Reporter's Notebook

TaiwanPlus News

What’s it really like to report from the field? In Reporter’s Notebook, TaiwanPlus journalists share the untold stories behind their reports—from surprising encounters to moments that didn’t make it to air. It’s a candid look at the reporting process and the voices bringing Taiwan’s stories to life. Catch new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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20 episodes
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August 28 · 12 min
Powering the AI Boom with Smart Micro-grids
Host Joey Chou and tech reporter Ai Chi discuss Taiwan’s incredible economic momentum, with GDP growth soaring past 11%. They dive into how tech giants like Delta Electronics are tackling the massive energy demands of AI data centers through microgrids and innovative power solutions, ensuring a stable, efficient energy future. Watch Ai Chi’s feature: AI Boom Fuels Growth for Taiwan's Power Solutions Companies. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
August 21 · 12 min
Beyond the 19-Gun Salute: Taiwan’s Caribbean Partnership
Reporter Leslie Liao joins host Joey Chou to unpack Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s visit to Taiwan, marking 45 years of ties with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Beyond the ceremony, they examine diplomatic reassurance, investment ambitions, and why this Caribbean partnership matters as Beijing pressures Taiwan’s allies worldwide. Watch Tiffany Wong’s feature: St. Vincent Prime Minister Arrives To Celebrate 45 Years of Ties With Taiwan -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
August 14 · 11 min
How an App Maps Civil Defense and Urban Resilience
Joey Chou and Isabel Wang discuss her Zoom In Zoom Out report on ATAK, an Android tactical mapping app used by civil defense groups in Taiwan. They explore how hands-on training, community involvement and civilian-military coordination are enhancing nationwide urban resilience and crisis communication capabilities. Watch Isabel’s feature on Zoom In Zoom Out: How Does a Mapping App Strengthen Taiwan’s Resilience? -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
August 7 · 15 min
Ink Across Oceans: The Hidden History of Traditional Tattooing
Reporter Bryn Thomas joins host Joey Chou to trace the hidden cross-Pacific history of traditional tattooing. Through Taiwanese artist Jimmy Shy, they explore how sailors, Hong Kong masters and American icons exchanged designs, creating a living artistic lineage carried across oceans, generations and, quite literally, still visible on people’s skin. Watch Talk in Taipei Explores Sailor Tattoos at US Military Bases in Asia -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
July 31 · 17 min
A Notorious Murder Mystery From Taiwan’s Martial Law Period
Joey Chou welcomes reporter Tiffany Wong to discuss the mysterious 1981 death of Carnegie Mellon professor Chen Wen-chen. They explore Taiwan’s martial law era, the government’s surveillance of overseas academics and how international pressure surrounding this unresolved case ultimately helped steer Taiwan toward becoming a modern democracy. Watch Tiffany Wong’s feature: Why the Death of a Professor During Martial Law Sparked International Outrage -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
July 24 · 12 min
From Forest to Future: Reinventing Taiwan’s Timber Legacy
Reporter Isabel Wang takes host Joey Chou inside Te Feng Lumber, a nearly century-old family business reshaping Taiwan’s wood industry. They explore sustainable timber construction, the minimalist 32PO house, the craft behind every piece of wood and one female woodworker finding her place in a traditionally male-dominated trade with fresh purpose. Watch Isabel Wang’s feature on Zoom in Zoom Out: Reinventing Taiwan's Timber Legacy -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
July 17 · 12 min
Selling Shovels for the AI Gold Rush
Host Joey Chou and tech reporter Ai Chi break down Taiwan's jaw-dropping economic growth, which is projected to hit a staggering 10.16% this year thanks to the global AI boom. They dive into key takeaways from this year’s COMPUTEX, TSMC’s market dominance and whether this "shovels in a gold rush" tech rally is a sustainable economic driver or a bubble waiting to burst. Watch Ai’s feature: COMPUTEX 2026: What To Expect As Taiwan Rides High on Global AI Boom -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
July 10 · 13 min
Taiwan’s Little Green Person: What Does the Signal Really Mean?
Taiwan’s familiar “little green person” has long been a fixture at pedestrian crossings — but what is the running figure actually telling people to do? Reporter Tiffany Wong joins host Joey Chou to discuss new rules clarifying when pedestrians can enter a crosswalk and why the government plans to phase out the confusing running animation. They also compare road culture in Taiwan with the United States and Canada, from yielding to pedestrians and emergency vehicles to scooters, buses and the everyday challenge of navigating Taipei’s streets. Watch Tiffany’s feature: Time Running Down for 'Confusing' Little Green Man on Taiwan's Crosswalks -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
July 3 · 14 min
From Spain With Love
Host Joey Chou and producer Isabel Wong discuss her interview with Spanish visual artists Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda for the 300th episode of ZIZO. They explore the duo’s playful, architectural aesthetic, their strict "no AI" handmade philosophy and the chemistry fueling their whimsical boba tea art in Taipei. Watch Isabel Wong’s feature: A World of Wonder: Spanish Visual Artists' First Interactive Exhibit in Taiwan -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
June 26 · 14 min
Speed Dating with Pets: Inside Lang Lang Don’t Cry
Host Joey Chou and producer-anchor Isabel Wang delve into Taiwan's animal welfare scene through the organization Lang Lang Don’t Cry. They discuss how its unique, immersive café model allows potential adopters to bond naturally with strays, bridging the gap for shelter animals to find permanent homes. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
June 19 · 14 min
The Tech Cooling Boom
Host Joey Chou and reporter Ai Chi discuss Taiwan’s overlooked yet dominant role in the AI sector: advanced liquid cooling solutions. As powerful chips generate massive heat, Taiwanese firms like Asia Vital Components (AVC) quietly corner the global market, proving essential to keeping the AI boom from overheating. Watch Ai’s feature: Taiwan’s Hidden AI Giants: The People Who Stop the Chip Sector Overheating -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
March 27 · 13 min
Boiling Frogs: The Global Chip Hub’s Energy Dilemma
Reporter Ai Chi joins host Joey Chou to discuss Taiwan’s precarious energy security. As the country imports some 95% of its energy, primarily from the Middle East, Ai Chi warns that disruptions to oil and natural gas supplies threaten both domestic stability and the global semiconductor industry. Watch Ai Chi’s feature: Explainer: Middle East Conflict's Impact on Taiwan's Energy Situation. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
March 20 · 16 min
Bullet Holes and Scars: Remembering Taiwan’s 228 History in Kaohsiung
Reporter Tiffany Wong discusses her coverage of the 228 Incident anniversary in Kaohsiung. She highlights historical landmarks—like the former City Hall and Kaohsiung Senior High School—that still bear physical scars from the 1947 uprising. The episode emphasizes passing these memories to younger generations to ensure Taiwan's democratic history isn't forgotten. Watch Tiffany’s feature: 228 Incident Anniversary: Revisiting Resistance and Bloodshed in Kaohsiung -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
March 13 · 14 min
Frontline Taiwan: Taiwan’s Defense Calculus
Producer Eric Tsai explains the four-part Frontline Taiwan series, which examines the potential stages of a China invasion scenario: a disguised naval blockade, air dominance and air denial, amphibious landings on Taiwan’s limited “red beaches” and full escalation. The series aims to reduce public anxiety through knowledge, preparation and strategic clarity. Watch Eric Tsai and Jaime Ocon’s feature: How China Would Start a Taiwan Invasion | Frontline Taiwan -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
March 6 · 11 min
From German Mandarin Schools to Taiwan’s Unsung Heroes
Producer Isabel Wang discusses her recent features for the show Zoom In, Zoom Out. She shares insights from her trip to Dresden, Germany, exploring a local Mandarin school near the new ESMC plant. Isabel also highlights the demanding lives of Taiwan’s sanitation workers during the Lunar New Year rush. Watch Isabel’s features: Germany’s Semiconductor Talent Pipeline Lunar New Year Unsung Heroes: Sanitation Workers -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
February 13 · 14 min
The Humility of the Horse: Lunar New Year Traditions
In this episode of Reporter's Notebook, Joey Chou and Eric Tsai explore the cultural nuances of Lunar New Year in Taiwan. From the "unlucky" zodiac Year of the Horse to the digital modernization of temple rituals and the chaotic logistics of a holiday newsroom, they reveal how traditions are evolving. Watch the TaiwanPlus LNY special: Galloping Into the Year of the Horse! -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
February 6 · 15 min
Beyond the Chips: The Turbulent Recovery of Taiwan’s Machine Tool Industry
Despite a GDP surge in 2025, Taiwan faces an uneven recovery. While AI and semiconductors drive growth, the machine tool industry—a vital employer—struggles with currency appreciation, US tariffs and global competition. Experts emphasize the need for traditional sectors to upgrade technology to ensure broader economic prosperity. Joey Chou gets the full story from reporter Ai Chi. Watch Ai Chi’s feature: Taiwan’s GDP Growth Topped 8% in 2025 Amid Tariffs and Global Turmoil -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
January 30 · 12 min
Vertical Inspiration: Alex Honnold Takes on Taipei 101
Join Joey Chou and Bryn Thomas on Reporter’s Notebook as they dive behind the scenes of Alex Honnold’s historic free solo ascent of Taipei 101. They discuss the grueling four-day shoot, the challenges of navigating exclusive Netflix access, and how the massive crowd's energy felt akin to a religious event. Watch Bryn’s report here: Alex Honnold Free-Solos Taipei 101 in Front of Thousands of Spectators -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
January 23 · 13 min
Ink and Identity: The Evolution of Taiwan's Tattoo Culture
In this episode of Reporter's Notebook, Sandy Chi explores Taiwan's evolving tattoo culture. She discusses the revival of traditional Indigenous hand-tapping techniques with Paiwan artist Cudjuty Patjidres. The conversation highlights tattoos as personal expressions of memory and identity, and the shift away from gang-related stigmas. Watch Sandy Chi’s report: Paiwan Tattoo Artist Revives Once-Forbidden Traditional Technique -- Hosting provided by SoundOn
January 16 · 13 min
The Fragile Balance of Taiwan’s Tech Dominance
In this episode of Reporter’s Notebook, host Joey Chou and reporter Chris Gorin break down a landmark shift in Taiwan's economic landscape. While a new trade agreement with the United States offers relief to some industries, the conversation quickly pivots to the elephant in the room: the massive, resource-hungry boom of Artificial Intelligence. Watch Chris Gorin’s live cross here: US-Taiwan Trade Deal to See US$500 Billion Taiwan Investment, Tariffs Cut to 15% -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

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