The Taiwan Context

"Boston" Paul Davis has been a trailblazer in Taiwan's art & music scene. Previously a cop, today, he is known for founding LUVstock, organizing parties, as a musician, as co-owner of the live music venue The Refuge, and as a photographer.

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Shopping is often done without much thought in spite of the money often going to repressive activities by the PRC. Co-founder Colin-Kirk Hodge and the Snowball Community are building a website letting consumers know what ties products have to China.

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Note: An audio fix was made where Donovan came in a bit low in the latter half of the episode. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Michael Turton and Donovan Smith both arrived as young lads in the late 80s, when Taiwan was a one-party state under the KMT. They discuss their early impressions of Taiwan politics & life in a key transitional period in Taiwan’s history.

Michael Turton interviews Michael Klein. Klein is a long-time resident of Taiwan. A singer and songwriter, a musician with years of professional experience, and a professional sound engineer, he runs a trading company specializing in metal parts. Michael Klein shares his insights on doing business in Taiwan, cultural differences, and his time as a musician and singer.Michael Turton interviews Michael Klein. Klein is a long-time resident of Taiwan. A singer and songwriter, a musician with years of professional experience, and a professional sound engineer, he runs a trading company specializing in metal parts. Michael Klein shares his insights on doing business in Taiwan, cultural differences, and his time as a musician and singer.

Michael Turton interviews Roy Ngerng is a researcher, writer, and activist. He was named a Human Rights Defender by the United Nations for his activism in Singapore. Roy writes on social protection and equality issues and the impact of digitalization on society. He currently works as an Assistant Research Fellow at the Risk Society and Policy Research Center.

Courtney Donovan Smith interviews Jenna Lynn Cody, a teacher trainer in Taiwan who recently finished her Master's degree and is working with the Bilingual 2030 plan. Jenna is here to tell us all about what Bilingual 2030 really means. It's not what many will expect with some genuine surprises. 

Michael Turton interviews Tobie Openshaw. Tobie is a filmmaker and well known in the foreign community in Taiwan. He's created many segments on BBC, Discovery, National Geographic, and more. He's known for his coverage of funeral pole dancers of Changhua County and his work covering the stories of Betelnut Girls in Taiwan. Tobie has worked on a whole slew of side projects, including the Red Room Association, Urban Nomad Film Festival, and his involvement with various indigenous groups in Taiwan.

Note: Some audio problems were fixed in this episode.

Michael Turton and Sean Su interview Playerium CEO Solomon Temowo. Solomon is the founder and CEO of Playerium, a software company specializing in software for gaming firms. He has worked in several countries in Europe and Asia. We explore his experiences in the gaming industry in Taiwan and elsewhere, what Taiwan's advantages are, and the kind of projects and products his firm works with and creates.

Michael Turton interviews Michael Fahey. Fahey is a longtime resident of the island. He is currently a lawyer with the well-known firm of Winkler Partners in Taipei. He has been instrumental in Forward Taiwan, a group dedicated to advancing issues involving foreigners in Taiwan. We discuss Forward Taiwan's work on behalf of foreigners, the local legal system, and related exciting topics.

Michael Turton interviews Mark Caltonhill. Mark is a journalist, writer, comedian, singer, and cyclist who has lived in Taiwan for the better part of two decades. Join us for a stimulating discussion on his experiences and writings on The Beautiful Island.

Host Donovan Smith interviews Albert Chiu, Associate Professor in the Political Science Department at Tunghai University, who knows Johnny Chiang well, and was a part of the KMT's cross-strait reform committee - despite not being a KMT member and proposing ideas far beyond traditional KMT thinking on those issues. His experience and insights on the process and the party are fascinating.

20-year journalist veteran (including on the military beat) Jason Pan of the Taipei Times joins host Courtney Donovan Smith to discuss Taiwan-US military relations, including historical context, recent Chinese incursions, and their purpose, US military reactions, US diplomatic moves and finally a look ahead at what may come next.

The Taiwan Context hosted by Michael Turton, with special guest Katy Hui-Wen Hung, on the Culinary History of Taipei, offering some surprising twists and turns.

The Taiwan Context hosted by Courtney Donovan Smith, with special guest Scott Ellinger

The Taiwan Context hosted by Daniel, with special guest Dr. Sang Pu, a Hong Kong current affairs critic with a doctoral degree in legal studies on the recent Taiwan elections, disinformation, fake news, the anti-infiltration bill and more.