Tales of Our Time

My good friend Kevin Lee and I talk about the second (or technically 5th) installment in the Starwars Saga: The Empire Strikes Back! Directed by Irvin Kershner, and from the mind of George Lucas, this movie really sums up some of the series most memorable moments! We discuss the most some of the most famous quotes from the series, how this movie opened up the world(s) of Starwars for future m...

This week, I'm joined by my fellow Rti host: Maryanne Sioco!! We discuss the extremely affective book: The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan. In doing so, we talk about how the book shines a light on intergenerational struggles, cross-cultural and mixed-cultural struggles, as well as the value of being "seen" in a piece of media. Join us to hear about this incredibly powerful tale!

This is the second episode of a two-part series!   This week, guest Tyler Gelbar and I finish up our Discussion on Avatar The Last Airbender, Book Fire. We talk about how the series expertly handles difficult topics such as war, propaganda, and the role of young people in ending conflicts.     

This is the first episode of a two-part series.   This week I'm joined again by Tyler Gelbar to discuss a series that's near and dear to our heart: Avatar The Last Airbender: Book 3, Fire. This sweeping epic about war, personal choices, and standing up for what's right puts us through our paces as we try to catch you up on all that happened!

This week I'm rejoined by my fellow Rti host, and good friend Michelle Chiang. We're starting the year off strong by discussing the cultural phenomenon that was Avengers Endgame! Listen along as we laugh, and cry, over a movie plot that took 11 years to come out, and gave us memories we'll never forget!

This is a special format episode! Whereas last year we reviewed the stories that touched us the most in 2023, this week we discuss what's coming out in the new year! We're joined by some familiar voices: Michelle Chiang, Mika Co, Emily Daniel, and Tyler Gelbar. Topics of discussion include: Stranger Things season 5, Genshin Impact, Haikyu, Arcane season 2, and HADES 2!  Join us for laugh...

On this special TAKES of Our Time episode, I talk with some of the other hosts here at Rti about stories that moved them tye most in 2023! I'm joined by English Hosts Chris Gorin, Sharon Lin, Olek Shyn, and Iris Hsu.    Topics of discussion include: Foundation (by David S. Goyer), Rifqa (by Mohammed El-Kurd), Green Island (by Shawna Yang Ryan), and The West Wing.

This week, I'm joined by friend and Co-host of the show Formosa Dreamchasers Ching-En Chiou! We discuss the book: Cereus Blooms at Night, by Shani Mootoo. We discuss the ways in which this book handles topics of identity, finding connection in shared hardships, and the value of listening to others experiences. Even, if not especially, when you find yourselves on opposite ends of an idea.

This week, I'm joined by guest Kayla Lin to talk about the famous: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. We discuss how there's much more to this book than a man getting tied down on a beach, and how even a story from the 1700s can teach us the value of travelling and learning from other cultures. Not to mention the origin of the word "yahoo" (yes, THAT Yahoo!).

Today, guest Carly Trautwein and I get into the ins-and-outs of Pixar's Inside Out! We discuss how it helped people find the words to describe overwhelming experiences, as well as being a heartwarming example of just how sadness can help us heal (and how positivity isn't always the answers). Not to mention the value of a good cry! 

This week, I'm joined by my good friend Rich Mathias to discuss the award winning "Umichachi Diaries" film adaption! Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, and adapted from the long-running manga by Akimi Yoshida, this story is one worth sharing! We discuss how it showcases themes such as familial bonds, forgiveness, and the joy of loving a simple life. 

TAKES of Our Time is a special format episode!   In this episode, we break down the role of "fate" in storytelling. How it is used as a narrative device, how it compares to "destiny", and how both of these ideas may actually take on the role of dramatic irony in a story. Then, we have two mini-summaries of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and the CW's Supernatural (seasons 1 - 5) for some examples of h...

This week, I'm rejoined by my good friend Emily Daniel! We discuss the 2012 - 2015 run of Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja. We discuss what "a run of comics" even means, the interesting ways the series depicts non-verbal communication, as well as it's perfect example of a "kick the dog" moment. (Don't worry, no dogs were actually harmed!)

Guest Bonnie Yuen returns to talk about another game: What Remains of Edith Finch (2017, developed by Guant Sparrow, published by Annapurna Interactive). We discuss the way that the story plays with the question of manifestation. Do we make up stories to explain terrible misfortune? Or is our belief in such stories what ultimately brings them to fruition? And should those stories be buried or guar...

Returning guest Cat Trites and I discuss the story Library of Legends (by Taiwanese-born Janie Chung!)   We talk about how stories are tied to the land the come through, what meaning they carry when removed from that space, and how knowing those stories can spread a sense of belonging. Cat even shares a story of her own mystical local bookshop!

I talk the cult classic Pulp Fiction (1994, Quentin Tarantino) with this week's guest, Max McCurdy! We discuss the violence of the movie itself, as well as how it hides a surprisingly hopeful story about the redemptive power of choosing to start on a righteous path. Whether you've seen the film a million times (like Max) or never before (like me) you're sure to find something in this week's episod...

Today I'm joined by my guest Julie Kawamura to discuss our first comic of the Podcast: Battle Angel Alita (by Yukito Kishiro)   We discuss how this manga broke barriers, what a fighting manga can say about finding yourself, and how it was able to inspire Julie to move from her home of Hawai'i to try living in a foreign country!

Host Amanda Stephens' parents have visited Taiwan (part 2!) So, today I sit down with special guest: Robert Stephens. We discuss a book he believes to be a Tale of Our Time: Leviathan Wakes, by James S.A. Corey.   We touch upon life in space, the value of watching a TV adaption of a series you love, and the surprising ties to history (and our possible future??) this sci-fi thriller can offer....

Host Amanda Stephens' parents have visited Taiwan! We sit down with special guest Susan Hahn to explain a book that recently left a mark on her: Lessons in Chemistry (by: Bonnie Garmus). In doing so we also discuss what it was like for women in the 60s, working through similar problems in the 80s and 90s, and how we can learn from these stories and apply them to women's struggles today. Sit dow, l...

Our first REVERSE TALES-- hosted by the fantastic Sharon Lin! (Host of That's Debatable, and Come Along).   Today, host-turned-guest Amanda Stephens discusses the short animated series Over the Garden Wall, from 2014 by Patrick McHale. We discuss how this series is the perfect mood piece for the fall season, what is Americana, and what this modern fairytale can teach is about the nature of co...

Guest Kyle Swayne is back to discuss The Road by Patrick McCarthy. While this book is not appropriate for all ages, and delving into the darkest parts of humanity in crisis-- that may just be what makes it such a Tale of Our Time! We discuss zombies, the ice burg writing method, and how this book may have inspired The Last of Us!

This is the second episode of a two-part series. In this episode, guest Jared Friesen and host Amanda Stephens finally dig into God of War 4 (By Santa Monica studios). We dig into the ways in which this game used it's predecessors as a foil for it's own story, and what it can teach us about growing to be a better version of ourselves. Join us for conversations on parenting styles, reconciling with...

This is the first episode of a two-part series.   In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Jared Friesen to discuss the God of War franchise (by Santa Monica Studios). We discuss our experience with the first trilogy, and the ways in which it was shaped by the time it was released, as well as how it lay the ground for the 2018 God of War 4. Revisit the old ways, and join us for our conv...

This week, I'm joined by my good friend Tyler Golec to discuss the OG: Starwars Episode 4: A New Hope (directed by George Lucas). We discuss the Hero's Journey story arc, how this episode exemplifies that journey, and how the high accessibility of Episode 4 may have helped to introduce others to the Sci-fi genre. Pour one out for Alderaan, and join us for this talk on the one that stated i...

Join me and my guest Shamir Munoz as we discuss a shared blast from our pasts: The Series of Unfortunate Events, and especially the Reptile Room! (By Lemony Snicket) We discuss the frustrations of being unable to read the series in order, the joys of breaking the fourth wall, and how a series that is all about misfortune, carries a surprisingly uplifting message.