Tank Talks Asia

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha talks to Jasper Donat, co-founder of Branded and creator of All That Matters (and the man who knows everyone!) about the three decades he has spent at the forefront of Asia’s media, music and live events industries. Jasper shares stories (name dropping included!) from a career spent connecting audiences, artists and ideas. He also reveals why he believe...

In this special episode of Tank Talks Asia , timed to coincide with World Dengue Day, Manisha Tank and Andrew Clark go behind the scenes at a mosquito factory in Singapore. They talk to Yanni Yoong from Debug, a Google-backed team that produces more than 10 million mosquitos a week to help combat dengue. Yanni explains exactly how disease-carrying mosquito populations are being suppressed and disc...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Shaokai Fan from the World Gold Council joins Manisha Tank to discuss the enduring global fascination with gold and its evolving role today. They talk about why central banks are accumulating gold at record levels, why Asia is reshaping global demand and whether gold still deserves its reputation as a safe-haven asset in an increasingly complex world. Featured...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank talks to Andrea Ng, who’s Insights Director at Canvas8, to address some of the biggest myths surrounding Asia’s rise as a consumer powerhouse (from passive brand loyalty to bargain hunting). Andrea explains how the region is increasingly shaping global culture through phenomena like K-pop, Korean beauty and Labubu. Make sure you don’t miss the blin...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank talks to filmmaker Robin Lee, who shares the story behind “Four Trails”, his award-winning movie that documents one of Hong Kong’s most punishing endurance challenges (it combines Hong Kong’s four major hiking trails into one continuous 298-kilometre journey). Robin discusses what it took to turn this passion project into a piece of Hong Kong film...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , guest host Andrew Clark is joined by Voice of Baceprot’s frontwoman, Firda Marsya Kurnia, better known as Marsya. She talks about the Indonesian heavy metal group’s remarkable journey from meeting as school friends in a small village in West Java, to performing at events like Glastonbury and the Singapore F1. Marsya reflects on the role social media has played...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank is joined by colleagues Andrew Clark and Yeen Chong for a debrief from the Milken Global Investors’ Symposium in Hong Kong. The symposium’s theme this year was “Capital in a Changing World”. Drawing on their conversations with policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs, they explore Asia’s economic resilience, China’s accelerating digital transforma...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , guest host Andrew Clark is joined by author and advertising executive, David Guerrero, to discuss The Beatles’ controversial visit to Manila in 1966. David’s new book “You Won’t See Me: When The Beatles Ghosted Imelda” revisits, from a Filipino perspective, the events that led to one of the band’s most infamous tour incidents. They discuss how miscommunication,...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , guest host Andrew Clark is joined by Jon Pallett and Jamie Farndale from Hong Kong China Rugby, to talk about the upcoming Hong Kong Sevens which is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary. They talk about what makes the Sevens such a thrilling global spectacle, the evolution of the tournament and how it continues to grow as both a sporting and cultural eve...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank is joined by Global Sports Executive, Victor Cui, to talk about how he’s bringing the EPIC World Championship (the world’s first large-scale amateur international pickleball tournament) to Singapore and why pickleball’s accessibility is fueling its rapid growth. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in sport, Victor also discusses the econo...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank is joined by global strategist, author and AlphaGeo founder, Parag Khanna, to discuss climate adaptation, geopolitical stability and the future of AI. Their conversation also covers why water scarcity is a crisis hiding in plain sight, and why attracting young people could be the ultimate measure of national success, along with what this all means...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank is joined by Sastya Wardani, the CEO of Femtech Ovy Health, to discuss some of the taboos surrounding reproductive and hormonal health in Asia. They cover topics including PCOS and the role stress hormones can play in male and female infertility. Manisha and Sastya also talk about what happens when a country’s fertility rate drops below replacement...

As tensions escalate between Iran, Israel and the United States, the implications stretch far beyond the Middle East. Energy markets, global trade routes and geopolitical alignments are all being tested — and Asia will feel the impact. In this special live episode, Manisha Tank is joined by: Steve Okun – CEO APAC Advisors, a specialist in US–Asia relations Sam Olsen – Geopolitical analyst focusing...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank is joined by Dr Samir Puri, author of “Westlessness”, and Joel Ng, editor of “The Dragon’s Emerging Order” to discuss whether the era of western dominance is coming to an end and, if so, what replaces it? Their conversation covers everything from Mark Carney’s headline-making Davos speech and the global impact of Donald Trump’s presidency, to China...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with economist, author, and travel writer, Razeen Sally. Razeen shares his insights on the rise of Asia and the challenges of leadership in the modern world. Razeen also talks about how he views Buddhism as both a unifying and evolving force across the continent. And he reflects on his own Buddhist journey, which includes an epic 42-day si...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank talks to award-winning Pakistani American multidisciplinary artist, Anila Quayyum Agha, about how art has the power to shape identity and create empathy across cultures. Anila traces her journey, from growing up in Pakistan to carving out a path in the US art world, reflecting on her iconic installations, the obstacles she has navigated along the wa...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank talks to Ireland’s former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to discuss leadership, geopolitics and the shifting global order. Leo talks truthfully about the loneliness of executive decision-making and gives his views on the rise of Asia, US politics under Donald Trump, and how small nations like Ireland and Singapore can navigate great-power competition....

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank chats to tech entrepreneur and education reformer, Billy Naveed. He reflects on his journey from growing up in the North of England, to moving to Asia and setting up Young Founders School. They discuss the opportunity gap affecting young people today, the transformative potential of AI in learning, and what parents, schools and businesses can do to...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank chats to Gene Yu, who’s the founder and CEO of cybersecurity and crisis response company, Blackpanda, and also a former US Army Special Forces officer. Gene talks about growing up Asian-American, becoming a Green Beret, negotiating with terrorists, and ultimately finding purpose as the founder of Blackpanda. Featured Voices Host: Manisha Tank Guest:...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank chats to author, historian, and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple, whose bestselling debut book Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia explores pivotal decisions from the past and looks at how they still shape the world we live in today. Sam talks about partition, identity and forgotten geographies, sharing some insights on key histori...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with Lu Zhang, the Founder and Managing Partner of Silicon Valley–based, Fusion Fund. They discuss Lu’s journey from growing up in Inner Mongolia, to launching her first venture fund in her early twenties. Lu also shares her perspective on what’s currently shaping innovation and venture capital, and explains why she believes AI is reshapin...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with former DBS CEO, Piyush Gupta, who reflects on his visionary 15 year tenure at the bank. He tells us how he’s spending his “retirement” and also discusses everything from Gen-Z challenges and climate realities to regional geopolitics. Featured Voices Host: Manisha Tank Guest: Piyush Gupta Key takeaways Piyush believes India’s moment is...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with pioneering Thai economist, technologist, and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Jeep Kline, Founder & Managing Partner of Raisewell Ventures. Jeep shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Bangkok, to earning her stripes at the World Bank, and launching the world’s first Android tablet at Intel, before ultimately founding a...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank looks at a pivotal 24 hours in South Korea that captured the world’s attention: the Trump–Xi handshake in Busan and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sharing fried chicken with Samsung and Hyundai bosses. Joining Manisha are two expert voices — Curtis Chin , former US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, and Sam Olsen , geopolitical strategist and author...

Episode Overview In this episode of Tank Talks Asia , Manisha Tank sits down with YolanDa Brown, the UK’s premier female saxophonist, during her debut Asia tour. From sold-out performances in Tokyo and Singapore to her deep passion for music education and mental health advocacy, YolanDa shares how music can be a force for change, connection, and joy. She discusses everything from growing up in a J...