Now Boarding By Melting Pot

In this episode, Kurt Avery, founder of Sawyer Products, shares the journey behind building a purpose-driven company with global impact. From walking away from a corporate career to starting with a simple snake bite kit, Kurt reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his path. He dives into scaling impact through innovation, especially how their water filtration solutions have already reached mi...

Growing up surrounded by art, with frequent visits to galleries, museums and studios, creativity shaped Cade Martin from an early age. In this episode, he talks about how those early influences led him toward a career in visual storytelling. From photographing on film sets to working with National Geographic and documenting different journeys Cade developed a distinctive cinematic style that bring...

A teenage trip to London ignited Paul Neville's passion for travel, eventually taking him to over 120 countries. In this episode, the author of  Endless Horizons  shares how experiences like serving in the Peace Corps in Tonga and backpacking around the world shaped his perspective on life and culture. Through stories of adventure, challenge and connection, Paul reflects on travel as a p...

In this episode of Now Boarding, Payal sits down with Ivan Mun, Founder and CEO of ELLO Care, to explore the deeply personal journey that led him into caregiving technology. What began as a home security idea transformed into a mission shaped by loss, empathy, and real conversations with caregivers. Ivan shares how exhaustion, guilt, and constant vigilance define caregiving today and how LO Care a...

Payal speaks with Desmond Wong about quiet commitment, volunteering, and staying connected to one’s roots. An SMU Singapore graduate from the Class of 2008, Desmond reflects on why the university continues to hold a special place in his life-shaping both his career and personal journey. The conversation explores privilege, access, and responsibility, the importance of human connection in a technol...

Now Boarding host Payal sits down with  Avnish Desai  to explore a journey shaped by unexpected turns, education, and giving back. From initially aspiring to be a dentist to finding his path at Singapore Management University,  Avnish  reflects on how SMU opened doors through mentorship, leadership, and global representation. He shares defining moments from serving in the stude...

In this episode of Now Boarding , Payal speaks with Robert Collin, a distinguished expert whose career spans law, social work, and environmental planning. Robert shares how his lifelong motivation to help the most vulnerable guided him to bridge multiple disciplines and work on meaningful social change. He reflects on founding Oregon’s first Environmental Justice Task Force, advocating for margina...

This episode features Lindsey Struck from Nest , a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to supporting the responsible growth of the global artisan economy. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit governance and social impact, Lindsey shares insights into how Nest connects artisan communities worldwide with mainstream businesses, fostering eco-conscious production and economic inclusion. The con...

For decades, women have trusted menstrual products without questioning what’s inside them. But shocking research reveals that many contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals, a silent threat to long-term health. In this episode, Céline Ventalon, Founder of Emer, shares how her discovery of these hidden dangers sparked a mission to change the narrative around periods. From breaking deep-rooted tabo...

We are told the solution to plastic pollution is a beach cleanup. But what happens after the bags are filled? Josh O’Neill , a scuba instructor who traded a Corporate Project management career for a picker and a trash bag, started asking that question. His answer led him to found The Litter Club and mobilize over 6,000 volunteers across Southeast Asia. But this episode is about more than cleaning...

We often think organizing travel photos is the biggest challenge, but the truth is far more revealing. The real chaos comes from the daily clutter of our digital lives countless images of meals, parking spots, and random screenshots that bury our most meaningful moments.  Professional photographer Angela Andrieux understands this risk and the irreplaceable memories it threatens. She shares th...

Cathy Nesbitt does not limit composting to her condo. She brings her wrigglers to school. In this episode, she walks us through the moment a grade-three class went from squealing at worms to drafting letters that helped ban single-use styrofoam in their cafeteria. What you’ll hear: 1️⃣ The exact ice-breaker Cathy uses to get kids to pick up a worm in under 60 seconds. 2️⃣ How a single jar of “blac...

Barcelona welcomes millions, but overtourism is reshaping the city. Crowded streets, rising rents, and tension with locals. Morvan Le Boulanger has seen it firsthand: he’s managed sustainability across 600+ rentals, handled large-scale operations, and helped drive change at city level.   In this episode, Morvan explains why 15% of Barcelona’s economy depends on tourism, yet 85% does not and w...

Meet Charles Odom, the founder of Painted Circle, a platform on a mission to make travel more ethical, direct, and impactful. With a background spanning international development and years of experience across the US and Europe, Charles is passionate about connecting travelers with local experts and authentic experiences. In this episode, we dive into a powerful idea: “Travel isn’t just about what...

Meet Shannon Dobbs, former nightclub owner, systems thinker, and fierce advocate for climate resilience. His path is anything but linear: - Army Psychological Operations - Running Nevada’s top LGBTQ+ nightclub - Donating 17,000 sq ft to tackle a food desert - Fighting off resistance from nonprofits and food lobbies - And now… pushing to bring water-growing soil tech to the U.S. But this story isn’...

You’ve seen tree planting. But not like this. Dr. Vinita Apte’s team isn’t planting saplings. They’re planting 15-foot indigenous trees with a 95% survival rate, even on barren land. Each site is surveyed, ponds are dug, irrigation systems are built, and fire protection lines are laid. It’s not a green PR exercise. It’s a high-effort, ground-up eco-restoration. This is what reforestation actually...

In this remarkable episode of  Now Boarding , biologist and consciousness researcher Carlos Millan discusses documented cases of patients with complete brain damage who, astonishingly, regain full lucidity shortly before passing away. His explanation? Memory isn’t stored in the brain. It’s recorded in the electromagnetic field around the body. Carlos is the founder and head researcher at Biom...

In this powerful episode of Now Boarding , we sit down with Ali Horriyat, former financier and founder of Compassivist , a global movement that reimagines giving, compassion, and systemic change. Ali opens up about the radical decision to part with his entire fortune. He does this not for headlines, but to reclaim his freedom and realign his life with purpose. He shares how this choice changed his...

What if the clothes you donate never make it to the shop floor? In this heartfelt episode of Now Boarding , we sit down with Julie Moorhouse, Founder of Good Maker Tales , to explore the surprising realities of sustainable fashion. Julie’s journey began not in fashion, but during quiet moments of reflection as a new mother navigating an unexpected career pause. What followed was a deep dive into t...

In Episode 4 of Season 8 we raise a very pertinent question, Is sustainable tourism a myth? Jamie Burr, a responsible tourism marketer, challenges the way we think about travel. From an acting background to a career in tourism, Jamie’s journey revealed the hidden costs of the industry—from greenwashing to the exploitation of local communities. In this episode, we uncover: 🌍 Why "sustainable touri...

​​In episode 3, Season 8, we are in conversation with Padma Chebrolu, a force to reckon with. From a childhood filled with dance, music, and poetry in Guntur, India, to winning 36 international awards as a filmmaker, Padma Chebrolu has always believed in the power of storytelling. But for her, it’s more than just art—it’s activism. Her latest film, Passage of the River, brings together Indian and...

Payal Nayar speaks with Trisha De Pasquale, an early childhood educator with 17 years of experience who combines her love for teaching with her personal travel experiences. Through innovative programs like Passport Adventures and American Adventures, Trisha takes children on immersive, imaginary journeys to explore cultures and destinations around the globe. Trisha explains how she integrates glob...

In episode 4 of our series Natures Narratives, we meet Wajid, a dynamic individual whose life journey spans continents and diverse fields. Hailing from Pakistan, Wajid's path took him to England and eventually to America where he has made an impact in numerous arenas. As a Field Service Engineer, he transitioned into the world of entertainment, establishing himself as a stand-up comedian and u...

In episode 3 of our new series Natures Narratives we meet Barbara Ann Briggs, a poet, podcaster, and author with a deep passion for spiritual growth and the exploration of consciousness. Barbara is also a certified Consciousness Advisor and has taught Transcendental Meditation for over 30 years. Her background in philosophy, poetry, and journalism offers a unique perspective on the path to self-aw...

In our all new Season 7, series Natures Narratives, we meet Mary Trudeau, an experienced public speaker and university lecturer. She is also a professional engineer specialising in community water infrastructure, environment policy and climate adaptation. Mary has four university degrees with a PhD in geography. She has read her children’s books in schools and enjoys speaking with children about w...