Taiwan Talk

Theatre director Craig Quintero is on the forefront of using virtual reality to create immersive, enigmatic performances. But his links to Taiwan theatre goes back a lot further to the work he is known for today. Quintero founded the Taipei-based company Riverbed Theatre in 1998 and spent decades creating works with dreamlike imagery. Guest host Aspen Beilharz talks to Craig about his career and h...

Taiwan used to export tens of millions of butterflies a year to be used to adorn tablecloths and paintings, and as part of specimen books. But this has changed over the years, thanks to a combination of factors including rising environmental awareness, climate change, and a loss of habitat. They have resulted in a big drop in Taiwan's butterfly population. But even so, butterflies can still be spo...

There's never been a better time to experience gourmet dining in Taiwan. During this year's Michelin awards, the storied guide recognized 321 establishments, 148 in Taipei, 64 in Taichung, 56 in Tainan, and 53 in Kaohsiung. The group was made up of a range of mouthwatering dining options from the street eats that Taiwan is best known for (aka "Bib Gourmands") to high-end dining choices -- includin...

Carrie Kellenberger is no ordinary expatriate. The courageous businesswoman is an advocate for the rights of disabled members of the foreign community in Taiwan. She speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about a day in her life and what it is like to live in the fringes of a much-lauded successful healthcare system that has left her -- and others like her -- behind. You can find Carrie online at My Several...

Didn't know Taiwan had locally-made cheese? We didn't either until we caught up with Henry Gerard of Dida Creamery , whose products are a prominent part of the menu at a number of restaurants across the island. Henry spent an afternoon catching up with I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo, to talk about his business, Taiwan's dairy industry, and why Taiwan was --and is -- a 'gouda' place to set up a cheese business...

He's known to his fans as Taiwan's answer to Kenny G. At the height of his musical career, saxophone player Corbett Wall was a transformative force in Taiwan's music scene, which was once dominated by mando-pop and folk music. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about the forces that shaped his sound, and whether he still plays the instrument that altered his life today. To hear Corbett talk about his...

Ray Ko is a freediving instructor based on Taiwan's Xiaoliuqiu Island, and an enthusiastic advocate of the sport and its benefits. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Ray about the benefits of spending time under the sea, the kinds of animals you can see while diving, how he holds his breath for four minutes, the rising popularity of freediving in Taiwan and around the world, and an upcoming freedi...

What does it take to modernize a cultural icon? The National Theater and Concert Hall's Director of Programming and International Development Ting-Chun Lin talks to ICRT's Hope Ngo about the theatre's digital projects and how lessons learnt during the COVID-19 has given rise to a new theatre experience. This episode was produced and is presented by Aspen Beilharz. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Ill Mo (老莫) is a Taiwanese rapper and hip hop artist, and teaches English as an assistant professor at Chihlee University (致理科技大學). ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Ill Mo about how he became a part of Taiwan's hip hop history, writing lyrics on both sides of the language barrier, and the hardest things to teach today's students. You can find Ill Mo's new album "Becoming" on Spotify or w...

Kevin Magee is the former Australian Representative in Taipei, having effectively served as an Australian ambassador, but under the complicated dynamics of the "One China Policy". ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Mr. Magee about his work as an Australian diplomat in Taiwan, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, and the fascinating situations and people he has encountered in his decades in the foreign...

Barry Martinson is known for his books, his music, and his work with stained glass. Even with his accomplishments, it is difficult to quantify how much Jesuit priest Barry Martinson and his brother Jerry (aka KPS' "Uncle Jerry") have done for the lives they touched. Martinson reminisces about his brother Jerry, and the brothers' legacy of service for the benefit of Taiwan. Note: the interview was...

How do Taiwan's white-collar workers compare with other labor pools in other markets? What can you do to get ahead -- whether you're new to the job market, or looking for work? John Winter, Taiwan Country Manager for global recruitment specialist Robert Walters gives us his take on what makes Taiwan's labor force stand out, and whether there are areas it can improve. * -- Hosting provided by Sound...

Musa (明馬丁) is a veteran music producer from Argentina and naturalized Taiwanese citizen, who has worked with some of Taiwan's most recognized musicians, while releasing his own music along the way. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Musa about the use of AI in production work, what we need to hear from Taiwan, and how to stay sincere in a noisy world. You can find Musa on Instagram: @musa_keys...

Churchill's is best known to its fans for its line of sausages and easy-to-reheat food. The company's founders, Lee Thomas and Dom Grant, talk about what its like to start a food business and sustain it during the pandemic years. Note: recorded on location at the Churchill's kitchen in Tienmou -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Faye Angevine is a French-American who has lived and worked in Taiwan since 1974, and works with numerous non-profit organizations here on the island. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Faye about Taiwan's animal welfare initiatives, local community centers, what it's like to live with 23 dogs, and her fascination with Taiwan's history and antiques. You can find more information on adopting rescue...

From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Corbett Wall was Taiwan's Prince of the Saxophone. And while music is still very much a part of Wall's life, his priorities have changed; he now works with the indigenous youth to develop their skills in arts and culture. To learn more about the program's award winning film, visit COU175586 Little Warrior . To find out more about Wall's non-profit and you ca...

Former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief and Senior Fellow at the USC US-China Institute Mike Chinoy talks about the inspiration and genesis of his latest book, which tells the story of how U.S. journalists covered China: from the time of the civil war in the 1940s to the coronavirus pandemic. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Andrew Chau (周厚安) is a long-time actor of film, TV, and theater in Taiwan, and a co-host of two different shows on TaiwanPlus. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Andrew about the hardest parts of acting, changing his accent and appearance for character roles, and his hilarious travels around Taiwan with fellow actor Fabio Grangeon. You can see Andrew and Fabio's travel show on TaiwanPlus: https...

Amy Ma is a producer of many films and TV series here in Taiwan, such as the award-winning "American Girl" 【美國女孩】, and a manager for a bunch of Netflix's Chinese-language content. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Amy about communicating between all levels of film production, the work that goes into making local and international projects, and the kinds of films she hopes to see Taiwan make...

Alex Khomenko first made headlines in Taiwan by being the first -- and only -- protester outside the Russian offices in Taipei, immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Since then, he continues in his quest to keep the issue on top of mind for Taiwan. He talks about all that was achieved, and what Taiwan Stands with Ukraine hopes to achieve, as the war continues to mark grim milestones. -...

Vincent Soberano is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, writer, and martial artist, based in Taiwan and the Philippines. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Vincent about the action film genre, his experience with martial arts and rigging stunts, the struggles of script-writing, and what it's like working in the film industry together with his wife, actor Sarah Chang. You can find Vincent's newly-op...

Professor H. H. Michael Hsiao is Chairman of Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and Chairman of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at National Chengchi University. He is also an Adjunct Research Fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica, He spoke to us about the evolution of Taiwan studies as an academic pursuit -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Irene Liao's storied career reads like a business fairy tale. After a stint at high-end luxury goods company LVMH (Moët Hennessy) in Hong Kong, she returned to Taiwan to take the helm of her family's high-profile snack food firm Kuai Kuai. But she's since branched out and now leads her own, newly launched nutritious food startup, Vegan Joy. This is her story. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

J.J. Chen is a French-Belgian-Taiwanese artist and veteran of the animation industry, both in Taiwan and Europe. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Jean-Jacques about his experiences as an animator, Taiwan animation's place in the world, and a deep, deep breakdown of the animation process, from start to finish. Seriously, I learned a LOT this episode! You can find some of J.J.'s past projects on h...

Hermione Lee is an author who has already published eight books by the age of 18 years old. ICRT's Trevor Tortomasi chats with Hermione about finding motivation, writing 6,000 words per day, and challenging oneself to write as many kinds of stories and characters as possible. You can find Hermione's books here: https://www.amazon.com/Hermione-Lee/e/B097P7LZB4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 And she...