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.

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

In this episode, we get personal. We talk fatherhood, the shifting idea of what it means to be a ‘man,’ and how dads today are navigating emotion, law, and family. From our own experiences to the broader cultural shifts, we explore how parenting and masculinity are evolving, sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully.

Then we zoom out. We dive into the brutal reality of the job market, how AI is flipping industries on their heads, and what that means for all of us. We explore the future of learning, creativity, entertainment, and why, surprisingly, libraries still matter.

This one’s a mix of heartfelt and hard-hitting. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and a look at how the world’s changing fast and how we’re trying to keep up.

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In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula take listeners on a conversational journey covering everything from rescuing snails to the surprising genre of cozy fantasy. They share personal stories, listener feedback about subtitles, and survival tips for the salt flats, all wrapped in reflections on parenting, cultural sensitivity, and language learning.

Whether it's talking to kids about historical figures, planning travel adventures, or discussing the purpose behind the show, this episode blends practical insight with humour and heart.

Key Takeaways

• The show blends listicle-style episodes with free-flowing conversations.
• Personal stories (yes, even snail rescues) make it feel real.
• Talking history with kids is challenging—but worth it.
• Subtitles are helpful but polarising—feedback is split.
• The podcast’s mission has shifted from teaching to connecting.
• Salt flat survival tip: know your landmarks.
• Altitude sickness is real—plan ahead when traveling.
• Cozy fantasy offers a gentle, feel-good reading experience.
• Curiosity is good—but cultural awareness is better.
• Asking where someone’s from can be a genuine way to connect—if done right.
• Kobo is a solid platform for Chinese-language reads.

www.mandarinmonkey.com - Mandarin Chinese Lessons

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In this episode, we dive into the joys and pains of podcast production, the growing importance of bilingualism in career paths, and how AI is quietly reshaping language learning and job interviews. We also tackle parenting in the tech age, the screen-time struggle, and how different generations navigate the digital world. Oh, and yes—streaming has definitely changed everything.

Key Takeaways

• Making a podcast is harder than it looks (trust us, we’ve done a few).
• Being bilingual gives you a serious edge in today’s job market.
• Not every role needs perfect fluency—context matters.
• AI’s creeping into interviews and learning tools—be ready.
• Parents are stuck between wanting peace and fearing screens.
• Screen time? Not evil. But moderation is everything.
• Your nan’s tech habits probably aren’t the same as your kid’s.
• We’ve gone from VHS to infinite scroll—media has changed.
• We want your feedback—it actually helps.
• Fresh air still matters. Get outside now and then.

Chapters

0:00 – Intro & New Year Hellos

06:13 – Bilingualism & Better Jobs

11:59 – AI’s New Role in Language Learning

21:01 – Kids, Screens & The Digital Dilemma

26:59 – Tech vs. Trees: Finding Balance

32:54 – How Generations Use Tech Differently

38:57 – From Telly to TikTok: Media Evolution

44:48 – Listener Feedback & What’s Next

chat@mandarinmonkey.com

www.mandarinmonkey.com

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In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula dive into some of the strangest bans and laws from around the world, from chewing gum in Singapore to government-approved reincarnation in Tibet.

Through light-hearted yet insightful discussion, they explore how these bans reflect deeper cultural values, political symbolism, religious influences, and social expectations. You'll also pick up real Mandarin vocabulary along the way, making this a perfect listen for language learners who want more than just textbook phrases.

Whether you’re curious about travel customs, cultural sensitivity, or how to say "reincarnate legally" in Mandarin, this episode has you covered.

00:00 – Introduction to the Mandarin Monkey Podcast

08:11 – Banned Items Around the World

20:16 – Cultural Insights and Language Learning

26:02 – Philosophical Musings on Reincarnation

32:06 – Laws and Social Norms Across Countries

39:10 – Cultural Dress Codes and Public Decency

45:58 – Religious Influences on Legislation

51:01 – Public Displays of Affection and Their Restrictions

1. 禁止嚼口香糖 | jìn zhǐ jiáo kǒu xiāng táng | Chewing gum is banned (Singapore)
2. 禁止用“IKEA”當名字 | jìn zhǐ yòng “IKEA” dāng míng zì | Naming your child “IKEA” is banned (Sweden)
3. 在高速公路上沒油是違法的 | zài gāo sù gōng lù shàng méi yóu shì wéi fǎ de | Running out of fuel is illegal (Germany)
4. 古蹟禁止穿高跟鞋 | gǔ jì jìn zhǐ chuān gāo gēn xié | No high heels at historical sites (Greece)
5. 轉世需要政府批准 | zhuǎn shì xū yào zhèng fǔ pī zhǔn | Reincarnating without government approval is illegal (Tibet)
6. 禁止小熊維尼 | jìn zhǐ xiǎo xióng wéi ní | Winnie the Pooh is banned (China)
7. 踩錢是違法的 | cǎi qián shì wéi fǎ de | Stepping on money is illegal (Thailand)
8. 公共場合禁止罵髒話 | gōng gòng chǎng hé jìn zhǐ mà zāng huà | Public swearing is banned (Australia)
9. 禁止與佛像自拍 | jìn zhǐ yǔ fó xiàng zì pāi | No selfies with Buddha (Sri Lanka)
10. 有些地方禁止死亡 | yǒu xiē dì fāng jìn zhǐ sǐ wáng | Dying is illegal in some towns (Japan, Norway)
11. 禁止在海灘上穿太暴露的衣服 | jìn zhǐ zài hǎi tān shàng chuān tài bào lù de yī fú | Revealing swimwear is banned on some beaches (Spain)
12. 禁止在車內吃東西 | jìn zhǐ zài chē nèi chī dōng xi | Eating inside cars is banned in some areas (USA – certain cities)
13. 禁止上廁所時沖馬桶（晚上） | jìn zhǐ shàng cè suǒ shí chōng mǎ tǒng (wǎn shàng) | Flushing the toilet at night is illegal in some flats (Switzerland)
14. 禁止穿迷你裙 | jìn zhǐ chuān mí nǐ qún | Wearing miniskirts is banned in some countries (Uganda)
15. 禁止養豬（宗教原因） | jìn zhǐ yǎng zhū (zōng jiào yuán yīn) | Keeping pigs is banned for religious reasons (Middle East)
16. 禁止開黃色雨傘 | jìn zhǐ kāi huáng sè yǔ sǎn | Yellow umbrellas are banned in political protests (Hong Kong)
17. 禁止在公共場所親吻 | jìn zhǐ zài gōng gòng chǎng suǒ qīn wěn | Public kissing is banned (UAE, Saudi Arabia)
18. 禁止左撇子寫字（歷史） | jìn zhǐ zuǒ piě zi xiě zì | Left-handed writing was historically banned in schools (global historical context)
19. 禁止喝酒（某些國家） | jìn zhǐ hē jiǔ (mǒu xiē guó jiā) | Alcohol is banned in some countries (e.g. Kuwait, Iran)
20. 禁止假笑（電影宣傳） | jìn zhǐ jiǎ xiào (diàn yǐng xuān chuán) | Forced or fake smiling banned in public ads (North Korea)

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