World, you should not only care about Taiwan because we’re viewed as a “potential flash point for World War III.” This is also emphasized by my guest Venessa Hope, director and producer of Invisible Nation, a powerful documentary about Taiwan, featuring Taiwan’s first ever female president, Tsai Ing-wen. This is part 2 of my interview with Vanessa. How did Taiwan get rid of its authoritarian rule led by Chiang Kai-shek, whose regime brought about a 38-year long martial law in Taiwan? How has Taiwan transformed from all of that with the past 4 decades? Invisible Nation is also a documentary with a humorous and human touch to it – it teared me up twice. Also, how the documentary ended is also a strong message to the audience and to the world: Taiwan should have the final say of who we are and what we want. Hit play and let’s get back to it! 

Follow the latest updates of Invisible Nation on Instagram @invisiblenationtw and head to the next screening near you!

If I ask you to think of an invisible nation, what answer would you give? For many, and for our people, it’s Taiwan.

For today’s show, I was joined by Vanessa Hope, director and producer of the 2023 documentary, Invisible Nation. Invisible Nation is a powerful documentary about Taiwan, featuring Taiwan’s first female president Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan is a progressive democratic nation in East Asia, that’s also the first one to legalize same sex marriage in this region, has regular and fair direct elections, and our own ways of living, culture, among many thing else. Yet, Taiwan’s presence is often made invisible from the international stage due to the continuous oppression from the Chinese government. Invisible Nation tackles these issues head on in a nuanced and I think beautiful way. It has been screened in many major international film festivals and in Taiwan, and more to come. What was the spark for Vanessa and her team to make this documentary? Why should we all care about the story of Taiwan? Let’s hear from director Vanessa Hope. You can follow latest news of Invisible Nation on Instagram as well @invisiblenationtw

Stay tuned for part 2 of the interview coming up next Wednesday!

Today, we’re bringing you part 2 of my interview with Dr. Hazem Almassry, who’s born and raised in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Make sure to check out the previous episode if you haven’t.

In this episode, Hazem shares with us more historic context and what life is like as a Palestinian living under Israeli occupation, including: a key year 1917 and the Balfour Declaration, the emergence of Zionism, military checkpoints, the expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the Gaza Division in the Israeli army, and the current, dire situation with the Israeli state’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians.

Hazem just lost his mother very recently due to an Israeli airstrike. When we had this interview, I wanted Hazem to feel seen and supported throughout our conversation.

If you've never heard of most of the things Hazem shared, look upon this as new input to read more and search for what you think is your truth.

Make sure to also check our @rtienglish on Instagram and our YouTube for video highlights and extended cut of our interviews.

For today’s show, I’m honored to be joined by Dr. Hazem Almassry, who’s born and raised in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. Palestine is his home. What is daily life like as a Palestinian living under Israeli occupation? How can you travel to other places? Or are you even allowed? How did Hazem’s family lose their ancestral farmland, like many other Palestinians?

In this episode, we started our chat with the Great March of Return, a series of peaceful demonstrations organized by independent Palestinian activists in 2018-2019. Hazem also shared with us his family’s home in Khan Yunis, which was destroyed in recent Israeli airstrikes. Hazem experienced what it was like inhaling teargas thrown by the Israeli army when he was 6 years old.

Hazem just lost his mother very recently. She was killed by an Israeli airstrike. When we had this interview, I wanted Hazem to feel seen and supported throughout our conversation.

If you've never heard of most of the things Hazem shared, look upon this as new input, new key words, and stories to go read more and search for what you think is your truth. Some key words for you: The Great March of Return, 1948 The Nakba, 1987 The First Intifada, Gaza Division, Blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Photo caption:

Left: Hazem and his mother, who was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike. Right: Hazem’s family home destroyed in recent Israeli airstrikes. (Photo: Dr. Hazem Almassry)

Today, we’re continuing our conversation with Sasha Dees on AI’s application in the arts, as well as applications of VR and AR technology. Sasha Dees is an independent writer, curator, and researcher from the Netherlands. Make sure to listen to the previous episode if you haven’t. Quoting curator Brian Kuan Wood, whom I had the pleasure to interview before for the Taipei Biennial, what these cutting edge tools could bring is both “a promise and a threat.” As of today, what are some key differences between AI and humans? Sasha and I talked about social interactions, intent and meaning making, and the balance between tech application and traditional ways of art creation. Also, if asked you’re the question “What is the greatest technology of all time?” What would you say? Have you thought of the answer “nature?” In this episode we reflect a lot on cutting-edge technology vs being human. Towards the end, Sasha also shared with us a hopeful note for the future. 

Without further ado, hit play and let’s jump back in with our guest, Sasha Dees. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @rtienglish for video highlights!

There are endless debates and discussions on AI (artificial intelligence) tools, AR and VR technology and their application. In this episode, we’re welcoming back a wonderful returning guest, Sasha Dees to discuss more with us.

Sasha Dees is an independent writer, curator, and researcher from the Netherlands. Her work touches on decolonization, art of Indigenous communities all around the world, and technological application in the arts, and more. She is the curator of “NEXUS-Video and New Media Art from the Caribbean” at MoCA Taipei, and author of “Entangled Species. Conversations on Contemporary Art in the Caribbean.” Sasha was here in Taiwan again, with artist Jorge González Santos from Borikén (Puerto Rico), invited by Tainan National University of the Arts.

This episode is part 1 of our conversation, touching on AI’s application in the arts and humanities, and what the discussions are like among people in fields of the arts. Are we catching up on how fast AI is developing? Especially thinking about ethics? Could we differentiate artworks by human vs by AI? How to deal with copyright issues? Is AI “objective?” With the rise of technological tools, what’s the scene like among artists working with traditional techniques? Sasha will share with us discussions among artists around the world and her observation as a curator.

Neither of us are experts in AI or machine learning (as you could probably tell) but that’s not the point. If you also have endless questions about AI, VR, AR and how these cutting edge tools are informing our lives, welcome to our chat. Don’t forget to head to our Instagram @rtienglish for video highlights. See you there!

You can check out my previous interviews with Sasha here: “Learning about your country’s colonial past and present” and “NEXUS-Video and New Media Art from the Caribbean”

Today’s episode is the final part of my conversation with Omar Alshogre. Make sure to listen to the previous 2 episodes. Omar is among the few people who survived Syria's prisons after being arrested for participating in anti-government protests against the authoritarian Bashar al Assad regime. In this episode, he’ll share with us his “execution,” how he got out out of prison, and messages of hope. Towards the end, we had a warm conversation about Taiwan and his work at the Syrian Emergency Task Force, and as a pubic speaker. We shared hopeful notes with the phrase "Mit warde," one hundred flowers, to each other to mark the end of our conversation. 

Omar was very sick, weighing at only 34 kg, suffering from tuberculous when he got out of prison. He made his way to Sweden for treatment and it led him to finding a family. Highly recommend you to check out the interview on Sarde, a podcast from Lebanon, featuring Omar to learn more of his story. Here's another video of Omar speaking at The United Nations Security Council.

You can also listen to my interview with Omar in full (all 3 parts) on Spotify. 

Omar is now the Director for Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force. He is also a public speaker, actively and openly sharing his voice to enact change, to uphold human rights and justice, and to give hope. Omar has spoken at the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum, and several TED talks around the world. You can learn more of his work on Instagram @omaralshogre and Twitter @omarAlshogre.

Hey you, this is the full version, all 3 parts, of my interview with Omar Alshogre. Thank you for tuning in!

Omar is among the few people who survived Syria's prisons after being arrested for participating in anti-government protests against the authoritarian Bashar al Assad regime. Omar is now the Director for Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force. He is also a public speaker, actively and openly sharing his voice to enact change, to uphold human rights and justice, and to give hope. Omar has spoken at the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum, and several TED talks around the world. You can learn more of his work on Instagram @omaralshogre and Twitter @omarAlshogre.

Today, we are continuing our conversation with Omar Alshogre. Make sure to check out the previous episode if you haven’t. 

Omar is among the few people who survived Syria's prisons after being arrested for participating in anti-government protests. In today’s episode, Omar shares with us the brutality, injustice, and darkness of his time in prison, in total of 3 years, where he lost his loved ones, including the cousin he loved the most, Bashir. Consider this a trigger warning, as we will be talking about death and gore in this episode, a brutal reality many Syrians are still suffering from under the authoritarian Bashar al Assad regime. Yet, there is a strong bond and solidarity formed among Omar and his fellow prisoners, they formed a University of Whispers. And… while…hope dies, it is also revivable. You have to follow Omar's story. Let’s start. 

Omar is now the Director for Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force. He is also a public speaker, actively and openly sharing his voice to enact change, to uphold human rights and justice, and to give hope. Omar has spoken at the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum, and several TED talks around the world. You can learn more of his work on Instagram @omaralshogre and Twitter @omarAlshogre.

Photo caption: While there is darkness, there will also be light. This is a beautiful photo of Omar and his family from Sweden. Stay tuned to know how and why he made his way there

Do you remember the beginning of the Arab Spring (I certainly hope you do!)? A wave of pro-democracy uprisings that began in 2010-2011 in the Middle East and North Africa, challenging their authoritarian regimes.

When the Arab Spring started, I was 15 years old, exactly the same as my guest today, Omar Alshogre. He was born in al-Bayda, Syria in 1995. Omar is among the few people who survived Syria's prisons after being arrested for participating in anti-government protests. Omar was transferred to Sednaya Prison, nicknamed the "Human Slaughterhouse,'' operated by the Syrian regime, in 2014. During his total of 3 years in prison, Omar went through what I’d say none of us could ever imagine…brutal torture, starvation, mental abuse, and losing your loved ones in your arms... You have to know his story.

Omar is now the Director for Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force. He is also a public speaker, actively and openly sharing his voice to enact change, to uphold human rights and justice, and to give hope. Omar has spoken at the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum, and several TED talks around the world. You can learn more of his work on Instagram @omaralshogre and Twitter @omarAlshogre.

This is only part 1 of our interview. Make sure to tune in next Wednesday as we’ll continue our conversation with Omar. In upcoming posts, I’ll also share with you some interviews and talks of Omar that are truly life-changing. See you then.