As a podcaster in Taiwan I often wonder how people feel about my show. But I also wanted to know who else was doing podcasts here in Taiwan, in English. I started asking around but few of my friends had anything to suggest. I also did a google search and only found lists of podcasts in Taiwan that seem to have been slapped together by a robot or AI algorithm of some sort.
So I did what I should have done to begin with and searched “Taiwan” on Spotify—the only place I listen to podcasts these days.
I did the search and started listening. This lasted the WHOLE day. And to be honest, it was a great way to spend the day because I discovered some nice new podcasts. I plan to listen to these from now on and can hopefully get some of the hosts onto MY show in the future! ( please contact me if you are one of the hosts and reading this)
So, here are the 8 I liked listening to the most.
These are podcasts that I found both listenable AND active. By active I mean they seem to be making podcast episodes regularly. There is a SLEW of podcasts with only one or two episodes from a year ago that are just ghost ships. There IS one show I included here that only has one episode so far, but it’s SO new that it’s unclear if it will keep going or not.
So here are the best 8 English podcasts made in Taiwan I was able to find on Spotify:
1 - The Taiwanese Diaspora
This is a bilingual podcast by a woman named Cynthia that features personal stories by people of Taiwanese heritage. I really like The Taiwan Diaspora podcast. It’s easy to listen to and is presented very authentically. Cynthia has a soothing, listenable voice and does a good job presenting the stories and hosting. For people interested in learning more about people and their projects in Taiwan, from a Taiwanese perspective, this is truly one of the best podcasts I found on Spotify. It’s bilingual, meaning Cynthia will do some basic introductions in Chinese, which I enjoy, but the bulk of the podcast is delivered in English which I prefer for obvious reasons. I would love to have Cynthia on MY show someday!
First episode: Feb 7, 2019
Number of episodes: 15
2 - Taiwan talk
This might be one of the longest running English language podcasts in Taiwan. Over the years Taiwan Talk podcast gone through a LOT of stylistic makeovers in order to maintain interest with changing audience preferences. Taiwan Talk covers as much as they can regarding “life in Taiwan” including politics, business, culture, lifestyle and arts. The earliest episodes are presented in a very sharp “News-room” style way—highly polished political discussions and round-tables hosted by newsy-voiced men in suits and ties. Sometime around 2015 the podcast began to shift to a more NPR style presentation—exchanging suits for sweaters and cups of coffee with a shift toward more business discussions than politics. In the 2017s it appears they either lost budget for the show, or decided to present it in a more “grassroots” way. The quality of the audio takes a dive, but it seems on purpose as a way to be “out there on the streets.”
In Feb 2019 Taiwan Talk podcast swapped out the male host for a new female host with episodes clearly swinging toward a younger audience with interests outside of business and politics. Taiwan talk now seems to be focusing more on arts and social issues than business and tech. I have to say I like the change and am enjoying the new format and episodes. It’s very listenable, and reliable as a podcast in Taiwan.
First episode: Nov 6, 2012
Number of episodes: Hundreds… (episode #s not listed)
3 - The Taiwan Take
A newer current affairs podcast that mostly focuses on Taiwan politics and government policy. The Taiwan Take podcast is being made by Ghost Island media with support from the institute for national defense and security in Taiwan. This podcast is well produced, meaning they seem to have a good studio and nice equipment making it all sound very professional, yet it comes off a little robotic for my tastes. That CAN be framed as a good thing as the podcast seems focused on appearing journalistic although it is a government supported project. A good podcast to catch up on issues in Taiwan that are important to the Taiwan government who are funding the shows production.
First episode: Nov 14, 2019
Number of episodes: 6
4 - Floating leaves tea
I love this podcast. And not just because I love tea, which I DO. Floating Leaves Tea podcast is very lighthearted and the hosts are total tea NERDS. I say that with love. The podcast is warm and kind and easy to listen to. We just sit back and enjoy the hosts hanging out with each other and talking about…..tea. Just tea. Everything about tea. It’s like we’re sitting in their living room on their big comfy couch with a blanky and a hot mug. The hosts could expand totally expand topically, ( more personal experiences perhaps ) and have something very special to share with everyone here in Taiwan.
First episode: Apr 27, 2019
Number of episodes: 20 or so…
5 - My Dear Queer
“Two gay expats spilling the bubble tea about gay life in Taiwan on topics that can unify us, and offer a home for everyone to share.” I saw My Dear Queer on Spotify and had HIGH expectations. I love the title. I love the about line. It SOUNDS great! They have a LOT of episodes when compared to the pile of Taiwan podcasts on Spotify that can’t make it past a dozen episodes. HOWEVER, the podcast is REALLY hard for me to follow. The hosts chat casually and gossip vaguely with each other for about an hour, but I’m lost in the first 3 minutes. It feels like I walked up to two gay me at a cocktail lounge, already deep conversation, and am trying to find a way to join the conversation. This podcast COULD be really good!
First episode: Apr 20, 2018
Number of episodes: 57
6 - My thought spot
“Two Taiwanese THOTS who refuse to shut up about their passion for art, humanity and some damn good conversation.”
This is a fun new podcast. I really enjoyed listening to My Thought Spot. They have an upbeat vibe with a great intro track and keep the energy going throughout the entire show. They do a REALLY great job with the simple production and their conversations are easy to follow and listen to. They discuss a range of current social issues aimed—I’m guessing—at millennials. Which might explain why it feels like I’m scrolling the hosts facebook feeds while they comment on relevant articles and issues they like. This is fine with me, as it’s interesting and engaging. I was hoping to hear more on how their Taiwanese and Asian cultural backgrounds impacts the way the see and think about the topics they cover, but for the most part they don’t do that. Their latest episode is the first that truly focuses on Asian perspective and I enjoyed it a lot. I really hope they keep this one going!
First episode: Oct 7, 2019
Number of episodes: 7
7 - Culture shock
I’m including this one for a few reason. First, it’s brand new. The first episode of the Culture Shock podcast was literally just days ago. It also wants to cover something in English that nobody is doing right now in Taiwan, on Spotify—Asian films. It’s a great idea and I hope they keep it going. The first episode is a first episode, so it’s clear they’re just getting their feet wet and have some things to figure out and some music intros to get made. But so far so good. Smart guys with interesting things to say about Asian films. Looking forward to this one!
First episode: Jan 28 7, 2020
Number of episodes: 1
8 - From here to over there
“Stories about people going from one place to another.”
That’s RIGHT! Shameless plug for my own podcast, but hey, it IS one of the best as deserves to be included in my own list. What would I say about it if it weren’t MY podcast? Mmmmmm…..
The host is clearly dedicated to keeping the From Here To Over There podcast going—using it as a platform for sharing stories and his own thoughts and opinions. The name is a bit long, but I get it. In the conversational bit the host can sometimes talk a bit too much but its clear he means well and has a passion for exploration and conversation and helping people share their stories. The stories are all different and some are more listenable than others but overall it’s a fantastic project. The quality of the show could always be improved but it’s clear the host is doing his best and making improvements when and where he can.
Cheers!
First episode: Aug 20, 2018
Number of episodes: 36
