Un.Mute with Claudia

Un.mute session about 99% luck, people’s heart above all else, and books. Gita Sjahrir is the CEO of Rider of Ride, the first indoor cycling boutique studio in Indonesia and actively engage as an activist in sustainable energy & environment - but chiefly, Gita is a lifelong learner and book geek. This episode is very special to many people including myself for its honest and raw conversation about figuring out our identity, dead, society, failure, and taking responsibility for a change. I continue to reflect on this quote from Mitch Albom in which we talked about his book in this episode as well: “Identity is nuanced. It’s complicated. I think it’s hard to define. Sometimes I think it’s dangerous to define, depending upon who’s doing the defining.” Sjahrir in this episode added, “You always know who you are, the big question is can you accept and appreciate who you are right now?” This un.mute conversation, talking with Gita about the ins-and-outs of ordinary life is, in itself, extraordinary. Listen to this episode to know it all! Say hola to us @claudiahjohan @gitasees.

Un.mute session about the way out, peace of mind, and taking chances along with choosing the life she wants. Nina Karina is known as a fashion enthusiast that turned into an aspiring holistic health coach with a certification in nutrition. Growing up, Nina has always been exposed to the fashion industry. From a knitting machine at her grandma’s house to building the pioneer of ready-to-wear brand “Nikicio” in Singapore, she’s pretty much has found her niché. But not until couple of years ago, when she had to face the hard truth about her personal struggles. Surprisingly, the experience is a blessings in disguise - she found her true love for nutritions and healthy lifestyle. Balancing all together as a single mom, she decided to close down Nikicio and went on a new life adventure that took her to where she is today - holistic health coach. In this episode, Nina explain her past situation as if she was in a “Foggy Forest,” being trapped and clueless of what’s next. Nina believes that living a life mindfully will not only help us to be fully present for those we love, but also propel us further down the road to living a conscious and awakened life. I joins Nina during her time (while her kids were away) to talk about finding happiness and contentment. A 5 minutes meditation can’t be better to end our beautiful yet meaningful conversation, thank me later. Say hola to us @claudiahjohan and @ninanikicio.

Un.mute session about absolute persistence, Indonesia education, and why not. Butet Manurung is a pioneer for alternative education for indigenous people in isolated and remote areas in Indonesia. Butet initiated the first pilot school in Orang Rimba society (or Suku Kubu), a tribe who live in Sumatra. The method that she used was half anthropology, meaning that the teaching of reading, writing and counting were conducted while living with her pupils for several months. Then, Butet developed the Sokola Rimba system right after. In today’s episode, Butet is vulnerable with her journey that is filled with persistence and vision. Countless of rejection and underestimation she had faced, but she is limitless when it comes to social justice and education. Day in and day out, she challenged the status quo and one question that arose in the conversation - “Why Not?” Listen to this enlightening conversation with Butet Manurung on today’s un.mute! Say hola at us @claudiahjohan @butetmanurung.

Un.mute session about accepting the moments, two decades of singing, and choosing the life she wants. Alyssa Saufika Umari “Ify Alyssa” is an Indonesian soloist that started her career early at the age of 12. Ify is a musical genius that plays, writes, and produces music. The 24 years old Ify always knew that this is the industry that she will grow but it hasn’t been easy from being known as an Idola Cilik girl, to the girlband "Blink", and now releasing his debut album “Pelita Lara.” She always had a dream to become a soloist ever since kid and it finally came true in 2017, a turning point, for Ify where she was challenged day in and day out throughout her soloist career - she pulled through. Listen to today’s unmute and stream to her album now! Say hola to us @claudiahjohan @ifyalyssa.

Un.mute session about pushing the boundaries and forward thinking mindset in the game changing F&B industry. Adrien Desbaillets is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of SaladStop!. Early on in his life, he had fallen in love with the industry itself with a huge influence of his dad’s hospitality background. After countless years of working internationally, he came back to Singapore to build a salad bar business where he literally took a tons of risk and seek for countless opportunities. From what started as a personal joy, he now successfully opened more than 50 outlets all across eight countries. During this challenging pandemic situation, instead of giving up, Adrien uses this opportunity to the set the foot strong to what’s coming ahead. He didn’t let the situation back his mentality down but instead, his curios mind and blueprint of growth mindset carry him forward. Listen to this episode to know all about it!

Un.mute about growth and the power of visualization. Ending thoughts for 2020 and onwards in to 2021. Happy New Year all! Cheers to better things ahead.

Un.mute session about being authentically different, embracing discomfort, and everything about musical. Galabby Thahira is an Indonesian burlesque dancer and has been engaged in the musical broadway industry for more than five years. From joining Indonesia Got Talent in 2012 to performing for a broadway show in NYC, she has done it all. Her first dream opened when she joined a community called “Indonesia Karya,” which brought her to another milestone: fly to NYC and auditioned for a broadway musical. From there on, her perspective on musical broadway has changed ever since. Though she got many bullies and rejections from her exotic and sexy burlesque dance in the past, but the idea of quitting never appeared in her mind - in fact, it’s one of her dreams to give more exposure to Indonesian. Looking at her now, it’s fascinating how her creative mind take her beyond wander into the content creator industry and of course, with a touch of her element: burlesque dance and sing. Un.mute this episode to hear more about it! Say hola to us @claudiahjohan @galabbythahira. 

Un.mute session about a blessing in disguise, lowering ego, and building confidence from zero. Many of you may have known her from a trio group GAC (Gamaliel Audrey Cantika) back in 2008, but when the group decided to take a break, feeling lost is an understatement. Becoming a soloist is the only choice that she had, and she’s taking a big leap of faith. Countless times, she doubted herself and wanted to go back to where she feels comfortable however, turns out that the discomfort turns into a new beginning that take her to this day. Cantika Abigail made her singing debut at age 6 and joined a trio group GAC. Today, Cantika is a strong and charismatic Indonesian soloist. There’s no better single word to describe her loving characteristic. Her persona sparks within all of her songs and lyrics especially to her new single “SIGN.” Don't forget to stream SIGN available on all music platform. Listen to this un.mute’s episode to know how much one instagram post changed the rest of how she perceives self acceptance and body positivity. Say hola to us @claudiahjohan @abigailcantika!

Un.mute session about life at correctional facilities and second chances, real-time Kupang stories during the Covid-19 pandemic, and heartwarming stories about children in Kupang, Indonesia. I’m working with YAPPIKA-ActionAid, an Indonesia non-profit organization that supports #SekolahAman and Education in Indonesia particularly in the suburbs of Indonesia like Kupang and Sumba. Today, I invited Sri Indiyastutik, Head of ….. at YAPPIKA to talk about the campaign that we’re working on to assist children in Kupang from having a proper hygiene kit and emergency health care program to buying grade 1-3 textbooks for their daily learning. This two issues become an urge especially during the pandemic, since online schooling is particularly difficult for the students in Kupang, most of whom do not have the necessary electronic devices and internet connection. This is why they must continue to do face-to-face teaching and learning instead of online schooling. We hope you will join us for this Friday (December, 11th) dinner virtual meet-up to learn more about YAPPIKA and #LoveForKupang campaign. To register: bit.ly/loveforkupang. To donate, click bit.ly/safeschoolkupang. Hit us on @claudiahjohan and @yappikaactionaid on Instagram for any questions!

Un.mute session about grit, zero to hero, and building up self-confidence. When you hear the name of Dave Hendrik, I am sure that there is tons of job titles that follow behind it. From public speaker to an entertainment industry, Dave started his journey as a public speaker and radio broadcaster in a very serendipity way. Growing up in the 2000s, I knew his persona early on during Idola Cilik Show and from there on I already saw something extraordinary more than just a person with talent within Dave. Fast forward, I got a chance to sit and unbox his interesting and special life journey and Dave has showed me that grit and perseverance will pay the price later in life. Building up his career without a parent figure, Dave has been fighting throughout his years - working through his limit until he achieved a stage where he’s financially stable. Coming to his 40s, he started to realized that enjoying life is one of many blessings that he forgot growing up. The choice to enjoy life to its fullest when he hit 40 was the best decision yet unforgettable stage of life, well… I guess better late than never. In today’s un.mute, we talked about why talent isn’t enough to be content in life and many more fun talks - but most importantly Dave is here today at Un.Mute to motivate us to chasing what we really want. Listen to today’s conversation to hear all about it! Say hola to us @claudiahjohan @davehendrik