The first televised debate for the 2026 Taipei mayoral election between KMT candidate Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and DPP candidate Puma Shen (沈伯洋) has been confirmed for noon, October 31.

Hanna and Amanda talk about the biggest news story in Taiwan as of late - the 34-year-old real estate agent arrested in America for allegedly acting as an unregistered agent for China and spying on Taiwan's president's son. We also get a pulse check on the political situation in France, which is shaping up to be another big moment in Gen Z protest movements. Read along with us: Experts say China spying case ‘tip of iceberg’ of Beijing’s transnational repression FBI Agents arrest alleged Chinese agent for spying on President Lai’s son Student protests may sway France’s 2027 election France's school protests: What lies behind the anger Massive demonstrations. Injured teenagers. French students say they’re just getting started. For France’s Resurgent Far Left, Student Protests Are an Opening and a Threat

In this Session 2 of Geek Out!'s anniversary special play-through of Kids on Bikes, Tomasz, Hanna, Tristan, and Amanda navigate the trickery of Ghost Month in 1980s Taiwan and what that means for what's haunting them!

Food plays an important role in Taiwanese daily life. Therefore, it is useful to know the names of the utensils we use at the table. This week, we’ll learn a few words for cutlery in Tâi-gí. Whether you’re eating with chopsticks or a fork, these are simple words that you can use every day.  ●Words to know: 1. 碗箸 uánn-tī (n.) cutlery 2. 盤仔 puânn-á (n.) plates 3. 碗 uánn (n.) bowls 4. 箸 tī (n.) chopsticks 5. 湯匙仔 thng-sî-á (n.) spoons 6. 攕仔 tshiám-á (n.) forks ●Idiom of the week: 大碗閣滿墘。 Tuā uánn koh buán kînn. (A big bowl, filled right up to the rim.)

What happens after you have followed the clues, questioned familiar ideas, and begun to see purpose differently? In the final part of this Real Talk: Unmapped conversation, Mary Anne turns from reflection to action. The focus shifts to "Commit"—the last stage of the "Feel, Discuss, Commit" framework—and what it means to move forward when you still do not have every answer. This is not about making a dramatic life change or locking yourself into one path. It is about learning to recognize what draws you forward, testing what feels meaningful, and taking a step small enough to begin...even when uncertainty and resistance appear. If Parts One and Two helped open up the question of purpose, Part Three asks: "What will you do with what you have discovered?" Tune in to find out how one small commitment could help you begin navigating the path ahead.

In this edition, Wanson sits down with animation director Chen Ting-jui (陳亭叡) to discuss her award-winning short, You Are Not Part of the Cake (你不在這個蛋糕裡).  Based on her experience with her ex-girlfriend's homophobic father, the film explores the deconstruction of self-identity through a surreal killing ritual and baking. They discuss her acrylic animation style, the film's funny dance, and most importantly—how do we live with incurable LGBTQ+ trauma?  You Are Not Part of the Cake will be screened at the Women Make Waves International Film Festival (台灣國際女性影展) in Taipei on October 17 and 23. Tickets are available at https://www.opentix.life/event/2095475915937751041  Find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café)

What is a climbing perch? A) A fish B) A frog C) A bird Sharks have been around for 450 million years. Even cockroaches have only been around for 300 million years. Homo sapiens, on the other hand, have just a 300,000 year history. What makes sharks so special? What kind of shark did divers in Taiwan run into last month? And how can you survive a scary shark encounter? Formosa Fauna is back this week to entertainingly educate you about animals both in Taiwan and abroad! Spend the next 20 minutes listening to this episode and feeding your noggin with fun facts about the animal kingdom so you can become smarter than all of your friends. Want to share your own story and have it read on air? Send your story (photos welcome) to tristan@rti.org.tw! See you every week for Formosa Fauna Fridays!

In today’s episode, we will continue our conversation with henÿ, an indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer known for blending lo-fi textures, groove-driven production, and lyrics in both English and Mandarin. Last week, we discussed how henÿ began making music, the artists who influenced his sound, and his journey from picking up the guitar to writing, producing, and releasing his own songs.  Today, we will explore how he brings his songs to life beyond the recording process. He will talk about his enjoyment of working with session musicians and the new ideas that come from collaboration. Henÿ will share the stories behind songs like “Bet You” and “Sunday Afternoon,” including the inspirations that shaped them and the creative choices that make them unique. We’ll also address the challenges faced by independent artists in Taiwan, the pressure to stand out in a crowded music scene, and how streaming and AI influence their sound. Henÿ will reflect on what motivates hi...