Taiwan Talk

On the occasion of President Lai Ching-te’s first 100-days in office, we’re taking an unconventional look at this milestone. Instead, we’re talking to the unique TV host and model who emceed the official inaugural banquet held in Tainan. Kevin Tai shares with us the excitement of hosting a state dinner, as well as some of the struggles he has faced as a Brazilian-Paraguayan-Taiwanese public figure. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Protecting the environment and promoting circular economy are important issues in Taiwan, particularly with the growing threat of climate change. To address this concern, the government elevated the Environment Protection Agency, making it a ministry… and in May this year, one of Taiwan's most noted weathermen and climate researchers took the helm. Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming goes in depth about the challenges facing Taiwan in this special edition of Taiwan Talk. Hosted by Tim Berge. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

He first came to Taiwan to learn Mandarin. But since that time, Catholic priest Joyalito Tajonera aka "Fr Joy" has become an important advocate for migrant worker rights in Taiwan. He talks about developments in Taiwan society that have supported migrant workers here, and addresses work needs to be done to improve living and working conditions for migrant workers here. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Plastic basins, chopsticks, broom handles and traditional American washboards may not be your everyday musical instruments, but that's exactly what jug bands use to create their unique sound. The Muddy Basin Ramblers first formed in 2002, and today they appear at events and music festivals around the island. Band members David Chen, Tim Hogan, TC Lin, and Cristina Paradise were at the ICRT studios to talk about how the band was formed, what their future is -- and to share their unique sound. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

He was a sports hero in the 1960s, with unbroken sports records -- some remaining intact even to this day. But Olympic decathlete Yang Chuan-kwang (楊傳廣) or CK Yang is no longer remembered by many sports fans in Taiwan -- and former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy is looking to change that with his documentary "Decathlon" The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story" (奧運傳奇：楊傳廣與強森). Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Building a career at one of Taiwan's high-tech firms is a dream for many Taiwan engineers. But for Grouper Su's Mack Chen (陳坤成), choosing between working at the world's largest semiconductor firm and helping his father-in-law reinvigorate their aquaculture business was an easy decision to make. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. To find out more about Chen's project, visit their Facebook page at 新港社合 . -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A chief engineer at Kaohsiung's Mass Rapid Transit Bureau about the city's plans for more M-R-T lines. Hosted by Michael Smith. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

What does it take to run one of the oldest family-centered activity centers in Taipei? Taipei Youth Program Association (TYPA) Director Mike Brennand tells us about what brought him to Taiwan, his role, and what inspired him to make a unique contribution to Taiwan society during his downtime. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Filipino writer and former journalist Leo Maliksi chose to make Taipei his home more than thirty years ago. Because of this, he had the chance to witness Taiwan as it moved through a time of great transition. He shares his insights in this edition of Taiwan Talk. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

It would be fair to say Pizza Hut makes headlines just about every time they release a new special flavor. But what inspires Pizza Hut to move outside the box to reinvent its classic offer a few times a year, and often with eyebrow-raising results? Pizza Hut General Manager Antony Leung tells us his story, and that of Pizza Hut's -- giving us a master class in marketing in the process. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

What's the first thing you did when you arrived in Taiwan? No matter what it was, it may not have been as audacious as Polish virtuoso Kamil Tokarski's first investment. He tells Taiwan Talk what brought him here… and he explores the significance and impact of Polish composer Frederick Chopin's music in Taiwan. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) has served as Taiwan's Representative to Germany and head of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany under two Presidents: Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen. The de-facto Ambassador talks about his unlikely journey from academic to diplomat, and how he sees his mission. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) has served as Taiwan's Representative to Germany and head of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany under two Presidents: Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen. The de-facto Ambassador talks about his unlikely journey from academic to diplomat, and how he sees his mission. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

It's one thing to go to music school -- another to go from there and open a chain of bubble tea shops and cafes. Kai Yun Cheng has done just that with Home Taste Jia and reveals what he wants to do next. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Swapping life in the c-suite for life in a boat isn't a decision many people might make, but it's a move that helped finance executive Leo Seewald learn more about life as a local fisherman. He joins Taiwan Talk to talk about his goal of visiting all of Taiwan's fishing harbors. Hosted by Hope Ngo. --Hosting provided by SoundOn

Leaving family and friends to live Taiwan is a given for expats and travelers here, as is getting homesick. But what is being here like when home is Ukraine, and loved ones are exposed to fighting on the front lines? Analyst Mariia Makarovych talks about her life in Taiwan today, what she left behind, and what she will take back with her to Ukraine when she returns there. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Pie fans in the know rave about iMomi Pies, although they probably know little about Sandy and Gary Edmonds -- the Christian missionary and his wife who started it all. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

German director Stefan Kaegi likens the production of his play "This is not an Embassy (Made in Taiwan)" to a diplomatic process -- one involving constant negotiation between different protagonists. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about what inspired him to write the play, and how he chose to go about telling the story of a country he has not really lived in for an extended period of time, but which he has learned to love.

History has no better teachers than the eyewitnesses that watch it unfold and are "in the room when it happens." This unaired episode of Taiwan Talk is an eyewitness account presenting former Control Yuan and Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien's memories and insights of what transpired after the U-S announced it was derecognizing the ROC (Taiwan). Chien walks us through some of the negotiations and events that took place; and reintroduces us to key historical figures of the time including the last U.S. Ambassador to the ROC, Leonard S. Unger who was appointed in 1974 and Warren Christopher, who served as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's official emissary who led negotiations between Washington and Taipei. Chien also talks about the roles of ROC Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan who resigned after the U.S. announcement; Victor Wei-Jen Hu who was Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister H.E. Chang-Huan Shen; and GIO director James Soong in the complicated unwinding of diplomatic ties with an important ally

Former Control Yuan President and Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien shares his memories and insights into the hours and days in the aftermath of the US decision to derecognize the Republic of China (Taiwan), in favor of the People's Republic of China. His discourse reintroduces listeners to several key personalities, including the last U.S. Ambassador to the ROC, Leonard S. Unger who was appointed in 1974; ROC Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan who resigned after the U.S. announcement; Victor Wei-Jen Hu Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister H.E. Chang-Huan Shen; and GIO director James Soong. A longer version of the interview is also available for history buffs who might wish to hear a more complete narrative of what transpired among those who were"in the room where it happened." The interview was done as part of I-C-R-T's 45th birthday celebrations.