Taiwan Talk

2026年10月23日

Uma Talavan didn't always know she was different.. which is not surprising, because her people were seen to have been "assimilated" since 1945. But that changed in the 1990s, when the Plains Indigenous people began their campaign for official recognition began in the 1990s. As of the end of September, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP), said 1,336 people had completed registration as Indigenous Siraya… Its a triumph for Uma and her husband Edgar Makapili, who was instrumental in the discovery that the Siraya language could be revived and taught to a new generation. Hosted by ICRT's Tim Berge and Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年10月14日

Recent economic projections show Taiwan's economy on track to experience record growth. So if Taiwan is doing so well, why isn't everyone enjoying the fruits of Taiwan's high tech industries? Lin Thung-hong of Academia Sinica has studied the forces that have shaped Taiwan's economy for decades. He unpacks the origins of today's problems, which sees some sectors and households surge ahead while others stall or slip behind. He explains why he thinks Taiwan's economy isn't shaped the way economists think it is, and he traces the historical and structural forces that produced the divide, from industrial strategy to labor markets and wages. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年10月6日

Taiwan wants a cleaner, more resilient energy system - but can the grid, policies and public debate keep up? Taiwan Talk host Tim Berge speaks with Kewell Niu of GR Taiwan and Raoul Kubitschek of NIRAS Taiwan about the difficult choices facing Taiwan over the next decade. They explore electricity prices, pressure on the grid, overlooked energy options and what must change to turn ambitious goals into dependable power and solutions. The guests also offer a preview of the energy debate coming to the ECCT forum at Energy Taiwan at Tainex1 on Oct 15th. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年9月21日

As the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) marks its 30th anniversary, Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh joins Taiwan Talk to discuss Taiwan's distinctive approach to international development. She shares firsthand stories from projects in Paraguay and Eswatini, explains why local involvement and buy-in is essential, and looks at how TaiwanICDF is helping communities build resilience for the future. Hosted this week by Tim Berge. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年9月14日

Taiwan aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but how close is it to meeting its renewable-energy goals? Taiwan Talk host Tim Berge speaks with** Bin Fu, Taiwan Country Manager at Lightsource bp**, and *Weiwei Tseng, Chairperson of wpd Taiwan*, about the state of solar and wind power, the permitting and land-use challenges facing developers, the role of energy storage, and what Taiwan must do now to keep its energy transition moving. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年9月7日

Made in Taiwan: TC Brown Returns After Five Decades Episode description TC Brown arrived in Taiwan in 1968 as an 18-year-old US Air Force military policeman who knew almost nothing about the country. The four years he spent here during the Vietnam War era would change his life. More than five decades later, Brown returned to discover a country transformed. In this episode of Taiwan Talk, the veteran journalist and author of "Made in Taiwan" recalls the Taiwan he first encountered, reflects on the people and experiences that shaped him, and explains why he believes part of him was truly "Made in Taiwan". -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年8月31日

Two decades after first coming to Taiwan as a visiting journalist and later returning as a scholarship student, Kenton X. Chance is back in a new role: Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. As SVG and Taiwan mark 45 years of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Chance joins ICRT's Tim Berge to discuss Taiwan's international participation, opportunities for deeper economic cooperation and the people-to-people ties connecting the two countries. He also reflects on food, language and how Taiwan has changed since his student days. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年8月28日

Academia Sinica Scholar Paul Katz enjoys a deep fascination with Taiwan's ghost culture — from local folklore to the beliefs that still shape everyday life. We talk about how he first got drawn into the subject, what makes Taiwan's supernatural traditions distinct, and why these stories continue to matter in a modern, secular society. A fascinating dive into the island's spiritual undercurrents in time for Ghost Month… Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年8月18日

Jason Ma is the current Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and has represented Taiwan some of the world's most consequential postings. He unpacks what sets multilateral EU diplomacy apart from the bilateral, high-stakes dynamics of DC, and why, at the end of the day, the adage "all politics is local" holds particularly true. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年8月11日

On July 1, a shipment of Irwin mangoes from Tainan and black-leaf lychees from Taichung cleared customs in Manchester, marking Taiwan's first official export of these fruits to the United Kingdom for 2026. Getting the fruit from Taiwan to UK supermarket shelves was not easy. In this edition of Taiwan Talk, Sunray Fresh General Manager Kris Tang talks to Hope Ngo about the challenges the importer faced to get the fruit from Taiwan's farms onto British tables. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年8月3日

Resilience has become Taiwan's watchword — but what does it actually mean when the threat could be a typhoon, an earthquake, or an enemy encroachment? Enoch Wu, founder of Forward Alliance and a former National Security Council official, has spent five years turning that question into a training program for ordinary citizens. We talk about what whole-of-society defense really requires — and whether volunteer readiness can hold up without more state support. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年7月27日

Japan-based Akira Itoh is a "drone evangelist" who has written extensively about the birth and development of Taiwan's budding UAV industry. Itoh has tracked Taiwan's progress as it endeavors to create a drone hub from near-scratch. He also shares his thoughts on why delivering on a 'non-red' supply chain may not be as simple as it sounds. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年7月15日

Content creator Sonya Chang is the mind behind " Sonya Bites Life .". We dig into her process, what keeps her inspired, and how she turns everyday moments into content that once won her a Zagat Foodie Award for her prominent role in the U.S. Pacific Northwest culinary scene. A candid look at creativity, consistency, and finding your voice online. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年7月9日

Chef John Liu of Los Angeles Michelin Bib restaurant Chifa joins us to talk about his culinary journey and the inspirations behind his cooking. We dig into his ties with Taiwan through his dad, his creative partnership with brother-in-law and noted designer Umberto Leon and how family shapes both the kitchen and the menu. A warm conversation about heritage, collaboration, and the meaning of home through food. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年7月6日

She's known for documenting the popular Love Boat phenomenon of the 90s and early 2000s. Now, filmmaker Valerie Soe tells the story of the the grassroots network of "aunties" who sewed masks for their communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Auntie Sewing Squad Resistance Playbook , is a moving look at solidarity, craft, and community in crisis. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo -- first aired on May 18, 2016. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年6月23日

Betty Song is founder and head of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Denmark. Sheshares the story behind one of the newest voices in the Taiwan business community abroad. From her early life to her decision to build an organization from the ground up, Betty opens up about what drives her — and what she hopes the Chamber will mean for Taiwan's presence in Denmark. Hosted by I.C.R.T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年6月8日

Taiwan Representative to Denmark Robin J.C. Cheng's career in Taiwan's Foreign Service spans several stints across the United States, Tuvalu, and now Denmark. The de-facto ambassador traces his path from law student to seasoned diplomat, and opens up about what he hopes to achieve for Taiwan in the northern European country. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年5月25日

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2026年5月11日

This week on Taiwan Talk, Tim Berge sits down with Lutz Guellner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, to mark Europe Day — the anniversary of the landmark 1950 Schuman Declaration that laid the foundations for the European Union. We explore the EETO's mission in Taiwan, from trade and economics to culture and people-to-people ties. Plus, we look at how the relationship between Europe and Taiwan has evolved in recent years. Finally we get personal — hearing about Mr. Guellner's journey to Taiwan, his favorite experiences here, and the local taste-treats he's come to love, and cook! -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年4月29日

What do a luxury hotel, a luxury steakhouse, and an audacious vegan ice cream maker have in common? Capella Taipei, Smith and Wollensky, and Nice Cream saw opportunities within the entertainment as well as food and beverage spaces and became successes. I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo talks to them about their recipes for success. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年4月2日

They first returned to Taiwan to get away from COVID, and they've since found success as Taiwan's English-language, sibling broadcasting duo. Ryan and Taylor Chen talk about what its like to work with siblings, and the audience they're building, one season at a time. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年3月16日

Section 301 of the U-S Trade Act of 1974 is a broad tool which authorizes the sitting U.S. President to negotiate trade agreements, reduce tariffs, and combat unfair foreign trade practices. In mid-March, the U.S. Trade Representative's office put Taiwan on two 301-related lists: one for failing to take action over structural excess capacity , and the other, for failing to take action over accusations of false labor . International Trade attorney James Ransdell explains the regulation, and how it is being used against traditional U-S allies today. Hosted by I.C.R.T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年3月9日

It takes plenty of courage to go from "I could do this" to "I did it"… but Jane and Alex Denner did that when they launched Empress Hot Sauce. The brand is known for taking Taiwan's well-loved fruits and spicing them up to create Western-style companions to any meal. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年2月26日

HoChie Tsai was just a toddler when his family moved to the U.S. But unlike many immigrants, Tsai's parents were fleeing political repression under martial law in Taiwan. Tsai talks about that legacy, and how that helped to shape his identity first as an Asian American activist and physician. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年2月11日

Taiwan is known around the world for its cutting-edge high tech parks as well as its revolutionary health care system. But underneath all this lies a social issue experienced around the world -- one involving the unhoused. This episode we look at the issue of homelessness in Taipei through the eyes of Luke Pigott, Project Manager at Salt Collectiv, which brings together international volunteers working for the interests of the vulnerable and marginalized. We also hear from "Uncle Liang" -- who sheds light on the personal experiences of the unhoused and through the lens of his own experiences. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年2月4日

Old-timers who have lived here for decades may remember a time when dining options that went beyond Taiwanese cuisine were very limited. But that's changed, thanks in part to the presence of restaurants like MK or Mayur Indian Kitchen. The restaurant chain is a byword for Indian cuisine on the island. ICRT's Hope Ngo speaks with Mayur Srivastava -- whose hard work and determination turned MK into a cuisine powerhouse. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年1月20日

Taiwan's presence on the global stage is often hindered due to international politics. But, the recent visit to Taipei by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego points to a practical solution. As Tamkang Univeristy professor of Diplomacy and International Affairs James Chen explains, urban diplomacy opens diplomacy at the subnational level, and can lead to practical and positive solutions which impact our everyday lives. ICRT's Hope Ngo and Tim Berge tell us more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年1月15日

Over the next decade Taiwan hopes to add at least one giga-watt of geo-thermal energy to its electrical grid, or the equivalent of one nuclear reactor. This week in Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks to Van Hoang from Sweden’s Baseload Power… which recently signed an agreement in Hualien to develop a geothermal plant in the Hongye community. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2026年1月6日

Those of us who are happy to see 2025 behind us may be excited for what's ahead. But if we're looking for more quiet times ahead, we may not get our wish. Feng Shui Master Roger Lan tells us how we might be able to take (some) control of what he promises will be a fast-paced year. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2025年12月30日

"Invisible Nation" is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China. Invisible Nation captures Tsai at work in her country’s vibrant democracy, while seeking full international recognition of Taiwan’s right to exist. - from " Invisible Nation" Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Hope ties her personal journey to that of bringing the documentary to the screen, and how -- even three years after it was first released-- "Invisible Nation" remains relevant to the discourse about and surrounding Taiwan. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn