“The reason I’m putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don’t want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay

 Today I'm doing something a little bit different. You're about to hear an episode from my other show, Smarter Podcasting, where my wife Adrie joins me to talk about what she looks for in a podcast

So if you ever thought. I could do that, but I don't know how, then this episode's for you.

If you do wanna start your own podcast, then go and subscribe to Smarter Podcasting as well. In this show I share all my tips and tricks and failures along the way to help you make the best podcast possible.

This episode is easily one of my favorites - not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time.

Listening to her describe how she chooses podcasts, where she listens, and what makes her switch off reminded me that every podcaster needs to think more like a listener. This conversation changed the way I look at intros, ads, and even how people interact with Spotify. If you want to know how your audience really experiences your show — this is the episode to listen to.

5 Key Talking Points

1. Listeners crave connection. They tune in to people, not just topics.
2. Bad audio kills interest instantly — even more than weak content.
3. The first two minutes decide everything. Get to the point fast.
4. Titles and artwork matter more than show notes. Most people never read them.
5. Podcast habits are personal. Where, when, and how people listen shapes what they love — and what they skip.

Chapters and Timestamps

• 00:00 — Why People Listen
• 03:00 — From Talk Radio to True Crime
• 09:00 — What Makes Listeners Switch Off
• 17:00 — Should You Repeat Your Intro Every Episode?
• 25:00 — How Listeners Discover New Podcasts
• 35:00 — Lessons for Podcasters

"Send me a message!"

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Phuong Nguyen is a Vietnamese expat currently located in Paphos, Cyprus.

She has hosted a Vietnamese podcast since 2016. Occasionally she interviewed Expats living in Vietnam and has some episodes covering expat lives such as being a vegan in Hanoi, Vietnam under the eyes of an artist and expat's life during Tet - Vietnam's traditional New year holiday.

At the age of 30, she decided to shift her career into Fitness and now she is a Pilates instructor.

You can find her interview with Niall and more on her website:

https://theblueexpat.com/

or on wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Phuong on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblueexpat/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblueexpat/

-------------------
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay

Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

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Vote here.

I bring you a quick update as we take a short break.

The podcast has evolved into a thriving business since its inception in 2019, leading to the establishment of the Saigon Podcast Studio.

This year has been challenging due to my health issues, but the business is growing with new clients. We've rebranded to focus on relevant topics and I'm eager for your feedback.

We've been reliving our journey by airing older episodes and have been nominated for the Best Podcast in Vietnam at the People's Picks Awards.

Your support and votes are greatly appreciated. New episodes and exciting guests are on the way!

00:00 Introduction and Apology for the Break

00:15 Building a Podcast Business

00:45 Health Challenges and Business Growth

01:15 Podcast Seasons and Rebranding

02:17 Listener Engagement and Feedback

02:52 Revisiting Old Episodes

04:10 Award Nominations and Voting

04:59 Gratitude and Reflection

05:56 Conclusion and Future Episodes

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!

The most difficult man to nail down for an interview is finally on Seven Million Bikes! Chef and Restaurateur Calvin Bui of El Camino and Dos Amigos Taqueria.

A California native born of parents who escaped the fall out of the Vietnam war, Calvin has lived in Saigon for 10 years now and gone from a Wall Street Banker to owning and running successful restaurants in Saigon. Most notable for his fusion of Korean and Mexican food.

Calvin and I talk about his love of feeding people, Trip Advisor Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.

• Owner and Founder at El Camino
• Owner and Founder at Easy Tiger
• Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
• Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia Hoi

Instagram; fkndeliciousness

How not to treat your customers;

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!

Levi Oi moved from Berlin to Saigon at the end of 2018 - to discover her Vietnamese roots and to become a DJ.

Her style is characterized by deep infectious melodic tunes, strong baselines paired with a cheeky sprinkle of techno.

Within 5 months of her DJ career, she played her first Boiler Room set in Ho Chi Minh City.
Next to organizing electronic music events, she was also the tour manager of Red Axes and local guide for their EP “Trips in Vietnam”.

Now she is living between Saigon & Berlin.

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!

Mr Nam Đen as he is affectionately known in Vietnam, or Nadis as he is known in his home country of Nigeria, is the creator of Afro Viet TV, a massively popular You Tube channel.

Through comedy, food, music and travel his channel explores the beauty of African and Asian cultures.

After first coming to Vietnam in 2008 he has now lived here for 10 years and is one of those rare things... an expat who can speak fluent Vietnamese. Sick of communicating through hand gestures and wanting to understand the culture he was living in better Mr Nam Đen took Vietnamese lessons and without fear of making mistakes he threw himself into learning Vietnamese.

As a trained actor, with a strong comedic sense and master of the local language, what started as a hobby in 2018 has grown into a channel with over 66,000 Subscribers and a devoted fanbase.

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!

“Vietnam isn’t just somewhere people come for a cheap holiday anymore — it’s where creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers are choosing to build a life.”

That line sums up what this episode is all about.

For our first-ever live-streamed episode of Discover Vietnam, I sat down with Dana Bradley, co-founder of Where in HCMC, to talk about how Vietnam — especially Saigon — has evolved into one of the most exciting lifestyle destinations in Asia.

Dana first arrived in Vietnam by accident during the COVID lockdowns… and ended up staying five years (and counting). Her story mirrors so many of ours: we came for a short time, fell in love with the energy, and somehow built a life here.

What I loved most about this conversation is how naturally it flowed between personal stories, cultural observations, and genuine admiration for what makes Saigon Saigon. We dug into everything from why foreigners can’t seem to leave, to how Vietnamese creatives are shaping the city’s future.

Key Talking Points

• Vietnam’s evolution – from a backpacker stop to a global lifestyle and creative hub.
• Why people stay – Saigon’s spontaneity, community, and energy make it impossible to leave.
• Dana’s story – from being “stuck” during COVID to building Where in Vietnam, a platform connecting people and local businesses.
• Authenticity redefined – the real Vietnam isn’t just pho and war museums; it’s also cocktail bars, design studios, and Gen Z creatives.
• Empowering small businesses – how Where in Vietnam’s new website and People’s Picks Awards are spotlighting modern Vietnam.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 02:45 – Dana’s accidental arrival and decision to stay
• 06:30 – What makes Saigon special
• 13:40 – The birth of Where in HCMC
• 23:00 – Vietnam’s new generation and creative boom
• 31:00 – The future of lifestyle in Vietnam

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!

Niall talks to Ilse Zoerb. They instantly click and are both super goofy, joking about her name, accent and even Niall's dead grandmother. We even find a mutual appreciation for the TLC channel. Check out her favourite TLC show here.

Ilse helped her parents move to Vietnam at the end of 2016 while Trump was taking office. She got caught in the Saigon vortex and is grateful for it.

Ilse is a creator of things, having studied Movement in her native US. Since moving to Saigon she tried out stand up comedy before exploring Drag as the character Colonel Hai Minh, performing in several shows and also works with Dragonfly Theatre.

Instead of talking about the arts scene in Saigon that they are both a part of, for some unknown reason Niall and Ilse get very excited to talk about urban planning in Saigon and the improved road network! It's a way more interesting conversation than it sounds!

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here.

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!