Taiwan Talk

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

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

"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...

The Christmas season hits differently for Taiwan's foreign community whose memories of the holiday season involves more than just mall visits, trees, and carols piped in through the audio system. We speak to three European businessmen who have chosen to make Taiwan their home in this special holiday edition of Taiwan Talk. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

2025 was full of surprises and unexpected turns for many economies around the world … including Taiwan's. ING's Chief Economist for Greater China Lynn Song gives us his hot takes on what made 2025 a banner one for Taiwan, and he looks ahead to the tailwinds -- and headwinds -- that are likely to influence our business outcomes in the coming year. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided b...

Taiwan is home to numerous natural disasters and other threats, making civil defense a top priority. Compounding matters, many people don't know how to prepare, or understand what to do when calamity strikes. Meeting this challenge is the Resilience Roadmap, from longtime resident John Groot. The guidebook includes everything you need to know -- in English -- to prepare for a rainy day. Hosted by...

Not everyone might be enchanted with the idea of vegan gelato -- but Nice Cream could be the brand that convinces hard-nosed skeptics to change their minds. The brand which has two thumbs up from noted vegan site Happy Cow got its start in Taiwan and has gone from strength to strength, thanks to hard work and determination on the part of its owners Mirko and Patty. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Ho...

This week ICRT's Tim Berge hops on his wheels. Tourists from around the world travel to Taiwan to explore its mountains, valleys and coastlines by bicycle. Viola van Onselen and Erik van Onselen-de Jong originally came to Taiwan to pursue higher education, but quickly got the cycling bug. To stay healthy and escape urban pressure, they began exploring the beauty and charms of Taiwan by bike. And t...

If You Know, You Know. That's probably what death metal fans would say about the island's thriving death metal scene, which has spawned the likes of bands including Assaasin, Chthonic, Dharma, and Flesh Juicer. To mark the first ever Formosa: Finland: Fest, we took a closer look at Taiwan's thriving metal scene with the help of a few friends: Deputy Representative and Trade Representative of the F...

His works are bold, powerful, and memorable. Taiwan-based Mongolian artist Tsengkun Engkhbold talks about how he got his start in Taiwan, and how his father's works served as an inspiration for his art. Enkghbold holds a joint exhibition with his father in December. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan may be an up-and-coming international destination -- but not every country is equally represented here. We caught up with Iranian national Fan Di Shen ( 范低紳) or "Dave", the owner of carpet gallery "Arsham" about what drew him to make Taiwan his home, and what it took to turn his carpet art gallery into a success. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In this week's Taiwan Talk, ICRT's Tim Berge talks to former Interior Minister and NTU Civll Engineering professor Lee Hong-yuan about the Guangfu tragedy in Hualien, from its cause to what needs to be done moving forward. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

If the pandemic helped accelerate changes in Taiwan's dining scene -- were there similar factors that influenced Taiwan's spirits scene? Former Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and veteran retail expert Steve Parker explains why he thinks democracy made it possible for Taiwan's homegrown wine and spirits industry to thrive. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Tim Berge and Hope Ngo. Also chec...

Can someone work in several Michelin kitchens and start from scratch to build his own? That's what we asked Leonardo Fonseca Celis who recently set up his own restaurant Fon-Cé in Taipei. He talks about his challenges and his dreams. Hosted by ICRT 's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

International Director of The Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec returns to Taiwan Talk to share his thoughts about how Taiwan's dining scene evolved for the better after the pandemic. And in this exclusive chat, one of the guide's anonymous chief inspectors tells us how the guides identify and rank Taiwan's acclaimed Bib Gourmand restaurants. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by Soun...

In late September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a shock announcement : that it was issuing a Withold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing -- a move that bans bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan. International Trade & Customs Attorney James Ransdell explains the order, the actions Giant can take to get it lifted, and whether this can be linked to Taipei'...

Coming to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge spoke to Matt Fullen and Taylor Chuang about one of Taiwan’s premier music and arts festivals. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in subtle and evocative ways. ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks with Thomas Foguenne, a composer originally from Belgium, but who now splits his time in Taiwan, where he has created soundtracks for movies, shows, and more. His most recent...

Bilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States have not always been smooth. Nearly 50 years ago, an American armed serviceman shot and killed a Taiwan counterpart, Liu Ziran -- setting off a series of riots which strained bilateral relations. If you'd never heard about the incident, which took place in 1957, it's time to put on a pair of headphones and take a listen. Hosted by ICRT's Hop...

What do you call your meal choice when you take a hard pass at animal product options? Do you call yourself "vegan" or is your meal "plant-based?" The two terms may mean the same thing, but entrepreneurs are making a switch from "vegan" to "plant-based" for branding reasons, and they explain why. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Originally broadcast June 9, 2025: Anders Norell is noted for serenading Taiwan audiences with the musical magic his flute brings. Norell has made his mark as the principal flute with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan Although he’s travelled and performed extensively throughout the whole world, he has never forgets the Swedish countryside where he grew up, which impacts his music to this d...

It should be a given that all animals, regardless of what their natural habitats are, feel pain. Gothenburg University Professor Lynne Sneddon, who is in Taiwan for the Asia for Animals Conference, has done extensive research on just that -- and she talks about how to better care for fish so their lives are pain-free -- whether they live in lakes, streams, oceans, and home aquariums. Hosted by ICR...

He is one of Taiwan's most successful career public servants. Jason Hu (胡志強) has served across most levels of executive government and has the knowledge and wisdom to show for it. He shares stories from his life -- and his new book -- with ICRT's Hope Ngo and Tim Berge. A full version of the interview will follow. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Archive film isn't for everyone -- but for film buffs who are interested in Taiwan's film history, there is the Taiwan Film and Audio Visual Institute, which owns the most extensive collection of old films and newsreels in Taiwan. Its Director Iris Du talks about the importance of maintaining a film archive and. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. A part of TFAI's library may be accessed through its You...

What does it take to turn a passion into a business? Te Company founder Elena Liao talks about how she took a passing interest in tea into a thriving tea boutique serving up teas and pastries, located in Manhattan's West Village. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. Learn more about Te Company here . -- Hosting provided by SoundOn