Rephonic
Artwork for Strait Forward
Taiwan
China
United States
Semiconductors
Democracy
Geopolitics
Technology
National Security
2045 (board Game)
Cybersecurity
Kuomintang
Digital Resilience
Mizo Games
Asymmetric Warfare
Cognitive Warfare
Drones
Democratic Progressive Party
Japan
Artificial Intelligence
Semiconductor Industry

Strait Forward is a podcast series from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), where Channing Lee takes a deep-dive into Taiwan, the island at the forefront of technological innovation and the global fight for democracy. Hear Taiwanese experts discuss geopolitics, technology, and culture.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes37Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentTechnology

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Artwork for Strait Forward

Latest Episodes

China's military is testing Taiwan in new ways — fewer dramatic air incursions, and far more Coast Guard ships crowding Taiwan's waters in a slow, deliberate squeeze. In this episode, host Channing Lee sits down in the Strait Forward studio with Dr. ... more

YouTube

It's Taiwan's most famous export in a cup, but behind every chewy tapioca pearl is a global business story of culture, competition, and surprising technology. In this episode, host Channing Lee talks about all things boba with Greg Chen, CEO of Inter... more

YouTube

As the United States and Taiwan deepen their semiconductor partnership, can they build a talent pipeline resilient enough to sustain it? Recorded live in Orlando at the 2026 U.S.-Taiwan Semiconductor Higher Education Networking Event, on the sideline... more

YouTube

Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, Chia-Lin Yang, joins host Channing Lee live at the AI+ Expo for a conversation on Taiwan's ambitions to become an “AI island” grounded in democratic values. They discuss the mission of Taiwan's Ministry of... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Greg Chen
CEO of Sharetea; leader of Lianfa Food and Beverage Company brands Sharetea and Youju
Sharetea / Lianfa Food and Beverage
Episode: Sharing Boba Tea, Sharing Taiwan
Jonas Parello-Plezner
Executive Director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation
Alliance of Democracies Foundation
Episode: The U.S.-Taiwan Semiconductor Education Alliance
Eyck Freeman
Author of Defending Taiwan, historian with focus on China and Taiwan strategy
Author, Defending Taiwan
Episode: A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Jerry Yu
Senior Analyst at Doublethink Lab
Doublethink Lab
Episode: Defending Against PRC Doublethink & Information Manipulation
Dahyun Kim
Strategic Partnership Manager at Doublethink Lab
Doublethink Lab
Episode: Defending Against PRC Doublethink & Information Manipulation
Paul Chang
Owner of Morganhope Tea Shoppe, Taipei
Morganhope Tea Shoppe
Episode: How to Brew Taiwanese Tea
Ken Moriyasu
Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute; former Foreign Correspondent at Nikkei Asia
Hudson Institute / Nikkei Asia
Episode: Japan's Stake in the Taiwan Strait
Chris Horton
Freelance journalist based in Taipei, author of Ghost Nation
Independent journalist / author
Episode: A Ghost Nation’s Struggle for Survival
Andrea Yang
Deputy Representative from Tecro
Tecro
Episode: Why Taiwan Matters to Every U.S. City & State (Subnational Diplomacy Explained)

Hosts

Channing Lee
Host focused on geopolitics, technology, and culture with a background in public policy analysis.
Libby Lange
Co-host and content contributor with focus on Taiwan policy, culture, and media narratives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Insightful and Timely

    Two wonderful cohosts who’ve clearly put a lot of time towards inviting top tier guests and asking insightful questions

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NatsecGuy
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality analysis with accessible storytelling.
Covers a broad spectrum from geopolitics to culture, keeping topics engaging.
Cohosts invite top-tier guests and ask insightful questions.
Guests bring practical, real-world relevance to policy and tech.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#40
Taiwan/Government
Apple Podcasts
#138
New Zealand/Government
Apple Podcasts
#148
South Korea/Government
Apple Podcasts
#155
Spain/Government
Apple Podcasts
#155
Sweden/Government
Apple Podcasts
#155
Singapore/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sharing Boba Tea, Sharing Taiwan
Q: How do you balance Taiwanese authenticity with local tastes in new markets?
We emphasize Taiwan origin and tea quality while permitting limited local customization, such as sugar levels and drink variants, to match local preferences without changing the core brand story.
Sharing Boba Tea, Sharing Taiwan
Q: What markets are you prioritizing for expansion and why?
Focus is on South America, India, and Europe due to population size, growth potential, and strategic fit for Taiwanese tea culture, while continuing to reinforce authenticity in the US and other established markets.
Sharing Boba Tea, Sharing Taiwan
Q: How does AI fit into making boba drinks?
AI is used to control brewing, flavoring, and serving times across stores, enabling precise recipes and reducing training needs, which allows a single drink to be produced consistently in about seven to ten seconds.
Sharing Boba Tea, Sharing Taiwan
Q: Can you tell us about Boba and its origins?
Boba, or bubble tea, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and blends tea with tapioca pearls, designed for easy takeaway; the product evolved with standardized processes and regional adaptations while preserving core Taiwanese tea culture.
How Taiwan is Building an AI Island
Q: What are the challenges in government AI adoption and data sharing, and how do you plan to overcome them?
The main challenges are legacy IT systems and data silos; Moda aims to create regulations that enable proper data sharing without fear of liability, smooth cross-agency collaboration, and faster AI adoption in public services.

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 Strait Forward

What is Strait Forward about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on Taiwan's geopolitical, technological, and cultural crossroads, often featuring policy-heavy discussions with experts, researchers, and practitioners. Episodes frequently explore deterrence theory, information manipulation, energy security, and Taiwan's role in global tech supply chains, as well as cultural topics like tea and cuisine to illustrate Taiwan's identity. A notable pattern is mixing rigorous policy analysis with accessible storytelling and live demonstrations, such as tasting tea or interactive board-game discussions, which broadens appeal beyond strictly academic audiences. The show often brings in researchers, policymakers, journalists, and industry guests who offer practical insights into resilience, de... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Strait Forward?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Strait Forward:

1. NatSec Tech
2. The Asia Chessboard
3. ChinaPower
4. ChinaTalk
5. Net Assessment

How many episodes of Strait Forward are there?

Strait Forward launched a year ago and published 37 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 Strait Forward?

Recent guests on Strait Forward include:

1. Greg Chen
2. Jonas Parello-Plezner
3. Eyck Freeman
4. Jerry Yu
5. Dahyun Kim
6. Paul Chang
7. Ken Moriyasu
8. Chris Horton

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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