Lai Dongjin 賴東進 was born into a “beggar family.” His dad is blind, his mom has a mental illness. He has 11 siblings! Many born into such a disadvantaged position would throw up their hands, blame fate, and quit the fight for life. But Lai refused to surrender – no matter how high the odds. His 2000 autobiography "Beggar Boy" was a best-seller (no English version) and today, Formosa Files brings you his remarkable story. Visit the FORMOSA FILES WEBSITE for pics, links and more.

臺灣雖然只是個小島，但是機車密度卻是世界第一，幾乎到了平均每個成年人都擁有一部機車的程度。對很多人來說，機車也似乎就像是從青少年「登大人」的象徵，有了第一部機車，就像是可以開始脫離家裡的掌控一樣。這個與臺灣人有許多因緣的交通工具，究竟有些什麼歷史故事呢？這集的 Formosa Files 中文版 podcast 中，就讓兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊。 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。

Did you know that all the water buffalo in Taiwan are the descendants of a group of these bovines from Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies)? These poor water buffalo were put on a sailing ship by the Dutch in 1648 and sent to Taiwan! Who knew? Well, former Dutch diplomat and current George Mason University Taiwan history professor Gerrit van der Wees does… and that’s not all he knows. It was a genuine pleasure to chat with a person who's not only studied Taiwan extensively but who also played a big role in Taiwan’s fight to become a democracy.  The day before former President Tsai Ing-wen stepped down, she honored van der Wees by conferring on him the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, primarily for his work as chief editor of Taiwan Communiqué, a bi-monthly publication that chronicled Taiwan’s transition to democracy from 1980 to 2016.   More info at formosafiles.com AND: Check out our other podcast on books - Bookish Asia

提到臺灣的野生動物園，大家都會想到六福村。一部分聽眾朋友可能還會有記憶，以前甚至可以直接開車入園，直接在車上看動物。雖然六福村在1990年代起就逐漸不再允許開車入園，但2024年又重新少量開放，蔚為一波話題。這集的 Formosa Files 中文版 Podcast，就讓兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊印象中的六福村與其它臺灣的動物園。

In this engaging discussion, Maysang Kalimud, known as CK Yang, shares his extraordinary journey as an Indigenous Taiwanese Olympic decathlete. He highlights his intense rivalry with Rafer Johnson during the 1960 Rome Olympics and the heavy pressures athletes faced amid Cold War tensions. The conversation delves into the deep bond formed between CK and Rafer, showcasing their supportive friendship against a backdrop of athletic competition. Lastly, they explore the creation of a documentary that brings CK's inspiring legacy to life, capturing the essence of sports and nationalism.

每年的農曆七月，就是臺灣民俗的「鬼月」。傳說在這個月裡，「好兄弟」們會回返陽間，人們也會準備各式供品讓祂們享用。而這個特別的月裡，也有非常多的禁忌；雖然現代人不一定願意再遵守這些禁忌，但一定都曾聽過身邊的人談論這些奇妙的規矩。不過「鬼月」真的是中華文化傳統當中的習俗嗎？這集podcast就讓兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊「鬼月」的一些歷史小故事與禁忌。 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。

John chats with veteran Hong Kong-based journalist and author of The Island (2024) Mark O'Neill, who tells us what Taiwan was like in the early 1980s, when he first came to study Chinese. Despite a mysterious knife attack and various authoritarian elements (such as “mail boxes” for reporting spies and subversives), he loved the country. Over the next four decades, he made numerous trips back, witnessing and reporting on Taiwan’s transformation from one party rule to an admirable democracy. The Island is not Mark’s first Taiwan book – earlier works include ones on Buddhist charity Tzu Chi and the National Palace Museum – so he brings both depth and breadth to his entertaining look at the country.

Discover the remarkable influence of convenience stores on Taiwanese society. Explore how these shops have reshaped shopping habits, eclipsing traditional grocery options. The discussion touches on the cultural significance and innovative marketing of brands like 7-Eleven. Learn about unique food offerings that cater to local tastes and foster social interactions. Finally, uncover the multifunctional roles these stores play in everyday life, transforming them into essential community hubs.

Discover the remarkable journey of Morris Chang, the architect behind Taiwan's semiconductor powerhouse, TSMC. Dive into his unconventional path, from a foreigner to a titan of technology. Explore Taiwan’s strategic rise in the global semiconductor market, supported by innovative partnerships and government backing. Learn about the unique cultural dynamics and economic philosophies that shaped this industry's growth. Plus, hear how TSMC showcased its resilience, bouncing back from disasters while maintaining its edge in the competitive landscape.

臺灣的機車密度世界第一，若再加上其它大小車輛，大概也是世界數一數二的程度。而在臺灣，各種車輛都免不了要掛車牌，也讓車牌成為臺灣的日常街景。然而臺灣的車牌實際上經歷多次改版，街上也時常可以看到懸掛舊式車牌的車輛。而從開放車牌自選號甚至競標以來，也讓車牌有些不一樣的意義與「價值」。究竟這個最日常的風景，會有些什麼樣的故事？在這集裡，就讓Formosa Files中文版的兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊臺灣車牌的一些小故事。