Who We Are with Rachel Lim

Tan Kheng Hua is one of Singapore’s most beloved actors; known for Phua Chu Kang, Crazy Rich Asians, and three seasons of Kung Fu on The CW. She has spent a lifetime choosing herself, not selfishly, but deliberately. And in doing so, she became a better mother, a better artist, and a more grounded human being. She did not build a long and remarkable career by chasing what looked good or what felt safe. She built it by returning, again and again, to what felt true. To joy over ego. To interest over image. To a life she did not have to shrink in order to hold. In this episode, Kheng Hua speaks with striking honesty about what it really takes to stay rooted in your craft, your relationships, and yourself. We spoke about: motherhood, and why she refused to let it shrink her life. ⁠the decision-making rule she has followed for decades that gave her her longevity. ⁠divorce, co-parenting, and how a friendship outlasted a marriage. ⁠the honesty cave: going inward, admitting the ugly feelings first, and choosing the next step from truth rather than fear. ⁠therapy, and why she believes gathering the tools to be better is not optional, but a responsibility to everyone who loves you. This is a conversation about living from the inside out. About following joy over ego. About learning that being responsible and being happy are not opposites after all. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:34 The Childhood That Quietly Shaped Everything 00:06:50 What Her 25-Year-Old Self Would Never Have Predicted 00:10:32 Why She Treated Her Daughter Like a Person, Not a Project 00:16:12 "My Purpose Was Never Just For Her" 00:22:25 The Secret to Co-Parenting With Someone You Divorced After 27 Years 00:27:16 The 8am Class Nobody Wanted That Changed Her Life 00:35:12 The One Habit Behind 30 Years of Staying Power 00:36:29 Her Golden Rule for Choosing Every Project 00:40:13 11 Years, One Family, One Stage — Inside Phua Chu Kang 00:42:10 What Crazy Rich Asians Taught Her About Letting Go 00:48:22 The Honesty Cave — How She Faces Every Hard Moment 00:49:56 Why She'd Rather Call Her Therapist Than Her Best Friend 00:54:10 Be Better. Do Better. Live Guided By How You Want to Die. 00:56:54 What Kheng Hua Wants You to Know If You're Still Finding Your Way Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Kheng Hua here: https://www.instagram.com/khenghua/ Write in to the team at [email protected].

What does a trial lawyer — someone trained to win arguments — learn about love, emotional regulation, and parenting? In this episode, Jefferson Fisher shares the courtroom lessons that completely changed how he sees conflict, persuasion, and connection. We explore: ⁠The hidden cost of winning arguments What people are really fighting for beneath the surface How to regulate yourself before you react The breathing technique Jefferson teaches his clients — and his kids The 3 steps to shifting someone’s perspective with empathy Why he lets his children argue — and what that builds in them How to model repair, humility, and recovery at home And why being a safe space matters more than being right This conversation goes beyond communication tips. It’s about security, ego, humility, and choosing kindness.. especially when it’s hard. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation wishing you handled it differently, this episode will stay with you. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:07 Meet Jefferson Fisher: From Trial Lawyer to Communication Coach 00:03:14 The Cost of Winning an Argument 00:04:44 A Technique That Turns Timidness Into Calm Confidence 00:08:02 Jefferson’s Biggest Lessons From the Courtroom 00:11:22 3 Steps to Changing Someone’s Mind 00:14:47 Thinking Like a Lawyer in Everyday Conversations 00:17:39 Parenting With Humility: Modelling Recovery 00:19:29 Becoming a Safe Space for Your Children 00:22:24 Why Jefferson Fisher Allows His Children to Argue 00:26:21 What People Are Really Fighting For Beneath Arguments 00:29:37 How to Stay Grounded When Triggered 00:36:03 The Message Jefferson Fisher Hopes to Leave Behind Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Jefferson Fisher here: https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/ Purchase ‘The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More’ here: https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9780241719886 Write in to the team at [email protected]

Over the past year, I’ve watched Leo move through what he describes as one of the most humbling seasons of his life. In this conversation, he reflects openly on what it has meant to start again, to build from scratch, and to remain teachable after years of experience. He speaks honestly about doubt, ego, frustration, and the courage it takes to stay with the work when things feel uncertain. What made this conversation especially meaningful for me was how deeply moved I was by his honesty.. watching him name his struggles, sit with discomfort, and keep choosing growth in real time. This is a story of growth in progress; honest, unfinished, and grounded in real life. Chapters 00:00:00 A Year of Reflection with Leo 00:02:14 Fatherhood, Presence, and Breaking Old Patterns 00:06:21 Finding Joy Again Through Cooking and Showing Up Consistently 00:07:58 Starting Over at 52: Building Something New from Scratch 00:12:02 Marriage Under Pressure and Choosing to Stay 00:14:00 Learning to Stay Open During Hard Conversations 00:17:01 Letting Go of Ego and the Need for Control 00:20:58 Becoming More Open and Staying Teachable 00:28:24 When Self-Worth Is Shaken and Slowly Rebuilt 00:31:16 Closing Reflections Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Leo here: https://www.instagram.com/mr_agleooleo/ Discover ANON here: https://www.instagram.com/thehouseofanon/ Write in to the team at [email protected]

As we step into 2026, I wanted to begin the year with space to reflect. This solo episode is a pause and a check-in. A chance to look back on the year that was and share what it was really like beneath the surface. 2025 was a full year for me. Full in visible ways, and full in ways that were more internal and harder to articulate. From navigating change at home and work, to investing more deeply in my own voice and inner life, it was a year that asked me to slow down, pay closer attention, and meet challenges differently than I had before. In this episode, I reflect on what I’m proud of, what stretched me, and how I’ve noticed myself shifting on the inside. I talk about learning to stay with uncertainty without rushing for clarity, how my relationship with confidence evolved, and why growth now feels less about fewer challenges, and more about a steadier inner response to them. Thank you for being here, and for starting the year with me. Chapters 00:00:00 A Check-In as We Step Into 2026 00:02:53 Moving Through a Full Year Without Losing Myself 00:06:08 Our Marriage, What This Season Asked of Us 00:07:32 Learning to Stay With Discomfort 00:08:41 The Part of 2025 That Challenged Me the Most 00:11:23 The Small Routines and Circles That Carried Me 00:13:46 What Misalignment Taught Me About Pain and Listening Earlier 00:16:26 The Word I’m Carrying Into This New Year 00:17:38 How I’m Thinking About the Podcast in 2026 00:18:50 A Few Closing Thoughts Before We Go Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ For the year you’re about to have, purchase your first ‘I Am Well’ journal here: https://www.iamwelljournal.com/shop-i-am-well-journal/p/edition-2026? Write in to the team at [email protected].

Recorded live at CLOSER in Singapore, this was one of those rare sessions that reminded me of the heart behind CLOSER: to hold space for real, honest, soul-level conversations. In this conversation, Steven Bartlett opens up about his journey. He shares how he grew up as an outsider, built one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, chose to walk away at the peak, and learned to find a fuller life beyond achievement. We also speak about what he is building today, and the lessons he has learned about making good decisions, building trust, and steering clear of the traps that hold people back. This episode is not the full conversation, but it offers a glimpse into some of the moments that moved us most. I hope something you hear in it stays with you, and maybe even shifts something in you, the way it did for me & so many others. To everyone who joined us that afternoon at CLOSER, thank you for leaning in with so much openness and heart. And to those tuning in now, I hope this conversation touches you the way it did all of us in the room. Take a breath, lean in, and come a little closer. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:31 The Childhood That Shaped Steven Bartlett 00:05:58 Delusion and Self Belief as Prerequisites for Success 00:09:28 Choosing Uncertainty Over Certain Misery 00:13:48 Becoming a Plan A Thinker 00:15:36 Stacking Skills to Increase Your Value 00:20:27 What Steven Looks For When Investing 00:25:48 Hiring and Why People Are Your Greatest Asset 00:31:36 Breaking Paper Walls and Asking Why 00:36:41 Nir Eyal on Overcoming Distraction 00:40:54 The 16 Chip Rule for Prioritizing Time 00:43:21 Working With Failure and Experimentation 00:50:23 Steven’s Most Valuable Mistake 00:53:05 Finding Your Version of a Well Lived Life Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Steven Bartlett here: https://www.instagram.com/steven/

Infertility is more common than we think; and it doesn’t just mean struggling to get pregnant. It can also mean waiting for years. Losing a pregnancy. Trying, again and again, with no answers. It’s a kind of grief that lives quietly in the background of so many lives…and often, no one talks about it. In this heartfelt conversation, I sit with Shumin Lin; litigator at Drew & Napier and President of Fertility Support SG. She began IVF at 29 and experienced miscarriage before becoming a mother of two. She shares what it was like to navigate this path before anyone around her was talking about it, and how that pain led her to build a safe space for others. This episode is for anyone who’s walked this road, or loves someone who has. Because this, too, is motherhood. And no one should have to walk it alone. 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Shumin’s Journey: Facing Infertility at 29 04:59 Redefining Infertility: What It Really Means 05:48 Understanding IVF and the Emotional Toll 07:58 Rachel’s Story: Confronting Secondary Infertility 09:03 The Unspoken Grief: Shumin’s Miscarriage Journey 17:00 The Partner’s Role in Navigating Loss 19:08 Letting Go of Control and Unlearning Stigmas 23:27 How to Support a Friend Walking Through Infertility 28:37 The Weight of Expectations and Societal Pressure on Women 32:16 The Heart Behind Fertility Support Singapore 38:15 Launching Singapore’s First Workplace Fertility Guide 43:43 A Message to Her Younger Self: Hold On 46:00 Final Reflections Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Fertility Support Singapore here: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitysupport.sg/ Find out more about Fertility Support Singapore here: https://fertilitysupport.sg/

<p>In one of her most open conversations yet, award-winning actress Rebecca Lim reflects on the lessons she’s learned from heartbreak, motherhood, and life in the public eye.</p><p>From childhood dreams and early imposter syndrome to the role that changed everything, Rebecca shares the sacrifices, self-doubt, and resilience it’s taken to sustain a career under constant scrutiny. She opens up about friendship changes, public criticism, and the private grief of losing her father, and how each chapter shaped the woman she is today.</p><p>We also explore motherhood’s transformative impact, the realities of ‘mom guilt,’ and her evolving definitions of beauty, success, and boundaries.</p><p>This is Rebecca Lim as you’ve never heard her before; honest, deeply human, and full of wisdom for anyone learning to let go, start again, and find peace.</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>01:17 Rapid Fire with Rebecca Lim</p><p>05:24 Meet Rebecca: Childhood, School Days & First Acting Dreams</p><p>09:39 Battling Imposter Syndrome in the Early Years</p><p>14:43 Facing Negativity, Criticism & Self-Doubt</p><p>15:53 The Quiet Sacrifices Behind the Success</p><p>16:52 The Career-Changing Role That Defined Her</p><p>19:31 If She Could Go Back: Advice to Her Younger Self</p><p>20:40 Running on Empty: Motherhood’s First Impact</p><p>23:44 Rediscovering Herself After Becoming a Mother</p><p>26:50 Weathering Public Scrutiny & Staying True</p><p>29:16 Choosing Silence & Protecting Her Peace</p><p>33:04 Navigating Friendship Changes & Building Healthy Boundaries</p><p>35:57 Losing Her Father: A Silent Grief</p><p>42:24 Her Hardest Role Yet: Motherhood</p><p>49:14 Post-Maternity Comeback to Acting</p><p>52:04 Managing ‘Mom Guilt’ After Returning to Work</p><p>55:58 Redefining Success on Her Own Terms</p><p>57:56 Rethinking Beauty Standards in Entertainment</p><p>01:01:21 To My Younger Self: You Don’t Have to Be a Shooting Star</p><p>01:02:39 The Non-Negotiable Boundaries She Lives By</p><p>01:03:43 Learning from Past Mistakes</p><p>01:05:14 Final Reflections & Takeaways</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Rebecca here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/limrebecca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.instagram.com/limrebecca/</a></p>

<p>In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Rodrigo Kede Lima, President of Microsoft Asia, reflects on the people, places, and pivotal lessons that have shaped who he is today. From the quiet strength of his trailblazing mother to the humbling experience of starting over in Asia, and the responsibility of leading 30,000 people across cultures, Rodrigo shares what it truly means to lead with purpose, humility, and heart.</p><p><br /></p><p>We discuss:</p><ul><li>The values his mother and grandfather instilled in him</li><li>What starting over in Asia taught him about leadership</li><li>How he stays grounded while leading at scale</li><li>His views on hierarchy, culture, and human-first systems</li><li>What AI will demand of future leaders</li><li>Unlearning, wellness, and the second mountain</li><li>Why legacy is about leaving people better than you found them</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>01:08 Meet Rodrigo: Childhood, Curiosity & Dreams of Medicine</p><p>05:14 The Legacy of His Mother and Grandfather</p><p>07:13 Core Beliefs That Shaped Rodrigo’s Leadership</p><p>10:00 Bold Career Moves & Embracing Discomfort</p><p>12:35 Starting Over in Asia: Humility, Curiosity & Reinvention</p><p>14:59 Wellness Routines That Keep Rodrigo Grounded</p><p>20:07 Leading 30,000 People: Culture, Connection & Systems</p><p>24:07 Asia’s Rise: From Manufacturing Hub to Innovation Powerhouse</p><p>26:44 The Values We Must Hold Onto in the AI Era</p><p>29:07 What Fatherhood Taught Rodrigo About Learning & Letting Go</p><p>32:49 Where to Begin: Practical Steps for Embracing AI</p><p>36:40 Beyond Boardrooms: Lessons from Parenting</p><p>39:40 Redefining Purpose: Rodrigo on Legacy, Joy & Giving Back</p><p>41:15 The Message Rodrigo Hopes to Leave Behind</p><p>42:27 Closing Reflections</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rodrigo here: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-kede-lima-51941129/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-kede-lima-51941129/</a></p>

<p>You may know him as “Xiao Ming”, the funny guy behind the shades, the face of SGAG. But in this conversation, I sat with Adrian Ang, the man behind the persona.</p><p><br></p><p>Adrian and I go way back to our school days. And over the past few years, we’ve reconnected, not over memes or milestones, but over the messy, honest work of untangling who we are from what we’ve built.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Adrian opens up about the cost of becoming someone the world applauds, and the quiet courage it took to start unbecoming what no longer served him.</p><p><br></p><p>We talked about:</p><ul><li>The moment his son asked him to take off the sunglasses</li><li>How he nearly lost himself trying to keep it all together</li><li>Drinking to escape, leading while empty, and hurting the people he loved most</li><li>And what it really means to heal — slowly, gently, from the inside out</li></ul><p><br></p><p>00:00 Introduction: The Man Behind the Persona</p><p>01:37 Adrian Today: Diving Beneath the Surface</p><p>04:54 Kampung Childhood & Free-Spirited Beginnings</p><p>06:50 Becoming “Xiao Ming”: The Internet Persona Is Born</p><p>09:20 When the Character Overshadows the Creator</p><p>11:22 The Cost of Compartmentalising Who We Are</p><p>16:17 Chasing Impact, Validation & Approval</p><p>22:37 What Success Really Cost Him</p><p>25:56 Breaking Point: The Spiral He Couldn’t Ignore</p><p>30:31 Shutting Down, Pushing Love Away</p><p>34:53 Reclaiming Himself, One Layer at a Time</p><p>38:58 The Practice of Healing & Rewiring</p><p>44:12 The Hardest Work: Sitting With Discomfort</p><p>48:54 Learning to Find Peace Within</p><p>51:29 Redefining Success, Impact & Enoughness</p><p>56:58 To My Younger Self: It’s Okay to Feel</p><p>01:02:58 If His Eyes Could Speak…</p><p>01:04:08 Closing Reflections: The Journey Back to Self</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Adrian here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adrian.xiaoming/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/adrian.xiaoming/</a></p>

<p>Best known for The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli has helped millions of readers sharpen their thinking and sidestep the traps that cloud our judgment. In his latest book The Not-To-Do List, he flips traditional self-help on its head; arguing that the key to a good life isn’t doing more, but doing less of what doesn’t serve us.</p><p><br /></p><p>In this candid conversation, Rolf shares practical ways to reclaim your attention and energy: how to stop overcommitting, why reliability matters more than talent, when to quit (and why it’s not a failure), and what he’s learned from consciously stepping away from the news cycle.</p><p><br /></p><p>This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched thin, trapped in a productivity loop, or simply ready to cut through the noise.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction </p><p>01:04 Rolf Dobelli’s Not-To-Do Habit: Overconfidence </p><p>02:44 Rolf’s Study on Cognitive Biases </p><p>05:14 The Sunk-Cost Fallacy’s Impact on Our Decisions </p><p>07:22 How to Avoid the Manipulation of Reciprocity </p><p>10:12 Rolf’s Inspiration Behind ‘The Not-To-Do List’</p><p>12:44 Why Reliability Outweighs Brilliance </p><p>14:46 Knowing When to Quit or Persevere </p><p>18:33 Why To-Do-Lists Don’t Work </p><p>20:12 The Magic of Setting Low Expectations </p><p>23:54 Why Rolf Stopped Reading the News </p><p>27:25 Rolf Dobelli’s Mission to Sharpen the Quality of Our Thoughts </p><p>29:15 The Billboard Question: Rolf Dobelli’s Message</p><p>30:22 Episode Closing </p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p>Stay up to date with Rolf Dobelli here: <a href="https://www.dobelli.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.dobelli.com/en/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Purchase 'The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions' online <a href="https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781444759549" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here.</a>Purchase 'The Not to Do List: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Success' online <a href="https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781805464228" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here. </a></p>

<p>Tan Su Shan’s story is more than a career trajectory; it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to lead. In this special and intimate conversation during Love, Bonito's IWD event, Su Shan, now the CEO of DBS, reflects on her journey from intern to the top of one of Asia’s most influential banks.</p><p><br /></p><p>She opens up about the moments of self-doubt, the lessons learned from “demotions,” and how she learned to command a room without changing who she is. From cultivating clarity and conviction, to breaking through the “sticky floor” that holds many women back, Su Shan shares powerful truths about ambition, presence, and the price of leadership.</p><p><br /></p><p>Whether you're a rising leader, a seasoned professional, or simply navigating what it means to take up space in your own life, this conversation is filled with wisdom, warmth, and actionable insight.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>00:38 From Intern to CEO: Su Shan’s Early Days at DBS</p><p>02:04 When a “Demotion” Becomes a Turning Point</p><p>07:16 Facing Self-Doubt and Leading Through Discomfort</p><p>08:57 Learning to Command the Room with Confidence</p><p>12:02 Grounding Leadership in Customer-Centricity</p><p>14:08 How “WRECKOON” Shaped Her Perspective as a Leader</p><p>15:41 The One Leadership Skill That Will Define the Next Decade</p><p>17:57 The Best Investments Su Shan Has Made in Life</p><p>19:28 Q&A: Building Clarity and Communicating with Impact</p><p>21:07 Q&A: Finding the Right Mentors and Sponsors</p><p>23:59 Q&A: What It Really Takes to Build Great Teams</p><p>26:15 Final Reflections: What Leadership Means Today</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p>Follow Su Shan here:<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/tan-su-shan-50296732" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> linkedin.com/in/tan-su-shan-50296732</a></p><p><br /></p>

<p>What’s really going on inside the minds and hearts of today’s teenagers?</p><p><br /></p><p>In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr Cheryl Loh, one of Singapore’s leading adolescent psychiatrists and a mother to two teens, to explore the inner emotional world of adolescence: a time of searching, shaping, and often silent struggle.</p><p><br /></p><p>We unpack what teens are truly longing for, not just connection, but a deep sense of belonging, identity, and emotional safety. Dr Cheryl shares why so many adolescents turn to the digital world to cope, why shame is such a potent and often misunderstood force during these years, and how adults can begin to show up in ways that don’t just manage behaviour, but meet real emotional needs.</p><p><br /></p><p>What makes this conversation truly special is that it doesn’t stop at insight. Dr Cheryl offers practical, actionable ways for parents, caregivers, and educators to reconnect, rebuild trust, and offer teens the safe, anchored presence they may not know how to ask for.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>01:28 Dr Cheryl Loh on Championing Adolescent Mental Health in Singapore</p><p>04:24 Why Teen Mental Health Deserves More Attention</p><p>10:13 Are Our Teens Simply Misunderstood?</p><p>14:37 Parent Guilt, Anxious Parenting & the Pressure to Get It Right</p><p>17:33 Teens vs the Internet: Navigating Influence, Shame & Identity</p><p>22:37 How to Stay Present in Your Teen’s Life — Without Pushing Them Away</p><p>27:16 Seeing the Good: Shifting from Fixing to Connecting</p><p>30:03 What Increases the Risk of Mental Health Struggles in Adolescents?</p><p>34:36 The Role Educators & Schools Play in Teen Emotional Safety</p><p>37:55 The Social Media Trap: Why Teens Seek Validation Online</p><p>39:42 Showing Up for Your Teen & Playing the Long Game</p><p>44:17 Netflix’s Adolescence: When Emotional Needs Go Unmet</p><p>46:45 Why Healthy Parent-Teen Relationships Matter More Than Ever</p><p>48:53 Helping Teens Build an Inner Compass in a Noisy World</p><p>50:52 The Power of Good-Enough Parenting</p><p>52:57 What Gives Dr Cheryl Hope About This Generation</p><p>54:40 The Billboard Question: “Say Hello to Your Kid Today”</p><p>56:07 Episode Closing</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>You can book an appointment with Dr. Cheryl Loh at Garden Grove Clinic. Find out more here: <a href="https://gardengroveclinic.sg/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://gardengroveclinic.sg/about-us/</a></p>

<p>In this powerful episode, Wes Kao; co-founder of Maven and pioneer of cohort-based learning, joins us to explore what separates good leaders from great ones, and why intentional communication is at the heart of it all.</p><p><br /></p><p>We dive into everything from how to sharpen your judgment and make faster, better decisions, to why concise communication isn't just efficient, it's essential. Wes unpacks her signature concept of “avoiding negative inception” and shows how certain well-meaning phrases can actually sabotage your message and plant doubt.</p><p><br /></p><p>We also talk about how to turn worries into action, why owning your strengths is a quiet superpower, and what it looks like to challenge your own thoughts with intention. Wes shares her biggest leadership challenge to date, and how she learned to balance transparency with confidence, especially when leading through uncertainty.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you're a leader, creator, or communicator of any kind, this conversation is packed with tactical wisdom that will shift how you speak, lead, and show up.</p><p><br /></p><p>Topics we cover:</p><ul><li>The communication traps even smart leaders fall into</li><li>What it means to “incept negative ideas” and how to avoid it</li><li>Why saying less can help you lead more effectively</li><li>The underrated power of self-awareness and reframing</li><li>How to personalise your communication to truly connect</li><p><br /></p></ul><p>Tune in and learn how to lead not just with vision, but with voice.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>00:55 Wes Kao’s Passion for Education </p><p>02:08 Good vs Great Leadership: What Sets Them Apart?</p><p>04:12 How to Sharpen Your Judgement and Make Better Decisions </p><p>08:28 The Importance of Concise Communication </p><p>10:24 Stop Incepting Negative Ideas: How to Protect Your Message</p><p>14:41 Turning Your Worries Into Action </p><p>18:54 The Beauty of Owning Your Strengths </p><p>22:53 Saying ‘No’ to Unproductive Struggles </p><p>26:33 The Art of Challenging Your Own Thoughts </p><p>29:51 Wes Kao’s Biggest Leadership Challenge and Lessons Learned </p><p>31:59 Transparency vs. Confidence: Communication as Leaders </p><p>35:05 The Importance of Personalising Your Communication </p><p>36:25 Episode Closing </p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p>Follow Wes Kao here: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskao" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskao</a></p><p>Subscribe to her newsletter here: <a href="https://newsletter.weskao.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://newsletter.weskao.com/</a></p>

<p>After Leo’s episode, I was deeply moved by the messages that poured in, not just about his story, but about the unspoken weight many of you are carrying in your own lives. So many asked: How do you support someone you love when they’re struggling? How do you stay steady for them without losing yourself in the process?</p><p><br /></p><p>In this intimate solo episode, I share my personal experience; what it looked like to walk beside Leo during one of his hardest seasons. Not from a place of having it all figured out, but through the lens of the lessons it taught me.</p><p><br /></p><p>I open up about what helped, what didn’t, and the truths I had to learn the hard way; like not taking his withdrawal personally, listening to understand (not to fix), and continuing to show up with love, even when I felt emptied out.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you’re in that space right now, quietly holding it all together, I hope this conversation reminds you:</p><p>You are not alone. And you are allowed to be strong and tired at the same time 💛</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction: Why This Episode Matters</p><p>01:38 Q&A: Navigating Turbulent Seasons in Relationships</p><p>02:15 The Subtle Signs: Spotting Early Symptoms of Depression</p><p>05:16 Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability</p><p>09:25 How to Stay Resilient When There’s No Timeline</p><p>12:49 What Support Really Looks Like: Small Acts, Big Impact</p><p>16:29 My Own Breaking Point: Personal Struggles and Lessons</p><p>19:15 The Hardest Truths I Had to Learn</p><p>21:45 If I Could Speak to Her: A Heart-to-Heart With My Younger Self</p><p>26:45 Final Reflections & Closing</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here:<a href=" https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p>Listen to Leo's story here: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cfdJMK348KROmJzLJzKgo?si=iT5YgN0xRG6ATPEHFTvHjQ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cfdJMK348KROmJzLJzKgo?si=iT5YgN0xRG6ATPEHFTvHjQ</a></p>

<p>Leadership is more than just strategy; it’s about self-awareness, emotional mastery, and the ability to lead from a place of integrity and presence. In this special live session, renowned leadership coach Joyce Chen joins a room full of entrepreneurs for a deep, unfiltered conversation on what it truly means to lead with consciousness.</p><p><br /></p><p>This episode features four live coaching sessions, where Joyce guides participants through some of the most pressing leadership dilemmas:</p><p><br /></p><p>🔹 How to hold yourself and your team accountable using the Teach the Class method.</p><p>🔹 Navigating burnout and knowing when to take a break; is it a whole-body yes or time to realign?</p><p>🔹 Leading by example; how to teach the Above-Below the Line framework through role modeling.</p><p>🔹 Overcoming overwhelm and uncertainty; learning to trust your instincts while staying open to growth.</p><p><br /></p><p>Through raw, honest coaching and actionable insights, Joyce helps uncover the deeper patterns that shape how we lead and shows us how to shift into a more empowered, intentional way of showing up - both in business and in life.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>00:54 Understanding the ‘Above-Below the Line Framework’</p><p>03:42 Shifting from Contraction to Expansion </p><p>05:24 ‘Teaching The Class’ Method for Improved Accountability </p><p>12:00 ‘Whole Body Yes’ Framework: Navigating Burnout and Indecision </p><p>18:04 Role-modelling and Implementing Change as Leaders</p><p>20:41 The Importance of Joy and Celebrating Wins </p><p>24:55 Evaluating Progress from Above the Line / How to Know I’m Doing Things Right</p><p>26:46 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Rachel here:<a href=" https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Get connected with Joyce: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-chen-coach/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-chen-coach/</a></p>