YanaTV - The Human Side of Leaders

What skills Singaporeans must have to succeed in 2030?  In this episode, we sit with a man who was born in Singapore, shaped by war, leadership, and loss — and who has spent a lifetime watching what pressure does to people when no one is looking. We talk about identity, loneliness, mental health, and the silent weight of leadership — the kind that doesn’t show up in resumes, but follows you home a...

What if the reason nothing really changes year after year isn’t a lack of ambition… but the questions we keep avoiding? In this episode, I invite you into a quieter, more uncomfortable conversation — the kind we rarely have out loud. I share six questions that have the power to gently dismantle the lives we’ve built on autopilot and help us rebuild from a place of truth. We talk about the pressure...

What does Christmas mean in a country with no snow, no fireplaces, and no single dominant culture? In this episode, I reflect on how Christmas in Singapore began quietly - in homes, churches, and conversations about belonging - long before it became a public celebration. We explore the myths around Christmas being only religious or Western, and how Singapore adapted it into something uniquely its...

What does it cost to be yourself in a place that quietly asks you to be someone else?  In this episode, I speak with Shawn Lim, who shares a raw journey through shame, identity, and the long road to choosing truth in Singapore. Shawn reflects on being arrested twice as a teenager, growing up in a conservative household, and trying to become someone society would accept. He opens up about hiding hi...

How does a father raise daughters in a world he knows still isn’t fair to them… and what does he do about it? In this conversation, I speak with Dave Yang, LinkedIn’s APAC leader, who shares the deeply personal moments that reshaped his views on women in leadership, gender equality, and what real strength looks like. He talks about confronting his early ignorance around the pay gap, learning from...

Meet Larissa Murmann, Chief Digital HR Officer at Unilever International and founder of Infinite Frequency . A woman who has led across continents and crises, and who still believes in leading with heart, even when the world demands armour. We talk about the courage it takes to stay authentic when your culture tells you to conform. About standing your ground as a woman in rooms not built for you....

I didn’t expect a CNA documentary “BEING SUNGAPOREAN” to make me question my own identity… but here we are. In this episode, I open up about my journey from a tiny Russian town to building a life, business, and family in Singapore… a place I never planned to come or stay, yet somehow it became home. I share what it was like arriving here with no plan, no network, and no Singlish… and how acceptanc...

Meet Miki Amrita, a Japanese-born founder of Nonviolent Communication Singapore and a woman who has walked through silence, conflict, divorce, motherhood, and self-leadership with astonishing grace, we dive into the raw, tender realities behind “being strong.”Miki opens up about her 17-year marriage, navigating PTSD in relationships, rebuilding her identity after divorce, and learning how to balan...

What do you do when your own child says she doesn’t want to become like you? In this conversation with Yuying Deng, a lawyer-turned-tech founder and one of Singapore’s most quietly powerful women in leadership. I dive into the messy, honest side of career growth, motherhood, and building a company from scratch. We talk about the pressure on women leaders, the guilt every working mom carries, and h...

She led billion-dollar teams, built movements for women across Asia… and once wished her mother would run away. In this episode, I sit down with Uma Thana Balasingam - leadership strategist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Lean In Singapore, Walk the Talk and Elevate Group. A woman who was born in Malaysia and has sat in the world’s most powerful boardrooms, yet found her deepest lessons in forgiv...

This Forbes groundbreaking female entrepreneur in South-East Asia and a mom of two reveals her greatest life lesson -- and what we CAN'T learn from AI. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ayesha Khanna — CEO of Addo AI, advisor to governments, and a global voice on the future of artificial intelligence. A woman who has spent her life at the intersection of algorithms and empathy. We talk about th...

What does the reincarnation of the Tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama have to say about leadership and the way you should live your life? In this episode, I sit down with H.E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, a man whose very existence embodies centuries of spiritual wisdom - the recognised reincarnation of one of Tibet’s great masters, and a lifelong student of the Dalai Lama. We talk about growing up as a r...

What if walking away was the only way to come home to yourself? In this episode, I do something I’ve never done before - instead of asking the questions, I answer yours. You asked me why I left YanaTV at its peak. You asked about the motorbike crash that nearly ended my life. You asked what seven years in monasteries taught me about peace, and what motherhood taught me about purpose. And for the f...

What if everything you thought you knew about success… was wrong? I’m Yana Fry, founder of YanaTV, and in this episode I share my most personal story yet — the untold journey behind launching one of Singapore’s first independent talk shows, burning out, walking away at the height of success, spending years in monasteries and mountains, becoming a mother, and finally relaunching YanaTV with a new m...

We are continuing stories of women this month… What is it like to jump back into the workforce after taking a break for motherhood? Meet Niloufer Jamal. Born in Chennai and having lived across the globe as an expat in Dubai and Singapore, Niloufer shares her personal journey of resilience, adaptation, and re-discovery of her professional self post-motherhood. With a decade at Lufthansa German Airl...

Meet Chandni, whose life transformed after moving to Singapore from India. From confronting domestic violence and surviving cancer to embracing motherhood through surrogacy, Chandni's tale is a testament to the power of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. Chandni shares how she rebuilt her life, highlighting the importance of financial independence, the support of social media in fo...

This month we are showcasing inspirational women with interesting stories! Today we have Lakshmi Ramachandran, a remarkable woman, who transitioned from being a biomedical scientist to a leadership coach and speaker, all while balancing life as a mother of two. Lakshmi shares her lifelong passion for science, sparked by a fascination with life's microscopic marvels. Born and raised in Kerala,...

How can proper discipline shape your way to success? Meet Mukul Deva, a man celebrated for his wide-ranging achievements. As a bestselling author, leadership coach, and former army officer, Mukul reveals how he has excelled in numerous fields over the years. We talk about the role of discipline, the significance of learning from failure, and the necessity of maintaining focus to succeed in various...

Meet Jit Puru. Jit is an accomplished author and professional speaker who has been helping people with self-development, motivation, and personal growth since 2014. In this episode, we discuss why it's important to talk about rejection and how it affects our lives. From everyday encounters like missing out on a favorite drink to more significant rejections in personal and professional realms,...

Why is sex still a taboo subject in our society? Meet Dr. Martha Lee. She is a highly sought-after and respected sex expert in Singapore, holding a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Masters in Counseling. In this episode, she shares her journey of pioneering positive conversations around love, relationships, and sexuality. From addressing taboo topics to empowering individuals to embrace their se...

Meet Benjamin Cheng. He is currently the Chief Inspiration Officer for Mind Inspirations LLP. He is also the Head of training curriculum development for several companies, helping them customize their training system for Success and Master Trainer to roll out these programs globally. Cheng talked about what it's like to be Hainanese in Singapore and do business in China. We speak about the int...

Meet Olivier Burlot. He is the CEO of HEART MEDIA Group with 26 years of work experience in publishing, fashion and luxury brands, magazines, digital media, marketing communications, and marketing strategy. The company has worked with renowned magazines such as LUXUO.com, L’OFFICIEL, WOW, MEN’S FOLIO, ART REPUBLIK, GRAZIA Singapore, and ESQUIRE Singapore. Heart Media forte is in Fashion, Beauty, W...

Meet Cindy Tien, an EQ Maven who unlocks the key to your personality and behaviour, revealing the underlying causes of burnout, overwhelm and disempowering habits. We talked about emotional resilience, overcoming addiction, and crafting a life you desire. Cindy opens up about her journey from a challenging childhood to battling addictions, highlighting the profound impact of childhood trauma. Join...

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ron Kaufman, world’s no.1 customer experience guru six times in a row. We delved into Ron's rich insights on service, leadership, and the art of creating value. From his experiences in Singapore to global observations, Ron emphasized the pivotal role of both service providers and customers in elevating the overall service experien...

Meet Yana. She is a coach, a speaker and a mentor for successful and conscious people, who are making a dent. In this episode, Anita Kapoor takes over as the host and interviews Yana Fry, the founder of YanaTV. We delve into the origins and vision of the show, exploring the concept of "movers and shakers" in Asia. Yana shares her journey of building a diverse guest list and the importanc...