Live & Learn

For many Malaysians, it can be hard to imagine what a vegan diet would look like, if you  had to give up all animal-based products in your diet. But today, it’s become more common to hear or know of people around you who have adopted a plant-based lifestyle - or are at least putting in the effort to eat less meat. As this January marks the 10th year of the annual Veganuary campaign - where people challenge themselves to go vegan for the month - we’re taking this opportunity to dive into the rise of veganism, particularly here in Malaysia, and to also address why vegans still tend to get a bad rep.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular all over the world. On the one hand, this feels like the next chapter of the democratization of the media space, which is something to be welcomed and another great tool to reach out to the masses. After all, even BFM shows are available as podcasts. On the other hand, it could also become another avenue to spread misinformation or half-truths.

Dr Benjamin Loh is a Senior Lecturer, School Of Media and Communication, Taylor's University, and he recently wrote a column for Malaysiakini titled Rise of podcasting and its threat to critical discourse – which is what we discuss on this episode.

New year, new me, or at least that’s how the saying goes. But the last few days of the year - and the first few days - can also bring up an extra dose of nostalgia as we think about the past and meet up with friends and family. Why do we tend to feel nostalgic as we grow older and is there such a thing as being too nostalgic? Here to help us delve into that is clinical psychologist Dr Joel Low.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Man2Man Talk is a mini-series where men have conversations with each other about masculinity, toxic masculinity, patriarchy and gender-based violence. This series is in conjunction with AWAM’s fifth White Ribbon Campaign.

The campaign’s theme is ‘Break the Silence, End the Violence’ and is aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) in Malaysia by promoting a new vision of healthy masculinity and encouraging men to speak out against GBV, particularly domestic abuse.

In this episode, we speak to Wong Yan Ke, Deputy Chairperson, Bersih.

Man2Man Talk is a mini-series where men have conversations with each other about masculinity, toxic masculinity, patriarchy and gender-based violence. This series is in conjunction with AWAM’s fifth White Ribbon Campaign.

The campaign’s theme is ‘Break the Silence, End the Violence’ and is aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) in Malaysia by promoting a new vision of healthy masculinity and encouraging men to speak out against GBV, particularly domestic abuse. In this episode, we speak to Iqbal Fatkhi, Editor in Chief, Cilisos Media.

The Melaka Chetti Kitchen is more than just a collection of recipes but a book representing a slice of Melaka Chetti culture, which is becoming endangered as the Melaka Chetti community is a small one and is only growing smaller. Through the book, the community hopes to offer a culinary journey through their culture, and we’ll find out more about it from Roy Anandthan Padiachee, the project director as well as vice president of the Melaka Chetti Heritage Association of Malaysia, and two writers of the book: Julie Wong and Dr David Neo.

Never one to back down from speaking truth to power, albeit in his own gentle way, poet, author, activist and founder of R A Arts Haven, Raja Ahmad Aminullah, has paid the price for speaking up about injustices faced by others. He is however thankful for such experiences, as he believes they only made him stronger, and led him back to one of his original loves, poetry. Using his poetry and prose to continue speaking up about injustices in the world, he is now organising the RA International Poets, Writers & Readers Festival (RAIPO) which is themed ‘Poetry, Peace, and Humanity,’ and underscores literature's potential as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy and educational progressivism. He joins us to share more about his life and work, and also how he hopes the festival can contribute to the appreciation of literature, foster cultural exchange and celebrate the diversity of literary traditions.

Man2Man Talk is a mini-series where men have conversations with each other about masculinity, toxic masculinity, patriarchy and gender-based violence. This series is in conjunction with AWAM’s fifth White Ribbon Campaign.

The campaign’s theme is ‘Break the Silence, End the Violence’ and is aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) in Malaysia by promoting a new vision of healthy masculinity and encouraging men to speak out against GBV, particularly domestic abuse. In this episode, we speak to Hugh Koh, co-founder of Pestle & Mortar Clothing.

Image Credit: Hugh Koh

25th November marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and kicks off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. In conjunction with this campaign, we speak to Marina Abdullah, Head of Campaigns for the Women’s Aid Organisation to discuss where Malaysia is in ending gender-based violence and why we must invest to prevent violence against women and girls.

Image Credit: UN Women

You’re listening to Man2Man Talk, a mini-series where men have conversations with each other about masculinity, toxic masculinity, patriarchy and gender-based violence. This series is in conjunction with AWAM’s fifth White Ribbon Campaign. 

The campaign’s theme is ‘Break the Silence, End the Violence’ and is aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) in Malaysia by promoting a new vision of healthy masculinity and encouraging men to speak out against GBV, particularly domestic abuse. In this episode, we speak to radio legend, JJ Fernandez.