Today I Learned

With Thaipusam just around the corner, this time of year often brings Batu Caves back to the forefront of every Malaysian’s mind. While most people remember the site for its colorful stairs and Hindu Temples, we often forget that this limestone structure is a biodiverse hotspot home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna in Peninsular Malaysia. In this episode, we speak to Zarris Kem, Ka...

Every year, we see a familiar ritual taking place. People all over the world make ambitious New Year’s resolutions, often involving learning new skills and personal development. But if we’re honest with ourselves, how often does this pan out? We make promises to learn a new language, a new style of cooking or even play an instrument but come February, we’re still binge-watching TV shows. Why does...

Excitement is kicking in as we approach Chinese New Year. Families are preparing to return to their hometowns, clean their houses, pack Ang Pows, and gear up for reunion dinners. This celebration remains a time to reconnect with family and friends, to usher out the old year and bring in the luck of the new one. While many traditions have endured, some practices have evolved to fit modern times. So...

Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, we take a deep dive into what’s to come with Donald Trump’s second term in the Oval office. We speak to Professor K.S. Nathan, Senior Research Fellow at the Asia-Europe Institute at Universiti Malaya, to understand how his return to power will reshape U.S. foreign policy. From shifting trade dynamics to ASEAN relations and security concerns in Greenland and the Panam...

At the start of the new year, many of us pledge to get fit and healthy. But how do you stick with a fitness regime once the initial motivation wears off? We dive into the science behind habit formation, strategies for staying motivated and how to create a sustainable fitness plan with fitness coach, Abu.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the time of the year when we’re making resolutions for the year, we’ll be exploring a few of the common questions asked in fulfilling these resolutions. To kick off the first Today I Learned in 2025, the question we’re asking is related to eating healthier: how do I make vegan food taste good? We find out from Davina Goh, President of the Vegan Society Malaysia and Chef Stéphane Frelon, Execu...

It’s praised for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and health benefits—but what exactly is the Mediterranean Diet? Spanning 21 countries from Italy and Greece to Turkey and Morocco, this celebrated way of eating is more than just olive oil and fresh produce. Join us as we explore its origins, cultural significance, and what makes it a gold standard for healthy living. Image Credit: zi3000, Shut...

In this week’s episode, we explore a question asked by our listener, Zuhayri, who wanted to know why he cringes when he hears his own voice in a recording. We delve into the psychology behind this common phenomenon and find out why we often find the sound of our own voice uncomfortable. Image Credit: Nicoleta Ionescu, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maurizio Cattelan’s viral banana artwork - which consists of the yellow fruit duct-taped to a wall - was recently sold for US$6.2 million at an auction. This got us thinking - what makes something qualify as "art" especially in today's world? How is value placed on art, why do people collect it? For those of us not in the know, how do we get our start in the art collecting world? We speak to the e...

These days, people live accelerated lives, constantly on the go, rushing from one task to another. Everything needs to be faster. We pride ourselves on being busy. Technology which was once a promise of convenience and freedom, has instead tethered us to endless notifications and an always-on culture. The Tyranny of Speed, a new book by Sandy Clarke and Eugene Tee, dive into the impacts of our mod...

This year’s World Toilet Day theme is “Toilets - A Place for Peace”. Now, Malaysia has made some progress when it comes to our public toilets, with the government making efforts to incentivise premises and ramping up inspections, but we haven’t always been known for best toilet facilities. So we thought it would be a great time to investigate and find out what makes a good public toilet, the idea...

We journey through the captivating life of historian William Dalrymple to trace his path from the UK to India and unveil the inspirations that led him to explore the subcontinent’s layered history in his best-selling books. We also dive into his latest work, The Golden Road, a sweeping account of India’s far-reaching influence on global civilization—from religion and art to mathematics—as it sprea...

Figuring out how to navigate family dynamics as an adult will be stressful for most people, but throwing politics into the mix often makes heads spin. That’s what Kamal, one of our listeners, has been experiencing with his family, who don’t exactly share the same principles and values as him. We explore how we can bridge this divide, and what we can learn from taking a nuanced approach to the matt...

With Deepavali around the corner, we speak to Shankar Kandasamy about the origins of Deepavali, its spiritual significance and unique traditions. From the nostalgia of family gatherings to the significance of traditional dances, we’ll uncover the enchanting layers of Deepavali.  Image Credit: Toa 55, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every parent worries about their child’s future employment prospects. But if you have a child who is neurodivergent, such as a child with autism, ADHD, or Down Syndrome, these concerns become even more marked and urgent. In today’s show, we answer parent Samantha Yong’s question: How do I prepare my neurodivergent child for employment in adulthood? Ivy Philip, the founder of EmployAble, explores w...

The 44th ASEAN (short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit is underway, so we thought it would be a great time to do a deep dive on ASEAN, especially since Malaysia is set to take the Chairmanship next year. The idea for this conversation came from one of our listeners, Aaron Iskandar, who wanted to know more about ASEAN’s role in promoting economic and security cooperation among...

Ageing anxiety is the fear of growing old and what might come with it, from illness to losing your lustre for life. It’s a fear that has irked Soraya Carol, one of our listeners, who recently turned 60. We take a closer look at this fear, and hear from Soraya to understand where she’s coming from. Then, we speak to our gerontologist Lily Fu, on the best practices to living well in one’s older year...

Do you find yourself tearing up when someone else is crying, even if you don’t know why? We delve into why tears can make people uneasy, the cultural stigma surrounding crying, and how reactions differ between men and women. Plus, we discuss those who seldom cry and how tears became a sign of weakness, and something you should grow out of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s well-known that some animals, like the axolotl and the salamander possess remarkable regenerative abilities. Humans, however, don’t possess this ability, unless you’re a fictional superhero character like Deadpool. That's what Timothy Tuan, one of our listeners, brought up when he asked us about whether humans can regenerate one day. We explore the reasons why we cannot regrow our limbs and o...

It’s Sexual Health Awareness Month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about sex. Our listener, Lily, has questions about how a young person like herself, can find out more about sexual health, and relationships. And it makes sense, because when you're young, learning about sex can be confusing, embarrassing or even taboo. So who do we turn to when we need to learn about the birds a...

As Merdeka approaches, we examine the man who was Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj, our first Prime Minister, and founding father of Malaya and Malaysia. We reminisce about Tunku's remarkable life and enduring legacy with Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Hj Shad Saleem Faruqi (Holder of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Chair, University of Malaya, Trustee, Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman) and Johan Rozali-Wathooth (Tr...

If you’ve watched the Planet of the Apes series, you’ve probably wondered: What would happen if apes decided to gang up on humans? Would we stand a chance against them? If apes ever learn to speak, are we absolutely done for? Some even say the apes have entered the stone age. How much longer do we have until they decide to club us in the head and take the world for their own? And if they hypotheti...

Learning languages can be a daunting task, especially when you’re expected to be a master of three or more. But what if we can merge our languages to become one? We first speak to Declan Goh, who was the one who asked this question, with the hopes that a unified language would help him learn more effectively in classes. Then, we explore the idea of a unified language, and also the intricacies invo...

What is the profound connection between Indigenous people and their land? What is the difference between Orang Asal and Orang Asli? We speak to Dr Welyne Jeffrey Jehom, an anthropologist from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Universiti Malaya about these cultural ties and the challenges these communities face. Image Credit: Shahjehan, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Why are Malayan Tigers so special? Why are there so few of them left in the wild? What led to their decline? Why aren't efforts to protect them working? What would happen if there are no more Malayan Tigers left in the wild? This Global Tiger Day, we explore these questions and more with conservationist Lau Ching Fong, who is also the Acting Director of the Perak State Parks Corporation. Image Cre...