Max Chernov

Meet Mike Rowse, the first foreign Hong Kong government official to become a citizen of China. Born into a low-class family in England, he left home at 23 and traveled around Asia by boat until, in 1972, he arrived in Hong Kong to start a new life. Since then, he went from journalism to fighting corruption at the government level and later even helped bring the first Disneyland in Asia to Hong Kong. Mike shared the truth behind the success of China, Hong Kong, and Singapore that has long stayed behind closed doors, what Western media can’t get right about China and Hong Kong, and whether Hong Kong is heading toward a bright future or a sharp fall. Enjoy!

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Meet Claire Chiang, who grew up in a small flat in Singapore with her five older brothers. Today she’s the cofounder of Banyan Tree, part of a group with 15,000 employees operating hotels and resorts in 26 countries. Claire shared the principal differences between Singapore and Hong Kong, the biggest challenges Singapore could face in the future, and what Westerners misunderstand about the Singaporean way of life. Enjoy!

Follow for new episodes every week. Watch the episodes on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Meet Qi, a US citizen born in China, who studied at Stanford University and worked in New York’s finance industry. Six years ago, she made a bold decision — moving to Singapore and leaving her investment career behind to become a mental health therapist.

In this conversation, Qi opens up about:

• Why she feels genuinely happy in Singapore

• How the country’s political system compares to Europe and America

• What Singaporeans should know before living abroad

• How to change careers and find purpose in midlife

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Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Meet Jeff Goldberg, an American film director who has lived in India for nearly 15 years, where he runs his own acting studio in Mumbai.

In this conversation, Jeff shares an insider’s perspective on life in India — beyond stereotypes and Western media clichés.

He talks about:

• The biggest misconceptions Americans have about India

• How to truly understand Indian culture if you’re not from there

• Whether the caste system affects foreigners living in India

• What India has taught him about life, patience, and creativity

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Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Meet Richard Turrin, a best-selling American economist who has lived in China for over 15 years. After working across Europe and Singapore, Richard now shares his front-row perspective on China’s rapid transformation and the global AI race.

In this conversation, he reveals:

• Why Shanghai feels safer than many Western cities

• Who’s really leading the AI space race — China or the US

• Whether the Chinese economy is collapsing or rising again

• How living in China changed his views on the West

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Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Meet Donald Klip, an American entrepreneur and long-time Singapore resident whose company has closed over $1 billion in deals. A dual citizen of the US and Hong Kong, Donald shares how he built wealth by leveraging AI and automation in business — and what that means for the future of work.

In this conversation, he explains:

• Why Singapore is evolving faster than Hong Kong

• How to actually make money using AI tools

• Which jobs are most at risk of being replaced

• What skills people need to stay relevant in the next decade

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Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Ho Kwon Ping is the founder of Banyan Tree Group, a global hospitality brand with 15,000 employees across 26 countries. Born in Hong Kong, raised in Bangkok, and educated in Taiwan, he’s now one of Singapore’s most respected entrepreneurs—but his path wasn’t easy.

He went from being a Stanford dropout and political detainee in Singapore to dining with Lee Kuan Yew and teaching at top universities.In this conversation, he opens up about: • How time in jail changed his life and leadership • The hidden reason behind China–America tension • How AI is reshaping the world • What truly defines the Singaporean identity.

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Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos

Meet Mohan Murjani, the man who turned jeans into fashion and helped launch Tommy Hilfiger.

After building a billion-dollar empire, he left the U.S. and chose Thailand as his forever home.

In this conversation, he shares the idea that made him $500M, how he once jammed with the Beatles, and why he believes Phuket is the most special place in Asia.

Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxChernov/videos