The Rooftop Pod
A casual family-oriented podcast where hosts from the Zhan family and occasional guests chat about everyday topics like family, culture, relationships, school, and lifestyle. The show aims to offer wholesome, feel-good conversation for daily listening.
Episodes
Who is the dumb sibling?
Hi everyone enjoy this rooftop pod episode back on a rooftop!00:00 Intro02:43 Experiencing Failures09:35 Taking Life Slow12:25 Sibling Strengths Debate14:50 Andrew Money Habits16:55 Rooftop Pod Intro18:41 Frontier Flight Fiasco36:02 Scarcity Vs Abundance45:26 Wrap Up And Sign Off
Asking my dad about his experience immigrating to the U.S.
00:00 Intro02:17 Sweet Tooth Debate06:12 Why America07:26 China Media Shifts16:16 Expectations Meet Reality26:24 Grad School Money Struggles30:18 English Identity Shift37:03 Losing the Home Dialect40:28 What Feels Like Home46:13 Buying the First House52:45 Success After Retirement56:09 Teaching Grandkids Chinese
Do asian americans know how to play, our college admission experiences, and woofing
This week we invited on our good friend Courtney Sohn to the podcast! We discuss the differences between the west coast and midwest asian american experience, how not knowing what "play" is stunts development, our college admissions stories, and Rachel going woofing!Follow Court on TikTok @offdutycourtney
The irony of immigrant parents asking you to come back home
Hope you enjoy this episode!
AI healthcare, SIGS, FFTs, and IDGAF
Hi! Hope you guys enjoy this week's episode where we chat about how our environment shaped who we are, rachelisms, and AI healthcare! This week's episode is brought to you by Bluevua! Taste water in it's purest form!
Pronouncing ethnic names and the morality of sports betting
Hello!
you found me at a very chinese time in my life
Very well timed post Jesse! Hope everyone is having a great start to 2026!
Tyrant babies and serf mommies
yay!
Would you rather??
Heh fun lil episode here. Lmk what ya'll think of our answers in the comments below!
Birthday sadness and friend groups are for rich people
We're back
Why my dad was strict on me but not my younger siblings :/
Hi! We got to go home and record a podcast with our dad. I've always wondered why my dad treated me so differently compared to all my other siblings. Now I know why! Enjoy the pod and excuse the technical difficulties.
Is your bestie allowed to make new friends??
Hiiii just wanted to drop this episode we recorded at the Dolomites and update ya'll on our lives! Hope you enjoy :D
Grieving the loss of our grandparents
Hi guys, sorry we haven't posted in a while! This past year has been incredibly challenging for us as we navigated the grief of losing our grandparents. They had profound impact on our lives, and we’re still figuring out what life looks like without them.
Recording and uploading episodes didn’t feel right while we were processing this loss. However, we are committed to honoring their legacy and p
Beware of catfish Andrew
LET US BE CLEAR, NO EXPLICIT IMAGES OF ANDREW EXIST AND HE WOULD NEVER SEND ANY. IF YOU'RE GETTING THEM THAT IS NOT HIM. DONT BE FOOLED PLS.
Hosting your friends vs hosting your siblings LOL
man we recorded so much content in Berkeley but the tech gods had another plan, sad. hope you guys enjoy this one!
oh and buy Nouru!!! nouruprotein.com
Our issue with the Church and Religion
Nouru is almost back! Check it out at our popup event this Sunday: https://partiful.com/e/nkgjjZpH7JPCizi8fGxY
Money can buy happiness!
In this week's episode we recap the wild bachelorette finale, discuss if money can buy happiness, how comparisons are the giver of happiness, and the pilars of longevity and healthspan. Enjoy!
Are all immigrant parents the same??
Is it ok to date your sibling's ex??
On this episode we talk about a wild AITA situation
You can only heal outside of a relationship?
alright guys this one is all over the place. we discuss an AITA, whether we'd rather getting cheated on or have an ex move on quickly, and the realities of marriage.
enjoy!
When is too old to go out? Friendship vs relationship attachment styles
Tune into this episode as the rooftop pod gang discusses age and night life, attachment styles and friendship expectations!
0:00 Intro
12:51 Night out in LES
16:18 Age and going out
38:35 Attachment styles
56:21 Friendships, expectations, and dynamics
Do sibling relationships suffer at the cost of romantic relationships?
HI in this episode we discuss the difficulties of child-rearing, co-existing in long distance relationships, and the trajectories of our sibling relationship. Hope ya'll enjoy :D
Check out #coffeemeetsbagel !!!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coffee-meets-bagel-dating-app/id6502307144?mt=8
IG/Tiktok: @coffeemeetsbagel
09:04 Parenting in the modern day (from 3 people who have never parented)
29
Friendship tier lists, China reflections, Discord fiasco, and spilling tea to your partner?
Friendship tier lists, Andrew's leaked photos, China reflections, and spilling tea to your partner?
When did your parents achieve the American Dream?
Hi! Back again, this time with some our friends Min and Karina! They're the best, and hopefully we'll have them on more in the future :D
Enjoy!
Karina's socials:
Youtube: @karina-chan
IG: @karinajchan
Tiktok: @karinajchan
Our socials:
Rooftop Pod email: therooftoppod1@gmail.com
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Converting religions for a partner, prenups, starting off long distance
New rooftop pod in caitshouse!
Join us for a discussion with caitlin about a bunch of things that are kinda random but also kinda planned. Siblings' takes on our relationships, prenups, starting a relationship off long distance, posting kids on the internet.
0:00 Intro
30:18 Long distance relationship are better
38:57 Changing religion for a relationship
1:01:45 Family dynamics, business, and
Jesse's existential crisis, reality tv, how soon is too soon to move on?
HI EVERYONE
Checking in, soorrry been MIA!! Hope ya'll enjoy this episode, hope to be more consistent in the next couple months once Rachel is more free :D
0:00 Intro
9:46 Reality TV
34:45 Arrival fallacy
1:01:19 Dating app background checks and moving on
Rachel's grad school decision, confronting microaggressions, and having an abundance mindset
In this episode of the RTP we catch up on each other's lives and discuss microaggressions, having an abundance mindset, and if social media has made relationship expectations unrealistic.
Hope you enjoy!
Rachel's birthday fiasco and do you have to date for marriage??
Hi everyone~ join us for a zoom episode where we get to catch up on each other's lives and give silly goofy answers to some of your questions
00:00 Bday surprises and group gifts
37:33 Bday gas leak
38:52 Eternal flames
40:25 Asian cultural perspectives on bdays
43:26 Treating inner child
49:58 What to achieve before starting a family
58:40 Date for marriage
dopamine dressing, key to a successful relationship, and andrew's bday w/ karina chan
In this episode we are joined by a very special guest Karina Chan (been a long time coming)! Karina is one of Andrew's best friends from college and current roommate. Join us for a lively and fun discussion about fashion, gender, relationships, and more! Enjoyyyyy
is it okay to cut people out of your life?
hello! we're back and answering more of your questions
Staying hopeful, Rachel is a worm, happiness vs money, and choosing the right major
Happy New Year!! On this week's episode we answer your questions from Mammoth, CA!
Our socials:
Rooftop Pod email: therooftoppod1@gmail.com
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzh
Our FYPs, camping, and expiring currency
On this week's episode of the rtp we catch up on each others lives and talk about Rachel's camping experience, our aspirations of becoming outdoorsmen, our TikTok FYPs and expiring currency (yea kinda all over the place my b)
0:00 Catching up
32:30 Do bad things happen because of sin?
42:50 FYPs
51:22 Expiring currency
Our socials:
Rooftop Pod email: therooftoppod1@gmail.com
Rooftop P
Hitting rock bottom and cuffin' season?
hi hi we're back, sorry for missing a couple weeks of the pod. hope you guys enjoy this episode as we play the card game Siblings Are Human!
0:00 sorry for so much smackin’ we were munchin’
4:12 cuffin' season
26:13 what makes you feel loved or cared for
28:40 reliving our youth
36:24 our rock bottoms
Our socials: Rooftop Pod email: therooftoppod1@gmail.comRooftop Pod TikTok: https://ti
Our mom and dad's biggest regrets and who their favorite child is
In this episode of the rtp mom and dad join Jesse and Andrew to talk about their biggest regrets raising us and their hopes and dreams for our futures
How to live in NYC for free and words of wisdom from Justin Signo
buy our protein!
nouruprotein.com
Appropriate dating age and are girls falsely accused of being indecisive??
We would like to acknowledge the privilege we have to even be able to bring you an episode of the podcast amidst a humanitarian crisis. We pledge to continue acknowledging the severity of the Israel/Palestinian crisis and educating ourselves of the history and ongoing events. We would also like to learn more about how to support efforts to end this conflict, whether it be by bringing awareness to
Healing our inner child and guys must pursue girls!
In this episode Jesse, Andrew, and Rachel get back together to talk about healing their inner child and how life is just settling.
TRY OUR PROTEIN: https://nouruprotein.com
Cheers!
Cry constipation and contemplating mortality
On this episode Jesse opens up about his struggles with cry constipation (crystipation(you heard it here first)), and how he deals with it!
How to get into Harvard and life as a content creator with Caitlin!
Soooooo excited to bring ya'll our bestie and SPECIAL GUEST @caitshouse (and Uni) on this week's episode of the Rooftop Pod!!!!!
3:33 how we met cait
15:00 choosing art over STEM
18:30 SAT scores
21:00 how to get into Haaafuuuuu
39:52 crazies at harvard
52:00 finding confidence to become full time content creator
Cait's socials:
Youtube/IG: @caitshouse
Tiktok: @caitlinnlam
Our so
Finding closure and being jealous of other families
In this episode we talk about being jealous of assimilated families growing up, how to find closure, and then a delulu convolulu about drinking waterlulu
Would you get back with your ex??
On this episode we discuss whether we'd get back with our exes, being an introvert and an influencer
No such thing as the perfect career and why having a girl best friend is good for guys
We're back in our childhood home and rambling on per usual :D On this episode we catch up on each others lives, solve world hunger, listen to obama, chat about the perfect career, and discuss why every guy needs a girl best friend.
Enjoy!
Our sister can't put up with us anymore, more sibling therapy, and should you be sending music in a relationship?!
a much needed sibling therapy session as Rachel spends an entire weekend with no female interaction. let us know if you think you should be able to send music to the opposite gender while in a relationship
The BEST compliment ever and which parent we look up to
On this very wholesome episode of the rooftop pod, the Zhan siblings catch up on recent fulfilling life events with friends, Andrew gets murked by a bee, and which parent we look up to!
The BEST compliment ever and which parent we look up to
On this very wholesome episode of the rooftop pod, the Zhan siblings catch up on recent fulfilling life events with friends, Andrew gets murked by a bee, and which parent we look up to!
Modern dating, friends with exes, and perceiving yourself
Welcome to this week's episode of the rooftop pod! On this episode we talk about the issues with modern dating, being friends with exes, and perceiving yourself. Enjoy!
NEVER SETTLE and would you rather?
On this episode we talk about finding true love and play out a bunch of "would you rather" situations. EnJoy!
Our Chipotle orders and is going downhill good or bad?
Andrew didn't like the title , but rambling until about 27:57 then there's more organized rambling
Curious as to why you all listen to the pod! Comment down below if you fall asleep or get hype at the gym to this pod
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse&#
Is it a ME problem?? How we asked our dates to prom
The nyc smog couldn’t stop us from a lively discussion hyper-fixated on race, dating, and how we asked our dates to prom 😤
Enjoy!
Our amazing New York recs
Short episode this week, but will be back with a full episode next week!
Answering your questions! How you know you're ready
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
A tiny wedding recap ;) and basically the rest of the episode is an ad for Ohio lol
1:51 Jesse spits out bug
7:15 Jesse gets really confused by climbing
12:40 Wedding recap
29:45 Parents want Jesse to pop out babies
35:45 Ad for Ohio starts here
Socials: Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https
Rachel wants a sister, has no social media, and NYC recap!
We're together again! Yay! Enjoy this rooftop pod where we chat about our night out in NYC as a sib trio, Rachel having 4 bros, and how Rachel has no social media!
Friend Siblings, Changing Last Names, and Online vs IRL Persona
Concrete, taking the the guy or girl's last name, online vs real life persona, friend siblings
are the topics of this week's episode
Enjoy!
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagr
Life's still a mess but at least we have each other ;)
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Our Life is a MESS, damp April, ChatGPT, and missing our friends and fam :(
Trigger warning in the beginning.
We're back! but over zoom:( Please excuse any technical difficulties in this scatter brained episode of the rooftop pod where we talk about Jesse's experience having a friend come out to him, ChatGPT, Jesse getting roofied, us missing our friends and family, and the lunar calendar!
lol
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jes
Planning our Weddings, LDRs, and being a DOER
Join us on this week's episode where we talk about our ideal weddings, long distance relationships, and being a doer not a thinker!
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjz
Dating Sibling's Friends and Scary DMs
Why is Andrew going through Jesse's DM's? Why does Rachel think her brother's DM's are a scary place. Would Andrew and Jesse fight over the same person?? Find out the answers to these and more on this week's episode of The Rooftop Pod!
YT guilt and moving our parents OUT of Ohio
In this episode we explore the topic of moving our parents out of Ohio and what that means to their community and livelihood. Our conversation also devolves in to the topic of white guilt and responsibility to our communities to bring about change. Enjoy!
Identity theft self perception and movie HOT takes
Enjoy this episode!
Getting LIT with the sibs
WE'RE BACK and WE'RE LIT. Hope ya'll enjoy this episode :D
Socials: Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Getting to Know My Mom! Parents are Human Card Game Edition (English Sub)
If you don't understand Chinese watch the subbed Youtube video!
In this week's episode I play Parents are Human with my lovely mother :D Hope ya'll enjoy watching me struggle through an entire episode in Chinese. And please pardon some translation mistakes, I tried my best LOL.
Getting to know my DAD: Parents are Human Card Game edition
This game is great for deepening your relationship with your parents. Highly recommend! P.S. pls excuse my preschool level Chinese lol
Socials: Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo/
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewj
BONUS: Rachel and Jesse talk environment are we DOOMED
Releasing two short bonus episodes this week!
In this episode two people who don't know what they're talking about talk about the environment and come to a mildly misanthropic conclusion that humanity and the environment are doomed! Enjoy!
Socials: Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewj
Sibling therapy: what we DON'T LIKE about each other
this episode is all about reconciliation and strengthening our sibling bond :D Enjoy!
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Amber flags and our favorite snacks
Come and partake in a stimulating and elevated discourse with us as we delve into our beloved delicacies.
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Asian beauty standards and our BIGGEST insecurities
in this episode we touch on asian beauty standards and talk about our biggest insecurities
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Getting POLITICAL with our parents
In this episode of the rooftoppod we talk about how we don't always see eye to eye with our parents and how we approach reconciling these differences.
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andre
Our sister rates our hinge profiles :D
WE GOT NEW MICS. Hope ya'll enjoy this silly episode we recorded while on a family vacation in colorado. In this episode we talk about dating etiquette, why being a jack of all trades is superior, aaand rachel gets to rate our hinge profiles lol. Hope ya'll enjoy :D
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https:
Our journey with religion and dating with RELIGIOUS parents
join us for a rooftop conversation about our journey with religion and how it affects our lives now
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's IG: https://instagram.com/andrewjzhan
Discord: https://discord.gg/kWgV7rjMgV
Our mom's immigration story and her OBSESSION with sales
Our mom’s perspective was largely absent from the narrative of our parent’s immigration. Although I had heard bits and pieces of my mom's story growing up, it wasn’t until mother’s day of 2020 that I realized the full extent of our mom’s sacrifice and the unfathomable hardships she faced. This week’s podcast seeks to the honor and preserve a small part of her story. Rachel, Andrew, and I truly don
Getting silly goofy with Nick and Luanna :D
Join the big kids in the big apple on a special podcast with special guests: Nick and Luanna! On this episode we chop it up about dating in college, hedging relationships, handling breakups, red flags, and sex ed for kids. Hope ya'll enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it :D
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Rachel owes us half a BILLION dollars and wishing we were white
One of my favorite episodes yet :D Hop on the roof with us and enjoy a conversation about how our sibling relationships have changed over the years (from bullying each other to becoming besties), why Rachel owes her brothers half a billion dollars, struggling with our asian american identities, and then reclaiming it.
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok:
Jesse gets WHOOPED, Dad had a hard knock life
Welcome to the second episode of the rooftop pod! Slight change in scenery as we self rank ourselves as siblings, reminisce about ass beatings, and our dad's ridiculous childhood stories
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@therooftoppod
Jesse's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jessezhan
Andrew's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andrewjzhan
Jesse's IG: https://instagram.com/zhan_solo
Andrew's I
OUR SISTER'S EXTRAORDINARILY underwhelming DATING LIFE
Welcome to the first episode of the rooftop pod! Join us for a convo about our sister Rachel's dating life (or lack thereof lol), why our grandma is threatening us to have kids, and our growing up in an immigrant family without traditions. Apologies in advance for Andrew's audio since he was not present and was communicating by phone.
Socials:
Rooftop Pod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theroof
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