The Friday Podcast

In this episode of Talks International, we sit down with Nuray Istiqbal a woman who’s stepping into a new beginning. Her journey into Islam wasn’t driven by pressure or expectation, but by curiosity, reflection, and a love for learning. We talk about transformation, not as a rejection of the past, but as an honest search for peace. About letting go of what no longer fits, and embracing a life that...

What does it take to become one of Indonesia’s most beloved storytellers? For Yandy Laurens, the answer starts in Makassar in a childhood shaped by racism, resilience, and one very perceptive aunt who saw something special in him. In this episode, Yandy opens up about the moments that shaped his path: from growing up as an outsider, to getting a one-way ticket to IKJ thanks to his aunt’s belief in...

Dengan latar laut Labuan Bajo, kami mempersembahkan salah satu episode paling istimewa dalam perjalanan Makna Talks. Jeremy Thomas, aktor, entrepreneur, ayah, dan di atas semuanya, seorang manusia yang terus tumbuh bersama waktu. Dalam obrolan ini, ia berbagi pandangan tentang ketenaran, pentingnya fondasi hidup, merawat diri secara utuh, hingga perannya sebagai ayah dan perjalanan membangun bisni...

We sit down with the one and only Yovie Widianto, a name synonymous with timeless songs, beautiful lyrics, and the golden era of Indonesian pop. From founding Kahitna to shaping the soundtrack of our love lives for nearly four decades, saying he is a legend still feels like an understatement. Now stepping into a new role as Presidential Special Staff for the Creative Economy, Yovie is using his vo...

Forget fairy tales and outdated traditions real relationships are messy, beautiful, and it take more than just love. If you're preparing for marriage, trying to repair it, or simply want to understand your emotional patterns Bu Rani is a guide worth following. As a marriage consultant, she doesn’t promise happily ever after, but she does offer something even better: the tools to build a relati...

Known for writing emotionally resonant and critically acclaimed novels like Critical Eleven, The Architecture of Love, and Antologi Rasa, Ika has carved out a space in Indonesia’s literary scene where honest stories about love, ambition, and identity take center stage. But behind her bestsellers is a story of discipline, duality, and deep personal drive. We talk about what it really takes to write...

A stand-up comedian known for his sharp and dry humor, but behind the mic, he's also a world-class procrastinator. In this episode, we get real about the ups and downs of the stand-up scene in Indonesia: how the industry has grown, the unshakable role of community, and why no comic truly makes it by going at it alone, as Gilang puts it, no comic kills it solo because behind every punchline is...

Di tengah riuhnya isu lingkungan, ada satu suara muda yang konsisten bekerja dan berdampak besar: Giri Marhara. Dalam episode ini, kami berbincang dengan Giri Marhara atau kerao di panggil Hara, pemuda yang memilih untuk tidak menunggu perubahan, melainkan memulainya. Semenjak 2013 ia telah membersihkan 2,856.01 KG sampah dan hingga sekarang angka masih belum berhenti. Obrolan ini membawa kita men...

Ruang dialog ini mempertemukan dua pilar yang tak terpisahkan dalam pendidikan anak: guru dan orang tua. Di tengah perubahan zaman yang cepat dan tantangan sosial yang terus berkembang, kurikulum sekolah berupaya merespons dengan membekali anak-anak tak hanya dengan pengetahuan akademis, tetapi juga kecakapan emosional, karakter, dan nilai-nilai hidup. Namun, pendidikan tidak berhenti di ruang kel...

Raditya Wibowo is quietly redefining what it means to build the future of mobility in Indonesia. As the founder and CEO of MAKA Motors, he brings a rare combination of operational rigor, product intuition, and long-term vision. Before MAKA Motors, Raditya held key leadership roles at Gojek, including Chief Transport Officer, where he helped shape how millions of Indonesians move every day. That ex...

Pratama Nugraha, better known as Tamtam, is a creator who’s not just cooking food, he’s sparking a movement. He’s the creative mind behind some of the most mouthwatering vegan takes on Indonesian cuisine you’ll ever see. From reimagining classic dishes into vegan delights to exploring the deeper meaning of food as identity, Tamtam isn’t just making meals, he’s telling stories. Through food, he pre...

Raised in Singkawang, Morgan moved to Jakarta chasing a dream. He broke through with SM*SH, but he never planned to stay in one lane. While fame came quickly through music, Morgan knew he didn’t want to be boxed in as just the "heartthrob." The journey from boyband idol to respected actor wasn’t instant it took years of choosing the harder path, taking roles that challenged him, and prov...

Dwi Sasono takes us back to the start and opens up about how he first fell in love with acting, his deep appreciation for arts, and how he now sees his craft through a completely different lens. No longer just about playing a “cool” character or taking on roles for the sake of being on screen. Now, he looks at the bigger picture of what message is the film trying to convey? And what kind of impact...

Love, it’s exciting, confusing, and sometimes downright frustrating. Why do some relationships thrive while others fall apart? Is there really a formula for finding 'the one,' or is it all just luck? Or does 'the one' even exist? In this episode, we sit down with Zola Yoana, Indonesia’s top certified matchmaker and founder of Heart Inc., to unravel the mysteries of modern dating and lasting love....

We sit down with Lester Prosper, a pro basketball player with a story as powerful as his game. From a tough childhood that shaped his resilience to traveling the world riding on his basketball dreams. Now, having found a home in Indonesia, he talks about his love for the country, the joy of entertaining fans, and how he uses basketball to entertain and inspire the next generation. This conversatio...

Leonard Theosabrata, where to start when we talk with a guy like him? A man of countless ventures, the OG "skena" long before the term even existed. A modern day innovator, designer, entrepreneur, and one of the key pioneers of Jakarta’s sub-culture movement. From co-founding Brightspot Market and The Goods Dept to establishing creative hubs like Indoestri Makerspace, Leo has been shapin...

Sangat terhormat rasanya kami dapat berbincang dengan Pak Endang Sumitra, mantan Kepala Rumah Tangga Istana Kepresidenan Bogor, sosok yang telah mendedikasikan hidupnya untuk menjaga salah satu simbol kebanggaan bangsa. Beliau menjadi saksi bisu pergantian presiden dan berbagai peristiwa penting yang berlangsung di istana bersejarah ini. Di tengah kesejukan Kebun Raya Bogor, Pak Endang bercerita t...

Step into the world of basketball through the eyes of Rocky Padila, balancing his role as an insider, a fan, and a voice championing basketball’s growth in Indonesia. In this episode, Rocky takes us behind the scenes of his stories of rubbing shoulders with NBA legends and a deep dive towards the growing wave of passion for basketball sweeping through Indonesia. Tune in to see how basketball conne...

Welcome to the first episode of the newest season of The Friday Podcast. This season, we’ve leveled up with a stunning new set presented by Sawdust and crystal clear new cameras to bring you even closer to the conversations that matter. Today, you are in for a treat because we're starting the season off with the one and only Bernadya whose soul wrenching songs have been the soundtrack to heart...

Welcome to the last episode of this seasons podcast, and today we are honoured to have a candid conversation with Pak Anies Baswedan. In this episode Pak Anies shares a profound perspective on education, he emphasizes that the ultimate goal of education should be to nurture individuals who are not just "capital for labor" but also critical thinkers that contributes to society's progress. We also d...

In today’s episode of The Friday Podcast, Afgan talks about being a star at 18, running the extra mile, and keeping up with social media. In our last episode of the year, we are thrilled to have a candid conversation with one of Indonesia's biggest star and some might even say he is an icon. Even with decades in the spotlight, Afgan admits he’s still figuring out his musical DNA and what truly def...

In today’s episode of The Friday Podcast, Aldila Sutjiad talks about day one in Kentucky, training for champions and a year to remember. Aldila shares the highs, the struggles, and the moments that shaped her incredible journey towards being a high level athlete. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of training from a young age, offering a rare glimpse into the discipline, resilience, an...

In today’s episode of The Friday Podcast, Julian Kaisar talks about the rockstar lifestyle, pet peeves while performing, and missing Bandung. To say "His rise to fame is quick" could not be more further from the truth, from playing small gigs at local coffee shops to being told by his mother to find a conventional job, Uan has lived trough it all. He even almost called it quits, but the resurgence...

In today’s episode of The Friday Podcast, Carline Darjanto talks about the digital impact, running on friendship, and the proper system. The figure behind Cotton Ink, the local brand that changed the game by becoming the first to open in a mall. Not only that, Carline was recognized as one of Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30, a testament to her innovation, resilience, and impact in the fashion and entrep...

In today’s episode of The Friday Podcast, Luqman Hakim talks about building a character, singing at Pesta Pora, and landing a movie role. A man of many names and character, Luqman Hakim is here with us to dive into the journey of creating his viral persona, "Kak Kev". We talked about how he created this character and explore his knack for capturing relatable humor and easy-to-watch approach to sto...