BFM :: The Bigger Picture

What is the secret to raising smart kids? A provocatively titled article by Stanford University's Professor of Psychology Carol Dweck in Scientific American argues that more than 30 years of research suggests it has more to do with hard work and discipline than intelligence and talent. We speak to child psychologist Katyana Azman about praise, motivation and the growth mindset, the theory of intelligence developed by Professor Dweck.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease estimated to impact one percent of the adult population worldwide. Not many people have heard of it but HS is as common as psoriasis. Appearing as a pimple, it is actually a long-standing skin disease of the hair follicle typically around the armpits and groin, on the buttocks and under the breasts.

This is an edited recording of the panel discussion that was held at the BFM Health & Living Live 2016 on April 2nd. In Part 3 of 6, presenter/producer Lee Chwi Lynn spoke to the President of National Cancer Society Dr Saunthari Somasundram, Consultant Oncologist Assoc Prof Dato Dr Fuad Ismail, Subject Matter Expert in Herbal Medicine from Institut Kanser Negara Dr Lim Ren Jye, and Medical Director of AIA Health Services Dr Myralini Santhirathesan. The panel discussed the management of cancer with a multi-pronged approach. BFM Health & Living Live 2016 is presented by AIA, The Real Life Company.

You can find all the recordings from BFM Health & Living Live 2016 under the term 'bfmhealth' on bfm.my.

The immigration debate continues to burn hot and furious in the United States, but the issues within - fear of the Other, jobs being taken away, the age-old desire to be somewhere else and be better- have reflections worldwide, including here in Malaysia. In four episodes, this series takes a look at what it means to be an immigrant and cross borders and bureaucracies to make that happen. Starting at the very beginning: the arrival. This episode was originally broadcasted on 6th October 2015.

The other installments of The Pendatang Cometh series can be found here:

1) Episode 2: Hard Work and Economics

2) Episode 3: Pushback

3) Episode 4: Identity

Gila: A Journey Through Moods and Madness is a brand new book that chronicles the untold stories of the men and woman living with mental illness in Malaysia. It is a deeply private world, one that is rarely spoken-of, that is often looked upon with shame and disgrace.

This week on Invisible Cities, Uma - and author Hanna Alkaf - take you into the invisible city that is the human mind.

Show Notes:

i. You can buy Hanna's book here. 

ii. In the episode, we spoke about the popular science author Mary Roach. You can find out more about her work here. 

Local arts group TerryAndTheCuz are are taking on the grave issue of human trafficking, through a new contemporary dance and theatre project titled SK!N.

We discuss the in-depth research and background work that went into translating this complex and disturbing issue into an arts production, and the role that the arts play in making these issues more relatable to the masses, with writer and producer Terence Conrad of TerryAndTheCuz.

You can back their Kickstarter fundraising project for the production HERE.

50,000 farmers who lost their land to climate change-related river erosion in Bangladesh, participated in a radical project which transformed barren land into huge pumpkin fields. Since the first trials in 2005, more than 90,000 tonnes of produce has been grown, eaten or sold by more than 16,000 of the poorest people in Bangladesh. With the effects of climate change already making its appearance in Malaysia, we found out more about the project from Nazmul Islam Chowdhury, the Project Manager of Pumpkins Against Poverty at Practical Action Bangladesh, and discuss  how we might incorporate such projects in our own lands.

Who are the voters of Singapore and what do they want? This is the question that every Singapore politician faces. And this question was particularly apropos in 1957, with an election imminent in which Singaporeans would be fully enfranchised for the first time. With no further repression possible, Singapore’s politicians would actually have to fight and compete with each other for votes. And in these circumstances, Singapore reached the apogee of its democracy. In this episode, PJ Thum describes how the party platforms converged on what Singaporeans wanted; explains the implications of these priorities; and argues that Singaporean democracy worked, laying the foundation for Singapore’s future prosperity. Please send questions, comments, and feedback to [email protected] or visit thehistoryofsingapore.com. Support the show at patreon.com/pjthum.

For all the previous episodes in this series, search for "History of Singapore" on bfm.my

The filmmaker and an activist has organized a three-day Refugee Festival which will include an exhibition, film-screening, performances and food. She wants us Malaysians to become aware of these communities of refugees in our country, right in our midst, not recognized by our government and often employed illegally. But in such positions these refugees are vulnerable.

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Sir Roy Calne joins Dr George Lee for the second part of a conversation that covers the future of medicine, and and what drives him to pen his thoughts through several books he has authored. Dr George Lee also gets him to reveal the inspiration behind his paintings and sculptures.

You can find the first part of this interview by searching for “Sir Roy Calne” on bfm.my.