Keep culture and tradition alive at the mahjong table episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 20, 2025 · 17 MIN

Keep culture and tradition alive at the mahjong table

from Code Switch · host Code Switch Clips

How do we keep family traditions alive? For some people, it's by speaking their heritage language, or learning how to cook family recipes. For Nicole Wong, it was through games — specifically, learning the ins and outs of Mahjong. Her research led her to start the Mahjong Project, and to write a book about what she was learning called Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora. So this week, we talk to Nicole about what it's like trying to teach people a game you're not the best player of, and what she's learned about leveling up to elder/auntie status.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy🎧 The conversation doesn't have to end here.👇 [GO DEEPER — TAP HERE] 👇

How do we keep family traditions alive? For some people, it's by speaking their heritage language, or learning how to cook family recipes. For Nicole Wong, it was through games — specifically, learning the ins and outs of Mahjong. Her research led her to start the Mahjong Project, and to write a book about what she was learning called Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora. So this week, we talk to Nicole about what it's like trying to teach people a game you're not the best player of, and what she's learned about leveling up to elder/auntie status.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy🎧 The conversation doesn't have to end here.👇 [GO DEEPER — TAP HERE] 👇

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Keep culture and tradition alive at the mahjong table

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This episode was published on December 20, 2025.

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How do we keep family traditions alive? For some people, it's by speaking their heritage language, or learning how to cook family recipes. For Nicole Wong, it was through games — specifically, learning the ins and outs of Mahjong. Her research led...

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