In this special international episode of The Searchers Podcast, Atem Bior and Kirron Byrne sit down with Sabrina Wong, a teacher from Taiwan who recently visited St James College in Brisbane with her students on a cultural exchange trip.

For new listeners, The Searchers Podcast is about sharing experiences on this collective search for truth, love, and self— the big questions we all ponder but rarely express. As humanity, we’re all friends on this journey. So join us on The Search, and enjoy the ride.

The conversation starts with travel and teaching — but quickly expands into an exploration of art, music, culture, and the meaning of freedom. Sabrina shares her experience bringing students to Australia, reflects on the contrasts between Eastern and Western values, and discusses the pressure of high expectations in Taiwanese education, especially in the Fine Arts and Sciences.

As always, The Searchers dive deeper — from the power of sadness in creativity, to the role of rules in innovation, and the timeless question: Can you be truly free without structure?

This episode blends philosophy, humor, and heart — a genuine exchange between worlds that reminds us how art, music, and curiosity connect us all.

💬 Timestamps

0:40 – Sabrina on leading her students’ exchange trip from Taiwan to Brisbane
2:29 – How Taiwanese students experienced Australian culture
8:32 – Cultural contrasts: Australia vs. Taiwan
11:28 – The East’s high expectations in fine arts, science, and basketball
12:35 – Kirron’s hilarious story from his time in Taiwan 😂
18:43 – What makes great art? What makes great music? Can we even judge it?
27:11 – Which instrument would you choose to master — and why?
33:11 – Why sadness often creates the best art
37:01 – The power of music and its emotional impact
40:39 – Deep dive: Why do we have rules? Can we be free without them? Are innovators rule-breakers or rule-makers?

💡 Key Takeaways

• Cultural exchange isn’t just travel — it’s perspective.

• Art and sadness often walk hand in hand.

• Rules can protect us — but breaking them can set us free.