This is part 2 of my conversation with Wanda Diao. In this 2-part interview, Wanda shares with us how she found her way to doing Olympic weightlifting as a hobby and her experience as a vegetarian weightlifter. In this episode, Wanda and I talk about how beauty standards have evolved in Taiwan, Wanda’s experience on running a public Instagram account, and what’s next for her.

This is also the final episode of That’s Debatable as I’ll be leaving the team, and I’ll spend some time towards the end to say goodbye.

Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh

Growing up in Taiwan as a kid, I seldom felt that women were encouraged to be strong and do weight lifting. Beauty standards back in the day, and honestly, in current times have been disappointing to say the least. Nowadays, it’s wonderful to see more women working out, staying strong, and doing weightlifting.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Wanda Diao, who’s been doing Olympic weightlifting as a hobby for around 5 years. Wanda is also vegetarian. What was the spark for Wanda to step into the world of weightlifting? What are some misconceptions about being vegetarian while aiming to stay strong?

My guest is not a professional athlete or a nutritionist and will be sharing from her personal experience. Let’s get started.

Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh

In this extended episode, you’ll hear from Laura Moye, Country Specialist of Amnesty International Taiwan. We will focus on 2 reports published by Amnesty International: "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity" and “Unlawful Use of US-made Munitions and Violations of International Law by Israel Since January 2023.” Based on the 2 reports, Laura shares with us what actions of the state of Israel constitute apartheid against Palestinians, and the U.S. government’s complicity in the Israeli state’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

Laura also touches on what it means for Taiwan to be a country that prides itself as supportive of universal human rights yet staying silent while the Israeli army continues their aggression in Gaza. 

Amnesty International's report "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity”

Amnesty International’s April 2024 report on US military aid

This is part 2 of my conversation with artist Nafis White. In this episode, Nafis shares with us how she approaches her role as an artist, educator, and as a human. We talked about the Black Lives Matter movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how an artist could utilize their skills to mobilize communities to fight against injustices. Nafis also shares what improvisation and pivot mean to her. Without further ado, let’s dive right black in.

Check out Nafis' website: http://www.nafiswhite.com/

Photo: Nafis’ performance work titled Elevation. Large pieces of brown paper line the wall, broken down into individual manifestos, written through deep meditation and intuitive practice, painted as a stream of consciousness. (Photo: Nafis White)

Hair, Embodied Knowledge, Ancestral Recall, Audacity of Survival, Bobby Pins. These are the materials of the sculptural work Oculus by artist Nafis M. White, whom you’ll get to know in this episode.

In the midst of injustice, racism, and double standards in the current state of the world, how could we show up for ourselves and for others, with care, empathy, and solidarity? Today’s guest, Nafis, is one of the people I would turn to. Stemming from Nafis’ work: Strand (2019), A Burst of Light (2018), and Oculus (2021), we reflect on BIPOC bodies in spaces, institutional racism, honoring African and African American traditions, and so much more. I hope you feel the positive energy and the abundance of wisdom of my guest today, and find the strength in yourself to continue to show up for you and for people in need.

Nafis M. White is an interdisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI, USA. White draws inspiration from the rich Diaspora of experiences and traditions of Black beauty and self care built upon centuries old histories of embodied knowledge that honors, celebrates, and values the innovation, technology and imagination carried through and passed on by the fingertips of Black people. Through play and continuous exploration, White employs her research on the intricate customs of Victorian Hair Weaving and mourning traditions and appropriates them using Black hair, beauty products, and hairstyling techniques where they were never imagined to take up space and esteem.

White’s work has been shown at the RISD Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, University of New Mexico Art Museum, National Queer Arts Festival San Francisco, and many more.

Check out the website of Nafis M. White: https://www.nafiswhite.com/

Dog breeding is a topic that often triggers strong reactions from people. In this episode, we’re not here to change or challenge anyone’s point of view. We’re here to expand our understanding of the topic from some personal stories from my guest/colleague today. Let’s get started.

This is part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Mikki Stelder. Mikki is originally from the Netherlands and has over 10 years of experience in Palestinian Solidarity organizing, especially reflecting on anti-colonial queer politics. Make sure to listen to part 1 of our conversation where we talked about Pinkwashing in the context of Zionist settler colonialism of the current state of Israel.

In this episode, Mikki shares with us how oftentimes issues of gender and sexuality become weapons of warfare, and helpful tools and informative content people could read about to acquire knowledge to stay better informed. Also, Mikki shares the importance of cultivating openness - to learn and unlearn, and to center and be attentive to narratives and insights of indigenous communities because they bring us to think outside of the framework that we learned in our educational systems.

We also reflected on the history of Dutch colonialism in Taiwan. Let’s start.

Mikki points out several informative articles on alQaws' website

Today we’ll talk about Pinkwashing, especially when it’s coupled with the Zionist settler colonialism of the current State of Israel. In brief, the Pinkwashing propaganda strategy of the current state of Israel presents a facade of queer rights to cover up their oppression of Palestinians.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Mikki Stelder. Mikki is originally from the Netherlands and has over 10 years of experience in Palestinian Solidarity organizing, especially reflecting on anti-colonial queer politics. In 2010, Mikki went to Nablus in the Occupied West Bank as an exchange student at An-Najah National University, where they worked closely with local Palestinian comrades and also taught at an UNWAR school. In our conversation, Mikki also points us to alQAWs, a Palestinian civil society organization for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. Stemming from alQAWs and insights from Palestinians on the ground, Mikki also shares with us the importance of not falling into the narrow view of identity politics.

Learn more about alQAWs

In this episode, we’ll hear from Sharaf DarZaid, Palestinian artist, dancer, and program coordinator at the Popular Art Center in Ramallah. Sharaf is also a dancer and choreographer for the Palestinian Dance Troupe El-Funoun.

In this episode, we will learn more about the Palestinian Dabke dance, Palestinian music, and the music El-Funoun produces which is deeply rooted in Palestinian folklore music, such as the Shamali. The history and stories of this powerful form of art shows the deep connection of the Palestinian people with their land. We’ll also learn about what life is like for Palestinians in the West Bank, under the brutal occupation of the state of Israel. Sharaf also shares with us what the spirit of resistance means to him as a Palestinian and as a Palestinian artist.

Follow El-Funoun: https://www.el-funoun.org/

Today we're back with Grzegorz Sienkiewicz to break down some of the chess scenes in the hit TV show The Queen's Gambit. In The Queen's Gambit, we've seen some unforgettable portrayals of chess playing but how realistic are they? Do players go over games in their heads? When do you resign? What was the chess scene like during the period of the Cold War? Also, a common debate: Is chess a sport? We actually had a chessboard set up in the studio during recording. Head to @rtienglish on Instagram to check out video highlights! Without further ado, let's dive right back into the world of chess.

This is part 2 of our conversation so make sure to listen to part 1 if you haven't.

Follow Grzegorz’s work here: https://m.facebook.com/people/Rosetta-%E8%A5%BF%E6%B4%8B%E6%A3%8B/61552688285075/