Today I Learned

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...

They have been called the deadliest animal on Earth, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and more, killing hundreds of thousands each year. But on a personal level, they serve as a daily annoyance to humans worldwide. So in this episode, we ponder if we should eradicate mosquitoes altogether. Dr Ong Song-Quan joins us to discuss the ecological role they play and how we can protect ourse...

Following the passing of the late Pope Francis, the world turns its attention to the secretive process of choosing his successor. How exactly does a papal conclave work, and how much of what we see in films like Conclave is true? Historian Miles Pattenden joins us to separate fact from fiction, and explain what really goes on behind the Vatican’s closed doors. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnyst...

Think creativity is only for painters and poets? Think again. From coding to choreography, we explore how STEM and the arts feed off each other—and how blending both can spark big ideas in work, school, and everyday life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serial killers are often depicted as a Western phenomenon, with research and popular culture heavily focused on cases from the U.S. and the U.K. In this episode, criminologist Haezreena Begum talks about serial killers from the Malaysian perspective, with a look at how our socio-cultural norms, policing systems and media portrayals may have led to the misclassification of serial killings in the co...

In light of recent political actions by US President Donald Trump, we break down what tariffs are, how they work, and why they matter. From their impact on global trade to how they affect prices of goods, we simplify the complexities of tariffs and explore their role in shaping the world economy. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flat earthers, anti-vaxxers, and TikTok grifters… Why do people believe in bad science, and is there any way to change their minds? Michael Marshall joins us to unpack the psychology behind conspiracies, why debunking bad science is so difficult, why trust in experts is fading, and how to push back without making things worse. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion framework, known as DEI, has long been a lightning rod for debate, even before recent political actions by US President Donald Trump brought it back into the spotlight. So we unpack what DEI looks like in practice, its challenges and what it means to imbue it into the workplace, especially in the Malaysian context. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/...

Where did cryptocurrency come from, and how does it actually work? In this episode, we break down the basics—from Bitcoin’s beginnings to the mechanics of blockchain and decentralization. We also look at where crypto stands today, the challenges it faces, and what the future could hold, including financial risks and environmental concerns. Whether you're crypto-curious or just trying to sound smar...

Muslims have begun fasting for Ramadhan - a month of abstinence from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. And later this week, Catholics also begin fasting for 40 days of Lent. But if we look beyond the spiritual or religious reasons, many people also fast for their health and wellbeing. On Today I Learned, we’re answering the question of whether fasting can delay ageing, and is it for every...

Timor-Leste—one of the world’s youngest nations—is often overshadowed by its larger neighbors. But how much do we really know about this Southeast Asian country? From its colonial past and hard-fought independence to its evolving democracy and growing economy, Timor-Leste has a rich history and a future full of possibilities. Joining us to explore this is Khoo Ying Hooi, Associate Professor at UM,...

If you grew up in Johor, Penang, or Singapore, you might have seen or been a part of the Chingay Parade, a century-old annual event where devotees carry palanquins housing deities from the main Chinese clans of the Hokkien, Cantonese, Hainan, Hakka, and Teochew. Johoreans, in particular, might remember this event as a vital part of Chinese New Year festivities since 1870. What makes this festival...