Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Dive into another lively episode of the Mandarin Monkey podcast, where we celebrate the power of life's small victories and recount some unforgettable weekend adventures. From the thrill and challenges of landing a new job (hello, creative video applications!) to the quirky misadventures of a family boating trip overtaken by spiders, this episode covers it all with humor and heartfelt reflections....

In this episode, we dive into the joys and chaos of family travel, focusing on our experiences in Taiwan. From navigating holidays with kids to finding moments of peace in the middle of it all, we reflect on what makes a trip truly memorable. We chat about Taiwan’s rich cultural moments like Children's Day, the importance of good food, and why nostalgia plays such a big role in where we go next. 0...

In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the messy, hilarious, and honest journey of personal growth. From embracing the cringe that comes with putting yourself out there creatively, to exploring how AI is transforming content creation, they get candid about the highs and lows of doing what you love. They also dream out loud about future community events, live gatherings, and the lifelong journey of...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula get reflective about some of life’s biggest questions—what does wealth really mean, and is it the same as happiness? The pair open up about their journey through podcasting, parenting three kids, and navigating life’s chaos while trying to stay sane (or at least, mildly caffeinated). They explore how wealth without purpose feels hollow, w...

In this episode, we sweat through England’s heat wave while chatting about 3D printing family models, the oddities of British vs American English, and the quirks of parenting in ridiculous temperatures. From language mishaps to sleep-deprived parenting rants, it’s a mix of humour, insight, and the occasional meltdown. ALl spoken in Mandarin and English for your listening pleasure. Hosted on Acast...

In this episode, we get personal. We talk fatherhood, the shifting idea of what it means to be a ‘man,’ and how dads today are navigating emotion, law, and family. From our own experiences to the broader cultural shifts, we explore how parenting and masculinity are evolving, sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully. Then we zoom out. We dive into the brutal reality of the job market, how AI is flippi...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula take listeners on a conversational journey covering everything from rescuing snails to the surprising genre of cozy fantasy. They share personal stories, listener feedback about subtitles, and survival tips for the salt flats, all wrapped in reflections on parenting, cultural sensitivity, and language learning. Whether it's talking to kid...

In this episode, we dive into the joys and pains of podcast production, the growing importance of bilingualism in career paths, and how AI is quietly reshaping language learning and job interviews. We also tackle parenting in the tech age, the screen-time struggle, and how different generations navigate the digital world. Oh, and yes—streaming has definitely changed everything. Key Takeaways Makin...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula dive into some of the strangest bans and laws from around the world, from chewing gum in Singapore to government-approved reincarnation in Tibet. Through light-hearted yet insightful discussion, they explore how these bans reflect deeper cultural values, political symbolism, religious influences, and social expectations. You'll also pick...

Looking for a fun way to learn Mandarin while exploring the world’s strangest places? In this episode, we take you on a global journey to the weirdest tourist attractions from haunted doll islands to underwater post offices. Along the way, you’ll pick up real Mandarin vocabulary and cultural insights that go way beyond textbooks. Perfect for Mandarin learners , Chinese language enthusiasts , or an...

Today on the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, we dive into the beautiful Cotswolds and share our experiences camping in two stunning locations. But things took an unexpected turn when we crossed paths with a stranger who might not have been as friendly as they seemed... Find out what happened! 今天在 Mandarin Monkey，我们深入探讨了科茨沃尔德（Cotswolds）的美丽风光，并分享了我们在两个迷人地点露营的经历。但...

To celebrate 400 episodes of Mandarin Monkey, we’re not getting sentimental, we’re getting strange. Join us as we break down 40 of the weirdest, most useful, and most culturally revealing Mandarin words and phrases we’ve come across. From “snake milker” vocab to expressions for being awkward, overstuffed, or emotionally destroyed, this episode is packed with language you won’t find in your average...

Think your job is strange? In this episode, we explore 20 of the world’s weirdest real-life occupations — from snake milkers and underwater pizza delivery drivers to professional cuddlers and scream evaluators. Along the way, we’ll teach you how to say each one in Mandarin, complete with vocabulary, pronunciation, and a few questionable career choices. Perfect for Mandarin learners who want to exp...

In this episode, we explore 20 of the most ridiculous, real world records ever set — and learn how to talk about them in Mandarin. From smashing toilet seats with your head to balancing snails on your face, this is your crash course in weirdness and useful Mandarin vocabulary. Whether you’re a language learner or just love strange facts, we’ve got you covered. Mandarin Vocabulary List (Traditional...

From baby mop outfits to chopstick fans and silent karaoke mics — the world has no shortage of strange inventions. In this episode, Tom and Ula explore 20 bizarre gadgets from around the globe and break down the Mandarin vocabulary behind each one. It’s the perfect mix of language learning, cultural curiosity, and a whole lot of "Wait… that's real?" Whether you're here for the vocab or just want t...

1. Balut – Fertilized duck embryo (Philippines) 鴨仔蛋 | yā zǐ dàn | Duck embryo egg 2. Surströmming – Fermented herring (Sweden) 瑞典酸鯡魚 | ruì diǎn suān fèi yú | Swedish sour herring 3. Casu Marzu – Maggot cheese (Italy) 活蛆乳酪 | huó qū rǔ lào | Live maggot cheese 4. Fried Tarantula (Cambodia) 炸狼蛛 | zhà láng zhū | Fried tarantula 5. Hákarl – Fermented shark (Iceland) 發酵鯊魚肉 | fā xiào...

Ever heard of a law that bans you from handling salmon "suspiciously"? Or a rule that says men must wear Speedos at public pools in France? In this episode, we dive into some of the strangest, most ridiculous laws from around the world. From kites being outlawed in the UK to Japan’s weight regulations, we break down these bizarre rules, their origins, and whether they actually make any sense. Plus...

Unusual Hobbies (特殊的爱好 - tè shū de ài hào) Extreme Ironing (极限熨烫) – jí xiàn yùn tàng Quidditch (魁地奇) – kuí dì qí Cheese Rolling (奶酪滚动比赛) – nǎi lào gǔn dòng bǐ sài Toy Voyaging (玩具旅行) – wán jù lǚ xíng Competitive Duck Herding (竞技赶鸭子) – jìng jì gǎn yā zi Trainspotting (火车观察) – huǒ chē guān chá Mooing Competitions (学牛叫比赛) – xué niú jiào bǐ sài Soapbox Racing (肥皂...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast , we chat about the Eisenhower Matrix (艾森豪威尔矩阵, Àisēnháowēi’ěr jǔzhèn) —not as experts, but just as two people trying to figure out where all our time goes. We’ve all been there: feeling 忙碌 (mánglù, busy) but not necessarily productive (有成效的, yǒu chéngxiào de) . So, what actually makes something 重要 (zhòngyào, important) versus just 紧急...

In episode #392 of Mandarin Monkey , we speculate about what it’s like moving to the mountains in Taiwan (we don't live in the mountains) and the joys (and challenges) of using Starlink for internet. We also dive into the differences between nosy neighbors in English and Taiwanese culture—who’s watching, who’s gossiping, and who just doesn’t care? Finally, we put our translation skills to the test...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast , Tom and Ula dive into the world of untranslatable words —those linguistic gems that exist in Mandarin but leave English speakers scratching their heads, and vice versa. They explore phrases like "懒得理 (lǎn de lǐ)" —the perfect expression for when you just can’t be bothered—and "面子 (miànzi)" , the all-important social concept of saving face. From...

In this engaging episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, hosts Tom and Ula delve into the fascinating world of literal translations between Mandarin and English. They explore how certain phrases, when translated word-for-word, can lead to humorous or confusing interpretations due to cultural and linguistic differences. The discussion includes idioms and expressions from both languages, highlightin...

Ula and Tom speak about some confusing Mandarin and English words. All in Mandarin and English (Chinglish) for your listening pleasure. Mandarin Lessons www.mandarinmonkey.com 帶 (dài) vs. 戴 (dài) 帶 (dài) : to bring/carry ( 請帶你的護照。Qǐng dài nǐ de hùzhào. – Please bring your passport. ) 戴 (dài) : to wear (accessories) ( 她戴了一條項鍊。Tā dài le yī tiáo xiàngliàn. – She wore a necklace. )...

Unpleasant Sounds or Awkward Pronunciation 膩 (nì) – Greasy, overly rich (often used for food but also for excessive behavior). 黏 (nián) – Sticky, clinging (can refer to textures or overly attached people). 齁 (hōu) – Overly sweet or salty (common in Taiwanese Mandarin but sounds rough). 癢 (yǎng) – Itchy (some dislike the way it sounds when spoken). 喳喳叫 (zhā zhā jiào) – Chattering noisily (an...

The U.S. is taking steps to ban TikTok—so what does this mean for users, creators, and businesses? In this episode of Mandarin Monkey , Ula (speaking Mandarin) and Tom (speaking English) dive into the controversy surrounding TikTok’s potential ban in America. We discuss why the U.S. government is pushing for it, what might happen next, and whether TikTok can survive this legal battle. Join us for...