Six months ago Miist became the first native Chinese artist to have a top 25 Billboard AC hit, and now she has launched Make Me Smile with Miiston the world’s largest music podcast network, Pantheon Media. Her new episode out today is about the power of imagination and gratitude even in the most difficult times. The singer-songwriter and host shares what helped her heal after being abandoned at five years old, surviving terminal cancer by age 28, and discovering her musical gift at 34 years old. The Teen Cancer America Ambassador also plays her original song “She,” bringing to life the nurturing figure she wished she had.
Miist shows listeners how imagination can help us cope, heal, and foster forgiveness, as well as how a playful yet potent 15-second action can instantly boost your mood. The show feels like an inspiring TED® talk, blending personal stories, compelling insights, original music, and small yet powerful actions that could change your and someone else’s world. The premiere episode “Could You Lend Me a Smile, Part 1” explores how small acts like offering a smile could even save a life. She remembers a young man in Tokyo who passed away alone in his apartment and was not found for weeks, a heartbreaking case of what’s become known as “Lonely Death.”
“I never forgot his story,” shares Miist. “I imagined him walking on the streets with the sounds of thousands of footsteps passing by and wondered if anyone had ever bothered to lend him a smile."
Miist recruited musicians around the world to amplify this simple message and shared a preview of the global anthem “Could You Lend Me a Smile” on the show, part of her upcoming album. On May 9, listeners can hear the song in 15 languages from five different continents, featuring artists with 60 Grammy awards and nominations, including Grammy-winning cellist Eru Matsumoto and violinist Nathalie Bonin.
Make Me Smile with Miist is produced in partnership with Pantheon Media and supported by Miist’s global nonprofit World Smile Initiative, which champions the healing power of music, storytelling, and community-driven action to combat loneliness and social disconnection. The series will be available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
“This show is my personal love letter to anyone who feels like the world forgot how to smile,” says Miist. “Whether you’re driving, walking, or just trying to make it through the day, I promise this podcast will give you something to smile and think about.”
About Miist
Miist is a multilingual recording artist who began her professional music career at 34, gaining recognition after being discovered by acclaimed producer Narada Michael Walden in 2023. Since her commercial debut in March 2024, she quickly achieved historic success, charting twice on Billboard's Pop/AC chart, earning the #1 Indie AC song in the U.S., and becoming the first Chinese artist to land a Top 25 Billboard Pop/AC hit “It’s Too Late To Love You.” A prolific songwriter with over 80 original songs in English, Mandarin, and Spanish, Miist became a Recording Academy voting member within months of her debut. Her powerful personal journey, surviving abandonment at age 5 and terminal cancer at 28, informs her work as a Teen Cancer America ambassador. She's the creative force behind the global Smile Projectmusical collaboration featuring Grammy winners across five continents, and hosts the podcast Make Me Smile with Miist, which explores resilience, creativity, and transformation.
