• S4-E29 - Two Odd and Forgotten Books
    Oct 31 2024

    Need a break from typhoons (Taiwan)? Need to escape the non-stop political election-related noise (USA)? Or maybe you simply would like to hear John and Eryk babble about a couple of strange out-of-print books with a Taiwan connection (everyone)?

    This week we meander, go off on tangents, tell virtually unknown stories (including mysterious deaths), and discuss two books we bet you’ve never heard of, let alone read.

    Also: Happy Halloween (and of course, it's Chiang Kai-shek's birthday).


    More info and links at FORMOSA FILES DOT COM

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    23 mins
  • FORMOSA FILES IN CHINESE! CH29-臺灣人的英文老師?—專訪ICRT總經理Tim Berge
    Oct 30 2024

    說到臺灣人早期學習英文的機會,ICRT大概是其中一個大家最熟悉的媒介。ICRT這個廣播電台的歷史從1957年的美軍電台開始,到1979年因為中美斷交而將設備象徵性的「賣」給中華民國政府,並在同年催生了「ICRT」,台北國際社區廣播電台(International Community Radio Taipei)至今,已經用ICRT這個名字在臺灣播送了45年。由於是臺灣歷史上唯一的英語廣播電台,又容易收聽,自然成為臺灣人學習英文與接觸外國文化的重要來源。這回的 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast,就由主持人 Eryk Michael Smith 來專訪ICRT的總經理 Tim Berge,一起為大家說說ICRT的故事。


    主持人簡介:

    Eryk Michael Smith-ICRT南臺灣特派員,長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯,也會客串DJ。現居高雄,在臺灣已經居住了接近30年,認為臺灣是自己的家。

    來賓簡介:

    Tim Berge(白健文)-來自美國明尼蘇達州,於1990年加入ICRT,在空中帶領通勤族從臺灣的混亂交通中找出一條回家的安全道路。目前擔任總經理,擅長英語和中文,熱愛火鍋和跑步,並喜歡看喜劇和享受戶外生活。

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    15 mins
  • S4-E28 - The Pirate Husband-and-Wife Duo Who Terrorized Taiwan (1800-1809)
    Oct 24 2024

    She loved opium, handsome pirates, and spoke English... plus she allegedly sometimes went into battle topless! He was a pirate warlord who, at one point, had hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men under his control.


    Meet the Tsais (Cais): a crazy couple who deservedly became absolute legends.


    This story's English information comes mostly from Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the West (East Gate Books) by Prof. Henry Tsai.


    Visit formosafiles.com for more links and info.

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    21 mins
  • FORMOSA FILES IN CHINESE! CH28-重獲自由的反共義士—韓戰與一二三自由日
    Oct 22 2024

    國府在1949年播遷來臺的當下,美國發表聲明不再介入國共內戰,中華民國幾乎真的可說是風中殘燭。然而1950年的韓戰隨即改變了這一切,也改變了許多在韓戰中被俘的中共「志願軍」軍人的命運。究竟中華民國與韓戰還有什麼關係,又為什麼會有「一二三自由日」呢?這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊一二三自由日的故事。


    主持人簡介:

    Eryk Michael Smith-ICRT南臺灣特派員,長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯,也會客串DJ。現居高雄,在臺灣已經居住了接近30年,認為臺灣是自己的家。

    Eric Hsu(徐葆權)-彰化北斗人,從大學南漂高雄以來,人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展,尤其是自己的兩個家鄉:北斗與高雄。

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    11 mins
  • S4-E27 - NBC "Old Timey Radio" Show from 1946 - With Analysis from John and Eryk
    Oct 17 2024

    Taiwan in 1946. How will post-war Formosa turn out? Will the KMT be successful in managing the local economy? Will there be strife between the new Chinese rulers and – until very recently – Japanized Taiwanese people? Who knows? Well, we do... now.


    The Formosa Files team is pleased to bring you a rare gem: clips of a radio program by NBC, recorded in late 1946, just a little more than a year after the end of World War II.


    John and Eryk will play segments of this radio docu-drama and then comment on the facts, add info, explain context, and more. Enjoy this experience, which really feels like a kind of time travel!



    Info and links at formosafiles.com

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    29 mins
  • FORMOSA FILES IN CHINESE! CH27-橫行海上的女海盜—大海盜蔡牽媽與蔡牽
    Oct 15 2024

    中國東南沿海、臺灣海峽一帶自從明朝實施海禁政策以來,就成為了海盜橫行的海域,一直到清朝年間都還有海盜出沒,甚至還有許多名震四海的女性海盜。在1790年代,就誕生了一對海盜夫妻:蔡牽與蔡牽媽,堪稱是當時最強盛也最特別的海盜。這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊,大海盜蔡牽媽與蔡牽的故事。


    主持人簡介:

    Eryk Michael Smith-ICRT南臺灣特派員,長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯,也會客串DJ。現居高雄,在臺灣已經居住了接近30年,認為臺灣是自己的家。

    Eric Hsu(徐葆權)-彰化北斗人,從大學南漂高雄以來,人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展,尤其是自己的兩個家鄉:北斗與高雄。

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    14 mins
  • S4-E26 - Bits and Pieces - October 2024
    Oct 10 2024

    Did you know?

    1. Joseph Stalin saved Chinese characters. (um… sort of)

    2. In Qing-era Taiwan, two men sometimes SHARED a wife!

    3. John has done 10 episodes of our other podcast, “Bookish Asia.”

    4. Plum Rain Press, the new publishing arm of Formosa Files, is about to release an epic historical novel by Dr. Chen Yao-chang 陳耀昌, the man behind the Netflix series Seqalu.


    This week John and Eryk wander around a bit, give you some info, tell a few cool stories, and have a laugh or two in one of Formosa Files’ every-now-and-then “Bits and Pieces” episodes.


    A BIG THANK YOU to all who have left a 5-star review, subscribed, and followed us on social media!


    Pics, info, links, and more on our website.


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    26 mins
  • FORMOSA FILES IN CHINESE! CH26-聖母峰上的生存奇蹟—臺灣登山家高銘和
    Oct 8 2024

    攀登世界第一高峰聖母峰(珠穆朗瑪峰、Mount Everest)是全世界登山家的夢想。臺灣自1990年代起,也開始陸續有登山家成功登上這座高峰。然而1996年在聖母峰發生了一場悲劇性的山難,當時台灣隊的高銘和也被捲入其中,卻奇蹟似的存活下來。這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊這位臺灣登山家的故事。


    主持人簡介:

    Eryk Michael Smith-ICRT南臺灣特派員,長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯,也會客串DJ。現居高雄,在臺灣已經居住了接近30年,認為臺灣是自己的家。

    Eric Hsu(徐葆權)-彰化北斗人,從大學南漂高雄以來,人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展,尤其是自己的兩個家鄉:北斗與高雄。

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    12 mins