Shows / Tales of Our Time
Tales of Our Time
This is a show where we discuss the stories that move us, what makes them so meaningful, and why others should find meaning in them as well. We tackle movies, books, comics, and more. Where there’s a story, there’s a reason to read (or watch!).
Episodes
- Tales of Our Time
Fall Freakout: The Laundryman
This is the final episode of our series FALL FREAKOUT where, for all of October (temporarily official) co-host Michelle Chiang, and forever-host Amanda…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Dead Talent Society
This is the fourth episode of our series FALL FREAKOUT where, for all of October (temporarily official) co-host Michelle Chiang, and forever-host Amanda…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Mudborn
This is the third episode of our series FALL FREAKOUT where, for all of October (temporarily official) co-host Michelle Chiang, and forever-host Amanda…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Detention
This is the second episode of our series FALL FREAKOUT where, for all of October (temporarily official) co-host Michelle Chiang, and forever-host Amanda…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: The Devil Fish
This is the first episode of our series FALL FREAKOUT where, for all of October (temporarily official) co-host Michelle Chiang, and forever-host Amanda…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Revisiting Sanmao's Sahara with Jacob Kushner
Because of the of the cultural importance of her work, and the depth of Kushner’s reporting, this episode has been published longer than our typical shows to…
Tales of Our TimeDark Lord of Derkholm: Please do your travel research
Today, we're talking with Yasmeen about Diana Wynne Jones' 1998 book, Dark Lord of Derkholm. We discuss how this book pairs Jones' typical tonal twists, and…
Tales of Our TimeWuthering Heights: When love doesn't justify everything
This week we're talking to Seth about the book Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë. We discuss how this classic gothic romance is... subjectively romantic…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Joshua Samuel Brown and Taiwan Pilgrimage
In today's TAKES episode, we sit down with author Joshua Samuel Brown to discuss his previous work, but also his up-and-coming novel: Taiwan Pilgrimage! We…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: The Wrong Highlander
The Wrong Highlander: She needed a doctor, she got a husband. This is the FINAL episode in this year's Spicy Summer series, where we look at the romance genre…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
It Was Just a Contractual Marriage: Make them question who's really the hostage! This is the third episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Emma
Emma: What exactly is going on? This is the second episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at the romance genre and put it under the…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Lord Lightning
Lord Lightning: He's a LEO! This is the first episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at the romance genre and put it under the microscope to…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer Intro: Michelle's romance turnaround
This is the introduction to our August special "Spicy Summer", where we take an in-depth look at the romance genre, the reputation it has garnered across…
Tales of Our TimeFrankenstein and 1984: Exploring personal and societal monstrosity
Today is the final of our four-episode collaboration with recent graduates (and almost graduates) of the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students…
Tales of Our TimeGone with the Wind and The Leavers: Building identity in a shifting world
Today is the second of a four-episode collaboration with recent graduates (and almost graduates) of the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students share…
Tales of Our TimeThe Wednesday Wars, and Station 11: Seeking deeper understanding
Today is the second of a four-episode collaboration with recent graduates (and almost graduates) of the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students share…
Tales of Our TimeHoles, and Looking for Alaska: Navigating dark times
Today is the first of a four-episode collaboration with recent graduates (and two almost graduates) of the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students…
Tales of Our TimeHeated Rivalry: Discovering relationships in spite of tropes
This is the FOURTH (and sadly last!) week of our June PRIDE-month special where we're talking with members of our local and global LGBTQ+ community about the…
Tales of Our TimeThe Honeys: Drifting between two shores
This is the THIRD week of our monthly PRIDE-month special where we're talking with members of our local and global LGBTQ+ community about the stories that made…
Tales of Our TimeMerlin: Diamond of the Day: Our Decisions Make Destiny
This is the SECOND week of our monthly PRIDE-month special where we're talking with members of our local and global LGBTQ+ community about the stories that…
Tales of Our TimePRIDE: Rubyfruit Jungle: A manifesto for everyone who does not fit the mold
It's PRIDE MONTH ALL~~~ This is the FIRST week of our monthly PRIDE-month special where we're talking with members of our local and global LGBTQ+ community…
Tales of Our TimeSeven Years in Tibet: The journey to the self
Today's guest Wendy joins us to talk about the memoir-turned-movie "Seven Years in Tibet!" Originally a memoir about the life of Austrian mountain climber…
Tales of Our TimeCrazy Ex-Girlfriend "Josh Just Happens to Live Here!": We all need to be more cringe
This week, I'm sitting with guest Ariel to discuss the first episode of the TV show (and dark musical comedy) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend! We talk about the show's…
Tales of Our TimeAssassin's Apprentice: The struggle for belonging
This week we're talking to Caroline Free about the book "Assassin's Apprentice." Originally published in 1995 by Robin Hobb, it's the first of her Farseer…
Tales of Our TimeThe Producers: If you've got it, flaunt it (lawfully)
This week, we're sitting down with Saree to discuss Mel Brookes' screenplay about the trouble with making a "hit", The Producers! Originally debuted in 1967…
Tales of Our TimeThe Breakfast Club: A lesson in open-mindedness
This week's guest Heather talks with us about one of the MOST iconic movies from the 1980s, John Hughes' The Breakfast Club! We talk about how this movie set a…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of our Time: Anniversary Mailbag 3
Tales of Our Time is three years old! How nuts is that? However you feel, it's time for the traditional mailbag episode to celebrate! This year's questions…
Tales of Our TimeDungeon Crawler Carl: Level Up!
This week we're talking to Alex Cailleaux about Dungeon Crawler Carl, and what has made it so, so, so popular recently. Is it the way it almost substitutes…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: How to Break a Girl
Today we talk with Amanda Sung, the author of How to Break a Girl! We talk about how she turned what was originally a memoir and masters thesis into a fiction…
Tales of Our TimeProject Hail Mary: Science and friendship save the universe
Today I'm talking with my guest Milène to talk about the scifi novel: Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. We talk about Weir's other work, his dedication to…
Tales of Our TimeIs This a Cry for Help: A love letter to messy people fighting for what's right
This week, we're talking about the FRESH new book "Is This a Cry for Help," by Emily Austin. This week's guest Hayley Ware dives into the book and what it…
Tales of Our TimeFlow: Humanity regained
This week, we're joined by Rti's own Wanson (host of Cinematic Motif and Tâi-gí Made Easy) to discuss the 2024 animated film, Flow! We talk about how the movie…
Tales of Our TimeAge of Empires 2: Joan of Arc: The story of an underdog
This week we're joined by Kathyrn Houg all the way from the Netherlands to discuss the enfuring legacy of the 1990s RTS strategy game: Age of Empires 2!…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: ANDOR finale
This is the fifth and final episode of a five part series our month-long look at the Disney TV show "Andor". To guide us through the month, we'll be joined by…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Andor: Role Models and Sacrifice
This is the fourth episode of a five part series our month-long look at the Disney TV show "Andor". To guide us through the month, we'll be joined by our two…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Andor: The corporate cruelty of The Empire
This is the third episode of a five part series our month-long look at the Disney TV show "Andor". To guide us through the month, we'll be joined by our two…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our TIME: Andor: Pathways to Revolution
This is the second episode in a five-part series. Cat and Jared detail the different ways people are drawn into the nascent rebellion movement in the show…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Andor, the Star Wars show teaching revolution
This is the first episode of our month-long look at the Disney TV show "Andor". A spin-off of a spin-off, the show has been described by many as surprisingly…
Tales of Our TimePerfect Blue: the dangers of parasocialism
Today we're back with Rich Mattias discussing the 1997 animated movie Perfect Blue, directed by Satoshi Kon. Rich and I discuss how the movie expanded his…
Tales of Our TimeThe Overstory: The arboreal witnesses to our era's destruction
Eloise Phillips and I discuss Richard Powers' the Overstory! This book is an EPIC (though not literally?) that tells the stories of nine different people…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES: Little Red Riding Hood and the lessons of fairytales
This is a TAKES of Our Time Episode, a recurring segment where we discuss an ASPECT of storytelling and delve into greater detail to better understand how they…
Tales of Our TimeButcher of the Forest: A fairytale of loss
Our first episode is... ME (Amanda Stephens) talking with returning guest-host Michelle Chiang about a book I really loved in 2025. After discussing with so…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of our Time: Looking Forward to 2026
This is a special format episode! Whereas last year (and week) we reviewed the stories that touched us the most in 2025, this week we discuss media coming out…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: 2025 Year in Review
This is a special format episode! On this special TAKES of Our Time episode, I'm joined by my fellow Rti hosts Hanna Bilinski (of Retro Reels), Tristan…
Tales of Our TimeNumber the Stars, and Cilka's Journey: Where to find hope in dark times
Today is the last of our three-episode collaboration with two classes from the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students share with us some of the most…
Tales of Our TimeOf Mice and Men and Catcher in the Rye: When relationships are tested to the limit
Today is the second episode of our three-episode collaboration with two classes from the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students share with us some…
Tales of Our TimePachinko, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Lessons about immigration, and group identity
Today is the first of a three-episode collaboration with two classes from the Canadian Independent Micro School, where students share with us some of the most…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES: The science fiction inspiring big tech
Today we're trying something a little different and more experimental with our TAKES episode, and exploring the science fiction stories that inspire big techm…
Tales of Our TimeThe Alchemist: Your heart will lead the way
This week, I'm talking with returning guest Cole Jones about the famous book "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Originally published in Portuguese, the book…
Tales of Our TimeA Wizard of Earthsea: How to face the shadow
Today we welcome returning guest Janet Snow to discuss Ursula K. Le Guin's "A Wizard of Earthsea". We discuss how, despite being published in 1968, the story…
Tales of Our TimeBlob: A self love story
This week, I'm talking one last time with Kris St.Amour Denis before she leaves Taiwan about Maggie Su's "Blob: A Love Story". While it may share some elements…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital
This episode has a longer-than-normal summary period. Tigger warnings include: blood, violence, and suicide In our Fall Freakout FINALE episode for 2025, hosts…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: The Tenants Downstairs
The podcast episode is longer than usual to allow for a longer summary period. This film has stronger than usual content warnings, including: violence, sexual…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Hospital
The podcast episode is longer than usual to allow for a longer summary period. This week hosts Amanda and Michelle are tackling 2020's "Hospital" (杏林醫院) -- a…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: The Sadness
The podcast episode is longer than usual to allow for a longer summary period. TW: Heavier than usual blood, gore, and upsetting events and imagery. This is…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: The Rope Curse
The podcast episode is longer than usual to allow for a longer summary period. Amanda Stephens and guest co-host Michelle Chiang dive into the Taiwanese horror…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES: What makes Taiwanese horror stand out?
Today we're warming up for our final theme of the year, our Fall Freakout-- where we watch and discuss Taiwanese horror movies, or horror movies that heavily…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic
For September, we're talking about different books we think you should know about as summer turns to fall! Today we're speaking with creative Will Buckingham…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Ordinary Guy at War
For September, we're talking about different books we think you should know about as summer turns to fall! This week, I had the extraordinary pleasure of…