In the first episode of the “Common Concerns” podcast, Siqi Tu and Sohail Jagat speak with Xiang Biao, co-director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology. Looking back on his experiences and academic career in China and the UK, he traces the origins of his “Common Concerns” approach.

The conversation centres on “Common Concerns”, a research approach developed by Xiang Biao. The approach focuses on understanding the concerns and hardships of ordinary people and using these as a perspective for analysing social phenomena. The conversation highlights the idea that “Common Concerns” is not merely a research topic, but a mindset and a research method centred on understanding the concerns of others and developing intellectual tools from them to reflect on and address social problems.

Xiang Biao recounts his personal story of how his interest in “Common Concerns” arose, stemming from his experiences as a young man in China, where he was angered by a scholar who blamed the population for the failure of a reform policy. This experience led him to question the scholar’s elitist approach and to seek a more inclusive and participatory approach to understanding social problems.

The conversation further explores the concept of luck and the role it has played in Xiang Biao’s career. He describes how fortunate he has been to reach a wide audience and to develop a ‘Common Concerns’ approach that has resonated with people. However, he also notes that success is not merely a matter of chance, but is also influenced by historical contingencies and the demand for certain types of knowledge and ideas.

The conversation also addresses the concept of the audience and its significance as a key factor in the “Common Concerns Approach”. Xiang Biao notes that the audience is not merely a demographic group, but also a dynamic and evolving entity that can be influenced by various factors. He also points out that the ‘Common Concerns Approach’ is not only about understanding the audience, but also about using the audience as a lens through which to analyse social phenomena.

Xiang Biao reflects on the concept of normativity and how it is a central aspect of the ‘Common Concerns’ approach. He notes that this approach is not about imposing normative judgements, but about using people’s own judgements and concerns as a starting point for analysis. He also points out that the approach involves a certain kind of wisdom and life experience that is necessary to understand the complexity of social problems.

The conversation also elaborates on collaborative research and how this is a central aspect of the ‘Common Concerns Approach’. Xiang Biao notes that collaborative research involves working with others to develop intellectual tools that serve to reflect on and address social problems. He also points out that collaborative research requires a specific kind of dialogue and conversation that is necessary for developing a deeper understanding.

In this episode of our Common Concerns podcast, Xiang Biao welcomes Dr. Alf Gerlach, senior psychoanalyst and long-time contributor to the dialogue between psychoanalysis and social critique. Drawing on his decades of work in Germany and China, Alf reflects on the intersections of individual psychology and collective social conditions — particularly through the lens of the “social unconscious.” He shares how his early engagement with the Frankfurt School, especially the fusion of psychoanalysis and critical theory, shaped his approach to understanding both personal and societal struggles.

Alf discusses the differences and surprising parallels between psychoanalytic practice and the common concerns approach. While psychoanalysis focuses on helping individuals uncover repressed experiences and internal conflicts, the common concerns method seeks to clarify and structure the often unarticulated worries people carry in their everyday lives. He and Biao Xiang reflect on how institutionalization in Germany has, at times, limited the public role of psychoanalysts, contrasting this with the more engaged intellectual traditions in France and the Global South. The conversation reveals how both fields, though different in method, can deepen our understanding of power, identity, and social change.

In this episode, Xiang Biao sits down with Zhipeng Duan, a design researcher-turned-anthropologist, to dismantle the idea that powerlessness is a lack of power. Isn't it rather a blindness to the world’s hidden possibilities?

Duan Zhipeng, discusses how his understanding of change has evolved from a focus on solving problems to a more nuanced understanding of how relationships and perceptions shape our experiences. He introduces the concept of confrontation, which involves directly engaging with one's environment and others to gain new insights and understanding. This confrontation can be a turning point, allowing individuals to re-evaluate their relationships and perspectives. Zhipeng shares several examples, including a project called "Seeing the First 500 Meters," which involved participants exploring their immediate environment and creating art based on their experiences. He shares the story of Li Feng, who created an artwork about his relationship with his mother, which led to a deeper understanding of his mother's mental health issues and their impact on his own life. Confrontation can be understood as a long-term process, involving repeated observations and adaptations. Zhipeng emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding in confronting powerlessness and making meaningful changes in one's life.

This episode reveals how "confrontation" can transform powerlessness into life force and how it rewires your relationship with the world.