Well-Informed & Open-Minded

Divorce is changing—and fast. In this episode, we explore how wealthy countries are moving away from blame, courtroom battles, and financial devastation toward a more humane way of ending a marriage. From Australia’s government-funded mediation to the global rise of collaborative divorce, couples are finding that splitting up doesn’t have to mean tearing each other down. We look at why alimony is...

In northeastern Nigeria, danger isn’t just avoided—it’s carried in a plastic bucket. In this episode, we meet Usman Maikunama, the self-proclaimed Scorpion King of Gwoza, who makes his living breeding, handling, and selling some of the region’s most venomous black scorpions. This is no stunt: it’s a family craft passed down through generations, complete with homemade herbal antidotes he insists ne...

Saunas aren’t just for Scandinavians anymore—they’re becoming a global wellness obsession. In this episode, we explore why high heat is suddenly so hot, from Finland’s long-standing sauna culture to rising adoption in gyms, spas, and backyards around the world. Scientists say this ritual acts as a gentle, controlled stressor, mimicking moderate exercise and boosting circulation—and observational s...

Saudi Arabia has been “dry” for decades—at least officially. In this episode, we explore a quiet shift inside the kingdom’s alcohol prohibition: an unmarked liquor store in Riyadh that once served only diplomats is now discreetly selling bottles to a select group of wealthy, non-Muslim foreign residents. It’s a small change with big implications. As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushes rapid so...

Protein: miracle macronutrient or overhyped fitness buzzword? In this episode, we break down what protein actually does—from repairing tissues to fueling growth—and why the World Health Organization sets the daily baseline at 0.83 grams per kilogram of body weight. We unpack why certain groups, from teenagers to new mothers to the elderly, often need far more, and how higher intakes paired with re...

It’s the liquor that fuels toasts, seals deals, and measures corruption—and it’s one of the most profitable businesses on the planet. In this episode, we pour into the world of Kweichow Moutai, the state-run distillery behind China’s infamous national spirit, baijiu . Despite ignoring every Western rule of marketing, Moutai has become a financial juggernaut with sky-high margins and a premium cust...

“Bring your passion!” It sounds inspiring—until it becomes a trap. In this episode, we unpack the rise of “passion” as a job requirement, and how hobbies once meant for joy have been transformed into performance metrics. With job postings now explicitly demanding emotional devotion, passion has become both a ticket to promotions and a smokescreen for declining performance that managers too often i...

Is ice cream getting… weird? In this episode, we dip into the world of experimental scoops—from ketchup and cheddar creations dreamed up by British designer Anya Hindmarch to the long, surprising history of chefs pushing frozen boundaries. But as adventurous as these flavors get, the story reveals a delicious truth: ice cream’s real magic still lies in childhood joy, not culinary shock value. Beca...

Who really invented butter chicken—and why does it matter so much? In this episode, we dive into one of India’s most heated culinary courtroom battles, where two families, descended from wartime business partners, are fighting over the legacy of a dish loved across the world. The Gujrals of Delhi’s iconic Moti Mahal insist their patriarch created butter chicken (and dal makhani) as a clever way to...

India is one of the most unequal countries in the world—so why does social peace still hold? In this episode, we dig into the unsettling question explored in journalist Manu Joseph’s Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us . Joseph argues that fear of police brutality, faith in education, and even the shared ugliness of urban life help keep class conflict at bay. But critics say he’s looking in the wrong direc...

The sneaker resale empire has stumbled. In this episode, we unpack why once-hyped collectible sneakers—the kind that sparked bidding frenzies and eye-watering markups—are now languishing at discounts. The COVID-era surge in casual footwear collecting has faded, brands have flooded the market with restocks, and ultra-realistic counterfeits have eroded confidence and value. But the biggest shift is...

Singapore prides itself on self-reliance—except in one beloved corner of public life: the hawker centre. In this episode, we explore why the state intervenes so heavily in these iconic food courts, regulating everything from stall prices to cuisine mix to the simple act of clearing your tray. Once created for public order, hawker centres now feed the nation affordably, embody multicultural identit...

For decades, fitness culture treated cardio as the foundation of health—measured in miles run, calories burned, and hours spent chasing endurance. But a growing body of research is changing that conversation, placing strength training at the center of long-term health and aging. In this episode, we explore the cultural and medical shift toward building muscle as a form of prevention, tracing how r...

Pickleball may be America’s fastest-growing sport—but it’s also becoming its loudest headache. In this episode, we dive into the surprising national uproar over the sport’s signature pop-pop-pop , a sharp, irregular sound that’s driving neighbors from Arlington to Scottsdale to the brink. While the decibels aren’t extreme, experts say the high pitch and chaotic rhythm make pickleball uniquely aggr...

The tandoor has shaped centuries of cooking—but its charcoal-fired glow is fading. In this episode, we explore why traditional tandoor ovens are disappearing from cities like London and Mumbai, as air-pollution rules push restaurants toward cleaner gas and electric alternatives. Chefs fear what may be lost: the unmistakable smoky flavor of naans and kebabs, born from clay walls heated by charcoal...

Across East Asia, young workers are hitting a breaking point. In this episode, we dive into the region’s growing wave of corporate despair—from rigid hierarchies and relentless presenteeism to the quiet rebellions reshaping office culture. We explore how frustration is spilling into unprecedented union strikes in South Korea, rising emigration among Japanese and Chinese youth, and the subtler prot...

In Indonesia, badminton isn’t just a sport—it’s a heartbeat. In this episode, we explore why a Tokyo Olympic gold in women’s doubles sent the nation into celebration, and how Indonesia became a global badminton powerhouse. While the sport may be a casual backyard pastime in its English birthplace, in Indonesia it’s a source of national pride, unity, and real opportunity. We look at the champions w...

Chicken is now the world’s favorite meat—cheap, abundant, and traded across continents. But behind its meteoric rise lies a far more complicated story. In this episode, we unpack how decades of selective breeding engineered birds that grow faster and larger than ever, helping chicken conquer global markets while raising serious animal-welfare concerns: cramped sheds, chronic lameness, and heavy an...

Hong Kong’s hottest food trend isn’t fine dining—it’s a $4 takeout box. In this episode, we explore the unexpected rise of “two dishes and rice,” a humble, no-frills meal that became a citywide obsession during economic downturns and pandemic lockdowns. Once dismissed as commoners’ fare, these steam-filled counters now draw massive queues and social media buzz, offering comforting, home-style flav...

Why has a 2,000-year-old food become a political punchline? In this episode, we unpack the strange culture war around tofu—a staple across Asia for millennia, now unfairly stereotyped in the West as the bland mascot of the “wokerati.” We explore tofu’s real story: a product made much like cheese, with textures ranging from silky to extra-firm, and a culinary versatility that lets it mimic chorizo...

What happens when a sport removes the very thing that keeps athletes safe—defense? In this episode, we dive into the explosive rise of Power Slap, America’s first official slap-fighting league, created by UFC president Dana White. With nearly half its matches ending in knockouts and mounting fears over brain injury and CTE, the league has become one of the most controversial spectacles in modern s...

In the corporate jungle, power still looks a lot like a silverback. In this episode, we explore why superficial status markers—height, posture, fitness, a deep voice — continue to shape who makes it to the top, even in an era of shifting global leadership. Despite progress for women, emerging economies, and tech founders, research shows that executives who “look” or “sound” powerful are still favo...

Forget Federer vs. Nadal—the fiercest rivalry in racket sports today is happening at the local park. In this episode, we dive into the escalating battle between tennis players and pickleball devotees, a conflict born not from sport itself but from scarcity: too many players, not enough courts. Since pickleball’s pandemic-fueled boom, arguments, noise complaints, and even police calls have become c...

In South Korea, postpartum care isn’t a few days in a hospital—it’s a full retreat. In this episode, we step inside the world of joriwon centers, luxury postpartum facilities where new mothers spend weeks recovering in hotel-style rooms, eating chef-prepared meals, and relying on round-the-clock nurses to care for their newborns. What began as simple rest houses have evolved into highly profession...

Hollywood has a new favorite character—the brand. In this episode, we dive into the rise of the “brand biopic,” the genre reshaping movie theaters from Barbie to sneakers, video games, and now Ferrari . These films are sleek, well-crafted, and undeniably entertaining—but they also reveal an industry racing away from risk. Instead of traditional product placement, the product is the story, giving s...