Taiwanology

Jan 27 2025 43 ep. 34 mins 33

Taiwanology Podcast artwork

The Taiwanology podcast is produced by Taiwan’s CommonWealth Magazine, where we discuss Taiwan’s geopolitics, technology and culture, and why they matter to the rest of the world.

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【Taiwanology Ep.43】From Failure to Unicorn: How Appier Became Taiwan’s AI Pioneer

Jan 27 2025 38 mins

Taiwan is renowned for its world-class semiconductor manufacturing, but it’s not often recognized as a hub for software startups. So why did Appier, an AI-driven marketing tech company, choose Taiwan as its base—and how did it become the island’s first AI software unicorn? In this episode, co-founder Chih-han Yu shares the lessons learned from eight (!) failures. - What is A

【Taiwanology Ep.42】Trump 2.0: What It Means for Taiwan and the U.S.-China Power Play

Jan 13 2025 33 mins

As President-elect Trump returns to the White House, the stakes for U.S.-Taiwan relations are at an all-time high. Wenchi Yu, a renowned global affairs advisor and expert in cross-border strategy, offers her perspective on navigating the intricate dynamics among the U.S., Taiwan, and China during these volatile times. What can we expect from Donald Trump’s second term? - The moo

【Taiwanology Ep.41】Decathlon, Friendship, and Legacy: Rafer Johnson and CK Yang

Dec 24 2024 41 mins

Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang finished just behind his close friend Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journal

【Taiwanology Ep.40】Gunter Pauli on How Entrepreneurship Can Save the Planet

Dec 09 2024 51 mins

In this Episode: We sit down with Gunter Pauli, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the "Zero Emissions" and "Blue Economy" movements. Known as "the Steve Jobs of Sustainability" and "the Che Guevara of Sustainability," Gunter discusses groundbreaking ideas and the future of sustainable innovation. From pioneering the first zero-emissions factory to shapi

【Taiwanology Ep.39】Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Conversation with Wingee Sin

Nov 25 2024 35 mins

In this episode, we dive into female entrepreneurship and why it deserves greater attention. How can communities create an environment that enables and empowers women to thrive as business leaders? Our guest, Wingee Sin, Global Program Director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, shares her inspiring journey. From starting her career in investment banking to transitioning into a

【Taiwanology Ep.38】What a Trump Comeback Means for Taiwan

Nov 11 2024 29 mins

President Donald Trump is making a political comeback. What has driven him to victory? And what could this mean for US-Taiwan and US-China relations? To break it all down, we’re joined by Silva Shih, CommonWealth’s sharp-eyed China and defense correspondent. Reporting directly from two key battlegrounds—Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Miami, Florida—Silva brings us the pulse of

【Taiwanology Ep.37】Assessing the "Made in China 2025" Ambition: Do Sanctions Work?

Oct 22 2024 23 mins

Where can you experience pilotless aircraft, autonomous cars, and service robots all in one place? Surprisingly, it's not the US or Germany, but China. Today, we sit down with Yixuan Lin to dive into China's remarkable technological strides, even amid international sanctions and mounting global pressures. What does this mean for the rest of the world, and what challenges lie ahead

【Taiwanology Ep.36】Can Virginia's Data Center Hub Keep Growing?

Oct 08 2024 25 mins

Virginia is home to a third of the world’s data centers, serving as a critical backbone of the internet — and a battleground over power and land. CommonWealth's Senior Writer Elaine Huang visited Ashburn’s famed Data Center Alley, where she saw firsthand the mounting tension as locals brace for a showdown over electricity and space. Could Taiwan be next to face these challeng

【Taiwanology Ep.35】Google's Plan for Upskilling Taiwan's Cybersecurity

Sep 24 2024 34 mins

Cybersecurity is emerging as a crucial topic. For Taiwan, the island nation finds itself in a unique position, both as a global tech leader and a target in the changing geopolitical landscape. According to a 2021 estimation, Taiwan undergoes 20 to 40 million cyberattacks a month. What can Taiwan do to strengthen its cybersecurity awareness and skills? We hear from Heather Adkins, G

【Taiwanology Ep.34】How Garmin Dominates the GPS World and More

Sep 10 2024 35 mins

98% of marathon runners use Garmin devices to track their progress. Either you drive a Ford, Toyota or BMW, chances are your car uses Garmin's GPS system. Garmin's wearable devices are also loved by pilots, divers and triathletes. How did this company co-founded by a Taiwanese engineer come to dominate the business of navigation? 05:10 - What was Garmin's founding story? 09:15 - H