The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

你知道嗎？臺灣的梅花鹿其實野外的族群已經滅絕。現在在墾丁看到的梅花鹿，都是後來復育的成果。然而臺灣還遺留有非常多以「鹿」命名的地方，間接展現臺灣過去應該是一個遍地鹿群的地方。究竟臺灣是怎麼從鹿群的天堂，變得需要復育梅花鹿呢？復育的成果又如何呢？這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊，臺灣梅花鹿的一些故事。 主持人簡介： Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。 Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

400 Years: Dutch Formosa - part two Roughly 80% of Dutch (or other European) men settling in Taiwan as part of the Dutch East India Company's (VOC) presence on Taiwan married Indigenous Taiwanese women! Learn more about Dutch-era Taiwan through the eyes of women as a remarkable woman, National Taiwan Normal University Professor Ann Heylen, gives us a glimpse into the severely Calvinist, yet practical, VOC - the world's first multinational corporation. Visit our website for more.

Discover the inspiring story of a Taiwanese humanitarian foundation born from adversity during a 1966 medical crisis. Delve into its growth from a modest center to a major player in global relief efforts, including healthcare during emergencies like COVID-19. The podcast highlights volunteers' altruism in disaster zones and reflects on the organization's impact amid criticisms of its projects. Tune in to explore the nuanced history and future of this pivotal institution that remains a symbol of compassion and resilience.

400 Years: Dutch Formosa - part one Of course, Chen Di was not actually the first person from China to visit Taiwan. What makes him special is that he wrote an account of what he saw here in 1603, and that account is the earliest surviving manuscript discovered thus far.   Chen Di's short travel commentary focuses mostly on the Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan; their customs, diet, etc., a rare and valuable documentation by a man who was both a scholar and a warrior. Chen Di's account of his 1603 trip was only rediscovered in 1955!  Interestingly, the same year Chen Di came to Taiwan was when the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) set up a permanent trading post in what's now Indonesia. The Dutch are determined to break into the China trade market - but they'll need another base. Somewhere a bit closer.     Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! Check out our website and learn about upcoming books via our publishing arm, Plum Rain Press (and an affiliated podcast). 

荷蘭人來臺雖然只有短短的三十幾年，但為臺灣帶來深遠的影響。其中之一就是把原產南亞、東南亞的許多物種引入臺灣試驗養殖或種植。當然荷蘭人的嘗試並非完全成功，也不一定為臺灣帶來正面的影響，但的確有非常多的物種就此被「馴化」，成為臺灣的物產。這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊，日常生活中意想不到的，由荷蘭人引入臺灣的一些物種。 主持人簡介： Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。 Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

Need a break from typhoons (Taiwan)? Need to escape the non-stop political election-related noise (USA)? Or maybe you simply would like to hear John and Eryk babble about a couple of strange out-of-print books with a Taiwan connection (everyone)?     This week we meander, go off on tangents, tell virtually unknown stories (including mysterious deaths), and discuss two books we bet you’ve never heard of, let alone read.    Also: Happy Halloween (and of course, it's Chiang Kai-shek's birthday).   More info and links at FORMOSA FILES DOT COM

Tim Berge, the general manager of ICRT and a radio veteran since 1990, shares insights into the unique role of English-language broadcasting in Taiwan. He discusses ICRT's historical significance and its evolution from a military station to a cultural cornerstone, aiding English learning among Taiwanese youth. Tim delves into his journey from traffic reporter to management, navigating media challenges and community engagement. The conversation also highlights ICRT's adaptability in a changing media landscape, vital for both local and international audiences.

She loved opium, handsome pirates, and spoke English... plus she allegedly sometimes went into battle topless! He was a pirate warlord who, at one point, had hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men under his control.  Meet the Tsais (Cais): a crazy couple who deservedly became absolute legends.  This story's English information comes mostly from  Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the West (East Gate Books) by Prof. Henry Tsai. Visit formosafiles.com for more links and info. 

國府在1949年播遷來臺的當下，美國發表聲明不再介入國共內戰，中華民國幾乎真的可說是風中殘燭。然而1950年的韓戰隨即改變了這一切，也改變了許多在韓戰中被俘的中共「志願軍」軍人的命運。究竟中華民國與韓戰還有什麼關係，又為什麼會有「一二三自由日」呢？這集 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast 就由兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊一二三自由日的故事。 主持人簡介： Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。 Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

Taiwan in 1946. How will post-war Formosa turn out? Will the KMT be successful in managing the local economy? Will there be strife between the new Chinese rulers and – until very recently – Japanized Taiwanese people?  Who knows? Well, we do... now.  The Formosa Files team is pleased to bring you a rare gem: clips of a radio program by NBC, recorded in late 1946, just a little more than a year after the end of World War II.  John and Eryk will play segments of this radio docu-drama and then comment on the facts, add info, explain context, and more. Enjoy this experience, which really feels like a kind of time travel!  Info and links at formosafiles.com