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Artwork for The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith
Taiwan
Qijin Ferry Tragedy
Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone
People's Republic Of China
Environmental Activism
Lugang Rebellion
Israel
25 Maiden Ladies Tomb
Hualien
921 Earthquake
Chinese Religious Traditions
Sun Yat-Sen
National Concert Hall
National Theater
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Dupont
Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office
Guanyin
Tibet
China Airlines Flight 334

Formosa Files is the world's biggest and highest-rated Taiwan history podcast. We use an engaging storytelling format and are non-chronological, meaning every week is a new adventure - and, you can just find a topic that interests you and check out that episode...skip stuff that isn't your thing. The hosts are John Ross, an author and publisher of works on Taiwan and China, and Eryk Michael Smith,... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes325Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

Latest Episodes

John talks with Professor Dafydd Fell of SOAS University about "The Twilight Years of Taiwan’s Sugar Railways", his new book co-written with Wang Xiang, a researcher who has spent years documenting the remains and memories of this once vast railway n... more

In 1904, colonial Taiwan tried to impress America with oolong tea at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Just five years later, two American spies disguised as South African zoologists were secretly roaming Japanese Formosa – but they weren’t investigating t... more

That little green blob of spicy paste beside your sushi and sashimi has an amazing backstory. The notoriously fussy plant is grown in the mountains of Taiwan (special shoutout to Chiayi County). It arrived in Alishan with the Japanese colonists and t... more

Huang Chin-tao (é»ƒé‡‘ćł¶) was never a household name, but his life story is the story of modern Taiwan. In this concluding episode, we follow Huang from the 2.28 uprising in 1947 as he joins a resistance group led by a rare combination: a Taiwanese woman ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Benda
Professor, Northeastern University (Boston)
Northeastern University
Episode: George Kerr and Formosa Betrayed (with Prof. Jonathan Benda) – S5-E52
Lee Moore
Author of China's Backstory, historian and podcaster
Unsung Voices Books / Scholar
Episode: "China’s Backstory: The History Beijing Doesn’t Want You to Read" by Scholar and Podcaster Lee Moore – S5-E51
Roger B. Jeans
History scholar and professor
Episode: The CIA Plan to Remove President Chiang Kai-shek (Part 1): S5-E44
Joseph Thomas Miller
Former U.S. Navy officer and intelligence analyst
U.S. Navy
Episode: Shulinkou Air Station – Part 3: Taiwan and the Gulf of Tonkin – S5-E39
Chris Stowers
Taipei-based writer and photographer, and friend of Formosa Files
Episode: S5 Bonus: Taiwan and Xu Fu (with Chris Stowers)
TC Brown
Vietnam veteran and author of the memoir Made in Taiwan
Episode: Made in Taiwan: A Naïve American’s Chaotic Journey to Manhood in an Exotic Culture During Radical Times – Formosa Files chats with Vietnam vet and author TC Brown – S5-E28
Chris Tharp
Author and long-term resident in South Korea
Episode: Taiwan vs. South Korea - A Conversation with Author Chris Tharp
Dr. Jimmy Lee
A Taipei-based physician and history buff
Not specified
Episode: Takagi Tomoe: The Japanese Doctor Who Devoted Himself to Taiwan – S5-E14
Henry Lee
Leading forensic scientist in the United States
Forensic Sciences
Episode: “China’s Titanic” (1949) & The Cruise That Ended in Cremation (1994) - S5-E11

Hosts

John Ross
Co-host and author, with expertise in Taiwan and China, he brings a deep understanding and perspective to the discussions.
Eryk Michael Smith
Co-host and journalist, contributing diverse media perspectives and storytelling to the podcast.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 356 ratings
  • Educational and entertaining.

    I really enjoy the show and I’m working through the back catalogue. Great audio, quality, educational and entertaining, the witty banter, never goes too far astray from the topic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I'm writing in for a reason.
    Taiwan7 months ago
  • Interesting but bumpy

    These are interesting pieces of history but the scripts and delivery by the hosts are rough. Would also be great if subject matter experts could be brought in from time to time for freeform interview or additional context.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mrlan888
    United Statesa year ago
  • 👍

    Who knew history was so interesting â€ïžâ€đŸ”„

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jambuchi
    United Statesa year ago
  • Interesting Taiwan History

    This podcast is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn Taiwan history. The topics are varied and the hosts have a chemistry that keeps things moving along. You'll never be bored and it's amazing how much important history you will learn. I've listened to all of the English episodes and look forward to the new ones every week. Great work. Thanks for sharing your love for Taiwan in a format that is easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vtcafe
    United Statesa year ago
  • Amazing

    Read the title

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I love my thoughts on
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the consensus is that it is a valuable and informative resource for those interested in Taiwan's history.
Many find the hosts' chemistry and knowledge enriching, contributing to an entertaining experience.
Some reviews highlight that there is room for improvement in scripting and delivery.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling format and diverse topics, making learning enjoyable and accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#240
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#36
Taiwan/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Altars and Outlaws: Ben Sando on Taiwan’s Underworld – Gangs, Temples, and Political Influence – S5-E35
Q: If you were suddenly given a magic wand to change things or set policy, what would you tell us to do?
Temple regulation is probably the most critical factor here, as temples have established legal foundations which govern them, and oversight could disrupt nefarious uses of their finances.
Taiwan’s 1930s Pop Boom, and Its First Pop Queen – S5-E18
Q: What was the significance of Liu Ching-hsiang in Taiwan's pop music?
She was considered the first pop superstar in Taiwan, known for integrating Western elements into traditional Taiwanese music and for her songs that championed modern values.
S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen
Q: What was the role of women among the Dutch settlers?
Women were primarily seen as housewives and cared for children, with some exceptions for missionaries marrying local women to integrate into the community.
S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen
Q: What motivated Dutch settlers to come to Formosa?
The primary motivation was money, although adventure was also an appealing factor.
S4-E2 - Taiwan (the ROC) and Israel - Surprising Shared Histories
Q: Do you agree that the government in China is a totalitarian state that does not respect democracy?
Yes, they have become hostile to Israel and support the physical extermination of Israel.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an engaging exploration of Taiwanese history through a non-chronological storytelling format, encouraging listeners to select topics that pique their interest. The discussions span a broad range of subjects, from piracy in the historical context of the Taiwan Strait to personal accounts of everyday life during Japanese colonial rule. Notably, the hosts bring well-researched narratives enriched by their long-term residency in Taiwan, which contributes to unique insights and personal anecdotes that draw listeners in. This is complemented by their dynamic rapport, making for an entertaining and informative listening experience. The podcast adeptly balances deep historical analysis with accessibility, appealing to both histo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Aria Code
2. Cyber Hack
3. Formosa Files 䞭文版
4. The Audio Long Read
5. The Documentary Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 325 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jonathan Benda
2. Lee Moore
3. Roger B. Jeans
4. Joseph Thomas Miller
5. Chris Stowers
6. TC Brown
7. Chris Tharp
8. Dr. Jimmy Lee

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