About this Event
About the Talk
In 2018, when Yi Yang co-founded JustPod, China had no natural "ear economy" environment. Most people's understanding of spoken-word audio was limited to audiobooks and paid courses - the concept of "podcasting" barely existed in the cultural lexicon.
This talk explores the intersection of media entrepreneurship and digital culture, examining how building a movement - not just a company - became essential to creating sustainable and inclusive prosperity in China's creative economy. Beyond producing popular original shows, Yi Yang and his team worked to cultivate an entire ecosystem: launching PodFest China to create community, partnering with NPR on training programs, publishing an industry newsletter, and pioneering the concept of branded podcasts with corporate clients.
In an era dominated by short-form video, podcasting has emerged as a sustainable space for patient dialogue and storytelling, creating new spaces for conversation and business innovation. Through this journey, Yi Yang will share how the power of audio storytelling has helped both global brands and local communities find their voice, and how this model offers insights for entrepreneurs seeking to build ventures that serve both commercial and cultural purpose.
About the Speaker
Yi Yang is a media entrepreneur, audio storyteller, and pioneer in building China's podcast industry. With over a decade of experience bridging Eastern and Western media landscapes, he has worked at the intersection of creativity, business innovation, and community building - transforming podcasting from an unknown format in China into a thriving cultural and commercial ecosystem.
As co-founder of JustPod, Yi Yang has built China's largest podcast network with 50+ original and branded shows reaching over 50 million listeners. His work extends far beyond content production: he founded PodFest China - the country's first podcast conference, introduced NPR's training programs to Chinese creators, and has consulted on audio strategy for global brands including Nike, Starbucks, LinkedIn, and The Economist.
An award-winning audio storyteller, Yi Yang has produced stories for BBC World Service and This American Life. He is deeply committed to education and knowledge exchange, serving as a mentor for MA students in Audio Storytelling at UCL and co-developing China's first podcast-focused MA curriculum with Hong Kong Baptist University.
Now based in London, Yi Yang works as an audio storyteller and media strategist, advising global media outlets, brands, and creators on how to tell stories that resonate across cultures. His journey demonstrates how media entrepreneurship can create sustainable platforms that serve both commercial success and cultural purpose.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
B34 Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
