Formosa Dream Chasers

Tucked away in Kaohsiung is a restaurant with a story that stretches far beyond the city’s streets. Loracorlo, the only Israeli restaurant in this southern city, began with a very simple desire: a craving for the taste of home.

In this episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, we sit down with Dan Orlovsky, the founder of Loracorlo, to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic brought him to Taiwan and ultimately led him into the restaurant business. What started as a personal longing for familiar flavors slowly grew into something bigger—an idea that would take shape during one of the most uncertain times in recent history.

As the world grappled with the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan found himself navigating unfamiliar territory, turning a simple desire into a dream that would become reality. In this conversation, Dan shares how Loracorlo came to life and what it means to bring a piece of Israeli culture and cuisine to Kaohsiung.

Tune in as we explore how a craving for home turned into a dream—and how that dream found its place here in Taiwan.

In Part 1 of our Lunar New Year special, we explored how Taiwan celebrates this vibrant holiday and kicked off our deep dive into the Chinese zodiac. We covered the first half of the zodiac cycle, looking at how the bold energy of the Fire Horse year might influence those born under the year of the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, and of course, the Horse.

In this episode, we continue the journey as we turn to the remaining signs of the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. We explore what this fast-moving, high-energy year could mean for them. Where might they be stretched or challenged? And most importantly, how can they use this year’s energy to move closer to their goals and dreams?

Because here on Formosa Dream Chasers, it’s never just about predictions — it’s about perspective. It’s about taking cultural wisdom and turning it into inspiration for your own path forward. Tune in and step boldly into the year ahead. 🧧🔥🐎

In this special Lunar New Year episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, we take a cultural deep dive into how Taiwan celebrates this vibrant holiday — from meaningful traditions and family reunions to the symbolism behind the Chinese zodiac.

As we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, we explore what its bold, passionate energy represents and how it can inspire us to move fearlessly toward our goals. What does this fast-moving year mean for your zodiac sign, and how can you harness its momentum to chase your dreams?

Blending culture, reflection, and a bit of fun, tune in as we step into the new year with courage, clarity, and purpose.

Wrapping up our conversation with Harry Swart, he talks about the fire that’s been driving him and how, as he’s gotten older, he feels a stronger urgency to go after his dream. That hunger has made him more fearless, but it’s also led him to overdo it at times, pushing his voice past its limits and teaching him that chasing a dream still requires discipline and self-care.

One big question Harry tackles in today’s episode is how much do buskers actually make in Taiwan? He also clears up common misconceptions that busking is either effortless cash or a sign of failure. In reality, it’s hard work, unpredictable, and deeply skill-building. Most importantly, he explains why busking is such a powerful starting point for musicians.

For Harry, busking isn’t just about income. It’s a training ground, exposure, and proof that he’s actively building his dream — one performance at a time. Tune in to hear Harry’s honest reflections on ambition, money, and why busking might just be the most underrated starting point for chasing your dream.

Continuing our conversation with musician Harry Swart, we zoom in on the nuts and bolts of busking in Taiwan. Harry originally came to Taiwan as an English teacher but later made the bold decision to pursue music full-time by building his career one street performance at a time.

Beyond making music on the streets, what does it actually take to perform here? Today, Harry walks us through the practical realities — from permits and regulations to choosing the right time and place to set up. He also shares some of his positive experiences busking in Taiwan, including the small moments with strangers that remind him why he chose this path.

If you’ve ever been curious about street performing, or you’re a musician thinking about trying busking yourself, Harry also offers practical tips on how to find a good spot, connect with passersby, and build confidence as a performer. Tune in to get a grounded, honest look at what life as a busking musician in Taiwan really feels like.

Welcome back to Formosa Dream Chasers. In part two of our conversation with Harry Swart — musician, busker, and longtime Taiwan resident — we dig deeper into the dream he once thought was impossible.

Harry shares that growing up, he always imagined what it might be like to make a living as a singer and musician. But at the time, it felt more like a pipe dream than a real possibility. Surrounded by other talented people, he didn’t see his own voice as anything special. Add to that his struggles with self-image and difficult family relationships - believing in himself felt almost out of reach.

If you’ve ever felt like your dream was too unrealistic, or that you weren’t “good enough” to chase it, Harry’s story in part two is a powerful reminder that this is simply not true. As he shares the words of American writer Joseph Campbell that guided him, “Follow your bliss, and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” - learn what Harry had to change to make his dreams one step closer to reality.

What does it mean to chase a dream—one street corner at a time?

In this episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, we meet Harry Swart, a street performer and musician who has turned public spaces into stages and everyday passersby into audiences. Harry, who is also an English teacher, shares how his journey to Taiwan and his busking career began.

What led him to perform on the streets, and what are the realities, both rewarding and challenging, of making a living through live, unfiltered performance? It’s a candid look at what it means to connect with people through music with no spotlight required.

Tune in to hear Harry’s story and discover how music can transform not just a place, but the people who pass through it.

Continuing a special Formosa Dream Chasers episode, Mary Anne shares her personal story of building a life in Taiwan—this time through a deeply reflective and intimate letter to her past self.

Picking up from the challenges shared last week, this episode explores the sacrifices and compromises that often come with life abroad. And at the heart of this episode is a letter Mary Anne wrote, not just for her younger self, but for anyone who has ever felt tired of chasing goals while being afraid to stop. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t linear, that rest is just as important as building, and that success doesn’t need to look impressive to be meaningful.

It's a grounding and honest listen for anyone whose dreams feel paused, reshaped, or quietly evolving, so don't forget to tune in.

In this deeply personal solo episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, Mary Anne revisits her own Taiwan immigration story, including the much messier, more human reality that unfolded afterward.

From the carefully written plans to the quiet moments of burnout, detours, and dreams put on pause, she reflects on how her understanding of success and “making it” has changed over time. This episode explores what happens when life abroad doesn’t follow the script you imagined—and why that doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

Tune in for a reflective episode that speaks to anyone who’s ever wanted to start a new life far from home.

As 2025 comes to a close, Mary Anne sits down with her good friend Michelle Capistrano for an honest and heartfelt catch-up. Together, they look back on the year that was, share their New Year’s resolutions, and talk about why setting realistic intentions matters more than chasing perfection.

From gratitude for the people who’ve supported them, to prioritizing health and learning to enjoy the journey, the conversation flows into bucket lists, travel dreams, and personal growth. It’s a reflective chat on navigating life—and the year ahead—as we step into 2026 together.