Hong Kong Confidential

Dr Katherine Dale is a naturopath who wants to lift the stigma and the taboos surrounding talking about menstruation and women’s health. She is committed to empowering women and encouraging self-awareness and body knowledge. We discuss many topics including periods, ovarian cancer, period pants, masturbation and fertility.  Dr Katherine shares her wisdom on all aspects of women’s sexual health. She explains periods in detail and the way that women’s cycles vary. We learn about the history of menstruation and how society viewed this part of our cycle in the past and how these views have evolved and changed. Dr Katherine organised a Menstrual Awareness Day recently in Hong Kong and she shares what was involved in this celebration of womanhood and menstruation, and how the conversation about all issues related to menstruation was initiated and embraced by women from all ages and all walks of life. She gives us an insight into how our cycle effects the way that we relate to others and the ways that we can use our cycles to make successful choices in life. Dr Katherine enlightens us about the importance of smear tests and what is involved, and we discuss the risks of contracting HPV when not using condoms. I learned a lot about Diva cups and how they work and the origins of this idea. This is such an informative and educational podcast. Dr Katherine Dale: http://www.drkatherinedale.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Louis-Adrien Ollu is an osteopath and is also studying in a new method in France with a focus on epigenetics, neuroscience, psycho-genealogy and behavioural science. We have a fascinating conversation about masculinity and the social constructs associated with notions of gender. We discuss the Yin and Yang of masculinity and how traits are often both innate and learned in childhood. Louis shares some of the misconceptions associated with masculinity and we look at toxic masculinity and the effect that this has on society. Louis shares some insight into parenting and the impact that parents can have not only on the development of the child’s personality and behaviours, but also on a child’s health as well.  We explore the importance of education in helping children to develop healthy masculine ideals and the impact that modelling behavior can have on child development. Belief systems are built through education, whether it be from schools, the community or parents and it is important to instill the core values of empathy, compassion, emotional intelligence, listening and benevolence in young people. We discuss the evolution of a child’s sexual identity and the Oedipus complex. We also explore the impact of film, television and social media on the development of the child.  This is a fascinating discussion, especially for parents of boys. Louis-Adrien Ollu: www.louisollu.com Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Hannah Sugarman is a psychologist from the U.K. working in Hong Kong. Mental health issues are on the rise and Hong Kong is no exception. Hannah shares her wisdom on a range of topics including mental health triggers and mindfulness practices. Hannah discusses the stigma surrounding mental health and how we can begin to overcome many myths and misconceptions. We discuss mental health first aid with a focus on suicide and how we can help others and ourselves. There are many resources available for people who need support and Hannah and I touch on a few- both locally and internationally. There are many great ways to improve our mental health and Hannah makes several excellent suggestions that anyone can implement very easily. Dr Hannah Sugarman: www.reflect-well.com Warning: This podcast focuses on mental health issues and the topic of suicide. If you feel triggered in anyway, then please contact your local GP. Alternatively, you could reach out to any of the following resources. The Samaritans HK: https://samaritans.org.hk/ Mind HK: https://www.mind.org.hk/ Beyond Blue AUS: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ CCI AUS: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/ RU OK AUS: https://www.ruok.org.au/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Harris is an empath and healer who combines all her skills to help people reach their potential in all areas of their life. In her company ‘Michelle Harris International' she combines healing, empowerment and spirituality to help others connect to their inner self and enable them to express their uniqueness in the world. Through mindfulness, meditation and different healing methods; including her own healing system called Draco Dragon healing symbols system, past life, inner child and crystal work. Michelle helps people to step into their magnificence - personally, spiritually, and professionally. Michelle shares her own personal story about how she faced various challenges in her early life and was in the depths of depression, trauma and suffering. Seeking solace in self-hate and self-punishment patterns, an eating disorder and alcohol, she turned her life around through alternative healing. Michelle is connected to spirits and shares how her psychic ability manifests. She takes me on my own little mini psychic healing session which is really enlightening, and she gave me some great insight into changes that I could make to be the best version of myself. Michelle Harris International: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleHarrisInternational/ Michelle Harris Instagram: @michelle.harris.international Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Candace Castro has been a seeker all her life, looking for a way to live a life of joy, purpose and love.  Her childhood conditioning deeply affected the way she viewed herself. She struggled with crippling negative self-talk and had a yearning to belong. This negativity impacted the kind of life choices she made which, often caused her great distress and suffering.  She has been self-employed for most of her life and knows what it means to be both independent as well as dependent, having become a “tai tai” after her marriage to a man of wealth and importance and having to face all the attendant challenges and responsibilities of being a “corporate wife”. Even though she “had it all”, Candace still found her life empty, purposeless and pointless.  Her life experiences combined with the practice of Kundalini Yoga helped her to become the Tai Tai Yogini and to gain insight into how to help herself and other women discover a path to happiness and fulfillment. She now works with women who feel restless and displaced and helps them to find their life purpose and go beyond their self-imposed limitations by using the tools that she has discovered in Kundalini yoga.  Candace Castro: https://candacecastro.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lexi is a teenager with OCD, anxiety, mood disorder and depression. She shares her story of how she coped with her mental health issues during her school years and the challenges that she faced along the way. Lexi talks about her OCD obsessions and compulsions and the impact that these fears and rituals had on her life. Lexi could not go to school for many months as her washing compulsions became so hard to manage and the stress of trying to hide her OCD from others wore her down. She talks about the CBT and exposure therapy that helped turn her life around. Lexi reminds us that OCD is a selective and irrational disorder and she knows that it will be something that she will have to manage for the rest of her life. Often her mental health issues made her feel worthless and she would sleep for days on end and could not get out of bed. Lexi is a youth ambassador for the ODC and Anxiety Support Group in Hong Kong and is a mental health advocate. Lexi is an incredibly courageous teenager who is an inspiration to others. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sylvia Tsui is an Energetic Transformation Life Coach who encourages us to love ourselves more in our quest for happiness. She used to work long hours and felt really stressed from time to time.  Finally, she fell ill and was in the hospital.  After that she decided to leave the corporate world and help real life people meet their goals.  Sylvia learned about how energy and our mind works, and she studied with spiritual masters. She is now an energy healing practitioner and encourages people to meditate to release blockages and to lead a more fulfilling life. Sylvia talks to us about energy, or Chi (Qi) as it is known in Chinese culture and how we can draw down the cosmic energy to heal ourselves and others. Sylvia uses body scanning with her hands to feel the energy and the chakras of the body and people’s auras. Sylvia is a Diamond Life coach and does a lot of work as a mindset coach as well. Sylvia talks to us about karma and how releasing karma can heal our past and transform our lives into something beautiful. Sylvia takes me through a 'Transform Your Life' mini healing session and then leads me on a healing meditation which listeners may wish to participate in. It was an amazing experience and I felt a real shift after this live healing session. I felt a real sense of peace and calm. Sylvia Tsui: https://sylviatsui.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teressa Siu​ is a health advocate on and off camera. She helps people be healthy and happy through holistic and sustainable resources. One of her most passionate subjects is how food matters to health. She appears in media interviews advocating for food as medicine based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Western nutrition principles. Along with being an acclaimed journalist, Teressa has a vast array of qualifications as a Wellness Coach, Soul Link Practitioner and an Integrative Health Coach, just to name a few. She discovered that both her passion and her ambition could become her life purpose. She loves being a wellness consultant and a lifestyle educator as she is serving the wider community. Teressa has made a lifelong commitment to loving herself and this has given her peace and harmony in her daily life. She encourages us to put ourselves first and to remember that if we can also give to others, that is a beautiful place to be. Teressa is authentic and generous in all that she does. She has done a lot of personal development work on herself to get to a place where she is able to share her wisdom with others. Lotus Life TV-Teressa Siu: https://www.facebook.com/LotusLifeTV                                https://www.linkedin.com/in/teressasiu/ https://www.facebook.com/teressa.siu Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maitreyi Karanth grew up in India and had a wonderful childhood until the age of nine when her father passed away from a heart attack at home. Her mother was blind and had never worked so her family struggled to make ends meet. After Maitreyi's father passed away, her mother, who was a very determined and independent woman, found a job in a local bank. Losing her father at a young age made Maitreyi become a very responsible and trustworthy child but she always felt cheated by life by not having her father with her as she grew up. Maitreyi shares her very positive experience of choosing to have an arranged marriage and the happiness that this has brought her in her life. Maitreyi was a maths tutor in Hong Kong but she realised that she wanted to fulfill her dream of becoming an actor so she went back to school to train in film and media. She wanted to use these creative talents that she had inherited from her loving father. She produced her own TV series and is in the process of making a short film. Her greatest love is stand up comedy and she shares her story of how she found herself opening for some of the biggest Indian comedians in Hong Kong. Maitreyi unashamedly tells us that she bulldozes through life, but she is always giving back to others through her philanthropic work with both people and animals. Maitreyi certainly is living life to the fullest and is living her dream. Maitreyi: http://www.takeoutcomedy.com/site/comedians/maitreyi-karanth/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ziggy Makant is a young mum and fitness trainer who has combined her love of babies and fitness to create a new niche in Hong Kong working with pre and post-natal mothers as a coach helping them with their fitness, nutrition and well-being. Ziggy opens up about her struggles with post-natal depression and how she was able to overcome this significant obstacle. Ziggy also shares her experience with breastfeeding and weaning her child. None of this was easy for the young 23-year-old mother. One of the key coping mechanisms that she discovered was exercising with her baby and connecting with other young mothers. We discuss the pressure to regain the pre-baby body and how this is not realistic as the body will never be what is was before because it has become so much more. Ziggy feels that the early postpartum period is rarely talked about, and she believes that this time can often be much more demanding than childbirth. Ziggy creates spaces for young mothers with her ‘Mum Fit’ classes where they can come and work out with their babies and have other mums to connect with and glean support and advice. Ziggy offers pre and post-natal support for mothers and refers them on to professionals in the areas that they require expert advice. Ziggy also has a nutritional program called ‘Milky Mumma’ nutrition and this provides lactation support products for new mothers. Ziggy is an inspiration and role model as an entrepreneur and mother making a difference in Hong Kong. Contact Ziggy:  https://www.zigfitmama.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neelam Harjarni was working in the corporate world and she was facing stress and work pressure that was taking a toll on her body and mind. She decided to move into the well-being space and created her own company Inspire Yoga. Neelam mission is to teach an authentic and holistic framework to ease the stress of Hong Kong lifestyles, to bring balance to both body and mind. She has created her own niche in Hong Kong developing bespoke personal yoga programs for individuals, families and corporate clients. She works in her client’s home or office and creates an intimate well-being program designed for the unique needs of her clients. Inspire yoga is all about finding the need and creating a solution. Neelam explains the many advantages to doing yoga in the face paced world of today and the links between the mind and body when it comes to healing and well-being. Yoga is a journey inwards and she inspires her clients to go from doing to being. It is interesting to note that 70% of her clients are men who need a stress outlet in their daily lives. Neelam works on personal growth and encourages a healthy lifestyle. She reminds us that we could all benefit from a digital detox and some of the things we can do to ensure that we overcome anxiety, chronic tension and stress related illnesses using personalized yoga sequences and meditation techniques. We explore the benefits of meditation and breathing to get to a place of peace and gratitude. Inspire Yoga: https://inspire-yoga.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temmy Maclean and her 63-year-old mother were caught in the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand. This is the first time that Temmy has shared her story publicly. Temmy talks about the fear she felt and how she came to terms with the fact that she was going to die. She and 64 other people were stranded on Bamboo Island after being caught in the Tsunami during a day trip to Phi Phi Island. She and her mother went into self-preservation mode whilst being in a heightened state of sheer terror. Temmy explains the impact that this near-death experience had on both her and her mother and how she dealt with the trauma at the time and when she returned to her life in Hong Kong. This is a powerful example of human strength in the face of a devastating natural disaster. Temmy’s story will have you on the edge of your seat. A Listener Note: This podcast explores some distressing themes- listener discretion is advised. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susanne Schutz is a Chinese Metaphysics consultant who specialises in Feng Shui, auspicious date selection and Chinese astrology. Susanne has trained with a Grand Master and practices in Asia, Dubai and Moscow. She explains the difference between contemporary Feng Shui and classical Feng Shui and gives us an insight into the rich history of the practice. Susanne explains how Feng Shui, auspicious date selection and astrology are all intrinsically linked, and she delves deeper into each of the practices with us. Susanne shares how Feng Shui looks at your environment and the interaction between the mountains and the water with a focus on the energy that this creates. Feng Shui can be used to improve your career, sleep, health issues, academic success, children’s behaviour and increase your opportunities for love and money; just to name a few. Susanne mentions several remedies that she may recommend in a Feng Shui consultation but reminds us that it is not about object placement but about specific remedies for individuals as the energy is being generated by natural land-forms. This is a fascinating insight into Chinese metaphysics and the work that Susanne does as one of Hong Kong’s most respected consultants. Suzhong Consulting: http://suzhongconsulting.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmen Yau is a storyteller at the Jockey Club Storytelling Hub where she shares her story of being sex call worker. Carmen was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is now an advocate for people with disabilities, particularly when it comes to sexuality and embracing diversity. Carmen has a Psychology degree, yet she found it very hard to get a job because of her disability. Luckily, she found a job at the sex call centre where people would share their intimate stories and personal secrets with her. Carmen went on to write her own sex stories and published them as 'Sugar XXX' for the Chinese disabled community. Carmen reminds us that we need to embrace our bodies and our sexuality as our bodies are a canvas where we can truly express who we are. We discuss masturbation and how this can help with both self-love and knowing your own body. Carmen also shares how social media helped with her transformation after her 14-year relationship ended. She has found a wonderful community of other disabled people who are sharing their ‘sexy selfies’ and being proud of both their disabilities and their sexuality. This has inspired Carmen to help more people get to this place of self-acceptance and self-love. Carmen talks about the benefits of keeping a sex dairy and recommends that we all have a sex bucket list. Carmen explains to us how we can all be our own sex coach and turn on our own sex engines. A Listener Note: This podcast explores adult themes- listener discretion is advised. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating and Relationships Coach Valentina Tudose talks to us about open relationships and polyamory. We explore the boundaries and rules that can make open relationships work and some of the challenges that people in open relationships may face. Valentina explains all the wonderful benefits of being in an open relationship and how our attitudes towards sex are linked to our values.  She shares her personal experience being in a 10-year open relationship with her long-term partner who sadly passed away this year. Topics such as swinging, consent, safe sex, and comperson are discussed. When Valentina coaches people wanting to embark on an open relationship, she starts with discussing their values, the vision for their relationship and their deal breakers. The Five Languages of Love are explained to us and the different types of relationships that we can have. Valentina believes that sex is the glue of a relationship and being open and vulnerable can increase intimacy levels. An open relationship can be an opportunity for growth. Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.asia A Listener Note: This podcast explores adult themes- listener discretion is advised. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.      Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Bridle is a polysomnographer, more commonly known as a sleep specialist. She talks to us about all aspects of sleeping well. Kate shares her knowledge on sleep hygiene, chronic insomnia and habits that can help us to sleep better. We discuss many things that impact our sleep such as diet, exercise, light, alcohol and many more factors. It is important that we have an anchor time that we wake up at each day if we want to develop good sleeping habits. Teenagers should not stay up cramming at night and Kate explains how vital sleep is for retaining information in the brain and doing well in exams. Kate gives us tips to stop snoring and how this can also be linked to sleep apnea. She discusses diet and the gut/brain connection as this can have a huge impact on our sleep. We also explore sleep walking along with REM behavior disorders. Kate shares some of her experiences when researching sleep disorders while she was at university. We learn ways that we can turn our minds off so that we can get to sleep and tips for getting babies to sleep. This podcast is a must for anyone who struggles with their sleep. Sleep HQ: https://www.sleep-hq.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest has been single for seven years and she has been dating on Tinder for quite a while now. She started a very amusing and entertaining blog called ‘Bumbling Tinder’ where she talks about the highs and lows of her online dating experiences. We discuss the swiping culture in today’s fast paced world and how many people are looking for instant gratification, yet some are looking for something more meaningful. She reminds us how superficial the Tinder app can be however; some people do find love on Tinder. Our guest discusses what makes a good profile pic, her experience with the notorious dick pics and how many people on Tinder are just illusions. We explore online dating safety tips and the importance of loving yourself first. She shares some of her top dating tips and she reads two awesome stories from her blog that will make you laugh and cry simultaneously. Her Blog: http://bumblingtinder.com/ A listener Note: Many of the topics discussed in this podcast cover adult themes. Listener discretion is advised. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Mannas grew up in Bangalore, India and moved to Hong Kong in 1991. Her love of music began early in life and she has been singing from a very young age. Her deep interest in human behaviour helps her to write meaningful songs in many different styles and genres. She performs often and her singing touches the hearts of many. Debbie and I talk about her work in Human Resources in the corporate world and how she balances work, motherhood and music.  Debbie is a mentor to women through the Women’s Foundation with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Debbie believes that her greatest qualities are her resilience, calm and patience. She is great at maintaining a balance and welcomes a challenge. She shares some of her parenting tips and inspires us with her wise words of wisdom. Debbie Mannas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-mannas-7572625/?originalSubdomain=hk Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allie Rooke discovered the benefits of clean cosmetics and living a clean lifestyle when she was going through her fertility journey. She found a natural fertility clinic in Australia and that was the turning point in her journey to become a mother and she re-evaluated how she was living her life and the products that she was using. Allie explains how mainstream cosmetics can disrupt the endocrine system on our bodies and the effects that this can have on our health and wellbeing. She began with a clean cosmetics blog and eventually launched her own clean cosmetics consultancy business ‘My Clean Cosmetics’ to help expand the Asian market. We have such an interesting discussion about the K and J Beauty trends, zero waste, the effect on the planet and animal testing. We also explore the free gift trend and how many brands are beginning to move into the natural space. Allie gives us some top tips on clean cosmetics and recommends some great products and companies in the clean cosmetic world. https://mycleancosmetics.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paula Miquelis is the organiser of the Green is the New Black Conscious Festival in Hong Kong. We discuss many sustainable living topics. We explore issues such as climate change, plastic use, zero waste, veganism and mindful eating. Paula shares some of the highlights of the Green is the New Black Festival including the conscious brands featured in the Market Place and the Talks where industry experts encourage us to live more consciously. Paula talks about best practices that corporations can adopt to improve their sustainability and the changes that we can all make as individuals. Hong Kong people can join the Green is the New Black Conscious Festival at the Kerry Hotel on April 13th and 14th. More information is in the link below. https://greenisthenewblack.com/festival/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Dan Lloyd is the Deputy Head of School of Biosciences at the University of Kent. We discuss his research into DNA damage, and how this relates to cancer and its treatment. We chat about targeted therapy in cancer research and how treatment can vary for different types of cancer. We explore the cultural and social issues that effect the diagnostic element in the treatment process and how some cancers fare better than others when it comes to funding and awareness raising campaigns. This is a fascinating conversation about science, creativity, values and ethics. Professor Dan explain some of the ethics related to studies in other scientific fields like mitochondrial donation, animal testing, medical marijuana and some of the social and ethical values surrounding this work. Professor Dan shares what he would like to see in the future when it comes to cancer research, including better diagnostics, increased targeted therapies and addressing the resistance to drugs that the sneaky cancer cells often build up. This is an inspirational interview with a man who is making a difference in the cancer research world. What an honour it was to interview him! Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virginia Chan used to work in HR in banking, then one day she decided that she wanted to do something different with her life and she started her unique and quirky food tours in Hong Kong. Her tour company is called ‘Humid with a Chance if Fishballs’ and she runs the most incredible cultural food tours around the city that really take her guest into the heart of Hong Kong’s amazing cuisine and culture.  Virginia talks about how she started with a blog about Hong Kong and it morphed into her food tour company. She does small public tours, private tours and corporate tours with a focus on grassroots experiences that explore the old Hong Kong and its kindness and feeling. She aims to bridge East and West despite the language barrier. Her company is different, if that wasn’t obvious enough from their name. They don’t do cookie-cutter, run of the mill tours so what you can expect from Virginia and her team are fun, off-the-beaten path and informative not-tour like tours. Virginia speaks about the highs and lows of running a business and what it is like to be a ‘girl boss’. We explore female empowerment and the lessons she has learned along the way. We discuss imposter syndrome and why we should all give ourselves more credit. Humid with a Chance of Fishballs tours are so interesting and unique- I know that I want to sign up for a tour as soon as possible. Humid with a Chance of Fishballs: https://www.humidwithachanceoffishballs.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hin Chun Chui is an accomplished body builder who is a member of the Hong Kong team. He is a vegan and he shares his secrets to building muscle mass as a vegan bodybuilder. Hin Chun talks about how he watched a video with animals being slaughtered for food and then he was haunted by nightmares about chickens for two weeks after watching this film. He also suffered from skin allergies, so these two factors inspired him to become vegan. Hin Chun struggled to find other body builders who were vegan in the beginning but now he explains that it’s RT becoming more common to find vegan athletes as they learn the health benefits of a vegan diet. He is a vegan coach and helps others to change their diet and lifestyle. He demonstrates that you don’t need to eat meet to be a success in the sporting world. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela Hancock grew up in the U.K. and had a lovely early childhood with her single mother. One day, when she was 13, she returned home to find a man living in her house with her mother. This man went on to sexually abuse Angela and she now found herself living in a house full of violence and misery. She also did not fit in at school and felt like she was ‘on the outside looking in’. Angela was kicked out of home at 16 and developed bulimia which was eventually replaced with an addiction to exercise. Angela moved to Hong Kong and ended up marrying a violent and abusive man whom she could not escape from. She was given a reprieve when he died by accident. This is when Angela turned her life around. She read a lot of self-help books and did come visualisation work- focusing on achieving the life that she truly wanted and deserved. Angela met a gorgeous man and went on to become a health coach, where she coaches people in a wonderful nutritional program called Isagenix. Angela reminds us that everybody deserves to feel great and you can’t help but be inspired by Angela enthusiasm for her healthy lifestyle and her positive mindset. A Listener Note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast raise some issues for listeners. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP or crisis line for support. Angela Hancock: https://www.bustarut.net/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vincy Chan is a non-binary trans-activist who is passionate about music, art, culture and making a difference in the world. Vincy talks about gender, sexuality, labels and preferred pronouns whilst explaining their journey of self-discovery and finding their identity. Vincy wishes that they had access to the information that is available to young people today about these issues and they wished they could have made connections with other queer or trans folks when they were younger. Going to an all girls’ Christian school when they were younger meant that they did not have many avenues for discussions about sexuality and gender. Vincy talks about finding their place back in Hong Kong after living in Australia and the USA, and how that impacted their journey. Vincy shares their coming out story and the reaction of their Chinese parents. Vincy shares their experience with issues surrounding body image and how they rationalize these thoughts and fight any negative self-talk. We discuss cultural constructs, leftist discourse, social justice and so much more. This is a very interesting discussion on many levels. A Listener Note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may be a trigger for your own gender and sexuality concerns. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP or crisis line for support. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Sonya Yeung’s adoption story. She shares her and her husband’s journey of adopting a child in Hong Kong. She talks about the procedure for adopting a child and the highs and lows of the entire process. Sonya talks about her fears and concern and some of the cultural sensitivities that they faced surrounding adoption. Sonya and her husband had an open dialogue with friends and family and felt overwhelming love and support. Sonya shares the excitement and nerves associated with meeting their son for the first time. Then the visits for the next two weeks and the day that their son moved to live with them. Sonya discusses the unpredictability of parenthood and how they valued the advice and routine shared with them by the foster family. Sonya also reveals their philosophy when it comes to telling their son that he is adopted and how it is not his only story and is just one part of his identity. Adoptive Families of Hong Kong:  https://afhk.org.hk/considering_adoption_in_HK Mothers Choice: https://www.motherschoice.org/en/what-we-do/for-families/adopt-a-child/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Michael Eason is a psychologist who specialises in many different areas; one being affirmative therapy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Michael explains the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation. We focus our conversation on transgender support and explore many of the challenges that trans youth and their families face.  Michael emphasises how important family support is for any LGBTQ+ youth who are in the process of exploring their identity. Families face many changes when a child expresses that they are transgender, and Michael gives tips on how to approach this new chapter in a child’s life. We also discuss how schools should develop diversity and inclusion policies and create a culture of acceptance and support for all LGBTQ+ teens. Michael shares his own coming out story as a gay teen growing up in the USA in a religious family. This experience enables Michael to really connect with the LGBTQ+ people that he works with today. We talk about the unethical practices of gay conversion therapy and the impact that being excommunicated from Church can have on someone already feeling alone in their search for inclusion and support. There are LGBTQ+ friendly church communities and we encourage people to find them if they are religious and are being shunned. Michael reminds us that all humans need love and a sense of belonging and loneliness can lead to mental health issues and self-harm. Michael leaves us with some excellent resources for LGBTQ+ people to access. This is a podcast that will hopefully open your heart and your mind. Dr Micheal Eason: https://www.mindnlife.com/hong-kong-therapists/ Glaad: https://www.glaad.org/ It Gets Better: https://itgetsbetter.org/ Transgender support for Students: http://www.transstudent.org/         Promo: Latter Day Lesbian Podcast:  https://latterdaylesbian.org/index.html A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you are a student, you can talk to a teacher that you feel will support you. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. You can also seek out LGBTQ+ support groups in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mel Patching used to suffer from binge eating disorder and she shares how she coped with this life changing ordeal and the steps that she took to overcome her disorder. Mel shares the desperate behaviours that she used to resort to, to be able to eat copious amounts of food. Mel suffered from guilt and isolation during these years and unfortunately, she could not afford therapy. Thankfully, Mel discovered some amazing self-help books that she was able to use on her path to self-discovery and recovery. Mel went through some dark days during her disorder and she is now able to reflect on why she became so ill and how her desire for love and acceptance fueled her disordered eating. Mel’s parents were missionaries in Zambia and Mel was sent to boarding school at the age of six. This changed her way of seeing herself, particularly throughout high school, where she felt that she did not fit in and her school days were a painful wrenching of her heart. She feels that she has spent her adult life healing from the trauma of boarding school where she did not have a consistent adult caregiver to show her love and affection. This is a gripping story of overcoming a deep dark past to be triumphant in her adult years through her journey of self-discovery.  Mel learned that love is the most powerful thing in the world and without self-love we cannot be whole. A Listener Note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may be distressing. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP or crisis line for support. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darius Kokou Agbeko Dzadu was an asylum seeker and refugee in Hong Kong for many years, he is now married to his lovely wife and has residency and is finally able to work. He is an activist helping raise awareness of the plight of refugees in Hong Kong who struggle with equality and justice. He hopes to improve the living and working conditions of those living in marginalised communities, especially refugees and ethnic minorities, many of whom are his friends. Darius has done a TEDx talk and speaks at many conferences and events globally. Darius is from Togo and he did not speak Chinese or English when he arrived. He landed in China and then moved Hong Kong as an asylum seeker and applied for refugee status. He explains how the government support refugees in Hong Kong, but it is unfortunately not enough financial support for people to survive and they must rely on NGO’s to help them. Darius shares what it was like to feel like he had nothing to offer to people he met and how he was often sidelined when people discovered that he was a refugee. He volunteered his time to try and make his life more meaningful and make a difference, given that he was not able to work in Hong Kong. He helps lead Global Youth Connect, a group that brings together ethnic minorities and mainland youth, he plays football, music and joined a local theatre group. He wants to do what he can to help his friends who are struggling as refugees and he reminds us that taking the time to connect with people by providing friendship is one of the most meaningful gestures that anyone can do for a refuge or asylum seeker. Darius’ email: [email protected] TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIP2rNFO1kM Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joy Tsien Koo speaks to us about life as a 50 something expat woman living in Hong Kong. She gives us an insight into some of the highs and lows of expat living. She discusses parenting, educating her children and helping them through dealing with mental health issues as teenagers. We discuss some of the pressures that couples can face when living the fast paced, glamorous Hong Kong lifestyle. She explores how it feels to have her children fly the nest and then having to reevaluate her own purpose and direction in life. We discuss many interesting topics, including affairs, aging and what’s most important as we gain more life experience. Joy shares her wisdom about how important it is to be happy in our own skin. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mehek Gidwani talks to us about her journey with drug addiction and recovery as a teenager. She shares how she was bullied as a child in primary school and her self-esteem and self-worth were low. Mehek’s drug taking began at the early age of 13 to enable her to fit in and feel a sense of belonging. Her struggles with her sexuality added to her feelings of inadequacy and sense of displacement and she emphasises that her ‘mind was a painful place to be’. Mehek talks about spiraling out of control when she was at university and how her family tricked her in to going to rehab. After over 7 months in treatment, Mehek has been sober ever since. She has recently trained as a Recovery Coach and yoga therapist and has started her own addiction recovery program in Hong Kong where she uses a holistic approach, nurturing the mind, body and soul employing both Eastern and Western practices. Mehek has found her purpose in life, has hope again and is in a wonderful place. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. You can also seek out addiction support groups in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divya Samtani shares her wisdom related to parenting skills, being a teenager and how to live a life filled with compassion and gratitude. She has a company called Savvy Sapiens where she runs programs for creative, resourceful teens to help them become global citizens and entrepreneurs of the future. She also delivers parenting workshops to help parents hold space for their teens without judgement enabling them to build relationships and improve the family dynamic. Divya talks about her own personal journey and shares her experience participating in the Tony Robbins course “Unleash the Power Within”. This gave her the foundation to be able to impart all sorts of incredible wisdom to her clients and her people skills are phenomenal. This podcast will inspire you to make changes in your relationships with others and to work on your own personal development. It will be especially informative for parents and teenagers but there are wonderful, insightful takeaways for everyone in this podcast. Savvy Sapiens: http://savvysapien.com/ Email Divya: [email protected] Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Stadlin-Robbie suffers from panic attacks and anxiety. He talks about when he first realised that he was suffering from panic attacks after experiencing the most frightening event of his whole life. Eventually, he saw a psychiatrist and got to the bottom of what he was going through and began to receive treatment and support. He recognised that he experienced several red flags that he initially ignored which led to his panic attacks taking hold. He feels that dealing with anxiety is a battle and without the support of friends, family and professionals, he felt very alone. He acknowledges that it can be more difficult for men to discuss more personal issues with each other and he wants people to understand that every time he discussed his anxiety, it was a weight off his mind. Aaron is a rugby player and he found that when he opened up to his mates about his anxiety, they were very supportive and did not judge him. Aaron decided to start his own podcast ‘Talking Mental’ which will be released on Apple Podcasts on the 22nd of January. He began this podcast to start conversations about anxiety and mental health issues in general in a bid to help improve his own mental health and also to benefit his listeners who may also be struggling with similar issues. Aaron explains that ‘anxiety is like a wet blanket on top of you that you’re trying to get off.’ He hopes that by sharing his story, that he will inspire others to open up and seek support. Talking Mental: https://www.talkingmental.com/ A Listener Note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast raise some issues for listeners. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP or crisis line for support. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan Lavender shares her life story with us. She is half Italian and half British and she moved to Canada and trained to be a lawyer in her 20’s. She moved to Hong Kong in 1990 to work as an advocate for refugees for UNHCR. She would interview Vietnamese asylum seekers and make recommendations to the Hong Kong Immigration Department as to whether they were deserving of being granted asylum. She visited detention camps on boats and on islands off Hong Kong and she shares some of the shocking stories that she heard from the refugees. After the handover in 1996, she had to reinvent herself so she re-trained as a lawyer and learned Mandarin and moved to Beijing where she worked for an Italian law firm. She moved back to Hong Kong and practiced law and also became a radio host for RTHK and eventually a news reader. Shares the story of how her mother met her father during the war and became a war bride. She talks about aging and the fears she has surrounding this given the fact that she does not have any family members to support her. She shares her experience of her mother’s passing and talks about the grief surrounding this sad event. Her priorities have definitely changed since she her mother passed away and as she herself is ageing. Susan explains that she combats loneliness with creativity and is still acting and writing poems to this day. This is a fascinating and moving interview that will capture your heart. A Listener Note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may be distressing. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP or crisis line for support. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Lola Tan has Leukemia. She shares her story whilst also raising awareness of the importance of bone marrow donations for Leukemia suffers- especially Asian people as they don’t seem to register as bone marrow donors as much as people in other countries. Finding a bone marrow match will significantly increase Emily’s chances of survival and she is on a mission to raise awareness for all Leukemia patients. We discuss why it is better for her to stay in Hong Kong to find a bone marrow match and we explore the lack of public awareness surrounding blood cancers as opposed to other more publicised cancers. Emily explains how she first discovered that she has Leukemia when she was travelling in Europe and how the diagnosis has changed her outlook on life. She shares her deepest secrets from her past where, as a teen, she was raped by her boyfriend and later, unable to cope with the shame and the guilt, attempted suicide. This is a heart wrenching disclosure that will impact all who listen. Emily goes on to explain how these dark times helped her to become the resilient fighter that she is today as she faces the greatest battle of her life with courage, resilience and determination. At times, Emily loses hope but for the most part she is hopeful, positive and good humoured throughout this life changing journey. She explains how it takes strength to expose her vulnerabilities and how she has developed some psychological hardiness along the way. She wants to educate young people about healthy relationships and consent as well as exploring notions of masculinity. However, her main goal is to raise awareness of blood cancer and bone marrow donations. She wants to make a positive impact on the world and she already is doing just that. If you would like to donate to Emily’s funding page- a support group run by her friends for Emily Lola Tan's quest to 100% recover from cancer. Please click this link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CaringForEmilyLolaTan/?ref=br_rs If you want to donate bone marrow in Hong Kong- Please click on this link https://www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/enarticle.asp?bid=56&MenuID=6#.XBXZtjG-m7Q or please find the bone marrow donation registry in your area. Warning: Some of the issues covered in this podcast may be distressing to some listeners. Topics discussed are cancer, rape, suicide and death. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interviewed Kinny Au Barlow for International Podcast Day and we spoke about growing up in a Chinese family and some of the long standing traditions and values that Kinny feels are important to impart to her children. She explains how she balances her own Chinese culture and her husband’s Western culture when raising her children. She shares some stories from her childhood and explains how she was different to her peers and the unique way that he parents embraced and encouraged her to be different. We talk about traditional expectations in Chinese families ranging from gender roles, to caring for the elderly and fundamental practices that are a part of belonging to a Chinese family. We discuss helpers in Hong Kong, racism and how we can think about contributing to our families and the community. Kinny is one of the organizers of Clockenflap, one of Asia’s biggest music and arts festivals. She talks about how amazing it is to work on such a fabulous event and shares some of the exciting aspects  of the festival.  This is a wonderful interview that gives us an insight into the rich and vibrant Chinese culture of Hong Kong that is steeped in tradition and values. Please visit my Patreon page if you would like to sponsor the production of Hong Kong Confidential Podcast. I have many great rewards to offer my supporters. Thanks for taking the time to check out the page https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2 Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.   Sponsored by Teresa’s Turkish Towels https://hkturkish.com/  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiffany Huang began Spill Stories as a story telling platform for women of colour to share their experiences. She was unhappy with the superficial nature of social media, so she created content on Instagram that offers comfort to others in their personal struggles. The stories, written by a diverse group of people, evoke empathy, catharsis and healing through sharing more deep and meaningful aspects of life. “Social media can enhance our sense of isolation” and Spill Stories provides a platform for us to feel connected. Tiffany suggests that we should “screw the narratives that we are supposed to play into and be yourself!” Spill Stories have many different themes ranging from ‘Sex and Power’ to ‘Insecurities’. These stories promote creativity and provide a voice for women of colour. Writing can empower people and Tiffany hopes that her platform will connect people across the globe. Tiffany shares a story from a woman in the UK called ‘Am I too dark?’ and she also reads a story of her own. She shares how creating Spill Stories has given her courage to speak up and she relates a candid story about her Tinder dating escapades that is both entertaining and challenges some Asian stereotypes. Spill Stories has helped Tiffany take down her own shield. A Listener Note: We discuss some adult themed topics in this podcast so please be warned. Spill Stories: [email protected] Instagram: @spill_stories Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tash Jain suffers from a chronic illness called POTS- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. This is a syndrome where there is an imbalance between your blood pressure and your heart rate. Symptoms include fainting, memory loss and fatigue, all of which affected Tash. She was so ill that she has to quit her job and was on bed rest for months. There was no specific treatment for her illness, so it was a matter of trial and error as she experimented with different treatment methods. Being unwell took a toll on Tash’s mental health and she found herself feeling isolated, anxious and often in a very low mood. We discuss mental health in relation to living with chronic illness.  Tash felt that being sick gave her the opportunity to reassess her priorities and really look at her core values. She is a changed person due to suffering from POTS and she shares how she has reevaluated her notion of success and what is most important now in her life. Tash is an inspiration and she provides many tips on self-care and how to cope with the struggles of a life living with chronic illness. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP for support. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Siufung Law is a genderqueer bodybuilder who competes in both local and international competitions.  He shares his gender and sexuality journey, and how his identity has evolved to where it is today. He is open and candid about being raised as a young girl in Chinese culture and the challenges he faced being at school where his dad was the Vice Principal. Siufung explains how he felt that he needed to suppress his sexuality and gender journey from his family whilst at school, but he was lucky to find a group of friends where he could be truly himself. Siufung did research in Gender Studies at university and this helped him to learn more about the labels, genderqueer and gender non-binary and he felt that these terms described him more than the term transgender which was how he was identifying at that time. Siufung explains the meaning of generqueer and the pronouns that he is happy to use. We discuss the lack of sex education in local Chinese schools and how Siufung would have benefited from more open discussions about topics of gender, sex and sexuality. Siufung reminds us that ‘we are always in a continuous process of becoming’ and he is enjoying his own journey of discovering his identity. He talks about HK laws surrounding changing gender and the requirements for full gender reassignment surgery to be able to do this. He goes on to explain how he competes as a female bodybuilder, due to the fact that he is still recognised as female by birth and is therefore considered as female in the professional bodybuilding world. Suifung shares his training schedule and diet tips for being an elite athlete and the joy he experiences from being a successful body builder. Suifung is a beautiful soul both inside and out and this podcast will warm your heart. If you can’t find a group to fit into, Siufung suggests you should ‘walk your own path and create one!’ Siufung’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siufung_law/?hl=en A listener note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may be confronting to some listeners. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sofie Jacobs is a midwife from Belgium who lives and works in Hong Kong. Sofie and I discuss all things related to pregnancy and birth. We discuss postpartum depression, home and hospital births, birth plans and parenting. We explore the pressure that women face to get their post baby body back and Sofie explains that this is impossible as our bodies change after giving birth. You need to prepare for the birth in all aspects of mind, body and soul and Sofie gives us tips on how to do this. Did you realise that men can also suffer from postpartum depression? There are several reasons why this can occur. Sofie advises us on parenting skills and how women can look after their health after the baby is born. Sofie has been a midwife for 20 years and runs antenatal, coaching and childcare education classes. Sofie has a company in Hong Kong called Urban Hatch. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP for support. Urban Hatch: https://www.urban-hatch.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tegan Smyth is an Australian Lawyer working in Hong Kong who runs a program for refugees called Table of Two Cities. It is a community project where refugees tell their stories and share their culture through food. A shared meal can bring both sides of Hong Kong to one shared table.  Two sides of the city, united by an idea, by acceptance, understanding and by food. Table of Two Cities enables refugees to give something of themselves to the local community and feel valued and appreciated. Tegan reminds us that ‘food is a universal medium to communicate your understanding of the world’. Tegan is a survivor of assault and she shares her experience with us and explains how helping others, is a way for her navigate her own trauma. She wants to hold space for people who do not have the spaced opened to them. Tegan feels that empathy is a gift and facing her trauma has inspired her to strive to create something worthwhile in the lives of others and helped her find a purpose in her own life. By sharing her story, she has realized that so many people have gone through similar experiences and she wants others to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and healing is an ongoing process. She reminds anyone who is suffering that they are never alone and there are resources out there that can help those who need support. Table of Two Cities: https://tableoftwocities.org/ A listener note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may distressing to some listeners. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Wong, co-founder and chief executive of Origami Labs, says Orii is the world's first voice-powered smart ring. It is a private communication tool that uses voice assistance technology to communicate. The ring uses sound as a physical vibration which passes directly through your finger and into your ear. Kevin explains that screen free technology is his area of interest and this has been inspired by his dad who has been sight impaired from the age of thirteen. In fact, Kevin’s dad also works in technology and was one of the first blind programmers in Hong Kong, who helped build the world first voice activated computer in the 1990’s. Kevin’s main goal in his tech development work is to create products that are inclusive and meaningful, and this is what he and his team have done with the Orii ring. Kevin started programming at the age of 6 or 7 and was taught by his father. Working in the Start Up space as an entrepreneur has been a wonderful journey for Kevin and he discusses the qualities of person suited to this type of career. He gives advice for anyone who wants to work in the Start Up space. Kevin explains that “the screen free revolution is one of the hottest topics in Silicon Valley”. He is at the forefront of this revolution, is an award winner and will be someone to watch in the future as he is bound to create more ground-breaking technology that “contributes something to society”. The Orii ring: https://www.orii.io/ Origami Labs: https://www.whub.io/startups/origami-labs Promo from Pretend Radio: https://pretendradio.org/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Hopkins shares her fertility journey with us and her ultimate choice to use egg donation to create her family. She went though IVF and this was not successful at all but she and her husband were both committed to having a family no matter what. After giving up on the idea of IVF, Rebecca fell pregnant naturally, but the baby had spina bifida and was terminated at 20 weeks. Losing their first daughter, Ruby was devastating for Rebecca and her husband. They left their jobs, went travelling to heal and eventually found themselves in the UK ready to try egg donation again. They decided on Spain where egg donation is anonymous, and Rebecca eventually had a child and then on her second attempt, twins. Rebecca shares with us how now she has three children, she regrets choosing an anonymous donor because of the potential impact that using an anonymous donor could have on her childrens’ sense of identity and why she thinks anonymous donation should be banned globally.  Rebecca also talks about the importance of children knowing that they are donor conceived from a very young age and she recommends that parents stick to the facts and use all the correct terminology for the process with the children. Rebecca has made videos for all her children about how they were created, and they have been watching these creation stories from before they could talk. Rebecca talks us through her anonymous donor regret and the grief she has experienced with candor and honesty that will make you feel like you are close friend of hers. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP for support. Rebecca Hopkins: http://www.livebraveworkshops.com/rebecca-hopkins/ Rebecca’s Blog: http://alloutofeggs.com/ Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.hongkongconfidential.net Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Hopkins talks about how she found herself going through early menopause in her early 30’s and this affected many aspects of her life, including her ability to have children. She had her children using an egg donor and whilst she was raising her small children she found herself in the midst of quite intense menopausal symptoms. Her doctor put her on hormones to combat early osteoporosis. This meant that her sex drive shot through the roof and she became rather rampant. She was also super moody and explosive, so she tried different methods of administering the hormones until she found the one that was most conducive to her having minimal menopausal symptoms and less mood swings.  Rebecca talks about bone density, ugly crying and egg donation. Stay tuned for All Out of Eggs: Part 2 where Rebecca goes into detail about egg donation, IVF and what she has learned throughout the whole process. A Listener Note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local GP for support. Rebecca Hopkins: http://www.livebraveworkshops.com/rebecca-hopkins/ Rebecca’s Blog: http://alloutofeggs.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amao Leota Lu is a proud Fa’afafine living in Melbourne, Australia. She was in Hong Kong for the Rainbow Families Forum and spoke to me about her life. She shares her struggles as a transgender woman and also explains the cultural acceptance that she has experienced from her friends and family in Samoa, where the culture is very inclusive. Amao explains how she has navigated a safe space for herself and how she works to support other LGBTQIA+ members of her local community. She shares her journey as she evolved into her true self over the years. “Everyone’s journey is different” and Amao helps us to understand this by sharing her story.  The struggle that trans people can face include finding housing, jobs, health care and acceptance in the community. Amao hopes to give a ‘voice and visibility’ to trans people and reminds us that cultures are forever changing, and that we can all make a difference by treating everyone with respect and kindness. Amao shares the devastating story of her trans friend who was murdered and how her voice was only ‘heard’ after her passing. Amoa is an incredibly positive person with a beautiful soul, she is an inspiration and a wonderful role model for all of us. A listener note: If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip Howell-Williams is the Director of Pink Season, a five-week long festival which highlights and supports the LGBT+ community in Hong Kong. This is the 9th year that Pink Season has run, and Philip has put his own stamp on the celebration by including more educational and family events in the plethora of functions on offer. Pink Season offers many free activities with a focus on arts, theatre, family connections, sport, education and parties. There is even a Drag Queen workshop which will culminate in a parade and performance at the closing ceremony. Philip has endeavoured to make Pink Season more marketable to corporations and thus the funding for the event has increased significantly so the variety of events on offer are vast and there is something for everyone to enjoy. There is a global trend for corporations to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and Hong Kong is no exception. This is so important for the LGBT+ community as inclusivity and diversity provides visibility, confidence and support for the community who can often be marginalised or discriminated against in today's society. Pink Season is aimed at breaking down these barriers and bringing people together from all walks of life.  Philip and his team at Pink Season are making a difference and part of the focus this year is on migrant workers and domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Philip also talks about his coming out journey and shares some of his own wisdom. Philip gives advice on ‘coming out’ and the importance of allyship, where we all support and embrace each other no matter what your gender, sexuality, race, religion or interests. There is so much that people can take away from this podcast about inclusion, diversity, education and being a global citizen. To find out more about Pink Season which begins on the 28th of September 2018 visit: http://www.pinkseason.hk/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Geary is the CEO of BSD Education where he runs an innovative program called RefuGeek. This is a non-profit entity sponsored by the Fargo Foundation in Hong Kong, using academic curriculum to deliver technology education to refugees and asylum seekers in Asia. Chris believes that everyone should have the right to technology education and learn the skills needed to succeed in the world. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes due to conflicts and natural disasters. In many cases, these displaced people have missed out on their education, meaning that when they are finally relocated, they lack the necessary skills to survive in the modern world. An understanding of code and tech applications, however basic, will make an enormous difference to potential employers, or their ability to start their own businesses. At RefuGeek, they give refugees a chance to learn basic IT skills in the hope that this training will increase their chances of employment and opportunities in life. Chris shares details about the refugee population in Hong Kong and some personal anecdotes about people that have graduated from this awesome program. RefuGeek: http://refugeek.org/   BSD Education: www.bsd.education Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nan talks about her life and what is was like growing up in the 1920’s and 30’s in Australia. She discusses her education, her career and her life living on the farm, married to Claude. She shares her secrets to longevity of life and explains many of the challenges she has faced. Nan talks proudly about the achievements of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nan is an incredible woman who is still mentally sharp, even at the age of 100. However, she is frustrated that her body is starting to let her down, particularly her failing eyesight. She shares her thoughts on life-long learning and how important it is to move with the times. Nan is the matriarch of our family and is loved by everyone. She is an inspiration to us all and it’s not often you can chat to someone who has lived for 100 years and is still as sharp as a tack. We all love you, Nan! Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Film director, Joanna Bowers shares her experiences making impactful films that shine a light on social issues, in particular the potential of women. She began working in film in the USA. In 2011, Joanna moved to Hong Kong where she is now based. Since relocating to Asia, projects have seen her filming throughout mainland China, Nepal Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the United States. Having told several successful female-driven short-form stories, in 2015 she was inspired to explore the issues facing migrant workers in Hong Kong. The film ‘The Helper’, Joanna’s feature directorial debut, chronicles the diverse stories from Hong Kong’s migrant domestic ‘helpers’, exploring the immense contribution they make to society in the face of heart-breaking separation from their loved ones. Joanna explains how the domestic workers are the heroes and to see them feeling empowered through their work on the film was wonderful and it allowed them to become leaders and role models in the Hong Kong community. She talks about the challenges of directing a film and how she balances motherhood and work. She shares an insight into her new film project looking at sustainability in the textiles and fashion industry, with a focus on fast fashion. Joanna is passionate about telling inspiring, international stories featuring ethnically diverse casts including strong women and unique perspectives. Contact Joanna: http://cheekymonkeyprods.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Wong used to work in finance in the USA but when he saw a need for improving aged care systems in his home town of Hong Kong, he created Evercare, a service that helps the elderly age with comfort and dignity. Evercare is an aged care service that provides people with an alternative way of aging in the home surrounded by family. Evercare developed a platform that marries technology and people by informing families about the health and wellbeing of their loved one. Evercare puts together a team of professional and creates an individual care program for the elderly so that they can be taken care of in the home and have their medical and emotional needs met. Ken discussed aging and the things that matter to the elderly like family, social connections and friends. He explains how as family members, we need to understand how important it is to communicate with the elderly and find out what they need and to ensure that we look at all the care options available. There is a stigma in Chinese culture when it comes to sending family members to aged care homes, so that’s where Evercare can be a huge support and provide an alternative to hospital care which can be quite crowded and stressful in Hong Kong. This is an eye-opening discussion about aging, health care, technology, family priorities and the alternative care options for the elderly. Contact Evercare in Hong Kong: https://www.yourevercare.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: [email protected] Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.