Taiwan Talk

Elias Ek is an entrepeneur from Sweden and a co-organizer of Dragon's Chamber, a pitch event for startup companies in Taiwan. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi speaks to Elias about startups in Taiwan, competition in the Dragon's Chamber, impressing investors, and making connections. You can register to compete on the official website, or you can sign up to see the event for free! Signups close on September 6th. https://dragonschambertaiwan.com/ Thanks for listening!

Why has Taiwan's birth rate declined at such a rapid rate? Can we do anything to ensure more people have children? This week we're joined by demography expert Doctor Alice Cheng from Academia Sinica's Institute of Sociology who helps answer these questions and delves deeper into Taiwan's fertility dilemma.

Stewart Glen is an accomplished actor and coach in Taiwan's performance community, who is helping actors in Taiwan prepare for the World Monologue Games. The World Monologue Games is a global event which invites thousands of performers to showcase their acting, in front of internationally acclaimed judges! You can read about joining the Taiwan Team here: shorturl.at/FG467 Sign up for performance coaching here: shorturl.at/eqtOY And read more about the World Monologue Games here: https://monologues.com.au/WMG Thanks for listening!

James Chien from state-run energy enterprise Taipower joins us this week to discuss hydropower. Professor Jian-ping Suen of National Cheng Kung University's Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering is also at hand to give additional information. We discuss how hydroelectricity is generated and the future of hydropower in Taiwan.

Cindy Yang hosts the podcast Taiwanren, an interview show that focuses on Taiwanese innovators, makers, and advocates. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi speaks with Cindy about her experiences with interviewing all kinds of people, raising awareness for mental health, and rediscovering what it means to be Taiwanese. You can find Taiwanren wherever you normally listen to podcasts… And you can follow Taiwanren on Instagram, for more guest info, photos, and quotes: @taiwanren.co Thank you so much for listening!

Are you an avid bird watcher? Scott Pursner, director of international affairs at the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, comes on the show to discuss how to track and treat birds you find in the wild, what issues wild birds are facing in Taiwan, and much more!

James Wong is a YouTuber living in Taiwan who has overcome some rare hurdles to become a content creator. James speaks about growing up with hearing loss, making bucket lists, and a momentous conversation with his father. See more of James' work on his channel: www.youtube.com/c/JamesWongLife And you can follow him on Instagram: @jameswonglife Thanks for listening!

Ciel et Terre is a French solar power developer specializing in floating solar panels. The company's Regional Business Development Manager Vivi Lee joins us to discuss how it is cooperating with existing industries, like fisheries, to not only increase Taiwan's capacity for generating renewable energy, but create a more stable business environment for these industries.

Migrant workers from Southeast Asia often face adversity in Taiwan, and Lennon Wang of the Serve the People Association comes on the show to explain how his organization helps migrant workers get back on their feet after a difficult time at work. The association runs shelters for those transitioning between jobs and helps with legal troubles workers may face after raising a complaint about their employer.

Lee Ching-chun (李靜君) is the Associate Artistic Director of the Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan. Trevor speaks with Ms. Lee about her performances with Cloud Gate, her sources of inspiration, and the long history of Taiwan's most prestigious dance studio. You can read more about Cloud Gate on their official website: https://www.cloudgate.org.tw/en/cg And once this epidemic is over, they'll begin to host more amazing performances. Thanks for listening!

Nicole Huang is the Chief Operating Officer at SoundOn, Taiwan's largest podcast hosting platform. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi speaks with Nicole about the explosion of podcasts in Taiwan, what makes a good conversation, and why people like gossip so much. SoundOn began with just 20 podcasts. Can you guess how many it's hosting now? If you'd like to start your own podcast, or even just listen through the SoundOn app, check out their website: https://www.soundon.fm/ And as always, thanks for listening!

Co-chair of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan's Wind Energy Committee Bart Linssen discusses the perks of wind power in the second episode of our series on renewable energy in Taiwan. The government has set ambitious targets for Taiwan's wind energy output but what needs to happen in order to reach these goals? And what obstructions lie in the path to a greener future? Find out in this week's Taiwan Talk hosted by Ryan Drillsma.

Otis Sheu (許泰銘) heads the operations division for Taichung's newly opened Mass Rapid Transit… And ICRT Taichung correspondent Donovan Smith adds some perspective as a longtime resident of the city. The Taichung MRT Green Line is the first step in a more closely connected Taichung City, with a Blue Line and an Orange Line slated for construction over the next decade or so. If you're in the area, check it out! Thanks for listening!

Toi Windham is an activist and community event organizer hoping to bring people together over topics that we often find difficult to discuss. She comes on the show to discuss her latest project Community Convos - a bimonthly roundtable discussion with panel guests on topics that range from racism and cultural appropriation to life in the post-COVID world. You can find more information about the event on Facebook and Instagram by searching Community Convos.

Starting this week, ICRT and the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan join forces to look at environmental issues facing the country and renewable energy. Professor Chang-chien Le-ren of National Cheng Kung University's Electrical Engineering department is at hand to give us a general overview of Taiwan's energy dilemma. Check back at the same time next month for our next episode of Renewable Energy and Taiwan.

Eric Tsao (曹先紹) is the Taipei Zoo's current spokesman, and has been the face of the Taipei Zoo for many years, providing updates on its animals and projects to inquiring news agencies. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi speaks with Eric about the zoo's efforts in conservation, research, and education, as well as the relationships he has formed with other zoos and ecological movements around the world. You can watch our Taipei Zoo mini-documentary here (有中文字幕！)… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cKxrRC_qVQ You can find the Taipei Zoo's official website here: https://english.zoo.gov.taipei/ Thanks for listening!

Xiao Fei is an adventurer and YouTube blogger with a keen eye for secluded hot springs, waterfalls and hiking trails throughout Taiwan. Join correspondent Ryan Drillsma as he talks to Xiao Fei about his explorations and how he chronicles them in video blogs and on his website, where you can view all the places he recommends on a virtual map. Visit followxiaofei.com or search Xiaofei 小飛 on YouTube!

Carl Hill is the host of "The Black Expat Podcast", where he shares his and others' stories of adapting to life in Taiwan. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi speaks with Carl about the wisdom gleaned from his life as a writer, a traveler, a bar owner, a teacher, and a coach, over the course of his decade in Taiwan. You can listen to "The Black Expat Podcast" on Spotify, or wherever you normally find Podcasts: open.spotify.com/show/4HDDXhpGjXc8N9rY9itwNt?si=shl3bvUYQbaMrN26DdsFVA And you can see more on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCTx8MP-1hXJaVEvvXX0QGVw You can also find Carl on social media: IG: instagram.com/theblack_expat/ FB: facebook.com/theblackexpat23 Twitter: twitter.com/TheBlack_Expat Thanks for listening!

Dr. Chang-quan Chan is a professor at National Taiwan University's College of Public Health. He talks to ICRT correspondent Ryan Drillsma about his research and advisory roles during the pandemic and what a post-COVID world might look like. Will society ever go back to the way it was? Zhan gives his professional opinion on the matter.

Adam Hopkins is a travel agent, writer, and editor, who has found himself and his industry in some bizarre situations amidst the pandemic. Trevor Tortomasi speaks with Adam about domestic tourism, writing for VICE, and playing cricket on a global stage. Find awesome local tours at his agency: https://www.mytaiwantour.com/ Get helpful information on Taiwan living and travel: https://taiwan-scene.com/