The island nations of Taiwan and Palau will work together to show to the world that they are indispensable forces for good on the international stage. That came from Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) during a welcoming dinner in Palau on the evening of Sunday, June 7. Hsiao is currently heading a delegation on a state visit to the island nation, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.

We've had the basics of Magic: The Gathering explained on the show before, but did you know about Commander?  Alex, Robin, Seth, and Shamir are back to get specific about one of our favorite games!

Body parts are one of the most frequently used words when talking to people in Tâi-gí. This week, we’ll learn some words to describe the middle part of your body in Tâi-gí, including everything above your chest. ●Words to Know: 1. 頷頸 ām-kún (n.) neck 2. 肩胛 king-kah (n.) shoulder 3. 胸坎 hing-khám (n.) chest 4. 手 tshiú (n.) hand 5. 指頭仔 tsíng-thâu-á (n.) finger 6. 指甲 tsíng-kah (n.) nail ●Idiom of the week: 拍斷手骨顛倒勇。 Phah-tn̄g tshiú-kut tian-tò ióng. (Even after breaking an arm bone, one becomes braver.)

"Maori and Indigenous Taiwanese share the same DNA, the same ancestors, and the same warrior spirit. This is an Austronesian homecoming," says ACE Founder and CEO Bernie Moore.  The New Zealand Māori coach and long-time Taiwan resident is organizing a week-long rugby clinic that will bring former All Blacks players to Taiwan to train young athletes. Moore says he wants to show the mana of the haka to a wider audience. He describes mana by saying it's like prestige and power that comes from your integrity. Mana cannot be bought, cannot be faked. "For young rugby players mana is when an athlete stops playing for themselves and starts playing for something bigger."

After more than three decades serving Filipino workers around the world, what moments stay with a person the most? In the final chapter of our conversation with Philippine Labor Director David Des T. Dicang, we move beyond policies and programs and into some of his personal experiences that shaped his commitment to public service. From an extraordinary community project born in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to the unexpected encounters that reminded him why his work matters, Director Dicang reflects on the challenges, sacrifices, and lessons that have stayed with him throughout his career. He also shares candid advice for Filipinos considering life overseas, revealing the mistakes many people make before leaving home and the mindset that can make all the difference between simply working abroad and building a meaningful future. Most importantly, he leaves us with a powerful message about contribution, community, and the lasting impact we can have on the lives of others....

This week, we talk about I Swear (出口成髒), the film which won Best Actor at the BAFTAs last year. We explore the film's humor, its heartwarming take on Tourette's, and the impeccable performance by Robert Aramayo. If you would like to share your feedback, please send your words or voice notes to: wanson@rti.org.tw You can find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café)

The first time humans had close encounters with electricity was from the tingle and jolt of electric fish. In this episode:  - International Eurasian otter symposium  - Sea turtle stranded in Changhua  - Electric torpedo rays  - Excessive dog barking 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!

Thanks Monitor Deep, for the amazing compliments!  Here's an episode just for you, 70's and 80's rock!