Mandarin Monkey Podcast

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 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

In this episode, we sweat through England’s heat wave while chatting about 3D printing family models, the oddities of British vs American English, and the quirks of parenting in ridiculous temperatures. From language mishaps to sleep-deprived parenting rants, it’s a mix of humour, insight, and the occasional meltdown. ALl spoken in Mandarin and English for your listening pleasure. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.