Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Episoade

• 467 - What? A Taiwanese Doesn't Like Stinky Tofu?! | What? We're Shy Leos?! 30.05.2026 40min

  In this episode of Meeting Yating, Ula and Yating continue getting to know each other through a series of fun, unexpected, and surprisingly personal questions.How can two Leos be so shy? Why do both teachers give off a "don't talk to me" first impression? And perhaps most shocking of all... how can a Taiwanese person not love stinky tofu?The conversation jumps from personality types and school memories to food culture, including the great fried vs. steamed stinky tofu debate, sweet vs. savoury rice dumplings, and what it really means to be a foodie in Taiwan.Yating also shares the story of how she ended up living in Sweden after meeting her partner, including long-distance challenges, visa interviews, Swedish relationship laws, and the unique concept of sambo.Along the way, they discuss how they cope with bad moods, the benefits of exercise, chocolate therapy, whether they're cat people or dog people, and the different ways people show their true personalities depending on the situation.A relaxed and natural Mandarin conversation filled with cultural insights, personal stories, and plenty of unexpected tangents.In this episode:Why two Leos can still be shyFirst impressions vs. realityFried or steamed stinky tofu?Sweet or savoury rice dumplings?Life in Sweden as a Taiwanese expatLong-distance relationships and visa challengesHow exercise can improve your moodCat people vs. dog peopleFood culture in TaiwanPerfect for Mandarin learners who enjoy authentic conversations, real-life stories, and getting to know the people behind Mandarin Monkey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• AI Judged Tom's Mandarin in 10 Seconds?! | Headbands Fun & Big Mandarin Monkey Updates 22.05.2026 49min

  In Episode 466 of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Ula and Tom dive into the strange world of AI language learning apps, including one that judged Tom’s Mandarin level almost instantly after saying “你好”! We chat about why language confidence matters, how AI should assess learners, and what actually helps people improve their Chinese naturally.We also share exciting updates about the brand-new Mandarin Monkey learning platform currently in development, including progress tracking, flashcards, homework tools, vocabulary lists, teacher feedback, and more community features coming soon.Then we play Headbands in Mandarin and English. Expect confusion, ridiculous clues, paintbrush disasters, clothing misunderstandings, and one of the hardest guessing games we’ve ever played.We also talk about:Learning Mandarin through conversation and contextWhy vocabulary alone doesn’t define your levelAI chat partners for language practiceWalking podcasts and GoPro ideasMonkey Plays and bilingual gaming contentFuture plans for Mandarin Monkey learners and teachersThanks for listening and supporting Mandarin Monkey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 465 - Meeting Ya Ting 15.05.2026 46min

  In this episode, Ula sits down with new Mandarin Monkey teacher Yating for a fun first conversation together.They discuss the kinds of questions Taiwanese people always ask when meeting someone new, including where you’re from, your star sign, and whether you’re an I person or a J person. The conversation also explores life abroad, cultural differences between Taiwan, the UK, and Sweden, and the small daily habits that become surprisingly emotional when living overseas.Topics include:Taiwanese social cultureAstrology and personality types in TaiwanIntrovert vs extrovert (I vs E)Planning personalities (J vs P)Shoes inside the houseFood hygiene differencesPublic changing rooms in SwedenA relaxed and natural Mandarin conversation for learners who enjoy culture, personality discussions, and everyday life topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Episode 464 - Pizza Walk, School Systems and Finding Your Child’s Passion 08.05.2026 37min

  We’re back on another Friday walk, this time heading to buy pizza for the kids before their disco.Along the way we talk about rats, squirrels, Dungeons & Dragons, steak names in Mandarin, private and public schools, and the differences between education in Taiwan and the UK.We also discuss how children discover their interests, whether schools should focus more on individual passions, and what parents can do to support their kids’ happiness and future choices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• A Walk, A Rat, A £2 Coin & Camping Plans | Mandarin Monkey Podcast 463 01.05.2026 40min

  In episode 463, we take the podcast outside again for a relaxed walk around our local area. We chat in Mandarin and English about spring weather, birds, nettles, dandelions, dog poo bags, new housing developments, finding a £2 coin, and spotting a rat in the bushes.We also talk about our upcoming camping trip to the Cotswolds, bank holiday weather, funny local pub experiences, and some of our recent Mandarin Monkey short videos — including GATAO and Sherlock.A casual bilingual walking episode for Mandarin learners who enjoy real conversation, natural listening practice, and a little bit of chaos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• An episode out in the wild | Mandarin and English Podcast 24.04.2026 56min

  So we decided to go out for a walk today while doing the podcast. Makes a change to the usual studio based Mandarin and English conversation. Enjoy. www.mandarinmonkey.com Email: chat@mandarinmonkey.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Can we pull this off? 17.04.2026 55min

  Welcome back to the Mandarin Monkey Podcast episode 461.This week, we dive into a big idea: what if we hosted a Mandarin Monkey live immersion event in the UK?We talk through what that could look like — a full day of Chinese-speaking activities, games, food, and socialising — designed to feel fun, relaxed, and genuinely immersive, not like a traditional classroom.Along the way, we also chat about:how realistic a one-day Mandarin immersion event actually is the challenges of organising venues, logistics, and activities ideas for games, karaoke, VR, food tasting, and interactive learning how AI is becoming part of daily life, work, and creativity what it’s like talking to AI (and when it gets a bit weird…) why different AI voices and personalities feel so different new teachers joining Mandarin Monkey plans to improve our booking system and websiteThis episode is a mix of brainstorming, behind-the-scenes, and everyday life, as we figure things out in real time.If you’d be interested in joining a Mandarin Monkey live event, let us know.Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• We Thought About Ending Mandarin Monkey... Then This Happened | Podcast 460 08.04.2026 46min

  Welcome back to the Mandarin Monkey Podcast episode 460.In this episode, we talk about the reaction to our “goodbye” joke and the unexpected wave of love that came from it. It was a warm reminder that even when content feels lonely to make, there are real people out there listening.We also get into:why long-form content still matters to ushow short-form is changing attention spansideas for future Mandarin Monkey episodesboard games, walking podcasts, and trying new formatsbeing ranked as one of the world’s Mandarin learning podcaststhe reality of balancing Mandarin Monkey with work, life, and everything else going on behind the scenesThis episode is a bit of a catch-up, a bit reflective, and very much us.Thanks for sticking with us.If you enjoy learning Mandarin through real conversations, hit subscribe and come along for the ride.#MandarinMonkey #LearnMandarin #ChinesePodcast #MandarinPodcast #BilingualPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The Final Episode | We Are Finally Saying Goodbye To The Podcast 01.04.2026 44min

  We are finally saying goodbye to the podcast. We have been doing this since 2018! Made so many awesome friends along the way and had so much fun. But now its time we call it a day. We started with a microphone on a bedside table in our bedroom and ended up in a full studio, its been a long and arduous journey. We want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible. The community will continue! Every monkey worth their salt will still be on the front lines learning Mandarin. We love you all! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The Final Mailbag Episode 😢 27.03.2026 48min

  So this is it. The final mailbag episode. It was fun while it lasted. If you have any interesting stories or emails, email them in to:chat@mandarinmonkey.com and we will read them out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• We Tried Planning Lapland in Mandarin… It Got Expensive Fast | Ep 457 25.03.2026 45min

  We started planning a simple trip to Lapland…and somehow ended up booking reindeer rides, elf school, glass igloos, and possibly bankruptcy.In this episode, we talk (and argue) through planning a family trip to Lapland, what we actually want to do vs what we can afford, and how quickly “just a few activities” turns into chaos.Along the way, you’ll hear natural Mandarin and English conversation, real-life vocab, and how we actually think through decisions as a bilingual couple.Also in this episode:– Should podcasts feel like a conversation or a show?– Why talking to the audience vs each other changes everything– Christmas in Lapland… is anything even open?– The reality of planning travel with kids– Wholesome news (with Mandarin vocab you can actually use)If you’re learning Mandarin, this is how it really sounds in real life. No scripts. No slow talk. Just conversation.Key Mandarin you’ll hear:– 募款活動 (fundraising activity)– 太陽能板 (solar panels)– 星星 / 天文學家 (stars / astronomers)If you’ve ever been to Lapland, drop a comment.Tell us what’s actually worth doing… and what’s a waste of money.—Listen, learn, and just enjoy the chaos.New episodes every week.Follow for more real Mandarin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Listener Mailbag: Taiwan Ghost Month, Saving Face & Learning Mandarin in Real Life | Ep. 456 20.03.2026 50min

  Welcome back to Mandarin Monkey Podcast Episode 456.This one’s a proper listener mailbag episode.We read your emails and end up talking about all sorts: learning Mandarin on a tractor in rural Iowa, a workplace misunderstanding about saving face, the chaos of Taiwan Ghost Month, whether the third tone is designed to ruin lives, typing Chinese on a Mac, and one very wholesome story about using Mandarin to ask for a father’s blessing.As usual, Tom speaks English, Ula speaks Mandarin, and somewhere in the middle we all try to make sense of life, language, and cultural confusion.In this episode:real stories from Mandarin Monkey listeners around the worldTaiwan Ghost Month taboos and superstitionssaving face in Chinese and Taiwanese culturelearning Mandarin through real conversationMandarin tones, typing Chinese, and bilingual family lifewhy this community is a lot bigger than either of us expectedIf you're learning Mandarin Chinese, interested in Taiwanese culture, or just enjoy chaotic bilingual conversations, you’re in the right place.Send us your stories, questions, wins, disasters, cultural confusion, and Mandarin struggles. We need more for future mailbags.Write in and be part of the next episode.#LearnMandarin #MandarinChinese #TaiwanCulture #ChineseListeningPractice #BilingualPodcast #MandarinMonkey #LearnChinese #GhostMonth #SavingFace #Taiwan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• This Might Be the Worst Podcast Game Ever 18.03.2026 45min

  This episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast takes a strange turn.We somehow ended up playing a “tiny acting” game we found online… which is great for YouTube and absolutely terrible for podcast listeners.Expect awkward silence, ridiculous acting challenges, and one very questionable scenario involving a dog in a waiting room.Along the way we also talk about: • why words start to feel strange when you repeat them too much • life stress after moving countries • how comments about your voice can stick with you for years • why sometimes the best thing you can do is just laugh and relaxIf you enjoy learning Mandarin through real conversations, chaos, and the occasional terrible idea… welcome to Mandarin Monkey.Listen to the full podcast and learn Chinese with us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Mailbag: Learning Mandarin While Doing the Dishes, Running, and Raising Bilingual Kids 13.03.2026 35min

  Can you really learn Mandarin while doing the dishes? What about while running, driving, or just surviving family life on broken sleep?In this Mandarin Monkey mailbag episode, we dive into real listener stories and questions about learning Chinese in the middle of normal life. From passive listening and bilingual parenting to sleep deprivation, kids climbing into bed sideways, and the never-ending mystery of 了, this one goes everywhere.In this episode:learning Mandarin while doing the disheswhy some people understand more while running than studyinga 58-year-old dad starting Mandarin in retirementraising bilingual children outside Taiwan and Chinawhether natural input is enough for kidswhy 了 still confuses everyonesleep, parenting, and recovering from SwitzerlandIf you're learning Mandarin and trying to make it fit around work, family, or everyday chaos, this episode is for you.Tell us in the comments:Where do you listen to Mandarin Monkey?Doing the dishes? Driving? Walking? Hiding from your children for five minutes?Mandarin Monkey is a bilingual Mandarin Chinese and English podcast designed to help you improve your listening through real conversation, humour, and everyday life.#LearnMandarin #MandarinChinese #ChineseListeningPractice #BilingualPodcast #LanguageLearning #MandarinMonkey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Our 36 Hours in Zurich | Swiss Chocolate, $50 Chocolate, Kangaroo Steak & Scooter Adventures 11.03.2026 51min

  We just spent 36 hours in Zurich, Switzerland filming an event at the FIFA Museum… and somehow turned it into a mini travel adventure.In this episode we talk about:• flying to Switzerland with camera gear • our first taste of real Swiss chocolate • accidentally spending £50 on chocolate • riding electric scooters around Zurich • trying kangaroo steak in an Australian restaurant • discovering how expensive Switzerland really is • meeting our Uber driver with a powerful story about Iran • exploring Lake Zurich early in the morningIt was a very short trip, but Zurich turned out to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities we've visited.This episode is also great for Mandarin learners, as Ula shares thoughts and stories in Mandarin while we talk about the experience in English.If you've ever been to Switzerland, tell us your favourite place! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• We Forgot to Press Record… Then Got Hired to Film in Switzerland 08.03.2026 36min

  We just recorded 40 minutes of podcast… and realised we never pressed record.So here we are doing it again.In this episode we talk about:• Our first corporate filming job in London• Why we're suddenly flying to Zurich next week• The launch of our new gaming channel Monkey Plays• Whether language exchange apps actually work• Why Pleco is amazing (but not perfect)• Why people in Taiwan don’t really say 你好吗• And how to actually use podcasts to improve your MandarinPlus we answer your emails about:Using Mandarin podcasts for learningCantonese vs Mandarin situationsLanguage exchange apps like TandemStudy methods and common mistakes learners makeIf you want to send us a question for a future mailbag episode, email us!chat@mandarinmonkey.comMonkey PlaysOur new gaming channel where you can learn Mandarin while watching games:RaftOvercooked 2Peak(and more coming)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxuNENWdUdcvRMuMiADUFmQFull playthroughs and interactive vocab games are available on Patreon.patreon.com/monkeyplaysgamesMandarin Monkey LinksPodcast: https://mandarinmonkey.comLessons: https://mandarinmonkey.com/lessonsPatreon: https://patreon.com/mandarinmonkey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• I Lost a Translation Job Over “Face” (And Called My Boss a Bastard) 27.02.2026 36min

  This week’s mailbag episode is… painful.• A freelance translator loses a business contract because he didn’t understand 面子 (miànzi). • Someone tries to compliment their manager… and accidentally calls him a bastard. • Another listener’s Chinese name sounds dangerously close to “horse sh*t.”We talk about cultural competence in business Mandarin, tone disasters, gaming as a language-learning method, and why choosing a Chinese name is more serious than you think.If you’ve ever made a language mistake that keeps you awake at night, this one’s for you.Don’t lose confidence. Just don’t translate “losing face” word for word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• British Slang That Confuses Mandarin Learners | Episode 450 25.02.2026 36min

  Episode 450 is here! 🎉In this fun and chaotic bilingual episode, we chat about life getting back to normal after the holidays, the challenges of new projects, and a possible Mandarin retreat idea… before things take a very British turn 😅We dive into one tiny English word — “piss” — and explore the MANY ways British people actually use it in real life. If you’ve ever been confused by British slang, this episode is for you.This podcast is spoken in both Mandarin and English, making it perfect for learners who want natural, real-world listening practice.What you’ll hear in this episode:Real couple conversation in Mandarin + EnglishBritish slang explained in contextCultural differences in language useRelaxed, natural listening practiceWhether you're a beginner or advanced learner, come hang out and improve your Mandarin the natural way.📩 Got a story to share? Email us: chat@mandarinmonkey.com🎓 Want to learn with us? Try a free trial lesson! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• From Tears to Taiwan, Real Mandarin Learner Stories That Will Inspire You | Mailbag #449 20.02.2026 37min

  This week on the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, we read three powerful emails from listeners whose Mandarin journeys couldn’t be more different — yet share the same courage.From feeling fluent for the first time, to reconnecting with family and heritage, to quitting a job and moving to Taiwan for love and language…These are real stories from real learners navigating confidence, shame, identity, relationships, and bold life decisions — all through Mandarin.Whether you’re:A beginner starting from scratchA heritage learner feeling pressureDating someone TaiwaneseOr dreaming of living in TaiwanThis episode is for you.We speak naturally in both Mandarin and English throughout the episode, so learners of all levels can follow along and build real-world listening skills.💛 Mandarin isn’t just grammar and vocab lists. It’s connection, risk, community, and growth.加油 — we’re in this together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Would You Survive 48 Hours Speaking Only Chinese? 18.02.2026 48min

  Chinese New Year is here… but we’re not just talking about red envelopes and dumplings.In this episode:Who should give red envelopes (and when it stops)The weird firework pranks from childhoodWhy we chose not to vlog our kidsAnd… our idea for a 48-hour Mandarin-only retreatCould you survive two full days speaking only Chinese?No English. No safety net. Just immersion.Let us know if you’d actually come.🎧 Listen on Spotify📩 Join our community🧧 Happy New Year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.