Sources for today's episode:

1. Stranger in a Strange Land (Robert A. Heinlein, 1961), 2. Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson, 1992), 3. Elon Musk And Jeff Bezos Were Inspired By Sci-Fi And So Should You (Christian Stadler, Forbes), 4. Why Does So Much New Technology Feel Inspired by Dystopian Sci-Fi Movies? (Casey Michael Henry, the New York Times), 5. How Elon Musk Is Remaking Grok in His Image (Stuart A. ThompsonTeresa Mondría TerolKate Conger and Dylan Freedman, the New York Times), 6. After a wave of lawsuits, Character.AI will no longer let teens chat with its chatbots (Lisa Eadicicco, CNN), 7. What OpenAI Did When ChatGPT Users Lost Touch With Reality (Kashmir Hill and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, New York Times)

Originally published in Portuguese, the book takes a much more fantatic view of the world than at first blush, offering insights into one's true purpose, and the possiblity to change it or chase it, as well as to enact change in the world at large. We also talk about how reading stories like this can help us better picture our life and the choices theat lead us around it, by putting it into the context of everything else before and after.

We discuss how, despite being published in 1968, the story still speaks to timeless themes such as finding self-acceptance, how to balance measuring our success with what is best for us, and which voices we should listen to.

While it may share some elements of horror, the story presents an interpersonal story about a woman struggling to make and maintain relationships, as well as a meditation about what it means to be human, and how we can strive to be better.

... In addition to some monster-adjacent shenanigans. 

Tigger warnings include: blood, violence, and suicide

In our Fall Freakout FINALE episode for 2025, hosts Amanda and Michelle get jumpscared watching and discussing the 2024 Filipino horror film: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.

We welcome our first NON-TAIWANESE horror film and discuss the bravery of the team for filming on location in Taiwan, and discuss the REAL Xinling Hospital, why you should ALWAYS heed the warnings of multiple supernatural experts, and NEVER pick up weird old body parts lying on the ground.

Happy Halloween from us here in Taiwan~!

This film has stronger than usual content warnings, including: violence, sexual violence, sexual violence against minors, torture, and graphic depitions of murder.

This week hosts Amanda and Michelle are tackling 2016's "The Tenants Downstairs" (樓下的房客). We discuss not only how we have found seemingly the creepiest movies to ever come out of Taiwan, but also the importance of having both an outside opinion, and a backup -- even for a super secret undercover operation.

This week hosts Amanda and Michelle are tackling 2020's "Hospital" (杏林醫院) -- a movie about a haunted hospital. We discuss the reasons why running an "Underworld tour guaranteed to see your dead relatives" may be a bad idea, the importance of having balanced yin and yang energy, how mental health days can save lives, and why this movie reminded Amanda of last year's episode on "Abyssal Spider".

Don't be fooled by the simple title, we're having a great time.

TW: Heavier than usual blood, gore, and upsetting events and imagery. This is not one to look up unless you have a very strong stomach for depravity. 

Amanda Stephens and guest co-host Michelle Chiang dive into "The Sadness".

Topics of discussion include HOW DID THIS GET MADE, what happens when people have no inhibitions, and how far can (or should) a movie go to get a scare?

Amanda Stephens and guest co-host Michelle Chiang dive into the Taiwanese horror flick "The Rope Curse".

They discuss bullying, boy drama, and how detrimental a lack of teaching staff can be.

Today in the studio, I've invited back Retro Reels host Hanna Bilinski to discuss what we can learn about Taiwan, and what Taiwanese society fears, from watching Taiwanese horror films! As someone who just finished her own Ghost Month horror theme and as a movie buff in general, Hanna shares her insight into Taiwan's history of colonial violence, and how Buddhism, and a fear of what wrongs can be perpetrated against you, haunt the genre.

Today we're speaking with creative Will Buckingham who, besides being a writer in his own right, recenetly co-editied the book "Tâigael". We talk in-depth about the advernterous project, involving four separate short-fiction authors, and five languages!  Tâigael presents stories lovingly created and translated by native speakers into English, Mandarin, Gàidhlig and Tâi-gí (in two separate writing systems), and an opportunity to enjoy stories not only inspired by four different and oddly similar language cultures, but made widely and equally available to speakers of all four!

This week, I had the extraordinary pleasure of sitting down with Dimko Zhluktenko to discuss his memoir "Ordinary Guy at War". Meant for readers outside of Ukraine, this memoir follows Zhluktenko's life as an ordinary guy fighting for the chance to live freely. We discuss the journey from text notes on a phone to actual published book, the value that Dimko gleaned from the writing process, and the meaning he hopes that everyone can get from reading it. What would you do if you were in his shoes?

In this episode, we speak to Rti host and author Aurélien Rossanino about his book "80 mots de Taiwan", or Taiwan in 80 Words. Part of a larger project to sum up different countries in just 80 words, Aurélien speaks to us about how he went about choosing words which best represented "Taiwan", the surprising ways the book incorporates fiction and anecdote, and the different ways that he worked to make the book more than just a read. 

(Hint-- there's a playlist to listen to as you read!)

This is the fourth and final episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the romance genre and put it under the microscope. This year we're looking at the relationship dynamics in different stories, what makes them so unique, and what they contribute to a story.

To wrap up our special, we're talking with Milo Bowles about the book "A Marvellous Light" and exploring the "FRIENDS to lovers" archetype, as well as historical romance. We talk about how Freya Marske's surprsingly adventerous and magical book does a great job dealing with the ideas of existing in the liminal parts of society (and what that means), while also delivering a satisfying and happy end.

This is the third episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the romance genre and put it under the microscope. This year we're looking at the relationship dynamics in different stories, what makes them so unique, and what they contribute to a story.

For the third installment of this series, guest Jun walks us through the slowburn romance in Lucy Score's "Things We Never Got Over". We talk about how the slowburn timing and conventions are exactly what allow the characters to really shine to pull together a story that shines despite the tropes.

This is the third episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the romance genre and put it under the microscope. This year we're looking at the relationship dynamics in different stories, what makes them so unique, and what they contribute to a story.

Today we're discussing perhaps the TEXTBOOK example of the "doomed" or "tragic romance" with Shakepeare's infamous: Romeo and Juliette. Here to lead us through the ups and deep, deep downs is literature teacher Hannah Gilbert to explain what we should, and defintely shouldn't, take away from this landmark play.

This is the second episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the romance genre and put it under the microscope. This year we're looking at the relationship dynamics in different stories, what makes them so unique, and what they contribute to a story.

Today Kris St. Amour Denis is back to lead us through "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." Descried as her favorite book of 2025, this book has a lot of characters, and is a textbook example of the "forbidden love" trope... but perhaps in ways which will surprise you. 

Last year we investigated the reptation of the romance genre, and to what degree it was earned. This year we'll be taking a look at different romantic archetypes, patterns that characters and storylines tend to fall into, and how they play out across a variety of stories in ways both familiar and surprising. To help us introduce the new month's theme, host Amanda Stephens invites back several guests from last year's Spicy Summer and invites them to discuss what they know about archetypes, their opinions on what romance adds to the stories it's often featured in.

Special thanks to Emily Daniels, Jared Friesen, and Olek Shyn for their help with this week's interviews.

Potentially one of the most food-loving films to date, this movie loveingly explores Japan's food culture through vingettes and a main stoyline in a way that keeps it enduringly relatable and familiar. We discuss how Itami's use of non-sequitor shorts adds levels and variety to the film, while making it stand out in a way that has yet to be replicated, while also helping to further the message of the film that food is something everyone can connect on and appreciate. 

He talks to us about Ken Follet's historical fiction, "World Without End", one of his King's Bridge Series. Dad and I talk about how the story handles inequality, and how individuals fight against the larger systems that try to control us.

A content warning: World Without End deals heavily with forced or coerced sex, and should probably not be read to by minors, or those sensitive to the topic.

Known for several "firsts" in the industry and the long-running Square Enix JRPG series, this game is a standout for many reasons, but our personal favorites are the way it presents hope, and a love story that you can cheer for.

Visions on Taiwan is a comic anthology 'zine series which brings together many foreign resident artists in Taiwan to share stories on a variety of different topics. Today we talk a little about comics and the process behind what it takes to contribute to, and put together, a zine/book anthology series. We also dive into what inspirations guided our guests on their own creative journeys.

Guest Yvonne López joins us to tell is what it meant to her to see this scene later in life, and the difficulties (and joys) of finding a truer version of yourself later in life. We also discuss a little bit about why this show in particular meant so much to many of our guests over the month, for the hopeful messages that it gives.

We talk about how Miller's writing breathes life, romance, and deep care into this truly epic love story. As well as how much it means to see queer romance given the same weight, and treatment as straight romantic tales.

First seen on-screen as a movie in 1975, written by Richard O'Brien, we discuss how this film became what it is today-- and how the act of "shadow casting" can help bring some of the more problematic aspects of the film into the future, while also preserving its place in history as a gathering point for many in the queer community.

He also walks through the history of gender- and sexuality-based bias, how that bleeds into our media, and then back out into the lives and realities of those in and out of the LBGTQ+ community.

We discuss why the women-led themes, and delicate way that this fantastic epic deals with the complex nature of trauma, and the friendships that pull us through, makes it appealing for long-term graphic novel readers and newcomers alike.

We talk about a book series that's been getting her through the tough times: the prequel to the Chet and Bernie mystery novels by Spencer Quinn. She details what makes the series so charming and "like petting your dog".

Ben and I dive into how the manga uses the "slice-of-life" genre, and an interesting point-of-view swap, to take an optimistic and aspirational view of growing up and discovering yourself, (or supporting those you love through the same thing!).

Janet takes us through what it means to have books as "required reading" in relationships, what reading someone ELSE's favorite book can teach you, and we tackle what the difference between what seems to get lost when people start discussing the difference between "trope-y" and "good".

We go through the main storyline of the game that has gripped millions, and discuss how this game has managed to not only stand the test of time in a a largely unforgiving industry, but also where that staying power may have come from.

Other voices featured here (in order of appearance) are: Michelle Chiang, Tristan Hildebrand, and Jared Friesen.

We discuss what gives this film it's hard-earned longevity, and what gave the film a hard time on it's release, while also mulling the counter-culture nature of horror in general.

Today I'm talking with eclectic-media aficionado Chris Carnahan about the 2014 Hong Kong movie: The Midnight After, or "那夜凌晨，我坐上了旺角開往大埔的紅VAN" in Chinese. We talk about how this movie, based on a web novel, confounded audiences, and also became something we can't stop thinking about.

This year's questions span a wide range of topics, from show production time, to "forbidden topics", and asks for recommendations, and more!

While the "cozy" trend has been building at least since 2020, the market for translated cozy literature in Taiwan has seen a recent uptick-- with English-language sections now populated with colorful displays of calm scenes, bookstores run by cats, and a library which can help you face your fears. We sit down and discuss what defines this genre, as well as the forces that are likely driving it in popular culture today in Taiwan and beyond, and finally end with a few recommendations from two of the coziest readers in Taipei.

Books mentioned in this episode in order of appearance: "What You Are Looking For Is in the Library" by Michiko Aoyama, "We'll Perscribe You A Cat" by Syou Ishida, "Before The Coffee Gets Cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and "The Dallergut Dream Department Store" by Miye Lee. Honorable mention to "The Kamogawa Food Detectives" by Hisashi Kashiwai, which was cut out for time.

I'm joined by literature student, and mythology enthusiast Jared Friesen. We discuss what may have led to the preferential popularity in recent years of Hades and Persephone's myth, as well as the surprising written history of Cupid and Psyche! Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not, come and listen (and judge) these famous love stories with us.

Today Etosha and I discuss Arimah's short story "Light", and how it accurately portrays the difficulties of immigration, raising a child, and watching young women come up in a world that will require them to give away parts of themselves to fit in. We laugh, we get chills, we get MOVED!

We discuss the ways in which the book inspired him and others through the main characters courage to change the world, but also through the willingness to listen to the voice inside that asks for change. 

We dig into the 2009 FILM adaptation of the renowned children's book: Where the Wild Things Are. Originally published in 1963 by author/illustrator Maurice Sendak, the movie paints a fuller pictyure of who Max is, and the kind of big complicated emotions that everyone-- kids, adults, and wild things alike-- all struggle with. 

Many are familiar with the animated classic "The Rats of NIMH", but did you know that it was based on children's book? Today, join Michelle and host Amanda as they fight cute aggression and breakdowns discussing Robert C. O'Brien's "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH". We discuss what we can learn from children's literature about the value of doing good.

Directed by Frank Capras, and released in 1945 it's maintained it's place in American filmography as a story with not only an important message, and a moving plotline, but the relatable plight of struggling to do what is "right" especially when it comes at the cost of what you would want to do. We discuss how the tale relates to the Charles Dickens Christmas Carol, but more importantly the inherent value of everyone's individual lives.

Tobie recently published a book about Taiwan's indigenous SaSiyat tribe's myths featuring "little people", or "Koko ta'ay"-- "Seeking the Koko Ta’ay: Investigating the Origins of Little People Myths in Taiwan and Beyond". So today we're discussing both the foundational myth of the SaiSiyat people, and then further the idea of little peoples (and their similar characteristics) across global mythologies!

Whereas last year (and week) we reviewed the stories that touched us the most in 2024, this week we discuss media coming out in the new year that we CAN'T WAIT to get into! I'm joined by my fellow Rti arts host Fil Leskovsky, as well as Tristan Hildebrand, and Iris Hsu!

Topics of discussion include: The Rehersal (Created by Nathan Fielder), "Hospital Playlist" or 슬기로운 의사생활 (Directed by Shin Won-ho), and Totally Spies SEASON 7? (directed by: Stephane Berry) !  Join us for laughs with old friends talking about new stories!