In this episode, we dive into the joys and chaos of family travel, focusing on our experiences in Taiwan. From navigating holidays with kids to finding moments of peace in the middle of it all, we reflect on what makes a trip truly memorable. We chat about Taiwan’s rich cultural moments like Children's Day, the importance of good food, and why nostalgia plays such a big role in where we go next.

0:00 Intro & Banter

1:00 Planning Holidays with Kids

3:30 Jet Lag Struggles

4:30 Family Holidays in Taiwan

6:00 Taiwan’s Children’s Day

9:00 Mixing Fun & Peace in Holidays

12:00 The Joy of Having Nowhere to Be

15:00 Feeling Safe Abroad

18:30 What Makes Travel Peaceful?

23:00 How to Recreate That Feeling

26:30 10 Years of Chaos & Reflection

29:00 Planning Without Overplanning

32:00 Japan Adventures & Spontaneity

35:00 Time Pressure & Wanting More

36:00 Tandems & European Dreams

37:30 Travel Safety & Tourist Bubbles

39:30 Safari Dreams & Travel Timing

40:30 Christmas in Taiwan?

44:00 Back to Taiwan: Where & Why

47:00 Cities vs Countryside

49:00 Mountains & Memories

52:00 Revisiting Old Places

53:30 Wrapping Up

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In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the messy, hilarious, and honest journey of personal growth. From embracing the cringe that comes with putting yourself out there creatively, to exploring how AI is transforming content creation, they get candid about the highs and lows of doing what you love. They also dream out loud about future community events, live gatherings, and the lifelong journey of learning languages. Expect laughs, real talk, and a healthy dose of encouragement to just keep going.

0:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene

5:45 – Reflections on Personal Growth and Change

12:51 – Navigating Cringe and Embracing Creativity

17:37 – The Role of AI in Content Creation and Daily Life

24:51 – Niche Challenges in Language Learning

26:18 – Innovative Event Ideas for Language Learners

33:58 – Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Creativity

42:05 – Travel Aspirations and Future Plans

48:00 – Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways

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In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula get reflective about some of life’s biggest questions—what does wealth really mean, and is it the same as happiness? The pair open up about their journey through podcasting, parenting three kids, and navigating life’s chaos while trying to stay sane (or at least, mildly caffeinated).

They explore how wealth without purpose feels hollow, why goals matter even if they shift, and the underrated power of boredom when your brain needs a break. Tom and Ula share travel dreams, the lessons they learned from their parents, and how to find those rare moments of peace in a noisy world.

This episode mixes humour, cultural reflections, real-life stories, and a few honest admissions that might hit home. It’s raw, relatable, and full of practical wisdom for anyone trying to do life without losing their mind.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.