Shows
Tsai Five Podcast20 | Saying No to Good Things | Josiah Herfurth, Noemi AlarconSaying no to good things is good. But saying no to good things can be bad. But saying yes to good things can be bad. And saying yes to good things can be good. It's all just really confusing, but we're talking about juggling different aspects of life in the most God-glorifying ways, and today, Josiah, Noemi, and Matthew try to make sense of it all.
2024-01-071h 36
Tsai Five Podcast19 | Creating Community | Mia Thompson, Cris Tzoc"I Have a Question is Back!" Mia, Cris, and Matthew discuss the importance of community and creating it for others to enjoy the fellowship of Christ!
2023-11-251h 23
Tsai Five PodcastBarbieWe'reeeeee back... Today, we pick apart the costumes, the feminism, the Kens, the dances, and of course, the Barbies.
2023-08-0548 min
Tsai Five PodcastTwo Tsais in a Pod | Ep. 1 | Tangerines SuckNo one asked for it, but we're back with another casual podcast! What's your favorite Paparia?
2023-02-061h 02
Tsai Five Podcast18 | The Art of Listening | Troy Coale, Leilani Ventura, Cris TzocSorry for some tragic audio, Matthew chose the absolute worst place to record a podcast. But this podcast is on the art of listening and hearing others! Enjoy listening to this crackly audio.
2022-12-161h 10
Tsai Five Podcast17 | Leading Worship | Justin Santos*queue intro strumming of "So Good to Me"* This episode, we're talking about leading worship with Justin Santos, musician extraordinaire.
2022-12-151h 30
Tsai Five Podcast16 | Prayer | Kaleo LeeThere's the almighty, perfect, good God, and we get to talk to Him whenever we want. Prayer is power. Today, Kaleo and Matthew discuss a personal relationship with Jesus and talking with our Father.
2022-12-121h 31
Tsai Five Podcast15 | Being Pastor's Kids | Kaleb Cruzado, Grace KimA pastor is called to ministry. A wife chooses to team up in that calling. And LOL then there's the kids that didn't sign up for this rollercoaster ride. That's what Kaleb, Grace, and Matthew discuss today: being pastor's kids!
2022-12-011h 25
Tsai Five Podcast14 | Moving Homes | Izabella Ge, Mia RamirezMoving day hits different! Today, Izabella and Mia come onto the pod to discuss the social, physical, emotional ramifications of moving around as a child. Together, we look back on how God has moved through our moves across the globe, nation, and city.
2022-11-071h 30
Tsai Five Podcast13 | College Ministry | Faith OakThe Tsai Five Podcast's biggest fan finally joins Matthew on an episode! Matthew and Faith talk about USC Christian Challenge and Pepperdine KCM and what it's like living for Christ on a college campus.
2022-10-141h 34
Tsai Five Podcast12 | Podcast Anniversary | Isabella TsaiI will not lie... I do not remember what this episode is about! But... it's been two years since we've started the Tsai Five Podcast! Today, we look back on 87 episodes of pure entertainment.
2022-10-101h 15
Tsai Five Podcast11 | Working with Kids | Allison Chang, Jenn AguilarIt's such a delicate balance and fulfilling calling! Allison, Jenn, and Matthew talk about staying encouraged, teaching about Jesus, and preventing scissor deaths.
2022-10-081h 21
Tsai Five Podcast10 | Asking Questions | Samuel EscueThis week, Samuel is on the podcast to talk about the art of asking questions. Discussion topics: manipulation, follow-ups, and vulnerability.
2022-09-301h 21
2022-08-311h 29
Tsai Five Podcast8 | Only Siblings | Mia Thompson, Troy Coale, Adeline NarulaToday, we have four "only siblings" on the pod! We talk about sibling dynamics, reflecting God well, and sharing the same blood!
2022-08-201h 29
Tsai Five Podcast7 | South Pas | Jared Low, Evan CheeThree USC Trojans come together to reminisce about being South Pasadena Tigers! Jared, Evan, and Matthew talk about the small-town vibe, best farmer's market tents, and more!
2022-08-131h 23
The Watling and Owens ShowMekhi Becton's Injury + Joe Tsai picks Sean Marks: 8/9/22The guys react to the news that Mekhi Becton is expected to miss the entire season and Joe Tsai's tweet endorsing Sean Marks and his coaching staff. Plus, the Yankees snap a five-game skid and Odd Man Rush with Luke.
2022-08-0944 min
Tsai Five Podcast6 | Thought Spirals | Nick PenalozaThis week, Nick and Matthew discuss mental spirals, insecurities, and vulnerabilities, as well as study habits, ordering from a menu, and platonic relationships. Welcome to the random messes of their brains.
2022-08-091h 34
Tsai Five Podcast5 | Phases of Friends | Kay SeyTubs of lemonade! Falling shelves! Crazy mohawks! We promise that this episode has a topic.
2022-07-301h 11
Tsai Five Podcast4 | School Crushes | Dustin HuangRemember Lover Boy from the early days of the Tsai Five Podcast? He finally comes to spill the beans on the Four Corners. Today, Matthew and Dustin talk about crushes, long-distance advice, and stupid things in eighth grade.
2022-07-241h 17
Tsai Five Podcast3 | Parenting | Andrea TsaiIn this episode, Matthew talks with his mom, Andrea Tsai, about motherhood. They talk about the dreaded empty nest, parental advice, motherly sacrifice, and more on this episode of "I Have a Question!"
2022-07-161h 37
Tsai Five Podcast2 | Confidence and Comfort | Josiah Herfurth, Mia RamirezTwo of Matthew’s college homies hop on the pod to talk about the relationship between confidence and comfort and how God has become the central provider of both.
2022-07-092h 07
Tsai Five Podcast1 | College Life | Elijah DingWe have a new series: "I Have a Question!" Today, Matthew sits down with Elijah Ding to talk about their differing college experiences, best school food, making friends, roommate stories, and fraternities.
2022-07-031h 39Tsai Five PodcastThor: Love and ThunderThor is the first MCU character to get a fourth solo film, and it's definitely... something. Join us as we talk about insane logistical stupidities, Taika Waititi's humor, and the Asguardians of the Galaxy.
Isabella: 49
Matthew: 48
2022-06-291h 20
Tsai Five PodcastHow We've ChangedWe are back!! This time, we're just doing a casual podcast... no movie, no Rotten Tomatoes game, and no ratings! Just the two of us talking. Call it a comeback :)
2022-06-261h 02
Tsai Five PodcastMoon Knight: Season ReviewWe're back with more MCU content. This time, it's Moon Knight, a series about dissociative identity disorder, based on the real life events of Obadiah Tsai :) We break down the entire season, try to find a name for our classic game, and talk about other issues that Marvel is currently facing.
Season:
Isabella: 48
Matthew: 72
Matthew's Episode Ratings:
Ep. 1: 80
Ep. 2: 74
Ep. 3: 53
Ep. 4: 50
Ep. 5: 85
Ep. 6: 67
2022-05-171h 06
Tsai Five PodcastDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessHappy Mother's Day! It's our long-awaited return, and today we talk about moms, Americas, witches, and more!
Isabella: 71
Matthew: 59
2022-05-091h 25Tsai Five PodcastWind RiverWe're finally getting around to reviewing our most requested movie: Wind River! Nah, kidding, we just watched this because Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch are here. Fair warning though, this is a graphic and mature rated R movie.
Isabella: 68
Matthew: 81
2022-03-0432 minTsai Five PodcastBumblebeeHailee Steinfeld is in this and the action is cool and that's about it. Let's walk through this Transformers movie together. Apparently it's supposed to be one of the good ones, so we don't wanna know what the others look like.
Isabella: 48
Matthew: 54
2022-02-1830 min
Tsai Five PodcastAvengers: Infinity WarToday, Matthew's reviewing Marvel Studios' "least movie" movie, Avengers: Infinity War. Discussion topics: terrible CGI, useless high school newspapers, interesting wig choices, and how the Russo brothers squandered the Hulk.
Matthew's Rating: 95
2022-02-142h 23
Tsai Five PodcastArrival"If you could see your whole life from start to finish, would you change things?" Come join Matthew as he ponders free will, the meaning of life, time, and the illusion of control that we all believe we have.
Matthew's Rating: 98
2022-02-071h 16Tsai Five PodcastEncanto¡No me gusta! ¡No me gusta! Today, we're reviewing the latest Disney Animation movie, Encanto, a movie that follows Maribel or Mirabel. We don't know which one it is.
Isabella: 58
Matthew: 75
2022-02-0444 min
Tsai Five PodcastPhineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd DimensionWow, if I had a nickel for every time I was farted with my Zoom unmuted, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice, right? Today's movie is a spinoff of one of the best kid shows of all time, so, Isabella, I know what we're gonna do today.
2022-01-3157 min
Tsai Five PodcastMoanaThere's the Rock! There's Alan Tudyk! And there's Troy Polamalu! And surprise, surprise, the best part of this movie is Jemaine Clement's Tamatoa. Today, Matthew reviews 2016's Moana and talks about his rewrite video process.
Matthew's Rating: 74
2022-01-241h 26Tsai Five PodcastDon't Look UpWe freaking love fingerling potatoes. Come for the star-studded cast, stay for Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill playing the Trump family, and leave because Jennifer Lawrence's wig is quite... well, let's just say you don't wanna look up at that.
Isabella: 57
Matthew: 66
2022-01-2132 min
Tsai Five PodcastKung Fu PandaCitizens of the Valley of Peace, it is my great honor to present to you: Tigress! Viper! Crane! Monkey! Mantis! Tai Lung! The Seething Six! This is obviously from a leaked first draft of Kung Fu Panda, one of the greatest animated movies ever made! Matthew discusses the illusion of control, peaches, and of course, Jack Black's tenders.
Matthew's Rating: 98
2022-01-171h 48
Tsai Five PodcastKnives OutEat shirt, eat shirt, eat shirt. Definitely eat shirt. This movie has more twists than the small intestine, and Matthew breaks it all down. Not as much gushing this time — he does have some criticisms — but Knives Out is great! Also, he discusses the 2022 movie calendar and his thoughts on major upcoming movies and projects.
Matthew's Rating: 96
2022-01-102h 12
Tsai Five PodcastShort Term 12Every time someone asks Matthew what his favorite movie is, they're extremely lost when he says, "Short Term 12." Well, now there's no reason to be confused. Here's an episode of Matthew gushing over how good this movie is and why Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is such a huge disappointment.
Matthew's Rating: 100
2022-01-041h 13
Tsai Five Podcast2021 Tobys: The MCU Superlative AwardsWelcome to the inaugural Tobys! We are the Academy of Marvel Studios Arts and Sciences (AMSAS), a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of Marvel Studios projects. As of December 2021, the organization was estimated to consist of around 2 qualified idiots. The Academy is an international organization and membership is open to unqualified bingers around the world. The Academy is known around the world for its annual MCU Superlative Awards, now officially and popularly known as "The Tobys."
Best Picture: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Best Actress: Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision
Best Actor: Tom Holland, Spider-Man...
2021-12-301h 14Tsai Five PodcastHawkeye: "So This Is Christmas?" + Season ReviewHawkeye is over, and so is Matthew's happiness. BUT... this time we actually have some criticisms about this show, so grab your eggnog and tune in!
Ep. 6:
Isabella: 77
Matthew: 82
Season:
Isabella: 86
Matthew: 85
2021-12-2842 minTsai Five PodcastHawkeye: "Partners, Am I Right?" + "Ronin"You already know we love Hawkeye, so TLDR: Hailee Steinfeld is a national treasure, Clint Barton is our favorite, and [redacted, spoiler] is amazing.
Ep. 4:
Isabella: 97
Matthew: 88
Ep. 5:
Isabella: 94
Matthew: 89
2021-12-2157 minTsai Five PodcastSpider-Man: No Way HomeThis is a spoiler review of Spider-Man: No Way Home! Go watch it before you get it spoiled for you!!
Isabella: 91
Matthew: 76
2021-12-1958 minTsai Five PodcastTick, Tick... Boom!It's only a matter of time... until Andrew Garfield is showered with awards for this Lin Manuel-Miranda-directed movie. Also, Netflix's Christmas darling Vanessa Hudgens is in this, too!
Isabella: 78
Matthew: 80
2021-12-1338 minTsai Five PodcastThe Official Tsai Five Movie Rating RubricWe take a pause on the reviews to create the definitive movie review rubric.
Isabella (all equal weight): LOL, Feeling the Feels, How Much Longer, Satisfying Ending, Acting, Personal Bias, Rewatchability, Visuals, Originality/Plot/Story, Better/Worse/Same as Expectations
Matthew: Story (30%), Direction (15%), Acting/Characters (15%), Plot (15%), Technical (10%), Entertainment (5%), Personal Bias (10%)
2021-12-061h 00Tsai Five PodcastHawkeye: "Echoes"The first episode of the Tsai Five Podcast where it's just Matthew. Yeah, Hawkeye was that good that he wanted to talk about it himself.
Matthew: 94
2021-12-0151 minTsai Five PodcastHawkeye: "Never Meet Your Heroes" + "Hide and Seek"Take four of Marvel Studios trying to make a good season of television! Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld give us hope that they can.
Ep. 1
Isabella: 77
Matthew: 81
Ep. 2
Isabella: 83
Matthew: 87
2021-11-2550 minTsai Five PodcastRed NoticeBlack Adam, Deadpool, and Wonder Woman assemble to create your average Netflix flick. Also, lift with your neck.
Isabella: 50
Matthew: 65
2021-11-2244 minTsai Five PodcastEternalsCertain events in this movie make the PhotoShop posters on our Instagram seem really weird now... But who cares? We assemble some of Tsai Five Podcast's greatest guests in this Avengers-level episode as we talk about another superhero team that's not quite as cool: Eternals.
Isabella: 80
Andrea: 80
David: 70
Matthew: 71
2021-11-081h 08Tsai Five PodcastDuneDune fans are rejoicing! Zendaya fans are mourning! Everyone else is staying tuned until 2023 when the second half of this movie is released! Here's our review of the latest Denis Villeneuve movie.
David: 86
Matthew: 81
2021-11-021h 12Tsai Five PodcastVenom: Let There Be CarnageOh shoot! That's an old one! Today, our mom is on the show instead of Isabella, and we talk about her newest favorite movie.
Mom: 74
Matthew: 79
2021-10-181h 14Tsai Five PodcastNo Time to Die"Let me tell you a story. Of a man. Bond. James Bond." Who??? Today we review Daniel Craig's final outing as 007.
2021-10-1142 minTsai Five PodcastSquid Game: “Red Light, Green Light”Hello, it's player 27 and player 180. We're reviewing the first episode of Squid Game!
Isabella: 78
Matthew: 84
2021-10-0943 minTsai Five PodcastNocturnal AnimalsWow, this one's a doozy. Highly recommend, but we are both still pretty puzzled after watching this one.
Isabella: 83
Matthew: 83
Sources:
u/AgraP, u/fupa16, and some unknown users on IMDb! For some more interesting thoughts, go to https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/5exedm/official_discussion_nocturnal_animals_spoilers/
2021-09-2849 minTsai Five PodcastShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsThe director of the best movie of all time, Short Term 12, and some lame stock image model guy team up to bring us the first Asian-led Marvel movie! We talk about our spoiler thoughts in today's episode!
Isabella: 72
Matthew: 63
2021-09-0849 minTsai Five PodcastThe Edge of SeventeenWatch this movie and come listen to our thoughts, and it's very good, and we really like it, and it's complicated, and simple. Also... we need to watch out for run-on sentences.
Isabella: 89
Matthew: 90
2021-08-3144 minTsai Five PodcastThe Croods: A New AgeNever apologize for an effective kill circle. We're reviewing the second installment of our father's favorite movie franchise!
Isabella: 72
Matthew: 78
2021-08-3033 min
Tsai Five PodcastThe Edge of SeventeenWatch this movie and come listen to our thoughts, and it's very good, and we really like it, and it's complicated, and simple. Also... we need to watch out for run-on sentences.
Isabella: 89
Matthew: 90
2021-08-2343 minTsai Five PodcastBooksmartGrab your "chips and salso long high school" and "salame being your father was the greatest honor of my life," kick back, and relax while we review Booksmart, the raunchy coming-of-age film that's filled with sex jokes and awkward situations.
Isabella: 75
Matthew: 89
2021-08-1752 minTsai Five PodcastThe Suicide Squad + VivoWe return from the unofficial hiatus because we couldn't resist talking about our favorite thing... Michael Rooker! Kidding, here's our spoiler review for The Suicide Squad and Vivo.
The Suicide Squad (at 2:36)
Isabella: 88
Matthew: 84
Vivo (at 37:31)
Isabella: 90
Matthew: 75
2021-08-081h 06Tsai Five PodcastBlack WidowIt was fun... Just like Black Widow, this review of the 24th MCU film is a bit late. Spoiler-free section at the beginning and full spoilers about 20 minutes in!
Isabella: 80
Matthew: 75
2021-07-151h 27Tsai Five PodcastFirst Dates and Precarious PositionsMatthew is very stupid. Also, we have a sponsor!!! This episode is brought to you by the "Bludgeoning Matthew Tsai" Cult :)
2021-07-0555 minTsai Five PodcastWe Are PiratesWe are the pirates who don't do anything. We just stay home and lie around!
2021-06-2932 minTsai Five PodcastCookie is Simmering in PrisonCome back and check back in in 15-20 years and see how wrong we were.
2021-06-2246 min2021-06-1528 minTsai Five PodcastMeet FerdinandTrivia Night on the Tsai Five Podcast, and it's extremely embarrassing...
2021-06-0845 minTsai Five PodcastSmiley Faces, Hearts, and Graduation CapsMatthew's graduating and Isabella's returning to Malibu! Listen to the end of an era!
2021-06-0133 minTsai Five PodcastA Five-Year Dynasty Comes to an EndAfter exerting our nefariously evil agenda on South Pasadena residents' FaceBook pages through Tiger Newspaper for the last five years, we have still not learned how to write a succinct, easy-to-read sentence.
2021-05-2450 minTsai Five PodcastThe Difficult Intersection Between Funniness and GenderWe have a somewhat real talk today! Also, it's literally just Isabella speaking for most of the episode!
2021-05-1755 min2021-05-1049 minTsai Five PodcastYou Got No FriendsWe talk about our extremely depressing lack of friends, and Isabella teases her first single.
2021-05-0434 minTsai Five PodcastThe Trojan HorsePepperdine class of 2025? Matthew has a mental breakdown? Isabella's transferring to San Diego State?
2021-04-2759 min2021-04-1936 minTsai Five PodcastWe Love Press JunkiesToday we discuss celebrities, social media, social anxiety, and why we're both so awkward.
2021-04-1259 min2021-04-0543 minTsai Five Podcast76% CoherenceWe complain about high school! Also, now everyone wants to see Isabella bop up and down.
2021-03-2938 minTsai Five PodcastMINT Loves HeroinSpecial guests Travis and Nicole are on the show! Today, we talk candidly about our heroin addictions and how Disney is pretty cool.
2021-03-2246 minTsai Five PodcastPepperdine Hits DifferentPart two of our psychology series (who knows if part three will ever happen)!
2021-03-1530 minTsai Five PodcastWhat are Mistakes, if not Learning Happening?WARNING: This episode contains full WandaVision spoilers three minutes in. But more importantly, we introduce our new theme music today, courtesy of our cousin and future Grammy winner, Lucas!
2021-03-0853 minTsai Five PodcastHoly Motherforking Shirtballs!So... let's think about the way we think of things! Today, we talk about approaching tests and essays, watching movies, and inner monologues.
2021-03-0130 minTsai Five PodcastMarvel Studios Presents...Isabella and Matthew discuss half genocides vs. full genocides, the upcoming Loki Disney+ show, and why Thor: Ragnarok sucks.
2021-02-2244 minTsai Five PodcastOn a Very Special Episode...The Tsai Five Podcast has guests, our cousins: Elijah, Lucas, and Jon! On this special episode, we talk about favorite memories, who's getting married last, and what it's like growing up with close-aged cousins.
2021-02-151h 012021-02-0935 minTsai Five PodcastThe Matthew ShowHey, showrunners! If you could cast Auli'i Cravalho, Selena Gomez, and Vanessa Hudgens as Matthew's love square, that'd be greatly appreciated.
2021-02-0134 minTsai Five PodcastPlease Take Your Shoes OffTime to talk about our Asian-ness, pagodas, and how amazing Taiwanese sounds.
2021-01-2534 minTsai Five PodcastWill You Accept This Rose?WandaVision spoilers about 25 minutes in, but we know that no one gets that far, so it's all good.
2021-01-1843 minTsai Five PodcastSkunk Spray Impregnates IsabellaWe have a little Marvel Would You Rather? this episode in honor of WandaVision! Spoiler: Isabella dies in every hypothetical question.
2021-01-1139 minTsai Five PodcastEmergency PreparednessWelcome to Season 2 of the Tsai Five Podcast! Don't come into our house windows, or Isabella will jab your forehead with her stick.
2021-01-0422 minTsai Five PodcastChoking on Some ChickenPlease excuse the lousy sound editing. It was Isabella's first time. She's still figuring some things out.
2020-12-2834 min2020-12-2134 minTsai Five PodcastAlways Check Your ArtworkIf you can't fart after taking the COVID vaccine, there's a problem. Also, Isabella and our dad are scientific proof of human cloning. So that's pretty cool.
2020-12-1430 minTsai Five PodcastIntroducing for the First Time... Mr. and Mrs. Toby Pork!Isabella got married and didn't tell Matthew. Also, dreams are really cool.
2020-12-0729 minTsai Five PodcastWe Join a Conservative Wife CultCollege apps, conservative women's groups, and Isabella's first episode as editor!
2020-11-3024 minTsai Five PodcastMcDonald's Apple PieIsabella is an alcoholic? Find out more on this week's episode.
2020-11-2333 minTsai Five PodcastWe Need to Normalize FartingFarting is good. Saying "Bless you!" is bad. We talk about pet peeves and normalizing some stigmatized things in episode 7.
2020-11-1628 minTsai Five PodcastSelf-Care Slam PoetryChinese school is terrible, we try to be nice to each other, and Isabella is a poet today!
2020-11-0931 minTsai Five PodcastDwyane Wade, IT4, Toyota, and PlasticSo... apparently Isabella's an ugly crier, chickens are asexual animals, dirty toilets are lame, and Matthew's the ultimate matchmaker?
2020-11-0229 minTsai Five PodcastSpooky SZNYup, we were those lame kids that didn't dress up for Halloween. On this episode, we talk about favorite holidays and fruits!
2020-10-2729 minTsai Five PodcastStarting an Insult CounterBirthdays, hepatitis, little kid dreams, and more! Also, Matthew is a bird killer and Isabella is a five-star volleyball player.
2020-10-1943 minTsai Five PodcastKentavious Tsai's Dad Wants Dwayne Johnson's BoobsOn this episode, we talk about family vacations, haircuts, Dwayne Johnson's muscles, cereal brands, and how beautiful the name Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Tsai sounds.
2020-10-1239 minTsai Five PodcastTang Tops and ChampionchipsOn the first episode of "Tsai Five," we talk Percy Jackson, Disney princesses, and embarrassing misconceptions.
2020-10-0735 min