ICRT BreakDown

Ep. 14: Cat Herders Day Crazy about cats? We have a feline this episode is purr-fect for you! Join hosts Tim and Paz and their guest, Davis Liao, founder of the CrazyCat Charity Association, as they talk about the charity and all things cat. Hear about what cat herding is and isn’t. Then discover whether these are cat’s meows or pet peeves: purrs like a cat, unmanageable, 呼嚕, and… cat! (“feline” replaces “feeling” in the second sentence) seemingly – (adv.) 貌似、看來 Some cats are seemingly aloof, but when someone they’re comfortable with starts petting them, they close their eyes and melt into a contented puddle of purrs. vaccinate – (v.) 給…接種疫苗 Did you know that cats need to be vaccinated against a variety of viral diseases and infections, including rabies and feline distemper, and may need booster shots? universally – (adv.) 普遍地、共同地 It’s universally agreed that dogs, with their loving nature and need for walks, are more high maintenance than cats, who seem content to laze away their days alone. mechanism – (n.) 制度、體制 TNVR – trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return – is the mechanism the charity uses to help the stray cat population in its community to stay healthy. acknowledge – (v.) 察覺、認可…屬實或存在 Depending on their mood or the temperature in Timbuktu, cats may or may not acknowledge your return, but even if they don’t come to you or meow, they do notice! -- Hosting provided by SoundOn [https://www.soundon.fm/]

Ep. 12: Fascinating Taiwan Passionate about Taiwan? You’re in good company with hosts Tim and Paz and their guest, Rifat Karlova (吳鳳), an actor, author, and Golden Bell Award-winning host. Hear about the first impression this naturalized Taiwanese from Turkey had of Taiwan, his ways of determining the best destinations and foods for visitors, and his ideas on how to tell the world about all Taiwan has to offer. Then discover whether go local, wanderlust, and live your life to the utmost are Tim, Paz, and Rifat’s pet peeves or cat’s meows! scholarship – (n.) 獎學金 Students from other countries who would like to study at a university in Taiwan should look into the generous scholarships that the Taiwanese government offers. charismatic – (adj.) 充滿個人魅力的 The speakers she finds charismatic are deeply enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the topic they want to share yet consider their audiences and are open to learning. follower – (n.) 支持者、擁護者 With his boundless enthusiasm for exploring all things Taiwanese and sharing his adventures, it’s no wonder that Rifat has so many followers on social media. prolong – (v.) 延長、拖延 Tourists may think they’ll be able to see and do everything in Taiwan in one brief visit, but they’ll find its offerings so rich that they’ll prolong their trip or plan their next one. teamwork – (n.) 協作、合作 Any project aiming to have a significant impact on boosting the number of tourists visiting Taiwan would benefit from solid teamwork across borders. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn [https://www.soundon.fm/]

Ep. 11: Taiwan Girls Day Join BreakDown hosts Tim and Paz, and Ingrid, the International Affairs Supervisor for the Garden of Hope Foundation, as they discuss how the foundation works toward its vision of a world free of gender-based violence. Learn who they serve, what services they offer, and how they empower girls across Asia to address the issues they face. Discover if these expressions are pet peeves, cat’s meows, or both: women hold up half the sky, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, glass ceiling, and #girlsdecide. eliminate – (v.) 排除、消除 Gender-based violence has been difficult to eliminate despite years of efforts; the causes are complex and range from the individual level to the national level. assault – (n.) 毆打、攻擊 Knowing the local risk factors for domestic violence, sexual assault, and other gender-based violence helps to develop prevention and support services for women and girls. campaign – (n.) （尤指政治、商業或軍事的）專門的活動、運動 Last year, the foundation’s campaign to support Asian girls launched the “Asian Girls in Action Project” to empower girls to develop their ideas for projects and carry them out. perception – (n.) 見解、看法 The foundation uses its experience of improving the societal perception of girls’ empowerment and gender equality in Taiwan to educate people and help girls abroad. legislation – (n.) 法律、立法 Helping girls and women stand up for their rights can lead to important changes in legislation to codify and enforce the protection of these rights. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn [https://www.soundon.fm/]

Ep. 11: Taiwanese Coffee Does coffee make your world go around? Join hosts Tim and Paz and their guest, Ken (學長 陳冠哲), the founder and managing director of VV Café. Learn how Ken became a coffee expert, where coffee is grown in Taiwan, what his thoughts on the different roasts are, and what makes a coffee good. Then find out whether these terms are pet peeves or cat’s meows: it’s not my cup of tea, coffee snob, and hand drip coffee. After this episode, you’ll crave a cup of Taiwanese specialty coffee! premium (adj.) 高級的、優質的、頂級的 On top of the high number of cafés, big convenience store chains offer premium coffee, evidence that Taiwanese have a taste for high-end coffee and the means to buy it. recognition (n.)承認、認可、接受 International recognition of Taiwan’s specialty coffees has increased to the point where the flavorful beans are on the must-buy lists of coffee aficionados visiting from abroad. metaphor – (n.) 隱喻、暗喻 The café’s name stands for “velvet,” a luxurious material with a silky feel, multi-layered colors, and a mysterious, alluring texture - the perfect metaphor for its specialty coffees. consistent – (adj.) 一致的、符合的 If you grind your own coffee beans, make sure to get a consistent grind size; unevenly ground coffee beans may affect the flavor and smoothness of your brewed coffee. aid – (n.) 輔助物、輔助設施 A great cup of coffee can be had with the aid of an expensive, state-of-the-art machine, but simple tools like a filter and a dripper, plus observation and patience, do the job well. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn [https://www.soundon.fm/]

Ep. 10: Triathlon Up for some swimming, biking, and running? Get a head start by diving into this episode of BreakDown with Tim, Paz, and triathlete Sam Hsieh (謝昇諺). Hear about Sam, how he became an elite athlete, what the great benefit of exercise is for him, and how he inspires others. Learn what a triathlon is and what triathletes need to succeed. Discover the even longer endurance events that Sam thinks anyone can do! Finally, find out whether these terms are pet peeves or cat’s meows: glutton; bite off more than you can chew; and don't stop when you're tired, stop when you finish! relentless – (adj.) 持續強烈的 He’s relentless about keeping himself in top shape and ready for the next triathlon, always exercising in some way, even while sitting, and maybe even while sleeping! endurance – (n.) 忍耐力、耐受力 Triathletes must have extraordinary endurance to compete in three grueling events in one race, sometimes while coping with unfamiliar weather and route conditions. accomplish – (v.) 完成、達成 The feeling he got when he accomplished something he hadn’t really thought he could do was so good that it led him to tackle more difficult challenges with determination. mighty – (adv.) 非常、很、極 As she crossed the finish line of her first triathlon, the only thing she could think of was how mighty tired every single cell in her body felt. nutrition – (n.) 營養 An essential part of training and competing that some ignore is providing our bodies with the right nutrition at the right time to have the speed and stamina to win. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn [https://www.soundon.fm/]