How to Live

Searching for meaning in life and work? The secret isn’t in those rare, life-altering moments—it’s hidden in the small, everyday moments we often overlook. The key? Storytelling. Even if we don’t share them, simply turning our experiences into stories in our own minds can transform how we see ourselves and our lives. It’s how we grow, learn, and ultimately, find deeper purpose. In today's pod...

Ever felt like a jack of all trades, master of none? Think again! Welcome to the world of Portfolio Life!  Just like a financial portfolio, it’s about bringing together all your passions, talents, and needs—balancing them to create a fulfilling life on your own terms It starts by understanding what truly matters to you: income, flexibility, creativity, intellectual stimulation, family responsibili...

Can we learn to be happy, or is it something we're born with? Research, including Martin Seligman’s theory of Learned Optimism , reveals that happiness need not be a passing feeling—it can be a skill we develop. The science is clear: happiness can be learned. One simple yet powerful tool is savouring . While happiness may seem fleeting, pausing to fully experience joyful moments can stretch t...

How do you reinvent yourself when you’ve already reached the top of one field? It's a question many of us face as long careers, industry disruptions, or even boredom push us to rethink our path. In the latest episode of the How to Live podcast, I sit down with the legendary sports broadcaster John Dykes, who shares his powerful and deeply personal story of stepping out of the broadcast spotli...

We start projects with excitement, but how often do we end up doom-scrolling when the going gets tough? What really drives distraction? Is it flashy external stimuli or our internal discomfort? Research shows it's primarily internal triggers. Even Plato and Aristotle grappled with this 2,500 years ago. While modern tech hasn't helped, it's not the root cause. The key to beating dist...

Imagine attending a keynote where the speaker walks up with an iPad and begins sketching live, transforming complex ideas about life and business into powerful visual concepts right before your eyes. Meet Simon Bowen, the Visual Maestro of Business, who turns abstract thoughts into million-dollar realities. Growing up in the rugged outback of Western Australia, Simon's world was defined by vi...

Do you dismiss manners and etiquette as outdated, superficial skills? Think again. Beneath the surface of etiquette lies a powerful combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, coaching, and spirituality. These elements can: Foster deeper connections with others Build unshakeable confidence Transform lives in profound ways This eye-opening insight came from my conversation with Sara Jane Ho,...

Ever felt an instant connection on a first date, only to wonder later if it was real? Science says it might not be intuition at all—it's arousal misattribution. Professor Joel Pearson experienced this firsthand during a rock climbing first date. Years later, his groundbreaking research revealed the truth: the exhilaration of climbing created a physiological high he mistook for romantic connec...

Ever blanked during a crucial presentation, your mind suddenly empty? The panic, the embarrassment, the self-doubt that follows... Sound familiar? Welcome to midlife, where this happens more often. But here's the twist - it's not a downward spiral, it's an evolution. Our brains start changing in our late 30s, with the prefrontal cortex slowing down. We can't process information...

Does efficiently clearing tasks bring you peace or just create more busyness? 🤔 We've all tried countless time management hacks to regain control of our schedules. But ironically, the more we optimise, the busier and more stressed we become. The root issue isn't the technique - it's the concept of time management itself. Why? Because the supply of potential tasks is infinite, while...

Imagine being 30, the youngest on your team, and stepping into the CEO role. How would that feel? Karen Kim, the dynamic CEO of a self-funded disruptive tech startup with a footprint across ASEAN, knows this feeling well. When Karen first took on this incredible responsibility, she experienced the same doubts many of us would: hyper-awareness of others' perceptions, self-doubt, fear of disapp...

“When I went bankrupt, I begged a friend who had built a unicorn for a meeting. He promised me 30 minutes. The minute we met, I could tell he didn’t want to be there. Six months later, after processing all the difficult emotions and working on myself, I went back to him and said, 'Hey, this is what I want to do.' He responded by introducing me to people and offering support. I learned a...

Is meditation tapping out from high achievement? Far from it. Stress often drives high performers to explore meditation. After years of relying heavily on their intellect, they find themselves burnt out. Meditation does more than offer a break—it rebuilds and rejuvenates. Regular practice not only improves sleep, gut health, and energy levels but also fosters the creation of new neural pathways in...

When you hear the word "trauma," do you think, "That's not me. I haven't experienced any major tragedies"? However, trauma doesn't always stem from monumental events. Sometimes, it's the smaller, seemingly insignificant experiences that leave us with unresolved feelings, subtly shaping our behaviours in ways that may not serve us well. Imagine a high-perform...

"Don’t simplify. Delete" As business leaders, when we're overwhelmed, our go-to questions often revolve around simplification—can we find a simpler way, eliminate steps, or use fewer resources? However, a more fundamental question to ask might be: Is this task necessary in the first place? It's a common belief that entrepreneurs excel at solving problems, but the most successfu...

"The rich can't buy it. The impatient can't rush it. The privileged can't inherit it. And nobody can steal it. You can only earn it through hard work. Mastery is the ultimate status.” Take a moment to let this profound insight from Derek Sivers sink in. In a world filled with easy, superficial pleasures, dedicating five hours a day to hone our skills seems unimportant. Yet, thi...

Have you ever felt that "Nice guys finish last"? We've all rooted for the underdog. The hero who helps others but is always left behind. However in the end, against all odds, finishes on top.  This happens only in the movies right?  When we look around, especially in the competitive business world, the reality seems grim. We see good people who give without expecting, being overshad...

Does putting family photos in a work presentation makes you an authentic leader?  Many of us grapple with understanding what authentic leadership truly means. It's a buzzword that's everywhere, often shrouded in fluff, causing us to tune out when we hear it. That’s what we set out to do in our latest podcast episode with the insightful Mette Johansson. With over 15 years of experience in...

What saps your energy the most? Is it your diet, lifestyle, bosses, or relationships? There's another significant factor that often flies under the radar: Purpose. Lack of Purpose can be the ultimate energy drain. When our days are filled with uninspiring tasks and we feel like we're constantly swimming against the tide, our energy reserves are depleted the most. Join us for an insightfu...

Meet Leanne Robers, a trained psychotherapist who initially believed business and psychology were separate realms. As she scaled up her ventures, she maintained a clinical psychology practice to make ends meet. They were always separate till she Co-Founded She Loves Tech. She Loves Tech is the world's largest startup accelerator, catering to women-led tech startups. Operating across 72 countr...

How can we be more creative at work? Who better to talk about this than top ranked Chief Marketing Officer -Eshan Ponnadurai. Eshan is Vice President and Global Head of Marketing for Meta. He’s worked for the world’s top companies - Google, Uber, AirBnb, P&G and he’s worked across the world - from Australia to Asia to North America.    Forbes thinks he’s top notch. Ranking him World’s Top 50 C...

Amidst life's whirlwind, the pursuit of purpose might seem daunting. Yet, within our daily hustle, purpose hides in plain sight.  It's not intricate—it's the simplicity of solving a problem, connecting with friends, or lending a helping hand. By becoming aware around these seemingly ordinary activities, we can infuse more purpose into our lives without an extensive overhaul. Seeking...

The final episode of 2023 where we reflect on the wisdom shared throughout the year. We're delving into a treasure trove of insights from remarkable guests, each offering a unique facet of the journey towards a fulfilling life. 🧘 Travis Elliot delves into the transformative teachings of yoga. 🏛️ William Irvine on stoicism 🎨 Beth Kempton invites us to discover the beauty within Wabi Sabi. 🕉️...

What role do emotions have at work? How can they help us grow and be more productive at work? We discuss this and more with Mollie Rogers Jean De Dieu. Mollie is the General Manager of the French fashion house Longchamp, a TEDX speaker and an Author. She’s the founder of the non profit organisation called Emotional Inclusion, that’s leading the way for humanising work.  Over her two decade career...

How do we align to a deeper purpose? And how can we create wealth through stress-free investing? That’s the focus of this podcast episode. We have with us Samuel Rhee, Co-Founder & Chairman of Endowus, Asia's largest independent digital wealth platform. With an illustrious career spanning 30 years, including his tenure as the CEO of Morgan Stanley Investments Asia, Sam brings unparalleled...