From Forbes director to self-taught chef, Shen Tan’s journey is anything but ordinary. Shen (@chefshentan & @ownselfmakechef) carved her own path through Singapore’s brutal F&B scene - from running hawker stalls and restaurants to private dining.

In this episode, Shen shares:

• Why she traded in her power suit for an apron
• How being self-taught shaped her philosophy (and her battles with imposter syndrome)
• Her unfiltered take on Singapore’s merciless F&B industry
• Her advice for aspiring café owners and home cooks

This episode packs a punch with a generous serving of sambal!

Follow Shen’s work in and out of the kitchen at ownselfmakechef.com 

Enjoy more episodes of The Leong Form on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube!

Grief is universal, inevitable and unavoidable. Yet, it’s often misunderstood.

In this episode of The Leong Form, brothers Hossan and Stanley dive into a deeply human conversation with George Chan - Counsellor, Grief Educator, and Breathwork Coach at This Is How We Heal (@this.is.how.we.heal).

George spent three decades in the arts and entertainment industry before a personal turning point led him from theatre to therapy. His own healing journey in 2018 sparked a new calling to help others navigate grief, loss and the messy, non-linear road toward healing.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What grief really is
• How George’s theatre background informs his counselling practice
• The different types and stages of grief
• Coping mechanisms and when to seek extra support
• How we can walk alongside someone who is grieving
• The personal strategies George uses to stay grounded while helping others through pain

Grief may be heavy, but this episode is full of hope as healing is possible.

Follow George’s work at thisishowweheal.com.sg 

Listen to other episodes of The Leong Form on Apple Podcasts and watch them on Spotify and YouTube!

Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe for more real conversations with Hossan and Stanley and their guests!

From breaking records on the track to shaping young minds in the classroom, this week’s guest knows all about life’s turning points.

Siblings Hossan and Stanley Leong sit down with U.K. Shyam (@u.k.shyam1037), Singapore’s former national sprinter who held the 100m national record of 10.37s for an incredible 22 years! Shyam famously broke C. Kunalan’s long-standing record at the 2001 World University Games in Beijing.

But what happens after the cheers fade and the spikes come off? Today, Shyam is an educator with a passion for youth development, and his story is a powerful lesson in resilience, purpose and transformation.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Shyam first got on the track and what inspired him to compete
• The pressures, challenges, and darkest moments of elite sport
• What sprinting taught him about joy and discipline
• Why he chose to join the education sector after retiring in 2005

Subscribe, like and add The Leong Form to your playlist so you’ll be the first off the blocks when the next episode drops!

What does it mean to live with courage, optimism and unstoppable grit? Our guest this week, Lim Lee Lee (@nicetheguidedog), embodies all of it and more.

Born premature with congenital cataracts, Lee Lee lost her sight early in life, but she’s never let blindness define her. Today, she moves through life with the help of her guide dog, Hesta, and an unshakable belief in possibilities.

Lee Lee wears many hats as an Accessibility & Arts Advocate, Theatre & Film Producer, Writer & Disability Arts Trainer, Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of Collective Perspectives (@collective.perspectives) - a social enterprise empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). She’s also a 2022 Recipient of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Award.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, we talk about:

• Misconceptions and stereotypes about disability
• The joys and challenges of living with a guide dog in Singapore
• Why independence is important to her
• What Singapore can do to become a more inclusive society

Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe for more inspiring stories on The Leong Form that challenge perspectives and celebrate resilience.

Our guest this episode is Kai Minejima-Lee (@kaiflysg), World Cup Freestyle Indoor Skydiving Champion and Singapore’s 2025 Sports Boy of the Year with more than a dozen medals to his name from international competitions in 2024!

At just 16 years old, Kai’s journey is already packed with twists, turns and tumbles, and not just in the air. 

He opens up about:

• The turning point that set him on the path of competitive indoor skydiving
• Overcoming his darkest challenges as a young athlete
• The exhilaration of competing (and winning!) on the world stage
• His short- and long-term goals in sport

Joining Kai on the episode is his mum, Naomi, who shares a parent’s perspective on raising a world champion and how she and fellow parents of Team Singapore athletes come together to support their children as they fly high!

Watch The Leong Form podcast on YouTube and Spotify, or listen on Apple Podcasts for more inspiring conversations and behind-the-scenes stories with changemakers, champions and everyday heroes.

In this thought-provoking episode, Hossan and Stanley dive into the world of accents with international speaker and communication coach Heather Hansen (@heather.hansen) — TEDx speaker, author of Unmuted, PhD candidate in linguistics, and founder of Global Speech Academy.

Inspired by Singapore’s national pledge, what if we added just one word — accent — to that iconic line: “Regardless of race, language, accent or religion…”
Wouldn’t that be a more inclusive promise?

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why accents are more than just sounds — and how they carry deep social, cultural and emotional weight
• What it was like for Heather adjusting to life (and lah) in Singapore, and the hilarious catch-no-ball moments she faced
• Why we form biases around certain accents — and how these snap judgments can hold people back
• How even positive bias can be damaging, and where imitation crosses the line into mockery
• What TV shows like Mind Your Language got wrong (and right) about accent representation
• The global implications of accent bias in hiring, leadership, and cross-cultural communication
• And what YOU can do to check your own linguistic assumptions — and help build a world that listens better

Don’t forget to subscribe, like and add The Leong Form to your playlist to get notified of new episodes that spark real conversations about life, language and all its hues and accents.

Season 2 launches with Singapore’s only podcast siblings Hossan and Stanley Leong sitting down with Singapore’s comedy power couple, Rishi Budhrani (@rishibudhrani) and Sharul Channa (@thesharulchanna). 

From stage life to married life, this is a deep, unfiltered conversation that dives into:

• Their turning point into comedy — and whether there was a point they wanted out
• What it’s really like being married to someone in the same (and very loud) profession
• The Sad Clown Paradox and how they manage mental wellness in a career built on making people laugh
• The serious side of comedy — the grind, being their authentic selves and navigating the fine line in today’s woke culture
• And yes, who’s really the funnier one?

Plus, watch Rishi and Sharul go head-to-head in a fast-paced word scramble challenge!

Whether you’re a fan of stand-up, in a relationship with a creative, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of comedy in Singapore, this episode is a rare and hilarious peek into the real lives of two of the country’s most iconic comedians.

Follow Rishi and Sharul on these platforms:

Rishi - www.rishibudhrani.com @rishibudhrani on Instagram and YouTube

Sharul - @thesharulchanna on Instagram

You can also search them on YouTube for more laughs!

What's the difference between burnout and depression? Or a mentor and a coach? How do you tell if a life coach is legit? Hossan and Stanley are joined by Dr Jade Kua (Jade Life & Wellness) as she breaks down the importance of mental health and wellness  in a post-covid world.

CW: This episode covers different issues related to mental health, including topics like suicide and depression, as part of our holistic discussion. 

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About the guest

Dr. Jade Kua is an emergency physician, Master Certified Coach, and founder of Jade Life & Wellness Coaching Academy. She blends medical expertise with holistic coaching to promote well-being, mindfulness, and personal growth. Her academy offers ICF-accredited training and mentoring for aspiring coaches seeking purposeful, connected lives. Find out more at https://www.jadelifeandwellness.com/

It's a brand-new age of media. What does it take to be a full-time content creator? In this double-guest episode, our hosts talk to Denise Teo (@Supercatkei) and See Min (@Smxne) about their creative processes, as well as the true opportunities and challenges carving a career on platforms Twitch and YouTube. 

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About the guests

Denise Teo, also known as supercatkei on the internet, is a live streamer, content creator and community builder. She is popularly known for her gaming, music and lifestyle content such as her viral Street Interviews. Recognized as one of the leaders in live streaming for Southeast Asia, Denise has spearheaded content-creator led events and mentorship programs for aspiring streamers and content creators.

See Min Ng (@Smxne) is a Singaporean artist, YouTuber, and the pioneering force behind jagua body art in Singapore. She is the founder of Henndrawn, a studio that specializes in Jagua ink tattoos — a natural, temporary medium that mimics the look of real ink. A self-taught creative, Min weaves digital storytelling with soulful reflections on identity, mindfulness, and self-expression. Her cinematic YouTube films and visual artistry have earned her recognition in Singapore’s creative scene.

What's the difference between designer vs niche perfume? What about Eau De Toilette and Eau De Parfum? Can scents be more than just for beauty? Hosts Hossan and Stanley sit with CEO and artisan Jason Lee (Scent by SIX) to understand more about perfumery. 

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About The Guest

Jason Lee is the founder of Scent by SIX, a Singaporean fragrance brand known for creating meaningful, emotion-driven scents. Launched in 2016, the brand blends perfumery with purpose, often supporting mental wellness and community initiatives. Jason draws inspiration from personal stories and local culture, crafting fragrances that resonate on a deeper level. Under his leadership, Scent by SIX has become a respected name in Southeast Asia’s niche fragrance scene, championing both creativity and social impact. Find out more at scentbysix.com