That's Debatable

This is part 2 of my conversation with Wanda Diao. In this 2-part interview, Wanda shares with us how she found her way to doing Olympic weightlifting as a hobby and her experience as a vegetarian weightlifter. In this episode, Wanda and I talk about how beauty standards have evolved in Taiwan, Wanda’s experience on running a public Instagram account, and what’s next for her. This is also the fina...

Growing up in Taiwan as a kid, I seldom felt that women were encouraged to be strong and do weight lifting. Beauty standards back in the day, and honestly, in current times have been disappointing to say the least. Nowadays, it’s wonderful to see more women working out, staying strong, and doing weightlifting. In this episode, you’ll hear from Wanda Diao, who’s been doing Olympic weightlifting as...

In this extended episode, you’ll hear from Laura Moye, Country Specialist of Amnesty International Taiwan. We will focus on 2 reports published by Amnesty International: "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity" and “Unlawful Use of US-made Munitions and Violations of International Law by Israel Since January 2023.” Based on the 2 re...

This is part 2 of my conversation with artist Nafis White. In this episode, Nafis shares with us how she approaches her role as an artist, educator, and as a human. We talked about the Black Lives Matter movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how an artist could utilize their skills to mobilize communities to fight against injustices. Nafis also shares what improvisation and pivot mean to her....

Hair, Embodied Knowledge, Ancestral Recall, Audacity of Survival, Bobby Pins. These are the materials of the sculptural work Oculus by artist Nafis M. White, whom you’ll get to know in this episode. In the midst of injustice, racism, and double standards in the current state of the world, how could we show up for ourselves and for others, with care, empathy, and solidarity? Today’s guest, Nafis, i...

Dog breeding is a topic that often triggers strong reactions from people. In this episode, we’re not here to change or challenge anyone’s point of view. We’re here to expand our understanding of the topic from some personal stories from my guest/colleague today. Let’s get started.

This is part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Mikki Stelder. Mikki is originally from the Netherlands and has over 10 years of experience in Palestinian Solidarity organizing, especially reflecting on anti-colonial queer politics. Make sure to listen to part 1 of our conversation where we talked about Pinkwashing in the context of Zionist settler colonialism of the current state of Israel. In this ep...

Today we’ll talk about Pinkwashing, especially when it’s coupled with the Zionist settler colonialism of the current State of Israel. In brief, the Pinkwashing propaganda strategy of the current state of Israel presents a facade of queer rights to cover up their oppression of Palestinians. In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Mikki Stelder. Mikki is originally from the Netherlands and has over 10...

In this episode, we’ll hear from Sharaf DarZaid, Palestinian artist, dancer, and program coordinator at the Popular Art Center in Ramallah. Sharaf is also a dancer and choreographer for the Palestinian Dance Troupe El-Funoun. In this episode, we will learn more about the Palestinian Dabke dance, Palestinian music, and the music El-Funoun produces which is deeply rooted in Palestinian folklore musi...

Today we're back with Grzegorz Sienkiewicz to break down some of the chess scenes in the hit TV show The Queen's Gambit. In The Queen's Gambit, we've seen some unforgettable portrayals of chess playing but how realistic are they? Do players go over games in their heads? When do you resign? What was the chess scene like during the period of the Cold War? Also, a common debate: Is ch...

The 2020 TV series The Queen’s Gambit is definitely one of the most popular shows of late. The show is adapted from the 1983 novel of the same name. Since the show came out, people often debate on how good the portrayal of chess is in the show. Do the steps make sense? What significance is there for Beth Harmon to learn the Sicilian Defense at a young age? For today, my guest Grzegorz Sienkiewicz,...

Today, my guest is Yang, host of the podcast Sex Chat. Yes, in this episode we'll talk about sex education, intimacy, and related topics people might feel too shy to talk about. Sex Chat is a Mandarin Chinese podcast where host Yang, born and raised in Taiwan, shares her journey of learning about sex, sex education, relationships, and more. Listeners also write in to ask questions and discuss...

This is part 2 of my interview with Annie, dancer and researcher from London. Annie is studying and doing research on the Palestinian Dabke dance, and is working closely with the Palestinian dance group El-Funoun. El-Funoun is based in Ramallah in the West Bank. In part 1, we talked about the history of Dabke, on what occasions would you see the dance, and the incredibly innovative and beautiful c...

We will continue to talk about Palestine. Today, let’s talk about Dabke, a dance that plays an important role in Palestinian culture. Dabke is a Levantine folk dance dating back to hundreds or even thousands of years ago. In this episode, I had the pleasure to chat with dancer and researcher, Annie, who’s currently based in London. A couple of years ago, Annie had the honor of learning and doing r...

This is part 2 of the chat with my colleague, or former colleague, Chris Gorin, who recently left Rti. Today we touched on more of what we hope Taiwan could improve on, including poorly-designed sidewalks, images people have when it comes to “foreigners,” racism in Taiwan, and so on. What we talked about is informed by our personal experiences, and people would likely have different experiences wi...

Join Chris and Sharon today on That’s Debatable as we chat about improvements we hope to see regarding life in Taiwan. Today we’ll chat about voting, taxes, and road safety. Feel free to check out episodes on Chris’ show The Strait Up Podcast where he dives deeper into topics like wages in Taiwan and road safety, as well as the 2 previous episodes of That’s Debatable where we talked more about wha...

This is part 2 where Amanda and Michelle joined me in the studio to talk about sex education and our personal experiences going to an obgyn. We need to normalize talking about these topics. Last week, I shared my horrible experience at an obgyn, and today, we’ll hear from Michelle and Amanda. (Deep breaths.) With this episode, we’re also thinking of all who are pregnant seeking refuge in Rafah, th...

For today’s episode I was joined by our wonderful fellow hosts, Amanda and Michelle, to talk about sex education and our experiences going to the gynecologist. Get yourself a nice cup of tea, and feel the support, the anger, and stories in this conversation. We hope you feel supported and seen, and you’re not alone. We need to normalize talking about these topics more.

The sound of ocean waves, gusts of wind that bring the smell of sea salt – a scene for most people, means vacation. For many of the political victims of the White Terror era in Taiwan, this was the last taste of freedom before entering the jail cells of Green Island. My guest Fred Him-San Chin (陳欽生) detailed his story of being one of the many political victims during the White Terror era in Tai...

Just imagine, you, at the age of 18, getting tricked and abducted, tortured, and then sentenced to 12 years in jail for being innocent. This is the true story of my guest today, Fred Him-San Chin (陳欽生). Fred's one of the many political victims of the White Terror period in Taiwan. You have to know Fred's story. In 2023, Fred published his book Facing the calamity：a step through hurts and hards...

World, you should not only care about Taiwan because we’re viewed as a “potential flash point for World War III.” This is also emphasized by my guest Venessa Hope, director and producer of Invisible Nation , a powerful documentary about Taiwan, featuring Taiwan’s first ever female president, Tsai Ing-wen. This is part 2 of my interview with Vanessa. How did Taiwan get rid of its authoritarian rule...

If I ask you to think of an invisible nation, what answer would you give? For many, and for our people, it’s Taiwan. For today’s show, I was joined by Vanessa Hope , director and producer of the 2023 documentary, Invisible Nation . Invisible Nation is a powerful documentary about Taiwan, featuring Taiwan’s first female president Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan is a progressive democratic nation in East Asia,...

Today, we’re bringing you part 2 of my interview with Dr. Hazem Almassry, who’s born and raised in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Make sure to check out the previous episode if you haven’t. In this episode, Hazem shares with us more historic context and what life is like as a Palestinian living under Israeli occupation, including: a key year 1917 and the Balfour Declaration, the emergence of Zionism, military...

For today’s show, I’m honored to be joined by Dr. Hazem Almassry, who’s born and raised in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. Palestine is his home. What is daily life like as a Palestinian living under Israeli occupation? How can you travel to other places? Or are you even allowed? How did Hazem’s family lose their ancestral farmland, like many other Palestinians? In this episode, we started our chat wit...

Today, we’re continuing our conversation with Sasha Dees on AI’s application in the arts, as well as applications of VR and AR technology. Sasha Dees is an independent writer, curator, and researcher from the Netherlands. Make sure to listen to  the previous episode  if you haven’t. Quoting curator Brian Kuan Wood, whom I had the pleasure to interview before for the Taipei Biennial, what these cut...