Crazy Smart Asia

By Tatler Gen.T

Personal Journals Society & Culture Education Business

What's Crazy Smart Asia about?

Crazy Smart Asia lifts the lid on the unexpected stories behind some of Asia’s boldest disruptors. Every week we talk with a young leader about the crazy-smart approaches they’re taking to achieve success and tackle some of the biggest issues facing Asia today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Crazy Smart Asia episodes:

04.30.2024
The queen of the pivot: being a Green Rebel with plant-based food entrepreneur Helga Angelina Tjahjadi
“People were shocked when I told them that there was a time during Covid, before we founded Green Rebel, where we had a cash reserve that could last us only a week,” says Green Rebel and Burgreens co-founder and CEO...
04.24.2024
How to balance business and family, with Nepalese billionaires Binod and Nirvana Chaudhary
"The first generation builds the family business, second generation consolidates it, third one destroys it,” says Nepalese business mogul and philanthropist Binod Chaudhary on Crazy Smart Asia. With his son and successor Nirvana, he spoke to Tatler Asia president Tamara...
04.17.2024
Taking K-beauty to the world, with Soko Glam and Then I Met You’s Charlotte Cho
“I washed my face with a bar of soap,” says Charlotte Cho, the founder of K-beauty marketplace Soko Glam and skincare brand Then I Met You, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's Chong Seow Wei, the OG K-beauty...
04.10.2024
Flipping success: the story of building a cult classic burger chain, with MyBurgerLab’s Chin Ren Yi
“In F&B;, we love to torture ourselves. But with the pain comes the joy of serving people, seeing people smile while eating their food,” says Chin Ren Yi, the co-founder of MyBurgerLab, a popular burger chain in Malaysia known for...
04.02.2024
Making farming cool again, with Cacao Project founder Louise Mabulo
“Maybe your concept of entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be those of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk,” says Louise Mabulo, the founder of The Cacao Project, a restorative agroforestry initiative, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's Chong Seow Wei,...
03.06.2024
Five crazy-smart insights from season seven
This week, we pick out five inspiring quotes from the seventh season of Crazy Smart Asia to help you build a better world, better business or better you. Listen for a quickfire highlights reel of crazy-smart perspectives from our guests—from...
02.27.2024
The food entrepreneur who didn’t grow up in the kitchen, with Nithiya Laila
“I never really thought cooking was my thing,” says culinary anthropologist Nithiya Laila, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's Chong Seow Wei, Laila shares how she’s built a business around communal eating, how the produce we grow and...
02.20.2024
The power of small steps, with social entrepreneur and mountaineer Christine Amour-Levar
“I really believe in the power of small steps. That discipline has been key in achieving certain things in my life,” says Christine-Amour Levar, the Singapore-based founder of NGOs Women on a Mission and Her Planet Earth, on Crazy Smart...
02.13.2024
The key to self-acceptance, with Buddhist monk and LGBTQ icon Kodo Nishimura
“I might be homosexual, but it does not matter. Anybody can be enlightened,” says Japanese author, Buddhist monk and LGBTQ+ icon Kodo Nishimura, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's Chong Seow Wei, Nishimura shares his journey growing up...
02.07.2024
Bootstrap business to multimillion-dollar fashion brand: the Love Bonito story, with co-founder Rachel Lim
“If you want to be first rate at your work, it can't be all that you are,” says Rachel Lim, the co-founder of multimillion-dollar fashion brand Love Bonito, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's Chong Seow Wei, Lim...
01.30.2024
The recipe to keeping the creative flame alive, with André Chiang and Syed Asim Hussain
“If your creativity is not solving a problem, it’s not creative,” says world-renowned chef André Chiang, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with restaurateur Syed Asim Hussain of Black Sheep and food and travel editor Johannes Pong, he shares the...
01.23.2024
Raising the bar: Singapore’s record-breaking powerlifter Farhanna Farid on the champion mindset
“Being that stubborn and committed to a cause can take you really far,” says three-time record-breaking powerlifter Farhanna Farid, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Farhanna shares the moment she discovered her knack for powerlifting,...
01.16.2024
Investing in more than the bottom line, with Dream Impact co-founder Dorothy Lam
“There's a growing interest for investors to put their money where their heart is,” says Dorothy Lam, the co-founder and chief catalyst officer of Dream Impact, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Lam shares why...
01.09.2024
Squashing the competition with Nicol David: what business leaders can learn from elite athletes
"I have to train my mind just as much as my body, because it's like a muscle, it needs to be prepared for the competition," says Nicol David, a record-breaking squash champion, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's...
12.28.2023
Five crazy-smart insights from season six
This week, we’ve picked out five inspiring quotes from the latest season of Crazy Smart Asia to help you build a better world, a better business, or even just a better you. Listen for a quickfire highlights reel of crazy-smart...
12.19.2023
The blueprint for disruption, according to YouTube’s Steve Chen and Catcha Group’s Patrick Grove
“To build a great business, you need to tackle a problem,” says YouTube co-founder Steve Chen in conversation with fellow tech legend Patrick Grove, co-founder and CEO of Catcha Group, on Crazy Smart Asia. The duo speak with 14-year-old youth...
12.12.2023
Unlocking the science and business of intimacy, with sexperts Maaike Steinebach and Sara Tang
Technology can democratise personal well-being, says sextech advisor and investor Maaike Steinebach and sex coach, sexologist and educator at Sarasense, Sara Tang, on Tatler Gen.T’s Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Unsensible’s co-founder Karis Cheng, the pair share their mission...
12.05.2023
From Top Gear to top-tier biofuels business, with FatHope Energy’s Vinesh Sinha
"We have no time to doubt ourselves," says Malaysian biofuels industry trailblazer, Vinesh Sinha, the founder and CEO of FatHopes Energy on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T's former regional head Lee Williamson, Sinha shares how one Top Gear...
11.28.2023
Commitment at any cost: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mahbouba Seraj on standing up against the Taliban
“If you don't show fear, truly, honestly; they back up,” says Mahbouba Seraj, a women’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Tamara Lamuniere, Seraj shares why she refuses to leave...
11.21.2023
Living under a long shadow: Juan Pablo Escobar on the power of legacy
“What is success? For me, it's something that we can truly enjoy during our lives,” says Juan Pablo Escobar, now known as Sebastián Marroquín, the son of the notorious politician, criminal and cartel leader, Pablo Escobar, on Crazy Smart Asia....
11.15.2023
How to live forever, with de-ageing specialist Bryan Johnson
“When you’re sleep deprived and you have a bad diet, you’re half dead,” says the tech billionaire biohacking his body and mind in pursuit of immortality, Blueprint founder Bryan Johnson, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson,...
11.07.2023
Five crazy-smart insights from season five
This week, we’ve picked out five inspiring quotes from the latest episodes of Crazy Smart Asia to help you build a better world, a better business, or even just a better you. Listen for a quickfire highlights reel of crazy-smart...
10.31.2023
The fisherman’s son who built an AI-powered education platform, with Preface founder Tommie Lo
“Anywhere on earth can be your classroom, as long as it fits your lifestyle,” says Tommie Lo, the founder of AI-powered education platform Preface, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Lo shares how growing up on...
10.25.2023
How to impact a billion people, with Carbonbase founder Max Song
“Climate change is not an immediate entrepreneurial target,” says Max Song, ex-coder and founder and CEO of Carbonbase, on Crazy Smart Asia. From gaining his first gig couch-surfing post-Burning Man in California, to living on the streets of Paris, Max...
10.18.2023
Closing the gender funding gap, with investor Sarah Chen-Spellings
"Mothers are the best business leaders because they don’t have the luxury of time," says Sarah Chen-Spellings, the co-founder of Beyond the Billion, a consortium of venture capital funds focused on getting US$1 billion into the pockets of female founders,...
09.28.2023
Facing roadblocks head on with Angkas co-founder and CEO Angeline Tham
“If we don’t do this, I don’t think anyone else can do it,” says Angeline Tham, the co-founder and CEO of Angkas, the on-demand motorcycle taxi app revolutionising how people get around in the gridlocked city of Manila, on Crazy...
09.06.2023
Two “nobodies” who changed the Malaysian constitution, with Undi18 co-founders Qyira Yusri and Tharma Pillai
“What's unexpected is the idea that two young students, two nobodies, can essentially transform a country's democracy,” say Qyira Yusri and Tharma Pillai, co-founders of Malaysian advocacy group Undi18, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Yusri...
08.30.2023
Five crazy-smart insights from season four
This week, we’ve picked out five inspiring quotes from the last eight episodes of Crazy Smart Asia to help you build a better world, a better business, or even just a better you. Listen for a quickfire highlights reel...
08.23.2023
Vision over validation, with entrepreneur Victoria Tang-Owen
“Validation is just a cherry on top,” says Victoria Tang-Owen, the creative director and serial entrepreneur behind Thirty30 Creative and Victoria Tang Studio, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Tang-Owen shares insights on how to hone...
08.01.2023
Why integrity is the key to business longevity, with Malaysian entrepreneur Joel Neoh
“Don’t take the shortcut, never start walking the grey line,” says Joel Neoh, a four-time exited founder and titan of the Malaysian entrepreneurial scene, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Neoh shares a comprehensive guide on...
07.25.2023
Talking founder mental health and blanket burritos with Neurum Health founder Megan Lam
“Think about your energy and your mental health like any other resource,” says Neurum Health founder Megan Lam, who is revolutionising the path to personalised mental healthcare, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Lam shares her...
07.18.2023
Colouring outside of the lines with non-binary artist Sam Lo
Singapore’s only queer, transgender street artist, Sam Lo, shares how they’ve defied binary societal expectations and broken out the box to be one of Singapore’s stand-out creatives. From stickers to graffiti to murals, Sam, who was once subbed “Sticker Lady”,...
07.12.2023
Standing up to disrupt gender and racial stereotypes, with comedian Sharul Channa
“Women have not hit their peak in comedy yet,” says Singaporean comedian Sharul Channa, who is obliterating Asia's comedy boy's club, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Channa shares her insights on the transferable skills between...
07.04.2023
The making of an Asian hip-hop icon, with Singaporean rapper Yung Raja
“I feel like Asia is ready, man,” says Singaporean-Tamil rapper Yung Raja, talking about Southeast Asia’s ascent to hip-hop’s global stage, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Yung Raja shares his journey to become Asia’s first...
06.27.2023
Why centaurs are the new unicorns, with “cool nerd” and Planto co-founder Ankit Suri
“Building a sustainable business is at the core of entrepreneurship,” says self-confessed “cool nerd” Ankit Suri, co-founder of Planto, a personal finance app that has over 500,000 monthly users, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Suri...
06.13.2023
Why there’s no growth without the down times, with musician and actor Nadine Lustre (2021)
“There's so much that life has to offer. There are ups and downs, [...] but the downs are essential to your growth,” says introverted Scorpio Nadine Lustre, Filippina musician and actor on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee...
06.06.2023
Here’s five crazy-smart insights we’ve heard so far
This week, we’ve picked out five inspiring quotes from the last eight episodes of Crazy Smart Asia to help you build a better world, a better business, or even just a better you. Listen for a quickfire highlights reel of...
05.30.2023
Leaning into your differences, with Tsangs Group Chairman Patrick Tsang
“Life is all about attitude. We can’t all be as athletic as Ronaldo, or as smart as Einstein, but we just have to be the best level of who we are today,” says investor Patrick Tsang, chairman of Tsangs Group,...
05.23.2023
Big battery energy with Ampd Energy co-founder Brandon Ng
“We’re at the dawn of the battery revolution,” says “awkward extrovert” and accidental entrepreneur Brandon Ng, the Brunei-born co-founder and CEO of Ampd Energy, a Hong Kong energy storage company that’s committed to making the construction industry emission-free. In conversation...
05.16.2023
Building the Tesla of the seas with Clearbot co-founder Sidhant Gupta
“We're not just making something we think is cool,” says robotics whiz turned custodian of the oceans Sidhant Gupta, co-founder of Clearbot, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Gupta, whose company designs and manufacturers battery-powered autonomous...
05.09.2023
The power of positivity with Steven Wongsoredjo, co-founder and CEO of Indonesian social commerce giant Super
“Find the passions you love, and work on it daily”, says Steven Wongsoredjo, the co-founder and CEO of Indonesian social commerce startup Super, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Lee Williamson, tune in to learn why social commerce is...
05.02.2023
Navigating “The Dark Room” with Erman Akinci, co-founder of Emissary Capital
“It burned me inside that no one cared what I did,” says self-confessed “expat brat” Erman Akinci, co-founder and managing partner at Emissary Capital, a boutique investment firm based in Kuala Lumpur, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s...
04.25.2023
Employing a ‘sharp mind’ to combat armed resistance, with Masungi Georeserve Foundation co-founders Ann and Billie Dumaliang
“Our work involves spiritual, mental and physical fortitude; [...] you have to be strong,” says Billie Dumaliang, who, along with her sister Ann, is a co-founder of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, a model for privately led conservation, sustainable reforestation and geotourism...
04.18.2023
Why being a servant leader means you’re a real boss, with OliveX co-founder Keith Rumjahn
“I exceeded all expectations from everyone, including myself,” says self-confessed “late bloomer” Keith Rumjahn, co-founder and CEO of OliveX, a fitness-focused technology company he took from inception to IPO in just three years on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with...
04.11.2023
Revolutionising luxury watch retail for Gen Z with Wristcheck founder Austen Chu
“I don't really take advice from people that haven't done what I'm trying to do,” says Austen Chu, co-founder and CEO of Wristcheck, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson, Chu shares how he deals with age...
04.06.2023
Series 3: A message from Lee
Wednesday 12th April Crazy Smart Asia is back weekly with an unexpected story from Asia’s brightest disruptors. Gen.T’s Lee Williamson explains more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10.10.2022
BONUS EPISODE: Tackling Climate Change Locally
Gen.T's podcast Crazy Smart Asia explores the unexpected stories of Asia's disruptors. We'll be back in November with a full third season of Crazy Smart Asia. But until then, as a teaser to the full third season, we wanted to share...
12.21.2021
BONUS EPISODE: Designer Yong Bae Seok On Why We Need A Global Design Philosophy
Gen.T’s podcast Crazy Smart Asia explores the unexpected stories of Asia’s disruptors. We’ll be back in the new year with Season Three, but in the interim we have a special one-off conversation we wanted to share with you. Gen.T has been collaborating...
11.24.2021
Musician and Actor Nadine Lustre On Music, Fame And Mental Health
Gen.T’s podcast Crazy Smart Asia explores the unexpected stories of Asia’s disruptors. One in four people will struggle with depression and other mental health issues at some point in their lives. For entrepreneurs, that number doubles to one in two. As we...
11.17.2021
Prenetics Co-Founder Danny Yeung On The Less Glamorous Side Of Entrepreneurship
Gen.T’s podcast Crazy Smart Asia explores the unexpected stories of Asia’s disruptors. In 2020, serial entrepreneur Danny Yeung was hitting his stride with his startup Prenetics, seeing success with its consumer-facing genetic testing brand, Circle DNA. And then Covid hit. Realising he...

What's Crazy Smart Asia about?

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Crazy Smart Asia episodes:

The queen of the pivot: being a Green Rebel with plant-based food entrepreneur Helga Angelina Tjahjadi

How to balance business and family, with Nepalese billionaires Binod and Nirvana Chaudhary

Taking K-beauty to the world, with Soko Glam and Then I Met You’s Charlotte Cho

Flipping success: the story of building a cult classic burger chain, with MyBurgerLab’s Chin Ren Yi

Making farming cool again, with Cacao Project founder Louise Mabulo

Five crazy-smart insights from season seven

The food entrepreneur who didn’t grow up in the kitchen, with Nithiya Laila

The power of small steps, with social entrepreneur and mountaineer Christine Amour-Levar

The key to self-acceptance, with Buddhist monk and LGBTQ icon Kodo Nishimura

Bootstrap business to multimillion-dollar fashion brand: the Love Bonito story, with co-founder Rachel Lim

The recipe to keeping the creative flame alive, with André Chiang and Syed Asim Hussain

Raising the bar: Singapore’s record-breaking powerlifter Farhanna Farid on the champion mindset

Investing in more than the bottom line, with Dream Impact co-founder Dorothy Lam

Squashing the competition with Nicol David: what business leaders can learn from elite athletes

Five crazy-smart insights from season six

The blueprint for disruption, according to YouTube’s Steve Chen and Catcha Group’s Patrick Grove

Unlocking the science and business of intimacy, with sexperts Maaike Steinebach and Sara Tang

From Top Gear to top-tier biofuels business, with FatHope Energy’s Vinesh Sinha

Commitment at any cost: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mahbouba Seraj on standing up against the Taliban

Living under a long shadow: Juan Pablo Escobar on the power of legacy

How to live forever, with de-ageing specialist Bryan Johnson

Five crazy-smart insights from season five

The fisherman’s son who built an AI-powered education platform, with Preface founder Tommie Lo

How to impact a billion people, with Carbonbase founder Max Song

Closing the gender funding gap, with investor Sarah Chen-Spellings

Facing roadblocks head on with Angkas co-founder and CEO Angeline Tham

Two “nobodies” who changed the Malaysian constitution, with Undi18 co-founders Qyira Yusri and Tharma Pillai

Five crazy-smart insights from season four

Vision over validation, with entrepreneur Victoria Tang-Owen

Why integrity is the key to business longevity, with Malaysian entrepreneur Joel Neoh

Talking founder mental health and blanket burritos with Neurum Health founder Megan Lam

Colouring outside of the lines with non-binary artist Sam Lo

Standing up to disrupt gender and racial stereotypes, with comedian Sharul Channa

The making of an Asian hip-hop icon, with Singaporean rapper Yung Raja

Why centaurs are the new unicorns, with “cool nerd” and Planto co-founder Ankit Suri

Why there’s no growth without the down times, with musician and actor Nadine Lustre (2021)

Here’s five crazy-smart insights we’ve heard so far

Leaning into your differences, with Tsangs Group Chairman Patrick Tsang

Big battery energy with Ampd Energy co-founder Brandon Ng

Building the Tesla of the seas with Clearbot co-founder Sidhant Gupta

The power of positivity with Steven Wongsoredjo, co-founder and CEO of Indonesian social commerce giant Super

Navigating “The Dark Room” with Erman Akinci, co-founder of Emissary Capital

Employing a ‘sharp mind’ to combat armed resistance, with Masungi Georeserve Foundation co-founders Ann and Billie Dumaliang

Why being a servant leader means you’re a real boss, with OliveX co-founder Keith Rumjahn

Revolutionising luxury watch retail for Gen Z with Wristcheck founder Austen Chu

Series 3: A message from Lee

BONUS EPISODE: Tackling Climate Change Locally

BONUS EPISODE: Designer Yong Bae Seok On Why We Need A Global Design Philosophy

Musician and Actor Nadine Lustre On Music, Fame And Mental Health

Prenetics Co-Founder Danny Yeung On The Less Glamorous Side Of Entrepreneurship

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