Today I Learned

Partly inspired by Pluribus and its philosophical questions, but mostly by the shared experience of living in Malaysia, tonight’s episode attempts to understand whether humans are - at our psychological base - more inclined towards an individualistic way of life, or in the compromise required to live collectively. Is there something inherently ‘Western’ or ‘Asian’ in this way of thinking? Can we c...

Famously known for his “peculiar” way of cooking, chemist and one of the co-founders of molecular gastronomy, Hervé This, joins us to give us a peek into this world and why he thinks this is the future of food. From gels and emulsions to using pure chemical compounds to make food, is this food for everyone? How has he - and can we all - reimagine food through chemistry? See omnystudio.com/listener...

We’re often stumped by why children act and behave the way they do. Why do they ask so many questions? Why do they throw tantrums? And why are they so hooked on screens? In conjunction with World Children’s Day on 20 November, we speak to a play therapist, Chris Ng, to explore what it is like to see the world through a child’s eyes and how these traits help children, be children. We also invited 1...

Whether it’s a wedding, a night out, or just your kitchen floor, dancing has a way of pulling us out of our heads and into our bodies. But why do some still hold themselves back? We get into the benefits of learning dance with professional Latin Dance trainers Aisha and Sam Sopiee. Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a close look at the role of journalism and media in shaping public understanding today, from the pressures of a 24-hour news cycle to the choices editors and reporters make in deciding what counts as news. We also discuss Somnath Batabyal’s book Making News in India, which examines the inner workings of one of the country’s largest news corporations, offering insights into how stories are...

The 47th ASEAN Summit kicked off recently in Kuala Lumpur drawing heads of state and government into three days of high-stakes diplomacy. While the summit happens behind closed doors, its outcome ripples far beyond the meeting rooms. In this episode, we unpack the real purpose of the ASEAN Summit, its history, relevance and why it should matter to all of us. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystud...

What is digital sovereignty, and why are so many countries fighting to reclaim it? We dive into that question with Dr Rachel Gong, Deputy Director of Research, Khazanah Research Institute. We’ll be looking at how Malaysia and other nations are exploring digital sovereignty, and how these efforts to protect data and critical technologies within national borders could affect the way we use the Inter...

What really happens to the human body when we leave Earth’s atmosphere? From the way our blood carries oxygen to how our brains adapt in microgravity, space pushes human physiology to its limits. We speak to Professor Damian Bailey, an expert in extreme physiology, about what science tells us so far and what it might mean for the future of space travel. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.co...

Why should the health of the planet matter to all of us, and what can we do about it? What can the government do against the enormous and complex environmental issues facing us today? To answer this question, we have Professor Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, Chair of the National Planetary Health Action Plan. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just over two months ago, we saw the death of Zara Qarina Mahathir rock the nation and bring the topic of bullying back into our daily conversations. From school corridors to online platforms, bullying in Malaysia is a deeply rooted problem. While it's often dismissed as 'just part of growing up', the reality is far more serious with long-term effects on mental health, education, and even lives lo...

For some, the Cold War between the USA and USSR was about military strategies of containment, proxy wars in the Third World and covert activities, but it did also come with a large dose of cultural and ideological rivalry, some of which endures to this day. Together with Giles Scott-Smith, we discuss the other side of the Cold War, which found its way into the arts, literature, and even music. Ima...

As Merdeka and Malaysia Day approach, we ask what it really means to love one’s country, and how that love is shaped, displayed, and sometimes demanded. From flags and anthems to public rituals and policy messaging, we get into the tools used to foster national pride, and the tensions between genuine commitment and performative loyalty. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has turned 90 this year, prompting conversations about who his successor will be. Though the Dalai Lama has said the mission to identify his reincarnation lies in the hands of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, Beijing is attempting to assert dominance over the process. We ask Amit Kumar to lay out the social and political contexts that und...

On August 6th, 1945, the United States of America dropped the nuclear bombs, Fat Man and Little Boy, on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing an estimated 300,000 people in total. The bombings ended World War II, but they also began a nuclear age, and left behind generations of survivors known as hibakusha. For 80 years, they’ve lived with radiation, illness, and stigma. And they’ve asked:...

For the longest time, we were told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Cereal ads swore by it, your parents nagged you about it, and skipping it was practically taboo. But times have changed. Intermittent fasting is trending, and many of us aren’t exactly burning calories in the fields at dawn — we're just seated at our desks in front of our laptops. So what's the truth? Is break...

Most people think of museums as cool, educational spaces that store and display objects of historical and cultural significance. On the one hand, that’s true — but on the other, many of those objects were taken by force during colonial rule, often in violent military campaigns. In this episode, we speak with archaeologist and author Dan Hicks about how looted artefacts ended up in British museums,...

From the trenches of Ukraine to the skies over Iran, from strategic waterways to the human toll of mass mobilisation, warfare today feels both ancient and futuristic. With Dr Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor in National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University, we explore what remains fundamental in war, and what has been transformed. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/li...

Around the world, governments are scrambling to reverse population decline, but many of these solutions overlook the realities women face: lack of support, rising costs, unpaid care work, and limited choices. Malaysia’s fertility rate is falling too, but is that really a bad thing? In conjunction with World Population Day, Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director of ARROW, joins us to talk abou...

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’ve all seen Labubus: these cute yet kinda grotesque monsters. All around the world, people have been queuing and spending a lot of money - in some cases thousands of ringgits - just to get their hands on a Labubu, and even better if it’s a rare one. Labubus are the latest trend in collectibles and the fact that they’re sold in blind boxes - which means you don’t know which...

Researchers all over the world have studied what’s known as a “happiness paradox” a phenomenon where trying to make ourselves happier actually makes us less happy. But not making happiness a goal, and trying to live in the moment is not as easy as it sounds, especially in this era where everything’s so fast-paced and ephemeral. Is it even possible? We explore this with Sandy Clarke. Image Credit:...

Often called ‘Heaven on Earth,’ Kashmir has been riddled with geopolitical conflict for decades. After the recent attacks in Pahalgam, we sit down with Hafsa Kanjwal to explore its historical roots, major events and the way this conflict has shaped relations between India and Pakistan. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How have fathers changed in today’s modern families? In conjunction with Father’s Day, which was just celebrated this past Sunday, we explore this question with Alan Yong, a licensed counsellor. From being the silent and strong provider, to taking on a bigger share of the emotional load, are fathers today raising their children the same way their own fathers did? See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

What does it mean to be someone else’s voice, using sign language? Joining us to answer that question is Tan Lee Bee, one of our country’s most beloved sign language interpreters, who was recently awarded the Bintang Ahli Mangku Negara by the Agong for her service to the country. Joining her is Wan Zuraidah Abu, Head of Sign Language Interpreting Services, from the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf...

From quarter-life panic to mid-life meltdowns, psychologist Evone Phoo helps us unpack what an existential crisis really is, how meaning, identity, and even boredom shape these turning points, and how to navigate them without spiraling. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a drink that's near and dear to every Malaysian's heart. After all, teh tarik is our national drink. But, this drink was once a major tool of trade that travelled across empires, cultures and centuries. We spill the tea with Erika Rappaport, author of A Thirst for Empire: How Tea Shaped the Modern World to find out how this drink became a cultural icon and a daily ritual for millions. Image C...