Wet & Wild

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This quickie pod is about drinks. And pens. And drinks, and pens. That’s it. Taiwan has convenience stores on every corner so getting any libation is very easy. We are talking strictly non-alcoholic here. I bring on a passionate drinks drinker, who also doubles as a pen(cil) enthusiast. Clearly this is our passion. Join us! [17:20 min]

• Taste Test: 7-11 Episode
• Jet Pens blog
• Guide to Frixion pens
• Uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencils

Om Om Om

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It’s a busy busy world and sometimes it takes a lot to calm the mind and find your peace, even if for a moment. My guest and I embark on a (short) journey into how he uses daily meditation to center himself. Plus, some tips on trying it for yourself! [13:30 min]

Taste Test: 7-11

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Inspired by Juliet and Jacoby’s Food News (R.I.P.), I’m happy to introduce our first 7-11 taste test episode. For our inaugural foray into the mysterious aisles of convenience stores, we’ll be digging into some weird beers and fry substitutes! Let’s go! [14:55 min]

• Grantland: Food News

Friends of a Feather

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Is it hard for you to meet friends of the same sex? Well, these two special guests and I suffer from the same malady. Is it because we aren’t trying hard enough? Are we too judgy? Or is the pool just not big enough here in Taiwan? We conclude the episode with a discussion about loneliness. [27:55 min]

A semi-related episode from 2011, a blast from the past: It's Not Uncomplicated.

The One About...

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Is it mysterious, shady, or considerate when someone constantly references “my friend, my friend” without ever dropping any names or context? My guest on this episode is a social connector so we launch, naturally, into a conversation about friendships and trying to figure out why we invest so much time into our friends. Or is it all just a waste of time?! [22:23 min]

Cruel to Be Kind

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Initially this episode was about blacklisting friends and the scars that can accrue from being teased and ostracized in childhood. But halfway through, our conversation takes a compelling turn as we start to discuss ignorance, and whether or not people should be forgiven for not knowing, or if they should be taken to task for their, well, ignorance. [21:55 min]

So Nice

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This episode crosses the ocean and onto a new continent as I bring in some Asian fashion experts to talk about the fashion of Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. It's not just about the different styles but also an exploration of different cultural mindsets and values. Plus, hair talk! [20:20 min]

Chinese 102

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Sorry English listeners, this episode’s all in Chinese! Using our vast Chinese knowledge, my Shida classmate and I have a conversation in Mandarin about living in Taiwan and making friends. Plus, we bring in an actual Taiwanese person to provide a baseline! 加油! [14:13 min]