In this episode of the Silk and Steel Podcast, host Carl Zha is joined by guest Xiang Yu, a Taiwan-based commentator, to dissect the shifting political landscape and public sentiment on the island. We dive deep into whether high-profile political "flips" by influencers and reporters signal a broader, grassroots change in how Taiwanese people view cross-strait relations, reunification, and the future.Find Xiang Yu:🌐 All Links: https://stxy.show📺 YouTube: @StraitTalkXY💖 Support on Patreon⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & KEY TOPICS00:00 - IntroductionMeet our guest, Xiang Yu, who provides an on-the-ground perspective from Taiwan often missing from Western media.02:45 - The "Lone Voice" No More? Examining High-Profile ShiftsAnalyzing the political transformations of influencer "Gym Boss" and reporter Angelica Oung.From pro-Tsai Ing-wen and anti-communist rhetoric to a more pragmatic, pro-engagement stance.13:30 - The Sunflower Movement: Taiwan's "Soft Color Revolution"Drawing parallels between the 2014 Sunflower Movement in Taiwan and the Hong Kong protests.How foreign influence and a "pivot to Asia" strategy shaped the political landscape.25:50 - The Role of the U.S.: Protector or Exploiter?A critical look at the U.S.-Taiwan relationship: Is it a partnership or a form of tribute?Discussing the "protection money" paid through arms deals and the strategic strong-arming of TSMC.33:15 - The Power of "Vibes" vs. "Bread and Butter" IssuesHow DPP politics focused on identity and "feeling good" is clashing with economic realities like inflation and stagnant wages.Why pragmatic concerns are starting to override ideological conditioning.39:20 - The Legacy of Li Ao: The Prophet They Hated But NeededRe-examining the legacy of dissident Li Ao, whose unpopular, pro-reunification warnings are now being revisited by a new generation.How his stunts and speeches accurately predicted Taiwan's current geopolitical dilemma.48:00 - Grassroots Shifts: Language, Media, and Cultural AffinitySpotting subtle changes in how people refer to mainland China.The popularity of mainland Chinese TV shows and media outside of Taipei, indicating enduring cultural ties.55:30 - Travel, Vlogging, and a Teaser on North KoreaXiang Yu discusses his recent vlogging trip to China's Northeast and a teaser about his encounters with North Koreans.Carl plans a future trip to Taiwan.01:01:00 - Wrap-up & Where to Find More🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYSA Ground Shift is Happening: While not a massive, vocal movement, there is a subtle but significant shift in Taiwanese public opinion. This is driven by disillusionment with the DPP, economic pragmatism, and a reassessment of the U.S. 's reliability versus China's growing power.From Vibes to Reality: The DPP's strategy of building a separate Taiwanese identity based on "good vibes" and international portrayal is losing ground to "bread and butter" issues like the economy, affordable housing, and realistic security assessments.The U.S. is Not a Savior: The conversation critically reframes the U.S. role not as a selfless protector, but as a self-interested power that treats Taiwan as a strategic buffer and a customer for outdated weapons.Information is Filtered: Western media coverage of Taiwan is highly selective, often ignoring large anti-government protests and the complexities of internal politics to maintain a simple "democracy vs. authoritarianism" narrative.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONEDXiang Yu's Hub: https://stxy.showGym Boss (館長): The influential Taiwanese streamer and gym owner who publicly shifted his stance from pro-DPP to pro-unification.Angelica Oung: The Taiwan-based energy reporter whose political views on cross-strait relations have become more pragmatic.Li Ao (李敖): The famous Taiwanese social commentator and former legislator known for his pro-unification views and theatrical protests.Follow Carl Zha on X (Twitter) https://x.com/CarlZha

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/ 💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/ 🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/In this conversation, Jerm and Tim West, a no-virus activist and creator of the Two Colour Protocol who's challenged scientific dogmas from his Cambridge days to debunking COVID narratives alongside figures like Dr Mike Yeadon, stress the need to question mainstream stories while sharing how personal experiences mould beliefs and spark awakenings to alternative takes.They rip into the flaws of modern science, virology, and the medical industry's dodgy health approaches, probing contagion myths and their fallout, with Tim unveiling his Two Colour Protocol—a straightforward method to split hard data from spun narratives for sharper critical thinking.The chat also weaves in religion and belief systems, pushing for deeper nuance among sceptics to navigate reality's twists without falling for manipulation.Tim’s Substack: https://substack.com/@timthagoras

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/ 💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/ 🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/Mike Robinson and Patrick Henningsen with today's UK Column News. 00:00 Welcome 00:49 Filton Six: Defendants accused of attacking Israeli-linked firm. Special report from court. Guest comment from Basil Valentine25:45 IDF Conference: Did the UK military attend?28:53 Check out UKC’s website and support our work29:52 Organ Trafficking: All roads lead to Tel Aviv. Special report from Kit Klarenberg41:14 Ukraine Peace Deal: Not going so well49:57 9/11: Bombshell Filing with first-hand insight56:10 Russia Propaganda: Priming the UK ready for war

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/ 💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/ 🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/Farmers to Action was formed after the UK Government announced proposals directly affecting farmers and landowners. These include Inheritance Tax, Agriculture Property Relief, and Business Property Relief. Alan talks about the impact the changes would have if brought in and the worry and stress it's causing farmers.As the public continues to buy food produced outside the UK, often to very different standards, the pressure on UK farmers without a direct local market is immense. Alan argues that incoherent and hypocritical government policy has forced many farmers into one-sided relationships with supermarkets, which are driving the destructive chemical processes of industrialised farming and leaving consumers worse off.Alan encourages people in the UK to make links with local farmers and landowners, apply pressure to local politicians, and begin the process of forcing change and getting a better deal for all.Farmers to Action has now disbanded as a limited company, but the network of individuals remains intact. Many will be taking part in regional action in the UK on 24 November 2025, with a bigger London protest on 26 November 2025. Alan is on X where he shares content with prominent voices about the current state of, and future of, farming.

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/ 💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/ 🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/📖 Description:In this powerful episode, we continue our conversation with Dana "Detroit Showtyme" Burton, the man known as the Godfather of Chinese Hip-Hop. Dana takes us on a journey from the gritty beginnings of his Iron Mike rap battle—the longest-running in the world—to the heart of Shanghai's electrifying nightlife.We explore how a young man from Detroit became a cultural ambassador, fostering a hip-hop community in China against all odds. Dana shares incredible stories, from securing his first sponsorship to bringing legendary US rappers to China. But the conversation takes a deeper turn as he issues an urgent call to action, drawing from his family's history and firsthand experience to warn against a new Cold War and the devastating human cost of American militarism in Asia.⏰ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction: The "Godfather of Chinese Hip-Hop"02:23 - Dana's Humble Take on the "Godfather" Title05:16 - The Early Days: Arriving in Shanghai & Finding the Scene07:03 - Starting "The Iron Mike" & Building an Empire from Nothing11:54 - The Johnny Blaze Story: His First Sponsor & Hip-Hop Fashion15:38 - The Rise of Chinese Rap Stars from The Iron Mike21:25 - Being a Bridge: Bringing US Hip-Hop Legends to China27:28 - A Night Out in Shanghai: Futuristic Clubs & Opera Singers33:45 - The "Didi" Adventure: Living in the Future39:35 - Karl Meets Karl: Surreal Moments in Fuxing Park46:50 - INS Club: A 6-Story Nightlife Amusement Park51:10 - The Universal Feeling of Safety & Quality of Life in China55:38 - A SOBERING WARNING: The US War on China & A Personal Plea57:00 - A Grandfather's Legacy: The Hidden History of Black Soldiers in Asia59:35 - The Poverty Draft: Then and Now01:01:00 - The Final Message: "Join the Party, Don't Bomb It"🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:Dana "Detroit Showtyme" on Twitter: @DetroitShowtyme (He asks you to follow him to connect and hear more!)Misión Verdad: The outlet that first called him the "Godfather"The Iron Mike: The longest-running rap battle in the world, founded by Dana.Johnny Blaze: The hip-hop fashion brand and his first sponsor.💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION:Dana's story is one of culture, connection, and a powerful warning.Were you aware of the scale and vibrancy of the hip-hop scene in China?What is your reaction to Dana's personal connection to the history of US militarism in Asia and his urgent message for the future?How can cultural exchange be a stronger force for peace than geopolitical conflict?Share your thoughts in the comments below.👍 LIKED THIS CONVERSATION?If you found this blend of cultural history and geopolitical urgency important, please like the video and subscribe to the channel. We bring you conversations with people you won't find anywhere else in mainstream media.#HipHop #China #Shanghai #Detroit #Culture #ColdWar #NoWar #IronMike #RapBattle #DetroitShowtime

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/ 💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/ 🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/Jerm and “Scipio Eruditus” dissect how Freud's theories were weaponised to mould Western minds under elite psychological agendas, and unpack Freud's massive grip on modern psychology and its ripple effects on human bonds, family setups, and education systems, framing his work as a cornerstone for decoding the manipulated structures of contemporary society.They spotlight how his ideas on behaviour and sexuality have been twisted to shape relationships and schooling, positioning him as a key architect of 19th- and 20th-century thought that propelled psychology's evolution while embedding tools for control, with his enduring mark in mental health chats still fuelling insights into Western society's engineered growth and the field's shadowy history.Scipio’s Substack: https://dfreality.substack.com

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/

Mike Robinson, Charles Malet and Vanessa Beeley with today's UK Column News. 00:00 Welcome 00:40 Hate Crime: Government review of UK free speech laws08:22 UK Crime and Policing Bill: Update on proposed police powers20:01 Gaza: UN adopts Trump peace scam30:06 Check out UKC’s website and support our work32:06 Trump: MBS visit causes commotion – but no questions please!35:07 Lebanon: Washington trampling over regional sovereignty38:43 Chinese Spies: Back in the UK, nothing new here46:16 UK Farmers: Fighting against attempts to destroy them54:59 Jolani: Skating on thin ice in Syria58:37 And finally…

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/Jerm and Steven Young, a former nuclear physicist turned music producer who's bridged scientific rigour with creative waves to question establishment dogmas, unpack the tangled mess of modern science, zeroing in on nuclear physics absurdities, the shaky legitimacy of mainstream claims, and the overlooked harmonies between music and physics through wave theory.They expose fear as a prime tool for manipulating public trust in science, revisit alchemy's blend of spirituality and inquiry that's been sidelined by corporate agendas, and mock the wild speculations in astrophysics that lack real-world grit, with Steven sharing his pivot from specialised silos to holistic wisdom that reveals how narrow expertise often breeds practical incompetence, especially post-COVID where scientific credibility has tanked amid engineered crises.The chat stresses that conflict fuels creative life, from online scraps bolstered by physical training to broader battles against indoctrination, while debunking myths like the existence of atoms or viruses and the misunderstood perils of nuclear power peddled by elite fearmongers.They wrap up urging a return to asking tough questions, blending disciplines to shatter the illusion of objective science warped by funding and politics, all to empower folks against the compartmentalised traps that keep society divided and compliant.Steven’s Substack: https://substack.com/@stevenayoung

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/UK Column founder and co-editor Brian Gerrish tells his powerful story of how he felt compelled to set up UK Column after uncovering fraud and corruption in his home city.After leaving the British Royal Navy, Brian embarked on a life in ‘civvy street’ setting up his own business. However, he soon realised life in the UK was not what he thought. He felt compelled to expose the fraud and corruption he saw around him, and UK Column was born. It was not an easy journey — backlash and threats followed — but Brian documents the coincidences and synchronicities that drew him to this path and kept him on it for the last 20 years. 

The UK Column is an independent media organisation and receives no corporate or foundation funding. We rely on the generosity of individual readers, viewers and listeners, so if you enjoy our quality reporting, please consider supporting us.🌐 Explore all our written and video content on the UK Column website https://www.ukcolumn.org/💪 Support our independent journalism here https://support.ukcolumn.org/🛍️ Check out our shop here https://shop.ukcolumn.org/Jerm and Jeff Berwick, an anarcho-capitalist entrepreneur who's built a platform challenging fiat systems and exploring consciousness through The Dollar Vigilante, describe existence as a 3D video game where consciousness drives the creation and experience of diverse life forms and realities, portraying folks as unique players in a multi-dimensional universe who learn by embodying various characters across dimensions, tackling both highs and lows along the way.It’s akin to simulation theory, but not quite.Jeff stresses how we can dream up and mould our own worlds, spotlighting the immense, tangled web of it all and how grasping our part in the game amps up the whole adventure.Website: https://dollarvigilante.com