From Hesitant (fear) to Confident Speaking Camp is open (July-Aug)! If you've been wanting more real conversation practice, feel free to check out the Details here .

Perhaps it's hard for you to imagine, but we Taiwanese don't have much vacations. When Mayors (市長) annonce a Typhoon day off (颱風假), we just feel thrilled and grateful. In this episode, I talk about our typhoon day off culture , why instant noodles (泡麵) become everyone's favorite meal, and what life is like during a typical typhoon day in Taiwan.

You can study the transcripts (zhuin, pinyin, Chinese and English) , which are available on Patreon. 謝謝你們 Your support keeps this podcast going!

As always, I hope this episode helps you improve both your listening and speaking

while understnading Taiwanese culture.

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➠ See you in the 成語 Workshop on July 1st! Details & signup HERE

➠Transcripts (Chinese-English, Pinyin & Zhuyin) )on Patreon. By becoming a member, you're supporting this podcast. It means a world. (Note: 🙏 Please subscribe via Patreon.com (not the iOS app) so 100% of your support can reach me)

🇹🇼 My Online Programs to help you converse with Taiwanese people with confidence.

1. Boost TOCFL score in 4 steps: the ultimate guide to 1000 TOCFL Band A vocabulary

2. Master Spoken Chinese: Taiwanese Mandarin conversation training

3. Master Conversational Taiwanese Mandarin: Eating, Drinking, and Chatting

Converse with Taiwanese People Fluently in everyday-life Situations. Understand Locals' Natural Speaking Speed. Navigate Taiwan with Confidence.

4. Level up Complete Program (progress from A2 to B level)

Comprehend Taiwanese media & Engage in deeper Conversations with Taiwanese Locals.

Details here

I hope my content makes you feel warm and relaxed while learning Taiwanese Mandarin —just as life should be :)

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Transcripts & Coaching info 👇

🇹🇼 Premier Coaching Circle (五月至十月 May - October)

The goal of this coaching circle is to help you engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with Taiwanese people and feel more connected to Taiwan. This small group is taught entirely by me, no other instructors.

One spot left. Enrollment closes May 26th. 👉 Details here

🇹🇼 Transcripts (zhuyin, pinyin & Ch Eng) available on Patreon HERE

🇹🇼 My Online Programs

Summary

In this episode, I chat with my friend 佩容 about how Taiwanese people choose baby names 取名字 — a fascinating window into Taiwanese culture and traditions.

We discuss: •

Why Taiwanese parents consult a fortune teller 算命老師 to name their children

• How the five elements 五行 (金木水火土) influence name choices

• Why certain characters became trendy in specific eras

• How modern parents balance tradition with personal meaning

• Why today's parents are careful about homophones 諧音

• how my friend chose her two daughters' name

This is a real, natural Taiwanese Mandarin conversation — perfect for intermediate to advanced Chinese learners or heritage learners who want to improve their listening skills and learn more about Taiwanese culture.

Thank you again for learning Taiwanese Mandarin with me! I I'm grateful for having you. Thank you my patreon members and students who've enrolled my online programs.

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Coaching info & Timeline

The Level Up & Connect Premier Coaching Circle is opening again!

🇹🇼 (五月至十月 May - October)

The goal of this coaching circle is to help you engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with Taiwanese people and feel more connected to Taiwan.

If you wish to progress from intermediate to advance level, check out all the ​details here

Timeline

01:30 Returning to New York
03:29 Lots of Taiwanese people love the show Sex and the City 慾望城市
04:59 What did I do in Manhattan
10:00 Talking with locals:
a stranger notices my 底片相機 film camera
08:00 “廁所在哪 Where is the toilet?” I miss Taipei for this:)
13:40 Final thought: New York belongs to the world.

Study my transcripts (pinyin, zhuyin and Eng translation) on Patreon.

I'm so grateful for this NYC trip. 很感激有這樣的機會去紐約

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From Chinese Taipei (中華隊) to Team Taiwan (臺灣隊), baseball has helped shape Taiwan’s identity. It’s the one sport that truly brings people across Taiwan together.

In this episode, my little sister and I talk about how baseball has shaped our lives and what it has taught us about perseverance. You'll be learning two expressions. (球是圓的、不到九局下半不能放棄).

In the full version, we visit the Taipei Dome to watch an international game and observe this incredible phenomenon firsthand.

Video podcast version and Full video available on Patreon.

🇹🇼 Follow up reading: I wrote a blog post to dig deeper about the connection of basbeball and Taiwanese identity.

🇹🇼 Courses & resources to help you speak like a Taiwanese

(from beginner-friendly to more advanced levels.)

1. Boost TOCFL score in 4 steps: the ultimate guide to 1000 TOCFL Band A vocabulary​

2. Master Spoken Chinese: Taiwanese Mandarin conversation training​

3. Master Conversational Taiwanese Mandarin: Eating, Drinking, and Chatting​

4. Level up & Connect to Taiwan Program (progress from Intermediate to advanced level)​

5. Learn more effectively with my podcast transcripts and bonus episodes (starting from pre-intermediate or anyone who prefers to learn in an authentic relaxed way)

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Study with my transcripts (Ch–Eng, pinyin, Zhuyin) here. Today, I share 4 gentle ways that help learners stay consistent.

1. Make it natural（習慣成自然）
2. You can always come back
3. Find enjoyment in the process
4. Reward & Encouragement (Bonus for patreon members here)

Note

I know many of your goal is to be able to converse with Taiwanese friends annd family with confidence and feel connected to Taiwan. That's why I'd made these 4 online training programs.

I’ve structured them in the ideal learning order (beginner-friendly to more advanced levels.)

1. Boost TOCFL score in 4 steps: the ultimate guide to 1000 TOCFL Band A vocabulary

2. Master Spoken Chinese: Taiwanese Mandarin conversation training

3. Master Conversational Taiwanese Mandarin: Eating, Drinking, and Chatting

4. Level up & Connect to Taiwan Program (progress from Intermediate to advanced level)

For any questions or feedback, contact me here

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In this episode, I talk about ——

A different take on New Year resolutions and mental health.

What it means to “be kind to yourself.”

The inner critical voice.

Accepting yourself and being your own best friend.

Note

I know many of your goal is to be able to converse with Taiwanese friends annd family with confidence and feel connected to Taiwan. That's why I'd made these 4 online training programs.

I’ve structured them in the ideal learning order (beginner-friendly to more advanced levels.)

1. Boost TOCFL score in 4 steps: the ultimate guide to 1000 TOCFL Band A vocabulary

2. Master Spoken Chinese: Taiwanese Mandarin conversation training

3. Master Conversational Taiwanese Mandarin: Eating, Drinking, and Chatting

4. Level up & Connect to Taiwan Program (progress from Intermediate to advanced level)

For any questions or feedback, contact me here

🇹🇼 Transcript (Zhuyin, Pinyin, Eng) on Patreon here. This podcast exists because of you all! 感謝

🇹🇼 My Language & Culture Blog

🇹🇼 Join my newsletter community. I write it to help you feel more connect to Taiwanese people:)

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Have you been feeling overly worried lately? Thinking too much? Well… 平常心. Keep a calm heart, and let things go the way they’re meant to. Things will work out. My dad taught me this life wisdom, and I hope it helps you find some peace—just as it has helped me.

In this episode, you’ll also practice advanced Taiwanese Mandarin through a real, meaningful conversation. Many of you have shared that you want to engage in deeper conversations with your Taiwanese family. The truth is, they often use specific expressions and vocabulary that aren’t usually taught in textbooks.

Two materials I recommend for further learning (progress from intermediate to advanced level):

• Study the vocabulary using the transcripts (zhuyin, pinyin, and English)
• Level Up & Connect to Taiwan Complete Program

I’ve added a Premier Coaching (6 months) option to all of my courses. Now with this Coaching option, you can practice Taiwanese Mandarin directly with me.

Contact me here if you have questions.

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