Controversial and ramble-y, and the first in a two-part series, this week Teacher Joseph is joined by his Taiwanese friend Bob (柏毅) to discuss a few things that Taiwan does better than the U.S.A. From small things like convenience stores (kinda obligatory to mention that one!) to big issues like public safety and health, Bob and Joseph go in depth about their experiences in both countries, and don't always agree, either. Send us an email at [email protected]!

A quick look at the Taiwanese winter solstice celebration or family reunions and, most prominently, tangyuan!!! Send us an email at [email protected]! Two shops mentioned in the episode: 御品元冰火湯圓 in Taipei City's Tonghua Linjiang Night Market, and 古早味新街龍湯圓 nearby Zhongli District's Renhai Temple in Taoyuan City.

With Teacher Matt from Taichung on the line as our guest again, we chat about five more things we noticed about Taiwan when we first moved here, from people to language to drinking culture, as we trip and fall walking down the sidewalk. Send us an email at [email protected]!

Exploring around the southern port city of Kaohsiung and the rural county of Pingdong......getting really close to the ocean but also jumping back into the mountains. Some stories from history about Aboriginal tribes too. Highlights: Wutai, Meinong, Foguangshan, Kenting, Donggang and the best dumplings in all of Taiwan. Send us an email at [email protected]!

While Taiwan is a great country to visit and offers a lot to do and see, it sometimes struggles to market itself to a Western audience, beyond computers and night markets. We discuss seven tourism promotion opportunities that Taiwan could cultivate at home to enhance its identity when advertising abroad. Send us an email at [email protected]! Article referenced in the episode: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2021/09/06/2003763868

With Teacher Matt from Taichung on the line as our guest again, we chat about five more things we noticed about Taiwan when we first moved here. If only there were trash cans around for all that betel nut on the ground. Oh well, good thing we can buy a whole lunch with just one coin.

Matt rants about the Taichung MRT, dirty rivers, getting robbed, and a few other random things.

We're back!!! Tainan is the country's oldest city with a fascinating history, plethora of temples, unique food scene, coastal wetlands, and civic pride. Join us for our deep dive beyond the typical tourist path!

We take a quick look at Taiwan's National Day on October 10th, and talk about both its history and how it's not really a big deal to most people nowadays. Hence the quick look.

We take a deep dive into Chiayi City & County, and discuss everything this underrated area of the country has to offer: aboriginal villages, coastal fishing towns, tea plantations, high mountains, old growth forests, trains, history dating back to the 1600s, and two funny name stories.