Reviews

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.

mrlan888
Feb. 16, 2025

👍

Who knew history was so interesting ❤️‍🔥

Jambuchi
Jan. 27, 2025

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.

vtcafe
Nov. 12, 2024

Amazing

Read the title

I love my thoughts on
Nov. 5, 2024

Excellent Show

Very informative. Love listening to the shows.

wdsp69
Oct. 17, 2024

I absolutely love listening to Eryk and John's educational talks about Taiwan and its rich history

After living and working here for almost a decade, the podcast has been an invaluable resource. Formosa Files has given me a deeper understanding of the culture, language, and many of the lesser-known stories and traditions that I might not have discovered otherwise. It's also helped me connect more meaningfully with my in-laws, their traditions, and their upbringing. The format is easy to follow, and I really appreciate how they make complex topics engaging and accessible. The podcast has truly become my go-to for learning more about my new home.

Nick
Oct. 16, 2024

Great show

I backpacked around Taiwan for a month and this show was great in helping me learn about Taiwan before my trip. The fact that it is in both English and mandarin is so great. I really appreciate this program and its hosts.

shootthemoonmom
Oct. 5, 2024

Best Podcast on Taiwan

Great hosts who know their subject well. Interesting, informative, and history worth learning.

Kimball O’Hara
Sept. 26, 2024

Great show

Really enjoy this podcast and the range of the topics in particular. It’s nice to learn about Taiwanese history beyond solely the other side. The interviews are especially interesting.

oldstylegreats
Aug. 15, 2024

Appreciation of Formosa Files podcast

I have listened to the podcast for several years and learned a lot about Taiwan history. I look forward to each episode and enjoy them greatly. Thank you.

Peter Hanson
Aug. 14, 2024

A big Thank You

Really appreciate your efforts to tell us so many untold stories about my homeland, every episode I listened to so far is jaw dropping moments to know more about the hidden history of the island. Informative and Inspiring, please keep sharing, thank you.

德國家庭主婦
Aug. 10, 2024

Enjoyable Taiwanese History

Hosts Erik Michael Smith and John Ross are longtime residents of Taiwan. Although Taiwan is often in the headlines, especially now, few Americans know much about its history and its relationship to mainland China. Smith and Ross deliver entertaining and informative stories from centuries ago up to modern times. No knowledge of Chinese history is required as they always help the listener understand the context of their weekly stories. This is by far one of my favorite podcasts. Although I have visited Taiwan a number of times, I am always learning new pieces of its history from the hosts. They have also mastered the skill of balancing banter with covering the topic at hand. Too many podcasts are just vehicles for self-indulgent hosts, not this one. Tune in and discover loads about the fascinating subject of Taiwanese history.

agpbl
July 27, 2024

My go-to podcast on Taiwan

This is now my go-to podcast on both the history of and current happenings in Taiwan. I listen to each episode with great interest, and used it to plan my travels in Taiwan this past November 2023. I also enjoy the bantering between the 2 hosts, keeps it fun even when discussing serious topics. I highly recommend the podcast for anyone interested in the beautiful island.

Yueh Chuang
July 18, 2024

Why 119 in Taiwan?

Just listened to show number CH14 on “numbers in Taiwan”. I haven’t verified this but your query on why 119 is used in Taiwan instead of 911 like in the US. As your show had pointed out on many occasions, decades of Japanese colonial rule has left behind many influences and practices in Taiwan. Politicians wear banners and colored vests, take it lunch boxes are called “便當” (bento in Japanese 弁当, etc. well, in Japan, 119 is also the emergency number! So likely another legacy of Japanese colonial rule. Please check and confirm. (Btw, South Korea also uses 119 😉). Great show. Keep it going. Viva Taiwan! Viva freedom and democracy!

nvs3gf
July 18, 2024

Excellent podcast.

Speakers and topics are terrific.

Dona
July 10, 2024

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 listen 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.

vtcafe
July 8, 2024

Excellent program

“Formosa Files” is well-done, informative, and consistently fascinating

Scott Savitz
July 1, 2024

Amazing achievements of Taiwanese that I had no idea of

Excellent, vivid, in-depth, well researched.

Roberto
June 24, 2024

Outstanding podcast!

As informative as it is entertaining, been following it for more than a year, way before I came to live and study in Taiwan. Awesome podcast, great work!!!

Marcel Oppliger
June 22, 2024

Outstanding podcast!

As informative as it is entertaining, been following it for more than a year, way before I came to live and study in Taiwan. Awesome podcast, great work!!!

Marcel Oppliger
June 22, 2024

Excellent history of a famous movuec

Great fantastic, very detailed history! Thanks

William jones
May 31, 2024

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 listen 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.

vtcafe
May 22, 2024

Love your podcast

謝謝這邊提供一個英文窗口讓全世界認識台灣，也認識台灣歷史！

NestaLin
April 26, 2024

A Thorough Historical Look INTO Taiwan

I love this podcast! I love Taiwan and I really want to live there but until I can, I really feel like John, Eryk and I are meeting for coffee (well they'd prob have beer!) and are friends of mine who know how fascinated I am with history, in particular Taiwan and Chinese History. The last two podcasts (the one that was a retrospective of John's experience of the earthquake 20 years ago and the one with CNN reporter Mike Chinoy who has the new book "Assignment China" were terrific. The one about the earthquake I actually felt comforted and inspired by since it showed how that 20 year ago earthquake actually helped the construction of new buildings get placed on a little more of an integrity basis. My other favorite podcast was actually about Evergreen. Since I love flying EVA Airlines I loved getting the background and inside scoop on that. I see the Evergreen shipping containers here in the USA and now, never had an awareness of them before. Super cool! Plus they keep me laughing with their ribbing each other. Super fun and great education for me. Thank you guys so much!

Virginia Vaquero (and her little dog Fluff! who also listens)
April 11, 2024