The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
John Ross and Eryk Michael SmithFormosa 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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 339 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||
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Latest Episodes
Looking for the true story behind the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie)? There’s much more to it than dragon boat races and sticky rice dumplings (zongzi).
Many know the standard origin story of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, but Formosa Files uncovers... more
As we head into the 2026 World Cup, we take a look at Taiwan’s surprisingly rich football heritage. Although a minor sport today, there have been periods of intense popularity and success. The soccer story starts more than a century ago with British ... more
The disaster was so terrible, so deadly that shocking reports of it reached as far away as Europe; they claimed that in 1782, Taiwan had been devastated by a colossal tsunami. Some accounts said the island had almost disappeared beneath the sea and t... more
Who owns Taiwan’s time? Taipei-based political commentator and author of Formosa Review substack Sasha B. Chhabra helps us wind back the history of Taiwan’s clocks, from local rhythms before what we now call “standard time,” to Japanese colonial rule... more
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- 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 Podcasts5I'm writing in for a reason.
Taiwan9 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 Podcasts4mrlan888
United Statesa year ago - 👍
Who knew history was so interesting ❤️🔥
Apple Podcasts5JambuchiUnited 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 Podcasts5vtcafeUnited States2 years ago - Amazing
Read the title
Apple Podcasts5I love my thoughts onUnited States2 years ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #33 | Taiwan/History |
Apple Podcasts | #87 |  Singapore/History |
Apple Podcasts | #227 |  Ireland/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A history-focused show centered on Taiwan and cross-strait dynamics, blending deep archival research with accessible storytelling. Topics span Taiwan's colonial and modern history, indigenous perspectives, espionage, cultural heritage, and notable figures, with a knack for weaving obscure anecdotes into broader context. Noteworthy strengths include strong host chemistry, rigorous sourcing, and a knack for sparking curiosity about lesser-known chapters of Taiwan's past. Potential listeners include history buffs, Asia-focused researchers, travelers, and policy enthusiasts seeking engaging, context-rich narratives about Taiwan beyond headlines.
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. ChinaPower
2. Pekingology
3. 股市隱者
4. 公視每日新聞 Daily News
5. 轉角國際新聞 Daily Podcast
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 339 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. John Groot
2. Ross Feingold
3. Dafydd Fell
4. Jonathan Benda
5. Lee Moore
6. Roger B. Jeans
7. Joseph Thomas Miller
8. Chris Stowers
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