After quitting her job as a management consultant, Alina signed up for a teaching fellowship that would change the course of her life. As a teacher and educator, she is one of the co-founders of Arus Academy: a social enterprise that focuses on imparting skills to create physical and digital solutions to existing problems. Bio Alina Amir is one of …

When a trio of ex-colleagues haven't caught up in a while, all bets are off! They explore the big questions: are aliens among us? UFOs are just a matter of fact now? What about cryptocurrency? And how would you sort out the climate crisis? Ezra catches up with old radio comrades Khoo Hsu Chuang and Julian Ng on a new segment: Cincai² Bocai. Bio Kho…

When Madam Kim falls into a depression following her divorce, her young son Kee Whay decides he should become a doctor. His wish: to mend his mother's broken heart. But as his own struggles with schizophrenia begin to emerge, their shared existence forces them to confront their relationship and what they mean to each other. Bio Madam Poh Kim Pheng,…

When Hidayah Hisham was nine, she was unable to make sense of her Dad’s disappearance. 17 years later, she confronts her own past when she films the story of Siti — a daughter fighting for her father’s freedom — in her documentary Ayahku, Dr. G. Bio Hidayah Hisham is a video producer and presenter at BFM 89.9 - The Business Station. Ayahku, Dr. G i…

Financial writer Aaron Tang, explains why we never seem to have enough time - and why your time, and not wealth, is your most precious resource. If you’re someone who has money (and less time), Aaron reveals the formula of how to live a more meaningful life. Also, how do we rewire our lives to stay regret-free? Learn how you could ultimately make m…

Determined to transform his relationship with money, Ezra begins the conversation about personal finance. With Julian Ng, co-founder of robo-advisor Akru, they discuss how much money is enough for you to have a life you love, now and in the future? What conscious choices can you make to improve your station in life? Also, the merits of passive inve…

Pasi Sahlberg puts forth the case as to why play is an essential part of every child’s life. We discover the benefits of children and young people when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons. What's the most convincing evidence in favour of play? Also, a tribute to Sir Ken Robinson. Bio Pasi Sahlberg …

In this final episode of 2020, Ezra calls up a friend and finds out how the coronavirus affected his Christmas plans. Bio Johanan Sen has worked across the fields of strategic consulting, data-driven marketing, creative advertising, service design and product development. Currently, he is the Head Strategy Monk at MediaMonks SEA. Episode Structure …

Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, the genre-defying experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In this episode, she reflects on the concept of “Hō-ren-sō” (報・連・相) from her time in Japan; how she brings that to the dynamics of being in a band and her personal relationships. What distinguishes the person and persona t…

Project Notes: where tips, thoughts and takeaways come together. This episode features Takahara Suiko (ep 003), bandleader of the Venopian Solitude, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster). She explores the nature of trust among bandmates, how it relates to ownership and performance within a band. Takahara makes the case of hacking the…

Best-selling author (and now podcaster) Damian Hughes shares what it's like to be in the corner of a world boxing title fight. Also, what does it take to deliver a message that has maximum impact? How does storytelling help process complex information? He explains what tripwires are and how we can build it into our everyday lives. Bio Professor Dam…

On this bonus episode, Damian Hughes (ep 002) explains the common feature of high performers and explains the significance of the Dunning–Kruger effect. Notable mentions in the chat include: José Mourinho and the principle of the guided discovery, the evolution of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager. Also, what Txiki Begiristain and F…

Ezra reconnects with his ex-house master from school, John Hendry. In this episode, John discusses how the loss of a loved one can alter one's perspective on relationships. Committing his life as an educator for more than 50 years, John reflects on a defining moment that altered the direction of his future. We hear more about what does it mean to b…

On this bonus episode, John Hendry (ep 001) shares the 5 key elements of a quality relationship. The basic elements of a quality relationship are trust, forgiveness, integrity, hope (optimism), and compassion. And while they are important individually, together they in fact substantiate the relationship. Bio John Hendry has committed his life to ed…

This is hardly a trailer. At best, it's a friendly reminder. Every fortnight, join Ezra Zaid on a narrative journey as he trails the footprints of individuals navigating the prospect of discovery and adversity. The podcast hopes to feature unique stories and anecdotes often hidden in plain sight. Oh, and hopefully there will be lots of puns, lots o…