In this episode, Steve meets Mick Yu Tsang Chou — founder, shopkeeper, and unlikely surf evangelist — whose boutique surf shop quietly anchors a growing community on the fringes of Taipei’s fast-paced urban life.
o From Taipei’s dense streets to the open water: how Mick discovered surfing at 20 and cultivated a deep connection with nature.
o A formative stint in California’s Orange County, where surf culture is as ubiquitous as coffee, shaping his sensibility for lifestyle and retail.
o The delicate art of boutique retail in Taiwan: on curation, sustainability, and navigating the shifting tides of streetwear and surf fashion.
o How COVID-19 reshaped Taiwan’s nascent surf scene — a surge of new participants, and the sobering aftermath.
o Looking ahead: Mick’s plans for a multifunctional space that blends commerce, dining, and a sense of place for the city’s growing surf culture.
o It’s a conversation that weaves together surf, style, and quiet ambition — a portrait of modern entrepreneurship in Asia’s urban periphery.
Special thanks: Mick Yu Tsang Chou, Taipei’s surf community, and the friends and collaborators who continue to shape this evolving scene.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.