If you grew up in Johor, Penang, or Singapore, you might have seen or been a part of the Chingay Parade, a century-old annual event where devotees carry palanquins housing deities from the main Chinese clans of the Hokkien, Cantonese, Hainan, Hakka, and Teochew. Johoreans, in particular, might remember this event as a vital part of Chinese New Year festivities since 1870. What makes this festival unique is that while it began as a Chinese community event, it has grown to attract Malays and Indians, becoming an intercultural success. We delve into the history and significance of Chingay with Rayner Tan, vice chairman of the Johor Old Ancient Temple, which is part of the Chingay parade.

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With Thaipusam just around the corner, this time of year often brings Batu Caves back to the forefront of every Malaysian’s mind. While most people remember the site for its colorful stairs and Hindu Temples, we often forget that this limestone structure is a biodiverse hotspot home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna in Peninsular Malaysia. In this episode, we speak to Zarris Kem, Karst Naturalist and Member of the Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy about what makes Batu Caves unique as a geopark. We also discuss protection efforts, ecotourism and the research carried out on the Batu Caves Scientific Expedition.

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Every year, we see a familiar ritual taking place. People all over the world make ambitious New Year’s resolutions, often involving learning new skills and personal development. But if we’re honest with ourselves, how often does this pan out? We make promises to learn a new language, a new style of cooking or even play an instrument but come February, we’re still binge-watching TV shows. Why does this happen? In this episode, we speak to Cheng Yi about exactly this; how to be ambitious but sensible, choosing the right learning resources and creating a sustainable learning routine.

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Excitement is kicking in as we approach Chinese New Year. Families are preparing to return to their hometowns, clean their houses, pack Ang Pows, and gear up for reunion dinners. This celebration remains a time to reconnect with family and friends, to usher out the old year and bring in the luck of the new one. While many traditions have endured, some practices have evolved to fit modern times. So we delve into this with Florence Kuek, and talk about how these traditions continue to shape and adapt to contemporary lifestyles.

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Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, we take a deep dive into what’s to come with Donald Trump’s second term in the Oval office. We speak to Professor K.S. Nathan, Senior Research Fellow at the Asia-Europe Institute at Universiti Malaya, to understand how his return to power will reshape U.S. foreign policy. From shifting trade dynamics to ASEAN relations and security concerns in Greenland and the Panama Canal, Professor Nathan will discuss the challenges and opportunities that Malaysia (and the world) will face in the age of Trump 2.0.

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At the start of the new year, many of us pledge to get fit and healthy. But how do you stick with a fitness regime once the initial motivation wears off? We dive into the science behind habit formation, strategies for staying motivated and how to create a sustainable fitness plan with fitness coach, Abu. 

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It’s the time of the year when we’re making resolutions for the year, we’ll be exploring a few of the common questions asked in fulfilling these resolutions. To kick off the first Today I Learned in 2025, the question we’re asking is related to eating healthier: how do I make vegan food taste good? We find out from Davina Goh, President of the Vegan Society Malaysia and Chef Stéphane Frelon, Executive Chef at Sunway Le Cordon Bleu Malaysia.

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It’s praised for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and health benefits—but what exactly is the Mediterranean Diet? Spanning 21 countries from Italy and Greece to Turkey and Morocco, this celebrated way of eating is more than just olive oil and fresh produce. Join us as we explore its origins, cultural significance, and what makes it a gold standard for healthy living.

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In this week’s episode, we explore a question asked by our listener, Zuhayri, who wanted to know why he cringes when he hears his own voice in a recording. We delve into the psychology behind this common phenomenon and find out why we often find the sound of our own voice uncomfortable.

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Maurizio Cattelan’s viral banana artwork - which consists of the yellow fruit duct-taped to a wall - was recently sold for US$6.2 million at an auction. This got us thinking - what makes something qualify as "art" especially in today's world? How is value placed on art, why do people collect it? For those of us not in the know, how do we get our start in the art collecting world? We speak to the experts, to find out.

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