Not Again Podcast

Having an album titled “Not all who wander are lost” seems to be an ironic title for the band Paint The Sky Red. Paint The Sky Red made up by four Malay guys Azman, Hakim, Yasser and Fahmi, talked a lot of revisiting their roots in their music and having their families with the journey with them. Recounting the genesis of the band, Paint the Sky Red tells the story of why the lack of a lead vocalist and how a band in Malaysia and one from Indonesia have helped them along the way. Selflessness seems to be the one thing that bind all of them together as everyone seems to be really excited with everyone's progress in the band, telling the story how they innovate with one another. The call for the tour is unexpected. The culture is different, there is no marketing done. Paint the Sky Red shares their adventure and misadventure in their China tour. From feeling like a rock star to comically scolding the idea of hard case their guitar and going to a football match in China. They made an impossible decision with their music career. Giggling like a bunch of primary school kids. The band shares the joys of having their partners with them. How they have supported them throughout the journey, from having an obsession to be better and even them involved. Time being spent with their family as priority and how the band has evolved in making the career decision in their life.   Quote:   I, I'm still freaking out. It's something I struggle with every day, actually. So for me, the band is something, I feel like a superhero, actually. Because I don't talk about my band to any of my friends, workplace people.  I like the idea that I'm someone More, that nobody knows. It helps me with my confidence. Because sometimes when we try to live up to others' expectations, and we struggle with that, and we might feel down and feel worthless.

It takes someone special to be in the cage and start fighting. “Kobra” Kai Xiong will be one such guy. Started at a young age, he talks about the life of MMA Fighter and why he had made that decision so early in his life. We nerd out on the evolution of old school MMA vs new age MMA. Kai Xiong shared the secrets of being a good MMA fighter and getting a good coach. He shares the university major to improve your Ju Jitsu game. We guys have the romantic dream about chasing one dream as a MMA fighter. He shares the horror stories in chasing a dream of being a pro-MMA Fighter Quote:   A good coach is just somebody who cares for you. Because if they care for you on a personal level with respect, like personal in the sense, like your individual progression rather than like the gym as a whole, then they will be able to, uh, see the things that you need specifically. Not just like a cookie cutter process to let everybody go through Because if somebody cares for you individually and they're able to identify your mistakes, your strengths, your weak points, right, then they can cater the way they coach or their instructions and whatever they want to teach or show you specifically to what will make you the best version of you.

Being dubbed as a Singapore's best boxer, Velvan Tan has sure been through some of the greatest challenge and forged his own path. Now reside as the head coach of Spartans Boxing Club, he reviews about the time when he first got started. The first time he talks about his dreams, the first interviews and now his first podcast. From being the head coach, he talks about his pet peeves as a gym coach and convincing people his capabilities as a coach while being in the youngest in the room. Martial artist and people who practiced combat sports always talk about the lessons learnt, the rise and the falls. When we talked about disappointments, I think Velvan is a good person to talk to about have his dream crushed and coming back. Having his expectations not going the way he intended and yet coming out and being the best at his craft and later his life. Velvan ended being very candid about his personal life. How he got to where he is today? The important lessons that he has learnt from his father and working to deal with the death of his mother. The important lesson here is Family.

Being named after another politician, it seems to be no surprise that our guest, Walid Jumblatt has started a podcast like Teh Tarik With Walid. Current based in one of the top university in Singapore, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Assistant Professor. Walid Jumblatt has always been interested in politics specifically politics in the South East Asian region. He explains the essence of Singapore modern politics and the pitfalls of not accepting the results of a democratic process when you don't agree with it. He recalls the time when having a chat with various prolific people on his podcast, the guests' response and how it has changed his world view. The fun part of being a podcaster is to be a “journalist”. We talked about difficult questions, the job of being part of the media scene and the outsiders of the mainstream media and not getting swooned with politicians Although the ideological differences, the thing that we can totally agree with is the power of freedom of speech.  Walid dissects the importance Freedom of Speech and Expression in the modern democratic society and explained the nuance of fairness on how the Government view fairness in society. What happens if people are offended by the idea of criticism of their own faith? Is criticism and questioning the prophet wrong according to Quran? Walid has explains his confidence in his Islamic faith.   One of his many hats, is to nurture the new generation. We discuss the difficulties and especially being the shaper of minds in a topic that can be divisive and what are the tools that he has tackling the issue. Teh Tark With Walid: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Q6mrga7xtAAFAeoMuzkAo?si=c12dc4231fad4e87

It is always fun to see her recollect her time when The Great Spy Experiment came together. From the time when she started frantic to the time playing with a consistent fan base on one of the biggest stages in the world. Although loving, life is not easy for her. She talks about the philosophy guiding her life and the excitement and jumping to the deep end. She discuss about knowing that one is loved no matter what happened. She tells the story of how she is leading with her life now working with conflict, the road stories and the dynamic of the band. Recalling some of the toughest times of her life: Magdalene opens up about being diagnosed with cancer, having to balance the chemotherapy and their gigs and the realities of being a caregiver to  medically complicated child and how that has led her to finding  new connections and passion over the years. Oh yeah she is the keyboardist not the singer. See them on Baybeats 2023: https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2023/baybeats/line-up/the-great-spy-experiment

Body Building is a lonely sport according to Abdillah Shah as he reveals on what body building means in this day and age as we went to a deep dive on what body building has become, going to the gym and how exercise should be seen as the top priority on being the solution of mental health problem Body Positivity is an ideology that always seems to pitted against the fitness industry and Abdillah explains why that wasn't the case. He explains on how body building competition works and how it has also evolved thoughout the years. He explains how inclusivity works in body building Nerds are going to be nerds. Abdillah Shah explains the diet of a body builder and how to know what food is good for you. He explains how the different muscle group works for the different sports and the science of doping.

I am very lucky to bee able to reach out to him and have a chat. He is very nice and I have always wanted to do follow up with him. I have tried to set up one when he fly back but things doesn't work out.  I am very lucky to be able too have the chat wth one of Singapore Greatest Bad ass and loveiest person, Jimmy Appudurai Chua Rest in Peace and Rock on Jimmy Appudurai Chua ================================================ Hey guys, this week I have an exciting time capsule of an episode with one of Singapore's Pioneer Blues Musicians, Jimmy Appudurai-Chua. He is the guitarist for many blues band like the Meltones, Motifs and notably Singapore's first blues band, the Stray Dogs.  In this episode, Jimmy shares his journey as a musician and the bands he has played in prior to the Stray Dogs, he recalls how the band got started and how he was involved and tells me was it was like being infamous for their popular single, ‘Freedom' that was banned in the country. He talks about lifestreams, the importance of sound in music and getting a sound man in the band. He explains the music industry and how performing for the different venues in Singapore and how bands find it difficult to find a stage for musicians. He recalls going to Newcastle, UK and meeting his music heroes, giving up the music and joining the photography scene. He tells me how he was broke in London and how he got a job in a photography factory, he shares his story of being promoted to head of a lab in two years before coming back to Singapore and gaining the confidence to go back to music.

“Tenacity” has to be the only perfect word to describe our guest, Rizal Van Geyzel.  Not just being funny and one of the important faces of the Malaysia's comedy scene, Rizal still counts his blessings even though he faces his biggest challenges yet. Once the proud owner of the first comedy club in Malaysia, Crackhouse Comedy Club KL, Rizal talked about his dreams of what Crackhouse Comedy Club in KL may be like. He talks about the origins and the problems that he had faced running the club. He was surprised in how the dreams had finally turned out for a little while before it got destroyed publicly under the reports of many blogs. Rizal found the answer to the philosophical “what is a comedian” after the case that le ad to the closure of Crackhouse. We discussed what will be the perfect end goal being an English-speaking stand-up comic. We talked about the secrets of going viral, the idea of being bitter and just being angry at success. He shares about finding your own voices and what his definition of success. How does one find being authentic to his truth self for a long business Malaysia Invasion Ticket Link: https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/23_myinvasion Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, from Malaysia, Rizal Van Geyzel.

Culinary world is not an easy world to be in. A lot of hard work and a lot of scepticism from the people that you feed. However, Damian D'Silvia who has been the face of the most misunderstood cuisine In Singapore, still insist cooking from the heart. Being more than just the celebrity chef who is the judge for Masterchef Singapore, Damian D'Silvia explains the historical context of his work, leading us in to the journey of peranakan culture. Looking back his previous lives, Damian shares his world and tells us how he stepped into it. What he means by at peace in this chaotic world. He fondly talks about his upbringing and the lesson on how to grow to be a better man.

Part of the appeal for Hip Hop is about proving street cred and being the greatest. No doubt Sheik Haikel is able to do that. Wearing many hats from being an actor to a radio jockey, the father of Rap music in South East Asia is candid and sincere this time round. Starting from the time of Army Daze, we break down what it meant to be woke. How a movie that was made in 1996 seems to made strides and prove to be timeless. Though jokes were crude, words were offensive in the current context, being woke is more than just censoring words but also giving stories for a character to flourish. Part of being the funny guy, being the guy who offends in the room of strangers seems to be inevitable. One of the biggest controversies that had happened to him. One of the things that made him who he is right now, has thought him an important lesson. The lesson of acknowledgement and the being responsible in what coming out of the mouth. We talked about the going through therapy. We talked about being the better version of oneself. Accepting compliments and what makes a good relationship. One's responsibility to one self before getting into a romantic relationship. He shares the secret on how he maintains a long marriage, the green flag in a relationship with everyone's doubt of him being the guy with the badass public persona. Dropping the persona and character is one that he always has trouble with, lessons he learnt in dropping the persona seems to be valuable. We are talking to Sheik Haikel, we have to talk about his rap music. He shares the reason of how it is a borrowed culture in South East Asia. He shares how it all started and the love of music. The mistaken identity of Gladys Knight & the Pips which also leads to his one of the biggest endorsement in his career, thus coming to full circle. The love of rap music got him to meet the guy who made Run DMC and the important lesson of being loyal to his people.

“It is all a lie!” is what he hear all the time when some found out his job. The rest is a captivating audience that left in awe. Jeremy Tan has been doing magic for most of his life and gaining success in captivating attention and awe. From his first job that is not magic related to stepping into live entertainment industry working with corporate shows and to working cruise ships. Jeremy shares how he got into it and how different it is working now. Not everyone like corporate show but it is the bread and butter for all entertainers. The Emcees, the musicians, the comics and of course the magicians as well. It is the path that we all have to take and Jeremy shows the secret to the trick into navigating his gigs and moving into a space that he wants to be in performance wise. He also pull and reveal what is the career end goal that a magician may look like. It is always a discussion if a certain entertainment craft is an art form. Now, we do have this in the context of magic. We talk about the idea of giving what the audience wants and do we as an artist be selfish and do what we do. Jeremy shares the idea of chasing your dream, especially of being such a niche career such as magician. Do you go head in with “no Plan B”? The advice given from a veteran magician. It will be silly talking to Jeremy without the social media side of things. After finding success with his TikTok, Jeremy shares how he got his viral video and tweaking his content. Of course capitalising on one's success in the media plays a part too and how?  Jeremy Tan TikTok: @jeremytanmagic

This is late due to technical difficulties and negligence but this is finally up! This is the highlights of year 2022. What a roller coaster ride. A change in pace and guests.  Episodes that got highlighted in this  Episode 173- Darryl Edmund Koh Episode 175- Ted Alexandro Episode 176- Jake Gonzales Episode 177- Muhamad Ridhwan (The Chosen Wan)  Episode 178- Mike Kasem Episode 179- Kelly Kimberly Cheong Episode 181- PJ Thum  Episode 182- Jing Yan Episode 183- Efasha (The Face) Harrison - Kamarudin Episode 184- Aisyah Rafa'ee (Aisyah Rower) Episode 185- Tony Chou Episode 186- Kumar Episode 187- David Tan (Electrico)  Episode 188- Andrea and Alvin (Choke Clinch Crank Combat) Episode 189- The Proper Paupers

Going on an adventure usually sounds like a fantasy that we have romanticised all the time, not to Yee Jia and Gracia, the people behind The Proper Paupers. The main goal, visiting all 50 States of the United States of America while living in a van. The Van Life as they call. Yee Jia and Gracia, recounted the many exciting stories and the treasured memories they created during the trip and the genesis of the trip. Going away for so long, one will ultimately wonder the financials of the trip and how does one sustain and being safe. Yee Jia and Gracia has shared the lessons learnt during the trip and the idea of having faith in not just your loved ones will lead to various surprises. Other questions revolve around the trip one may ask and having a sneak preview is all we ask for during the chat. Do they miss their cushy job? What may be their plans after? Where is the most impressive place they have been? What is their last destination? What is the one thing that kept their dreams and not travel the safe path that everyone else did? We all have that one friend that we don't travel with, the one that you will murder even though you love them. They shared what they have done to manage their relationship and how to plough through the mundane when things are getting slow during the trip. Does the things they realised and learnt from each other translate back to their own life what this is done and dusted? The depictions of there rural United States and the many things to expect in the fly over state of the US. One last question, will they do it again? Their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theproperpaupers

It is more than just a love letter to the community. It also tells the stories of people who are not just fighting but practising martial arts in Singapore. According to Andrea and Alvin, the authors of Choke Clinch Crank Combat. Being successful in their respective combat sports, Andrea and Alvin recounted the start of their journey as a martial artist and the journey they been through writing this book. Andrea shared the perspective of being a female martial artist and why people get into the sports they get into. Alvin recounted the history of martial arts in Singapore from the 1960s when its reputation from a violent history to where it is considered reputable today, eyes wide open in awe when mentioned being a martial artist. Sharing the stories, they managed to put together, Andrea and Alvin shares on reasons who they choose to feature on the Choke Clinch Crank Combat and not just the fighters in the scene. Of course, is it a martial arts or combat sports episode if it is not sharing gym stories and how martials arts are becoming more than just a lifestyle. The kind of people heading to the gym. We need to do 10 kinds of people meet at a martial arts gym soon.

From practicing in a shipment container to playing one of the biggest stages in the world to writing a song for National Day, a song which still celebrated by many as one of classics. Electrico has done it all. David Tan shares the genesis of Electrico (formerly known as The Electric Company). The band got together and how the shipment container about. It was a promising band and now looking back, David also looks at the mistake that he had made during his time in the band and how is the future of the band looking forward. After not being involved in the scene for so long, we looked at the social media game and how it has affected people consuming music or the media. David, not just from one of the OG indie pop bands in Singapore and being successful at what he is doing for his day job, tells the tales of the club scene as well. Sharing the genres of the music that is being loved by the club-goers. He shares the story of starting out as a broadcast journalist to behind the camera now as a day job. We share the appreciation to meet people, we never have a chance to meet or talk to. The advice he got when he started out to have shaped the decision, he made later in life is what everyone need to look into. We also share our experience as creative and content provider. I tell the story of being a digital marketing person and compare stories on both ends while creating adverts for social media and the traditional media. We need that photo of the band holding hands together walking down on the beach.

“It is not a dress but an oversized T-shirt” an answer to the police line of questioning may sound ridiculous but that seems to hold true to Kumar's early career. Dancing along the line of live entertainment performer to now a comedy cultural icon in Singapore, on the stage with the crowd's laughter, cheers and applause. Kumar's life trials and tribulations never seems to end and it is so well camouflage, hiding under the spotlight and sparkling dress of theirs. And the wisdom from the chat that I have with them seems to be like a waterfall. Peace as how Kumar defines quickly turns into what they care about, the idea of unconditional love that has formed their major values. Kumar's career seems to be dazzling right now and being regarded and icon and national treasure. The road on the path is not an easy one except knowing that being an entertainer is one. Kumar shares how the dress and the act becomes the “naughty thing” that people wanted to watch at night which propel their career and the different police encounters on the show. Drag and stand-up isn't the only thing that keep Kumar but having to be involved in the major milestone of Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (now Mediacorp) and in the pages of Singapore history books, The first Singapore produced show, The Ra Ra Show. Kumar recounted what had happened that lead to the cancellation of the show and clarified the mistake that everyone has regarding their involvement with the show being cancelled. Peppering may often use when describe someone sharing their wisdom in a chat but that doesn't seem to be the case this time round. From love to family to even seeking out life lessons, Kumar is like a parent. From a rough childhood, Kumar is still the glue to the family, the reason why the family is still tight. They talk about expectations, men's mental health and Singapore TikTok influencers. Learning that life lessons also mean learning them when the chance arrives and not rush to learn the lessons.

Somehow time has never fully unveiled the curtain of mystery in China. The difference between cultural remnants from the distillation of time to the new introduction of a similar events has never seems to be explained better by our guest for the day Tony Chou. Tony Chou, who has never seen without a fedora, has represented the stand-up comedy scene both internationally and locally in the state media. He explained cross-talk and how it different itself from stand-up comedy and double act. Stand-up comedy is being seen as the last bastion of free speech; it is also with the same reason that was being inevitably seen as the last thing to thrive in China walls of censorship. Tony has explained how stand-up comedy is thriving and gaining popularity among the people not just the younger generation. Comedy roast seems to have taken a special position in Chinese hearts. Given the insights, Tony explains how to strike a balance when it comes to roasts. Celebrities were not spared and behind the scenes on what is really going on and how it became like a PR move by the Chinese Entertainment industry. Chinese entertainment is never without the Chinese social media. Outsiders like us thought that Dou Yin (Chinese version of TikTok) and WeiBo (Chinese TikTok) is the only few Chinese social media companies. Tony explained the difference between the social media companies, the stereotype and the usage for all. Tony further explain on how content creation works and of course Be a China Influencer 101. I think I need a xiaohongshu account now.

To be an Olympian is never an easy feat. Aisyah Rafa'ee (or fondly known as Aisyah Rower) has not just able to be in the top game and then retire and venture into helping people with their athletic career as a mental skills coach for athletes. Asking an athlete to retire at the top of her game is never easy for it is like dropping one's identity which comes later with existential dread and Aisyah explains how she dealt with everything that comes in her way when she announced her decision. To be a mental wellness coach seems like an easy coach for her as she reveals how she has learnt from her own life and the mental capabilities that she got to be on top of her game and then retire from it while she being on the top. All the challenges that faced both to Singapore athletics and athletics out of Singapore that make us look so similar. After moving out of Singapore, challenges bound to happen. Emotional lessons that she has learnt when moving out of her home and being the representation of her people where she is from. Representation was never easy; especially if it is under a spotlight like major international games such as Olympics. She reveals the pressure that one athlete has wearing the country flag on their shoulder on top of performing well in their sports when I brought up Joseph Schooling's situation. She reveals who she has looked up to in during her qualifiers and her prep into getting the representation. We never knew what happens in one's life. We were to tell what we want to be when we are 7 and we never have thought her ambition may be. She has reached her ambition and Aisyah reveals her peeves while questions the reasoning behind the whole education system when it comes to physical education in Singapore. Man getting into Olympics is not easy feat as one may think.

We all have our favourite fighter, our favourite boxer. Canelo, Mike Tyson and Muhammed Ali. Fash  The Face has to be one of them somewhere in the Singapore Boxing Scene. Especially being the core building blocks for the female boxing team in Singapore Boxing Federation. After announcing turning from a pro-boxer back to amateur boxing (or Olympic-style Boxing), many were baffled with her decision. Fash has come to the terms with it and explains the decision why she has done it so. She explains why it is not an easy decision to make, how the decision has cause a struggle with her existential crisis and fear with having a bond with her husband. We all do talk about the plan in the future both personal and her work life whether boxing will be part of the system. Her competitiveness may have given her a foot into the world of boxing and martial arts, which also may become her downfall as she fell in love with videogames. She explains how it became unhealthy for her to play videogames and finally understands why when someone tells her that they are a gamer. We share the love for our favourite games. She is now turning into amateur boxing. She has to change the way she fights and thus her trainer has to change too. From her husband, to the national team boxer, Ridhwan (The Chosen Wan), the dynamic changes. We discuss the pride and joy of wearing the nation's flag on a major international event but of course the caution that she has with the responsibility of representing Singapore on the international stage.

It is always rare when people have faith with your work and most of the time it leads to friendships that you never thought it will happen. This is the case with the guest for this week, Jing Yan and I. Having very similar values when it comes to narrative and creation of content, Jing Yan is the guy that I will entrust behind the camera. He shares his experience on what is it like behind the camera and what is happening in the industry. Sharing and updating the news of Singapore Pop culture and answer the question that bugs no one's mind, “Who is Jeff Ng?” He tells the story of how the local bosses work when it comes to content  in a general sense. We talked about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), phase 4. (This episode is recorded before Thor: Love and Thunder therefore time to see our prediction.) There are many times we check out what is the film language about and the beef that we have for Batman and the unpopular opinion on the movie Joker.  We are hustlers and I think Jing Yan has fully proved that with his history on the focus of producing videos on YouTube as a content creator and his nurturing spirit that he has with the influencers under his care. What is a good movie chat if we end up don't talk about paying homages when it comes to movie. Quentin Tarantino did that in his movies, Taiwan movies looking back at the 60s and 70s. Jing Yan provide what maybe like for Singapore movie to pay homages when it look back into what it means to be nostalgia. Of course the rant that he has with the current workings of the new video arcades which is a children casino for the elderly.

If there is a word to describe PJ Thum, I think “Brave” is a good word to use. He has done feats that a lot of people have never considered possible.  The first Singaporean to swim past the English Channel and being an Olympian in 1996. Tapping into his life as a historian, he had a podcast titled The History of Singapore . Giving insights to the story of history and politics of Singapore which makes me wonder the beauty and the drama behind Singapore history.  Fighting the good fight and doing the right thing  is in the bones of PJ Thum which inevitably pushes him to be public enemy number one. He has gotten academically blacklisted for doing his job and too getting escorted to the police station for interrogation for political allegations. He explains the process of how a research takes place. The perspective of a historian looking at a source and where the funding comes from. He tells his experience of his arrest and interrogation. What step he took to prepare for the arrest.  He is made to be who he is, he claims. He supported his claims and looked back to his life and of course we delved quite a bit with education, sports, his childhood. After discussing the idea of Freedom of Speech with the limitations and why we need the Freedom of Speech and our boundaries with it. 

Finally! A long awaited episode! Just to give a bit of context, this episode was recorded in late 2021 and thus news in this episode is not up to date. Please check the latest updates with your The Capital City of Love, Paris has lots to offer and Khaldoun Hosni is one of them. He tells the long tales of the stand-up comedy happenings in the City of Love and how the comedy has opened up during the pandemic. He showed me the door way to the sense of humour We have our complains with the pandemics and we have our fun talking about people reactions. But being from the City of Love, Khaldoun Hosni does talked about doing the wedding during the pandemic and how it is a sign of God. One thing that Khaldouni has firm belief in not quitting his day job for his passion, comedy and it is not for a heckler. He shares why the belief and finally talking about growing up in Paris and the whole stereotypes of growing up in Paris, France. He of course tells why growing up in Paris is the best.

Kelly Kimberly Cheong is someone that you will not mess with. Arming herself with the knowledge of various martial arts, she describe the issues and boundaries that she has which sets as obstacles to start having her dream of that one fight. Not having the easiest childhood, Kelly shares the wisdom that she has gained over the years while we struggle to go back and discuss that one martial arts. The one martial arts that we try to agree with. With her experience, we talk about what does self defence mean to any of us and the fights that we have during our pubescent years. How martial arts shape our way with how we interact with our way. Man, getting punched in the face in the ring still easier talking to many people Kelly! She started her acting career in Ah Girls Go Army. We talked a bit about it, of course the taboo subject of that I have started to dance around. The question of it not being good and she explains the faith that she has with the movie. She describes working in the movie set and the challenges that she faced (yeah we do talk about the challenges hehe). Like every Not Again Podcast, we talked about growing up and dealing with childhood of a traditional Christian mother. She shares about meeting her father again when she was older and learning how to deal with mental health with the passing of her mother.

We all want to make our parents proud and I think that Mike Kasem is able to do that. Coming from a family who is synonymous with show business and the kindness that not many people sees anymore. Mike Kasem has opened up the door in to the personal life of the Kasem family and tells the stories from beginning of his own career to having starting a beautiful family in Singapore and picking up sports.  Some how being a radio jockey or the entertainment business wasn't his choice of career and while he manage to find a career in there, we talked about our “existential crisis” in doing what we love. We related to each other with the discussion on filling up our father's major shadow and even outshine it.  Freedom of Speech is the one that we stood for. Freedom of speech is our bread and butter and how cancel culture is really prominent from the position that he is. He is from a different culture after all. Growing up in a different place, different culture. Humour may not translate well and I think Mike Kasem has used the best of his anecdote and vocabulary to explain being misunderstood accidentally. Zionks!  Of course for added content, we talked about sports and beating the ball through the air with a rod and getting punched in the face. Why do we do them?

There is a saying “Getting to the top is not easy, staying there is more difficult”. The life of Ridhwan (The Chosen Wan) has encapsulated the meaning of that quote. Not just being the face of his own gym, Legends Fight Sport; his experience and involvement in the Singapore Boxing Scene has him the responsibility of the representation of what good boxing in Singapore is like. He explained the workings of the Singapore Boxing and the highs and lows of the boxing scene in Singapore. He revealed how fight styles reveal the fighter's history and his envision of the future of Legends Fight Sport will be like for him Ridhwan doesn't have an easy childhood. Having a career in sports in Singapore is not an easy feat to. He revealed what is it like to be at the top of the food chain, working hard, mistakes that he has made in being with the words and falsehood directed from the masses. He recalls how he had started boxing and realise what he has gone through to make him who he is today. The sacrifices that he had made, the position on where he is right now in life and how to take everything in stride. Role models are common but unexpected from the world of boxing. The words of inspirations from Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. The rise, fall and the phoenix returns from scattered ashes of their boxing careers like George Foreman and Roberto Duran. Ridhwan reveals the unlikely story of how he had gotten back to school. He retells the strategic moves that he had made in his boxing career as a pro boxer and the real story of betrayal that wasn't covered by the mainstream media. Regrets are inevitable in life. Some of them are caused by the decision one's made and some not so much. Ridhwan, The Chosen Wan has revealed some of them and the lessons he had learnt to live with the regrets.   BE HuMBle BrO!

It is only appropriate to have Jake Gonzales on Not Again Podcast as he is one of the guys I find has a wealth of knowledge and people I have a lot of respect. Man, he has lots of stories, tips and tricks to share even outside of my boxing life. Spending a significant portion of his life till now, both the practical, academic and mentoring pursuit of fitness, Jake is really generous when it comes to sharing his knowledge and getting better in the knowledge of physical training. We went through the different definitions of power and strength and our favourite gym bro science. What makes Jake stands out is, he is more than just a trainer but he is also a combat sports coach. He prove that by going into a deeper technical analysis on my fight style and discuss why and how the stereotype of my body shape influence on how other coaches will start to train even though it may not be the best way according to fighter. Jake weigh in on what is the balance on being a good coach and what is the most important thing of between a coach and fighter relationship. We also talk about the sparring etiquette and the dangers of combat sports, telling the story of having to deal with the blow of the death of his sparring part. Of course he also reveal the boxing business in Singapore after being so intimate in the boxing scene after so long. We reviewed what boxing had done to our lives, what it meant and how it became such an identity that we hold on to. We have try to decipher the future of our boxing careers and how goals have evolved from what we had set for ourselves. We have our own dreams and then knowing our strengths and our weakness to carve our dreams accordingly. He too shares his dreams and being involved in the early few matches of ONE. Of course we try to understand working in the system and trying to do something we love.

To survive in show business is not an easy feat but to be part of the guys who influenced the comedy worldview of the next generation, Ted Alexandro seems to be able to do just that. Ted Alexandro reveals the nature of the beast and finds zen in doing so is amazing to me. Here is this thing, I am surprised how Ted is growing up and he taught me more about relationship with different people and how to maintain a healthy one. Especially a working relationship in the world of show business. We talked a bit in getting therapy, figuring out how one is and the expectation of therapy. Ted also telling personally stories in how to say “No”, having boundaries and not to be the responsible ones. He does talked about being the responsible one how it has influenced the decision that he made in life thus getting to be the guy who he is today. Realising he has many lives before being a stand up comic and then brining it in to his current life and made a really web series “Teachers Lounge” shows him with a man of many talents. Telling many stories of how he and Hollis James write, pitch and then getting the actors for his show while maintaining the show as a stand up comedians' sit-com. Stories like getting Michael Che and Alec Baldwin to be part of the show and many of our favourite comedians such as Todd Barry, Lewis Black and Dave Attell seems to be a big bonus. Hollis James and him decided to go independent for “Teachers Lounge” and Ted Alexandro explains why.

This is a tribute episode for Jonathan Atherton.  Rest In Peace.  ========================================== Crazy is an understatement when finding words to describe Jonathan Atherton's life. A globe trotter, Jonathan has travel to many countries and finding means to survive. From selling female shoes to petrol to comedy, Jonathan has pretty much did it all.  Jon shares the various stories where he shared secrets to pass through borders and making money in Africa. He recounted how he started his comedy career which also prompted him to started the South East Asia Comedy Scene thus created mentored many successful standup comedy in that region.  We analyse his favourite joke and gave many tips on joke writing. He tells me his utopia in Australia and how much he love living in Byron Bay. Of course get that wine to talk to him!

We have a saucy one this week. Dr Martha Lee, Singapore first Sexologist approached me and we talked about the idea of sex. Talking about it seems to be as difficult and important having sex and Dr Martha Lee have prove this with us. I am curious about who looks for her and the common problem that people face when talking about sex. Here is this problem that I have raised about how is the impact of one individual self able to change the whole conversation about sex. We talk about having the idea of consent in starting the whole conversation about sex. Dr Martha Lee has been very honest about how being vulnerable one has to be to take on the job of being a sexologist and how it entails. She shared the traumatic experience in dealing with internet trolls when she has to be open, what can of worms it had opened up. She also shared about healing from traumatic experience, how sex is a symptom of something bigger. She opened up her childhood and how it shaped her who she is today.

Finally, after long awaited months, Darryl Edmund Kho has finally appeared in Not Again Podcast. Being the elite and exclusive few to be involved in Singapore Pro Boxing, Darryl breaks down on what is it like to be in the club and what is it like to be in the chosen few to become a pro boxer in Singapore. He talks about the what goes through in his head before his fight and his journey to choosing boxing as his thing then become a pro boxer in Singapore. We talked about the different titles that one can has and talked about the decision in going into pro boxing at a late stage in his life. He weighed in on celebrity boxing and choosing the right gym. Of course, we talked about the process of choosing the right song entrance and how entrance music marks the stage of your boxing career. Does he listen to the corner man and his view on style makes fight. He kinda explain how he had lost interest in getting into street fight or even has the fantasy. He shares what is it like to be in the street fight and how does it usually end (which blows my mind). His attitude towards seeing his friends always makes me chuckle and how he usually manage to diffuse the alpha in the bar and becomes friends at the end of the night when he goes to have a couple of drinks in his friends. We breaks down on why do men in their mid-thirties still react the way in wanting to getting into a street fight after he tells the story on how he almost get into a fight.

It had been a while since the last update. We have went over the new year mark. It is the first episode for Not Again Podcast. What had happened? Gary Tan finally breaks silence on what had happened. He looked back the last year and reflects what had he done (obviously not much) and how he had left his job that he had gotten in the same month.  Oh yeah he still thinks about the golden retrievers he met at his last work place.  Why is the description in third person? New Year New Me.

I ramble about Mariah Carey with George Michael coming out of their caves singing Christmas Song. I talked about getting a job and how exciting and weird out for me as getting a corporate job doesn't seem to be in my blood.

Andre King is a person with many talents. He is a comedian that has travelled all over Earth and been a voice over to many of advertisements and cartoon character, some that we “hate” in our childhood, because we want the good guys to win. Cartoon is a big thing for Andre. We talked about our favourite cartoons. He shares his love and how the writing in that medium works and how a show is able to stay relevant with a changing rotation of writing staff. Of course, we talked about joke writing and he told me the difference when it comes to joke writing and being strict about word economy. He predicted streaming gigs are here to stay and giving tips and tricks to stay relevant. We talked a bit about the news and how the whole pandemic has kind of evolve the whole New Zealand comedy scene and his reminisce travelling around the world doing comedy and his time in Singapore. He while describing how he worked also shares how everything has come full circle and how he went back to New Zealand. Did I mentioned that Andre King is a multi-talented man. That includes the man of secrets as well. He tells the tales of the jobs that he had which includes a military man, almost got into pride fighting championship and a job that got him into a  work of secrecy. Disclaimer: Before we start, this is not a journalistic podcast and not a current podcast. Whatever we talk about when it comes to the pandemic is not accurate and on time anymore. Please do not take any information on this podcast about anything on face value

This is really late. Man. I talked about going to counselling and doing therapy to handle my mental health for the first time. I talked about boxing and sparring and my milestone to be a boxer.  Live comedy show: https://theprojector.sg/films-and-events/the-projector-presents-comedy-night/

Laurie Kilmartin's name is synonym to the word funny and been involved in iconic standup comedy driven shows such as Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and a monologue writer for Conan O'Brien. She has a special “45 Jokes About My Dead Dad” is the one that I get to know her from. She tells the story of she got it into recording, having the show to be released in Seeso with her own effort and what she thought about the emotional side of chasing a dream of being a comic. Writing monologue for Conan O'Brien and be able to involved with a very iconic standup comedy driven- panel show is also considered to be a very wild dream for many. She told us how she got involved and sharing stories working in both wildly different shows when it comes to structure. She shares the work in writing for Conan and how internet has changed the work for many writers. I am wondering about the amount of late night talk shows and how politics has become a staple and the also the many reasons why late night talk show format has become stale. Of course, we share the same distrust with motivational speaker. Corset: https://open.spotify.com/album/2pTjU2Q6XvGl6oeqcgSKJ5?si=iJf50GWEQy2Xqwcb0Q-bHw

In this episode, I gave a few shoutout to the shows that may happen. I talked about people leaving and prepping for the shows that are going to happen in November and about another job interview story.

“Jack of all trades” is what comes into mind if I need to describe our guest this week, Red Ollero. He was a writer in his previous life before becoming a standup comic, a movie script writer, a wrestler and now a comic book writer based in Manila, Philippines. He tells the story of how he became who he is today, from a climbing the corporate ladder, 9 to 5 worker to now chasing the dreams that he had when he was younger. Inevitably, Plan B or exit strategy is what will be discussed. Red Ollero justified the reasons of having one and what it meant to have a Plan B, going on the safe route. So who has set the seed in Red's mind to let him chase the dream? Red's shares the comic who has went viral online become the term “Viral online” was coined to be defined by what it meant in this day and age. Looking at the history humour in South East Asia, LGBT representation is a concept that Red tries to dissect what it meant in the Philippines media after pitching movies. I did a comparison with the representation to Singapore since we share a very similar root in the history of humour or live comedy and Red shared how hard the comics in the Philippines has worked to evolve the comedy scene to what it had been today. Comedy business is still a business and Red shares about how he deals with clients to strike a balance to have the longevity of his career, his work and having the artist's integrity of being a stand up comic while sharing stories performing on stage being called a fascist and what it meant to be a comedian for him. Commitment is another great trait that Red has to be known for. He gleefully describing his wrestling career and how he had started. Telling the story from being the ground up and getting the plot twisting story when he tries to flyer out his first wrestling event understanding the idea of what hustling means and closing the circle of what chasing of dreams and passion.

It had been a long while since I have uploaded an episode. So I talked about the hiatus and why it took such a long time. I looked back at the time that I worked with my work partner for the last 2 years and why she left. I talked about the job interview that I had that sound really shady and the old lady who offered a job. 

Jaret Reddick is responsible for the band, Bowling For Soup which has defined a generation, growing up with songs like 1985, High School Never Ends, Almost and Girl All The Bad Guys Want. We talked about meeting our heroes and working with them. Been touring since he was a lot younger, he shares the new game of using online methods and social media to share his work while we are on the topic of opening up on social media and knowing someone before even meeting them face to face. He shares a fun story about meeting a fan that he had not met catching up with him. Of course, we talked about the physical copy of thing and while doing an online thing and quality of art vs marketing. I think I have solved the mystery of 1985 and how it was more than just a cover song and how writing a song can be a test of time and playing it can be meant differently at the stage of life when one plays. Jaret and I discuss about sad songs and emotions are essential to bring everyone together and not just being happy is the only thing that we can bring on the table as artists especially with the whole 2020 thing that had happened. Jaret explains the difference having depression and anxiety from being just sad which as ironic as it sounds coming from what kind of a child he is when he grew up. Out of this whole ordeal, Jaret has learnt how to managed his responsibilities after how the former bass player of Bowling for Soup, Erik Chandler has reminded him to do so. We talk about being on hindsight and trying to manage on the idea of happiness. Of course, Stacy's Mum is in the house. He explained how it got confused to be a Bowling for Soup song and how working with the late Adam Schlesinger is like before he got took out by the virus. Jaret also explains the thing that he had learnt from Adam by what it meant by “writing from the heart” and “No rules in song writing”. While being honest on stage, We talked about juggling the emotions on stage and not just being sad on stage. GO MEET YOUR HEROES!

I finally got a job interview and I talked about getting one. I talked about major events that happen and being excited with the guest for this coming week.

Papi Zak has been considered one of the guys with the most diverse skill set in his own blend of stand up comedy and his name has been synonyms with the one that everyone looks up to. We have been trying to figure out. With the backing of experience from being a former Radio Jockey of Hitz fm, we have dissect on our various art scene and how we get to have our fanbase or our target audience and address my disdain of Tiktok and the resentment of music of the younger generation. Being a veteran in Malaysia's showbiz, Papi Zak dissect the woes of censorship hoops that one has to hop through and while we address the fact that it had been cyclic. We are surprised that how a well respected former movie icon, P. Ramlee in the 1950s can get away with themes in the era that cannot get away in this day and age without getting cancelled in Malaysia. We also still trying to find out what is the future of media, independent or the mainstream and which is easier to come up with content that is relevant.  Papi Zak has a unique upbringing while looking back, he reminisce the days he had during his childhood while learning how to deal with the racism that he had come across when he was in a foreign land. With his childhood, he talks about the idea of leaving and how the awkward interactions that he had with his friends when he has an attractive sister. 

This week is a crazy emotional rollacoaster ride. I tells you the story of happiness of a wedding and the grief of a dead friend over the week. I too end up chatting about the story of my job interviews. 

This time I have a friend Keren Bala Devan checking in In My Head. We talk about crazy news after I am getting jealous with the chocolate bar that keren get after getting his vaccination. We talk about some feel good news.  https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/martha-tucker-dream-wedding-dress/ https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nintendo-starlight-gaming-station-hospitals-kids/   

This is a repost and a tribute to Lynn Ruth Miller.  Lynn Ruth Miller has been around for sometime to be called the oldest female comedian. She and I have a good chat we do talk about eating issues and how she fought anorexia.  We delve into her personal life and she mentioned about her abusive husband and how she managed to take a trip after escaping away from him. She shares stories and escapades and sharing her wisdom with the MeToo movement. Of course she does drops her wisdom in finding happiness

When we talk about Singapore music scene, Jack Ho is a name that will be frequently be raised. The other half of Jack and Rai, Jack has been the one with lots of energy and be involved with lots of other projects along side with Rai. Jack tells me how he juggled with all the projects and how grateful with the people around him. He relates to the people who has been working for their craft while having a day job. Being in the music industry for so long, Jack shares the jargon, terms in the music legality, what specific terms meant in the world of the record company. He also come clean on what can and cannot do when you sign with a label which he also weighs the terms of being signed on a record label and being a free agent. He had a job that he had before embarking his music career. A job that is full of nostalgia and while looking back, we managed to reach the audiophile in him. We talk about touching the sleeves and many different ways to listen to music. I think with his day job that he had, he showed the appreciation of a working or struggling artists. Artists to have a day job and working to keep their art a float. He reminisces the memories that he had alongside with Rai to have their first full length album out in the market. He talked about the work that they had done and breaks down the hustle that they had done when their first full album is out.

This week! I ramble about fitness and how it had became like a full time job for being healthy. I went on talking about meeting a friend for dinner and having a conversation talking about how a driver ends conversations and how we I deal with a conversation about privilege with a passenger of mine Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code NOTAGAIN at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week, we talk to Singapore freelance journalist and activist, Kirsten Han! She opens up a bit about her childhood, how she went from film school to a career in journalism and activism as we share our experiences and the realities of working in this field. We discuss the balance between compelling storytelling and ensuring the work produced is credible and substantial while ensuring the best representation. We review the importance of media literacy and how it's produced and made, how the different kind roles in journalism come together to create the story and some insight into how the newsroom works. She shares her views on objectivity in journalism, the difference between smaller independent news source and large established newsrooms, and the day-to-day struggles that journalist face. We discuss our obsession with American news as a nation, the fear of repercussions for speaking out mind and the concept of free-speech. She breaks down how wide the scope of the laws are, alternatives to dealing with harm without resorting to implementing new policies and the importance of ensuring that both the people and government keep each other in check. She shares the progress she has seen in Singapore over the years, her thoughts on Singaporean's behaviour during the recent elections and the kind of nation she strives to work towards. She talks about the Singapore's' constitution, how to make it more accessible to the citizens and draw better awareness to the rights available.

It had been a while since I have last updated. I talked about people getting in touch and how it is a nice foreign feeling to have. The gratitude that I have with the guest and people who listen to this. I did an update with the Bulgarian guys that I had a more long term gig and somehow I relate to the feeling of being walked away. I ended with 2 stories about a guy who sympathized cab drivers in Singapore and the girl with the part time degree. 

Sivadorai Sellakannu or Rai, one of the local music duo Jack & Rai, is a veteran and a swiss-army knife kind of guy in the media scene in Singapore. Rai had seen the rise of beatboxing in Singapore and how the trend went on in Singapore and morphed into what it had been today while we try to figure out how the community get together and be what it is today. We broke down the trends in music scenes and discussed what we meant when a band is evolving after Rai had explained the difference of hip hop and rap music. Rai had explained what it meant to be sincere and genuine when it comes to his art and what is it like to try to replicate consciously. We talked about the mundane and how it inspired him to do what he can do. He went on talking about the work he had done in his past life, being a school teacher. He went on sharing me the secrets of being a teacher and how it led him to take an ongoing sabbatical which lead him to his current career. Being involved in so many different form of media, him currently being the host and narrator of a current affairs show “The Talking Point”, we talked about being skeptical and thinking critically while discussing our favourite conspiracy theories and what we think the local media had done right in doing shows with a greater temptation in to showing one's political leaning. Rai also shares his mother's parenting tip and how the structure got him to where he is right now

Hey guys, this week I have a great talk with one of Singapore's own Pro-wrestler Da Butcherman, Danial Alias. In this week, he shares how he develops his wrestling character over the years, how different he is from his wrestling personality and how he was also influenced by Cookie monster. He shares some insights on the mental work it takes behind the scene, we discuss his journey with trying different diets and how he tried the vegan diet. We discuss trying out boxing, how subtly exhausting some simple techniques and our interest in trying out different martial arts like BJJ. We discuss the recent drama of online influencers, comparing the tactics of Mohammad Ali and Jack Paul, we break down the importance of personal branding today. He shares more on his personal life: how his parents have influenced him to be the man he is today, how he might raise his own kids one day and his childhood growing up when he was constantly on the move with the family. He shared his experience going back to Singapore, finding his independence during national service and finally settling down and making a home in the country. He shares how he got his job as a first aid trainer right after national service, why he loves his job despite the mundane nature of the job and he shares his busy travelling schedule as a pro-wrestler. He shares the realities of being a pro-wrestler in Singapore, we discuss dealing with our own expectations of the different art scenes and trying to make a career out of our dreams.

Dani "Destroyer" Dharma was a very different kid in school when he was younger. He opens up to being bullied in school and why it became like the reason why he went on to be a body builder. We share a bond in getting bullied and see why do we get bullied back when we are younger. While being on the topic of getting bullied, we try to discuss the boundary of fat shaming and looking at the different views of fat shaming while understanding why it is not healthy at both sides.  Of course as a bodybuilder and being into so much as into fitness industry, he talks about diets and he experience in the fitness industry. He compares to the different jobs that we have while trying to find the balance of the mentality of payoff and work expectation from employer. He brings the experience of the different work place and in the find the reason of getting the right work.