Those seeking photo and video content in Taiwan beware this week as toxic wild mushrooms become the backdrop for "fairytale-like" photoshoots, a man falls to his death after trying to snap a sunshet photo from an electric pole, and a couple of YouTube creators get fined NT$10,000 (US$333) for a typical tourist video. Tristan, David, and Thao sit down for this week's Hear in Taiwan to bring listeners the more interesting headlines in the news.

We're stepping into the Ghost Month in Taiwan... According to the legend, this is a time when the gates of the underworld are open. The highlight is the Ghost Festival (中元節) on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. On the day, people hold ceremonies offering food to the spirits who don’t have a home (Pudu 普渡). You might also witness the beautiful yet solemn tradition of releasing the lanterns on water to guide lost souls. Tune in to learn the essential Tai-gi words for you to get through the month!   ●Words to Know: 1. 鬼月 kuí-gue̍h (n.) Ghost Month 2. 鬼門 kuí-mn̂g (n.) the gates of the underworld 3. 中元節 Tiong-guân-tseh (n.) Ghost Festival 4. 普渡 phóo-tōo (v.) to offer food to the spirits who don’t have a home (Pudu) 5. 放水燈 pàng-tsuí-ting (phr.) to release water lanterns   ●Idiom of the week: 七月半鴨仔，毋知死活。 Tshit-gue̍h-puànn ah-á, m̄ tsai sí-ua̍h. (A duck on the Ghost Festival, unaware of its fate.)

Another great colleague is leaving us and we will miss her very much. Tune in to find out what plans Amber has and where she is headed next.  If you want to contact us and have your message read on air, you can send a letter to P.O. BOX 123 199 Taipei, Taiwan English@rti.org.tw or reach us on social media, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, @Rtienglish 

Join us as we explore the creative world of music with Lili Greenberg, a talented singer, songwriter, and dancer. In this episode, you will find out how her upbringing in the multicultural neighborhoods of New York City, along with the influence of musical theater and her family, has shaped her artistic journey. Lili reflects on the challenges and triumphs of touring as a performer, shares insights into the music scene in Taipei, and discusses its impact on her personal growth.  She also shares personal stories of self-discovery and emphasizes the importance of being present. And don't forget to tune in next week for part two, where Lili will analyze her songs and share more about her life in Taipei. Lili Greenberg is a multidisciplinary artist whose work lives at the intersection of joy, community, and human connection. A singer, songwriter, and dancer, Lili uses her voice and body as instruments to tell stories, spark emotion, and invite others into shared experience. Rai...

This week, Wanson and Allen continue their discussion on the vibrant cinematic industry in Europe. How can these experiences offer insights for improving Taiwan’s film industry? What challenges does Taiwan currently face? Stay tuned to find out! If you would like to share your feedback, please send your words or voice notes to: wanson@rti.org.tw You can also find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café)

A taciturn woman named Free Church disrupts a warm Scottish celebration, while a Taiwanese goddess unsettles an entire village with her sudden disappearance. These stories reveal both the distance between Scotland and Taiwan and the shared struggles of preserving (and letting go of) estranged cultural norms, languages, and identities once deeply felt as one’s own. In the second part of our conversation, Will Buckingham takes us from Dundee to Tainan, a migration that inspired ‘Tâigael’. 📚 Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese & Gaelic (eds. Will Buckingham & Hannah Stevens | Wind&Bones) 📚 Find the book and enjoy free audio stories at taigael(dot)com Listen to #InTaiwanWeSpeak on podcast platforms of your choice: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music | Other platforms Follow Rti English on Instagram or Facebook for more updates. New episodes are released every Tuesday at 21:00 (Taipei, GMT+8)

The idea that beer would make a dog's coat shinier likely comes from old folk practices where ingredients such as brewer's yeast or malt were thought to improve skin and coat health. Veterinarians, however, strongly disagree and discourage giving pets any alcohol products. 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. On today's menu for your mind to feast on:  – Global animal conservation updates  – Massive wingspan of Taiwan's biggest raptor species  – Lionfish  – Giving beer to dogs The Asia for Animals (AfA) Conference will happen right here in Taiwan from August 25-29, 2025. It is the largest gathering of animal protection organizations in Taiwan. With speakers, panels, and workshops, notable figures from across the world will gather to spread ...