Best Sweden Current Affairs Podcasts (2025)

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U.S. Lawyer James Ransdell on Giant Bicycle's Battle to Clear its Name 10:47

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6h ago10:47

10:47

In late September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a shock announcement: that it was issuing a Withold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing -- a move that bans bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan. International Trade & Customs Attorney James Ransdell explains the order, the actions Giant can take to get it lift…

1
TTTIFA Bringing Arts to Old Taipei 11:41

7d ago11:41

11:41

Coming to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge spoke to Matt Fullen and Taylor Chuang about one of Taiwan’s premier music and arts festivals. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

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Putting the Music in Taiwan Cinema — Thomas Foguenne 11:14

12d ago11:14

11:14

A remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in subtle and evocative ways. ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks with Thomas Foguenne, a composer originally from Belgium, but who now splits his time in Taiwan, where he has created soundt…

1
U.S. Academic Stephen G Craft Revisits the Liu Ziran Incident 15:22

15d ago15:22

15:22

Bilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States have not always been smooth. Nearly 50 years ago, an American armed serviceman shot and killed a Taiwan counterpart, Liu Ziran -- setting off a series of riots which strained bilateral relations. If you'd never heard about the incident, which took place in 1957, it's time to put on a pair of …

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"Vegan" or "Plant-based"... what's in a name? 10:38

19d ago10:38

10:38

What do you call your meal choice when you take a hard pass at animal product options? Do you call yourself "vegan" or is your meal "plant-based?" The two terms may mean the same thing, but entrepreneurs are making a switch from "vegan" to "plant-based" for branding reasons, and they explain why. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by So…

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From Sweden to Taiwan: A Flutist’s Journey 11:35

25d ago11:35

11:35

Originally broadcast June 9, 2025: Anders Norell is noted for serenading Taiwan audiences with the musical magic his flute brings. Norell has made his mark as the principal flute with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan Although he’s travelled and performed extensively throughout the whole world, he has never forgets the Swedish countryside w…

1
Lynne Sneddon 10:49

1M ago10:49

10:49

It should be a given that all animals, regardless of what their natural habitats are, feel pain. Gothenburg University Professor Lynne Sneddon, who is in Taiwan for the Asia for Animals Conference, has done extensive research on just that -- and she talks about how to better care for fish so their lives are pain-free -- whether they live in lakes, …

1
Former Mayor, Minister, and Representative to the U.S. Jason Hu (胡志強) On A Life Well-Lived 12:28

1M ago12:28

12:28

He is one of Taiwan's most successful career public servants. Jason Hu (胡志強) has served across most levels of executive government and has the knowledge and wisdom to show for it. He shares stories from his life -- and his new book -- with ICRT's Hope Ngo and Tim Berge. A full version of the interview will follow. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn…

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TFAI's Iris Du on Keeping Taiwan's Film History Alive 9:27

2M ago9:27

9:27

Archive film isn't for everyone -- but for film buffs who are interested in Taiwan's film history, there is the Taiwan Film and Audio Visual Institute, which owns the most extensive collection of old films and newsreels in Taiwan. Its Director Iris Du talks about the importance of maintaining a film archive and. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. A part…

1
Talking Tea with Te Company's Elena Liao 10:41

2M ago10:41

10:41

What does it take to turn a passion into a business? Te Company founder Elena Liao talks about how she took a passing interest in tea into a thriving tea boutique serving up teas and pastries, located in Manhattan's West Village. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. Learn more about Te Company here. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn…

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Former AmCham head Rob Parker Recalls ICRT's Early Days 12:30

2M ago12:30

12:30

In late 1978, Taiwan faced one of its most impactful challenges, when Washington announced plans to switch recognition to Beijing. Fears rose over Taiwan potentially losing one of its strongest allies. Members of the international community also worried about many other practical concerns, such as the continuation of English-language radio in Taiwa…

1
Chthonic's Freddy Lim talks about an unexpected source of inspiration 15:01

4M ago15:01

15:01

Former legislator and death metal rocker Freddy Lim can draw on many experiences as inspiration for his music, though nothing prepared him for the discovery which led to the composition of his latest song, Endless Aeons. It's a discovery that was triggered by his time at the Legislative Yuan as a parliamentarian, and which partly led to his decisio…

1
Irish In Sweden - Ben & Jerry's Tasty Handball Trip To Sweden 30:25

4M ago30:25

30:25

In this week's episode we talk to Ben and Jerry from Castleknock Community College about their upcoming trip to Gothenburg to play in the world's largest youth handball tournament, the Partille Cup. The All-Ireland champions know that competition will be stiff, but they aim to represent the country with pride on the west coast, and they're hoping t…

1
Singer Chynna Lewis Shares Her Voyage of Self Discovery 15:40

4M ago15:40

15:40

What does it take to go solo as a Pop/R&B singer and songwriter in Canada? Canadian-Taiwanese artist Chynna (pronounced "China") shares the joys and the challenges she encountered on journey as an Asian-American artist. Lewis spoke to us after her first journey back to Taiwan as a performer. She's currently working on her second album, which is sla…

1
Irish In Sweden - Gävle's Winning GAA Start & A Star Is Born In Seán 46:49

5M ago46:49

46:49

The Nordic GAA season got off to a flying start in Stockholm over the weekend as Gävle won the men's tournament with Copenhagen triumphant among the women, but it was Gävle's new ladies team who brought the sunshine on a rainy day in the capital. We also hear form Seán Collins directly after his brilliant gig at Wirströms City on Sunday May 18 wher…

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Naomi Fink Helps Make Sense of the NT Dollar's Gyrations 14:08

5M ago14:08

14:08

Under normal circumstances, many of us don't think too much about the value of the NT Dollar -- unless we're traveling that is. But that changed at the beginning of May when the value of our currency made a sudden, sharp climb against the US Dollar. Chief Global Strategist for Nikko Asset Management Naomi Fink looks at the impact of that event on T…

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Irish In Sweden - A Step Into Music With Seán Collins 33:24

5M ago33:24

33:24

With his debut single having finally seen the light of day, the incredibly talented Seán Collins is coming back to Sweden for a gig in Wirströms City on May 18. Nephew of community powerhouse and long-time Stockholm resident Theresa O'Shea Ogenstad, Seán started playing guitar at age 10 and has recently graduated with a degree in music, but perhaps…

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How to Respond to Changing US Educational Policy: A Global Expert Weighs In 14:13

5M ago14:13

14:13

The Trump administration has backed down on an earlier, hardline attitude towards the visa status of certain international students, even though it is still cracking down on America's top universities. What does this mean for students who have decided to study in America, or who are already there? Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a global company that …

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Irish In Sweden - Zack's Back With Pats, With Swede Axel In Tow 40:52

5M ago40:52

40:52

The Easter holidays saw an exodus back to the Green Isle for many in the Swedish-Irish community, and the podcast was no different! I caught up with Zack Elbouzedi and Axel Sjöberg in Dublin where the pair are currently playing on the right wing for St. Patrick's Atheltic. Zack's sojourn at AIK made him a much-loved player with the fans there, but …

1
Seven Days that Rattled Taiwan Business 17:49

6M ago17:49

17:49

It was on the first day of Taiwan's four day Tomb Sweeping (清明) Festival weekend that businessmen woke up to the news that Taiwan could expect a 32 percent%, on top of a standard 10% tariff on all its exports to the United States. But just hours after it took effect, that immense tariff was suspended for 90 days. How some businesses responded to th…

1
Irish In Sweden - Jen's Pasta Passion Still Going Strong 46:18

6M ago46:18

46:18

This one took a little longer to get out than expected due to a visit to Rory McGrath at Northvolt in Västerås, but no it's finally here! Jen O'Sullivan is back to talk about her adventures in the wonderful world of Italian food, how coming from a big family made her seek the solace of individual sport, and how an active childhood is her recipe for…

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From the Archives: Former KMT lawmaker at large Jason Hsu (許毓仁) 9:51

6M ago9:51

9:51

Former KMT lawmaker-at-large Jason Hsu made his mark in office by promoting tech, and embracing the idea of reaching across the aisle and working for the good of Taiwan. He shares the inspiring story of his life before his departure for the United States with Hope Ngo. First aired August 29, 2022. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn…

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Irish In Sweden - Great Irish Art On Offer At Stockholm's Supermarket Art Fair 56:19

6M ago56:19

56:19

Spring is here and that means Alannah Robins is back in town taking part in the Supermarket Art Fair, together with a host of hugely talented Irish artists! Former Sweden resident Alannah moved back to Ireland and the west coast, but she's no stranger to these shores, promoting strong links between the Irish and Swedish art scenes and doing her bes…

1
Taipei's Chifeng Street (赤峰街) is a Historical Treasure. Nadia Lin tells us why 10:08

6M ago10:08

10:08

It's a busy hive of hipster cafes, hair salons, and independent book shops. But there is more to Taipei's Chifeng Street than meets the eye, and it took a tour with Nadia Lin to get to get to know this fascinating neighborhood. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

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Reset & Rise -- How a Designer, a Process Engineer, and a Singer Changed Careers and Found Success 13:19

6M ago13:19

13:19

Launching a new career isn't easy. So why would anyone (willingly) do it twice in one lifetime? Three guests -- two from the US and one based in Taiwan-- share their their experiences involving their dramatic mid-career pivots. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

1
Ting Ting Cheng hits the Unmute button on Digital Gender-based Violence 11:06

6M ago11:06

11:06

Artist Ting Ting Cheng uses a traumatic experience to educate in her recent show "They told me it's not your fault. And I told them everything will be fine." Held at Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei, Cheng explores digital gender-based violence which the United Nations Population Fund says is most likely to impact women and girls, minoriti…

1
Leona De Pasquale Explains her Deep Dive into Taiwan's Beverage Landscape 10:56

7M ago10:56

10:56

London-based Taiwanese wine writer, translator, certified WSET wine educator, Leona di Pasquale turned a passion into a profession when she first began learning about, then talking about Taiwan's best loved beverages from tea to wines and spirits. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

1
Taiwan, Ukraine and the Trump White House 11:24

7M ago11:24

11:24

February 24th marked the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since that time, much has changed, including a major break in US policy following the inauguration of Donald Trump. With a look at the implications for Taiwan, Ukraine, Europe and even Asia, we chat with Jakub Janda… the director of the European Values Center of Security…

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Irish In Sweden - The West's Awake With Glorious Gothenburg Parade! 34:10

7M ago34:10

34:10

Saturday March 15 will go down in history for the west-coast Swedish-Irish community as the city of Gothenburg held its first official St. Patrick's Day parade. The "Irish in Sweden" podcast was privileged to be on hand to document a great day for those in the west, and you can hear all the voices from the day in this very special episode!…

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Irish In Sweden - Ian Rolls Out The Barrel For West Coast Irish 33:40

7M ago33:40

33:40

This week Ian Moloney joins med from Gothenburg to talk about his new pub venture with the Flying Barrel, the first celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the city and how the local community is working hard to re-instate a direct flight to Ireland that is sorely missed. There's also news of the St. Patrick's Day concert on Stockholm on March 11 - you…

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How Tiffany Chang Put Taiwan’s Culinary Stars in the Spotlight on Netflix’s "Crazy Delicious" 10:57

7M ago10:57

10:57

From scoring a coveted Golden Apple on the Netflix show "Crazy Delicious" to cooking for Taiwan's de-facto ambassador to the UK, food blogger Tiffany Cheng has made her mark as an unofficial ambassador for popular Taiwan cuisine. How she accomplished that and what she learnt along the way is a story she shares on Taiwan Talk. Hosted by ICRT's Hope …

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Irish In Sweden - Dee Bugg's Undying Love For Prince Makes Her Queen Of Sweden 28:21

7M ago28:21

28:21

There is no end of talent in the Swedish-Irish community, and out in front right now is drag queen Dee Bugg, who is likely to get us all deported with her new single "Queen Of Sweden", in which she expresses her undying love for Prince Carl-Philip. Dee joins me to talk about the inspiration of Melodifestivalen, the process of making a smash hit, an…

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Beyond the Headlines: JhuCin Rita Jhang (張竹芩) on The Status of IVF and Surrogacy in Taiwan 17:27

7M ago17:27

17:27

In vitro fertilization or IVF has been practiced around the world for over four decades. Yale Medicine says over 10 million babies have been born via IVF around the world, and over half a million IVF babies are delivered every year. But even though IVF is globally accepted, it remains is highly regulated in Taiwan, and its use is under law remains …

1
Irish In Sweden - Dancing At Lunacy With Lorcan O'Neill 1:00:59

7M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

This week's guest is the incredibly talented Lorcan O'Neill, whose remarkable career in dance, particularly contemporary and ballet, eventually brought him to Stockholm, where he now resides among us. We talk at great length about going against the grain in his native Cork and how dancing took him around the world before landing him here in Sweden.…

1
Lost in Translation, Found in Literature: Lin King on the award winning "Taiwan Travelogue" 14:33

8M ago14:33

14:33

Lin King is an award-winning writer in her own right. But it was her work on "Taiwan Travelogue" that snagged both her and author Yang Shuang-zi the highly coveted National Book Award 2024 for Translated Literature. Lin discusses her work and what's next. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn…

1
Irish In Sweden - Simon Seeking Soccer Success In Northern Sweden 49:46

8M ago49:46

49:46

At long last we get to the interview with the brilliant Simon Chretién, our Irish-Belgian-Kiwi footballer smashing into tackles int he far north of Sweden! Simon's cosmopolitan background and adventurous nature have taken him around the world several times, and now he's up just shy of the Arctic Circle playing for IFK Luleå to see how far he can cl…

1
Irish In Sweden - Podcaster Alva Our Rising Mello Star! 15:38

8M ago15:38

15:38

Swedish-Irish music fan Alva Dunne from Malmö is one of three hosts for a new podcast about Melodifestivalen - the annual competition where Sweden's Eurovision entry is chosen - that is flying up the charts! The 11-year-old is a life-long lover of all things Eurovision and Mello, and she talked to the Irish In Sweden podcast about what she likes ab…

1
Fim Salomon Revitalizes a Well-loved Taipei Bakery 10:25

8M ago10:25

10:25

Everyone dreams of owning a business… but few people are honest about the challenges the endeavor can bring. Enter Jean-Trophime "Fim" Salomon; he's a former electronics industry executive and new owner of Taipei's Lutetia bakery. He talks about why -- and how -- he took on the task of rebuilding the decades-old Tienmu establishment. Hosted by Hope…

1
Irish In Sweden - Kevin Walker Talks Music, Football & The Tragedy In Örebro 53:34

8M ago53:34

53:34

Plans to talk to Kevin Walker in his home town of Örebro took a turn this week with the news that a school shooting had occurred there on Tuesday. I've been working in the town ever since, and decided to drop out to Kevin's house to talk to him about what happened, as well as his career in professional football and his new path as a full-time songw…

1
From Microphones to Microplanes: Chef L Talks about Life in the Kitchen 11:58

8M ago11:58

11:58

She was in entertainment -- the "family business" -- and with a famous uncle (高凌風)… but it was only a matter of time before Lareine Hsu (徐瑞蓮) decided it was time to make a switch. As the chef of a new and noteworthy Danbi in Los Angeles' Koreatown, Chef L now makes waves with her cooking. She talks swapping careers and what sustains her. Hosted by …

1
Irish In Sweden - Earnest Lydia Our Drama Queen With Spuds & Sill 54:30

8M ago54:30

54:30

This week I'm joined by the wonderfully talented Lydia Lafferty to talk about the upcoming production of Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance Of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. The holder of a degree in drama, Lydia talks about how she fell in love with the footlights at a local drama group for kids in Tyrone, and how that led to a life-long love of t…

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Irish In Sweden - Film-maker Dennis Wins Swedish Oscar! 52:43

8M ago52:43

52:43

Irish film-maker Dennis Harvey won the award for best short film at the Swedish Guldbaggen awards, which are the Nordic nation's equivalent of the Oscars, and he popped by the studio to talk about what this means for his work making movies about the politics of migration. There's also some good news around sponsorship - we're very close to having t…

1
John Dotson Tells the Taiwan Story to shapers of U.S. Policy 12:15

8M ago12:15

12:15

Telling and amplifying Taiwan's story in the US capital is not easy -- but John Dotson does just that through his role as Deputy Director of the Global Taiwan Institute -- a Washington DC-based think-tank dedicated to telling the Taiwan story. Dotson tells us about how he discovered Taiwan, what keeps him drawn to the island to this day, and why th…

1
Moving to the Music of Taiwanese American Conductor Mei-Ann Chen 10:41

9M ago10:41

10:41

She made history by becoming the first woman to win to the Malko Competition -- an international competition for young conductors held every three years by the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Taiwan American conductor Mei-Ann Chen talks about her trailblazing journey which took her from Taiwan's music schools to the best-known classical music cham…

1
Hello Taiwan to the World 11:35

9M ago11:35

11:35

People from around the world are joining forces to raise Taiwan’s visibility on the global stage. ICRT’s Tim Berge talks to Ming Chiang, the president of Hello Taiwan. Founded in 2018, Hello Taiwan is dedicated to helping the world better understand Taiwan, its people and culture, and at the same time — do charity work to demonstrate Taiwan’s compa…

1
Pedaling Progress with YouBike's Vicky Yang 11:30

9M ago11:30

11:30

YouBikes are an economical and easy way to get around Taiwan cities. Join us as we talk to YouBike CEO Vicky Yang and examine how the bright yellow bikes provide eco-friendly transportation and a healthy lifestyle to Taiwan residents — from Keelung to Taitung. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

1
Irish In Sweden - Trad On The Prom Comes For Three Post-Christmas Shows 27:58

10M ago27:58

27:58

The build-up to Christmas continues, so we have another shout-out for our small businesses, plus a great gift idea - tickets to the "Trad On the Prom" show featuring Irish music and dancing, which is to Växsjö, Norrköping and Gothenburg on Jan 4/5/6. I am joined by show creator Chris Kelly and promoter Sten Cranner to find out about the show itself…

1
When Herban Kitchen said Goodbye: Marco Henry Lapka on Veggie Dining in Taipei 10:01

10M ago10:01

10:01

Vegetarians in Taipei were shocked when Herban Kitchen announced it was closing its doors in November 2024, and after 10 successful years in operation. That aside, owner Marco Henry Lapka tells us why he's still optimistic about the future of veggie dining in Taipei. Hosted by ICRT’s Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn…

1
Going the "Ron" Way - DJ Ron Stuart on what brought him to Taiwan... and what keeps him here 13:25

10M ago13:25

13:25

Ron Stuart has been an institution at ICRT since the 1990s… far longer than a good number of us have been around. He talks about what drew him to radio, the career opportunity he walked away from, and what eventually brought him to Taiwan. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

1
Irish In Sweden - Gothenburg "Sosse" Eoin Stands In Dáil Election 40:34

10M ago40:34

40:34

There was a strong Swedish-Irish connection when Ireland went to the polls around ten days ago as former Gothenburg resident and current South Dublin council member Eoin O'Broin stood in the Dublin Midwest constituency for the Social Democrats. Standing in the same race as Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson of the same name, Eoin got involved in part…