Malaysians on the Move

Malaysians on the Move

By Yoshnee RaveendranSociety & Culture
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Malaysians on the Move episodes

  • Jason Tan, Australia: AI Enthusiast, Bootstrapped Founder

    Having moved from Malaysia to Australia and survived a cancer diagnosis, Jason shares how adversity, innovation, and the right distribution approach transformed his journey into building AI-powered platforms that serve thousands globally with tiny teams.


    In this episode, Jason also shares his vision for Malaysia as a future hub for AI innovation by empowering its talented youth. Whether you're an aspiring founder or seasoned entrepreneur, this conversation will challenge conventional growth myths and reframe how you think about work, impact, and the power of less.


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    Connect with Jason on ⁠Linkedin⁠, or through his website.

    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠

    38 min
  • Kai Yee, UK: PhD, Science and Academia

    Yoshnee speaks with Kai Yee, a PhD candidate at Oxford specializing in cancer immunology. From growing up in Malaysia and studying biomedical science at Imperial College London, Kai Yee shares how she adapted to life in the UK, and found her way into cutting-edge cancer research. We also talk about the challenges of shifting from traditional education to a research-driven mindset and what it means to represent Malaysia on the global science stage. Tune in!  

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    Connect with Kai Yee on Linkedin

    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠


    29 min
  • Tasha Mae, USA: Athlete, Culture Lover, Philosophy Lover [VIDEO]

    Tasha's journey from a young beach volleyball enthusiast in Malaysia to playing Division I in the US reveals why access and resources matter more than raw talent. She shares how she discovered her passion for indoor volleyball at age 10, navigated Malaysia's sports system, and found her sporting home abroad — transforming her approach to training, coaching, and competition along the way.

    Tune in for an honest reflection on multicultural identity and the unique ways Malaysia blends diverse cultures into daily life.


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    Connect with Tasha on:

    • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @tashamae__

    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com


    39 min
  • Kathrine L, Japan: Nature, Culture, Connection [VIDEO]

    Join Yoshnee in another video episode as she chats with Kathrine Leong, a music teacher thriving in Japan. From her roots in Ipoh to her adventurous move to Tokyo, Kathrine shares her journey of cultural adaptation, language mastery, and building a vibrant community abroad.


    Discover how her passion for music opened unexpected doors and learn her tips for embracing life in a new country.

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    Connect with Kathrine on:

    • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@katspace___
    • Kathrine's Youtube Channel


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    31 min
  • Ayne Zarof, UK: Doctor, Author, Mum [VIDEO]

    In this special first video episode, Yoshnee chats with Ayne Zarof, a pediatrician-in-training based in the UK. After a brief stint in Scotland post-boarding school and a meaningful volunteer experience in Kenya, Ayne pursued her medical degree and eventually settled in the UK, where she's now raising her two children.

    Inspired by the desire to preserve cultural identity, Ayne authored Malaysia in You—a beautifully crafted children's book that celebrates Malaysian heritage and helps young readers connect with their roots.

    Tune in as Ayne reflects on her path from childhood to authorship, and everything in between.

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    Connect with Ayne on:

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@aynezarof

    📘 Malaysia in You goes live on July 14th 2025! Pre-order ⁠here⁠ now!


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    32 min
  • Janice S, Australia: Freediver, Ocean Confidence Advocate

    In this episode, Yoshnee chats with Janice Siew, a friend she’s known for over 15 years. Janice moved to the UK for her undergraduate studies and later relocated to Australia through a work opportunity. While they touch on her journey living abroad, much of the conversation centers on Janice’s growing passion for freediving—what started as a casual ocean activity has evolved into a deep and meaningful part of her life.


    Tune in to find out just how long Janice can hold her breath underwater!

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    Connect with Janice on:

    Instagram: ⁠@janice.freediver


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    31 min
  • Dhiren Doshi, USA: Driving Engagement & Learning, Constantly Evolving

    Yoshnee chats with Dhiren Doshi (uncle), a distant relative of her mum, who moved to the U.S. in 1999 with his young family after transferring offices from Malaysia. He stayed with the same company for an incredible 32 years before recently retiring. Dhiren shares how easy the decision to move was, what he learned about settling into a new culture, and his naturally adventurous spirit—one that’s taken him across thousands of miles in his RV, chasing the quiet beauty of the open road.

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    Connect with Dhiren on:

    Linkedin: dhiren-doshi


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    30 min
  • Aishah A, UAE: MBA Mama, Space Stylist, Coffee Sipping

    Yoshnee chats with Aishah A, her first guest from the UAE! Growing up in Shah Alam, Selangor, always just 10 minutes away from her childhood home, Aishah never expected to move away—until a random opportunity led her to Dubai nearly two decades ago.

    What started as a temporary move for work turned into a long-term adventure in the world of interior design. Time and again, she planned to return home, but life had other plans. Now married and still in Dubai, Aishah reflects on her journey, the twists of fate that shaped her path, and what keeps her rooted in her second home.

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    Connect with Aishah on:

    Instagram: @aisha.aarafe

    Website: https://www.aaenliven.com/


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    30 min
  • John Lee - USA/Malaysia: Data Scientist, Foodie, Traveler

    In this episode, Yoshnee chats with John Lee, who left Malaysia for the U.S. to study and build his career, living first in New Hampshire then in D.C. and finally in San Francisco.

    Despite putting down roots abroad, his heart always longed for home. With the unwavering support of his American wife, John made the bold decision to return to Malaysia and see where life would take them.

    Tune in as he shares his journey, the challenges of moving back, and the experience of reconnecting with his community again.


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    Check out John's very awesome Newsletter for anyone passionate about all things data!

    Connect with John on:

    • LinkedIn
    • BlueSky


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    29 min
  • Leonard Chen, USA: Software Engineer, Foodie, Gamer

    In this heartfelt episode, Leonard Chen opens up about the struggles of finding passion in a world that prioritizes stability. Raised with the belief that hard work leads to security—not necessarily fulfillment—Leonard shares his journey of self-discovery and the internal tug-of-war between staying in Nebraska or returning to Malaysia to be with his mother.

    Tune in for a raw and honest conversation about home, sacrifice, and the courage to embrace uncertainty.


    Connect with Leonard on:

    • ​Facebook⁠: Leonard.Chen
    • Linkedin: Leonard-Chen


    Follow Malaysians on the Move ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@malaysiansonthemove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    If you are a Malaysian interested in sharing your story on the podcast, reach out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠malaysiansonthemove.com⁠⁠⁠

    27 min

About Malaysians on the Move

From the publisher's feed

Follow Malaysians on the Move on Instagram: ⁠@malaysiansonthemove