Taiwan Talk
by ICRT
Latest episode
Awakening Siraya: Uma Talavan and Edgar Macapili on Reviving a…
Awakening Siraya: Uma Talavan and Edgar Macapili on Reviving a…
About this podcast
Taiwan is patchwork quilt of diverse, motiving personalities. The show features politicians who make history, entrepreneurs whose innovations help keep the global economy afloat, and artists who explore creativity in fascinating, inspiring ways. Taiwan Talk tells stories from the unique perspectives of Taiwan all over the world. From those at home, those abroad, and those who’ve chosen to make this island their home.
Taiwan Talk airs on ICRT FM100 at 8am, and in the evening in the 6pm news hour.
--
Hosting provided by SoundOn
Episodes
The newest 50 of 645 episodes
- Awakening Siraya: Uma Talavan and Edgar Macapili on Reviving a ‘Lost’ Language · 13 minUma Talavan didn't always know she was different.. which is not surprising, because her people were seen to have been "assimilated" since 1945. But that changed in the 1990s…
- Academia Sinica's Lin Thung-hong on the Roots of Inequality as seen in Taiwan · 13 minRecent economic projections show Taiwan's economy on track to experience record growth. So if Taiwan is doing so well, why isn't everyone enjoying the fruits of Taiwan's high…
- Powering Taiwan: Ambition Meets Reality · 13 minTaiwan wants a cleaner, more resilient energy system - but can the grid, policies and public debate keep up? Taiwan Talk host Tim Berge speaks with Kewell Niu of GR Taiwan and…
- TaiwanICDF: Building Resilience Through Partnership for 30 Years · 11 minAs the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) marks its 30th anniversary, Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh joins Taiwan Talk to discuss Taiwan's…
- Taiwan's Net-Zero Race: Can Renewables Catch Up? · 12 minTaiwan aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but how close is it to meeting its renewable-energy goals? Taiwan Talk host Tim Berge speaks with** Bin Fu, Taiwan Country…
- Made in Taiwan: An American Airman's Homecoming · 11 minMade in Taiwan: TC Brown Returns After Five Decades Episode description TC Brown arrived in Taiwan in 1968 as an 18-year-old US Air Force military policeman who knew almost…
- From Taiwan Student to SVG Ambassador: Kenton X. Chance · 11 minTwo decades after first coming to Taiwan as a visiting journalist and later returning as a scholarship student, Kenton X. Chance is back in a new role: Ambassador of Saint…
- Spirits and Scholarship: Academia Sinica's Paul Katz Explores Taiwan's Ghost Traditions · 17 minAcademia Sinica Scholar Paul Katz enjoys a deep fascination with Taiwan's ghost culture — from local folklore to the beliefs that still shape everyday life. We talk about how he…
- Why "all politics is local" for TECO Los Angeles' Director General Jason Poyuan Ma · 14 minJason Ma is the current Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and has represented Taiwan some of the world's most consequential postings. He…
- Selling Taiwan's Harvest Abroad: Sunray Fresh General Manager Kris Tang Shares An Importer's Perspective · 16 minOn July 1, a shipment of Irwin mangoes from Tainan and black-leaf lychees from Taichung cleared customs in Manchester, marking Taiwan's first official export of these fruits to…
- Resilience by Design: Enoch Wu on Preparing Taiwan to Face the Unknown · 17 minResilience has become Taiwan's watchword — but what does it actually mean when the threat could be a typhoon, an earthquake, or an enemy encroachment? Enoch Wu, founder of…
- Taking a deep dive into Taiwan's Drone Rush: A Conversation with Akira Itoh · 14 minJapan-based Akira Itoh is a "drone evangelist" who has written extensively about the birth and development of Taiwan's budding UAV industry. Itoh has tracked Taiwan's progress as…
- Life in Bite-Sized Pieces: A Conversation with Content Creator Sonya Chang · 15 minContent creator Sonya Chang is the mind behind "Sonya Bites Life.". We dig into her process, what keeps her inspired, and how she turns everyday moments into content that once…
- Family, Flavor, and Chifa: A Conversation with Michelin Bib Chef John Liu · 16 minChef John Liu of Los Angeles Michelin Bib restaurant Chifa joins us to talk about his culinary journey and the inspirations behind his cooking. We dig into his ties with Taiwan…
- Sewing Aunties, Assemble! Filmmaker Valerie Soe talks about the early days of the COVID-19 Crisis · 13 minShe's known for documenting the popular Love Boat phenomenon of the 90s and early 2000s. Now, filmmaker Valerie Soe tells the story of the the grassroots network of "aunties" who…
- Betty Song Builds Bridges from Taiwan to Denmark with the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in Denmark · 9 minBetty Song is founder and head of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Denmark. Sheshares the story behind one of the newest voices in the Taiwan business community abroad. From her…
- Passport to Purpose: Taiwan Representative to Denmark Robin Cheng's Journey in Diplomacy · 12 minTaiwan Representative to Denmark Robin J.C. Cheng's career in Taiwan's Foreign Service spans several stints across the United States, Tuvalu, and now Denmark. The de-facto…
- Encore Presentation: Lin King on the award winning "Taiwan Travelogue" · 15 min-- Hosting provided by SoundOn
- Dumplings to Diplomacy -- Chatting with EETO Head Lutz Guellner · 31 minThis week on Taiwan Talk, Tim Berge sits down with Lutz Guellner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, to mark Europe Day — the anniversary of the landmark…
- Tried & Tested — three Taiwan newcomers share their recipes for success · 13 minWhat do a luxury hotel, a luxury steakhouse, and an audacious vegan ice cream maker have in common? Capella Taipei, Smith and Wollensky, and Nice Cream saw opportunities within…
- It's "Game On" for English language sports broadcasters Ryan and Taylor Chen · 15 minThey first returned to Taiwan to get away from COVID, and they've since found success as Taiwan's English-language, sibling broadcasting duo. Ryan and Taylor Chen talk about what…
- Taiwan in the Trade Crosshairs: What the 301 Investigation means to U.S. Taiwan Relations · 11 minSection 301 of the U-S Trade Act of 1974 is a broad tool which authorizes the sitting U.S. President to negotiate trade agreements, reduce tariffs, and combat unfair foreign…
- Chili Ever After — Jane and Alex Denner Dishes Up the story behind Empress Hot Sauce · 13 minIt takes plenty of courage to go from "I could do this" to "I did it"… but Jane and Alex Denner did that when they launched Empress Hot Sauce. The brand is known for taking…
- How Navigating Two Cultures Shaped Asian-American Activist HoChie Tsai's Identity · 20 minHoChie Tsai was just a toddler when his family moved to the U.S. But unlike many immigrants, Tsai's parents were fleeing political repression under martial law in Taiwan. Tsai…
- Beyond High-tech Parks: A look Taipei's Unhoused · 13 minTaiwan is known around the world for its cutting-edge high tech parks as well as its revolutionary health care system. But underneath all this lies a social issue experienced…
- How Heat, Heart & Hard Work brought success to MK's Mayur Srivastava · 13 minOld-timers who have lived here for decades may remember a time when dining options that went beyond Taiwanese cuisine were very limited. But that's changed, thanks in part to the…
- Visiting Phoenix Mayor & Taiwan's Urban Diplomacy · 11 minTaiwan's presence on the global stage is often hindered due to international politics. But, the recent visit to Taipei by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego points to a practical…
- Geothermal getting hot in Taiwan · 19 minOver the next decade Taiwan hopes to add at least one giga-watt of geo-thermal energy to its electrical grid, or the equivalent of one nuclear reactor. This week in Taiwan Talk…
- Hot to Trot: Feng Shui for the Fire Horse with Roger Lan · 10 minThose of us who are happy to see 2025 behind us may be excited for what's ahead. But if we're looking for more quiet times ahead, we may not get our wish. Feng Shui Master Roger…
- From Silence to Spotlight: Vanessa Hope on Filming Taiwan’s Story in "Invisible Nation" · 16 min"Invisible Nation" is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China…
- Bringing a taste of Christmas to Taiwan · 11 minThe Christmas season hits differently for Taiwan's foreign community whose memories of the holiday season involves more than just mall visits, trees, and carols piped in through…
- Reading Taiwan's Economic Tea Leaves for 2026, featuring ING's Lynn Song · 11 min2025 was full of surprises and unexpected turns for many economies around the world … including Taiwan's.ING's Chief Economist for Greater China Lynn Song gives us his hot takes…
- Resilience Roadmap -- Preparing for Disasters · 12 minTaiwan is home to numerous natural disasters and other threats, making civil defense a top priority. Compounding matters, many people don't know how to prepare, or understand…
- Founders of Taipei's Nice Cream Gelato Dish on How They Craft Cool · 12 minNot everyone might be enchanted with the idea of vegan gelato -- but Nice Cream could be the brand that convinces hard-nosed skeptics to change their minds. The brand which has…
- Your Cycling Guide to Taiwan · 19 minThis week ICRT's Tim Berge hops on his wheels. Tourists from around the world travel to Taiwan to explore its mountains, valleys and coastlines by bicycle. Viola van Onselen and…
- Cultural Diplomacy and Death Metal? Absolutely. · 13 minIf You Know, You Know. That's probably what death metal fans would say about the island's thriving death metal scene, which has spawned the likes of bands including Assaasin…
- Taiwan-based artist Tsengkun Engkhbold explains his vivid art · 10 minHis works are bold, powerful, and memorable. Taiwan-based Mongolian artist Tsengkun Engkhbold talks about how he got his start in Taiwan, and how his father's works served as an…
- How moving to Taiwan became a magic carpet for Arsham's Dave 范低紳 · 12 minTaiwan may be an up-and-coming international destination -- but not every country is equally represented here. We caught up with Iranian national Fan Di Shen ( 范低紳) or "Dave"…
- Hualien's Guangfu Tragedy: Barrier Lakes, Debris Dams, and What We Need to Do Moving Forward · 12 minIn this week's Taiwan Talk, ICRT's Tim Berge talks to former Interior Minister and NTU Civll Engineering professor Lee Hong-yuan about the Guangfu tragedy in Hualien, from its…
- Steve Parker on Why Beverages and Democracy share a space in Taiwan · 12 minIf the pandemic helped accelerate changes in Taiwan's dining scene -- were there similar factors that influenced Taiwan's spirits scene? Former Director of the British Chamber of…
- Leonardo Fonseca Celis takes his Michelin experience and starts from scratch · 12 minCan someone work in several Michelin kitchens and start from scratch to build his own? That's what we asked Leonardo Fonseca Celis who recently set up his own restaurant Fon-Cé…
- ICRT Exclusive: Michelin's leading voices on what went into the 2025 Taiwan Guide · 14 minInternational Director of The Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec returns to Taiwan Talk to share his thoughts about how Taiwan's dining scene evolved for the better after the…
- U.S. Lawyer James Ransdell on Giant Bicycle's Battle to Clear its Name · 11 minIn late September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a shock announcement: that it was issuing a Withold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing -- a move that bans…
- TTTIFA Bringing Arts to Old Taipei · 12 minComing to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge…
- Putting the Music in Taiwan Cinema — Thomas Foguenne · 11 minA remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in…
- U.S. Academic Stephen G Craft Revisits the Liu Ziran Incident · 15 minBilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States have not always been smooth. Nearly 50 years ago, an American armed serviceman shot and killed a Taiwan counterpart, Liu…
- "Vegan" or "Plant-based"... what's in a name? · 11 minWhat do you call your meal choice when you take a hard pass at animal product options? Do you call yourself "vegan" or is your meal "plant-based?" The two terms may mean the same…
- From Sweden to Taiwan: A Flutist’s Journey · 12 minOriginally broadcast June 9, 2025: Anders Norell is noted for serenading Taiwan audiences with the musical magic his flute brings. Norell has made his mark as the principal flute…
- Academic Lynne Sneddon unveils new research on fish and its ability to feel pain · 11 minIt should be a given that all animals, regardless of what their natural habitats are, feel pain. Gothenburg University Professor Lynne Sneddon, who is in Taiwan for the Asia for…
- Former Mayor, Minister, and Representative to the U.S. Jason Hu (胡志強) On A Life Well-Lived · 12 minHe is one of Taiwan's most successful career public servants. Jason Hu (胡志強) has served across most levels of executive government and has the knowledge and wisdom to show for…
