Today, we are going to talk about several mandarin-speaking podcasts that are popular and I also often listen to. 100% mandarin-speaking environments in podcasts without subtitles might be difficult for madnarin learners.
Do not worry, though, it is a good strategy to play podcasts as the background music when cooking, exercising, or bathing even though you do not understand it 100 percent. In the long run, if you have the habit of listening to the podcasts, you are more likely to get used to the fluency and accents of this language!
I am going to list some of podcast channels below, let’s look at it together:)
1. 聽天下：天下雜誌 Podcast Tīng tiānxià: Tiānxià zázhì Podcast
The podcast is from 天下雜誌 (Commonwealth Magazine) since 2019, and it is briefing news in audio ways.Readers can not only read the news, but also absorb new knowledge by listening. The podcast provides high-quality news, interviews and comments focusing on finance, international affairs and trends, and the channel is updated every day. I have subscribed this podcast for 2 and half years, and this podcast really enriches my perspectives towards diverse issues.
The channel has several main topics
1.【天下零時差】(Tiānxià líng shíchā) uploaded at 8 am updated from Monday to Friday. Focus on international breaking news and business news
2.【好好說那年 Hǎohǎo shuō nà nián】
The 40th anniversary of Commonwealth Magazine since 1981, telling the wonderful stories of each era ranging from 1981~2021.
3.【決策者・聽天下Jué cè zhě tīng tiānxià】
The editor-in-chief of Tianxia talks about how to make a decision in the face of important issues with guests, and guides the cover story.
4.【經濟學人＠天下 Jīngjì xué rén@tiān xià】
Read the latest issue of The Economist every week to grasp the world’s political and economic trends.
5.【永續會 Yǒng xù huì】
This topic is about new investment standards, corporate citizens, sustainability standarads, and ESG opportunities.
6.【未來城市Wèilái chéngshì】
Future city is the sum of technology, economy and sustainability; the future of the city is full of infinite imagination.
7.【管理同學會Guǎnlǐ tóng xuéhuì】
The editor-in-chief of Commonwealth Magazine Publishing will analyze management practices and applications for you.
8.【Off學 xueˊ】
Suggestions for a beautiful and stylish life, updated on Sundays. Usually, this series are about the casual life or traveling stories in corner of Taiwan
百靈果 News Bǎilíng guǒ
The name of 百靈果 news is derived from the pronounciation of Bilingual News, and they are dedicated to hosting the podcast in both Mandarin and English. The podcast of 百齡果 news is talking about some controversial issues that occur in Taiwan and other countries worldwide in more causal and humorous ways instead of perspectives from journalists. There are no specific answers to issues, but they provide different angles for these issues.
Issues like how the government’s policy measures of preventing COVID influence the gym business, and they invited Guanzhang(館長) to the interview. He is the boss of Genghis Khan Fitness Club(成吉思汗健身俱樂部), and one of the famous influencers in Youtube.
Another example is that they talk about the issue that British grandmothers seeking sex tourism warned to stay away from The Gambia. They are mentioning that sex tourism is verbally described as “Budget Tour” but in reality it is a “Honey Trap”, and even some British women aged at 70 and 80s still get married with Gambian young men. This phenomenon has been for more than 30 years since 1990s, and this somehow becomes the industry. The two hosts are discussing about it by deriving the data and news contents from the governments of UK, Gambia, and Australia, and the media of UK, Gambia, and Australia as well.
In this channel, each episode lasts on average 1 hour and they speak mandarin with many Taiwanese local slangs in the programme. At the same time, they also upload the same contents into Youtube and Youtube-shorts as well, so audience can watch their physical interaction and gestures or just listen to their voices. I personally like this podcast, and I often burst into laughter every 10 min because the two hosts are very humorous.
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