Stories in Transit

What happens when your body rejects your career before your mind is ready to quit? You get Ben, the chef-founder of Cook’s Gourmet Cookies, who traded the high-stakes world of corporate shipping for the solace in a kitchen. He shares how COVID forced a pause, a sabbatical became a reckoning, and baking in his mum’s kitchen turned into a bet on himself. P.S. This episode isn’t just about passion. I...

What happens when you do everything “right” and nothing moves? In this solo episode, I unpack five uncomfortable lessons from a year in Melbourne; where I tried harder than ever, pulled every lever, and still watched the scoreboard stay at zero. We’re talking about dismantling the effort-equals-reward myth, untying my identity from external pings, confronting burnout, and facing the question: if n...

What happens when you realised you're not a priority in anyone's life? You get Rachel in her villain era. From temporarily moving overseas to diving into Muay Thai and creative projects, Rachel shares the messy, empowering journey of unapologetically choosing herself. This episode is for anyone ready to stop shrinking, start showing up for themselves, and embrace the life they actually wan...

What happens when you follow curiosity and grow as an artist, but still wrestle with fear of sharing your work? We talk with Jean about her journey as a poet, writer, and producer, the courage it takes to put your work out into the world, and how creative longevity comes from presence, practice, and embracing imperfection. If you’ve ever questioned whether your work matters, felt scared to share y...

What happens when you pivot careers and travel contients but still wrestle with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and uncertainty? This episode, we talk about Josh’s journey from running kitchens and wine tours to engineering, shedding old identities, and finding purpose in the in-between. If you’ve ever wondered which path to take in life, this conversation will remind you it’s messy, personal, a...

What happens when a life-altering accident forces you to slow down, confront mortality, and re-evaluate what actually matters? You get Catherine Ashton, a car accident survivor who went on to found Critical Info, a social enterprise making end-of-life planning more accessible. This conversation is for anyone navigating a forced pause, a values reset, or the uncomfortable realisation that the life...

What happens when you finally get everything you worked for... and still feel empty? You have Jordan who realised success didn’t equal fulfillment, handed in her resignation without a backup plan, and eventually followed a long-held pull to Europe. We reflects on identity, belonging, fear, abundance vs scarcity, and what it actually means to live authentically. This conversation is for anyone ques...

What happens when you trade the "slow death" of a small town for a blind leap across the world? You get Tayla, a creative from the UK who spends her days "gentle parenting" world-class artists while rebuilding her own identity from scratch. In this episode, we explore the shift from asking “what should I be?” to “what actually keeps me alive?” It’s a conversation about building a life without a ma...

What if the "mid-life crisis" isn't a crisis at all, but a homecoming? You get Kirsten who after three decades of checking the boxes, decided to stop hitting society’s KPIs and start hitting her own. We explore the female rebellion of turning 50, the power of a 15-minute daily ritual, and what it actually looks like to return to yourself after decades of being "off-track." P.S. For those who are a...

What happened when a free-spirited traveler realised that "dream places" don’t make for perfect lives? You get Selin, a jewelry shop owner, lifestyle model, and barista who spent seven years staying nowhere for longer than three months, until she landed in Melbourne. In this episode, we explore how small encounters change entire life paths, the shift from being a “kite” to becoming groun...

What happens when you grow up in a legacy… and decide to build your own? You get Jack Lark, a literal jack-of-all-trades, who is defining his own creative path outside of his family's whisky dynasty. In this episode, he breaks down the messy middle of the multi-hyphenate life, his struggles with "freelancer guilt", and explains his philosophy for being a "happy artist" inst...

What happens when a high-flying career feels less rewarding than building things on your own? You get Jarvin, founder of Cheetah, who gave up his cushy corporate role to become the "master of his own fate." This episode breaks down professional autonomy, product thinking, a splash of stoicsm and the moment he realised he was leading like a villain in a startup movie. P.S. Yes, we debate...

What happens when grief isn’t a chapter but the whole curriculum? This episode traces the lessons of carrying too much love, navigating hyper-independence, and the grief of shedding old selves and relationships. Dramatic? Yes. Honest? Always. Rambly? Guilty as charged. P.S. This one’s for the big-feelings people, the hyper-independents, the Pisces-empaths, and anyone learning that love and grief c...

What happens when the place you’ve poured your whole career into suddenly dissolves? You get Brandon Grusd, former GM of Proof & Company Singapore, who has lived and breathed hospitality his whole life. When Proof closed its doors, it wasn’t just the end of a company; it was the end of a defining chapter. We talk about how he is starting over, the lessons hospitality taught him (and took from...

What happens when you don’t have a master plan, but you follow your curiosity anyway? You get someone who has lived multiple lives. From zoology, to safety management, to becoming a flight instructor, James Powell moved through the world by asking questions first and figuring out the path as he goes. This conversation explores falling into aviation, and learning to stay present when nothing makes...

What happens when you chase success, find it, and realise it doesn’t feel like freedom? You get Pia, a Sydney-based consultant turned wellness coach, who’s traded the corporate climb for something slower, softer, and more intentional. In this episode, we unpack what it means to leave the traditional path for freedom, to rebuild identity after burnout, and to find success in the mess of change. P.S...

What happens when your brain and body never seem to be on the same page? You get Oli, a Personal Trainer who helps neurodivergent folks find safety and strength through movement. We talk about ADHD 101, pre-diagnosis masking, and how to train without falling into self-blame or burnout. It’s about self-compassion, curiosity, and giving your body the patience your brain rarely gets. P.S. If you’ve e...

What happens when you lose your sense of purpose? This episode is about what no one tells you when the striving stops. When you’ve built a beautiful, full life… and still feel empty. I talk about ego death, the grief of not being productive, and my attempt to rebuild purpose when there’s no “next step.” It's a little rambly, very congested (nose), and extremely honest. P.S. This one’s for the...

What happens when your co-founder is also your life partner? You get Andsoforth, Singapore’s longest-running andaward-winning immersive dining company, dreamed up by Emily and Stu. In this episode, we talk about creative inspiration, navigating people (and egos), and what it really means to let the universe steer the ship. Also, yes, I asked if they’d actually recommend working with your partner....

What happens when a hospitality company suddenly shuts its doors? You get Tom Hogan and Bobby Carey founding Studio Ryecroft; a creative studio dedicated to building hospitality concepts that last and belong to local culture. In this episode, we talk about navigating the chaos of closure, building a business from scratch, and the highs and lows of this journey. P.S. No tea, no shade. Just facts an...

What happens when queerness becomes the lens you travel through? In this episode, I talk with Giap about moving across the globe, using dating and connection as a way to explore culture. And what it means to come back home to Vietnam to rediscover his own roots. P.S./T.W.: We talk depression and passive suicidal thoughts, and we promise we are okay-ish.

What happens when you leave the highly revered path and choose freedom instead? You get Kim who went from breaking the “med school bond” to creating her own little community rituals like Touch Grass . In this episode, we talk about chasing freedom over prestige, building third spaces, and finding joy in the small, grounding moments that remind you life doesn’t have to be “by the book.” P.S. If you...

What happens when a friend’s death sparks a mission to protect others? You get Yuchen, who started Krav Maga as a student but turned it into a mission after the violent death of a close friend. We talk about courage, grief, and why self-defense is more than just fighting. Plus, what sets Krav Maga apart from other martial arts. P.S. Eye gouging, elbow smacking, and more ... this isn’t your usual m...

What happens when you keep moving (city to city, country to country), hoping the next place will finally feel like enough? You get Kamile, Ankara-rooted, now Dublin-based, still gently untangling what friendships and fulfillment look like across different time zones. We muse about the soft ache of starting over again and again, friendships that shape us, emotional endurance, and how to sit with th...

What happens when you’re scared of death… and can’t stop thinking about it? This episode is a dive into thanatophobia and how I accidentally wrote a death workbook trying to survive it. The Final Gift is my attempt at making death a little less cold, clinical, or terrifying, and a little more human. Think: legacy questions, memory rituals, emotional prep, and a lot of crying (me, not you. Hopefull...