Happy Chinese New Year and Selamat Menyambut Bulan Ramadan to all our listeners!

We’re officially back behind the mic for Episode 6 of Over The Edge Podcast🎙️ — kicking of the first episode of our 3-part series under the MPU3432 Co-Curriculum: Sustainability Thinking project with Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM).

This time, we shift the focus to what truly matters: “JKM80: Wira Tak Didendang".

Joining our hosts Sharf Ammar & Sarah Mikaela, is Datuk Che Murad Sayang bin Ramjan, Director General of JKM, as we unpack what really happens when help reaches those in need; from child protection and elderly care to OKU inclusion and rehabilitation for young offenders.

If you’ve ever wondered how social welfare works behind the scenes, and the real impact it creates, this episode is for you.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Thong Guan Trading (888 Coffee & Tea), for supporting this journey.

Catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. 🎧✨

Finally, we are back and broadcasting from our brand-new studio for Episode 5 of the Over The Edge Podcast! ✨ In this milestone episode, we dive deep into the ultimate post-exam dilemma: "After SPM... What's next?" Joining us in our new space is special guest Dr Malik Yatam, who shares his expert perspective on the shifting trends among SPM leavers and the critical choices regarding higher education versus entering the workforce. We tackle the real-world pressures of social expectations, financial constraints, and the rising allure of the gig economy, while exploring how to balance immediate earnings with long-term financial security. Whether you are considering a gap year, feeling "study burnout" after 12 years of schooling, or looking for realistic financial aid options like those at SEGi, this discussion provides the clarity you need to navigate your future. Don’t forget to catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Instagram, and TikTok for more insights!

In this episode of Over The Edge Podcast, hosts Homaira Tasneem and Annisa Agsadivah unpack what happens when going viral shifts from excitement to pressure. The conversation examines emotional exhaustion, creative burnout, algorithm driven demands, and the struggle to remain authentic while staying on brand.

The episode reflects on the psychological toll of the creator economy, including imposter syndrome, loss of privacy, and authenticity fatigue. It concludes with insights on how creators can reset through boundaries, digital detox, and reclaiming identity beyond the screen.

Episode 3 features Pamela Poh Sin Tan, an interdisciplinary artist and architectural designer whose work blurs the boundaries between art, architecture, and design. Produced in collaboration with KLDF (Kuala Lumpur Design Festival), the episode explores Pamela’s journey from architectural training to establishing Poh Sin Studio, where she crafts poetic and spatial narratives through material exploration and cross-disciplinary thinking. Her creations challenge perceptions of form and function, inviting audiences to see the unseen and find delight in ambiguity.

The conversation dives into the philosophy behind Pamela’s acclaimed works such as Eden and Projection Kite - projects that have earned international recognition including the German Design Council Iconic Award (Best of the Best) and Design for Asia Awards. Pamela shares how architecture continues to inform her art-making process, the experience of showcasing her work globally, and how she navigates the freedom and complexity of creating without a client brief. The episode concludes with her advice to emerging creatives on transforming curiosity and experimentation into a sustainable professional journey.

Episode 2 features Mio Miyasaka and Chua Ken Jin from .bungkus, who examine how our cultural habits around speed and convenience are quietly signalling deeper environmental issues. Produced in collaboration with KLDF (Kuala Lumpur Design Festival), the episode highlights how good design goes beyond aesthetics and function - it carries environmental responsibility and cultural weight.

The conversation traces the origins of .bungkus, exploring how the studio has carved out a unique identity in a fast-moving, trend-driven market dominated by international brands. It tackles the big questions around sustainability, from the rising cost of “green” products to whether some of these practices risk becoming mere greenwashing.

Mio and Ken Jin also share their unique challenges working with single-use plastic, offering candid insights from their practice. The episode closes with thoughtful advice for designers and consumers on how to approach sustainable product design with greater awareness, authenticity, and impact.

Episode 1 of Over the Edge x KLDF features Suffian Shahabuddin from 6IX Design Office (6IXDO), sharing the story of the studio’s founding vision and his journey from Melbourne back to Malaysia. The episode looks at the state of architectural education in Malaysia, highlighting both its strengths and the persistent gaps in preparing young designers for industry realities. It also explores how architecture can help tackle societal challenges - from urban density and affordable housing to climate resilience and cultural preservation.

Beyond this, the conversation delves into policy limitations that shape the built environment, the emerging influence of AI in design practice, and closes with Suffian’s forward-looking take on what meaningful change could redefine Malaysia’s architecture and design industry.

Ragging is often presented as an initiation ritual, sometimes even defended as a "rite of passage" for students entering a new environment. While some perceive it as harmless bonding or a way to build resilience, in reality, it creates psychological pressure and reinforces unhealthy hierarchies within student culture. Over time, ragging becomes normalized, especially as past victims come to accept it, or even perpetuate it, when they rise to senior positions. Some parents, often without realizing it, reinforce the practice when they advise their children to 'toughen up' and simply endure the experience.

This normalization is concerning because ragging often blurs into bullying. The shift is driven by several factors: the younger generation's overexposure to extensive content, a decline in empathy, and a culture of socio-positioning where social status and dominance are overemphasized. These elements transform ragging from what is claimed to be a "tradition" into a harmful gateway for bullying.

In our podcast with Datin Prof. Dr. Mariani Md Nor, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Languages, Psychology, and Music (FoELPM), we will explore why ragging persists under the justification of being a rite of passage, the consequences of this cultural acceptance, and whether this cycle can truly be broken. Most importantly, we will consider what advice can be offered to students and parents in rejecting ragging as "normal" and instead fostering safer, more empathetic learning environments.

Full podcast dropping tomorrow at 8pm.