After a slow start, there are now quite a few quality podcasts about Taiwan in English. Let me introduce those I recommend you check out.
A few months ago, together with Berlin-based Mariano Glas, I kicked off a German podcast about Taiwan. It’s called Taiwancast – not too original, but catchy enough, would you agree?
We have nine episodes out now (plus a pilot) talking about political developments and backgrounds as well as everyday phenomena in Taiwan listeners are interested in. You can subscribe to the Taiwancast right here on my blog. However – it’s in German only.
Luckily, there are already some great Taiwan podcasts in English. These are the ones you should give a try:
Ghost Island Media
- Metalhead Politics – feat. parliamentarian / Chthonic frontman Freddy Lim. Currently on a break after „season one“ is finished. All episodes still well worth listening to. Every time towards the end, Freddy will explain the Taiwanese lyrics behind his song’s melodies and sing for the listeners.
- The Taiwan Take – A current affairs show on Taiwan and its impact on the world
*Holiday Special* our interview with @ChefAndreChiang, the 1st Taiwanese to receive a Michelin Star. In 2018 Andre closed his 2-star restaurant in Singapore to return to Taiwan. Why? To find the “original intention #初心". Here's his convo with @emilyywu: https://t.co/U56rAcrC2N
— Ghost Island Media 鬼島之音 (@ghostislandme) December 24, 2020
- Waste Not Why Not – A science podcast on sustainability and how not to save the environment
Anxiety looming this evening as we enter the last day of 2020 – that I haven't done enough this year. In reality the entire @ghostislandme had done an incredible amount this year.
— Emily Y. Wu (@emilyywu) December 30, 2020
Then this new @wastenotpod episode popped into my feed: https://t.co/bN40T2HL2w
Report.tw
- These guys have a lot of different podcast feeds, but you can find them all combined in this one
— TaiwanReport (@TaiwanReport) January 3, 2021
I did a podcast with @TaiwanReport and @donovan_smith on a #Taiwan topic I’m actually qualified to talk about (as opposed to the usual random opinionation I enjoy so much) https://t.co/5xbFHGeKy7
— In a move likely to anger Channa (@laorenchanna) January 9, 2021
ICRT Radio
- Taiwan This Week – Compact weekly news round-up, sometimes featuring yours truly
Together with The Daily Telegraph's Nicola Smith, I'm on the latest episode of "Taiwan This Week" on ICRT.
— Klaus Bardenhagen (@taiwanreporter) September 20, 2020
We talk another high level visit and and equally high level luncheon, a sudden no-go for the KMT, ruffled cross-strait feathers, talk of banning m… https://t.co/vVhwF8pSpp pic.twitter.com/T54s09NJGI
- Taiwan Talk – Conversations with interesting people
A couple of weeks ago I made the trek out to Xinzhuang to tape an episode of Taiwan Talk at ICRT, talking about my new book, Migrante, and issues surrounding the treatment of migrant workers in Taiwan. That episode is now available for download. https://t.co/3HW6PnAgVs
— Joe Henley (@JoeReviled) October 12, 2020
Talking Taiwan
- Talking Taiwan – More conversations with interesting people, from a Taiwanese-American perpective
Hear ?? the TOP 5 Talking Taiwan ? episodes of 2020: https://t.co/cyPw7Jj4Pn #talkingtaiwan #podcast #taiwan #taiwanese #taiwaneseamerican
— Felicia Lin (@felishalin) January 13, 2021
Any other recommendations? Please share them in the comments!
About me
I am a German reporter living and working in Taiwan. Read more English posts on this otherwise mostly German blog. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
English posts you might want to have a look at:
- Discovering Taipei’s history on a special walking tour
- Urban renewal vs. traditional Taipei in Wanhua
- How Taiwan’s cities can be made less ugly by renovating old buildings
- How the Taipei Dome robbed citizens of a second forest park
If you appreciate what I do in Taiwan, please subscribe to my English newsletter. You can also support my work on Patreon, starting at US$2/month.