Jom Sembang, Malaysia

The gig economy boomed drastically since the pandemic as people everywhere got used to the idea of working from home, working remotely, and being self-employed. But is it as easy as told through success stories? In this episode, we discuss the must-know skills and knowledge for every thriving freelancer – from finance to customer relationship, contracts to work ethics, and much more. Joining us in...

It is harder to earn money than to spend money, though richer ones might disagree. As inflation threatens our wallets, what are some of the ways we can tackle this challenge? What are some good personal financial management habits we should have in life? Does ‘sikit-sikit lama-lama jadi bukit’ still apply in personal finance management? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

It used to be acquaintances, good friends and best friends. But with the world spinning out of hand and so many more things on our plate of life, are we still the kind of friends our friends need? What’s this new term - ketchup friends - all about? Is it better to have many friends or just a precious few? How challenging can it be to maintain a friendship? Are we good friends to others? This episo...

It’s going to be a long spell of heat waves in Malaysia and the temperatures are higher than before. More often than not, we sweat the moment we step out of a cool shower. It’s not only uncomfortable, the heat causes us to feel lethargic, discourages us from doing anything productive, and makes some of us sick. Of course, only those working outdoors or in non-air conditioned rooms feel the burn. H...

While ‘mid-life crisis’ has often been diagnosed on those who are struggling with life in their late thirties to forties, it is actually a checkpoint to reflect deeper and discover more about ourselves. In this episode, we ask 5 questions about ourselves that will highlight a part of who we are as individuals in this big, big world. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

The pain of loss can be overwhelming in many ways. How do we grieve over the loss of loved ones, dreams and successes, and other important things in our lives? Is grief different when it's a sudden loss compared to a predicted loss that we saw coming way before it happened? Additionally, singer-songwriter Arddley Nicholas joins us and shares about his way of coping with loss through music. Thi...

Rest used to be easier when most of us had a 9-to-5 job. After the pandemic, the world opened up to accept remote working which caused all hell to break loose in the Human Resource industry. Most people are working beyond their designated working hours because everyone has different working hours to suit their lifestyles. How then can rest take place properly? Do we feel guilty when we take a brea...

When we were growing up, our parents often told us that education is key in ensuring success in life. Were they right? Are bachelor's and master's degree holders really more successful in life? Do certifications matter? And is it fair for them to get a higher salary compared to those who only graduated from high school? What are employers looking for? This episode was recorded at Studio 21...

We all have an ideal home in mind; but being able to afford one at the right location with the right floor plan can be a challenge. There are so many factors involved when it comes to owning our own property as well. So is it wiser to rent or purchase a house? What are the risks involved? What are the latest property packages available in Malaysia?  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Back in the first few decades of Malaysia’s formation, our country experienced the unity and strength of being a multiracial nation. Somehow along the way, we became less race-blind and racism was on a rise especially on the political front. Even so, we cannot deny that being multiracial is part of Malaysia’s DNA. In fact, more and more Malaysians are forming multiracial families. What does being...

Cancel culture refers to mass withdrawal of support from public figures or companies that have done things which are socially unacceptable today. What are the pros and cons of cancel culture? If you are an influencer, what will ‘being canceled’ do to your life? Have you canceled anyone before? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Since the birth of social media, some of us have been keyboard warriors, better at communicating via text instead of in-person. The pandemic season turned many shy of in-person verbal communication, creating an increase in text communication instead. How does text and verbal communication influence the way we connect with the people around us? What are the pros and cons of these communication meth...

It used to be that when we meet someone for our first date, we kinda know what we are signing up for; we get to see them, talk with them, read their body language, etc. However, it is different when it comes to online dating; we are getting to know someone behind the screen who might or might not be who they say they are. For those looking for romance, which is the better way forward — online or o...

We don’t know if ‘underthinking’ is even a word, but yes, the overthinkers have extended their thoughts to us about how sometimes people give so little thought to things that we begin to wonder if they were thinking at all. We see more and more under-thought plans and actions around us after the pandemic. Is it because we are playing catch-up, or has it just become the norm to underthink? This epi...

A recent local movie ‘Rain Town’ brought up various family dynamics in an Asian context, which got us thinking about how our dreams and family relationships closely intertwine. In this episode, we chat about the relationships between parents and children, why we behave a certain way in life, and how all of this can jeopardise our happiness.  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

When we travel for short getaways, we might not be able to experience the local community in their daily routines. But when we live with the locals, suddenly there are many differences that pop up and some of these might be shockingly contradictory to our very own beliefs or practices. Here are some stories from our travels to Taipei, Melbourne, and other places around the world! This episode was...

Solo Traveling may not be as ideal as ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ moments as it has its own set of risks, but why can’t we solo travel without being labeled as problematic? Should everyone try solo traveling at least once in their lifetime? Can solo traveling be fulfilling? What are some tips and tricks for those who wish to solo travel? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

This episode might very well be one about social etiquette as we discuss the small and big things that people around us do, which annoy us very much. From elevators to escalators, mobile phones to dining tables, can there really be so many annoying things in life? In the first place, why do people watch videos on their phones with deafening volume in public? Where do we draw the line in such matte...

Most of us have ‘lose weight’ in our new year resolution list, but why so? Are we ashamed of our physical appearance? Do we not like who we see in the mirror? How do we embrace our body and build the confidence to showcase our inner beauty instead – especially in the entertainment and hospitality industry? In this episode, we chat with radio announcer and plus size emcee, Mary Anne Gomes. This epi...

Some people are totally fine in their everyday lives. But when festivities come around, a new old friend emerges: loneliness. Do we feel more depressed at certain times of the year? And if yes, how and why so? In this episode, we chat about SAD depression, which stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. We also explore the paradox of joy and struggle during the holiday season. This episode was recor...

Overthinking is likely caused by stress and anxiety, but is it something within our control? How does overthinking affect our personal life, social life, working circle and family ties? While overthinking may cause emotional distress, it also changes the way we communicate and do things with other people. This episode was recorded at AV United.

Malaysia’s first entirely crowdfunded movie ‘Pendatang’ has reached a massive audience with forwarded messages on WhatsApp and Telegram telling people to watch the movie. It’s a thought-provoking dystopian thriller of sorts that received positive and negative reviews by fellow Malaysians. In this episode, we discuss the meaning of being Malaysian and how it feels to live in a multiracial country s...

On 17 December 2023, minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that all imported goods valued under RM500 sold online will now be taxed 10%. How does this affect us as consumers? What about those who have been buying small bulks of products from China to be resold here? Is this a clever way to encourage the sales growth of local products? This episode was recorded at AV United.

Reflections of 2023: Has Covid season changed our social energy? Do we have to fast-track the three-year recap when we meet up with our friends again? What if they don’t recognise the new person we are now? Should we slow down or progress faster since the world is spinning way too fast now? How do we re-structure our lives for post-Covid days ahead? And health-wise, how has much changed since we t...

When something happens and there’s a need for an apology, are you the first to apologise? Even if you’re not in the wrong, do you apologise first? And how do we apologise sincerely? What are the words we should avoid when we are apologising? How important is forgiving when someone apologises to us? This episode is powered by Studio 21:05.