The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith

Taiwan

Qijin Ferry Tragedy

Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone

People's Republic Of China

Environmental Activism

Lugang Rebellion

Israel

25 Maiden Ladies Tomb

921 Earthquake

Hualien

Chinese Religious Traditions

Sun Yat-Sen

National Theater

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

National Concert Hall

Dupont

Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office

Guanyin

Tibet

China Airlines Flight 334

Formosa Files is the world's biggest and highest-rated Taiwan history podcast. We use an engaging storytelling format and are non-chronological, meaning every week is a new adventure - and, you can just find a topic that interests you and check out that episode...skip stuff that isn't your thing. The hosts are John Ross, an author and publisher of works on Taiwan and China, and Eryk Michael Smith,... more

346 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	303	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	History

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Latest Episodes

AUDIO ONLY - Taiwan’s Funeral Strippers: “Dancing for the Dead” – S5-E40

THIS IS AUDIO-ONLY. A LONGER VIDEO VERISON IS AVAILABLE.

This episode may not be suitable for minors.

Yes, funeral strippers are real, and their story is far more complicated than the headlines. With anthropologist Marc L. Moskowitz as our guide,... more

11 Dec 2025 • 40 min

Taiwan’s Funeral Strippers: “Dancing for the Dead” – S5-E40

Note: This episode may not be suitable for minors.

Yes, funeral strippers are real, and their story is far more complicated than the headlines. With anthropologist Marc L. Moskowitz as our guide, we climb aboard Taiwan’s infamous Electric Flower Ca... more

11 Dec 2025 • 47 min

Shulinkou Air Station – Part 3: Taiwan and the Gulf of Tonkin – S5-E39

We end our Shulinkou trilogy by tying together the surprisingly interconnected Taiwan–U.S.–Vietnam story. It’s July 1964, and two U.S. Navy destroyers are in Taiwan preparing for an intelligence-gathering mission off the coast of North Vietnam. Shuli... more

9 Dec 2025 • 25 min

Shulinkou Air Station – Part 2 – S5-E38

We continue the story of the Shulinkou Air Station and the American military in the early 1960s. We tackle Taiwan’s infamous gravel-truck killers (urban legend or fact?), get slapped by Typhoon Gloria, and have our duck-hunting excursion interrupted ... more

4 Dec 2025 • 31 min

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joseph Thomas Miller

Former U.S. Navy officer and intelligence analyst

U.S. Navy

Episode: Shulinkou Air Station – Part 3: Taiwan and the Gulf of Tonkin – S5-E39

Chris Stowers

Taipei-based writer and photographer, and friend of Formosa Files

Episode: S5 Bonus: Taiwan and Xu Fu (with Chris Stowers)

TC Brown

Vietnam veteran and author of the memoir Made in Taiwan

Episode: Made in Taiwan: A Naïve American’s Chaotic Journey to Manhood in an Exotic Culture During Radical Times – Formosa Files chats with Vietnam vet and author TC Brown – S5-E28

Chris Tharp

Author and long-term resident in South Korea

Episode: Taiwan vs. South Korea - A Conversation with Author Chris Tharp

Dr. Jimmy Lee

A Taipei-based physician and history buff

Not specified

Episode: Takagi Tomoe: The Japanese Doctor Who Devoted Himself to Taiwan – S5-E14

Henry Lee

Leading forensic scientist in the United States

Forensic Sciences

Episode: “China’s Titanic” (1949) & The Cruise That Ended in Cremation (1994) - S5-E11

Professor Ann Heylen

Professor at the National Taiwan Normal University and expert on the Dutch era in Taiwan.

National Taiwan Normal University

Episode: S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen

Kim Liao

Granddaughter of Thomas Liao and author of 'Where Every Ghost Has a Name, A Memoir of Taiwanese Independence'

Episode: S4-E23 - Taiwan’s President in Exile – Thomas Liao.

Michael Aldrich

A long-time resident of Taiwan and author of several books on Asia, including Old Lhasa, A Biography.

Episode: S4-E12 - The Dalai Lama Visits Taiwan (1997)

Hosts

John Ross

Co-host of the show, an author and publisher of works on Taiwan and China, with extensive experience living in Taiwan.

Eryk Michael Smith

Co-host of the show, a journalist for local and global media outlets, with extensive experience living in Taiwan.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 346 ratings

Educational and entertaining.
I really enjoy the show and I’m working through the back catalogue. Great audio, quality, educational and entertaining, the witty banter, never goes too far astray from the topic.
Apple Podcasts
5
I'm writing in for a reason.
Taiwan3 months ago
Interesting but bumpy
These are interesting pieces of history but the scripts and delivery by the hosts are rough. Would also be great if subject matter experts could be brought in from time to time for freeform interview or additional context.
Apple Podcasts
4
mrlan888
United States10 months ago
👍
Who knew history was so interesting ❤️‍🔥
Apple Podcasts
5
Jambuchi
United Statesa year ago
Interesting Taiwan History
This podcast is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn Taiwan history. The topics are varied and the hosts have a chemistry that keeps things moving along. You'll never be bored and it's amazing how much important history you will learn. I've listened to all of the English episodes and look forward to the new ones every week. Great work. Thanks for sharing your love for Taiwan in a format that is easy to listen to.
Apple Podcasts
5
vtcafe
United Statesa year ago
Amazing
Read the title
Apple Podcasts
5
I love my thoughts on
United Statesa year ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback emphasizes the broad appeal of the topics covered, from unfamiliar historical events to current issues in Taiwan.

Listeners appreciate the informative and humorous approach to Taiwan's history.

Some mention a desire for more subject matter experts to enrich the discussions.

Many highlight the engaging storytelling format and the hosts' chemistry, making learning enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#84	Taiwan/History
Apple Podcasts	#206	India/History
Apple Podcasts	#210	South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Altars and Outlaws: Ben Sando on Taiwan’s Underworld – Gangs, Temples, and Political Influence – S5-E35

Q: If you were suddenly given a magic wand to change things or set policy, what would you tell us to do?

Temple regulation is probably the most critical factor here, as temples have established legal foundations which govern them, and oversight could disrupt nefarious uses of their finances.

Taiwan’s 1930s Pop Boom, and Its First Pop Queen – S5-E18

Q: What was the significance of Liu Ching-hsiang in Taiwan's pop music?

She was considered the first pop superstar in Taiwan, known for integrating Western elements into traditional Taiwanese music and for her songs that championed modern values.

S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen

Q: What was the role of women among the Dutch settlers?

Women were primarily seen as housewives and cared for children, with some exceptions for missionaries marrying local women to integrate into the community.

S4-E31 - Concubines, Wives, and Women - a peek into the personal lives of early Dutch settlers - With Professor Ann Heylen

Q: What motivated Dutch settlers to come to Formosa?

The primary motivation was money, although adventure was also an appealing factor.

S4-E2 - Taiwan (the ROC) and Israel - Surprising Shared Histories

Q: Do you agree that the government in China is a totalitarian state that does not respect democracy?

Yes, they have become hostile to Israel and support the physical extermination of Israel.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are taken on a captivating journey through Taiwan's history, with episodes exploring a diverse array of topics ranging from colonial influences, military bases, significant events, and cultural phenomena. The storytelling format is engaging and varies episode to episode, allowing audiences to dip into areas that pique their interest without having to follow a strict chronological order. The hosts leverage their extensive knowledge and experience living in Taiwan to provide context that makes historical events accessible and relevant to contemporary discussions. Unique anecdotes, humor, and a passion for the subject matter enhance the listening experience, making each episode not just informative but highly entertaining.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. ChinaTalk
2. Pekingology
3. Sinica Podcast
4. M觀點 | 科技X商業X投資
5. Face-Off: The U.S. vs China

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 303 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Joseph Thomas Miller
2. Chris Stowers
3. TC Brown
4. Chris Tharp
5. Dr. Jimmy Lee
6. Henry Lee
7. Professor Ann Heylen
8. Kim Liao

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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