From the trenches of Ukraine to the skies over Iran, from strategic waterways to the human toll of mass mobilisation, warfare today feels both ancient and futuristic. With Dr Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor in National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University, we explore what remains fundamental in war, and what has been transformed.

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Around the world, governments are scrambling to reverse population decline, but many of these solutions overlook the realities women face: lack of support, rising costs, unpaid care work, and limited choices. Malaysia’s fertility rate is falling too, but is that really a bad thing? In conjunction with World Population Day, Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director of ARROW, joins us to talk about rights, realities, and why the future of population policy must put people first.

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Love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’ve all seen Labubus: these cute yet kinda grotesque monsters. All around the world, people have been queuing and spending a lot of money - in some cases thousands of ringgits - just to get their hands on a Labubu, and even better if it’s a rare one. Labubus are the latest trend in collectibles and the fact that they’re sold in blind boxes - which means you don’t know which one you’re getting - makes it even more desirable. So here to unpack why Labubus have become so popular, we’re joined by Dr Racheal Louis Vincent, Lecturer in the Department of Marketing at Monash University.

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Researchers all over the world have studied what’s known as a “happiness paradox” a phenomenon where trying to make ourselves happier actually makes us less happy. But not making happiness a goal, and trying to live in the moment is not as easy as it sounds, especially in this era where everything’s so fast-paced and ephemeral. Is it even possible? We explore this with Sandy Clarke.

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Often called ‘Heaven on Earth,’ Kashmir has been riddled with geopolitical conflict for decades. After the recent attacks in Pahalgam, we sit down with Hafsa Kanjwal to explore its historical roots, major events and the way this conflict has shaped relations between India and Pakistan.

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How have fathers changed in today’s modern families? In conjunction with Father’s Day, which was just celebrated this past Sunday, we explore this question with Alan Yong, a licensed counsellor. From being the silent and strong provider, to taking on a bigger share of the emotional load, are fathers today raising their children the same way their own fathers did?

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What does it mean to be someone else’s voice, using sign language? Joining us to answer that question is Tan Lee Bee, one of our country’s most beloved sign language interpreters, who was recently awarded the Bintang Ahli Mangku Negara by the Agong for her service to the country. Joining her is Wan Zuraidah Abu, Head of Sign Language Interpreting Services, from the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf. We’ll also find out about the important role of sign language interpreters in reminding us that the deaf are also part of our communities.

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From quarter-life panic to mid-life meltdowns, psychologist Evone Phoo helps us unpack what an existential crisis really is, how meaning, identity, and even boredom shape these turning points, and how to navigate them without spiraling.

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It's a drink that's near and dear to every Malaysian's heart. After all, teh tarik is our national drink. But, this drink was once a major tool of trade that travelled across empires, cultures and centuries. We spill the tea with Erika Rappaport, author of A Thirst for Empire: How Tea Shaped the Modern World to find out how this drink became a cultural icon and a daily ritual for millions.

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They have been called the deadliest animal on Earth, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and more, killing hundreds of thousands each year. But on a personal level, they serve as a daily annoyance to humans worldwide. So in this episode, we ponder if we should eradicate mosquitoes altogether. Dr Ong Song-Quan joins us to discuss the ecological role they play and how we can protect ourselves from these pests.

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