Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, joins Tom Edwards from Bangkok for a Thailand-themed special episode. We met the founder of The Commons – a mall-cum-community centre – and the man behind local menswear brand The Decorum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand special: The Commons & The Decorum

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Founder Jen Keane talks about her journey from working in material design for Adidas to launching Modern Synthesis, a biotech company using bacteria to create sustainable fibres for the textile industry. She talks about collaborating with Ganni and navigating negative perceptions associated with bacteria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eureka 390: Modern Synthesis

Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and co-CEO of Swingers, talks about the mini-golf brand’s humble beginnings and meteoric rise. Grech-Smith emphasises the importance of corporate density and vibrant dating scenes for scouting new locations and advises international businesses to approach the US as a group of separate countries. Plus: we head to Dog Ppl, Los Angeles’s first canine social club, to meet the co-founder of Wagwell, a line of tailored dog treats and supplements. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swingers and Wagwell

We meet the founder and CEO of Kagi, Vladimir Prelovac, a subscription-based search engine that aims to prioritise user privacy and provide a more authentic experience. Prelovac was fed up with existing search engines that he felt prioritised advertisers over users, so founded the company in 2018 to offer a viable alternative to the traditional ad-driven model. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eureka 389: Kagi

Ettinger’s managing director, Robert Ettinger, talks about the rich heritage of the family-run leather goods business, the challenges of preserving traditional manufacturing techniques in a modern world and selling its Britishness globally. He explains how the brand maintains its commitment to craftsmanship and quality while embracing sustainability and innovation. Plus: we head to Vaasa, Finland where Wärtsilä is developing greener engines and other technologies of the future.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ettinger and Wärtsilä

How can we develop a more balanced relationship with technology and embrace its potential without compromising our overall wellbeing? Harriet Pellereau, co-founder and co-CEO of Mind over Tech, shares some tips for reshaping digital habits to deliver a better tech-life balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eureka 388: Mind over Tech

The Entrepreneurs

Thailand special: The Commons & The Decorum

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