Taiwan is renowned for its world-class semiconductor manufacturing, but it’s not often recognized as a hub for software startups. So why did Appier, an AI-driven marketing tech company, choose Taiwan as its base—and how did it become the island’s first AI software unicorn? In this episode, co-founder Chih-han Yu shares the lessons learned from eight (!) failures.

- What is Appier, and who are its customers? [4:30]
- Eight failures and their lessons [10:54]
- The ‘aha’ moment: Combining AI and marketing [14:32]
- Why Taiwan? Returning from the U.S. to build a software startup [19:40]
- Why Tokyo was the go-to market [26:14]
- Looking ahead: How Taiwan can foster more software unicorns [34:00]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Chih-han Yu, CEO and Co-founder of Appier

＊Read more about Appier's journey: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2950
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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As President-elect Trump returns to the White House, the stakes for U.S.-Taiwan relations are at an all-time high. Wenchi Yu, a renowned global affairs advisor and expert in cross-border strategy, offers her perspective on navigating the intricate dynamics among the U.S., Taiwan, and China during these volatile times. What can we expect from Donald Trump’s second term?

- The mood in Washington, D.C., as Trump returns to power [09:17]
- How Trump’s second term may differ from his first [11:39]
- Will Trump’s approach to China shift this time around? [13:28]
- What Taiwan can anticipate under Trump 2.0 [19:05]
- Is Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield” losing its strength? [23:40]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Wenchi Yu, Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about how Taiwan can navigate Trump's second term: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang finished just behind his close friend Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journalist Mike Chinoy and producer James Liu of Joint Pictures.

- Mike Chinoy shares how he became involved in the project. [01:09]
- The filmmakers discuss their decision to use animation to recreate key scenes. [07:25]
- Exploring Johnson's reputation in the United States. [16:43]
- Insights into the unique friendship between Rafer Johnson and CK Yang. [22:35]
- Examining why CK Yang's legacy has faded in Taiwan over time. [28:00]
- Reflecting on the significance of this decathlon story in today’s world. [36:38]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing bureau chief & James Liu, founder of Joint Pictures 
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about Taiwan's participation in the Olympic Games: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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In this Episode:
We sit down with Gunter Pauli, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the "Zero Emissions" and "Blue Economy" movements. Known as "the Steve Jobs of Sustainability" and "the Che Guevara of Sustainability," Gunter discusses groundbreaking ideas and the future of sustainable innovation. From pioneering the first zero-emissions factory to shaping global supply chains, Gunter's insights are a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a sustainable future.

What You’ll Learn:

[12:30] How Gunter’s First Zero-Emissions Factory Became a Marketing Phenomenon
[17:00] The True Meaning Behind the Blue Economy
[26:10] Meeting Stan Shih, Founder of Acer
[29:10] Taiwan’s Role in Sustainable Innovation
[32:00] Why "Who Will Pay for That?" is the Wrong Question
[41:25] What’s Wrong with COPs?
[48:10] How Gunter believes we can inspire the next generation of innovators.

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur, economist, and author of "The Blue Economy"
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read about the crucial role Taiwan plays in building the world's supply chain: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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In this episode, we dive into female entrepreneurship and why it deserves greater attention. How can communities create an environment that enables and empowers women to thrive as business leaders?

Our guest, Wingee Sin, Global Program Director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, shares her inspiring journey. From starting her career in investment banking to transitioning into a global role supporting women's entrepreneurship, Wingee’s path includes a fascinating stint as a chef in renowned restaurants across Paris, Mexico City, and Bangkok.

- How Wingee started in the capital markets. [03:43]
- Wingee's one year away as a chef. [08:08]
- How Wingee discovered Cartier's women initiative. [12:20]
- On women entrepreneurship ecosystems in Taiwan and elsewhere. [15:45]
- Why and how Cartier supports communities for female entrepreneus. [20:47]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Wingee Sin, Global Program Director, Cartier Women’s Initiative
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read about how migrant women are enriching Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3450
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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President Donald Trump is making a political comeback. What has driven him to victory? And what could this mean for US-Taiwan and US-China relations?

To break it all down, we’re joined by Silva Shih, CommonWealth’s sharp-eyed China and defense correspondent. Reporting directly from two key battlegrounds—Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Miami, Florida—Silva brings us the pulse of the American voter.

She shares firsthand stories from people grappling with pressing issues like inflation and takes us inside the rallies of both candidates.

03:10 - The difference between a Trump rally and a Harris rally
06:56 - Why Trump won so decisively
16:00 - What does Trump’s “protection fee” comment reveal?
22:11 - Where are U.S.-China relations headed next?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Silva Shih, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Yayuan Chang,Weiru Wang

＊Read about the impact of Trump 2.0 to Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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Where can you experience pilotless aircraft, autonomous cars, and service robots all in one place? Surprisingly, it's not the US or Germany, but China. Today, we sit down with Yixuan Lin to dive into China's remarkable technological strides, even amid international sanctions and mounting global pressures. What does this mean for the rest of the world, and what challenges lie ahead for China's ambitious tech future?

04:05 - What's it like to test-drive Huawei's autonomous car?
06:04 - The sci-fi film like robot expo in Beijing
08:51 - What is the "Made in China 2025" strategy?
13:40 - How does China bypass western sanctions on tech goods?
15:00 - What does Huawei's 2012 R&D compound reveal?
19:54 - Can China continue to prosper despite sanctions?
22:10 - Do sanctions work anyway?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Yixuan Lin, Senior Reporter of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about China's tech ambitions 2025: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3789
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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Virginia is home to a third of the world’s data centers, serving as a critical backbone of the internet — and a battleground over power and land. CommonWealth's Senior Writer Elaine Huang visited Ashburn’s famed Data Center Alley, where she saw firsthand the mounting tension as locals brace for a showdown over electricity and space. Could Taiwan be next to face these challenges?

09:03 - Who is the key person behind Ashburn's data center boom?
10:20 - Why are locals concerned about the development of data centers in the region?
15:19 - How local residents feel about having data centers as neighbors
17:50 - Could Taiwan face a power shortage because of Generative AI?
22:16 - Why tech giants are investing in their own power sources

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Elaine Huang, Elaine Huang of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about Elaine's trip to Virgina and what it means to Taiwan: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3782
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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Cybersecurity is emerging as a crucial topic. For Taiwan, the island nation finds itself in a unique position, both as a global tech leader and a target in the changing geopolitical landscape. According to a 2021 estimation, Taiwan undergoes 20 to 40 million cyberattacks a month. What can Taiwan do to strengthen its cybersecurity awareness and skills? We hear from Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering and a founding member of Google's security team.

9:40 - Can anything be done about ransomeware?
12:00 - What makes Taiwan's cybersecurity situation unique?
17:40 - How can Taiwan's civil society and businesses strengthen their cybersecurity resilience?
23:02 - Critical infrastructure: how can we better stress test?
28:25 - What kind of new threats does Generative Artificial Intelligence bring?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read more about how Taiwan is cracking down on cyberfraud: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3572
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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98% of marathon runners use Garmin devices to track their progress. Either you drive a Ford, Toyota or BMW, chances are your car uses Garmin's GPS system. Garmin's wearable devices are also loved by pilots, divers and triathletes. How did this company co-founded by a Taiwanese engineer come to dominate the business of navigation?

05:10 - What was Garmin's founding story?
09:15 - How did Garmin find a niche market in navigation?
14:20 - Why Garmin dominates the car navigation market?
20:00 - How Garmin works with big automakers

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Jay Shen, Managing Director of ASIA Automotive OEM Group of the Garmin Group
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about Garmin's competitive edge in technology: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=252
＊Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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