Crazy Smart Asia

“I wasn’t given a racing car. I chose it. But for other girls, it’s never an option," says motorsport star Bianca Bustamante, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the GB3 racer discusses her social media game, the sacrifices her family made to finance her dream, how racing lets her escape societal expectations and why she can no longer watch anime. 00:00 Introd...

“You can always turn something bad into good,” says 9gag co-founder Ray Chan, on Crazy Smart Asia . In conversation with Tatler’s Chong Seow Wei, the Hong Kong entrepreneur discusses building one of the world’s largest online meme platforms, the time he brought a rice cooker to a startup accelerator programme and how experiencing baby loss puts petty crypto drama into perspective. 00:00 Introducti...

From a visual development artist who’s worked on major Hollywood animations to a horror filmmaker terrifying audiences without the jump scares, season 11 of Crazy Smart Asia presents powerful lessons on work and life from Asia’s film industry leaders. Listen for five of the most powerful mindbombs from the season’s guests, designed to help you think bigger, braver and more creatively. If you enjoy...

“If you don’t start calling yourself an artist, no one will,” says Singaporean-Taiwanese actor and writer Grace Chow, on Crazy Smart Asia . In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ star discusses how to cultivate and protect your creative outlook, how she landed her breakout role in Australian TV series ‘Mystery Road: Origin’ and why she was encouraged to be an e...

“The Projector is a space for people who are curious,” says Karen Tan, the co-founder of Singapore’s only independent cinema, The Projector, on Crazy Smart Asia . In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, she discusses the benefits and challenges of disrupting a traditional industry, balancing creativity with business demands and why she lets people throw toilet paper at each other in h...

“Horror is like a rollercoaster ride, it mirrors us as human beings,” says Kenneth Dagatan, the film director behind the Philippines’ first scary film to premiere at the Sundance’s Midnight Section. On Crazy Smart Asia , Dagatan shares with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei his philosophy of horror beyond cheap thrills, the joy of directing with playfulness and why nothing scares him more than the re...

“Animation is a magical thing that can bring ideas and beauty to people who don’t get access,” says visual development artist Desiree Ong on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Ong shares about the film that sparked her curiosity in animation, being a graphic designer for Guillermo del Toro’s award-winning stop-motion musical ‘ Pinocchio’ and navigati...

“The more specific you are, the more global you are,” says Tan Si En, an award-winning Singaporean film producer and founder of Momo Film Co, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, they share why the best producers are like rivers – they flow with the bends, why the best films tell stories that are true to personal experiences, and dreams of an a...

“Being a film composer is about how good your instincts are,” says music composer Elliot Leung on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Hong Kong native discusses the process of composing big orchestral scores for blockbusters, why the ultimate compliment is the audience humming the main theme song in the bathroom after watching a film and why the v...

This week, we present five motivating quotes from the guests of Season 10 of Crazy Smart Asia . From understanding what real confidence looks like to grasping every opportunity that comes your way, these mind bombs tackle what it means to build a better world, better business or better you. If you enjoyed these short clips, why not go back and listen to the full episodes: Tech founder and ex-Green...

“In many ways, we are eating ourselves to our own extinction,” says Christophe Bariou, the co-founder of Dehusk, Maison Bukana and Maison Bukana Wines, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino-French entrepreneur discusses overcoming a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in his twenties, living life with no regrets and his passion for veganis...

“The most important quest of an entrepreneur is to focus on your customers,” says Caecilia Chu, the co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based fintech company YouTrip, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, she discusses building Southeast Asia’s first multicurrency mobile wallet, nailing product market fit, perseverance as a business non-negotiable and th...

“To do something great, you need to have focus, discipline and consistency,” says Mathew Leong, executive chef of the award-winning restaurant Re-naa, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Stavanger-based Singaporean chef opens up about moving to Norway with just $500 in his pocket, how competition is key to being your best self and why he rarely...

“Until the time it's profitable, what’s the hoo-ha about? There is no achievement,” says Nikhilesh Goel, co-founder and group CEO of Singapore-based startup Validus, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Goel shares his journey from the son of a tea taster in Kolkata to fintech founder, his quiet leadership style and the honest feedback he’s gotten f...

“You have to know yourself well,” says Tim Yap, the co-founder and CEO of events and PR agency, Yaparazzi, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino Chinese shares his incredible career through showbiz to events and PR, why he’s passionate about putting the Philippines on the world stage and why knowing yourself is key to being a better netw...

“I wanted to do something so hard that people could not ever talk shit to me ever again,” says Gene Yu, co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Blackpanda, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Taiwanese American shares the scary hostage rescue of a family friend that got him into cybersecurity, why military school was more traumatising than war...

“Innovation is supposed to be fun,” says Vince Siu, founder and CEO of Press Start Academy and Press Start Studios, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Siu shares why education needs a shake up, how his business started as “board game socials” he hosted for friends and how he navigates being an introverted CEO. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction 01:01...

“We want them to be masterful, to look like superstars,” says Tryke Gutierrez, the co-founder and CEO of Tier One Entertainment, an esports and entertainment company, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Gutierrez shares why he’s inspired by the K-pop business model, how leadership is the only truly scalable element in business and how his approach to life...

This week, we pick out five inspiring quotes from the guests of season nine of Crazy Smart Asia . From being at peace with fear and failure to how to create viral social content, these insights can help you build a better world, better business or better you. If you enjoyed these short clips, why not go back and listen to the full episodes:  Fighting fear and finding peace , with former UFC f...

“There are many kinds of people in the world. And you don’t have to change yourself to fit in,” says Cheryl Wee, founder of CW, the Company of Wellness. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei on Crazy Smart Asia, the former Singaporean actress shares the harsh reality of being a young starlet in Taiwan, how she navigates working in her family business and what’s next for body confidence in A...

“You need to be clear-headed during a mission, both as a humanitarian and in space,” says Kristine Jane Atienza. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast, the Filipina shares how she balances being a space nutritionist with her work in public health, what it’s like training for a mission to Mars and why crumbs are a big no no in space.  Hosted on Acast. See...

“I don’t think you can ever guarantee that your video will go viral, but you can definitely control the factors to increase the chances,” says food content creator Abi Marquez, who has millions of followers on social media. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast, the Filipina shares more tips on creating viral content, her favourite collaborator and how she fr...

“So few people are trying to build markets for essential health products,” says Edward Booty, the founder and CEO of reach52, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Booty shares how we can transform the global healthcare system to boost access, why he doesn’t believe in generic startup advice, and the terrifying experience that left him locked in the back of...

“Every esports game might have a million-dollar price tag,” says Tiffani Lim on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, Lim shares her journey from pro gamer to team manager and athletes committee chair at the International Esports Federation, navigating family estrangements as a result of her career choice, advocating for female gamers to receive equal opportun...

“I’m just another human when I don’t play badminton,” says Penang-born Singapore-based badminton champion Loh Kean Yew on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Gen. T’s Chong Seow Wei, the 27-year-old Olympian shares how he balanced training and education at the Singapore Sports School, persevered through injuries and setbacks to make the Olympics, and deals with pressure and losses....