Today I Learned

Long-distance relationships bring forth a myriad of challenges—emotional isolation, uncertainty about the future, and the ever-present spectre of jealousy. The lack of physical intimacy complicates things further. So, how can we navigate the intricacies of long-distance relationships? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often hear about how the Ringgit is becoming weaker or stronger when compared to other currencies. For example, people often talk about how at one point, the Ringgit to the Singapore dollar was 1:1, but now one SGD is more than RM 3. More commonly we often discuss the ringgit to the US dollar. But how does any of this work, exactly? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

It’s hardly controversial to say that everybody wants to be happy. In fact, many consider happiness their ultimate goal in life. But is the pursuit of happiness a meaningful goal? Is that the right approach to live life? We speak to Sandy Clarke, Licensed Counsellor and author 'Mindfulness and Emotions: Understanding Your Mind and the Benefits of Being Present' . Image Credit: 123RF See omnystudio...

As technology becomes a bigger and bigger part of our lives, data protection becomes increasingly important. But what do global privacy laws say about data protection? We speak to Devasheesh Bais, Fellow, Centre for International Law Research and Policy (CILRAP). Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the purpose of life and living? This is something that many of us tend to ask ourselves at one point or another. Ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose. But how do you identify your Ikigai? We discuss with Dr Eugene Tee, Associate Professor in Psychology. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people tend to think that we live in a world where most people are inherently greedy, selfish and evil. That when push comes to shove, we all want more for ourselves, even if it means less for everyone else. But just how true is that? We discuss with Dr Chua Sook Ning, a psychologist and the founder of RELATE Malaysia.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Approximately 48 hours ago, Hamas, the militant faction in Palestine, launched an unprecedented operation. Hamas fired rockets and also sent its fighters from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. They managed to briefly take control of some Israeli settlements and took some Israeli soldiers hostage too. This is all in response to years of illegal occupation of Palestinian land by the Zionist Israe...

You’ve probably heard of pyramid and Ponzi schemes. They’re deceptive  investment models that promise high returns but ultimately collapse, leaving unsuspecting and often vulnerable participants with significant losses. But how exactly does a pyramid scheme work?  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know that language is an important communication tool. But it is so much more than that. It is part of our identity, culture and how we express ourselves. But what exactly is the relationship between language and our identity? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiscal Policy is an important economic tool. It can tell us whether a government is going to be spending more or less. But how does fiscal policy work exactly and what is its significance in economic management? Image Credit: 123RF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal for his Yayasan Akal Budi case has renewed calls among civil society to separate the powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor. But what exactly are the functions of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BFM is celebrating its 15th birthday today. In light of that, we’re walking down memory lane to bring you 15-minute snippets of conversations from the years past. Launched in May 2021, Today I Learned is an educational show that explores various topics of interest surrounding psychology, philosophy, economy, language and more. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Online dating or meeting your potential partner online has become the norm. This has transformed the landscape and culture of dating. But what are some of the biggest positives and drawbacks of online dating?  Image Credit: 123RF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all probably heard of the simple concept called ‘Freedom of Expression’. But what exactly is it, why is it important and is there such a thing as too much freedom of expression?  Image Credit: 123RF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GDP or Gross Domestic Product often stands as a quintessential yardstick, reflecting a nation's economic vitality. But what exactly is it and is it a good barometer of how well a country is doing? Image Credit: 123RF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout history, diverse cultures and individuals have exhibited unique attitudes towards ‘death’, often accompanied by an inherent fear of the unknown. But should we fear death? We’re joined by Sandy Clarke, licensed counsellor who’s trained in existential therapy. We discuss why fear of death and the nothingness that  comes after, is so common and why mortality can actually be liberating...

Money laundering is an act of concealing the origins of illicit funds to make them appear legitimate. But how does it work exactly, and how do we prevent it? We speak to Raymon Ram, who’s an anti-money laundering specialist.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

War, a concept as old as human civilization itself, has played a prominent role in shaping our history. While we continue to push for a world without war, one has to sadly acknowledge that it isn’t the world we live in today. So, amidst the chaos and devastation war brings, the necessity arises to distinguish between the ethical and the immoral. So, what are the Dos and Don’ts of war?  Image...

Tax the rich! That’s a phrase that has become increasingly mainstream and popular in recent years. The call to tax the proverbial rich has only grown stronger in a post-pandemic world. But who are the rich, exactly, and why do we need to tax them? Image Credit: Christopher Penler / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard of the term intersectionality, used by activists or policymakers, especially in recent years. At its core, intersectionality acknowledges that people’s experiences are shaped by multiple social categories such as race, gender and class, which intersect to produce unique and often compounded forms of disadvantage in a particular society.  But what exactly does that mean? We...

Most of us have probably experienced getting angry at one point or another. We may get angry when we feel threatened or face rejection. Sometimes, we may get angry for something silly or petty. But what is anger, exactly and how do we deal with it? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Who am I?” That’s a question that many of us would’ve asked ourselves at some point in our lives. But how do we get to the bottom of it? How do we begin to think about answering this question? We discuss with Sandy Clarke, licensed Counsellor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you want to be loved? And is it akin to how your partner expresses their love towards you? Well, did you know that understanding and exploring the concept of love languages can greatly enhance communication and emotional connection in relationships? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a misconception that if you’re unemployed, it’s probably because you’re lazy or lack the skills that the job market requires. But what about when employers purposely downsize to maximize profits? And what happens when technology becomes so advanced, that most of us become unemployed? We speak to Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology. Image Credit:...

From ancient conflicts between empires to modern-day wars fought with advanced technology, war has been a tragic and pervasive feature of human history, claiming countless lives and inflicting immeasurable suffering. Oftentimes the horrific consequences of war are felt many, many years after the war ends. But why do wars happen?  We speak to Peter Beattie, who’s a political psychologist and p...