Comedians are often encouraged to "punch up", or criticize those in positions of power, rather than "punching down", or ridiculing those less fortunate. So in countries where criticizing the government is dangerous, how does standup comedy fare as a political voice? Trevor and Joey look into the growth of standup comedy scenes around Asia, comedy's role as a cultural force, and how jokes translate across both linguistic and political lines.
According to the World Health Organization, worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while obesity in adolescents has quadrupled in the same amount of time. In Taiwan, more than half of adults and a third of schoolchildren are either overweight or obese, giving it one of the highest rates in Southeast Asia. Joey and Trevor look into how these rates are calculated, which labels are unhelpful, and what we can do to lose weight on a larger scale. www.cindyyangnutrition.com www.instagram.com/coach.xiao.e www.nesswellness.com
While you may be paying a low price for clothes produced as "fast fashion", the real price falls upon textile workers and our environment. Joey and Trevor chat about the advantages of a circular textile economy, the waste produced by major international brands, and where old clothes should go when we're done with them. In this episode, we spoke to representatives from two companies trying to make a difference in the field of sustainable fashion: https://www.threadingchange.org/ https://viasweat.com/
Taiwan's "Bilingual by 2030" policy, set in motion in 2017, aims to achieve a Taiwanese society fluent in both Chinese and English by the end of the decade. With this ambitious undertaking, the government hopes to more deeply connect Taiwan's workforce with the world, and to attract more international businesses to Taiwan. Now that we're around seven years into this ambitious task, how is it going? As mentioned in this episode, Taiwan's Ministry of Education has provided online resources for anyone interested in teaching English in Taiwan: https://tfetp.epa.ntnu.edu.tw/en/tfetp/web/apply_now And more English-learning resources can be found on the Hope English website: https://www.hopenglish.com
Around the end of April and the beginning of May, parts of North America are set to see two different broods of cicadas wake up at once. It's a dual emergence between groups that meet only once every 221 years. Trevor and Joey chat about the upcoming emergence event, why cicadas sleep for such exact amounts of time, and how the harmless insect has evolved to overcome even its toughest predators.
Mandarin pop music, or "Mandopop," is seeing increased listening in Taiwan, as one of the country's most famous musicians recently made history with global album sales. So, how does this affect the wider acceptance of music in Chinese, and how willing are people to listen to music in languages they don't understand?
The earthquake that hit Taiwan in 1999 caused a staggering 2,400 deaths, while this month's earthquake of almost the same magnitude killed 13. While we strive to avoid any number of casualties at all, the difference in casualties is still remarkable. What changed, and are we really prepared for more?
Geothermal power is the second form of renewable energy we're looking into, and comes with its own set of merits and challenges. Getting green energy from kilometers underground is no easy feat, but more and more countries are doing it. Trevor and Joey go over a bit of the science behind geothermal power stations, why geothermal energy is strongest in specific parts of the world, and whether it's work the risk of investment.
With cultural origins dating back thousands of years, Tomb Sweeping Day is a time for families to gather and pay respects to their ancestors. But could some traditions have a negative impact on the environment? Joey and Trevor chat about honoring ancestors across different cultures, how the accompanying practices have changed with time, and what people are doing to find a balance between tradition and climate consciousness.
A growing number of students around the world are reporting feelings of exhaustion in school, but just how tired does a student have to be before they can take a mental health day? Joey and Trevor look into which countries have the toughest education systems, how overdigitalization in the classroom can adversely affect student performance, and how some experimental school systems are attempting to improve learning conditions.
It's no secret that some healthcare systems seem to function more effectively than others, but even some of the world's most-praised systems face their own share of obstacles. This week, Joey and Trevor compare their experiences with healthcare in Asia and North America, share some insight into the price of health, and look into the cost of moving forward.
Every year, millions of people from Southeast Asia brave harsh working conditions and exploitative systems in search of stable work and better lives. Trevor and Joey look into where most of the region's migrant workers are coming from, where they're going, and the changes they're struggling to achieve.
Like many countries, Taiwan is facing a labor shortage, a complicated problem that is also inextricably linked to the topics covered in our previous and next episodes: birth rates and working conditions. Joey and Trevor look at what labor shortage means for an economy, and which courses of action are still available moving forward.
An increasing number of countries are seeing less and less people born each year, with many concerned about the economic and cultural impact of steadily aging populations. Joey and Trevor take a look at the myriad reasons behind falling birth rates, with some personal insight into the economic and medical obstacles to parenthood.
What does it take for a game to become competitive? Anyone can be a gamer, but competing in Esports is reserved for those who are willing to analyze, strategize, and train for hours on end. In today's episode, Joey and Trevor look into the rise of Esports in Taiwan and around the world, and learn just how much is required of its athletes.
Lunar New Year has deep roots in countries all across East Asia. So how do its massive and wide-reaching celebrations manifest in each culture? Trevor and Joey dive into the history behind Lunar New Year, with first-hand perspectives and stories shared by people from Taiwan, China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Countries all over the world are setting ambitious goals for green energy transitions, but building the infrastructure for it is easier said than done. Trevor and Joey kick off a series of episodes on the elements with a focus on wind power, how we harness it, and where it's at its strongest.
The pangolin's protective scales are one of its most unique features, but a black market demand for these scales has made pangolins the target of illegal trafficking operations in many countries. Trevor and Joey take a closer look at pangolins themselves, their lives in the wild, and what the world is doing to save them.
The worldwide struggle for LGBTQ+ rights faces its own set of legal and cultural obstacles in each country, but even small victories can raise awareness and spearhead wider progressive change. Trevor and Joey take a look at the current state of LGBTQ+ rights around the world, with a focus on gender identity in Taiwan, and the fight for people's preferred gender to be recognized under the law. For some additional perspective from the US, check out the Human Rights Campaign's 2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report. https://reports.hrc.org/2023-lgbtq-youth-report
As the world moves to address climate change, each country is being forced to assess the cost of carbon emissions, both environmental and financial. Joey and Trevor take a look at the state of industrial and individual emissions around the world, and hear from industry experts who are attempting to control the problem.