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

921 Earthquake

Hualien

Chinese Religious Traditions

Sun Yat-Sen

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

National Concert Hall

National Theater

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

343 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	299	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	History

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Latest Episodes

Shulinkou Air Station – Part 1 of 3 (early 1960s) – S5-E37

It was one of Taiwan’s most secretive Cold War outposts: Shulinkou Air Station (樹林口空軍情報站), a joint-service U.S. intelligence base perched on a misty plateau west of Taipei. Built in 1955, it was a hub for the interception, decryption, and analysis of... more

27 Nov 2025 • 32 min

Special Episode: A Farewell to Dr. Chen Yao-chang, and a Look at His Novel “Three Tribes”

Pioneering researcher, physician and historical novelist Dr Chen Yao-chang passed away at the age of 76 on November 17. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.

John and Eryk had the pleasure of getting to know this kind and talented man thr... more

19 Nov 2025 • 34 min

Unfinished Projects – unbuilt buildings, unfilmed films, unrealized dreams – S5-E36

Ever taken Kaohsiung’s cable car across the harbor, had fun at Chiayi’s Universal Studios theme park, marveled at Taiwan’s Statue-of-Liberty-style gift to the US (a giant Moon Goddess monument)? Well, no, you couldn’t have because these projects were... more

15 Nov 2025 • 28 min

S5 Bonus: Taiwan and Xu Fu (with Chris Stowers)

Ancient Chinese records tell us that in 210 BC a Taoist priest and alchemist named Xu Fu (徐福) sailed east to find the elixir of immortality for the despotic Qin Shi Huang. China’s first emperor was obsessed with cheating death (as revealed by his hug... more

15 Nov 2025 • 28 min

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Recent Guests

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

Professor Ann Heylen

Professor at the National Taiwan Normal University and expert on the Dutch era in Taiwan.

National Taiwan Normal University

Episode: S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen

Kim Liao

Granddaughter of Thomas Liao and author of 'Where Every Ghost Has a Name, A Memoir of Taiwanese Independence'

Episode: S4-E23 - Taiwan’s President in Exile – Thomas Liao.

Michael Aldrich

A long-time resident of Taiwan and author of several books on Asia, including Old Lhasa, A Biography.

Episode: S4-E12 - The Dalai Lama Visits Taiwan (1997)

Liam Keen

Member of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs

Formosan Association for Public Affairs

Episode: S4-E8 - The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA): talking to a member of a former “terrorist” pro-Taiwan-independence group

Hosts

John Ross

Co-host of the Taiwan History Podcast, an author and publisher with extensive works on Taiwan and China. He has lived in Taiwan for over two decades, calling the island home.

Eryk Michael Smith

Co-host of the Taiwan History Podcast, a journalist for local and global media outlets with extensive experience covering various subjects. He has lived in Taiwan alongside his co-host for over twenty years.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 343 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.
Taiwan3 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 States9 months ago
👍
Who knew history was so interesting ❤️‍🔥
Apple Podcasts
5
Jambuchi
United States10 months 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

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Listeners Say

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

The podcast is praised for making complex historical topics accessible and enjoyable.

Some reviews note a desire for occasional subject matter experts or additional perspectives.

Many find the information well-researched and valuable, especially in cultural context.

Listeners appreciate the storytelling style and engaging presentation of Taiwanese history.

The chemistry between hosts John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith enhances the listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#37	Taiwan/History
Apple Podcasts	#123	New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts	#153	Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts	#162	Indonesia/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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Focused on the rich and complex history of Taiwan, this podcast offers a diverse range of engaging topics that span from ancient times to modern events, conveyed through an entertaining storytelling approach. Episodes cover a variety of historical themes, including military history, cultural phenomena, notable figures, and significant events like the Vietnam War and Miss Universe 1988. Hosted by knowledgeable and experienced residents of Taiwan, the narrative style promotes accessibility, making complex historical subjects enjoyable and relatable for listeners. An intriguing aspect of the series is its non-chronological format, allowing audiences to jump into specific topics of interest without prior episodes being necessary.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Taiwan This Week
2. 《The Real Story》By 報導者
3. ChinaTalk
4. 不好意思請問一下by致昕
5. ChinaPower

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 299 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. Chris Stowers
2. TC Brown
3. Chris Tharp
4. Dr. Jimmy Lee
5. Henry Lee
6. Professor Ann Heylen
7. Kim Liao
8. Michael Aldrich

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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