Before We Get There

In this episode of 'Before We Get There,' host Nicholas Braman interviews Michael Thompson, a Canadian game designer who has lived in Singapore for over 15 years. Michael discusses his extensive career in the gaming industry, working on major titles like FIFA and NHL for Electronic Arts and Ghost Recon for Ubisoft. Currently, he is the course chair for the Department of Game Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Singapore. Michael also shares his experiences and insights from over 20 years of training in Brazilian Jiujitsu, touching on the growth of the sport in Singapore and how to stay fit as you age. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of both fields, highlighting the parallels between them. Michael also offers advice to those aspiring to enter the gaming industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:29 Michael's Journey to Singapore

04:54 The Reality of Working in the Gaming Industry

10:45 Challenges and Rewards of Game Development

19:40 Transitioning to Teaching

23:30 Analyzing Game Design Flaws

25:25 How building games is similar to Brazilian Jiujitsu

26:08 Early Days of Training and Grind of Jiujitsu

33:35 Measuring Progress in Jiujitsu

36:47 Staying Healthy and Disciplined

39:32 Growth of Jiujitsu in Singapore

43:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman sits down with Eliza Koo, founder of Tender Loving Milk and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Eliza shares her journey from a corporate career in B2B tech marketing to becoming an entrepreneur, driven by her passion for supporting new mothers. They discuss her gradual pivot into lactation consulting, her insights on parenting, and the life lessons she learned from building her own business. Eliza also opens up about the challenges of balancing family and entrepreneurship, her evolving perspective on success, and her future goals to expand into life coaching for working mothers.

Topics Discussed:

• Transition to Entrepreneurship: Eliza’s journey from corporate marketing to founding her own business, Tender Loving Milk.

Follow Eliza:

• Instagram (Lactation Consulting): @tenderlovingmilk

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Website

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman welcomes Kyson Xu, a passionate marketer and prolific LinkedIn content creator. Kyson shares his journey from his beginnings in business development to discovering his passion for marketing, while also building a strong personal brand on LinkedIn. He opens up about imposter syndrome, balancing work with family life, and his unique insights from working across industries and within diverse teams. Kyson also reflects on defining success beyond traditional measures and how his role as a father and husband shapes his personal and professional goals.

Topics Discussed:

• LinkedIn Growth: How Kyson grew his audience on LinkedIn through authenticity, consistent engagement, and strategic content creation.

Follow Kyson:

• LinkedIn

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Website

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman sits down with Mathew Yuhico, a creative force in video production with a knack for storytelling. Mathew shares insights from his childhood, inspired by his artist mother, and his journey from graphic design to a career in video production. They delve into the evolution of his creative process, from personal projects that inspire emotion to handling constraints in client work. Mathew also reflects on finding balance between personal passion and professional commitments.

Topics Discussed:

• Early Inspirations: Mathew’s childhood influences, including his artistic family and his mom's passion for visual arts.

Follow Mathew:

• Instagram: @mathewyuhico

Additional Resources:

• Mathew’s rap application 

Before We Get There is a podcast about resilience, adaptations, and the unfinished paths we all walk. Host Nicholas Braman sits down with creatives, athletes, chefs, and entrepreneurs from Singapore and across Asia to uncover what they wrestle with, what keeps them moving, and where they want to go next. New episodes every other Thursday.