Strait Forward

In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee sits down with Paul Chang, founder of the Morganhope Tea Shoppe in Taipei, to discuss the history and uniqueness of Taiwanese tea. As a "first-generation tea maker," Paul explains how his shop blends modern practices with ancient craftsmanship. He walks Channing through a tea tasting experience, exploring the spectrum of seaweed-like notes in Taiwanese green tea to the honeyed sweetness of Oriental Beauty oolong.

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee is joined by Ken Moriyasu, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former foreign correspondent for Nikkei Asia, to discuss how Japan is navigating its stake in Taiwan’s future. Drawing on decades of experience reporting from Beijing, Washington, and Tokyo, Moriyasu provides a sobering, pragmatic assessment of the Japan-Taiwan relationship and the shifting geopolitical realities of the Indo-Pacific. They discuss the recent, controversial statements by Prime Minister Takaichi, who categorized a Taiwan contingency as "survival-threatening" for Japan, as well as Japan’s potential role in a cross-strait conflict.

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee is joined by Taipei-based freelance journalist Chris Horton to discuss his new book, Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and Its Struggle for Survival. With over two decades of experience reporting for major news outlets from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Horton offers an "outsider-on-the-inside" perspective on the island’s history and how Taiwan has evolved from a geopolitical afterthought to an indispensable global player that still struggles for formal recognition.

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Strait Forward celebrates its first anniversary with a special crossover episode featuring SCSP’s in-person “Chipping In” event series! Host Channing Lee welcomes on stage Andrea Yang, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), to discuss how Taiwan is engaging in subnational diplomacy across American cities and states. She provides a historical overview of Taiwan’s resilient diplomatic efforts since 1979, highlighting how Taiwan’s 13 representative offices, numerous "Sister City" relationships, and significant tech industry investments across America foster critical cultural, agricultural, economic, and tech ties between the United States and Taiwan.

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

On this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee explores the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture through the lens of its world-class cuisine. Moving beyond the "clichés" of beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) and xiaolongbao (小籠包), the episode highlights how food serves as a powerful unifier and a key component of Taiwan's global soft power. 

Author and award-winning food journalist Clarissa Wei discusses her cookbook, Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation, explaining how centuries of history—from Japanese colonial rule to post-war American influence—have created a unique culinary melting pot. The episode then moves into the kitchen as cooking instructor Ivy Chen joins Channing for a hands-on lesson in making Stir-Fried Rice Vermicelli, or Chao Mi Fen (炒米粉), teaching the essential wok techniques and "folding" methods that define authentic Taiwanese home cooking.

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.