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On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca sits down with Chef Jon Yao and Ryan Bailey (Co-owner, DOO & Wine Director) of Kato, one of Los Angeles's most acclaimed and ambitious restaurants. The conversation traces Kato's evolution from its pre-Michelin West LA strip-mall era to its Arts District rebirth — unpacking how Jon and Ryan built a fine-dining institution that balances Taiwanese & SGV roots, Western technique, fermentation, hearth cooking, and one of the most forward-thinking beverage and non-alcoholic programs in the country.We talk about the moment before Ryan joined in 2018, how their partnership transformed the restaurant's trajectory, the decision to relocate to Row DTLA, the philosophy behind fermentation and “SGV food,” why the hearth is used with restraint, how the NA program went beyond trend to become identity, and what it means to operate a restaurant with one eye on legislation, labor, and rising costs.We also get real about external validation — from Michelin stars to LA Times #1 rankings to World's 50 Best “One to Watch” — and whether Kato is still pushing toward the “French Laundry” tier of long-term cultural significance in Los Angeles.If you love LA dining, fine dining, Taiwanese cuisine, SGV food culture, fermentation, hospitality, Michelin, or restaurants building for the future, this conversation is for you.Now streaming everywhere you get podcasts.Keywords: Kato LA, Jon Yao, Ryan Bailey, Taiwanese food LA, SGV food, Michelin LA, World's 50 Best, fermentation, non-alcoholic pairings, Arts District restaurants, fine dining Los Angeles, LA restaurant podcast, LA food scene, hospitality, wine programs LA
Today we'll be talking about a violent clash between Thai's and Taiwanese at a Chiang Rai landmark, serious allegations against a police officer involving a minor, and a shocking attack on a homeless man, but don't worry, feel good news is on the way at the end to send you off into your weekend.
At the end of 2024 I sat down with Dr. Meng Chiang, the Executive Director of the 2024 Taiwanese American Conference- East Coast. We had a really wonderful heart-centered conversation about the conference theme Collective Memory and that led to collective trauma as it relates to the Taiwanese and Taiwanese American communities. We talked about the 4 types of trauma responses, the 4 Fs- flight, fight, freeze and fawn and post-traumatic growth. Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/collective-memory-collective-trauma-a-conversation-with-meng-chiang-ep-339/ This episode is dedicated to the memory of Sharon Huang, who passed away in December of 2025. She was a dear friend, mother, wife, sister, auntie, a community organizer and a cornerstone of the Taiwanese American community, especially in New York where she resided. Most notably she and her husband Patrick Huang ran the Brooklyn Artists Studio (BAS) and have supported the Taiwanese American Arts Council (TAAC) and Talking Taiwan. Together they have advocated for Taiwan democracy, human rights, and culture. The loss of Sharon is felt by so many who knew and loved her, she leaves behind family in the U.S. and Taiwan. Mengchun "Meng" Chiang, PhD (she/her/hers), is a member of the Taiwanese American community. She has served in various community leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director of the Taiwanese American Conference East Coast (TACEC) in 2024. Professionally, Meng is the founder of CHI Executive Consulting, LLC, where she provides leadership coaching and consulting services, specializing in workplace inclusion and organizational wellness. She is passionate about empowering leaders from diverse backgrounds, helping them enhance their communication, negotiation, and inclusive leadership skills. Meng regularly facilitates workshops to help leaders integrate their identities into effective leadership practices that drive business success and personal growth. Meng is a licensed clinical psychologist with affiliations to Harvard Medical School, Carnegie Mellon University, the Tepper School of Business, and National Taiwan University. Her experience spans education, training, and leadership roles. She pioneered the Leadership and Connection for Asian Women+ Leaders program and served as Assistant Director of Training at Carnegie Mellon University. In her free time, Meng enjoys traveling, practicing loving-kindness meditation, listening to music, taking walks, and grocery shopping. Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/collective-memory-collective-trauma-a-conversation-with-meng-chiang-ep-339/
Concern about the possibility of a Chinese attack against Taiwan has surged in recent years. Wargames and research studies have focused primarily on identifying gaps in US and allied capabilities with the goal of strengthening deterrence. A relatively understudied question, however, is the potential consequences for China if a military operation against Taiwan were to fail. To address this gap, the German Marshall Fund led a study of the possible costs that China would incur across four different, but interrelated areas: the Chinese economy, the military, Chinese social stability, and international costs.GMF commissioned four papers on these key areas. We considered two scenarios that could realistically take place in the next five years. In the first scenario, a minor skirmish escalated into a multi-week maritime blockade of Taiwan by China. Although several dozen members of the Chinese and Taiwanese military were killed, US intervention eventually forced China to de-escalate. In the second scenario, a conflict escalated into a full-fledged invasion, with Chinese strikes on not only Taiwan but also U.S. forces in Japan and Guam. After several months of heavy fighting, Chinese forces were degraded and eventually withdrew after suffering many tens of thousands of casualties.The authors found that the costs to China of a failed military action against Taiwan would likely be considerable. We believe their findings are important and warrant wide dissemination. In this podcast, we'll discuss the report's major conclusions and implications. Then we'll talk about the potential impact of a failed Chinese attempt to take Taiwan on China's military capabilities and the possible international costs that Beijing could face. Our next two China Global podcasts will examine the implications of a failed military operation against Taiwan for China's economy and social stability.Our guests today are Zack Cooper and Joel Wuthnow. Zack is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and lecturer at Princeton University. Joel is a senior research fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs within the Institute for National Strategic Studies at NDU. Joel's paper and this interview reflect only his personal views and not those of the National Defense University, the Department of War, or the US government.Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [03:22] Implications for China, the United States, and Taiwan [06:31] Actions to Strengthen Deterrence [08:50] Evaluating Costs and Risks for Chinese Decisionmakers[11:46] Lessons Learned for the PLA [14:05] Steps to Avoid Another Attack [17:14] Intensifying Frictions between Party and Military? [19:53] Anticipating US Intervention as a Military Variable [22:49] Countries and Organizations Likely to Respond to China[25:55] Potential Diplomatic Actions and Costs[31:50] A Treaty Alliance with Taiwan [34:44] Why International Costs Matter to China
America agreed to cap tariffs on Taiwanese imports at 15% in exchange for the island's chipmakers (including the world's largest, TSMC) investing $500bn in their American operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on AirTalk: The numbers are in — the film and television industry is cooling (0:30) How did Orange County become a hotbed for Neo-Nazis? (13:36) Food Friday: Northeast LA baked goods roundup, including a new Taiwanese bagel spot (31:22) FilmWeek: What to watch (39:00) Feature: Sheepdog is a personal story for actor Virginia Madsen and filmmaker Steven Grayhm (1:16:50) Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
Why so few landlords use “fair return” programs that allow them to bypass rent control? On-location filming in L.A. has increased over the last three months, but it still lags behind earlier years. Plus, for Food Friday we try some bagels Miopane, the new Taiwanese Bakery in Pasadena. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comSupport the show: https://laist.com
Is Taiwan's greatest vulnerability China's military or political warfare from within? J. Michael Cole—former Canadian intelligence officer, Senior Fellow with Global Taiwan Institute and author of “The Taiwan Tinderbox: The Island Nation at the Center of the New Cold War”—reveals how Chinese Communist Party influence operations, Taiwan independence debates and political divisions threaten cross-strait stability more than invasion scenarios.Taiwan's Internal Security CrisisCole exposes how CCP proxies use cognitive warfare, espionage and co-optation to weaken Taiwan's defense capabilities from within. Taiwan's democracy creates a paradox: countering Chinese influence without becoming authoritarian. Opposition parties blocking defense spending increases—Taiwan aims for 5% GDP military spending—sends conflicting signals about Taiwan's commitment to self-defense, weakening deterrence against Beijing.Taiwan Identity & Independence MovementsTaiwan's divisions trace to indigenous peoples, Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945, and post-1949 Kuomintang (KMT) arrival. Cole identifies two critical movements: Taidu (Taiwan independence) and Huadu (Republic of China supporters opposing Beijing annexation). United, they'd form a powerful defense against the Chinese pressure campaign, but real unity has been elusive.Hong Kong's Cautionary TaleBeijing's crushing of Hong Kong democracy under “one country, two systems” became China's worst propaganda failure for Taiwan unification. Young Taiwanese watched personal connections to Hong Kong destroyed, solidifying opposition across the political spectrum, so that even the dovish KMT publicly rejects Chinese unification proposals.Chinese Cognitive Warfare SuccessWhile China failed to convince Taiwanese they're Chinese—unification support remains below 5%—Beijing has succeeded at fostering divisions and increasing skepticism of America's reliability as a defense partner. Internet content farms and co-opted politicians amplify CCP narratives from within, exploiting Taiwan democracy against itself.The Greatest Threat: Accidental EscalationCole's nightmare scenario isn't invasion but normalized PLA presence near Taiwan. Chinese naval forces, drones, coast guard and maritime militia crowding Taiwan's waters increase collision and miscommunication risks. Beijing stands ready to exploit incidents through disinformation, blame Taiwan, and then escalate in unpredictable ways.Taiwan's Defense Strategy EvolutionTaiwan has shifted from passive defense to counter-force capabilities: domestically produced anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles targeting China. This has required US approval, marking a major US Taiwan relations policy shift. Taiwan now emphasizes semiconductor supply chain criticality and first island chain security to make conflict consequences resonate globally.Why Taiwan's Democracy MattersCole's 20-year Taiwan residence reflects the island's resilience: a vibrant democracy thriving under constant Chinese military threat, successful despite isolation, and a model for defending democratic values without authoritarianism.
On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former DoD Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss progress on appropriations to keep government open after existing funding expires Jan 30 and prospects for another shutdown; GOP senators vote against limiting President Trump's hand in Venezuela; Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet with Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers as Trump says Washington will acquire the world's largest island; France, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK deploy personnel to Greenland at Denmark's invitation to prepare for Operation Arctic Endurance; the EU strikes free trade deal with South American Mercosur nations creating an economic block of some 700 million people; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit China to bolster trade with the country's second largest trading partner as it's leading trade partner the United States continues to apply unprecedented economic pressure on Canada; Washington's new trade deal with Taiwan reducing tariffs on Taipei from 20 percent to 15 percent in exchange for $250 billion investment by Taiwanese companies in the United States; and the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown that left thousands of protestors dead or executed appear to have quelled demonstration that Trump said he's considering supporting through military action.
屏東 Píngdōng – Pingtung (a county in southern Taiwan)枋寮鄉 Fāngliáo xiāng – Fangliao Township低調 dīdiào – low-key; not flashy純樸 chúnpǔ – simple; plain; rustic甘蔗 gānzhè – sugarcane稻米 dàomǐ – rice (uncooked)景點 jǐngdiǎn – tourist attraction; sightseeing spot客運 kèyùn – intercity bus; coach service枋寮漁港 Fāngliáo yúgǎng – Fangliao Fishing Harbor漁民 yúmín – fishermen藍皮意象館 Lánpí Yìxiàng Guǎn – BREEZY BLUE STATION倉庫 cāngkù – warehouse藍皮列車 lánpí lièchē – blue train (old-style Taiwanese train)鐵道迷 tiědào mí – railway enthusiast; train fan看海美術館 Kànhǎi Měishùguǎn – The Luo Shan Feng Recreation Area發呆 fādāi – to zone out; to daydream枋客好市集 Fāngkè Hǎo Shìjí – Fangliao Market蓮霧乾 liánwù gān – dried wax apple芒果脆片 mángguǒ cuìpiàn – crispy mango slices在地 zàidì – local伴手禮 bànshǒulǐ – souvenir; local gift雙流國家森林遊樂區 Shuāngliú Guójiā Sēnlín Yóulè Qū – Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area從事 cóngshì – to engage in; to work in捕魚 bǔyú – to catch fish; fishing踏實 tàshí – grounded; at ease; steady慢下來 màn xiàlái – to slow downFollow me on Instagram: fangfang.chineselearning !
-The US Department of Commerce announced that Taiwanese businesses will make an upfront investment of at least $250 billion into their US production capacity. -Live Now is included as part of Bluesky's latest update, alongside "cashtags," a separate type of hashtag for collecting conversations about publicly-traded companies. -The Netflix/Sony deal expands on the exclusive rights the companies have in the US, and means the service will be the first place people will be able to stream upcoming projects. Sony's films will stream worldwide on Netflix in what's called "Pay-1," the first window of availability after a movie's theatrical and VOD releases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An unusual move from Chinese officials is taking place, the urging of European countries not to grant visas to Taiwanese figures.
方言 fāngyán – dialect客家話 Kèjiāhuà – Hakka (language)來源 láiyuán – origin; source福建 Fújiàn – Fujian (province in China)閩南語 Mǐnnányǔ – Southern Min (language)省 shěng – province沿海 yánhǎi – coastal; along the coast學者 xuézhě – scholar; researcher上古漢語 shànggǔ Hànyǔ – Old Chinese (ancient Chinese)商朝 Shāngcháo – Shang Dynasty朝代 cháodài – dynasty晉朝 Jìncháo – Jin Dynasty唐朝 Tángcháo – Tang Dynasty中原地區 Zhōngyuán dìqū – Central Plains region of China戰亂 zhànluàn – war and chaos混在一起 hùn zài yìqǐ – to mix together閩語 Mǐnyǔ – Min languages宋朝 Sòngcháo – Song Dynasty泉州 Quánzhōu – Quanzhou (city in Fujian)港口 gǎngkǒu – port; harbor跑船 pǎo chuán – to sail ships; work on ships往外傳 wǎng wài chuán – to spread outward明清時期 Míng Qīng shíqí – Ming and Qing period漳州 Zhāngzhōu – Zhangzhou (city in Fujian)腔 qiāng – accent; pronunciation styleFollow me on Instagram: fangfang.chineselearning !
"Even before a single missile or shot at Taiwan, the market will already react." Ed sits down with Lyric Hughes Hale, editor-in-chief of EconVue, and Taiwan-based analyst Eric Huang to discuss a hidden vulnerability in global markets: Taiwanese insurance companies.
In this episode, I talked about why I went back to India after 6 years, the people and experiences I had during this super short trip, and how I reflected in between trips—big thanks to Rajesh uncle, Nipa auntie, Krishna, Pratee,k and Shubham. Writing with Fire Documentary https://youtu.be/MFBWKklVEOU?si=6zylttFjhu_2kops If you enjoy this episode, I recommend... ➡️ [Chai Time] Ep100 Writing A Dissertation & Push Process ft. Ping ➡️ Ep95 I Graduated! ft. Ping ➡️ Ep75 Medical Interpreter in the U.S. w/ Ping ➡️ Ep65 On Saving Money ➡️ Ep108 Who Stole My Ice-cream? Taiwanese & Indian Couple in the UK ft. OuOu & Rohit ➡️ Ep107 South African DJ Meets a Taiwanese Tour Guide w/ Egon & Jo (2)
Delta Electronics (台達電子) is a Taiwanese company in the power management and energy efficiency space. With $14 billion in sales and a $80 billion market cap, Delta is as of this writing Taiwan's third most valuable company behind only TSMC and Foxconn. The stock has skyrocketed 150% so far this year. Guess why? Hint it starts with “A” and ends with “I”. Delta's climb to its current heights took over half a century. In this video, we talk about a quiet Taiwanese power supply giant.
Shih Ch'ien (施乾) is a young, well-educated Taiwanese man with a coveted government job in the Japanese colonial administration. But he turns his back on this comfortable life to live among society's outcasts. In 1923, aged just 24, he founded a shelter for beggars, Aiai Ryō (愛愛寮, the “House of Love”) in Taipei's Wanhua district. There, he would spend the rest of his short life caring for the destitute and demonstrating his hands-on approach to helping the poor. Shih loved beggars but hated begging; he rejected feel-good charity, instead seeking to eradicate poverty through education, medical care, self-respect, and work-training. And he attempted this without institutional support. It was a constant struggle. Behind his success lay two extraordinary women, first his Taiwanese wife and later his Japanese wife.Happy New Year from Formosa Files. We hope you enjoy this uplifting historical tale told with our usual seasoning of banter and that you forgive us our occasional inappropriate joke.
I talked about how I landed on my current job as an Educational Learning Specialist at a medical school in Colorado. Med schools in the US are different from other countries and how do students strive for success? If you enjoy this episode, I recommend... ➡️ [Chai Time] Ep100 Writing A Dissertation & Push Process ft. Ping ➡️ Ep95 I Graduated! ft. Ping ➡️ Ep75 Medical Interpreter in the U.S. w/ Ping ➡️ Ep65 On Saving Money ➡️ Ep108 Who Stole My Ice-cream? Taiwanese & Indian Couple in the UK ft. OuOu & Rohit ➡️ Ep107 South African DJ Meets a Taiwanese Tour Guide w/ Egon & Jo (2)
Metal window grilles were meant to keep households safe from burglars but they have been fingered as eyesores Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. One of Taiwan’s names is "Formosa" - given by Portuguese sailors who sighted the island in the 16th century and called it “Beautiful Island” given its natural wonders such as mountains, forests and hot springs. In more recent times though, Taiwanese officials and designers have complained about a man-made blight across its cities: ubiquitous, often rusty, metal grilles criss-crossing windows. They surface a larger discussion about the pace of urban renewal in Taiwan - a challenge that many Asian cities face, given the competing imperatives between urban renewal, heritage conservation and the rights of homeowners. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:00 The ugly truth about Taipei's buildings 02:06 Taiwan's window bars mystery 04:53 The beauty behind the rust 07:42 Challenges in urban redevelopment 12:12 Cycling and pedestrian safety in Taiwan Read Yip Wai Yee’s article here: https://str.sg/7U6y Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz Host: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Metal window grilles were meant to keep households safe from burglars but they have been fingered as eyesores Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. One of Taiwan’s names is "Formosa" - given by Portuguese sailors who sighted the island in the 16th century and called it “Beautiful Island” given its natural wonders such as mountains, forests and hot springs. In more recent times though, Taiwanese officials and designers have complained about a man-made blight across its cities: ubiquitous, often rusty, metal grilles criss-crossing windows. They surface a larger discussion about the pace of urban renewal in Taiwan - a challenge that many Asian cities face, given the competing imperatives between urban renewal, heritage conservation and the rights of homeowners. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:00 The ugly truth about Taipei's buildings 02:06 Taiwan's window bars mystery 04:53 The beauty behind the rust 07:42 Challenges in urban redevelopment 12:12 Cycling and pedestrian safety in Taiwan Read Yip Wai Yee’s article here: https://str.sg/7U6y Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz Host: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
De Amerikaanse chipontwerper - Nvidia heeft veel orders ontvangen voor hun H200-chips, de afgezwakte chip voor de Chinese markt. Daarom heeft Nvidia aan de Taiwanese chipproducent TSMC gevraagd om de productie op te schroeven. Donner Bakker vertelt erover in deze Tech Update. Verder in deze Tech Update: De lancering van de mobiele telefoon met merknaam Trump Mobile wordt uitgesteld. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
//The Wire//2300Z December 29, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: PRESIDENT TRUMP QUIETLY CONFIRMS LAND-BASED STRIKES HAVE BEGUN IN VENEZUELA. CHINA LAUNCHES LARGE-SCALE MILITARY EXERCISES NEAR TAIWAN.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Far East: This morning China kicked off their large-scale yearly military exercise in the waters surrounding Taiwan. This year's exercise has been titled "Justice Mission 2025" and focuses on combined arms warfare techniques that will be necessary for the invasion of Taiwan. In the graphics and AI-generated content provided on the exercises by China, the focus for the drills is openly to deter a Taiwanese bid for independence.Analyst Comment: As usual, all eyes are on the drills this year to assess whether or not China will be capable of taking Taiwan when the time comes. Traditionally, China never announces their military drills ahead of time. In this case, approximately one hour elapsed between the official announcement of the drills, and the first aircraft detected on Taiwanese radar. Somewhat interestingly this year, China has leaned into camouflage as a concept. Ironically, China directly stole the idea of "urban camouflage" from Taiwan, which has taken the form of Chinese units camouflaging ICBM launchers to appear to be construction cranes...a tactic Taiwan has been using for many years. Due to the nature of the expected urban combat of Taipei, Taiwan has had to come up with unique ways for military equipment to survive as long as possible in the event that war kicks off. Turns out, China has also replicated much of this urban camouflage doctrine, which indirectly confirms that China is expecting missiles to be landing within their homeland as well.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: This afternoon, President Trump received Prime Minister Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence to conduct talks on the Middle East and other various topics. While this visit was quite standard (as these visits have become fairly regular over the past year), several very important items of note took place during the reception.As Prime Minister Netanyahu was welcomed, a brief press conference was called as is common for dignitary visits. As journalists were present asking questions, the topic of conversation turned to Venezuela. During this off-the-cuff press briefing, President Trump casually stated that the United States had conducted at least one land-based strike within Venezuela. President Trump stated that an "implementation area" (sic) was struck, which he described as being a dock area where boats were being loaded with drugs.This leaves more questions than answers, and when pressed by journalists about this rather important conflict, President Trump stated that he did not want to comment on the matter any further. As this short 30 second clip is all we have to go on, there's not much that can be discerned at present, however it's almost certain that ground strikes have already quietly started throughout the region.Throughout this short presser, various other topics came up as well. President Trump reiterated the commitment to continue strikes in Iran, which is not surprising but still notable as it confirms that this conflict is certainly far from over. President Trump also confirmed that he took an unscheduled call from President Putin regarding an event that occurred this morning. In Moscow, the Kremlin reported a Ukrainian drone strike being conducted at an undisclosed location which targeted one of Putin's personal residences. Ukraine has denied this attack outright, and has stated that the whole affair has been fabricated from the ground up.During this morning's ad hoc press briefing in Florida, President Trump stated that the phone call had taken place, and that the US stopped the sale of Tomahawks to Ukraine for this reason (presumably to prevent them from using these munition
In this episode, Rashidah interviews Susanna, who shares herdeeply personal journey of parenting a daughter diagnosed with autism at a young age. Susanna discusses the emotional challenges and the process of seeking a diagnosis while advocating for her child. She highlights the culturalnuances of dealing with autism within her Taiwanese and American family dynamics, as well as the lessons she's learned about self-care, advocacy, and authenticity. Susanna also talks about her book, 'Your True Self Is Enough,' which details her experiences and offers advice to other parents navigatingsimilar journeys. Throughout the conversation, Susanna emphasizes the importance of being present, embracing one's true self, and speaking one's truth. In this episode, we talk about:00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Susanna 01:14 Discussing Self-Care and Sephora 02:00 Arizona's Diagnosis Journey Begins 02:22 Early Challenges and Realizations07:02 Navigating the Healthcare System 12:03 Diagnosis Day and Emotional Impact 20:00 Cultural and Family Dynamics 23:09 Self-Care and Family Support 24:12 Journey of Self-Discovery 25:47 Cultural Expectations and Parenting 27:38 Embracing a New Career Path 30:24 Writing and Publishing the Book 37:28 Advice for Moms on Acceptance 42:14 Final Thoughts and Encouragement We are grateful to Susanna for sharing her profound insightsand hope that her story will inspire many others navigating similar paths. Connect with SusannaFor more insights and to get Susanna's book, visit herwebsite or connect with her on Instagram. Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My JourneyParenting a Child with Autism by Susanna Peace LovellAvailable on Amazon:Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My JourneyParenting a Child with Autism: Lovell, Susanna Peace: 9798989446704:Amazon.com: BooksWebsite: Susanna Peace Lovell | Life Coach for Special Needs FamiliesInstagram: www.instagram.com/mamapeaceLinkedIn: Susanna Peace Lovell If this episode resonated with you:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcastTik Tok: autismforbadassmomsYouTube: autismforbadassmomsJoin us every Tuesday for more inspiring stories andinsightful discussions that empower and uplift. And don't forget to connect with Susanna PeaceLovell to learn more about her work and book.
We're closing out the year with a candid conversation about where America is headed.For our final episode of 2025, Halle and Steve sit down with entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang to talk plainly about the forces reshaping American life, from rising healthcare costs and gaps in coverage to AI-driven job disruption and the strain on the social safety net. We cover:
Wuxia (武俠) novels are martial-arts stories full of swordsmen and swordplay, secret techniques, and chivalrous outlaws. Think Robin Hood crossed with Taoist mysticism and Chinese history. John talks with Taipei-based writer Scott Crawford about the genre – and Jin Yong 金庸 (1924-2018), the most popular and influential wuxia writer. Generations of admiring readers across Asia have devoured his many books. But Taiwan's government was not a fan. Enter, the Rainstorm Project – a long-running crackdown launched in 1960 that targeted wuxia, especially Jin Yong's works. Within days, 120,000 novels were seized; and, over the years, hundreds of wuxia titles were banned. But why? Was this simply Cold War paranoia about possible communist cultural “contamination”? Or a kind of moral panic about the impact on children; after all, this fantasy fiction was inspiring Taiwanese students to run off to the mountains in search of kung fu masters.
In this episode, Uly examines five defining technology signals emerging from Taiwan in 2025—and explains why they matter far beyond local headlines. Rather than viewing Taiwan solely as a semiconductor manufacturing center, this conversation reframes it as a critical capability hub shaping how artificial intelligence systems scale, deploy, and sustain over the next decade. The discussion covers TSMC's USD 100 billion expansion in the United States, NVIDIA's decision to establish its major R&D headquarters in Taipei, and AMD's continued expansion of its R&D footprint in Taiwan. Uly also breaks down the strategic implications of Taiwan's AI Basic Law, as well as the accelerating commercialization of silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO) by leading Taiwanese technology companies. Together, these developments point to a deeper shift: AI's future growth is increasingly constrained not by models alone, but by infrastructure, hardware integration, regulation, and long-term system design. This episode offers investors, founders, and technology leaders a clearer framework for understanding why Taiwan plays a central role in the global AI roadmap—and why the AI era cannot scale without it. 本集深入解析 2025 年來自臺灣的五項關鍵科技訊號,說明這些發展為何不只是區域新聞,而是正在影響全球 AI 擴展路徑的重要因素。本集重新定位臺灣的角色,從單一的半導體製造重鎮,轉向支撐 AI 長期發展的核心能力基地。 內容涵蓋台積電在美國規模達 1,000 億美元的投資布局、NVIDIA 將重要研發總部設於台北、AMD 持續擴大在臺灣的研發投入,同時也討論《AI 基本法》對產業與技術治理的影響,以及臺灣大型科技公司加速推動矽光子與 CPO 商業化的進展。 這些訊號共同指向一個更深層的轉變:AI 的成長瓶頸,已不再只是模型能力,而是來自硬體整合、基礎設施、制度設計與長期系統規劃。本集提供投資人、創辦人與產業決策者一個清楚視角,理解為何臺灣在全球 AI 發展中占據關鍵位置,以及 AI 時代為何無法在沒有臺灣的情況下持續擴展。
Annie Huang, Harvard MBA and founder of Taiwan's first traditional search fund, joins Jeremy Au to share how global exposure shaped her decision to return home and build in a market others overlook. She traces her journey from growing up outside Taiwan's major cities to working across Southeast Asia, then studying at Harvard Business School before choosing entrepreneurship over a conventional prestige path. Annie explains how Taiwanese capital and talent move fluidly across China, Southeast Asia, and the US, why aging founders and overseas children have created a real SME succession crisis, and how search funds offer a practical solution. They discuss her experience fundraising from both global and local investors, what daily life looks like as a searcher speaking with founders nearing retirement, and how becoming a mother during her MBA unexpectedly strengthened trust with business owners. Their conversation explores why the biggest opportunities often sit in familiar markets, how autonomy and equity drive long-term wealth, and what it takes to build conviction while balancing family, risk, and leadership. 01:18 Growing up outside Taiwan's major cities built independence: Annie shares how early freedom and family trust pushed her to explore work and life beyond her comfort zone. 04:43 Taiwanese investment focus shifted from China to Southeast Asia: She explains how investors followed growth momentum as Southeast Asia became more attractive over the past five to six years. 09:20 Younger Taiwanese professionals avoid China's intense job market: Gen Z prioritizes lifestyle and flexibility, unlike older cohorts who once saw China as the top destination. 10:59 Harvard MBA expanded options but clarified where she could win: Annie pursued global exposure, then realized her biggest upside was in her home market. 17:38 Discovering search funds aligned past experience and future goals: She connects business development, fundraising, and investing into one coherent path. 18:55 Taiwan's SME succession crisis created a clear opportunity: Aging founders, overseas children, and low birth rates leave strong businesses without successors. 31:28 Motherhood strengthened trust with founders: Having children helped Annie connect emotionally with older business owners and build credibility faster. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/annie-huang-taiwan-search-fund WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #SearchFund #TaiwanSMEs #SuccessionCrisis #Entrepreneurship #HomeMarket #HarvardMBA #AsiaInvesting #FounderJourney #Leadership #BRAVEpodcast
Ever wake up with that “today is the day” feeling, like you are ready to conquer the world? The guys start there, take a hard left into Pinky and the Brain, and somehow end up pondering what it was like when Christ rose from the dead. From there, it turns into a practical, tradition-packed episode on celebrating Christmas well. Not the Hallmark version, and not the American “Christmas ends on December 26” version either. The kind that actually follows the liturgical calendar, keeps Advent as Advent, and treats Christmas as a season, not a day.Along the way, they review a Taiwanese whiskey from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, talk family customs that make the day feel grounded, and make a strong case for grandfathers and fathers to be the custodians of tradition. One of the best parts is a simple, doable challenge: take the 12 Days of Christmas seriously and mark the feast days with small, intentional practices your family will actually remember.In this episode:The “wake up and conquer the world” mood vs the day Christ resurrectedAdvent vs Christmas, and why our culture gets it backwardsWhy “Merry” used to mean more like blessed than happyMidnight Mass, caroling, real Christmas trees, and reading Luke before presentsA great grandfather tradition: gather the family and speak from the heartGifts for kids: fewer and meaningful vs abundance as a sign of the Father's generosityThe 12 Days of Christmas, and the feast days that stack up fastSt. John's Blessing of Wine and why you should do itA practical idea for the Holy Innocents: dads blessing their children out loudEpiphany water and why you should plan ahead to get it blessedWhiskey for the episode: Taiwanese whiskey (Scotch Malt Whisky Society pick), “Dunker's Delight” style notes, 107 proof, with flavors like caramel and apple pie crust.Challenge for the week: Pick two feast days during the 12 Days of Christmas and do something small but real. Bless your kids, bless wine, invite someone over, go to Mass, or start a tradition worth keeping.
Faiyaz Kara, restaurant critic for the Orlando Weekly, shares his reviews of local eateries, including Daniel Gabor's Alpine Bar and Grill, which he says tempts with modern German cuisine. Faiyaz also talks about Kappo Tsan, by Norigami chef David Tsan, which he says will blend ‘Japanese craftsmanship with Taiwanese soul' near Disney, a preview of the Top Tables of 2025, and more.
Faiyaz Kara, restaurant critic for the Orlando Weekly, shares his reviews of local eateries, including Daniel Gabor's Alpine Bar and Grill, which he says tempts with modern German cuisine. Faiyaz also talks about Kappo Tsan, by Norigami chef David Tsan, which he says will blend ‘Japanese craftsmanship with Taiwanese soul' near Disney, a preview of the Top Tables of 2025, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From Pony.ai launching a robo-taxi service during a Shanghai storm to E Ink revolutionising the way supermarkets label their shelves – emerging market companies are in many cases leapfrogging western counterparts. In this episode, investment manager Alice Stretch reveals to host Leo Kelion some of the most disruptive companies innovating at speed in Asia and Latin America. Background:Alice Stretch is an investment manager in Baillie Gifford's Emerging Markets Equity Team. In this conversation, recorded as part of our annual Disruption Week briefings, she explores some of the growth companies in her portfolios turning constraints to their advantage and reducing friction in their customers' lives. Companies discussed include: PolicyBazaar – the Indian insurance platform making it easier for people to protect themselves against life's financial shocks.Nubank – the Brazilian digital lender extending access to banking and credit.Meituan – the food delivery and local services app extending its reach beyond China.MercadoLibre – the Latin American ecommerce and fintech giant expanding into advertising.Mobile World – the Vietnamese conglomerate that has expanded from mobile phones to competitively priced groceries.Sea Ltd – the Singaporean gaming, shopping and fintech group eyeing the possibilities of agentic AI.TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) – the world's leading chip manufacturer.E Ink – the Taiwanese e-paper pioneer building on its ebook success to provide supermarkets with updateable price tags and marketers with low-power digital billboards.Pony.ai – the first driverless car company to offer a robo-taxi service in four of China's most populous cities. Resources:Disruption Week Emerging markets: how we do what we doEmerging markets: from imitators to innovatorsEmerging markets: the next engines of growth (podcast)Emerging markets in 2050: growth in a changing worldImecShort Briefings on Long Term Thinking hub Companies mentioned include:AmazonByteDanceChromaE InkMercadoLibreMobile WorldMeituanNubankNVIDIAPolicyBazaarPony.aiSea LtdStellantisTSMC Timecodes:00:00 Introduction – Pony.ai takes to Shanghai's roads02:00 The imitators become the innovators05:10 How PolicyBazaar benefits from not being locked into a legacy system 07:10 Nubank: reducing friction while expanding access to banking and credit09:25 MercadoLibre's multi-act expansion leads it to advertising technology10:25 Mobile World's move from selling handsets to groceries11:50 Ways Sea Ltd developed capabilities while operating under constraints13:45 Sea CEO Forrest Li's ability to adapt and pivot15:25 Taking the long-term view and a generalist approach17:30 Studying the semiconductor industry with the help of Imec and TSMC19:45 Investing in Chroma and E Ink in Taiwan21:10 Walmart and other supermarkets adopt E Ink's updateable price labels22:45 The case for investing in Pony.ai as a long-term growth investor24:10 Pony.ai's cost advantage and international partnerships25:55 Taking macroeconomic and geopolitical risk into account27:15 Putting deep knowledge and research to our clients' advantage
Artist Flora Kao joins What's My Thesis? to discuss the evolution of her practice from painting to large-scale installation, and how Taiwanese mourning rituals, Buddhist symbolism, and diasporic memory shape her approach to space. Trained at Otis and later UC Irvine, Kao describes discovering installation as a way to create experiences that “elicit a sense of wonder,” pairing conceptual clarity with meditative, labor-intensive processes. The conversation traces her early years moving between Houston, Wisconsin, Taipei, and Boston; her family's history under Taiwan's martial-law era; and her transition from environmental science and strategy consulting into art school. Kao explains the cultural and personal significance behind folding 108 origami lotus forms each week for seven weeks—a ritual she adapted into a suspended installation of 756 hand-folded lotus at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Kao also speaks about using archival photographs, bamboo prayer-leaf structures, and cyanotype processes to explore grief, family history, and the shifting landscapes of Taiwan and Los Angeles. She offers rare insight into sustaining an installation-based practice through grants, community networks, and long-term professional relationships, while navigating motherhood and the realities of working outside commercial gallery systems.
Taiwan is an island about 180 kilometres off the coast of China - nearly 24 million people live there. Taiwan is self governed but China says it's part of its territory. Only 12 countries (plus the Vatican) officially recognise Taiwan as a country. Taiwan is increasingly worried that China could be preparing to take the island by force. Whatever happens there could affect your whole online life, because Taiwan makes most of the world's computer chips, which power your phone, your laptop, AI apps and electric cars. In this episode Shawn Yuan from the BBC's Global China Unit explains the relationship between Taiwan and China and how the whole world could be affected if conflict broke out. We also hear from Taiwanese students Yi-Ting and Louis and Chinese student Rongzhi, who tell us how they feel about Taiwan-China relations. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Imogen James and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
How many languages do you speak? Maybe you speak three: a Taiwanese language, Mandarin Chinese, and English! Maybe you speak more than three!你會說幾種語言呢?也許你會一種台灣的方言、中文,還有英文!也許你會的還不只這三種!Click HERE for the full transcript!
SHOULD ISRAEL PARDON BIBI? HEADLINE 1: The United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.HEADLINE 2: Israeli and Taiwanese officials recently conducted a series of secret meetings. HEADLINE 3: The U.S. and Israel wrapped up joint naval exercises yesterday.-- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Aviva Klompas, co-founder and CEO of Boundless.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Trojan Horse: China's Auto Threat to America" - Elaine Dezenski, Congressional Testimony "Fight To Keep China Out of U.S. K-12 Classrooms Comes to Congress" - Jennifer Richmond, FDD "A Free Venezuela Elevates U.S. Energy Security" - Saeed Ghasseminejad, RealClearWorld
基督教 Jīdūjiào – Christianity天主教 Tiānzhǔjiào – Catholicism佛教 Fójiào – Buddhism一貫道 Yíguàndào – I-Kuan Tao (a Taiwanese religious movement)伊斯蘭教 Yīsīlánjiào – Islam道教 Dàojiào – Taoism供奉 gòngfèng – to enshrine; to worship (a deity in a temple)神明 shénmíng – deity; god媽祖 Māzǔ – Mazu (goddess who protects people at sea)出海 chūhǎi – to go out to sea土地公 Tǔdìgōng – the Earth God; local guardian deity月老 Yuèlǎo – the God of Matchmaking對象 duìxiàng – partner; romantic partner相對應 xiāngduìyìng – corresponding; matching祈求 qíqiú – to pray for; to seek blessings信徒 xìntú – believer; follower (of a religion)求個平安 qiú ge píng'ān – to pray for safety and peace供品 gòngpǐn – offerings (to the gods)鮮花 xiānhuā – fresh flowers香 xiāng – incense金紙 jīnzhǐ – joss paper; spirit money點香 diǎnxiāng – to light incense天公 Tiāngōng – the Heavenly God (highest deity in Taiwanese folk beliefs)打個招呼 dǎ ge zhāohū – to greet; to say hello按照順序 ànzhào shùnxù – in order; according to sequence邋遢 lātā – sloppy; untidy神像 shénxiàng – god statue; divine imageFollow me on Instagram: fangfang.chineselearning !
Industrial Talk is talking to Nikki Gonzales, Director of Business Development at Weintek USA about "HMI - Human Machine Interface". Scott Mackenzie hosts Nikki Gonzales on the Industrial Talk Podcast to discuss the human-machine interface (HMI). Nikki shares her background, including her Icelandic roots and career journey in sales engineering and AI startups. She highlights Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, which manufactures over 2 million HMIs annually. Win Tech's HMIs are known for their durability, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. Nikki emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the challenges in industrial B2B sales. She also mentions her podcast, Automation Ladies, and encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn. Action Items [ ] Check out the Wintec website at automation.io[ ] Listen to Nikki's podcast "Automation Ladies"[ ] Reach out to Nikki Gonzales Outline Introduction and Welcome Scott Mackenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations.Scott welcomes listeners and expresses gratitude for their support, highlighting the importance of continuous learning in the industry.Scott introduces Nikki Gonzales , the guest for the episode, and mentions the topic of discussion: the human-machine interface (HMI).Scott shares his personal experience with learning Spanish and the importance of passion and desire for continuous learning in the industry. Scott's Journey and Podcast Insights Scott discusses his journey into podcasting, starting eight years ago to understand marketing better.He mentions the importance of communicating company stories in an approachable and human way.Scott introduces two of his podcasts: "Ask Molly" and "Business Beatitudes," highlighting their focus on marketing insights and the soul of the industrial sector, respectively.Scott encourages listeners to check out these podcasts for valuable industry insights. Nikki Gonzales's Background and Career Journey Nikki shares her background, mentioning her move from Iceland to the U.S. in middle school and her father's career as an electrical engineer.She describes her early work experiences, starting with her father's small business and progressing through various roles in sales engineering and marketing.Nikki discusses her career path, including her work with sensor manufacturers, machine vision, motion control, software design, and AI startups.She highlights her recent role with a startup focused on supply chain software and inventory management, and her current position with Win Tech, an HMI manufacturer. Challenges in Industrial B2B Sales Scott and Nikki discuss the challenges of industrial B2B sales, particularly the complex landscape shaped by historical laws and regulations.Nikki explains the historical context of industrial sales, including the restrictions on manufacturers selling directly to consumers and the reliance on regional distributors.They discuss the differences in sales practices between the U.S. and Europe, where such restrictions are considered anti-competitive.Nikki shares her experiences with the complexities of industrial B2B sales, including the difficulties in digitalizing and simplifying the buying process. Win Tech and HMI Technology Nikki provides an overview of Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, and its history of innovation in touchscreen technology.She explains the role of HMIs in industrial automation, describing them as the interface between humans and machines.Nikki highlights Win Tech's...
On this episode we discuss our November 2025 book club pick, Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin King, a historical fiction novel (with a meta-fiction twist) about a Japanese travel writer invited to write about the imperial colony of Taiwan by the Japanese government in the 1930's, and follows her budding relationship with her Taiwanese translator as they eat through the island while she pushes on the boundaries between colonizer and colonized. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba December 2025 pick is Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. ManansalaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective
Angela Lin, aka Angie QQ, producer and A&R behind the Sounds of Taiwan compilation, returned to Taiwan in May 2019 seeking refuge after the loss of her mother. Angela Lin,又名 Angie QQ,《台灣之聲》合輯的製作人與 A&R。2019 年 5 月失去母親後,她選擇回到台灣,尋找心靈慰藉。 What she discovered in Taroko National Park became the seed for this mix: a meditation on grief, memory, and the way certain places hold us when we need holding most. 她在太魯閣國家公園的體悟,成爲這張混音作品的起點:一段對悲傷與記憶的沉思,也是一種在最需要依靠時,被某片土地溫柔擁抱的感覺 Taroko's hidden temples and fervent lushness offered Lin sanctuary. She describes the experience as feeling “totally alive” – each leaf, each butterfly, each beam of light made sharp from grief. High in those mountains, she felt her mother could finally see her. Later, her father revealed that Taroko was one of her mother's favourite places in the world. Though earthquakes have since closed many of the park's paths, this aural journey captures what it's like to walk and meditate there: spiritual, powerful, introspective, and healing. 太魯閣隱密的廟宇與蓊鬱的山林,給了 Angie QQ 一處心靈的庇護。她形容自己在那裡感到「完全活著」——每一片葉子、每一隻蝴蝶、每一道光,都因悲傷而變得格外清晰。在高聳的群山之間,她彷彿覺得母親正在看著她,那份被看見的感覺,不只是來自母親,更像是一種對自己悲傷的覺察與釋放——她終於能正視自己的情感,並感受到母親的慈愛與支持。後來,父親告訴她,太魯閣其實是母親生前最喜愛的地方之一。儘管地震封閉公園裡許多步道,這張聲音作品呈在那裡漫步、冥想的感受:靈性、深刻、內省,並帶著療癒的力量。 Understanding how music can hold both landscape and loss, the mix moves like a meditation, like the scene in Totoro where they dance to make their garden sprout, capturing the moment when grief sharpens everything into aliveness, when even the sound of light becomes audible. 音樂可以同時承載風景與失落,這張混音作品如同一場冥想般的流動——就像《龍貓》裡,他們隨著舞蹈讓花園萌芽的場景,捕捉到悲傷將一切都銳化、化為生命力的瞬間,連光的聲音也彷彿能被聽見。 Angie QQ is a Taiwanese American cultural producer based in Los Angeles. With her label Pure Person Press, she “creates and collects records that preserve the spirit of Taiwan.” Her latest collaboration with composer Lim Giong, Sounds of Taiwan, is an ambient record that invites artists to sample Lim Giong's personal field recordings of Taiwan – a sonic landscape of the island's people, nature, and spirituality. Through her other company, East Never Loses,, she has transformed mahjong into a cultural movement. Whether through music or mahjong, her work seeks to connect people to Taiwanese culture. Angie QQ 是一位定居洛杉磯的台美文化創作者。她透過自己的公司 Pure Person Press,創作並蒐集保存台灣精神的唱片。最近,用和作曲家林強合作的作品《台灣之聲》,是一張環境音專輯,邀請藝術家取樣林強在台灣田野間錄下的聲音,呈現島上人文、自然與靈性的景象。透過另一家公司 East Never Loses,她把麻將變成一場文化運動。不管是透過音樂還是麻將,Angie QQ 的創作都希望把人們帶回台灣文化的懷抱。 “This mixtape was inspired by my time in Taroko National Park in May 2019. My mother had just passed 6 months ago, and to mourn, I returned to nature. Taroko has hidden temples and places of meditation tucked in all of its crevices. I was able to disappear and hide in its fervent lushness. Inside Taroko's incredible energy, I felt totally alive. Up high in those mountains, I knew my mother could finally see me. I found out later from my father that Taroko was one of my mother's favourite places in the world. Sadly, Taroko in recent years has been decimated by earthquakes. Many paths and roads are no longer accessible. Nature reclaims nature. I hope however, this mix offers a feeling of what it would be like to meditate and walk in Taroko: spiritual, powerful, introspective, and healing.” 這張混音作品的靈感來自我在 2019 年 5 月太魯閣國家公園的時光。那時母親剛過世六個月,為了悼念,我回到大自然的懷抱裡。太魯閣的山谷裡藏著隱密的廟宇和冥想之地,我得以在這片蓊鬱的綠意中消失、隱匿自己。在太魯閣那股令人震撼的能量裡,我感覺自己完全活著。在高聳的群山間,她彷彿覺得母親正在看著她—她終於能正視自己的情感,並感受到母親的慈愛與支持。後來父親告訴我,太魯閣其實是母親生前最愛的地方之一。可惜近年地震破壞了許多步道和道路,自然,最終還是屬於自然。我希望這張混音作品能帶給大家在那裡漫步、冥想的感受:靈性、深刻、內省,並帶著療癒的力量。 Interview: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-6-angie-qq-a-meditation-through-taroko-taiwan-%e7%a9%bf%e8%b6%8a%e5%a4%aa%e9%ad%af%e9%96%a3%e7%9a%84%e5%86%a5%e6%83%b3%e4%b9%8b%e6%97%85%e5%8f%b0%e7%81%a3/
In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso welcome Peter Mattis, President of the Jamestown Foundation and former CIA analyst, to dissect the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "political warfare" against Taiwan. Mattis argues this is not merely diplomatic maneuvering, but "United Front work playing out on a global scale" - a comprehensive campaign to reshape the international order by recreating China's domestic political controls abroad.War by Other MeansMattis grounds the political warfare concept in George Kennan's Cold War definition: the logical application of Clausewitz's doctrine in peacetime. For Beijing, unification is a political objective requiring total control over Taiwan's social, economic, and political life - goals that military force alone cannot secure. The CCP seeks to "pull in" global interests, ensuring they are mediated through Beijing rather than through alliances or international law.The View from TaiwanFor the Taiwanese, this warfare is felt on a spectrum. It ranges from the overt "gray zone" harassment of military aircraft and sand dredgers to the psychological grinding of CCP-aligned media narratives. These narratives are designed to paint the U.S. as unreliable and unification as inevitable. Mattis specifically highlights the corrosive effect of espionage, noting that every spy scandal erodes the critical trust necessary for Taiwan's own bureaucracy and its security partners.United Front: A Global DragnetA key mechanism discussed is the "Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China," which operates chapters globally, including in the U.S. and the Philippines. Mattis explains how these groups mobilize diaspora communities, often hijacking the voices of pragmatic businesspeople, to influence local politicians. He cites the recent indictment of former New York state official Linda Sun as a prime example of how these influence operations effectively bury engagement with Taiwan inside democratic institutions without leaving a public trace.The Japan Example & Global SignalingWhen Japan's Prime Minister recently called a Taiwan contingency an "existential threat," China responded with fierce rhetoric and economic coercion. Mattis explains this reaction was double-edged: it aimed to punish Tokyo, but also served as a signal to the "Malaysias and Indonesias" of the region. The message is clear: if Beijing can inflict pain on a major power like Japan, smaller nations should fear the consequences of stepping out of line.The Democratic DeficitWhy do democracies struggle to push back? Mattis argues our institutions are too siloed: the military ignores non-kinetic threats, diplomats fear rocking the boat, and law enforcement is jurisdiction-bound. China exploits these seams to operate without consequence. Mattis suggests democracies must stop looking for "symmetric" responses - which often don't exist - and instead pursue asymmetric, disproportionate measures to re-establish deterrence and uncertainty for Beijing.
After months of fighting, the Kremlin says Russian forces have seized the frontline city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. It links several other key cities in the Donetsk region. Last month, Ukraine sent reinforcements to try to fend off the Russian attack. Kyiv has not acknowledged the loss of the city. Also: the White House defends Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over US military action off the coast of Venezuela; the presidential election result in Honduras is too close to call; the World Health Organization calls for weight loss jabs to be more widely available; what Australian teenagers make of an up-coming social media ban; the eighty-five-kilometre long traffic jam in Siberia; and an interview with the Taiwanese director who shot a critically-acclaimed film on iPhones.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
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Taiwanese filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou traces her path from a strict upbringing in Taipei to directing Left-Handed Girl, Taiwan's 2025 Oscar submission for Best International Film, and now streaming on Netflix. After years working alongside Sean Baker, the four-time Academy Award winner known for Anora, Tangerine, and The Florida Project, and her creative partner since they co-directed their first feature Take Out, Shih-Ching steps forward with her solo directorial debut.Shih-Ching and Baker wrote the script for Left-Handed Girl in 2010, but financing challenges kept the project on hold for more than a decade. Principal photography finally began in July 2022, a delay she now views as part of the film's natural evolution. The story draws from her experience growing up left-handed in a culture with rigid expectations for girls, and its emotional specificity has already connected with audiences around the world.Shot on an iPhone 13 with Beastgrip anamorphic lenses, the film captures Taipei's night markets with stripped-down realism influenced by Dogme 95 and Lee Chang-dong's Oasis. Shih-Ching worked with a small mobile crew, created the soundscape herself, and shaped the edit with Baker, whose instinct for editing performances she considers unmatched.After premiering at Cannes Critics' Week, Left-Handed Girl traveled the global festival circuit before Netflix acquired most territories, followed by theatrical releases in Taiwan, New York, and Los Angeles. Now representing Taiwan internationally, Shih-Ching reflects on stepping into visibility after decades behind the scenes. Her advice to filmmakers: trust your voice, avoid trends, build community, and keep going. Some films take time, and recognition often arrives later.What Movies Are You Watching? Listen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more, as well as at www.pastpresentfeature.com. Like, subscribe, and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature The Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 20-22, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature
Sanna Marin is the former Prime Minister of Finland who made history as the youngest female head of government in the world. She went on to become the longest-serving female prime minister of Finland, leading a coalition government entirely headed by women. Sanna talks to presenter Clare McDonnell about her rise to the top, leading her country through the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as dealing with enormous criticism when her personal life becoming very public – all themes in her new memoir Hope In Action.It's World Aids Day and the government has just unveiled its new HIV Action Plan with the stated goal of tackling to stigma and end transmissions in England by 2030. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton joins us to discuss the policy along with Ellie Harrison, who was diagnosed HIV positive when she was 21.With the rise of no and low alcohol drinks on supermarket shelves, a new survey from the University of Plymouth has been talking to expectant mothers about their relationship with these drinks and their understanding of what constitutes a safe percentage. To hear more, Clare is joined by Dr Kate Maslin, Senior Research Fellow in Maternal and Child Health School of Nursing and Midwifery at Plymouth University, who led the study.Filmmaker Shih Ching Tsou's debut feature Left Handed Girl tells the story of a single mother, Shu-Fen, and her two daughters who move to Taipei, Taiwan to open a night-market stall. When I-Jing, the younger, five-year old daughter – who is left-handed - is forbidden from using what her traditional grandfather dubs her ‘devil hand,' a chain of events is set in motion, which eventually unravels a family secret. Tsou joins Clare to talk about directing and co-writing the drama which is inspired by her own childhood, cultural superstition about the left hand and the lives of working-class Taiwanese women.Presented by: Clare McDonnell Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths
普發現金 pǔ fā xiànjīn – distribute cash to everyone; government cash handout馬英九 Mǎ Yīngjiǔ – Ma Ying-jeou, former President of Taiwan (2008–2016)金融海嘯 jīnróng hǎixiào – financial crisis; global financial meltdown經濟不景氣 jīngjì bù jǐngqì – economic downturn; poor economy刺激消費 cìjī xiāofèi – stimulate consumption; encourage people to spend帶動內需 dàidòng nèixū – boost domestic demand; promote local spending發放 fāfàng – to distribute; to hand out (money, goods, etc.)消費券 xiāofèiquàn – consumption voucher; spending coupon新冠疫情 xīnguàn yìqíng – COVID-19 pandemic停擺 tíngbǎi – come to a halt; suspend operations蔡英文 Cài Yīngwén – Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan (since 2016)振興券 zhènxīngquàn – stimulus voucher; voucher to boost the economy撐過疫情 chēngguò yìqíng – get through the pandemic; survive COVID-19正興盛 zhèng xīngshèng – at its peak; very popular or prosperous稅收 shuìshōu – tax revenue; government tax income還稅於民 huán shuì yú mín – return taxes to the people; give tax refunds to citizens立法院 Lìfǎyuàn – Legislative Yuan; Taiwan's legislature特別條例 tèbié tiáolì – special regulation; special act or ordinance因應國際情勢強化經濟社會及民生國安韌性特別條例 yīnyìng guójì qíngshì qiánghuà jīngjì shèhuì jí mínshēng guó'ān rènxìng tèbié tiáolì – Special Act to Strengthen Economic, Social, and National Security Resilience in Response to International Situations課徵 kèzhēng – to levy (a tax or tariff)補助 bǔzhù – subsidy; financial aid; to subsidize永久居留證 yǒngjiǔ jūliú zhèng – permanent residence certificate移民法 yímín fǎ – immigration law居留 jūliú – to reside; residence (for foreigners in a country)合法 héfǎ – legal; lawfulFollow me on Instagram: fangfang.chineselearning !
We hear from recently released Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, head to Finland to meet former prime minister Sanna Marin and Taiwanese director Shih-ching Tsou discusses her new film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How did the US Dollar become the dominant currency internationally? What keeps other currencies, fiat or crypto, from displacing the dollar's role? Does the aggressive use of sanctions by the US Government put the dollar's role at risk?Paul Blustein is with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as well as an author and journalist. He has written several books including his latest work King Dollar: The Past and Future of the World's Dominant Currency and previous works, Off Balance: The Travails of Institutions That Govern the Global Financial System, And the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out) Wall Street, the IMF, and the Bankrupting of Argentina, and Laid Low: Inside the Crisis That Overwhelmed Europe and the IMF.Greg and Paul discuss the reasons behind the US dollar's dominance in global finance, its historical roots stemming from the Bretton Woods Agreement, and the challenges posed by international crises and economic policies. Paul also discusses the role and limitations of the IMF, the geopolitical implications of using the dollar as a financial weapon, and the potential impact of emerging currencies and digital threats. The episode concludes with insights into the phenomena of dollarization and how various economic strategies, including those of China and Russia, intersect with the enduring power of the US dollar.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:How the U.S. discovered the power of financial sanctions21:00: No longer was it just going to be the drug lords and, you know, in Colombia and places like that, it was now the government was gonna crack down on terrorists. And so the Treasury, OFAC, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, began doing some of that. And they realized that by cutting off banks abroad from access to the dollar system, that correspondent banking system we were just talking about, that, you know, things could really go boom. They could pose a death sentence on banks. And as they began to realize the power of that, they then applied it in the case of North Korea in 2005. And they were absolutely astonished to discover that this really worked. You could really have a big effect on North Korea's financial system by cutting off banks. It was—they went after a bank in Macau that had been—and then they were off to the races. They could use this similar kind of weaponry on Iran and other adversariesResponsible vs irresponsible use of dollar power25:29: You have this power with a dollar; if we use it responsibly, it can be a very good power. And if we use it irresponsibly, it's a bad power. And that's the way I like to look at it.How U.S.–China sanction scenarios are actually gamed out51:59: Some of the hawks in, you know, you don't hear so much from these guys anymore, but the hawks in Congress have tried to game some of these out. You know, I go into this in one of the chapters of the book about how they, you know, they had a red team and a blue team, and they thought, well, we can, you know, we just have done this—imposed drastic sanctions on Russia. So if there's an invasion of Taiwan, here's what we do. And they, I think, have discovered that if you have a really knowledgeable red team playing the Chinese Communist Party, they can come up with a lot, a lot of things that, it preserves Taiwanese democracy but doesn't have us at each other's throats.Show Links:Recommended Resources:United States DollarEuroRenminbiReserve CurrencyNetwork EffectBretton Woods SystemJohn Maynard KeynesHarry Dexter WhiteHerbert SteinFederal ReserveInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)SWIFTEuroclearFiat MoneyXi JinpingShadow FleetGuest Profile:PaulBlustein.comProfessional Profile for CSISLinkedIn ProfileSocial Profile on XGuest Work:Amazon Author PageKing Dollar: The Past and Future of the World's Dominant CurrencyOff Balance: The Travails of Institutions That Govern the Global Financial SystemAnd the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out) Wall Street, the IMF, and the Bankrupting of ArgentinaThe Chastening: Inside The Crisis That Rocked The Global Financial System And Humbled The IMFMisadventures of the Most Favored Nations: Clashing Egos, Inflated Ambitions, and the Great Shambles of the World Trade SystemLaid Low: Inside the Crisis That Overwhelmed Europe and the IMFSchism: China, America, and the Fracturing of the Global Trading System Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We speak with director Shih-Ching Tsou about her latest film, ‘Left-Handed Girl’, with Netflix – Taiwan's official entry for the Oscars. The film was produced, edited and co-written by 'Anora' director Sean Baker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The quest to V100 max, my tongue, Kiwi Gold, Based in Ireland, furries living in fear, Reduxx authors sued by Taiwanese troons, f1nn5ter thinks he's a hero, ROBLOX CEO chimps, Wikipedia co-founder chimps, LTG chucks his cat, and angloid suffering.
"Left-Handed Girl" is an international indie drama written, directed, and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou, starring Janel Tsai, Shih-Yuan Ma, Nina Ye, Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Xin-Yan Chao. Multi Academy Award-winner Sean Baker served as co-writer, producer, and editor. The film had its world premiere at the Critics' Week section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its direction, writing, and performances. It has been selected as the Taiwanese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Shih-Ching Tsou was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is set for a limited release on November 14th, before it streams on Netflix on November 28th. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices