The Friday Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Ray Janson, a chef, entrepreneur, and storyteller to talk about the world that shaped him. From dreaming of becoming a chef as a kid to surviving the “tough” era of kitchen life, Ray opens up about what it really takes to thrive in the culinary world. He shares lessons from working alongside some of the best chefs in the world, including his time at Noma, often du...

If you play padel, you’ve probably heard his name across the courts. But if you don’t, let us introduce you to Zar Lasahido, Indonesia’s no. 1 ranked padel player and one of the driving forces behind the rise of padel in Indonesia. Padel may be relatively new to Indonesia, but in just a few short years, it has grown from being a curiosity into a lifestyle movement, with more and more people pickin...

What happens when someone with no political background steps into government, but carries a lifelong passion for the creative economy? In this episode, we sit down with Irene Umar, Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Creative Economy, to explore how her perspectives can help shape the nation’s newest and most vibrant sector. From FMCG to fine arts, Irene sees the creative economy as more than just cultur...

Before we got "lo-fi girl" who became the go-to soundtrack for late-night overthinkers and AM thoughts, we had Adhitia Sofyan where his songs sat with you in silence, helping you process love, longing, and everything in between. In this episode, we sit down with Adhitia to talk about his journey as a musician who started recording in his bedroom, the stories behind how he writes music, and a sneak...

From viral beginnings to global stages, Rich Brian has redefined what it means to be a self-made artist in the digital age. Bursting onto the scene at just 16 the Indonesian rapper, singer, and producer quickly proved he was more than a one-hit wonder. With every release, Brian shows he’s not just riding the wave, he’s building his own.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you...

Ask and you shall receive, finally the day has come where we have the one and only Nicholas Saputra on the podcast! Who doesn't know him? From the boy who stole the nation’s heart as Rangga in Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? to a filmmaker, traveler, and storyteller with purpose, Nicholas Saputra has lived a life both in the spotlight and behind the lens. In this episode, we dive into how he first fell in l...

In this episode, we sit down with Ildo Hasman, the drummer of Perunggu, as he tells us about the early days of releasing music with zero expectations, simply putting songs out into the world without worrying about where it would take them and the time when he felt that spark of “wow, this band is the real deal” for the first time. At the heart of our conversation we see Ildo’s perspective on what...

Ever wondered what really happens in the final 24 hours before a massive music festival? In this special episode, we’re going behind the scenes with Gerhana “Ghana” Banyubiru, the mastermind behind The Sounds Project, as he takes us through the whirlwind of preparations at the venue just one day before the big show. magic that happens offstage, this is your all-access pass to the world of The Soun...

Where do we even begin with this one? Omara Esteghlal dropped by, and what started as a casual conversation about his new upcoming film "Tinggal Meninggal", a movie with a fresh out of the norm format, quickly turned into one of our most introspective conversations yet. We talked about philosophy, not just as an academic subject (although, he studied it for real), but also as a way he na...

What does it take to leave everything familiar behind, start over in a city that never sleeps, and share it all with the world one vlog at a time? In this episode we sit down with Edward Halim, an Indonesian vlogger who's been living in New York and turning his day-to-day experiences into engaging stories through his lens bringing a unique perspective to life in the Big Apple as someone far from h...

Some people pick up music. Endah let it pick her. Long before "Endah N Rhesa,” she was already deepening her knowledge and skills in music, going to competitions and finding her own feet as what kind of musician she wants to be. In this conversation, she tells us about growing up with in a household where music was always playing in the background. But this episode isn’t about nostalgia. It’s abou...

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....