The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
Articles about The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
Abacus: A Grandfather’s Journey from China to Taiwan – S6-Bonus
When his grandfather died during the COVID pandemic, Hudson Wei realized how little he knew about the man who had raised him. Determined to uncover his story, he interviewed relatives, pieced together family memories, and eventually turned this into a historical novel, Abacus. Hudson joins John from California to discuss this multigenerational saga.
Andō Momofuku: Was the Inventor of Instant Noodles Taiwanese? – S6-E30
Andō Momofuku is a household name in Japan, celebrated as the inventor of instant noodles. But his story actually begins in Puzi, a small town in southern Taiwan, where he was born Wu Baifu in 1910. John is joined by Tom Gibb, a Japan-based translator and author of the cycling travelogue Charinko. Together they unravel the complicated history of the man and his noodles.
Taiwan at the Asian Games – and the World Games Triumph of 2009 Asian Games – Snack 10
NOTE: People not using Spotify can watch this video on YouTube. As the 2026 Asian Games in Japan come to a close, Eryk and John look back at Taiwan’s sporting struggles and successes in Asia. Who knew that the country has long been a powerhouse in soft tennis and women’s tug-of-war? After multiple unsuccessful bids to host the Asian Games, Taiwan finally had its chance to put on a show: the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung.
Cheng Feng-hsi: A Boat in the Vast Ocean –S6-E29
Born into a poor farming family in coastal Yunlin County in 1944, Cheng Feng-hsi 鄭豐喜 (Zhèng Fēngxǐ) was severely disabled and spent much of his childhood crawling rather than walking. His early years included travelling with an elderly medicine seller and a performing monkey, and living rough in the countryside. When he finally attended school, he excelled and eventually made his way to university in Taipei, where he studied law and met his future wife, Wu Chi-chao 吳繼釗 (Wú Jìzhāo).
Tyrel Eskelson’s Taiwan 22: Travels in Paradox – S6-E28
What happens when curiosity about Taiwan turns into something of an obsession? Canadian academic Tyrel Eskelson, who lives in Japan, set out to understand an island nation that kept appearing in the international news. The result was months of travel, hundreds of conversations and his book Taiwan 22, published by Formosa Files’ very own Plum Rain Press.John chats with Tyrel about his travels and his impressions of Taiwan.
Ballots and Missiles: Taiwan’s First Presidential Election (1996) – S6-E27
Eryk and John look back at Taiwan’s first direct presidential election: the protests and constitutional reforms that made it possible, Lee Teng-hui’s controversial visit to Cornell University, and the Chinese missile tests that turned an election campaign into the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.On March 23, 1996, with two US carrier groups sent to the region and ROC soldiers on alert, more than ten million Taiwanese went to the polls.
VIDEO - Ballots and Missiles: Taiwan’s First Presidential Election (1996) – S6-E27
NOTE: We know non-Spotify users may not be able to view this from here, but the program is also available on YouTube.