On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, Sujata is joined by Rain Khoo who shares the inspiration behind the list of songs included in the episode. Dignité Brands is founded by Rain Khoo. With 20 years of experience in branding, design and consumer goods space, Rain was the youngest Design Director at P&G Asia. He went on to create two consumer goods start-ups and led product development at Rainforest, a leading Amazon eCommerce aggregator. He has worked across APAC, China, US and European markets in the areas of Home Goods, Babycare, Consumer Healthcare & Functional Foods. 

Rain is a seasoned design thinking practitioner and pulls out “aha” moments of consumer insights, merging them with business model creation and product innovation for new revenue streams. He has created and led e-Commerce businesses. His work has received corporate and trade awards recognition – the launch of Mothercare eCommerce in 3 countries was recognised as best launch amongst all franchisee territories. 
Rain now works on brands and businesses for social impact, and was a co-founder of transgendersg.com, Singapore’s resource site for the transgender community. He is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant. In his appointments, he has managed diversity as part of corporate culture and delivered superior business performance as a result. He has written on inclusion for the Birthday Book, Q Chamber and curated content for the Associated Press, SCMP and Rice Media. Rain serves as a founding core team member of the P&G Alumni in Singapore, a non-profit organisation. In this interview, the songs can be enjoyed by following the links in the sequence provided below:

1. Contemporary Classical: Rain Khoo and Prem Vadiveloo performing Rain Khoo’s Vietnam

https://youtu.be/zGwDUaGqpqU

(1980-2014)

- My relationship with music

- Music Reflections: rooted in structure while experimenting on acceptable edges

- talk about migrant family, growing up interests, gender identity awareness and career background up to 34 YO. 5 min snapshot.

2. No Genre: Jeff Buckley’s Rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q

(2014-2019)

- Music Reflections: shifting perspectives of spirituality, unchartered waters

- Reasons for leaving Procter

- Coming out, transition, evolution, hiding under the radar

- Family – kids + parents, church, community changes

- Work 

3. Jazz Bebop: Mile Davis’ Rendition of Rodgers & Hart’s I Could Write a Book 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaDZJdQV60g

(2020-2021)

- Music Reflections: improvisation, free-fall, pushing forward, musical reincarnations

- COVID years

- Constant change and breaking points, loss of confidence

4. Eydis Evensen: No Title 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhY7mVCIU6Q

(2022)

- Music Reflections: tiny desks concerts, Icelandic music

- Healing, rebirth and reconstruction

- Sharing of how to heal yourself

5. Japanese Jazz-Fusion ElectroTango: Dance by Jizue 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDgInMDzR4

(2023-      )

- Music Reflections: reviewing and combining experience, planning

- Rethinking my purpose and work

On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, the charismatic Fabian Lyon joins Sujata to share the songs that provide meaning in his outlook on life and things. Fabian was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent most of his formative years between Toronto, Canada, Kingston, Jamaica and Miami, Florida. He is father of two sons, a 21-year journalist for the Miami Herald newspaper, Community leader and activist. He founded the ‘Game changers with Fabian Lyon’ podcast to spotlight those making a positive impact in the community and a platform to others who needed their voice to be heard.  He also founded the ‘Game Changers with Fabian Lyon’ youth leadership summit to empower young people. Download the episode now to listen to Fabian's  take on his playlist:

Enjoy!

On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, Christina Tian joins Sujata to share her "Book of Life". Christina is an accomplished business transformation professional with over 16 years experience, bringing tailored solutions across multiple industries (including mining, hospitality, academia, retail & banking) that guarantees successful outcomes. She is also a philanthropist and is currently the President of Graduate Women Association Singapore (GWAS), a body that promotes lifelong learning amongst the underprivileged in addition to supporting aspiring women entrepreneurs through education. As an avid sports adventurer who embraces new experiences and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, Christina is able to bring along her passion, core values, and tenacity to the professional workspace. Her success is driven by her wisdom, humility and empathy that inspires, motivates and moves people to take action towards transformation! Today, she would like to share her list of music that brings us on her journey through life, connecting us emotionally through life’s ups and downs. Calling it the Book of Life, she shares about joy, hope, hopelessness, love, forgiveness and wisdom. Playlist:

Enjoy!

As listeners of Hangout with Sujata are well aware, our affable host – Sujata, exudes a calming and assured presence around her guests that allows them to feel comfortable and confident which in turn brings out their full and authentic personalities. Therefore, it was amusing to witness the brilliant Guest Host David Talmor put Sujata on the spot, when I paraphrase in the spirit of the opening lyrics of one of her songs, to put her hands in the air and show us all her dance moves. So what came of it? Place on your headphones, grab a coffee or more exotic beverage if you prefer and press play to find out how Sujata handled being put in the hot seat for a change with a wonderful and occasionally unexpected taste of music. What do I mean? Sujata's playlist as follows:

Enjoy!

Roles have been reversed in the upcoming episode of Hangout with Sujata as Guest Host David Talmor gets an opportunity to delve into Sujata's playlist! Watch this space.

Sujata is joined by Christopher Harrington on today's episode of Hangout with Sujata. Chris is President and Managing Partner / Director for Dynamic Results, LLC and Dynamic Results Private Limited. His focus is on People, Change and Results. He drives change and positive results by supporting teams and individuals to realize their potential. Chris models behavior that encourages thought-filled risk-taking, Dynamic Results’ Accountability Method™ and by creating Emotional Safety® where people are trusted and empowered to do what needs to be done. An entrepreneurial executive with over 20 years of full profit and loss responsibility in Corporate settings, Chris has led international businesses thru start-up foundation, continuous improvement, growth phases and also extensive restructuring. Chris has worked for a German MNC, a private American company and a publicly traded Japanese OEM manufacturer. The sole native English speaker among 15,000 students, Chris graduated from Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, with a Bachelor’s Degree (Economics) in an entirely Japanese curriculum. Chris is an optimist by nature, convinced we can always do better and can learn from everyone around us. Fluent in both English and Japanese, he has lived and worked in Canada, USA, Japan, China and Singapore, where he and his wife currently reside. In his free time, Chris enjoys reading and beach volleyball. Listen now and discover Chris' playlist:

Enjoy!

On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, an introspective and colourful personality joins Sujata on the show; Mrinalini Tiwari. Currently a freelance producer, Mrinalini has produced ads, and executive produced many music videos along with a rich experience in production for over 10 years in films and digital media. With a certification in Producing from Whistling Woods International and associations with notable names like Raj Kanwar, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Youtube under her belt, she has donned different hats each time, including direction, acting, chat show host and PR,  the experience of which cumulatively make her the immensely effective Producer today with an experience of 16+ years this field of media and entertainment. Apart from that she is known for her other talents that like painting and handed made jewelry which she does professionaly. She is also a trained Tarot card reader for over 10 years. Listen now to this engaging episode full of music from around the world and across generations with a dynamic guest. Playlist included:

Enjoy!

On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, Diane Arthur joins Sujata to share her special story. Diane in her own words: "I am 49 but going to be 50 on July 26! I am the oldest of identical twins and my identical twin her name is Dione F Arthur! We were born with a first dissect which I call are super power and it is called aniridia which means no iris! I could see quite a bit growing up but as I’ve gotten older my eyes have gotten worse! I married once right out of high school but it lasted only 2 1/2 years! In those 2 1/2 years of marriage I met my daughters father William. We started dating a year after my divorce was over with in 95 ! I then got pregnant in March 1997 and had my daughter in December 1997! She ended up with the same birthday fact super power aniridia that my sister and I both have! William helped raise her till the age of 3 1/2 up north in Ohio until he decided to leave us for someone else! So from 3 1/2 years of age I raised her all by myself with a little bit of help from my parents down in Florida where my daughter Victoria and I moved back to! Things were good until the age of 16 when my sister died then that’s when things changed in my home and Victoria started having lots of problems! I eventually at the age of her being 22 I had to put her in a group home!  Now that my daughter is not here I am trying to deal with my sisters death and also the change in My Home without my daughter being here! I go to Clubhouse to connect with people and to share my sister story and how I celebrate her by singing to her every day! Diane's playlist:

On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, Karlene Millwood discusses with Sujata the experiences that have shaped her life. As Founder and CEO of Karlene Millwood International, she helps her clients overcome the obstacles to take their business from idea to production by boosting their confidence and helping them to strategize a clear vision and action plan. Karlene is a well-rounded leader, having previously managed corporate teams and projects, co-chaired the Women’s Internal Support Network (WISN) at the Toronto Police Service for two years, led the women’s ministry at her church and led various community initiatives. Karlene independently authored four books, collaborated on another two and created several courses and ebooks focused on Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Creative Writing. As a playwright and filmmaker, she wrote, directed and produced her first play, Forgiven, in 2014 and completed writing her second play, Diamond Life, in 2018. Karlene co-produced a short film, Princess Lamp, in Vancouver in 2016, and her second, When Destiny Calls, which she also wrote and directed, in Toronto in 2017. Playlist in this episode: 

Enjoy!

Sujata is joined by Thakur Anoop Singh on Hangout with Sujata for today's episode. A pilot by profession and actor by choice, Thakur became a household name in Indian cinema with his portrayal of Dhritarashtra in the 2013 TV series Mahabharat. In 2015 he won a gold medal in a bodybuilding contest in Bangkok, Thailand. That made him the first Indian athlete to win it. Listen to his experience of making it as an actor in a cut-throat industry and how his mindset has enabled him to overcome the various challenges as he navigates them on his colourful path to stardom. Enjoy!