Podcasts

“Horror is like a rollercoaster ride, it mirrors us as human beings,” says Kenneth Dagatan, the film director behind the Philippines’ first scary film to premiere at the Sundance’s Midnight Section. On Crazy Smart Asia, Dagatan shares with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei his philosophy of horror beyond cheap thrills, the joy of directing with playfulness and why nothing scares him more than the realities of adulthood.

“Animation is a magical thing that can bring ideas and beauty to people who don’t get access,” says visual development artist Desiree Ong on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Ong shares about the film that sparked her curiosity in animation, being a graphic designer for Guillermo del Toro’s award-winning stop-motion musical ‘Pinocchio’ and navigating the international film world as a Singaporean artist.

“The more specific you are, the more global you are,” says Tan Si En, an award-winning Singaporean film producer and founder of Momo Film Co, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, they share why the best producers are like rivers – they flow with the bends, why the best films tell stories that are true to personal experiences, and dreams of an alternate career as a champagne grower.

“Being a film composer is about how good your instincts are,” says music composer Elliot Leung on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Hong Kong native discusses the process of composing big orchestral scores for blockbusters, why the ultimate compliment is the audience humming the main theme song in the bathroom after watching a film and why the voice memos app is his secret weapon in composition.

This week, we present five motivating quotes from the guests of Season 10 of Crazy Smart Asia. From understanding what real confidence looks like to grasping every opportunity that comes your way, these mind bombs tackle what it means to build a better world, better business or better you.

“In many ways, we are eating ourselves to our own extinction,” says Christophe Bariou, the co-founder of Dehusk, Maison Bukana and Maison Bukana Wines, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino-French entrepreneur discusses overcoming a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in his twenties, living life with no regrets and his passion for veganism.

“The most important quest of an entrepreneur is to focus on your customers,” says Caecilia Chu, the co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based fintech company YouTrip, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, she discusses building Southeast Asia’s first multicurrency mobile wallet, nailing product market fit, perseverance as a business non-negotiable and the thought of her kids following in her footsteps.

“To do something great, you need to have focus, discipline and consistency,” says Mathew Leong, executive chef of the award-winning restaurant Re-naa, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Stavanger-based Singaporean chef opens up about moving to Norway with just $500 in his pocket, how competition is key to being your best self and why he rarely cooks at home.

“Until the time it's profitable, what’s the hoo-ha about? There is no achievement,” says Nikhilesh Goel, co-founder and group CEO of Singapore-based startup Validus, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Goel shares his journey from the son of a tea taster in Kolkata to fintech founder, his quiet leadership style and the honest feedback he’s gotten for it, and the difference between seeking collaboration and seeking consensus.

“You have to know yourself well,” says Tim Yap, the co-founder and CEO of events and PR agency, Yaparazzi, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino Chinese shares his incredible career through showbiz to events and PR, why he’s passionate about putting the Philippines on the world stage and why knowing yourself is key to being a better networker.

“I wanted to do something so hard that people could not ever talk shit to me ever again,” says Gene Yu, co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Blackpanda, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Taiwanese American shares the scary hostage rescue of a family friend that got him into cybersecurity, why military school was more traumatising than war and why Asian founders should holiday in Europe if they really want a break.

“Innovation is supposed to be fun,” says Vince Siu, founder and CEO of Press Start Academy and Press Start Studios, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Siu shares why education needs a shake up, how his business started as “board game socials” he hosted for friends and how he navigates being an introverted CEO.

“We want them to be masterful, to look like superstars,” says Tryke Gutierrez, the co-founder and CEO of Tier One Entertainment, an esports and entertainment company, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Gutierrez shares why he’s inspired by the K-pop business model, how leadership is the only truly scalable element in business and how his approach to life is a blend of Japanese and Filipino cultures.

This week, we pick out five inspiring quotes from the guests of season nine of Crazy Smart Asia. From being at peace with fear and failure to how to create viral social content, these insights can help you build a better world, better business or better you.

“There are many kinds of people in the world. And you don’t have to change yourself to fit in,” says Cheryl Wee, founder of CW, the Company of Wellness. In conversation with Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei on Crazy Smart Asia, the former Singaporean actress shares the harsh reality of being a young starlet in Taiwan, how she navigates working in her family business and what’s next for body confidence in Asia.