#092 - Storytelling as resistance, wild tea, deep friendship, and fighting to remember - w/ Rui Liu
Oh my goodness. This conversation is everything I needed, and more.
I’m joined by one of my best friends and favourite humans on this planet, the incredible Rui Liu, a child of tea and founder of Grass People Tree. We went beyond what you might expect from a conversation that centres tea (though we go deep into that too). We found ourselves going into culture, identity, ancestry, friendship, artistry, business, beauty, rebellion, ritual… all of it.
We talk about Rui’s childhood in rural China, her unexpected leap into the fashion world, and how tea became the anchor that brought her back home. To herself, to her people, and to a way of life rooted in reverence. We unpack what it means to create from truth, to honour your roots while navigating the modern world, and to stay close to the quiet, sacred things even when life gets loud. I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO DIVE INNNN!
I especially wanted Rui to tell us all the story behind building Grass People Tree. And to go into the details of why GPT is beyond being a brand, but more of a living archive of oral histories, indigenous knowledge, and living tea. We explore the difference between tea that is alive versus tea that’s been industrialised, and how language, story, and care make all the difference.
This was one of the most expansive, soul-shifting conversations I’ve ever had. Guys, I honestly felt like we were sitting in a temple, laughing and crying and remembering the parts of ourselves that are often forgotten in the rush of it all.
I just know you will love where we took this! She's also kindly given us a 10% DISCOUNT (use code AFRICABROOKE) when you buy yourself some tea from the GPT website, below. Make use of it, and you'll see why I drink this tea each time I sit down to connect.Resources Mentioned:
The Roots of Tea (A Self-paced Course) - I have to say it again, this offering is phenomenal!
GET IN TOUCH WITH RUI:
Website: Grass People Tree (discount code AFRICABROOKE for 10% off)
Instagram: @grasspeopletree / @rui.rae
Email: [email protected]
Resources Mentioned:
The Roots of Tea (A Self-paced Course) - I have to say it again, this offering is phenomenal!
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You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me (including if you have podcast episode requests) at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!
PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!
Beyond the Self with Africa Brooke
Welcome to our unfiltered corner. The voicescapes you'll be taking in are created by myself, Africa Brooke.
In a worldly sense, I am a globally acclaimed consultant, mentor, writer, and artist. My deepest desire with this podcast is to remind us ALL of the power inherent in taking simple, consistent, and often uncomfortable steps towards personal integrity.
I'm all too aware that overwhelm and societal pressures make it easy to become fixated on external influences, tiptoe around potentially sensitive issues and cross our own boundaries in the process. And this kind of environment often leads to self-sabotage.
That's where Beyond the Self steps in to be your guiding light. In this house, we FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN CONTROL.
I will be using all my intellectual property, training, tools and wisdom to help you in uncovering your own blind spots and learning to tolerate discomfort so that you can rekindle curiosity, creativity, deeper and more intimate relationships, pleasure, play, and a sense of groundedness.
In every episode I'll lay out encouraging insights about our shared human complexities, both messy and fucking beautiful. I really do value a nuanced understanding and more importantly, practical, evidence-based tools and resources to help you integrate the learnings into your life.
If you're looking for an uncompromising approach to personal development and life philosophy, you've found yourself in the right place. Here, we don't hold back. Welcome to Beyond the Self.
- No. of episodes: 91
- Latest episode: 2025-05-05
- Education Society & Culture Philosophy Self-Improvement
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