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 to say goodbye.
Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh
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 world of weightlifting? What are some misconceptions about being vegetarian while aiming to stay strong?
My guest is not a professional athlete or a nutritionist and will be sharing from her personal experience. Let’s get started.
Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh
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 the U.S. government’s complicity in the Israeli state’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.
Laura also touches on what it means for Taiwan to be a country that prides itself as supportive of universal human rights yet staying silent while the Israeli army continues their aggression in Gaza.
Amnesty International's report "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity”
Amnesty International’s April 2024 report on US military aid
Cover photo: The separation wall built by Israel in the West Bank. (Photo: Shirin Yaseen/United Nations)
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/ Follow Nafis' work on Instagram @nafis_m_white
Photo: Nafis’ performance work titled Elevation. Large pieces of brown paper line the wall, broken down into individual manifestos, written through deep meditation and intuitive practice, painted as a stream of consciousness. (Photo: Nafis White)
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 (2018), and Oculus (2021), we reflect on BIPOC bodies in spaces, institutional racism, honoring African and African American traditions, and so much more. I hope you feel the positive energy and the abundance of wisdom of my guest today, and find the strength in yourself to continue to show up for you and for people in need.
Nafis M. White is an interdisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI, USA. White draws inspiration from the rich Diaspora of experiences and traditions of Black beauty and self care built upon centuries old histories of embodied knowledge that honors, celebrates, and values the innovation, technology and imagination carried through and passed on by the fingertips of Black people. Through play and continuous exploration, White employs her research on the intricate customs of Victorian Hair Weaving and mourning traditions and appropriates them using Black hair, beauty products, and hairstyling techniques where they were never imagined to take up space and esteem.
White’s work has been shown at the RISD Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, University of New Mexico Art Museum, National Queer Arts Festival San Francisco, and many more.
Check out the website of Nafis M. White: https://www.nafiswhite.com/
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.
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, and helpful tools and informative content people could read about to acquire knowledge to stay better informed. Also, Mikki shares the importance of cultivating openness - to learn and unlearn, and to center and be attentive to narratives and insights of indigenous communities because they bring us to think outside of the framework that we learned in our educational systems. For example, reading content by Palestinian writers and organizers.
We also reflected on the history of Dutch colonialism in Taiwan. Let’s start.
Mikki points out several informative articles on alQaws' website
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 queer politics. In 2010, Mikki went to Nablus in the Occupied West Bank as an exchange student at An-Najah National University, where they worked closely with local Palestinian comrades and also taught at an UNWAR school. In our conversation, Mikki also points us to alQAWs, a Palestinian civil society organization for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. Stemming from alQAWs and insights from Palestinians on the ground, Mikki also shares with us the importance of not falling into the narrow view of identity politics.
Learn more about alQAWs
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 connection of the Palestinian people with their land. We’ll also learn about what life is like for Palestinians in the West Bank, under the brutal occupation of the state of Israel. Sharaf also shares with us what the spirit of resistance means to him as a Palestinian and as a Palestinian artist.
Follow El-Funoun: https://www.el-funoun.org/
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 check out video highlights! Without further ado, let's dive right back into the world of chess.
This is part 2 of our conversation so make sure to listen to part 1 if you haven't.
Follow Grzegorz’s work here: https://m.facebook.com/people/Rosetta-%E8%A5%BF%E6%B4%8B%E6%A3%8B/61552688285075/
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 set up a chessboard in the studio during recording.
Stay tuned for part 2 coming up next week.
Grzegorz is originally from Poland, and has been playing chess since he was around 8. He also teaches chess in Taipei.
Follow his work here
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 since Yang started the podcast in 2019. Let's talk more with Yang.
Website of Sex Chat: https://portaly.cc/sexchatpodcast
Instagram: @sexchatpodcast10
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 Palestinian friends from Palestinian, the solidarity scene in London, the BDS movement, and the fact that there is so much more we could learn about Palestinian culture: food, music, dance, and so much more. We will continue to talk about Palestine.
Check out El-Funoun’s website: https://www.el-funoun.org/
Follow El-Funoun on Instagram @elfunoun_troupe
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.
Dabke is not only a powerful, beautiful dance, but also a symbol of Palestinian resistance. With this episode, we’re sending solidarity and love to all the dancers of El-Funoun, and to the people of Palestine. Huge shoutout to the dancers working closely with Annie. Please take good care of yourselves, and I hope to chat with you sometime soon.
Check out the website of El-Funoun: https://www.el-funoun.org/
Instagram: @elfunoun_troupe
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.
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.
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. Yet, the Israeli army has been bombing Rafah. In Gaza right now, many people have to give birth, including going through a C-section, without any anesthesia. This is a crime against humanity. I’m sending love, strength, and support to the people of Palestine.
Photo caption: For real, some doctors should not be practicing. (Left to right: Michelle, Sharon, and Amanda)
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.
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 interview, where we follow Fred’s memory back to the cells on Green Island, and how he transformed all of the darkness into light when freedom finally found him after his 12 years in prison.
Make sure to check out the previous episode and head to @rtienglish on Instagram for more video highlights.
Cover image:
Fred and Sharon at the press conference of Fred’s latest book, Facing the Calamity, at the National Human Rights Museum in December, 2023.
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 Terror. I got to know more of Fred through this book and I highly recommend the book to you.
Also, I highly recommend you to go listen to a previous episode on my other show, Come Along, where I introduced Taiwan's National Human Rights Museum to learn more of the historic background.