Today I Learned

This year’s World Toilet Day theme is “Toilets - A Place for Peace”. Now, Malaysia has made some progress when it comes to our public toilets, with the government making efforts to incentivise premises and ramping up inspections, but we haven’t always been known for best toilet facilities. So we thought it would be a great time to investigate and find out what makes a good public toilet, the idea of “peace” when it comes to toilet-related sanitation and how far along are we in achieving the government’s aim for a BMW (Bersih, Menawan, Wangi) rated toilet.

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We journey through the captivating life of historian William Dalrymple to trace his path from the UK to India and unveil the inspirations that led him to explore the subcontinent’s layered history in his best-selling books. We also dive into his latest work, The Golden Road, a sweeping account of India’s far-reaching influence on global civilization—from religion and art to mathematics—as it spread across continents over centuries, reshaping the ancient world.

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Figuring out how to navigate family dynamics as an adult will be stressful for most people, but throwing politics into the mix often makes heads spin. That’s what Kamal, one of our listeners, has been experiencing with his family, who don’t exactly share the same principles and values as him. We explore how we can bridge this divide, and what we can learn from taking a nuanced approach to the matter.

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With Deepavali around the corner, we speak to Shankar Kandasamy about the origins of Deepavali, its spiritual significance and unique traditions. From the nostalgia of family gatherings to the significance of traditional dances, we’ll uncover the enchanting layers of Deepavali. 

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Every parent worries about their child’s future employment prospects. But if you have a child who is neurodivergent, such as a child with autism, ADHD, or Down Syndrome, these concerns become even more marked and urgent. In today’s show, we answer parent Samantha Yong’s question: How do I prepare my neurodivergent child for employment in adulthood? Ivy Philip, the founder of EmployAble, explores what parents and potential employers need to know in terms of training and support for neurodiversity in the workplace.

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The 44th ASEAN (short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit is underway, so we thought it would be a great time to do a deep dive on ASEAN, especially since Malaysia is set to take the Chairmanship next year. The idea for this conversation came from one of our listeners, Aaron Iskandar, who wanted to know more about ASEAN’s role in promoting economic and security cooperation among its members. We speak to our expert, Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow and Coordinator at the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, for this.

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Ageing anxiety is the fear of growing old and what might come with it, from illness to losing your lustre for life. It’s a fear that has irked Soraya Carol, one of our listeners, who recently turned 60. We take a closer look at this fear, and hear from Soraya to understand where she’s coming from. Then, we speak to our gerontologist Lily Fu, on the best practices to living well in one’s older years, and dealing with issues that may arise from this new chapter in one’s life.

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Do you find yourself tearing up when someone else is crying, even if you don’t know why? We delve into why tears can make people uneasy, the cultural stigma surrounding crying, and how reactions differ between men and women. Plus, we discuss those who seldom cry and how tears became a sign of weakness, and something you should grow out of.

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It’s well-known that some animals, like the axolotl and the salamander possess remarkable regenerative abilities. Humans, however, don’t possess this ability, unless you’re a fictional superhero character like Deadpool. That's what Timothy Tuan, one of our listeners, brought up when he asked us about whether humans can regenerate one day. We explore the reasons why we cannot regrow our limbs and organs, and if scientists are close to making a breakthrough in the world of regenerative medicine.

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It’s Sexual Health Awareness Month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about sex. Our listener, Lily, has questions about how a young person like herself, can find out more about sexual health, and relationships. And it makes sense, because when you're young, learning about sex can be confusing, embarrassing or even taboo. So who do we turn to when we need to learn about the birds and the bees? Friends, our parents or the internet? We explore the best way to learn, with sex educator June Low.

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