Before We Get There

In this episode, Nicholas Braman sits down with Yip Yew Chong, the artist whose nostalgic murals have become a defining feature of Singapore's urban landscape. While his work captures the soul of neighborhoods like Chinatown and Tiong Bahru, the story behind the brush is one of pragmatic transition and mid-career reinvention.

Yew Chong spent 25 years as a finance director before transitioning to full-time artistry at age 49. We move past the aesthetics of his work to explore the "how" of his journey—the three-year "parallel run" where he balanced international business trips with weekend painting sessions on the streets. It is a conversation about the stamina required to follow a passion without ignoring the reality of keeping food on the table.

Host Nicholas Braman interviews entrepreneur and content creator Wendy Vaz two months after she left a six-year corporate career to go all-in on her own business amid major life changes, including a wedding, a move, and a serious back fracture. Wendy describes initial self-doubt, seeking outside validation, and becoming more grounded by trusting her own plan and slowing down to calm her nervous system, drawing on past mental health struggles. She shares her long history of blogging and content creation, overcoming insecurity about her accent after studying in Vancouver on a scholarship, and choosing to stay in Malaysia due to distance from family and depression. Wendy explains adopting a “no plan B” mindset, staying open to pivots while remaining committed to helping people struggling mentally, and aiming to scale impact, earn sustainably, and eventually retire her parents.

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman sits down with Charlene Chew, a creator and athlete widely recognized for her resilience following a traumatic burn accident. Charlene discusses the evolution of her relationship with fitness, moving from a bodybuilding background into calisthenics and shifting her focus toward nervous system regulation rather than pure performance. She shares a candid look at the "mask" required of a public creator and the mental health cost of maintaining a high-energy persona while processing deep, interconnected traumas.

The conversation moves past the headlines of her recovery to explore the reality of her current transition, her decision to step back from the "grind" after a five-year sprint, and her search for a new identity that isn't defined by her past. Charlene also reflects on the burden of being viewed as a savior by her audience and her long-term goal of building something tangible to help others feel seen and safe.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@charlenechew250 

APAC Marketers: https://apacmarketers.com/ 

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman interviews Cassandra Ong, founder of Otter Half marketing agency. Cassandra shares her experience of being laid off, which led her to start her own business. They discuss the creation of Ottie's Fishy Business, a marketing card game for kids, and the challenges and successes of running her own agency. Additionally, Cassandra talks about the differences between working in startups and MNCs, the importance of work-life balance, and how building a personal brand on LinkedIn has opened new doors for her professionally. The conversation also delves into the personal aspects of navigating work and family life, especially as a mother and business owner.

00:00 Introducing the Podcast and Today's Guest

02:00 Cassandra Ong's Marketing Card Game for Kids

08:56 Transitioning from Startups to MNCs

15:43 Navigating Career Challenges and Layoffs

21:54 Starting Otter Half: Overcoming Self-Doubt

25:02 Navigating Sales and Real Business Challenges

34:37 Balancing Work and Family Life

38:48 Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Aspirations