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After quitting her job as a management consultant, Alina signed up for a teaching fellowship that would change the course of her life. As a teacher and educator, she is one of the co-founders of Arus Academy: a social enterprise that focuses on imparting skills to create physical and digital solutions to existing problems.

Bio
Alina Amir is one of the four co-founders at Arus Academy. She helps with strategy and business development to ensure the long term sustainability of Arus. Alina graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was also an analyst at Accenture before teaching History as a Teach For Malaysia Fellow for four years in a public school.

After quitting her job as a management consultant, Alina signed up for a teaching fellowship that would change the course of her life. As a teacher and educator, she is one of the co-founders of Arus Academy: a social enterprise that focuses on imparting skills to create physical and digital solutions to existing problems.
Bio Alina Amir is one of the four co-founders at <a href="https://arusacademy.org.my/web/">Arus Academy</a>. She helps with strategy and business development to ensure the long term sustainability of Arus. Alina graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was also an analyst at Accenture before teaching History as a Teach For Malaysia Fellow for four years in a public school.

Alina Amir — What the Future of Learning Could Look Like

When a trio of ex-colleagues haven't caught up in a while, all bets are off! They explore the big questions: are aliens among us? UFOs are just a matter of fact now? What about cryptocurrency? And how would you sort out the climate crisis? Ezra catches up with old radio comrades Khoo Hsu Chuang and Julian Ng on a new segment: Cincai² Bocai.

Bio

Khoo Hsu Chuang is a financial journalist with over two decades of experience. He’s worked in KL, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and London covering financial and capital markets for The Edge, Bloomberg and Thomson-Reuters in print, newswire, Internet and digital TV broadcast formats. Chuang has spent the last decade grilling CEOs, policymakers, academics and politicians as a co-host of The Morning Run on BFM 89.9, a business and finance-oriented radio station and as a Contributing Editor and Video Presenter with The Edge Media Group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Currently, he is the driving force behind Do More, a long-form video podcast series that explores entrepreneurship, investing and work-life balance. 

Julian Ng has 20 years’ experience in the investment banking and fund management industries with companies such as CIMB, J.P. Morgan and Public Mutual. As a producer and presenter on BFM 89.9, he covered business issues and financial stories and how it impacted ordinary folks. He now serves as the co-founder of Akru, a digital platform that provides automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision.

Check out Julian’s previous appearance on the podcast: 
How Much Money Is Enough? feat. Julian Ng | EZ On The Money #1

Episode Structure
00:00 - Ezra monologue/intro
08:00 - Throwback to radio days and unexplained events in Malaysia
12:20 - UFO sightings are real!
16:10 - The Great Reset
17:04 - Riding on the hype of cryptocurrencies
21:58 -  Have you taken out your EPF so you can live your f*cking life? Carpe diem
24:54 - The not-so-amazing movie experts on "Matrix", "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs"... and tipping culture
28:51 - "Politics and generosity are two words that don't belong in the same phrase”
29:52 - Chuang’s unpopular opinion on Greta Thunberg
33:00 - "World Earth Day is a load of bollocks."
36:16 - Is there an Asian solution to the climate crisis
42:10 - Does growing old mean achieving "Old People's Rights (OPR)"?
52:42 - Forced vs voluntary philanthropy through taxing the rich
1:04:30 - What constitutes success? Instagram and aliens
1:07:15 - The Education Industrial Complex
1:07:53 - Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin and the college admissions scandal
1:15:51 - Analysts targeting America to be normalised by Q3 of 2021; what's the impact on other countries?
1:19:39 - Pharmaceutical companies' bad track record and audience perceptions.
1:23:38 - Digital passport and human tracking
1:30:53 - Comparing the speed of evolution, the future of the human brain and technology | TOILET BREAK
1:37:37 - Pharmaceutical companies' irresponsible product marketing with government backing them up
1:43:03 - Circling back to Elon Musk, Greta Thunberg, cryptocurrencies, and big pharma.
1:45:40 - "We can be happy with the girl we love, a small house, two children who are healthy, and a simple lifestyle."
1:50:51 - Ezra outro and credits

Links:

Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs | 60 Minutes

Naval Pilot's Shocking UFO Encounter | History

President Obama replying to question by Reggie Watts on UFOs | The Late Late Show

Reservoir Dogs - Tipping scene

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal | Netflix

Neuralink: Elon Musk's entire brain chip presentation in 14 minutes (supercut)

Full House - Jesse meets Becky scene

Greta Thunberg in opening track of the album, The 1975… by The 1975

When a trio of ex-colleagues haven't caught up in a while, all bets are off! They explore the big questions: are aliens among us? UFOs are just a matter of fact now? What about cryptocurrency? And how would you sort out the climate crisis? Ezra catches up with old radio comrades Khoo Hsu Chuang and Julian Ng on a new segment: Cincai&sup2; Bocai.
Bio Khoo Hsu Chuang is a financial journalist with over two decades of experience. He&rsquo;s worked in KL, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and London covering financial and capital markets for The Edge, Bloomberg and Thomson-Reuters in print, newswire, Internet and digital TV broadcast formats. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsu-chuang-khoo-ab199343/">Chuang</a> has spent the last decade grilling CEOs, policymakers, academics and politicians as a co-host of The Morning Run on <a href="https://www.bfm.my">BFM 89.9</a>, a business and finance-oriented radio station and as a Contributing Editor and Video Presenter with The Edge Media Group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Currently, he is the driving force behind <a href="https://www.domore.my/">Do More</a>, a long-form video podcast series that explores entrepreneurship, investing and work-life balance.&nbsp;
Julian Ng has 20 years&rsquo; experience in the investment banking and fund management industries with companies such as CIMB, J.P. Morgan and Public Mutual. As a producer and presenter on <a href="https://www.bfm.my">BFM 89.9</a>, he covered business issues and financial stories and how it impacted ordinary folks. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-ng-a59039112/">He</a> now serves as the co-founder of <a href="https://www.akrunow.com/">Akru</a>, a digital platform that provides automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision.
Check out Julian&rsquo;s previous appearance on the podcast: <a href="https://www.ezrazaid.com/ez-on-the-money-1-how-much-money-is-enough-feat-julian-ng/">How Much Money Is Enough? feat. Julian Ng | EZ On The Money #1</a>
Episode Structure
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">00:00 - Ezra monologue/intro</li>
<li aria-level="1">08:00 - Throwback to radio days and unexplained events in Malaysia</li>
<li aria-level="1">12:20 - UFO sightings are real!</li>
<li aria-level="1">16:10 - The Great Reset</li>
<li aria-level="1">17:04 - Riding on the hype of cryptocurrencies</li>
<li aria-level="1">21:58 -&nbsp; Have you taken out your EPF so you can live your f*cking life? Carpe diem</li>
<li aria-level="1">24:54 - The not-so-amazing movie experts on "Matrix", "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs"... and tipping culture</li>
<li aria-level="1">28:51 - "Politics and generosity are two words that don't belong in the same phrase&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">29:52 - Chuang&rsquo;s unpopular opinion on Greta Thunberg</li>
<li aria-level="1">33:00 - "World Earth Day is a load of bollocks."</li>
<li aria-level="1">36:16 - Is there an Asian solution to the climate crisis</li>
<li aria-level="1">42:10 - Does growing old mean achieving "Old People's Rights (OPR)"?</li>
<li aria-level="1">52:42 - Forced vs voluntary philanthropy through taxing the rich</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:04:30 - What constitutes success? Instagram and aliens</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:07:15 - The Education Industrial Complex</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:07:53 - Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin and the college admissions scandal</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:15:51 - Analysts targeting America to be normalised by Q3 of 2021; what's the impact on other countries?</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:19:39 - Pharmaceutical companies' bad track record and audience perceptions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:23:38 - Digital passport and human tracking</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:30:53 - Comparing the speed of evolution, the future of the human brain and technology | TOILET BREAK</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:37:37 - Pharmaceutical companies' irresponsible product marketing with government backing them up</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:43:03 - Circling back to Elon Musk, Greta Thunberg, cryptocurrencies, and big pharma.</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:45:40 - "We can be happy with the girl we love, a small house, two children who are healthy, and a simple lifestyle."</li>
<li aria-level="1">1:50:51 - Ezra outro and credits</li>
</ul>
Links:
<a href="https://youtu.be/ZBtMbBPzqHY">Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs | 60 Minutes</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/NTLSQCF6ohQ">Naval Pilot's Shocking UFO Encounter | History </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp6Ph5iTIgc">President Obama replying to question by Reggie Watts on UFOs | The Late Late Show </a><a href="https://youtu.be/Z-qV9wVGb38">Reservoir Dogs - Tipping scene</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/LFHj8e7mU_I">Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal | Netflix</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/CLUWDLKAF1M">Neuralink: Elon Musk's entire brain chip presentation in 14 minutes (supercut) </a><a href="https://youtu.be/fNgpg3TFXyA">Full House - Jesse meets Becky scene </a><a href="https://youtu.be/4fwEG8XK1uU">Greta Thunberg in opening track of the album, The 1975&hellip; by The 1975</a>

When a trio of ex-colleagues haven't caught up in a while, all bets are off! They explore the big questions: are aliens among us? UFOs are just a matter of fact now? What about cryptocurrency? And how would you sort out the climate crisis? Ezra catches up with old radio comrades Khoo Hsu Chuang and Julian Ng on a new segment: Cincai² Bocai.

We Talk About Aliens! feat. Khoo Hsu Chuang and Julian Ng |  Cincai² Bocai

When Madam Kim falls into a depression following her divorce, her young son Kee Whay decides he should become a doctor. His wish: to mend his mother's broken heart. But as his own struggles with schizophrenia begin to emerge, their shared existence forces them to confront their relationship and what they mean to each other. 

Bio 
Madam Poh Kim Pheng, also known as Madam Kim, is currently a committee member of the Malaysian Mental Health Association, a non-profit NGO established to promote mental health awareness and public mental wellbeing. 

Episode structure 
00:00 - Trigger warning disclaimer
01:37 - Introducing host: Rahmah Pauzi
02:15 - Introducing Madam Kim and son - Kee Whay
07:13 - 'He kicked me out of the car'
12:50 - Suffering alone from mental illness
15:00 - Discovering Schizophrenia
18:21 - Underlying resentment and forgiveness
21:08 - Madam Kim's life, going to Oxford University
28:19 - [TW: Su*cide, depression] Divorce
36:43 - 'I would turn on the shower and cry, in the bathroom'
41:34 - [TW: Su*cide] Madam Kim's breaking point: attempting s*cide
45:00 - 'Forgive, and let go, and the life will come back to you'
50:57 - Kee Whay: coming to terms with past mistakes
58:40 - 'I believe all mothers will just want their children to get better'
60:59 - Kee Whay's recovery: What's he doing now?
69:12 - Find mental health support sources in our show notes
69:40 - Outro and credits

Links
A list of mental health organisations and suicide hotlines in Malaysia
Free mental health resources, in your preferred languages
Fact sheet: World Health Organisation
What it’s like to have Schizophrenia TED Talk by Cecilia McGough

Terms 
‘UH’ - University of Malaya Medical Centre, formerly known as University Hospital, is a government-funded medical institution located in Pantai Dalam, southwest corner of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Thean Hou Temple - The Thean Hou Temple is a six-tiered Buddhist temple of the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is one of the biggest temples in Southeast Asia. 
‘Hawking’ - Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, widely known for his bestselling book, ‘A Brief History of Time.’ 
Cincai - Malaysian slang word that literally translates to ‘whatever’. 
Flower Bathing - Also known as ritual of ‘Mandi Bunga’, it is a popular cleansing ritual in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The normal purpose of the bath is to remove bad luck, ward off evil spirits and increase a person’s aura in hopes of attracting good luck. 
‘Makan’ - Malay word which translates to ‘eat’ or ‘to eat’. 
'Armstrong' - Neil Armstrong, an american astronaut and astrophysicist, and also the first person to walk on the moon. 
Apollo 11 - The spaceflight that first landed humans on the moon, piloted by commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin. 
Tau jiong - Malaysian soymilk. 
Tau fu fah - A sweet chinese snack made of very soft tofu, often referred to as ‘soybean pudding’, ‘tofu brains’, or ‘tofu pudding.’

When Madam Kim falls into a depression following her divorce, her young son Kee Whay decides he should become a doctor. His wish: to mend his mother's broken heart. But as his own struggles with schizophrenia begin to emerge, their shared existence forces them to confront their relationship and what they mean to each other.&nbsp;
Bio&nbsp; Madam Poh Kim Pheng, also known as Madam Kim, is currently a committee member of the <a href="https://mmha.org.my/">Malaysian Mental Health Association</a>, a non-profit NGO established to promote mental health awareness and public mental wellbeing.&nbsp;
Episode structure&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>00:00 - Trigger warning disclaimer</li>
<li>01:37 - Introducing host: Rahmah Pauzi</li>
<li>02:15 - Introducing Madam Kim and son - Kee Whay</li>
<li>07:13 - 'He kicked me out of the car'</li>
<li>12:50 - Suffering alone from mental illness</li>
<li>15:00 - Discovering Schizophrenia</li>
<li>18:21 - Underlying resentment and forgiveness</li>
<li>21:08 - Madam Kim's life, going to Oxford University</li>
<li>28:19 - [TW: Su*cide, depression] Divorce</li>
<li>36:43 - 'I would turn on the shower and cry, in the bathroom'</li>
<li>41:34 - [TW: Su*cide] Madam Kim's breaking point: attempting s*cide</li>
<li>45:00 - 'Forgive, and let go, and the life will come back to you'</li>
<li>50:57 - Kee Whay: coming to terms with past mistakes</li>
<li>58:40 - 'I believe all mothers will just want their children to get better'</li>
<li>60:59 - Kee Whay's recovery: What's he doing now?</li>
<li>69:12 - Find mental health support sources in our show notes 69:40 - Outro and credits</li>
</ul>
Links
<ul>
<li>A list of <a href="https://thesmartlocal.com/malaysia/counselling-mental-health-services/">mental health organisations and suicide hotlines</a> in Malaysia</li>
<li><a href="https://www.therakyatpost.com/2021/01/21/need-help-there-are-free-mental-health-resources-for-you-in-your-preferred-languages/">Free mental health resources</a>, in your preferred languages</li>
<li><a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia">Fact sheet: World Health Organisation</a></li>
<li>What it&rsquo;s like to have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbagFzcyNiM">Schizophrenia TED Talk</a> by Cecilia McGough</li>
</ul>
Terms&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>&lsquo;UH&rsquo; - University of Malaya Medical Centre, formerly known as University Hospital, is a government-funded medical institution located in Pantai Dalam, southwest corner of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.</li>
<li>Thean Hou Temple - The Thean Hou Temple is a six-tiered Buddhist temple of the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is one of the biggest temples in Southeast Asia.&nbsp;</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hawking&rsquo; - Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, widely known for his bestselling book, &lsquo;A Brief History of Time.&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cincai - Malaysian slang word that literally translates to &lsquo;whatever&rsquo;.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Flower Bathing - Also known as ritual of &lsquo;Mandi Bunga&rsquo;, it is a popular cleansing ritual in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The normal purpose of the bath is to remove bad luck, ward off evil spirits and increase a person&rsquo;s aura in hopes of attracting good luck.&nbsp;</li>
<li>&lsquo;Makan&rsquo; - Malay word which translates to &lsquo;eat&rsquo; or &lsquo;to eat&rsquo;.&nbsp;</li>
<li>'Armstrong' - Neil Armstrong, an american astronaut and astrophysicist, and also the first person to walk on the moon.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Apollo 11 - The spaceflight that first landed humans on the moon, piloted by commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Tau jiong - Malaysian soymilk.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Tau fu fah - A sweet chinese snack made of very soft tofu, often referred to as &lsquo;soybean pudding&rsquo;, &lsquo;tofu brains&rsquo;, or &lsquo;tofu pudding.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>

When Madam Kim falls into a depression following her divorce, her young son Kee Whay wanted to become a doctor. His wish: to mend her broken heart. But as his own struggles with schizophrenia begin to emerge, their shared existence forces them to confront their relationship and what they mean to each other.

Surviving Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Story

When Hidayah Hisham was nine, she was unable to make sense of her Dad’s disappearance. 17 years later, she confronts her own past when she films the story of Siti — a daughter fighting for her father’s freedom — in her documentary Ayahku, Dr. G.

Bio

Hidayah Hisham is a video producer and presenter at BFM 89.9 - The Business Station. Ayahku, Dr. G is her first documentary film, made with her fellow filmmakers Loh Jo Yee and Dominique Teoh. The documentary captures the journey of a daughter fighting for justice to save her father from death row. Ayahku, Dr.G  premiered at Freedom Film Festival 2020 and won the Film Grant Prize at the event. 

Episode Structure 
00:00 - Language Disclaimer
01:38 - Introducing Hidayah Hisham and her film 
02:26 - Ayahku, Dr. G: Who is Dr. G?
04:12 - ‘It’s really, a film about grief.’ 
08:24 - Siti fighting a legal battle
09:48 - What happened to Hidayah’s father 
14:25 - Paralysing experience of witnessing addiction as a child
17:59 - ‘But he was still a really great dad.’ 
19:10 - ‘I felt like I was always running, really, really fast.’ 
20:00 - Relief and catharsis from filming 
21:20 - How well do we know ourselves that we want to keep fighting for things? 
23:09 - ‘You’re not alone.’ 
23:46 - Ezra’s final thoughts on Ayahku, Dr. G
24:41 - Watch Ayahku, Dr. G at our website! 
25:42 - Outro and credits

Links

Watch the trailer of the film, Ayahku, Dr G.

Q: How can I watch the film?
If you’d like to watch Ayahku, Dr G, sign up for our newsletter. After signing up, you will then receive a private link via e-mail to watch the film, available only for a limited period of time.

Q: How do I find out more about Dr. G and his daughter, Siti?
For a timeline of what’s taken place with Dr G, and his current status, read more articles here. Check out the official website representing Dr. G and his cause, made by the directors of Ayahku, Dr. G. You may get involved with the campaign if you wish to support his cause and help raise awareness for his case. 

Q: Is there a way I can donate and support them directly?
Absolutely. Click here to help Siti and Dr. G today in acquiring the funds needed to support them during Dr. G's incarceration. If you would like to contact the fundraising team directly, please email to the filmmakers at ayahkudrg@gmail.com.

When Hidayah Hisham was nine, she was unable to make sense of her Dad&rsquo;s disappearance. 17 years later, she confronts her own past when she films the story of Siti &mdash; a daughter fighting for her father&rsquo;s freedom &mdash; in her documentary Ayahku, Dr. G.
Bio
Hidayah Hisham is a video producer and presenter at <a href="https://www.bfm.my/">BFM 89.9 - The Business Station</a>. Ayahku, Dr. G is her first documentary film, made with her fellow filmmakers Loh Jo Yee and Dominique Teoh. The documentary captures the journey of a daughter fighting for justice to save her father from death row. Ayahku, Dr.G&nbsp; premiered at Freedom Film Festival 2020 and won the Film Grant Prize at the event.&nbsp;
Episode Structure&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>00:00 - Language Disclaimer</li>
<li>01:38 - Introducing Hidayah Hisham and her film&nbsp;</li>
<li>02:26 - Ayahku, Dr. G: Who is Dr. G?</li>
<li>04:12 - &lsquo;It&rsquo;s really, a film about grief.&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>08:24 - Siti fighting a legal battle</li>
<li>09:48 - What happened to Hidayah&rsquo;s father&nbsp;</li>
<li>14:25 - Paralysing experience of witnessing addiction as a child</li>
<li>17:59 - &lsquo;But he was still a really great dad.&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>19:10 - &lsquo;I felt like I was always running, really, really fast.&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>20:00 - Relief and catharsis from filming&nbsp;</li>
<li>21:20 - How well do we know ourselves that we want to keep fighting for things?&nbsp;</li>
<li>23:09 - &lsquo;You&rsquo;re not alone.&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>23:46 - Ezra&rsquo;s final thoughts on Ayahku, Dr. G</li>
<li>24:41 - Watch Ayahku, Dr. G&nbsp;at our website!&nbsp;</li>
<li>25:42 - Outro and credits</li>
</ul>
Links
Watch the <a href="https://www.kajibukankeji.com/ayahkudrg?wix-vod-video-id=e5b77b0fd4f248de8b8eb53051109b93&amp;wix-vod-comp-id=comp-klo2szas">trailer</a> of the film, Ayahku, Dr G.
Q: How can I watch the film? If you&rsquo;d like to watch Ayahku, Dr G, sign up for our <a href="https://mailchi.mp/ezrazaid/sign-up">newsletter</a>. After signing up, you will then receive a private link via e-mail to watch the film, available only for a limited period of time.
Q: How do I find out more about Dr. G and his daughter, Siti? For a timeline of what&rsquo;s taken place with Dr G, and his current status, read more articles <a href="https://www.kajibukankeji.com/headlines">here</a>. Check out the <a href="https://www.kajibukankeji.com/%20-">official website</a> representing Dr. G and his cause, made by the directors of Ayahku, Dr. G. You may <a href="https://www.kajibukankeji.com/getinvolved">get involved</a> with the campaign if you wish to support his cause and help raise awareness for his case.&nbsp;
Q: Is there a way I can donate and support them directly? Absolutely. Click <a href="https://www.simplygiving.com/personalfundraising/supportsitianddrg">here</a> to help Siti and Dr. G today in acquiring the funds needed to support them during Dr. G's incarceration. If you would like to contact the fundraising team directly, please email to the filmmakers at ayahkudrg@gmail.com.

When Hidayah Hisham was nine, she was unable to make sense of her Dad’s disappearance. 17 years later, she confronts her own past when she films the story of Siti — a daughter fighting for her father’s freedom — in her documentary Ayahku, Dr. G.

Hidayah Hisham — When Grief and Incarceration Meet in Film

Financial writer Aaron Tang, explains why we never seem to have enough time - and why your time, and not wealth, is your most precious resource. If you’re someone who has money (and less time), Aaron reveals the formula of how to live a more meaningful life. Also, how do we rewire our lives to stay regret-free? Learn how you could ultimately make more money, and waste less time in the long-run, putting it aside for the things in life that make us happiest.

Bio

Aaron Tang has worked in the oil and gas industry for 9 years, under the national oil company Petronas, and multinational oil company Weatherford. He now works as the country manager of Luno, an international cryptocurrency exchange, and also Malaysia’s largest cryptocurrency exchange market. 

Due to his interest in cryptocurrency and bitcoin, he began writing about financial matters in his blog Mr-stingy, which has now become one of Malaysia’s top finance blogs. He has also contributed to multiple other finance-related websites, both locally and internationally, such as SAYS, iMoney, The Huffington Post, and The Good Men Project.

Aaron Tang (Mr-stingy): Blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

Episode Structure 
00:00 - Would Warren Buffet give up his wealth for more time? 
01:56 - Time, Money, or Love? Aaron's article, explained
06:15 - Seeing your life in the number of weeks left: the 'memento mori'
12:50 - 'How many hours do I have to work to buy that RM 100 item?' 
20:52 - 'Hope' is not a very good strategy to reach your aspirations
23:30 - Aaron's early memories about money
25:20 - Getting better with money: Small Steps
30:10 - Relying on Money Advice figureheads can't solve all your problems
32:37 - Aaron's experience living paycheck to paycheck - and how he got out of it
39:51 - How can the 'love variable' improve your life? 
45:02 - 'If you don't have ... then you are a failure' 
47:45 - Aaron's starter-kit on changing your life's current direction
54:30 - DISCLAIMER: these things might not apply to everyone
56:24 - It's never to early or late to turn things around 
59:30 - Outro and credits

Links

https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/life-weeks.html - The article where the concept of the ‘memento mori’ was derived from. 

https://www.mr-stingy.com/time-money-love-most-important/ - Aaron Tang, or Mr-stingy’s article about time, money and love that this interview is based on. 

Terms 

'Dua Kerja' -- A malay phrase for 'working two jobs' or 'working a part-time job alongside one's main occupation. 

Tithe -- A portion of one's earning, normally 10% of one's earnings, that was formally taken as tax for the support of the Church and clergy.

Zakat -- an Islamic finance term referring to the obligation that an individual has to donate a certain proportion of wealth each year to charitable causes.

‘Sikit sikit, lama lama jadi bukit’ -- A malay idiom that describes how a little goes a long way - the rough translation in English is, ‘Little by little, over a long period of time, something will turn from a molehill into a mountain’. 

'YOLO’ -- an acronym standing for 'You Only Live Once', used to express the view that one should make the most of the present moment without worrying about the future.

EPF -- Employees' Provident Fund (EPF; Malay: Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja, KWSP), a federal statutory body under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. It manages the compulsory savings plan and retirement planning for private sector workers in Malaysia.

'Skim Cepat Kaya' -- A 'Get Rich Quick' scheme, a plan that typically offers a high or unrealistic rates of return for a small amount of investment and at the same time promises that the investment is simple and free from any risk. 

'Syok sendiri' -- Malay slang to describe being full of oneself

-------

This episode was brought to you Buttery. Use the code 'EZRA30' to get 30% off on their cakes, coffees, and pastries on https://www.buttery.my/ezra - order online now and you could have it delivered to your doorstep, free.

Financial writer Aaron Tang, explains why we never seem to have enough time - and why your time, and not wealth, is your most precious resource.&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re someone who has money (and less time), Aaron reveals the formula of how to live a more meaningful life. Also, how do we rewire our lives to stay regret-free?&nbsp;Learn how you could ultimately make more money, and waste less time in the long-run, putting it aside for the things in life that make us happiest.
Bio
Aaron Tang has worked in the oil and gas industry for 9 years, under the national oil company <a href="https://www.petronas.com/">Petronas</a>, and multinational oil company <a href="https://www.weatherford.com/en/">Weatherford</a>. He now works as the country manager of <a href="https://www.luno.com/en/my">Luno</a>, an international cryptocurrency exchange, and also Malaysia&rsquo;s largest cryptocurrency exchange market.&nbsp;
Due to his interest in cryptocurrency and bitcoin, he began writing about financial matters in his blog <a href="https://www.mr-stingy.com/">Mr-stingy</a>, which has now become one of Malaysia&rsquo;s top finance blogs. He has also contributed to multiple other finance-related websites, both locally and internationally, such as <a href="https://says.com/my">SAYS</a>, <a href="https://www.imoney.my/">iMoney</a>, <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/">The Huffington Post</a>, and <a href="https://goodmenproject.com/">The Good Men Project</a>.
Aaron Tang (Mr-stingy): <a href="https://www.mr-stingy.com/">Blog</a>, <a href="https://my.linkedin.com/in/aarontangsl">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mrstingy2014?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarontang84/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
Episode Structure&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>00:00 - Would Warren Buffet give up his wealth for more time?&nbsp;</li>
<li>01:56 - Time, Money, or Love? Aaron's article, explained</li>
<li>06:15 - Seeing your life in the number of weeks left: the 'memento mori'</li>
<li>12:50 - 'How many hours do I have to work to buy that RM 100 item?'&nbsp;</li>
<li>20:52 - 'Hope' is not a very good strategy to reach your aspirations</li>
<li>23:30 - Aaron's early memories about money</li>
<li>25:20 - Getting better with money: Small Steps</li>
<li>30:10 - Relying on Money Advice figureheads can't solve all your problems</li>
<li>32:37 - Aaron's experience living paycheck to paycheck - and how he got out of it</li>
<li>39:51 - How can the 'love variable' improve your life?&nbsp;</li>
<li>45:02 - 'If you don't have ... then you are a failure'&nbsp;</li>
<li>47:45 - Aaron's starter-kit on changing your life's current direction</li>
<li>54:30 - DISCLAIMER: these things might not apply to everyone</li>
<li>56:24 - It's never to early or late to turn things around&nbsp;</li>
<li>59:30 - Outro and credits</li>
</ul>
Links
<a href="https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/life-weeks.html">https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/life-weeks.html</a> - The article where the concept of the &lsquo;memento mori&rsquo; was derived from.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.mr-stingy.com/time-money-love-most-important/">https://www.mr-stingy.com/time-money-love-most-important/</a> - Aaron Tang, or Mr-stingy&rsquo;s article about time, money and love that this interview is based on.&nbsp;
Terms&nbsp;
'Dua Kerja' -- A malay phrase for 'working two jobs' or 'working a part-time job alongside one's main occupation.&nbsp;
Tithe -- A portion of one's earning, normally 10% of one's earnings, that was formally taken as tax for the support of the Church and clergy.
Zakat -- an Islamic finance term referring to the obligation that an individual has to donate a certain proportion of wealth each year to charitable causes.
&lsquo;Sikit sikit, lama lama jadi bukit&rsquo; -- A malay idiom that describes how a little goes a long way - the rough translation in English is, &lsquo;Little by little, over a long period of time, something will turn from a molehill into a mountain&rsquo;.&nbsp;
'YOLO&rsquo; -- an acronym standing for 'You Only Live Once', used to express the view that one should make the most of the present moment without worrying about the future.
EPF -- Employees' Provident Fund (EPF; Malay: Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja, KWSP), a federal statutory body under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. It manages the compulsory savings plan and retirement planning for private sector workers in Malaysia.
'Skim Cepat Kaya' -- A 'Get Rich Quick' scheme, a plan that typically offers a high or unrealistic rates of return for a small amount of investment and at the same time promises that the investment is simple and free from any risk.&nbsp;
'Syok sendiri' -- Malay slang to describe being full of oneself
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Life's Most Important Resource (Not Money) feat. Aaron Tang | EZ On The Money #2

Determined to transform his relationship with money, Ezra begins the conversation about personal finance. With Julian Ng, co-founder of robo-advisor Akru, they discuss how much money is enough for you to have a life you love, now and in the future? What conscious choices can you make to improve your station in life? Also, the merits of passive investing.

Bio

Julian Ng has 20 years’ experience in the investment banking and fund management industries with companies such as CIMB, J.P. Morgan and Public Mutual. As a producer and presenter on BFM89.9, he covered business issues and financial stories and how it impacted ordinary folks.

In his time as a portfolio manager, he became uncomfortable with the ideology that fund houses were expected to consistently outperform the market. This led him to co-found Akru, a digital platform that provides automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision.

Julian Ng: Linkedin, Blog, Twitter

Episode Structure
0:00 - A conversation about money, with myself 
3:00 - Resetting/reconfiguring the relationship with money 
5:41 - Julian's childhood anxieties about money 
10:32 - "will we be on the streets if we run out of money?" 
15:58 - Pivotal moments: Julian quits  his job as a fund manager 
19:05 - Ezra's experience: How policies impact individuals and society 
23:30 - The narrative of the financial media 
26:22 - It shouldn't be down to you gambling in the stock market to put food on the table 
32:26 - What can we do to be financially secure and happy? 
33:21 - The role of passive investing 
39:23 - Role of technology forces us to ask: what do we want in life? 
45:00 - Reading John Bogle and how it impacted Julian 
52:09 - Outro and credits 
52:57 - TEZP theme song debut 

Links

Julian Ng interviews his hero, John Bogle
Vanguard — John Bogle’s fund manager/investing company
Barbell Investment Strategy by Nassim Nicholas Talebs
New Economic Policy (NEP) in Malaysia
Lemonade Day — inspiring kids to start a business and build something that will change the world regardless of how large or small their ambition is.

Book Recommendations

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle https://www.academia.edu/35165688/The_little_book_of_common_sense_investing

Terms

Assets — an asset is a resource with economic value that an individual, corporation, or country owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit.

Cryptocurrency — a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority. (ex. Bitcoin uses cryptocurrency)

Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) — an exchange traded fund (ETF) is a type of security that involves a collection of securities—such as stocks—that often tracks an underlying index, although they can invest in any number of industry sectors or use various strategies. ETFs are in many ways similar to mutual funds; however, they are listed on exchanges and ETF shares trade throughout the day just like ordinary stock.

Index Funds — an index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a portfolio constructed to match or track the components of a financial market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). An index mutual fund is said to provide broad market exposure, low operating expenses, and low portfolio turnover. These funds follow their benchmark index regardless of the state of the markets.

Robo-advisor — Robo-advisor/roboadvisor are digital platforms that provide automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision. A typical robo-advisor collects information from clients about their financial situation and future goals through an online survey and then uses the data to offer advice and automatically invest client assets. 

Return — A return, also known as a financial return, in its simplest terms, is the money made or lost on an investment over some period of time.

Stock Market — The stock market refers to the collection of markets and exchanges where regular activities of buying, selling, and issuance of shares of publicly-held companies take place.

Determined to transform his relationship with money, Ezra begins the conversation about personal finance. With Julian Ng, co-founder of robo-advisor <a href="https://akrunow.com/">Akru</a>, they discuss how much money is enough for you to have a life you love, now and in the future? What conscious choices can you make to improve your station in life? Also, the merits of passive investing.
Bio
Julian Ng has 20 years&rsquo; experience in the investment banking and fund management industries with companies such as CIMB, J.P. Morgan and Public Mutual. As a producer and presenter on BFM89.9, he covered business issues and financial stories and how it impacted ordinary folks.
In his time as a portfolio manager, he became uncomfortable with the ideology that fund houses were expected to consistently outperform the market. This led him to co-found <a href="https://www.akrunow.com/">Akru</a>, a digital platform that provides automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision.
Julian Ng: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-ng-a59039112/">Linkedin</a>, <a href="https://akrunow.com/articles">Blog</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jooolean">Twitter</a>
Episode Structure
<ul>
<li>0:00 - A conversation about money, with myself&nbsp;</li>
<li>3:00 - Resetting/reconfiguring the relationship with money&nbsp;</li>
<li>5:41 - Julian's childhood anxieties about money&nbsp;</li>
<li>10:32 - "will we be on the streets if we run out of money?"&nbsp;</li>
<li>15:58 - Pivotal moments: Julian quits &nbsp;his job as a fund manager&nbsp;</li>
<li>19:05 - Ezra's experience: How policies impact individuals and society&nbsp;</li>
<li>23:30 - The narrative of the financial media&nbsp;</li>
<li>26:22 - It shouldn't be down to you gambling in the stock market to put food on the table&nbsp;</li>
<li>32:26 - What can we do to be financially secure and happy?&nbsp;</li>
<li>33:21 - The role of passive investing&nbsp;</li>
<li>39:23 - Role of technology forces us to ask: what do we want in life?&nbsp;</li>
<li>45:00 - Reading John Bogle and how it impacted Julian&nbsp;</li>
<li>52:09 - Outro and credits&nbsp;</li>
<li>52:57 - TEZP theme song debut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Links
<a href="https://bfm.my/podcast/morning-run/the-breakfast-grille/breakfast-grille-john-bogle-vanguard">Julian Ng interviews his hero, John Bogle</a> <a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/corporate-portal/">Vanguard</a> &mdash; John Bogle&rsquo;s fund manager/investing company <a href="https://toc.net/2019/10/27/nassim-talebs-barbell-investment-strategy/">Barbell Investment Strategy</a> by Nassim Nicholas Talebs <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_New_Economic_Policy">New Economic Policy (NEP)</a> in Malaysia <a href="https://lemonadeday.org/">Lemonade Day</a> &mdash; inspiring kids to start a business and build something that will change the world regardless of how large or small their ambition is.
Book Recommendations
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle <a href="https://www.academia.edu/35165688/The_little_book_of_common_sense_investing">https://www.academia.edu/35165688/The_little_book_of_common_sense_investing</a>
Terms
Assets &mdash; an asset is a resource with economic value that an individual, corporation, or country owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit.
Cryptocurrency &mdash; a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority. (ex. Bitcoin uses cryptocurrency)
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) &mdash; an exchange traded fund (ETF) is a type of security that involves a collection of securities&mdash;such as stocks&mdash;that often tracks an underlying index, although they can invest in any number of industry sectors or use various strategies. ETFs are in many ways similar to mutual funds; however, they are listed on exchanges and ETF shares trade throughout the day just like ordinary stock.
Index Funds &mdash; an index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a portfolio constructed to match or track the components of a financial market index, such as the Standard &amp; Poor's 500 Index (S&amp;P 500). An index mutual fund is said to provide broad market exposure, low operating expenses, and low portfolio turnover. These funds follow their benchmark index regardless of the state of the markets.
Robo-advisor &mdash; Robo-advisor/roboadvisor are digital platforms that provide automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision. A typical robo-advisor collects information from clients about their financial situation and future goals through an online survey and then uses the data to offer advice and automatically invest client assets.&nbsp;
Return &mdash; A return, also known as a financial return, in its simplest terms, is the money made or lost on an investment over some period of time.
Stock Market &mdash; The stock market refers to the collection of markets and exchanges where regular activities of buying, selling, and issuance of shares of publicly-held companies take place.

Determined to transform his relationship with money, Ezra begins the conversation about personal finance. With Julian Ng, co-founder of robo-advisor Akru, they discuss how much money is enough for you to have a life you love, now and in the future? What conscious choices can you make to improve your station in life? Also, the merits of passive investing.

How Much Money Is Enough? feat. Julian Ng | EZ On The Money #1

Pasi Sahlberg puts forth the case as to why play is an essential part of every child’s life. We discover the benefits of children and young people when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons. What's the most convincing evidence in favour of play? Also, a tribute to Sir Ken Robinson.

Bio
Pasi Sahlberg is a Finnish educator and a global leader in education reform. As a policy advisor in Finland, he has studied education systems and advised education leaders around the world. Pasi was  awarded the Lego Prize in 2016 for his dedication to improve the lives of children around the world. As an author, his book “Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland”  won the 2013 Grawemeyer Award.   In 2019, he and William Doyle co-authored Let the Children Play: Why More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.

He is currently a Professor of Education Policy and Deputy Director of the Gonski Institute at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Episode Structure
0:33 - At a playground in Finland, children play 
1:50 - Observation: what happens when you just let kids play 
4:41 - Ezra's introduction:  can we rethink how children learn 
6:11 - The challenges of defining 'play' 
8:57 - Structured learning vs. unstructured free play 
12:30 - The importance of conversations between parents, children and educators 
16:47 - How do we develop the pedagogy of play 
22:15 - Understanding more about children's resilience 
28:00 - Developing executive functions in early years 
30:04 - Where is the most convincing evidence in favour of play? 
36:35 - Realigning the understanding of  'play' 
41:04 - Great ideas are being blocked due to  lack of conversations 
45:13 - Outro and credits
46:54 - Postscript: tribute to Sir Ken Robinson 

Links

Article by the the American Academy of Pediatrics: The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.

The Power of Play - 2018 Clinical Report

Book by Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle: Let the Children Play: Why More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.

Research by the LEGO Foundation on why learning through play is important.

Do Schools Kill Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson

Book Recommendations 
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
Moving: A Memoir of Education and Social Mobility by Andy Hargreaves

 

Contact :

Pasi Sahlberg: Twitter, Website
Gonski Institue of Education: Website

Pasi Sahlberg puts forth the case as to why play is an essential part of every child&rsquo;s life. We discover the benefits of children and young people when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons. What's the most convincing evidence in favour of play? Also, a tribute to Sir Ken Robinson. Bio <a href="https://pasisahlberg.com/">Pasi Sahlberg</a> is a Finnish educator and a global leader in education reform. As a policy advisor in Finland, he has studied education systems and advised education leaders around the world. Pasi was &nbsp;awarded <a href="https://www.legoideaconference.com/en/lego-prize/pasi-sahlberg/">the Lego Prize in 2016</a> for his dedication to improve the lives of children around the world. As an author, his book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finnish-Lessons-Educational-Change-Finland/dp/1470826151">&ldquo;Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland&rdquo;</a> &nbsp;won the <a href="http://grawemeyer.org/sahlberg-wins-prize-for-explaining-finlands-school-success/">2013 Grawemeyer Award.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;In 2019, he and William Doyle co-authored <a href="https://pasisahlberg.com/books-pasisahlberg/books/">Let the Children Play: Why More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.</a> He is currently a <a href="https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/our-people/pasi-sahlberg">Professor of Education Policy</a> and <a href="https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-pasi-sahlberg">Deputy Director of the Gonski Institute</a> at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Episode Structure
<ul>
<li>0:33 - At a playground in Finland, children play&nbsp;</li>
<li>1:50 - Observation: what happens when you just let kids play&nbsp;</li>
<li>4:41 - Ezra's introduction: &nbsp;can we rethink how children learn&nbsp;</li>
<li>6:11 - The challenges of defining 'play'&nbsp;</li>
<li>8:57 - Structured learning vs. unstructured free play&nbsp;</li>
<li>12:30 - The importance of conversations between parents, children and educators&nbsp;</li>
<li>16:47 - How do we develop the pedagogy of play&nbsp;</li>
<li>22:15 - Understanding more about children's resilience&nbsp;</li>
<li>28:00 - Developing executive functions in early years&nbsp;</li>
<li>30:04 - Where is the most convincing evidence in favour of play?&nbsp;</li>
<li>36:35 - Realigning the understanding of &nbsp;'play'&nbsp;</li>
<li>41:04 - Great ideas are being blocked due to &nbsp;lack of conversations&nbsp;</li>
<li>45:13 - Outro and credits</li>
<li>46:54 - Postscript: tribute to Sir Ken Robinson&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Links
Article by the the American Academy of Pediatrics: <a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/119/1/182.full-text.pdf">The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.</a>
<a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/3/e20182058">The Power of Play</a> - 2018 Clinical Report
Book by Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle: <a href="https://pasisahlberg.com/books-pasisahlberg/books/">Let the Children Play: Why More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.</a>
Research by the <a href="https://www.legofoundation.com/en/why-play/why-learning-through-play-is-important/">LEGO Foundation</a> on why learning through play is important.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY&amp;t=48s">Do Schools Kill Creativity</a> by Sir Ken Robinson
Book Recommendations&nbsp;
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Bruce-Springsteen/dp/1501141511">Born to Run</a> by Bruce Springsteen</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Memoir-Education-Social-Mobility/dp/1951075013">Moving: A Memoir of Education and Social Mobility</a> by Andy Hargreaves</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Contact :
Pasi Sahlberg: <a href="https://twitter.com/pasi_sahlberg">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://pasisahlberg.com/">Website</a> Gonski Institue of Education: <a href="https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/">Website</a>

Pasi Sahlberg puts forth the case as to why play is an essential part of every child’s life. We discover the benefits of children and young people when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons. What's the most convincing evidence in favour of play? Also, a tribute to Sir Ken Robinson.

Pasi Sahlberg — What We Learn When We Let Kids Play

In this final episode of 2020, Ezra calls up a friend and finds out how the coronavirus affected his Christmas plans.

Bio

Johanan Sen has worked across the fields of strategic consulting, data-driven marketing, creative advertising, service design and product development. Currently, he is the Head Strategy Monk at MediaMonks SEA.

Episode Structure
1:13 - Introducing Joe 
2:52 - The calendar event they look forward to the most 
3:35 - Keeping traditions during Christmas 
5:53 - Spending the holidays apart: “You’re not flying back” 
11:15 - Getting seats at church like they be Ed Sheeran tickets 
13:28 - Russell Curtis performing Silent Night 
16:01 - Joe’s message to his family (and to all of us?!) 
19:13 - Credits 

Joe’s Christmas Recommendation

Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special (Apple TV)

Russell Curtis and more of his music can be discovered on Spotify and YouTube

 

In this final episode of 2020, Ezra calls up a friend and finds out how the coronavirus affected his Christmas plans.
Bio
<a href="https://www.joesen.com/">Johanan Sen</a> has worked across the fields of strategic consulting, data-driven marketing, creative advertising, service design and product development. Currently, he is the Head Strategy Monk at <a href="https://www.mediamonks.com/">MediaMonks</a> SEA.
Episode Structure
<ul>
<li>1:13 - Introducing Joe&nbsp;</li>
<li>2:52 - The calendar event they look forward to the most&nbsp;</li>
<li>3:35 - Keeping traditions during Christmas&nbsp;</li>
<li>5:53 - Spending the holidays apart: &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not flying back&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>11:15 - Getting seats at church like they be Ed Sheeran tickets&nbsp;</li>
<li>13:28 - Russell Curtis performing Silent Night&nbsp;</li>
<li>16:01 - Joe&rsquo;s message to his family (and to all of us?!)&nbsp;</li>
<li>19:13 - Credits&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Joe&rsquo;s Christmas Recommendation
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA7GxpLH_5A">Mariah Carey&rsquo;s Magical Christmas Special</a> (Apple TV)
Russell Curtis and more of his music can be discovered on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7z0ZbGqJNj4zfv59YZitEc?si=OTwLuNyxSEuepkeOzsGn8w">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_3jLZ0iVBswjQztLbP7Sw/videos">YouTube</a>
&nbsp;

In this final episode of 2020, Ezra calls up a friend and finds out how the coronavirus affected his Christmas plans.

hey Christmas, bye 2020.

Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, the genre-defying experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In this episode, she reflects on the concept of “Hō-ren-sō” (報・連・相) from her time in Japan; how she brings that to the dynamics of being in a band and her personal relationships. What distinguishes the person and persona that is Takahara Suiko? The singer-songwriter spells out the cost of fame, the price it puts on expression and what we can make of ourselves.

Bio

Bandleader, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster!) Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, an experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In 2014, their album, Hikayat Perawan Majnun (Tales of a Lunatic Damsel), was nominated for three categories in the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik 2014 (). In 2016, she became the first 1st ever Malaysian alumnus of The Red Bull Music Academy. When uploading quick, electronica-tinged songs, she also publishes under the moniker, Viona. In 2016, she also won Best Hip-Hop Song for the song 'Janji' with Altimet at asthe singer and co-lyricist. She also co-hosts Buah Mulut — a podcast of conversations with her husband, Anwar Hadi. Best Engineered Album, Best Arrangement in Song, Best Music VideoAIM 2016

Episode Structure 
0:00 - Language Disclaimer 
1:02 - "It's okay to be unapologetically yourself" 
2:00 - Introducing Takahara Suiko; her musical personas 
2:58 - Writing a song a day during lockdown 
6:00 - The meaning of “Hō-ren-sō” (報・連・相) 
8:40 - Irreconcilable differences - why people get kicked out of bands 
15:50 - Maintaining anonymity behind the persona 
22:02 - What Takahara wants to put out into the world 
26:27 - What's Takahara up to now? 
27:20 - Credits 

Book Recommendation

How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems by Randall Munroe

 

More information can be found about The Venopian Solitude — their music can be discovered on Spotify.

Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, the genre-defying experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In this episode, she reflects on the concept of &ldquo;Hō-ren-sō&rdquo; (報・連・相) from her time in Japan; how she brings that to the dynamics of being in a band and her personal relationships. What distinguishes the person and persona that is Takahara Suiko? The singer-songwriter spells out the cost of fame, the price it puts on expression and what we can make of ourselves.
Bio
Bandleader, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster!) Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, an experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In 2014, their album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4qpv9jTwROUfGzYbaXsqdE">Hikayat Perawan Majnun</a> (Tales of a Lunatic Damsel), was nominated for three categories in the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik 2014 (). In 2016, she became the first 1st ever Malaysian alumnus of The Red Bull Music Academy. When uploading quick, electronica-tinged songs, she also publishes under the moniker, Viona. In 2016, she also won Best Hip-Hop Song for the song '<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/17005HvzAkiWxy6Lw07AFc">Janji</a>' with Altimet at as the singer and co-lyricist. She also co-hosts <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3CeniqM4MH8ICUO7HBwwFp">Buah Mulut</a> &mdash; a podcast of conversations with her husband, Anwar Hadi. Best Engineered Album, Best Arrangement in Song, Best Music VideoAIM 2016
Episode Structure&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>0:00 - Language Disclaimer&nbsp;</li>
<li>1:02 - "It's okay to be unapologetically yourself"&nbsp;</li>
<li>2:00 - Introducing Takahara Suiko; her musical personas&nbsp;</li>
<li>2:58 - Writing a song a day during lockdown&nbsp;</li>
<li>6:00 - The meaning of &ldquo;Hō-ren-sō&rdquo; (報・連・相)&nbsp;</li>
<li>8:40 - Irreconcilable differences - why people get kicked out of bands&nbsp;</li>
<li>15:50 - Maintaining anonymity behind the persona&nbsp;</li>
<li>22:02 - What Takahara wants to put out into the world&nbsp;</li>
<li>26:27 - What's Takahara up to now?&nbsp;</li>
<li>27:20 - Credits&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Book Recommendation
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Randall-Munroe/dp/1473680328">How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems by Randall Munroe</a>
&nbsp;
More information can be found about <a href="https://www.thevenopiansolitude.com/">The Venopian Solitude</a> &mdash; their music can be discovered on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/21sTjUBQjHT0uozvt5vJT9?si=BDdD4mIfSki3rf4l8noH3Q">Spotify</a>.

Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, the genre-defying experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In this episode, she reflects on the concept of “Hō-ren-sō” (報・連・相) from her time in Japan; how she brings that to the dynamics of being in a band and her personal relationships. What distinguishes the person and persona that is Takahara Suiko? The singer-songwriter spells out the cost of fame, the price it puts on expression and what we can make of ourselves.

Takahara Suiko — Processing The Rage is Tiring

Project Notes: where tips, thoughts and takeaways come together. This episode features Takahara Suiko (ep 003), bandleader of the Venopian Solitude, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster). She explores the nature of trust among bandmates, how it relates to ownership and performance within a band. Takahara makes the case of hacking the musical process with shortcuts, the virtues of being lazy and how it breeds creativity. 

Bio

Bandleader, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster!) Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, an experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In 2014, their album, Hikayat Perawan Majnun (Tales of a Lunatic Damsel), was nominated for three categories in the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik 2014 (). In 2016, she became the first 1st ever Malaysian alumnus of The Red Bull Music Academy. When uploading quick, electronica-tinged songs, she also publishes under the moniker, Viona. In 2016, she also won Best Hip-Hop Song for the song 'Janji' with Altimet at asthe singer and co-lyricist. She also co-hosts Buah Mulut — a podcast of conversations with her husband, Anwar Hadi. AIM 2016: Best Engineered Album, Best Arrangement in Song, Best Music Video.

Episode Structure
0:00 - Language Disclaimer 
0:35 - Introductions 
2:03 - The relationship between bandmates 
5:04 - Dismantling the wall in pursuit of creativity 
8:25 - Royalties, songwriting credit and ownership 
12:08 - Hacking pop songs & linguistic writing devices 
13:22 - Making shortcuts: how  lazy that breeds creativity 

And while you're here... If you haven't had a chance to listen to Takahara Suiko's episode Processing The Rage is Tiring (ep 003), it's worth checking out.

Project Notes: where tips, thoughts and takeaways come together. This episode features Takahara Suiko (ep 003), bandleader of the Venopian Solitude, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster). She explores the nature of trust among bandmates, how it relates to ownership and performance within a band. Takahara makes the case of hacking the musical process with shortcuts, the virtues of being lazy and how it breeds creativity.&nbsp;
Bio
Bandleader, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster!) Takahara Suiko is the brainchild behind The Venopian Solitude, an experimental electro-pop-nusantara indie band. In 2014, their album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4qpv9jTwROUfGzYbaXsqdE">Hikayat Perawan Majnun</a> (Tales of a Lunatic Damsel), was nominated for three categories in the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik 2014 (). In 2016, she became the first 1st ever Malaysian alumnus of The Red Bull Music Academy. When uploading quick, electronica-tinged songs, she also publishes under the moniker, Viona. In 2016, she also won Best Hip-Hop Song for the song '<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/17005HvzAkiWxy6Lw07AFc">Janji</a>' with Altimet at as the singer and co-lyricist. She also co-hosts <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3CeniqM4MH8ICUO7HBwwFp">Buah Mulut</a> &mdash; a podcast of conversations with her husband, Anwar Hadi. AIM 2016: Best Engineered Album, Best Arrangement in Song, Best Music Video.
Episode Structure
<ul>
<li>0:00 - Language Disclaimer&nbsp;</li>
<li>0:35 - Introductions&nbsp;</li>
<li>2:03 - The relationship between bandmates&nbsp;</li>
<li>5:04 - Dismantling the wall in pursuit of creativity&nbsp;</li>
<li>8:25 - Royalties, songwriting credit and ownership&nbsp;</li>
<li>12:08 - Hacking pop songs &amp; linguistic writing devices&nbsp;</li>
<li>13:22 - Making shortcuts: how &nbsp;lazy that breeds creativity&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
And while you're here... If you haven't had a chance to listen to Takahara Suiko's episode <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-ezra-zaid-project/takahara-suiko-processing-the-rage-is-tiring?in_playlist=the-ezra-zaid-project!podcast">Processing The Rage is Tiring (ep 003)</a>, it's worth checking out.

Project Notes: where tips, thoughts and takeaways come together. This episode features Takahara Suiko (ep 003), bandleader of the Venopian Solitude, singer-songwriter, actor, writer (and now podcaster). She explores the nature of trust among bandmates, how it relates to ownership and performance within a band. Notable mentions: how to hack the musical process with shortcuts, the virtues of being lazy and how it breeds creativity.

Project Notes: How To Lead a Band and the Virtues of Being Lazy

The podcast that features unique stories and anecdotes often hidden in plain sight. Every fortnight, join Ezra on a narrative journey as he trails the footprints of individuals navigating the prospect of discovery and adversity.

The Ezra Zaid Project

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