet.
GOLD a tanking, stonks accelerating - Trump and Xi to meet, it’s one of the best times to buy Chinese stonks (no...

Duration: 01:00:14
SSAB - October 28, 2025
Oct 28, 2025

Still working out, Steve? Yes. Yesterday’s runs in! First run done was 3.51km in 21.49, then off to the gym for legs and chest, then out for another 4.52km run in 28.10. Another workout in today, but focused on the back. Followed some of Jeff Nippard’s odd workouts to help hit the back.
Thinking… what if I just did single muscle groups? Could I make it work?
What of the gamification of education? Had the manager from Australia visit yesterday, she suggested I ask the students to move up to the front. I said they wouldn’t want to do th...

Duration: 00:39:00
SSAB - October 27, 2025
Oct 27, 2025

Sounding good, so I think.
Coming up to the end of the month, what should I read for this year’s Halloween? The Rope? The Call of Cthulu? Another Edgar Allen Poe story?
How was the bus ride? PUKE!
Would you wait 30 minutes for a tanghulu? We did. It was WORTH IT!
New SLV podcast up, Episode 61 - all about why I came to China. Thinking… how many episodes can I do a month and how big does the file have to be?
Calculations for SLV podcast: what if I lowered the bitrate? You don’t need...

Duration: 00:37:54
SSAB - October 24, 2025
Oct 24, 2025

Maca motivation and two projects a day - is it even possible? (spent much of the evening reading about running metronome APPs - bought iMuscle for iPad when I meant to get it for iPhone)
Workouts in! How were the clothes? 3.51km in 23.35, then off to the gym for 105 pull ups (35 with body weight, 35 with 5 kg, 30 with 10 kg), 210 push ups, 315 squats. Then out for another 4.55km run in 29.42.-Still felt sluggish, might be the cold, but possible also eating so early.-Students were requesting time off because they had to run 1000m this morning as a part of their...

Duration: 00:36:42
SSAB - October 23, 2025
Oct 23, 2025

The end of the bootcamp! Time to deploy! But where to do it and how much to pay? Railway, hostinger, n8n, Digital Ocean?
What’s up next? Freelance webinar, sales training, anything else?!
GOLD drops! How far can it go? 10%? 20%? MORE?! Cup with handle formation (formed from 1980s and 2012 peaks)?? Don’t try to predict! (But how do you pick an entry price?)
Maca motivation and the two project conundrum - time is of the essence!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show note...

Duration: 00:38:41
SSAB - October 22, 2025
Oct 22, 2025

Sounds better me thinks, but didn’t use Logic Pro Mastering chain yesterday. It’s something I need to remember to do but, overall, I think yesterday’s episode sounded better than last week’s.
Should I take sponsorship money for this podcast?
How’s your toothpaste experiment going?
Workouts in (new clothes in, too!) 7.53km in 48.05 this morning (0C but not bad), weights for rows and shoulders, then another 4.56km in 27.54 afterwards.
And how was 731?-I think they changed the movie, it wasn’t as gruesome as the XHS clips had you believe. There was some, but no...

Duration: 00:42:07
SSAB - October 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025

Instagram to create a TV-like APP? Challenging YouTube. Now about that monetization and security policy they have.
Bilibili and XHS for the podcasts? WOW. Shtee… you should’ve known.
Got an idea for an English learning-only podcast… just looking at some of these sales guys who have multiple podcasts.
SLV Episode 61 recorded.
TikTok streaming for a month? Every day?
Workout in! Only 25 minutes of light weights.
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Not...

Duration: 00:37:16
SSAB - October 20, 2025
Oct 20, 2025

New week and we’re getting close to the midpoint!
My apologies for the audio quality as of late! Will have to look into it.
Maca… it’s for motivation, so that means you’re more geared up to go. Not strength.
SLV Episode 60 up! Will try to get another episode done this week. Thinking, might split the podcast from the vlog.
Workouts in! Uni to hotel 3.53km n 25.36, then chest and legs, then back out for another 4.64km in 28.13. Sunday: glutes and Jacob’s Ladder!
Shot a new video from Sanyuanqiao to GuoMao on Saturday...

Duration: 00:33:25
SSAB - October 17, 2025
Oct 17, 2025

GOLD keeps going! How far can it go? Bubble mania or just par for the course? Barry Ritholtz website: https://ritholtz.com/2025/10/realtime-bubble-checklist/
Workouts in… and not sure if that Maca gave me any more strength. 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, some weighted, some not. Then rows and shoulders plus tried to do some deadlifts but couldn’t get the bar positioned correctly and then the students showed up. 3.5 km run done in 24.21 before the weights, then 4.51km in 28.22 after.
Have yet to post SLV 60, will get to that quickly.
Tiktok streaming, how is it? How can I re...

Duration: 00:39:22
SSAB - October 16, 2025
Oct 16, 2025

Getting cold!
Gangster rap or hotel TV music?
SLV Episode 60 done and edited, should be up tomorrow. Shot and edited all today. Debatable whether I prefer this method or the multi-day method.
Building up landing pages and email campaigns… how will this all work together?
Did not stream today, but is content really king? Thinking, is it a good idea to split off the English teaching from the language vlog?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.co...

Duration: 00:37:37
SSAB - October 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025

Wednesday hump day! Only ONE class and a welcome break!
How are those supplements doing? So far, so good, no noticeable problems.
Investing advice? Guidance? What would you recommend? I don’t give advice except to educate yourself. That being said, educate yourself on the following:-Buy and hold, don’t trade to trade and time the markets-Ignore options until you have the ability to lose that money (ie, buy insurance)-Dividend stocks only (banks, utilities, broad market ETFs, look for something called “covered call ETFs” as they pay a higher dividend/interest rate)-Following on from that, do you w...

Duration: 00:46:33
SSAB - October 14, 2025
Oct 14, 2025

GOLD... to the MOON!
AI agent a go go - deploying to the world!
Up for breakfast and stayed to eat!
Starting Maca, what is it and WTF would I bother? New supplement stack!-Fish oil-Maca-Milk Thistle-Ashwaganda-Bacopa-Vitamin C-Magnesium-(Zinc)-MCT coconut
Workout in! But didn’t get editing done, nor a new podcast.
Hey, it was Thanksgiving Day in Canada!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SS...

Duration: 00:47:50
SSAB - October 13, 2025
Oct 13, 2025

Forgot my cell phone cable! If only I had the USB-C version!
I’m the only teacher that walks around! All the others just stand at the front and talk.
I’ve been told: sit and eat at breakfast! Maybe time to change my schedule?
AI agent due today, gotta get it in!
Workouts in! 3.53km in 22.36, an hour in the weight room (legs, shoulders, arms), then another 4.63km in 28.53. I’m a bit stiff right now.
And my Chinese class extended once more… for three months. Get it done!
Donate to the show! PayPal l...

Duration: 00:35:39
SSAB - October 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025

Cold and rainy! We’re number one! Coldest beginning of October in a very long time!
Workouts in! 3.51 km run in 28.09 (while on the phone!), then off to do 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats + rows, back, deadlifts, and shoulders. Then out for another 4.57km run in 28.23.
Big day making calls! Always tough to gauge when to call, but these have to be done. Talked to my Uncle, no one is Ukrainian dancing.
GOLD a moving! Bigly! Is the USD oversold? But how much does this really matter?
Students are using ChatGPT, should this be called out or...

Duration: 00:37:50
SSAB - October 9, 2025
Oct 09, 2025

Rain rain rain all day, should’ve brought extra socks with me!
Cotti Coffee Drops their prices even more!
Wondering… how often do they replace the tiles in Tiananmen? And what if a foreign dignitary wants to walk around the square? Can they?
What’s up for the next AI agent?
Steven, if you’re just doing your job to be “in compliance”, does that mean you’re just dialling it in as a teacher? Good question. Makes me consider all of the outreach that I’m doing.
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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Duration: 00:38:29
SSAB - October 8, 2025
Oct 08, 2025

Back to Changping for a couple of days, rainy all the way.
Workouts in! Didn’t go outside until I took out the garbage so worked out at home, including using the treadmill for the first time in a long time! Almost 4.91 km done in about 45 minutes.
GOLD a moving! Over $4000 USD an ounce now!
Starbucks closing stores! Including Seattle Sodo roastery! … They just unionized last year! Time to short?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Duration: 00:34:58

SSAB - October 7, 2025
Oct 07, 2025

It might not be the neighbour! It might be the OTHER neighbour! The stock market lady’s father!
New vlog edited and posted, all about a bus ride back to Shuangjing. Simple, yet informative.
Off to Tiananmen, how was it? Took longer than we planned, which is something we should have planned for. Accidentally went into the area towards Forbidden City so that extended our visit by a couple hours. Lots of people, lots of security. Security girls were impressed by the beard, gf still isn’t.
And a new AI agent challenge, getting into the good stuf...

Duration: 00:32:37
SSAB - October 6, 2025
Oct 06, 2025

It got cold.
Happy Mooncake Festival 中秋节快乐!
The neighbour is smoking more.
Workouts in! 7.02km in 53.09. Afternoon light weights. Also hit the gym yesterday morning for a glute workout cause I find it hard to strengthen them any other way.
SLV 59 is out! I’m scaling back.
Off to the circus… play circus that is.
And off to Tiananmen tomorrow, what will we see and how will we get there?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com...

Duration: 00:34:45
SSAB - October 3, 2025
Oct 03, 2025

End of the week, and the middle of the break!
Back to Chinese classes, they’re much easier this time round!
Re-recorded SLV Episode 59, this one was far better.
Workouts in! 7.51km in 46.17 in the morning, weights in the afternoon - 105 pull ups, 210 push ups, 315 squats. Used 5 kg for the middle portion, 10 kg for a couple rounds (10 or 20 pull ups total?), then rows, shoulders and back. Then… out for another 4.5km run in 30.31. Why? Met this 60-yr old Chinese guy running this morning. Runs 20km 3-5 times a week. Spoke rough English, but he kept pace with me a...

Duration: 00:40:03
SSAB - October 2, 2025
Oct 02, 2025

Wow is it quiet around here. Some fireworks yesterday at 8 am, but not much… not that I’m looking.
Is that AI agent course worth it? Another WSJ article says… it’s just another course capitalizing on the trend. (But finished my latest homework assignment already.)
1. “Maybe you’re learning how to work more efficiently with the aid of ChatGPT and its robotic brethren. Perhaps you’re taking one of those innumerable AI certificate courses.”
2. “I always thought my years of experience at a high-profile company would at least be enough to get me interviews where I could explain how I...

Duration: 00:40:05
SSAB - October 1, 2025
Oct 01, 2025

New month! Happy China Day!? 5,000 years of history but today is China Day.
Liked today’s hotel breakfast! Will it last? They had ham at breakfast this morning, and goodie bags for kids! (They gave me one). Gotta be careful how much I eat because then I’m just lethargic after!
Workouts in! First kilometer was in 8.39, restarted the watch ,next 6.15km was in 33.34. Kilometer 5 was run in 5 minutes, so had a good pace going. Afternoon was into the weight room for legs, chest, and some accessories.
Finished Week 2 assignment! Building a “human-like” AI agent, which really just tau...

Duration: 00:36:27
SSAB - September 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025

End of the month! My how time flies!
Work done for the next eight days! Lots to get done.
New vlog recorded, editing soon! Maybe I should just re-do the other ones?
Workout in, a token effort. Accessory work + 4.01 km run in 36.19.
ESL podcasts - they’re talking about things that have been done that I’m just discovering! Or have we all known for a while? AI chatbots, teachers and technology, pros and cons, and what’s helpful, what’s harmful.
And what’s next for the AI bootcamp? Agents that are more human-like!
Donat...

Duration: 00:35:16
SSAB - September 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025

A walk around Changping at night, what did I find? Xi’an Small Snacks BiangBiang Mian (𰻞𰻞面)… apparently the character wasn’t able to be printed on screen until 2020.
A happy discovery: how to connect my laptop to the school computer AND to my iPad! (Why wasn’t I doing this before?)
National Day coming up, when do I leave the breakfasts?
GOLD to pull back? Zeal says so.https://zealllc.com/2025/gdxspovb.htm
And workouts in! 3.52 km in 23.09, then weights for 46.39 (full body), then another 4.5km run in 27.09.
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www...

Duration: 00:34:42
SSAB - September 26, 2025
Sep 26, 2025

Workouts in! 3.52km in 24.27, then hit the gym for my pull up rounds, took 39 min 49 sec to get 105 weighted pull ups in, push ups, squats, then did some rows and shoulder work. Then back out for another 4.51km run in 30.38. Get it done while I can. And yes, I did a work out on Wednesday as well. (7.32km run in 47.34 in the morning, then hit the gym after the work meeting for legs and chest day.)
Excused from class? Do students need to ask for leave? NO! You’re there or you’re not, you have a note or you...

Duration: 00:35:09
SSAB - September 25, 2025
Sep 25, 2025

Learning all about APIs… remember what I said about Granola being a “wrapper” for ChatGPT? Well, using an API key would be how you would build such a program.
LOL, coming across “On this day last year” memes on TikTok! Back when I was posting regularly. (And yes, still doing outreach.)
Edited SLV Episode 58. It might be that I just get these podcasts out later cause I’m having trouble finding the time.
Meeting tonight, we’ll see if I stay up, but so far I’m learning as people are posting the projects they’re making. Better get to work...

Duration: 00:34:33
SSAB - September 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025

Mosquitoes in the room!
How did it go with your hotel neighbours the other day? Quite fine. I think they moved apartments. Called the front desk, told them the situation, front desk asked if I wanted to move and I said no cause I’ve been living here. Knocked on the wall (gently, not aggressively). I don’t think they heard me the first time but the second time they did. And then it went quiet and I haven’t heard them since.
Found a bike?! Yet to buy.
GOLD rocketing! But is this sustainable?https://zealllc.com/20...

Duration: 00:33:55
SSAB - September 23, 2025
Sep 23, 2025

New SLV Episode recorded, thinking, should I continue?
How is the AI course? Is it really going to change anything? Learning N8n and need to get an OpenAI API key.
No workout today, find myself slowing down.
Only one week until National Day, anything planned?
How was Granola… the APP?
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4
Newsletter ov...

Duration: 00:34:14
SSAB - September 22, 2025
Sep 22, 2025

Yup, don’t like the neighbour! But now I have new neighbours at the hotel!
FKD UP the return journey to the hotel! Tried to catch the 45, but it only runs every 30 minutes, so ended up finding a sharebike in the ditch which had puke in its basket.
Into the AI bootcamp I go! What do I need to do?-Four agents-Need to complete THREE out of FOUR assignments to get a certificate of completion. (What’s this good for?)-They’re using a lot of different AI tools-N8n, Fathom Video, Read AI-Also trying out Granola
Workou...

Duration: 00:38:06
SSAB - September 19, 2025
Sep 19, 2025

End of the week and a busy day!
SLV Episode 57 is up and out!
Workouts in! Run from the uni to hotel: 3.51km in 24.43 (a bit slow), 105 pull ups, 210 push ups, 315 squats using body weight, 5 kg and 10 kg weights. Changed them up throughout cause I wasn’t sure if I could only do 10kg. Then back out for another 4.51km run in 27.48.
12 or 13 more weeks to go, gotta find something to do with these kids other than just textbook work. They’re bored. I’m bored!
How’s the food at the hotel? Pretty good as of late...

Duration: 00:43:14
SSAB - September 18, 2025
Sep 18, 2025

What other skills do I have? Even after fifteen years of living and working overseas, what other skills do I have? Only really done two or three different types of jobs: teaching ESL, working on farms, and kinda trying to work online.
Sales funnels and lead generations, how do you do all of this on your own?
A curious thing about learning Chinese: you only learn about China. Learning English or French or even Russian, you can learn something new. The truth about those 1.6 billion.
SLV Ep 57 is done and up! Maybe I should be directing my...

Duration: 00:37:34
SSAB - September 17, 2025
Sep 17, 2025

Hey, Steve! Are you forgetting things?! (yes)
What about that gym? (It closed, but it has two other locations, one nearby in Dawanglu.)
And your neighbour? (Smoking outside my apartment door on Saturday night, WTF? Is he/she/it trying to get at me? Or did they simply not know? And how to deal with this?)
And the podcast?! (Forgot to clean up the storage before recording so it cut out several times.)
Workouts in! 7.52km run in 45.57 in the morning, weights in the afternoon (legs and chest focus), then out for another 2km run in 17.59.<...

Duration: 00:37:20
SSAB - September 16, 2025
Sep 16, 2025

SLV podcast recorded! But made some mistakes.
Every time I sit down to read Chinese, I fall asleep.
Workout in, no run.
Waiting for the sign up for this AI course, but… a word of warning if you’re thinking of building your own APP. SaaStr Episode 820 https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-official-saastr-podcast-saas-founders-investors/id1089973241?i=1000726456214
The reality of AI-built APPs: they don’t work. Listening to Episode 820 of the Saastr podcast and Jason Lemkin, the guy who runs it, did a whole episode of the issues he’s faced in trying to produce apps. Basically, yea, the...

Duration: 00:39:29
SSAB - September 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025

Enjoy your boredom! It only lasts for so long!
Episode Number 1115? I don’t even know.
Did I get my charger? Yes. It was in the classroom.
How was the bus ride? Not bad… took it both ways! Will make a video about this.
Workouts in! From uni to the hotel 3.52km in 20.47, then into the gym for weights, then back out for another 5.00km in 31.55 JUST IN time before it poured.
And my gym closed in Shuangjing!
Donate to the show! PayPal link below!
https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA Duration: 00:38:48

SSAB - September 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2025

Another week done, 13 more to go! But who’s counting?!
1501 subscribers on YouTube! Told some students about my channel.
Looking into Perplexity, looks like a good AI agent builder. I like the idea of scheduling tasks and doing things automatically… maybe editing articles for clarity?
Workouts in! In between classes!-3.51km in 25.49-100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats w 5kg + rows, shoulders, deadlifts-4.69km in 29.30
And a Chinese sea vessel sails through Russian waters in the Arctic, implications? Is this why they’re warming the globe?https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/chinese-cargo-vessel-sails-top-world
Donate to the sh...

Duration: 00:35:52
SSAB - September 11, 2025
Sep 11, 2025

I hope it’s still there! I think (and hope) I forgot my laptop charger in one of the classrooms.
Feeling a bit knackered, all this running around. Making me think… to get to the next spot, what do I have to change now?
SLV 56 up and out! Got an idea for this membership program.
No workout today as I spent most of the day editing the SLV podcast. Also forgot to take my fish oil and I will say that brain fog hit hard!
And what is Nano Bananas? Are these image editing programs worth it?<...

Duration: 00:30:46
SSAB - September 10, 2025
Sep 10, 2025

Another sun spin, hard to admit!
New Apple products, is the new iPhone worth it? Not really. Better camera but still same same. But new Airpods Pro? Built in translation?? The end of language learning as we know it?
SLV podcast in the works, recorded, edited, gotta finesse then publish. Should be up soon.
Workouts in! Gym for legs and chest, then outside for a 7.16km run in 44.04… then back to the gym for 15 more pull ups, push ups and squats. Just cause.
And how was the APP building?
Donate to the show! PayPal link be...

Duration: 00:34:30
SSAB - September 9, 2025
Sep 09, 2025

Is it allergies or something else?
What a thunderstorm! Big!
Tried to record SLV podcast, didn’t happen, but NEW VIDEO up!
Workout in! A bit of full body weights, then a 4.05 km run in 27.59. (In an effort to quell the allergies.)
Gotta remember: tomorrow I have an APP-building class.
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4
Newsletter over at...

Duration: 00:30:38
SSAB - September 8, 2025
Sep 08, 2025

My big problem with teaching in front of a class, or at all: I don’t know what’s going to work.
Back in the Changping. Is this the new schedule? Seems like a burnout schedule to me.
Workouts in! 3.58km in 24.51, then to the gym for some weights, then back out from another 4.52km in 29.30. Weights was a full body workout.
They were burning things this weekend in Shuanjing, another one of those ceremony weekends. Blood Moon, full eclipse last night! I didn’t see it.
Do I just need a change of location from Beijin...

Duration: 00:32:49
SSAB - September 5, 2025
Sep 05, 2025

So ends the first week! Fourteen more to go! Who’s counting?
SLV podcast up and out! Episode 55. Thinking, how can I change this up a little?
Workouts in! Need a new plan and I think I have one: work in the morning, run back, do the workout, shower n get ready, then back at it. Today: 105 pull ups, 210 push ups, 315 squats, 7.13km run in 44 min 33 sec, tried to run a little quicker today (even though I didn’t want to) and got the last two kms done in 5.16 and 5.06. Fast… I don’t like that pace.
About ye...

Duration: 00:36:28
SSAB - September 4, 2025
Sep 04, 2025

So close to getting SLV Episode 55 done! It should be published by the time you listen to this episode.
MaLaXiangGuo for dinner, missed this dish!
Another discovery call! And another scheduled but… no show again. So why bother?
Wondering: here I am trying to build up these young people’s lives while trying to keep mine together. How much can you tell them? Just stick to the script, Steve!
GOLD pops, then starts to drop. Chinese stonks a reversing!
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https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA Duration: 00:36:58

SSAB - September 3, 2025
Sep 03, 2025

Don’t blame the kids, Steve! It’s your fault! The air con is the most likely candidate.
Parade done and over, what will they do for National Day?
SLV podcast recorded but gotta edit n publish tomorrow. Just ran out of time. But there is a new video up: walking through GuoMao.
Workouts in! To the gym for a full body workout, focusing on legs and chest, then a 7.11km run done in 46.35.
And what is another reason I keep producing podcasts? Training the bots. My bots.
Donate to the show! PayPal link below! Duration: 00:36:35

SSAB - September 2, 2025
Sep 02, 2025

How are the classes going? How is the hotel? How is the weather?
Big parade tomorrow, and so? We just work.
TikTok and cold outreach, still no conversions, is this normal? What if… class online?
A little disappointed I can’t do as much of my language studies any more, maybe hopefully this is just growing pains.
And what was that idea to generate more writing for Substack? (Descript-remove filler words - rewrite for clarity.)
It was Labour Day?
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Duration: 00:40:02
SSAB - September 1, 2025
Sep 01, 2025

Back in the Ping of Chang, and into the room of class. Argumentative essays on tap. The cookie shop lady remembered me. What would I do if I knew I was going to quit in four months? Good question. Cause that’s where I was last year at this time. Grinding to get that last Australian video out, same with a Beijing-based video I shot on Saturday. SLV podcast to be shot tomorrow, need to work on another schedule. One workout in, but no run. Figured I could do it tomorrow. Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.pa...

Duration: 00:35:40
SSAB - August 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025

The friend requests begin! Actually… only one. Two groups said hi, the other hasn’t said anything.
Rent paid… have a home or place to stay for another three months!
Workout in! Shoulders, rows, deadlifts then did 100 pull ups in 15 minutes. 7 km run in 53.34, not extras, except a few rounds of more pull ups, push ups n squats. Let’s change it up.
Signed up for an AI sprint class, two hours $130CAD on how to build an APP. This is something that needs to be done.
And Chinese stonks a popping, GOLD a roaring and SILVER a...

Duration: 00:36:18
SSAB - August 28, 2025
Aug 28, 2025

Run done and some ball slams! 7km in 52.23, but they’re spraying inside the compound.
8am starts Monday! Not sure I like this and already looking forward to December!
The leaders are coming! But I’ll be in class. What’s even going on for Sept 3rd?
TikTok outreach continues, building a list, podcast listens spiked, no conversions. Sales is different from marketing is different from content creation.
Claude Pro breaking down, ChatGPT still chugs along.
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***Show notes...

Duration: 00:36:18
SSAB - August 27, 2025
Aug 27, 2025

Finally cooled down!
Steven, you’re not an English teacher, you’re a corporate consultant with a large company that has a lot of employees, many of whom look like students. How was the work meeting? Can’t say I’m convinced.
Raining quite a bit!
Workout in! But no run. Lunch time workout, then work meeting, then off to the gym for some squats and bench work + Jacob’s Ladder.
What is Italian Brain Rot? The mash up of different animals’ features.
New SLV podcast up! And a language check!
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Duration: 00:35:32
SSAB - August 26, 2025
Aug 26, 2025

Well, I guess it’s back to the university and, yep, I’m looking forward to the breakfasts. Was informed there’s another guy I know who works with half the number of students and gets paid more. Ouch.
Creating a “Garrison of Content”, it’s taking a lot longer than I thought it would. YouTube, Podcast, Newsletter, and doing all sorts of cold outreach.
My back to school gift to myself? Looking at DaVinci Studio. I really want to use Final Cut but it takes me so long to edit the video podcast that I kinda wonder if it’s wort...

Duration: 00:36:46
SSAB - August 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025

The week starts and how will it end?
Another busy day, shot Episode 54 of the Language Vlog Podcast, what use is it for? DICTATIONS?!
TikTok cold outreach continues, how is it going?
ChatGPT, what say thee about my current predicament?
Workouts in, 7km in 47.08 + gym workout beforehand, but no skips, jumps, push ups or pistol squats.
Should I have gone to the GuoAn game?
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***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com
And on Notion...

Duration: 00:37:41