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 ...
Jun 26, 2024•20 min•Ep. 75
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 ...
Jun 19, 2024•20 min
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...
Jun 12, 2024•29 min
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...
Jun 05, 2024•20 min
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 (201...
May 29, 2024•20 min
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.
May 22, 2024•20 min
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,...
May 15, 2024•20 min
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 qu...
May 08, 2024•20 min
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 connecti...
May 01, 2024•19 min
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...
Apr 24, 2024•20 min
The 2020 TV series The Queen’s Gambit is definitely one of the most popular shows of late. The show is adapted from the 1983 novel of the same name. Since the show came out, people often debate on how good the portrayal of chess is in the show. Do the steps make sense? What significance is there for Beth Harmon to learn the Sicilian Defense at a young age? For today, my guest Grzegorz Sienkiewicz, is here to break it down for us. Head to @rtienglish on Instagram for video highlights as we did se...
Apr 17, 2024•20 min
Today, my guest is Yang, host of the podcast Sex Chat. Yes, in this episode we'll talk about sex education, intimacy, and related topics people might feel too shy to talk about. Sex Chat is a Mandarin Chinese podcast where host Yang, born and raised in Taiwan, shares her journey of learning about sex, sex education, relationships, and more. Listeners also write in to ask questions and discuss related topics. Sex Chat is filled with empathy and fun, and has over 8 million accumulated listens sinc...
Mar 20, 2024•19 min
This is part 2 of my interview with Annie, dancer and researcher from London. Annie is studying and doing research on the Palestinian Dabke dance, and is working closely with the Palestinian dance group El-Funoun. El-Funoun is based in Ramallah in the West Bank. In part 1, we talked about the history of Dabke, on what occasions would you see the dance, and the incredibly innovative and beautiful choreography of El-Funoun. In this episode, Annie and I talked about what we learned from our Palesti...
Mar 13, 2024•18 min
We will continue to talk about Palestine. Today, let’s talk about Dabke, a dance that plays an important role in Palestinian culture. Dabke is a Levantine folk dance dating back to hundreds or even thousands of years ago. In this episode, I had the pleasure to chat with dancer and researcher, Annie, who’s currently based in London. A couple of years ago, Annie had the honor of learning and doing research on Dabke, with the powerful Palestinian dance group, El-Funoun, in Ramallah in the West Bank...
Mar 06, 2024•20 min
This is part 2 of the chat with my colleague, or former colleague, Chris Gorin, who recently left Rti. Today we touched on more of what we hope Taiwan could improve on, including poorly-designed sidewalks, images people have when it comes to “foreigners,” racism in Taiwan, and so on. What we talked about is informed by our personal experiences, and people would likely have different experiences with living in Taiwan. Without further ado, let’s continue our chat.
Feb 28, 2024•20 min
Join Chris and Sharon today on That’s Debatable as we chat about improvements we hope to see regarding life in Taiwan. Today we’ll chat about voting, taxes, and road safety. Feel free to check out episodes on Chris’ show The Strait Up Podcast where he dives deeper into topics like wages in Taiwan and road safety, as well as the 2 previous episodes of That’s Debatable where we talked more about what voting is like in Taiwan....
Feb 21, 2024•20 min•Ep. 60
This is part 2 where Amanda and Michelle joined me in the studio to talk about sex education and our personal experiences going to an obgyn. We need to normalize talking about these topics. Last week, I shared my horrible experience at an obgyn, and today, we’ll hear from Michelle and Amanda. (Deep breaths.) With this episode, we’re also thinking of all who are pregnant seeking refuge in Rafah, the last standing city in Gaza, which previously was declared a “safe zone” by the Israeli government....
Feb 14, 2024•20 min•Ep. 59
For today’s episode I was joined by our wonderful fellow hosts, Amanda and Michelle, to talk about sex education and our experiences going to the gynecologist. Get yourself a nice cup of tea, and feel the support, the anger, and stories in this conversation. We hope you feel supported and seen, and you’re not alone. We need to normalize talking about these topics more.
Feb 07, 2024•20 min
The sound of ocean waves, gusts of wind that bring the smell of sea salt – a scene for most people, means vacation. For many of the political victims of the White Terror era in Taiwan, this was the last taste of freedom before entering the jail cells of Green Island. My guest Fred Him-San Chin (陳欽生) detailed his story of being one of the many political victims during the White Terror era in Taiwan brought about by the KMT regime in his powerful book, Facing the Calamity. This is part 2 of our in...
Jan 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 56
Just imagine, you, at the age of 18, getting tricked and abducted, tortured, and then sentenced to 12 years in jail for being innocent. This is the true story of my guest today, Fred Him-San Chin (陳欽生). Fred's one of the many political victims of the White Terror period in Taiwan. You have to know Fred's story. In 2023, Fred published his book Facing the calamity：a step through hurts and hardship and look beyond for generations to come where he details his real-life experiences during the White ...
Jan 17, 2024•20 min
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 Ta...
Jan 10, 2024•20 min
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...
Jan 03, 2024•20 min
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 arm...
Dec 27, 2023•20 min•Ep. 52
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 Palestinia...
Dec 20, 2023•20 min•Ep. 51
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 differenc...
Dec 13, 2023•20 min•Ep. 50
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...
Dec 06, 2023•20 min
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...
Dec 06, 2023•20 min
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 ho...
Nov 29, 2023•55 min
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 talk...
Nov 22, 2023•20 min
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...
Nov 15, 2023•20 min•Ep. 46
