Taiwan is not a bargaining chip in US-China talks, according to a security official Analysts are saying that the Iran war offers lessons for future U.S.-China conflict The DPP cites high approval rating as proof party is on the right track, despite impeachment proceedings Taiwan Coast Guard and US Homeland Security bust cross-border drug smuggling ring President Lai marks 2 years in office, vows to safeguard democracy Trump says he will speak with Lai on arms sales Lai meets with visiting Canadian MP, thanks Canadian Parliament for support

Taiwan tech news roundup for the week of 5/16-5/22 and a featured interview with Bryce Barros, an Associate Fellow at GLOBSEC, Visiting Fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research and a former national security advisor for US Senate, on the Taiwanese drone industry and national security.

Seth meets Michelle in the studio to get geeky about his own life journey exploring his nerdy side!  From the original Nintendo to Magic the Gathering, listen to his adventures!

May 20 marked two years since Lai Ching-te took office. This week, we’ll learn some words to describe the system of the Taiwanese government in Tâi-gí, so that you can easily discuss current affairs with your friends or elders in Taiwan. ●Words to Know: 1. 總統 tsóng-thóng (n.) President 2. 行政院 Hîng-tsìng-īnn (n.) Executive Yuan 3. 立法院 Li̍p-huat-īnn (n.) Legislative Yuan 4. 司法院 su-huat-īnn (n.) Judicial Yuan 5. 考試院 khó-tshì-īnn (n.) Examination Yuan 6. 監察院 kàm-tshat-īnn (n.) Control Yuan ●Idiom of the week: 嚴官府出厚賊；嚴爸母出阿里不達 Giâm kuann-hú tshut kāu tsha̍t; giâm pē-bú tshut a-lí-put-ta̍t (A harsh government produces cunning thieves; strict parents produce rebellious children.)

"Life stories allow us to retrace the integrality of labor and migration pathways," says Beatrice Zani, sociologist and a permanent researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Zani says experiences and spending time with people through information conversations where she does not have a dictaphone or notebook to take notes is the best way to get into the lives and the real experiences of those people.  "This is not something we can grasp and get out of numbers and statistics," she says. "So, qualitative research, interviews, observation – whether participant observation, in situ observation, or natural observation – help us to really grasp what’s going on here and now.”

Over the last two episodes, we looked at the emotional realities of pursuing dreams — from the uncertainty and comparison that come with feeling “stuck in the middle” of the journey, to the hidden costs of ambition, burnout, and overwork. But in this third part of the conversation, the focus shifts toward something quieter and perhaps something even more difficult to confront: what happens when achievement itself stops feeling meaningful? In this deeply personal episode, Mary Anne reflects on how modern life constantly pushes us toward productivity, optimization, and the pressure to keep chasing the next milestone. From family expectations and social media to hustle culture and the endless pursuit of self-improvement, it becomes really easy to tie our self-worth entirely to what we accomplish. This episode asks an important question many people quietly struggle with: in the middle of trying to build the life of our dreams, are we forgetting to actually live it? Blending...

This week, we continue our May Maestro series with Ludwig Göransson, a composer for both TV and films, as well as a pop music producer. Stay tuned to find out how his music brings unique sonic textures to the works of Ryan Coogler and Christopher Nolan. To send your feedback or messages, feel free to find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café).

Which of the following is true about pet ownership in New York? a) Horse ownership is banned b) New Yorkers cannot own pet rats c) The retail sale of dogs is banned This episode is packed with current events including the 1,500 beagles that were rescued from Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, U.S.A., New York’s ban on the retail sale of pets, four pygmy killer whales that were rescued in New Taipei City, and fishers near Chiayi County accidentally catching a 200-kilogram sea turtle. 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!

"What if?" is one of humanity's most asked questions.  But does it do to dwell?  Have a listen!