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 TimeTAKES of Our Time: Taiwan in 80 Words
For September, we're talking about different books we think you should know about as summer turns to fall! In this episode, we speak to Rti host and author…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: A Marvellous Light
"A Marvellous Light: Creating powerful change in liminal spaces" This is the fourth and final episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Things We Never Got Over
Things We Never Got Over: Healing takes time, but so does love. This is the third episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Romeo and Juliette
"Romeo and Juliette: The Orginal Enemies to Lovers" This is the third episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the romance…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husands of Evelyn Hugo: Not your typical romance This is the second episode in our August Spicy Summer series, where we look at one element of the…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Romantic Archetypes
This week, we kick off our return to last year's August theme: Spicy Summer, where we take a microscope to different elements of the romance genre, to try and…
Tales of Our TimeTampopo: Food is Life
Today I'm talking to my friend Rich Mattias about Juso Itami's 1985 film "Tampopo". Potentially one of the most food-loving films to date, this movie loveingly…
Tales of Our TimeWorld Without End: Striving For Paradise
Today we're doing a belated and early Father's Day episode, with my dad: Rob Stephens! Since Father's Day in the U.S. was June 21 and Taiwan's in August 8, we…
Tales of Our TimeFinal Fantasy X: The Most Annoying Guy Saves the World
Today we have a cross-over episode with my Doomscroll co-host Hanna Bilinski! We're taking a break from talking about all the news of the world, and the ways…
Tales of Our TimeTakes of our Time: What it takes to make an anthology
For today's TAKES of our Time episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Ray Hecht and Bronwen Shelwell about their project "Visions of Taiwan". Visions on…
Tales of Our TimeHeartstopper "Boyfriend": A New Standard for Bi-representation
Wrapping up our June "Pride" theme of stories that make us feel seen, we're talking about the often mentions streaming series: "Heartstopper", and it's season…
Tales of Our TimeSong of Achilles: Emotional Wreckage of the Epic Variety
This week, I'm interviewing guest Cole Jones about the Madeline Miller's retelling "Song of Achilles". We talk about how Miller's writing breathes life…
Tales of Our TimeTales: Rocky Horror Picture Show
This week, I'm doing an interview with my sibling Jessie Stephens about what they call one of their "gateway media" to the LBGTQ community: The Rocky Horror…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: The tropes that still haunt queer stories today
Today's TAKES episode is the pre-emptive first episode for our JUNE theme for global PRIDE month. I invite literature teacher and gender scholar Kyle Swayne…
Tales of Our TimeMonstress "Awakening": We Are All a Little Bit Monstrous
This week, we're interviewing returning Tales enthusiast Cat Trites about one of her favorite comic series, "Monstress" volume one: Awakening, by Marjorie Liu…
Tales of Our TimeChet and Bernie "A Cat Was Involved": Finding Man's Bestest Friend and Most Loyal Partner
Today, in honor of Mother's Day, I interviewed my own mother: Susan Hahn! We talk about a book series that's been getting her through the tough times: the…
Tales of Our TimeI Think Our Son Is Gay: And I Love Him No Matter What
Today we're talking with guest Ben Brommell about the truly heartwarming series: "I Think Our Son Is Gay", by Okura. Originally a web comic, and eventually…
Tales of Our TimeFriends "The Last One": Follow Your Dreams
This week, I'm discussing the season finale of the hit 90's sitcom "Friends" with my long-term friend Kim Huynh! We discuss things we think gave the sitcom…
Tales of Our TimeThe Thief: Expected in Surprising Ways
Today we're discussing Megan Whalen Turner's 1996 book "The Thief" with guest Janet Snow! Janet takes us through what it means to have books as "required…
Tales of Our TimeSkyrim: Your Choices Are as Important as Your Destiny
This week, I'm talking about the landmark 2011 game "Skyrim" by Bethesda Studios with long-term Skyrim fan Milo Bowles. We go through the main storyline of the…
Tales of Our TimeVerity: You Think You Know Someone
Today's guest is Kristine, Kris, St. Amour Denis, a co-organizer of a silent reading group here in Taipei on one of her favorite books of 2024: Colleen…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Dragons-- Our Biggest Problems
In this special TAKES episode, I sit down to talk about the role of the dragon in storytelling. We sit down to talk about: What makes a dragon? Is it the way…
Tales of Our TimeThe Thing: Man is the Warmest Place to Hide
This is the final episode of our March Spring Special where we're inviting people to discuss stories they LOVE which may be considered "B" films/books. For the…
Tales of Our TimeThe Midnight After: There Is No After
This is the second episode of our March Spring Special where we're inviting people to discuss stories they LOVE which may be considered "B" films/books. Today…
Tales of Our TimeTremors: Don't Run
This is the first episode of our March Spring Special where we're inviting people to discuss stories they LOVE which may be considered "B" films/books. Today…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: (almost) Anniversary Mailbag!
Okay, so I while the two-year anniversary of the show isn't until April, I couldn't wait to answer all your questions for this year's mailbag episode! This…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: What is Cozy Literature?
This month, for our TAKES episode, we're talking with returning guests Cat Trites and Bonnie Yuen about the trend of "Cozy Literature" in Taiwan. While the…
Tales of Our TimeCupid, Psyche, Hades and Persephone: Ancient Love Stories
In honor of Valentine's Day last week, we're reviewing TWO ancient love stories in this week's episode: That of Hades and Persephone, and comparing it to the…
Tales of Our TimeLight: A Story of Love, Distance, & the Burden of Womanhood
Today I'm joined by Etosha Taylor, a host of the podcast "Yaoi Fangirls versus the World", to discuss a short story from the collection "What It Means When A…
Tales of Our TimeThe Giver: The Whisper Within
Today I'm back speaking with guest, and former Taiwan resident, Ryan Tulon! We discuss the ways in which the book inspired him and others through the main…
Tales of Our TimeWhere the Wild Things Are: Embrace Your Inner Monster
Today, host Amanda Stephens is joined by returning guest: Carly Trautwein! We dig into the 2009 FILM adaptation of the renowned children's book: Where the Wild…
Tales of Our TimeMrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH: The Cycle of Goodness
Today we're revisiting an old children's classic book that always makes us feel a little better, with (unofficial co-host) Michelle Chiang! Many are familiar…
Tales of Our TimeIt's A Wonderful Life: The Richest Man in Town
Today I'm joined by Tyrel Cameron Eskelson, a published writer who lives and works in Japan, to discuss one of the most famous American films: "It's A…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Tobie Openshaw on
Today is a very special interview where host Amanda Stephens and fellow Rti cohost Joey Chou sat down with Documentary Filmmaker and Affiliated Research Fellow…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: Looking Forward to 2025
This is a special format episode! Whereas last year (and week) we reviewed the stories that touched us the most in 2024, this week we discuss media coming out…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: 2024 Year in Review
This is a special format episode! On this special TAKES of Our Time episode, I talk with some of the guests from 2024 and a fellow Rti host about the stories…
Tales of Our TimeBuffy the Vampire Slayer
Sending us into the holidays is a very special episode recorded with repeat guest Kim Gordon from perhaps her favorite and most formative series-- Buffy the…
Tales of Our TimeBob's Burgers "Vampire Disco Death Dance": Find Your People
Host Amanda Stephens' younger sibling is back to talk about another show that made a HUGE impact: Bob's Burger's season 11 finale: Vampire Disco Death Dance…
Tales of Our TimeBlade Runner 1982: These are not the DROIDS you're looking for
For today's show, I'm joined by my far-traveling guest Cody Gates to discuss the 1982 cult classic: Blade Runner. While it's been a long time since the last…
Tales of Our TimeThe Apothecary Diaries "The Garden Party": Carelessness Can Kill
In this episode, we're rejoined by an old friend Tyler Gelbar to look into a new(er) show: The Apothecary Diaries. While originally a Japanese light novel…
Tales of Our TimeTroy: Greek Gods Made Human
Amanda and Rti host Joey Chou discuss 2004's Troy (directed by Wolfgang Petersen). We talk about the ways in which the "epic historical war film" actually…
Tales of Our TimeThe 5th Element: What's Worth Saving
Amanda and her guest Tarn Parker discuss the infamous sci-fi film: The 5th Element. Directed by Luc Besson in 1997, it's a movie that has been referenced…
Tales of Our TimeJujutsu Kaisen 0: No Curse as Twisted as Love
Today host Amanda talks to Jujutsu Kaisen expert Megan about the movie: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021, directed by Sunghoo Park)! Don't be fooled by the show's killer…
Tales of Our TimeFall Freakout: Incantation
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: Abyssal Spider
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: The Bridge Curse
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: The Abandoned
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 Tag-Along
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 TimeTales SPECIAL: And So It Begins
This week is a special episode-- a very large excerpt of my interview with Ramona Diaz, the writer, director, and PRODUCER of the documentary "And So It…
Tales of Our TimeA Tale of Love and Horror: At least talk about the inevitable
Emily Daniels is BACK baby, talking about a short story "A Tale of Love and Horror" presented in 3 parts from the podcast series, "Welcome to Nightvale"…
Tales of Our TimeCyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty: The Ultimate Trolley Problem
My guest Chris Carnahan and I discuss the plot of a DLC tag-on to the popular videogame, "Cyberpunk 2077". We talk a little bit about the cyberpunk genre as a…
Tales of Our TimeThe OA: How to Write for TV
Trigger warnings for the OA include: Abuse, Captivity, and Suicide. We don't go into detail, but if these are topics you're sensitive, it's reccommended to…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer Double Feature: Who gets happy endings?
This is part of Spicy Summer. This week, I'm joined by fellow Rti host Olek Shyn, where we talk about two different gay romance films: "Your Name Engraved…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Twelfth Night
This is the penultimate episode in our "Spicy Summer" theme. This week, I'm joined by Jared Friesen to discuss Shakespere's play: 12th Night. We have a good…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: Rivals
This is part of the monthly theme "Spicy Summer". Returning Guest Emily Daniels and I make a TALES-first foray into FANFICTION. It's a huge world out there…
Tales of Our TimeSpicy Summer: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Why should you read it? "Love will surprise you." For the first episode of our ROMANCE month, we're joined once again by Kim Gordon to discuss the book: A…
Tales of Our TimeTAKES of Our Time: ROMANCE Month
This is the first episode in a month-long series. Today's episode, we do a deep-dive into the ROMANCE genre! But, rather than giving you facts, and numbers…
Tales of Our TimeSolaris (2002): Your Memories Are Not Experience
Today I'm joined by a SECOND special guest from Seattle, Evan Johnson! We're here discussing the question: "When is the remake better than the original?" and…
Tales of Our TimeNever Let Me Go: We're All Human
Today I'm joined by a very special guest from Seattle: Mary Kunce! We sit down and discuss the 2005 novel "Never Let Me Go", by Kazuo Ishiguro. In almost a…
Tales of Our TimePride and Prejudice 2005: The Iconic Adaptation
Today I'm once again joined by my dear friend and colleague, Sharon Lin! We discuss the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice from 2005, directed by Joe…