Taiwan Talk

Former legislator and death metal rocker Freddy Lim can draw on many experiences as inspiration for his music, though nothing prepared him for the discovery which led to the composition of his latest song, Endless Aeons. It's a discovery that was triggered by his time at the Legislative Yuan as a parliamentarian, and which partly led to his decision to step down from elective office. Hosted by I.C.R.T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

What does it take to go solo as a Pop/R&B singer and songwriter in Canada? Canadian-Taiwanese artist Chynna (pronounced "China") shares the joys and the challenges she encountered on journey as an Asian-American artist. Lewis spoke to us after her first journey back to Taiwan as a performer. She's currently working on her second album, which is slated for release in the Winter of 2025. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. Find Chynna's music by clicking here. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Under normal circumstances, many of us don't think too much about the value of the NT Dollar -- unless we're traveling that is. But that changed at the beginning of May when the value of our currency made a sudden, sharp climb against the US Dollar. Chief Global Strategist for Nikko Asset Management Naomi Fink looks at the impact of that event on Taiwan's financial markets, whether Taiwan experienced that sharp currency phenomenon in isolation, and what is in store for the currency and the economy as a whole. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The Trump administration has backed down on an earlier, hardline attitude towards the visa status of certain international students, even though it is still cracking down on America's top universities. What does this mean for students who have decided to study in America, or who are already there? Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a global company that provides higher education analytics, insights, and services. It also releases its annual rankings on the world's top universities, available on Topuniversities.com. Vice President, Student Recruitment Kym Nguyen, addresses the questions that students and parents should be asking -- and what they should be looking for. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

It was on the first day of Taiwan's four day Tomb Sweeping (清明) Festival weekend that businessmen woke up to the news that Taiwan could expect a 32 percent%, on top of a standard 10% tariff on all its exports to the United States. But just hours after it took effect, that immense tariff was suspended for 90 days. How some businesses responded to the first announcement, and what it should do with the grace period is the subject of much discussion. ICRT's Hope Ngo is joined by All Good Gene's Founder Gene Chung, and Jay L Zagorsky, author of The Power of Cash and Associate Professor at Boston University's Questrom School of Business. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Former KMT lawmaker-at-large Jason Hsu made his mark in office by promoting tech, and embracing the idea of reaching across the aisle and working for the good of Taiwan. He shares the inspiring story of his life before his departure for the United States with Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

It's a busy hive of hipster cafes, hair salons, and independent book shops. But there is more to Taipei's Chifeng Street than meets the eye, and it took a tour with Nadia Lin to get to get to know this fascinating neighborhood. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Launching a new career isn't easy. So why would anyone (willingly) do it twice in one lifetime? Three guests -- two from the US and one based in Taiwan-- share their their experiences involving their dramatic mid-career pivots. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Artist Ting Ting Cheng uses a traumatic experience to educate in her recent show "They told me it's not your fault. And I told them everything will be fine." Held at Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei, Cheng explores digital gender-based violence which the United Nations Population Fund says is most likely to impact women and girls, minorities and the marginalized. Hosted by ICRT's Tim Berge and Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

London-based Taiwanese wine writer, translator, certified WSET wine educator, Leona di Pasquale turned a passion into a profession when she first began learning about, then talking about Taiwan's best loved beverages from tea to wines and spirits. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

February 24th marked the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since that time, much has changed, including a major break in US policy following the inauguration of Donald Trump. With a look at the implications for Taiwan, Ukraine, Europe and even Asia, we chat with Jakub Janda… the director of the European Values Center of Security Policy… a non-partisan NGO based in the Czech Republic to defend freedom and national sovereignty. Hosted by Tim Berge. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

From scoring a coveted Golden Apple on the Netflix show "Crazy Delicious" to cooking for Taiwan's de-facto ambassador to the UK, food blogger Tiffany Cheng has made her mark as an unofficial ambassador for popular Taiwan cuisine. How she accomplished that and what she learnt along the way is a story she shares on Taiwan Talk. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In vitro fertilization or IVF has been practiced around the world for over four decades. Yale Medicine says over 10 million babies have been born via IVF around the world, and over half a million IVF babies are delivered every year. But even though IVF is globally accepted, it remains is highly regulated in Taiwan, and its use is under law remains limited, even as more than 21,000 couples have benefited from government subsidies for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in Taiwan since mid-2021. Academic and IVF advocate JhuCin Rita Jhang addresses the legal and social issues associated with IVF and surrogacy in particular, and fertility as a whole. Hosted by Tim Berge and Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Lin King is an award-winning writer in her own right. But it was her work on "Taiwan Travelogue" that snagged both her and author Yang Shuang-zi the highly coveted National Book Award 2024 for Translated Literature. Lin discusses her work and what's next. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Everyone dreams of owning a business… but few people are honest about the challenges the endeavor can bring. Enter Jean-Trophime "Fim" Salomon; he's a former electronics industry executive and new owner of Taipei's Lutetia bakery. He talks about why -- and how -- he took on the task of rebuilding the decades-old Tienmu establishment. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

She was in entertainment -- the "family business" until Lareine Hsu (徐瑞蓮) decided it was time to make a switch. As the chef of a new and noteworthy Danbi in Los Angeles' Koreatown, Chef L now makes waves with her cooking. She talks swapping careers and what sustains her. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Telling and amplifying Taiwan's story in the US capital is not easy -- but John Dotson does just that through his role as Deputy Director of the Global Taiwan Institute -- a Washington DC-based think-tank dedicated to telling the Taiwan story. Dotson tells us about how he discovered Taiwan, what keeps him drawn to the island to this day, and why the task of helping craft a narrative for Taiwan as it seeks its place in the world is critical, particularly as the world navigates these challenging timess. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

She made history by becoming the first woman to win to the Malko Competition -- an international competition for young conductors held every three years by the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Taiwan American conductor Mei-Ann Chen talks about her trailblazing musical journey which has taken her from Taiwan's music schools and to international music chambers in the United States and Europe. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

People from around the world are joining forces to raise Taiwan’s visibility on the global stage. ICRT’s Tim Berge talks to Ming Chiang, the president of Hello Taiwan. Founded in 2018, Hello Taiwan is dedicated to helping the world better understand Taiwan, its people and culture, and at the same time — do charity work to demonstrate Taiwan’s compassion and goodwill. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In this week's episode of Taiwan Talk, ICRT's Tim Berge sits down with YouBike spokesperson Vicky Yang to discuss the evolution of Taiwan's popular bike-sharing system. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn