Talking Taiwan

Talking Taiwan

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Talking Taiwan episodes

  • Ep 225 | Spark Accel: A Virtual Accelerator for Taiwanese American Entrepreneurs

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/spark-accel-a-virtual-accelerator-for-taiwanese-american-entrepreneurs-ep-225/

    SPARK Accel is a personalized 4-week virtual accelerator for Taiwanese American entrepreneurs. At the end of the program there will be a virtual pitch competition and a chance for participants to win up to $15,000. SPARK Accel is an initiative under the Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL). TACL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Taiwanese Americans.

    Stacey Pai, one of the founding team members of SPARK Accel, spoke with me about how SPARK Accel supports entrepreneurs, and what stage of entrepreneurs are eligible to participate in its accelerator program. As SPARK Accel grows, it is looking to recruit a volunteer program manager, fundraising manager, community manager, marketing manager, and startup mentors. This is a great opportunity for budding Taiwanese entrepreneurs.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • What is Spark Accel?
    • What stage of entrepreneur Spark Accel serves
    • When Spark Accel launched
    • The first cohort in the summer of 2021 had 6 startup participants and 10 ppl on the leadership team, and over 30 mentors
    • Spark Accel plans to launch 2 cohorts in 2023, one in April/May, and the other in Sep/Oct.
    • How to apply and qualify for the Spark Accelerator program
    • What will happen during the 4-week program and what participants will learn
    • Spark Accel's in-person mixers San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Taipei
    • Future locations that will host Spark Accel in-person mixers
    • How Spark Accel is run by volunteers and supported by fundraising and donations
    • How many participants there are in each accelerator cohort
    • At the end of the 4-week program there will be a pitch contest in order to win a cash prize of up to $15,000
    • The "audience component" at the end of the program, which involves a video recording of pitches that will be shared online and via social media, and friends and family will be invited to vote
    • The startups and mentors associated with Spark Accel
    • Spark Accel is looking for volunteer mentors
    • Spark Accel is recruiting for a volunteer program manager, fundraising manager, community manager, and marketing manager

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/spark-accel-a-virtual-accelerator-for-taiwanese-american-entrepreneurs-ep-225/

    29 min
  • Ep 224 | Andrew Klerck: Blindness Later in Life Could Not Stop This Thriving Entrepreneur

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/andrew-klerck-blindness-later-in-life-could-not-stop-this-thriving-entrepreneur-ep-224/

    Andrew Klerck is the founder of Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs, a group that serves foreigners who want to start a business in Taiwan. He spoke with me about how much you need to start a business in Taiwan, and why Taiwan is a great place to do so.

    Andrew also talked about how he got started on his own journey as an entrepreneur and lost his eyesight over 15 years ago while running an export company. Today he is a thriving entrepreneur, thanks to the assistive technology of smartphones, screen readers, and smart glasses.

    He shared from a foreigner's perspective, good reasons to do business in Taiwan and some of the challenges of doing business in Taiwan.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,

    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,

    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,

    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,

    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Talking Taiwan has a donor who is willing to make a $5,000 matching donation!

    Help us double what we raise to $10,000 by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION to Talking Taiwan at:

    http://gofundme.com/building-talking-taiwans-legacy

    https://www.patreon.com/talkingtaiwan

    PayPal using: [email protected]

    Zelle using: [email protected]

    Checks or money orders made payable to Talking Taiwan can be sent to:

    Talking Taiwan

    PO Box 1049

    New York, NY 10113

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/support/

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    · What brought Andrew to Taiwan

    · Why Andrew started the Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs(TIE) group

    · What the Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs group does and who they serve

    · The Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs mastermind group

    · The difference between the Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs Facebook group and the Taiwan Impact Entrepreneurs mastermind group

    · How the TIE mastermind group is run

    · Why Taiwan is a good place for foreigners to live

    · Why Taiwan is a good place for foreigners to start a business

    · The advantage of doing business in Taiwan

    · The difficulties and tradeoffs of doing business in Taiwan for foreigners

    · How to build good credit and get offered credit from banks in Taiwan

    · How it's difficult for foreigners to get funding in Taiwan

    · The Taipei Entrepreneur Hub

    · Abled Minds Taiwan

    · What prevents disabled people in Taiwan from pursuing entrepreneurship

    · How Andrew lost his eyesight

    · How Andrew managed to run a business as he was loosing his eyesight

    · The technology that helps Andrew as a blind person with his daily life and to do business

    · Andrew's upbringing in South Africa under apartheid

    · The entrepreneurial and business mindset of Andrew's parents

    · How Andrew has run a company that had operations in nearly 60 different countries

    · Andrew's TIE partner Jamie Rufe was an executive assistant to Foxconn CEO, Terry Gou

    · Andrew's advice for people who want to start a business in Taiwan but don't have a lot of cash

    · The importance of street hustling and selling

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/andrew-klerck-blindness-later-in-life-could-not-stop-this-thriving-entrepreneur-ep-224/

    50 min
  • Ep 223 | Graci Kim: From New Zealand Diplomat to New York Times Best Selling Author

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/graci-kim-from-new-zealand-diplomat-to-new-york-times-best-selling-author-ep-223/

    Graci Kim is a New York Times Bestselling author of the Gifted Clans series. In 2012, she was interviewed for Talking Taiwan about her cooking show called Graci in the Kitchen. We've invited her back to give us an update on what she's up do these days.

    She's been a New Zealand diplomat, once ran a business that turned children's drawings into cuddly toys, and given a TED Talk in 2018 that still resonates today.

    She spoke with us about her Korean roots, how she decided to become a writer, what it was like when her book, The Last Fallen Star hit the New York Times Bestseller list, and her writing process.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Talking Taiwan has a donor who is willing to make a $5,000 matching donation!

    Help us double what we raise to $10,000 by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION to Talking Taiwan at:

    http://gofundme.com/building-talking-taiwans-legacy

    https://www.patreon.com/talkingtaiwan

    PayPal using: [email protected]

    Zelle using: [email protected]

    Checks or money orders made payable to Talking Taiwan can be sent to:

    Talking Taiwan

    PO Box 1049

    New York, NY 10113

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/support/

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • What happened to Graci's cooking show, Graci in the Kitchen
    • Graci's TED Talk in 2018 and how what she talked about in the talk still resonates today
    • Korea's occupation by Japan and how that impacted Graci's family
    • Graci's Korean roots
    • Graci's Gifted Clanstrilogy and the inspiration behind it
    • The connection between the Percy Jackson and the Olympiansbook series and Graci's Gifted Clans trilogy
    • Graci's writing process and routine
    • How Graci had a career as a diplomat and decided to try being a writer
    • Writers who have influenced Graci
    • What it was like when Graci's book Last Fallen Starhit the New York Times Best Seller List
    • Graci's advice for first time writers
    • Graci's sources of inspiration and ideas for her writing

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/graci-kim-from-new-zealand-diplomat-to-new-york-times-best-selling-author-ep-223/

    43 min
  • Ep 222 | LOST Episode | Graci in the Kitchen

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/ep-222-lost-episodes-graci-in-the-kitchen/

    Here's a Lost Episode of Talking Taiwan from 2012 featuring Graci Kim. At the time she had a YouTube show called Graci in the Kitchen, and she talked about some of the episodes that were in the works. Next week we'll be sharing our follow up interview with Graci to find out what she's been up to since then.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • How and when Graci first learned to cook
    • Graci in the Kitchen is show on YouTube that's going to be shot in Taiwan
    • How Graci's show Graci in the Kitchen is about the power of food
    • Graci's philosophy of feeding the body, mind and soul
    • How each episode focuses on a mood
    • Graci's episode featuring kimchi pancakes
    • The good bacteria and health benefits of kimchi pancakes
    • The difference between kimchi in Korea and Taiwan
    • How popular kimchi is in Korea
    • Why kimchi pancakes is a dish that most people would enjoy
    • Graci's tips for making kimchi pancakes

    12 min
  • Ep 221 | Talking Taiwan Top 5 2022 End of Year Review

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/talking-taiwan-2022-top-5-award-winner-end-of-year-review-ep-221/

    A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

    It's that time of year again… time to reveal the top 5 Talking Taiwan episodes of the year.

    As we were preparing for this last episode of the year I reflected on this past year and, I realize that there is a lot to be grateful for. Talking Taiwan has had 3 different sponsors throughout the year: The Taiwan Elite Alliance, The Taiwanese United Fund, and NATWA the North America Taiwanese Women's Association. We are grateful for our many individual donors and the generosity of Guy Gilchrist who donated 10 of his drawings that helped to raise money for Talking Taiwan.

    And we're also grateful to all of our amazing guests and want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of the Talking Taiwan podcast.

    Our New Year's wish is for there to be more peace, love and happiness in the world.

    We're really excited about the guests we've lined up to interview and topics to cover. We look forward to continuing to break new ground in the new year. For links to the top 5 episodes of 2022 visit our website TalkingTaiwan.com. Wishing you a wonderful rest of 2022 and a Happy New Year!

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/talking-taiwan-2022-top-5-award-winner-end-of-year-review-ep-221/

    14 min
  • Ep 220 | What Caused the Cancellation of WorldPride Taiwan 2025? Our Discussion with David Yu

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/what-caused-the-cancellation-of-worldpride-taiwan-2025-our-discussion-with-david-yu-ep-220/

    A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

    In August the news broke that WorldPride 2025 was no longer going to be hosted by Taiwan.

    Less than a year ago, InterPride and Taiwan had celebrated the selection of Kaohsiung Pride's bid over the Capital Pride Alliance of Washington D.C. to host WorldPride 2025 in Taiwan. The announcement about WorldPride Taiwan 2025 was hugely significant since Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalize same sex marriage in 2019 and It would be the first ever WorldPride event to be held in East Asia.

    My listeners will recall that we did an episode about this news last December with Darien Chen in episode 162.

    What had happened to make Kaohsiung Pride and the Taiwan Preparation Committee decide to withdraw from hosting WorldPride Taiwan 2025?

    In August I came across a tweet about the cancellation by Bi-Khim Hsiao, Taiwan's Representative to the United States. She had tweeted an article written by David Yu, Don't Sacrifice Taiwan in the Fight for LGBT Rights. The article had been published in Foreign Policy.

    I reached out David and I invited him to come onto Talking Taiwan as a guest to discuss and reflect on what happened. David is Contractor CTO of an LA-based life sciences startup.

    I also reached out to the Kaohsiung Pride committee, and InterPride for comment but have not received any responses to date.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • David's involvement with ITASA
    • The article that David wrote for Foreign Policy about the cancellation of WorldPride Taiwan 2025, which was tweeted by Bi-khim Hsiao
    • How Taiwan won the bid to host WorldPride 2025 in November of 2021
    • How on August 12, 2022, the WorldPride Taiwan 2025 Facebook page posted an announcement stating that they would be terminating hosting WorldPride 2025
    • What's been reported in the media regarding the cancellation of WorldPride Taiwan 2025
    • The statement posted on the WorldPride Taiwan 2025 Facebook page regarding their termination of hosting WorldPride 2025
    • InterPride's request that the event name be changed from WorldPride Taiwan 2025 to WorldPride Kaohsiung 2025, and the offer to use WorldPride Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • How InterPride's application for consultative status at the United Nations and China may have influenced to request to change the WorldPride event name
    • Should Kaohsiung Pride and the Taiwan Preparation Committee found a way to still host WorldPride 2025 in Taiwan
    • What is the loss of not hosting WorldPride 2025 in Taiwan
    • LGBTQIA rights in Europe
    • Europe's views and dealings with China
    • How Guzzler Leong, Standing Director of Kaohsiung Pride (originally from Macau) was able to have his same sex marriage recognized in Taiwan, however his case does not change the precedent of Taiwan only recognizing transnational same sex marriages to citizens of countries where same sex marriage is legal
    • The parallels between Taiwan's situation in the global arena and LGBTQIA rights within mainstream society
    • How China interferes with Taiwan's representation internationally
    • How Taiwan has to compete under the name Chinese Taipei in the Olympics
    • David's personal experiences at sporting events where Taiwan was not accurately represented and how he handled it
    • An inspiring quote about coming out, by Harvey Milk, a gay activist and member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
    • How the Gay Games 2023 is being co-hosted by Guadalajara and Hong Kong and Dennis Philipse the founder and co-organizer of Gay Games Hong Kong has resigned
    • How to move forward from the cancellation of WorldPride Taiwan 2025

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/what-caused-the-cancellation-of-worldpride-taiwan-2025-our-discussion-with-david-yu-ep-220/

    38 min
  • Ep 219 | Dr. Karen Chung Shares Secrets of Language Learning and Challenges Taiwanese Students Face Learning English

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-karen-chung-shares-secrets-of-language-learning-and-challenges-taiwanese-students-face-learning-english-ep-219/

    A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

    Dr. Karen Chung is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures of National Taiwan University. She talked about something called the echo method when she was previously interviewed for Talking Taiwan in 2012 and we've invited her back to give us an update.

    In this interview she shared some additional tips on how to use the echo method and her thoughts on the challenges that Taiwanese students face in learning English. We also spoke about Taiwan's Bilingual 2030 Plan.

    Professor Chung has a TEDx talk with over 1.5 million views and an online Open Course Ware course in phonetics on the Taiwan University site which has received over 1.3 million views.

    A lifelong learner herself, she talked about when she first started learning Chinese, and how to this day, she continues improving her Chinese.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • Where Professor Chung's interest in language came from
    • How she started teaching German in the 11thgrade
    • How she got interested in learning Chinese
    • Her love of the Chinese language
    • Her resonance with Confucian values
    • What brought Professor Chung to Taiwan
    • How the Echo Method can be used to learn any language and can help to improve your native language
    • Where the Echo Method came from
    • What echoic memory is
    • How to use echoic memory to learn a language
    • Professor Chung's tips for learning and practicing language
    • How listening and seeking feedback by reading the reactions of those you are speaking to can help you to improve your speaking abilities
    • Whether or not it is harder to learn a language the older people get
    • If it is necessary to be in an environment where you can be fully immersed in a language, in order to acquire a near native accent
    • How to most effectively use the echo method
    • Taiwan's Bilingual 2030 Plan and increase English translation of signs, websites, government and banking documents
    • How the U.S.'s Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) has increased the burden of paper reporting for banks
    • Karen's Facebook page, Karen on Ivy League Analytical English
    • Her collaboration with her former student Melissa on creating an English teaching app
    • Karen's interview on I'm Learning Mandarin podcast and morning routine
    • What she enjoys about reading classical Chinese works

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-karen-chung-shares-secrets-of-language-learning-and-challenges-taiwanese-students-face-learning-english-ep-219/

    50 min
  • Ep 218 | Dr. Mark Chen Talks About His Years of Service in Taiwan

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-mark-chen-talks-about-his-years-of-service-in-taiwan-ep-217/

    A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

    In part one of my interview with Dr. Mark Chen (episode 212) we talked about his advocacy work for Taiwan in the U.S. and the impact of the Kaohsiung Incident on Taiwan's democratization. Several of the people who were tried and sentenced in connection with the Kaohsiung Incident later became prominent leaders in Taiwan's first opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party. The incident happened 43 years ago in 1979 on December 10th, which just passed, making it a good time to share part two of my interview with Dr. Chen.

    In the second half of my interview with Dr. Mark Chen, we talked about his work in Taiwan as an elected official and public servant. He became a member of the Legislative Yuan in 1992; that year was the first time that elections were held for all 161 seats of the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan. Dr. Chen has also been elected Magistrate of Tainan County, and served in that position from 1993-2001. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2004-2006, the Secretary General in the Office of the President from 2006-2007, the Secretary General of the National Security Council from 2007-2008 and a Legislator in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan from 2001-2004 and 2012-2016. Currently he is the chairman of the Prospect Foundation.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

    • 1992 was the first time that elections were held for all 161 seats of the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan
    • Dr. Chen was born in Tainan, Taiwan
    • In 1992 Dr. Chen resigned from his job at the Department of Commerce to return to Taiwan and served as a congressman at large
    • Dr. Chen ran for County Governor of Tainan in 1992, and he made history as first Democratic Progressive Party candidate (and non-Kuomintang candidate) County Governor of Tainan ever elected to the position
    • He was rated the top County Governor in Taiwan and served as Country Governor of Tainan for two terms (eight years in total)
    • Dr. Chen was a member of the Legislative Yuan but gave up his position when President Chen Shui-bian invited him to serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • How Taiwan's transition to democracy has been relatively peaceful
    • The importance of Taiwan having the support of like-minded democratic nations
    • Challenges that Dr. Chen had to deal with as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Taiwan
    • Dr. Chen's work as a legislator in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan
    • ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement) and the Sunflower Movement
    • What happened during the 2014 occupation of the Legislative Yuan by activists and students during the Sunflower Movement
    • Dr. Chen's thoughts on his work as an elected official vs. a public servant at the highest levels of the government in Taiwan
    • How Dr. Chen was inspired by the words of Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy
    • The work of the Prospect Foundation, of which Dr. Chen is the chairman
    • Dr. Chen's thoughts on Robert Tsao, founder of UMC's (United Microelectronics Corp) pledge of 100 million U.S. dollars to help Taiwan defend itself
    • What overseas Taiwanese can do to advocate for Taiwan

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-mark-chen-talks-about-his-years-of-service-in-taiwan-ep-217/

    1 hr 16 min
  • Ep 217 | Karen Chung LOST Episodes | The Echo Method

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/ep-217-lost-episodes-karen-chung-on-the-echo-method/

    A Note from the Host Felicia Lin

    Here's another one of the lost episodes of Talking Taiwan that we discovered were recorded back around 2012. Yes that's 10 years ago when Talking Taiwan was just being created. Next week we'll be bringing this guest back for a follow up interview to find out what they're up to these days.

    This lost episode of Talking Taiwan from 2012 features Karen Chung, an associate professor of English at National Taiwan University, she's talking about something called the "Echo Method." Next week we'll be sharing our follow up interview with Karen to find out what she's been up to since then.

    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/ep-217-lost-episodes-karen-chung-on-the-echo-method/

    10 min
  • Ep 216 | J.W. Henley Author of Migrante Reveals the Plight of Migrant Workers in Taiwan
    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/j-w-henley-author-of-migrante-reveals-the-plight-of-migrant-workers-in-taiwan-ep-216/

    A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

    J.W. Henley , author of Migante discusses how the plight of migrant workers in Taiwan came to him, and all the research that was involved.

    Joe Henley is Freelance Writer and Author. The last time we had Joe on Talking Taiwan (in episode 64) we spoke about his book Bu San Bu Si. In this episode I spoke with him about his latest book, Migrante, which has recently been translated into Chinese. Joe shared how the idea for this book about the plight of migrant workers in Taiwan came to him, all the research that was involved, why he's donating all of his proceeds from the sales of Migrante, and how his band nearly got arrested when they were performing in the Philippines.

    This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

    NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

    1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,
    2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,
    3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,
    4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,
    5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

    To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

    Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:
    • How Joe got the Reading Times publishing company interested in translating his book Migrante from English into Chinese
    • How the translator of Migrante into Chinese is also the translator of Harry Potter books
    • Why the book cover for the English language version of Migrante is different from the Chinese language version of Migrante
    • The publisher of the original English language of Migrante, Camphor Press gave Joe a complete control over the design of the book cover
    • What Joe had in mind for the cover of the English language version of Migrante when he asked Isa Nthrope, a Manila-based artist and musician to created it
    • The two book cover options that the publishing company offered Joe for the Chinese language version of Migrante
    • What prompted Joe to write Migrante
    • The news reporting that Joe has done about communities of people in the Philippines who live in cemeteries and how this is related to the main character of Migrante
    • The research and various types of migrant workers that Joe interviewed for Migrante
    • Joe estimates that he's interviewed 70-80 migrant workers during the five years he spent on writing Migrante
    • NGOs that Joe spoke to: Yilan Migrant Fisherman Union and Serve the People Association
    • Joe's reporting on the "Drug War" in Manila
    • Migrante is a composite work of fiction
    • How Joe "met" the son of Rodrigo Duterte when he was the mayor of Davao
    • The time Joe thought he was going to get arrested and put in jail while performing with his band in the Philippines
    • Joe's thoughts on the recent election of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr.
    • How the journey of many Filipino migrant workers starts in the Philippines
    • Factory workers in Taiwan are covered by the Labor Standards Act but caregivers, and fishermen are not, and what that difference means
    • How Indonesia has made a stand for the rights of its migrant workers that work in Taiwan
    • May God, the only brokerage agency in Taichung, Taiwan that Joe has come across, that actively encourages employers of migrant workers to shoulder all the placement fees, transportation fees and monthly service fees, which are usually passed on to migrant workers
    • The research that Joe did to be able to describe scenes in the book
    • The range of factory dormitory conditions
    • The living conditions of caregivers
    • Joe's writing process for Migrante
    • Why migrant workers can't easily quit or leave their jobs
    • Professor Jose Mario de Vega and how Joe consulted with him for feedback on Migrante
    • How Joe hopes that his book will create awareness about the plight of migrant workers in Taiwan
    • Joe is donating all of his proceeds from the sales of Migrante to the Yilan Migrant Fishermen Union and Serve the People Association
    Related Links:

    To view all related links for this article, click link below:

    https://talkingtaiwan.com/j-w-henley-author-of-migrante-reveals-the-plight-of-migrant-workers-in-taiwan-ep-216/

    1 hr 8 min

About Talking Taiwan

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Talking Taiwan is a Golden Crane Podcast Award Winner, and has been shortlisted in the 2024 International Women's Podcast Awards "Moment of Visionary Leadership" category. In 2025, it was nominated…

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