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Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, looks at whether a ceasefire agreed between Thailand and Cambodia, brokered by the US and Malaysia, will pass muster as military delegations meet today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, and foreign editor, Alexis Self, discuss France and Germany’s dissent to the EU-US trade deal, calling it an act of “submission”. Plus: Japanese pictograms take London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the “gifts to reduce the public debt” website causes a stir in the US with a new payment method, Monocle’s in-house team joins to discuss splitting the bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Deadly escalations at the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border fuel fears that violence could spill into a broader conflict. Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, has the latest from Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s associate editor of design and fashion, Grace Charlton, muses on the importance of enjoying good design rather than the performance of merely owning it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To celebrate the release of Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey 2025, we record a special edition of the programme in association with Brookfield from the rooftop of their smart new offices in Mayfair, London. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Israel strikes Syria’s Druze city Suwayda overnight. New Zealand eyes international students spurned by the US and Australia. Plus: Monocle’s ‘Mediterraneo’ and the Emmy nominations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is such a special episode because, for the first time ever, I'm interviewing an author about their book, because it's one of my favorite books! Gingko Season by Naomi Xu Elegant is a story about a young woman, Penelope Lin, who is moving through the world after her first big heartbreak and discovering herself while on the cusp between young adulthood and adulthood. The depiction of this time of life is just one of the things I loved about this book, and I was thrilled to be able to discuss it with Naomi!Naomi Xu Elegant is a freelance journalist and the author of the novel Gingko Season. She lives in New York. Naomi's writing has appeared in Monocle, Fortune, Atlas Obscura, Nikkei Asia, The Drift, and elsewhere. She is co-editor of Gully, an independent literary magazine, and she writes a monthly Substack called Luanqibazao.I would love for you to read Gingko Season, check out this review from the New York Times!Our drink this week is a Lychee Martini, which is featured in the book. As I found out during our discussion, including these martinis was an Easter egg for Naomi's mom, because they're her favorite cocktail. I asked if she'd be willing to share the recipe with us as a special addition to the episode, and she did! She said the secret is to blend whole lychees and lychee juice together, then strain the mixture through a sieve to get that lovely, milky color.Lychee Martini Recipe2 oz. vodka2 oz. lychee juiceShake in a cocktail shaker over ice.Serve neat in a cocktail glass.Garnish with a whole lychee (optional)Naomi's mom's tip: Blend whole lychees with lychee juice (both canned), then strain through a sieve to get your juice. The blended fruit gives it that lovely, clouded look.You can also add a bit of citrus or a dash of dry vermouth—lychee martinis are meant for everyone!In This EpisodeGarden State FilmFriday I'm In Love - Phoebe Bridgers CoverNapoleon FilmFoot Binding HistoryMiddlemarch by George EliotIn Search of Lost Time by Marcel ProustKazou IshiguroSally RooneyElena FerranteA Feather on the Breath of God by Sigrid NunezThe Sympathizer by Viet Thanh NguyenThe Candy House by Jennifer EganNaomi's Substack
Her podcast, ‘The Weirdo’, has attracted millions of particularly younger Chinese listeners. She speaks with Monocle’s Chris Cermak about differing perceptions of politics in China, Europe and the West.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re heading to Lille in northern France, where the cobbled streets, vibrant markets and historic architecture showcase a unique blend of French and Flemish culture. Here, Monocle’s Flynn Symonds takes us on a tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
David Bodanis and Terry Stiastny join Emma Nelson to discuss the week’s news. We celebrate 10 years of The Monocle Shop in Merano and hear updates from Zürich and Helsinki. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We speak with WeTransfer’s co-founder Damian Bradfield about his new book. Then: David Shaftel from ‘Open Tennis’, Harry Nuriev’s installation celebrating 25 years of 032c and Telekom Electronic Beats. Plus: ‘The Monocle Companion’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could the circular economy be the answer to climate change? Monocle’s correspondent in New Delhi, Lyndee Prickitt, meets India’s foremost expert on the circular economy, Shalini Goyal Bhalla. She is the managing director of think-tank International Council for Circular Economy and has written books on the subject. She tells us about the opportunities that moving towards a circular model would provide for business and innovation, as well as the planet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs reports from Los Angeles, where wildfires devastated communities earlier this year. He meets the brothers behind Crest Real Estate, a property firm taking a thoughtful approach to help the city recover.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s in-house edition regales us with tales from the ‘Monocle Mediterraneo’ newspaper, including Corsica’s independence movement and a visit to the Greek island of Hydra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former chef Amelia Christie-Miller has long been obsessed with brands that have the power to shape consumer behaviour. In 2021 she created Bold Bean Co to change the perception of beans, encouraging people to see them as more than a mere pantry ingredient. In this conversation with Monocle’s Tom Edwards, Christie-Miller discusses how she disrupted the food industry by shifting age-old narratives – through everything from her product and marketing strategy to workplace culture – and converted fatigued consumers into loyal customers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fernando Augusto Pacheco picks the songs of the Mediterranean summer, from the beach bars of Bodrum to the sweaty clubs of Ibiza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We get the latest from Monocle’s Tokyo bureau chief, Fiona Wilson, as Japan looks to placate Donald Trump on trade and tariffs – without buying American rice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Israel agrees to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza – but will Hamas? Vietnam halves its cities, France bans smoking at the beach, Monocle’s Tyler Brûlé on our Quality of Life Survey and Brazil’s singing ambassador.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the podcast, I am joined by Andreas Tzortzis, a former journalist who has written for the likes of Newsweek, Monocle, and The New York Times. For the last 15 years, he's worked in brand strategy and storytelling at places like Red Bull and Apple, and for clients through his consultancy, Hella. He recently co-authored the book, Not a Playbook: The Art of Building a Brand, with Damien Bradfield, the co-founder of WeTransfer. In this episode, we chat all about how brands can grow without sacrificing their integrity, prioritising creativity and trust to build brands that will stand the test of time. I really hope you enjoy the episode and come let me know what you think. You can find me on Instagram at @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast. Key Takeaways A Brand is its People: A brand's culture is a reflection of the people who work there. WeTransfer's success came from hiring people from non-traditional backgrounds and fostering a culture that encouraged experimentation and didn't have layers of approval. The Power of Instinct: Especially in the early stages of building a brand, instinct is invaluable. Relying on instinct over-analysing data can lead to more authentic and compelling brand decisions. Build with Intentionality: Brands that endure are built with a purpose beyond just profitability. WeTransfer's intention was to inject a moment of joy into a utilitarian task and to champion the creative community they served. Embrace Unpredictability: While consistency is important, the brands that truly cut through the noise are those that are unpredictable. This is achieved by having a clear, ambitious vision from the start which gives you the license to experiment and do the unexpected. Trust is Everything: Building trust is a cornerstone of a successful brand. This extends from creating a trustworthy product to empowering collaborators, like artists and creatives, by giving them freedom and respect. Episode Highlights 06:53: Andreas shares the story behind his book, Not a Playbook, and the unlikely origins of WeTransfer, a tech company founded by designers. 13:58: A brand is simply the people who work there. Andreas explains how WeTransfer's culture of hiring individuals from non-traditional marketing backgrounds was fundamental to its success. 19:58: The significance of intentionality in branding. Andreas discusses how WeTransfer was built with an intention that went beyond profit, aiming to serve and celebrate the creative community. 27:05: How can brands be more creative? By articulating a vision that is bigger and more ambitious than the specific product or service they currently offer, using Apple as a prime example. 41:51: Andreas reveals the five key themes from the book that frame the WeTransfer story, reflecting the best qualities of an artist: intention, trust, faith, instinct, and serendipity. About the Guest Andreas Tzorkis is a journalist, brand strategist, and co-author of Not a Playbook. Book Website: notaplaybook.com Mentioned in the episode Book: Not a Playbook Companies: WeTransfer, Red Bull, Apple, Creative Boom, HubSpot Film: The Long Goodbye by Riz Ahmed Newsletter: The Hustle I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk) If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!
As the political turmoil in Thailand continues to worsen, Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, gives us the view from Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We sit down with legendary installation artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien. He discusses his career, early influences and his current show, ‘Isaac Julien: I Dream a World’, at San Francisco’s de Young Museum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Highlights this week include reports from Art Basel, an interview with Brazilian pop star Liniker and Monocle’s live shows from Paris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Naomi Xu Elegant's debut novel, Gingko Season (W. W. Norton: 2025), stars Penelope Lin, a young Chinese woman living in New York in the faraway year of 2018. With difficult parents and a bad break-up, she works for a museum's exhibition on bound feet, with a gaggle of other, somewhat clueless friends. But a meeting with Hoang, a researcher at a cancer lab, forces Penelope to rethink what she wants with her life. Naomi joins me today to talk about her book, her choice of characters, how she wanted to approach tropes like the meet-cute—and why 2018 now feels like ancient history, even to young-ish millennials. Naomi Xu Elegant is a writer and journalist living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Monocle, Fortune, Atlas Obscura, and elsewhere. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Naomi Xu Elegant's debut novel, Gingko Season (W. W. Norton: 2025), stars Penelope Lin, a young Chinese woman living in New York in the faraway year of 2018. With difficult parents and a bad break-up, she works for a museum's exhibition on bound feet, with a gaggle of other, somewhat clueless friends. But a meeting with Hoang, a researcher at a cancer lab, forces Penelope to rethink what she wants with her life. Naomi joins me today to talk about her book, her choice of characters, how she wanted to approach tropes like the meet-cute—and why 2018 now feels like ancient history, even to young-ish millennials. Naomi Xu Elegant is a writer and journalist living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Monocle, Fortune, Atlas Obscura, and elsewhere. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
Naomi Xu Elegant's debut novel, Gingko Season (W. W. Norton: 2025), stars Penelope Lin, a young Chinese woman living in New York in the faraway year of 2018. With difficult parents and a bad break-up, she works for a museum's exhibition on bound feet, with a gaggle of other, somewhat clueless friends. But a meeting with Hoang, a researcher at a cancer lab, forces Penelope to rethink what she wants with her life. Naomi joins me today to talk about her book, her choice of characters, how she wanted to approach tropes like the meet-cute—and why 2018 now feels like ancient history, even to young-ish millennials. Naomi Xu Elegant is a writer and journalist living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Monocle, Fortune, Atlas Obscura, and elsewhere. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/asian-review
We’re heading to the northeastern edges of Bucharest and to Piata Obor – a sprawling market that has been a cornerstone of life in the city for centuries. Monocle’s Laura Kramer takes us on a tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle heads to the 55th edition of Art Basel in Basel. We speak with some of the event’s leadership team; gallerists reflecting on their sales; and curators and artists at the fair and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Live from Zürich: We’ve refreshed our annual Quality of Life Survey: rather than a top 20 we explore the cities doing what they do best, from health and mobility to housing and conviviality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s editorial director and chairman, Tyler Brûlé, and Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, discuss Qatar Airways being named the best airline in the world. Then: we’re off to Abu Dhabi, Basel and Copenhagen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We give you the latest on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad and discuss the possible causes and consequences for Boeing of the first fatal 787 Dreamliner accident. Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, joins the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sabine Marcelis is a Rotterdam-based designer and artist who, in her own words, is ‘forever in search of magical moments within materials'. She's probably best known for her work in glass, resin and stone, which often plays with light and water. However, most recently, she has been part of R100, a project with Hydro, which asks a group of internationally renowned designers to create pieces from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium, sourced and produced within a 100-kilometre radius. It will be shown at Material Matters Copenhagen at Gammel Dok, Christianshavn from 18-20 June. Over the years, Sabine has collaborated with brands such as Vitra, Renault and IKEA and won numerous awards, including Designer of the Year at the Dezeen Awards in 2024 and the Monocle magazine Designer of the Year in 2023.In this episode we talk about: working with Hydro's recycled aluminium; trying to find the limits of any project; not designing chairs; her relationship with resin and how best to use it; fountains; working in Mies' Barcelona Pavilion; learning from IKEA; growing up on a flower farm; snowboarding; fighting for her ideas in Eindhoven; never wanting to work for anyone else; forging her studio in Rotterdam; and finding inspiration in unexpected places. Material Matters with Sabine Marcelis is sponsored by 3daysofdesign.Support the show
And other deep thoughts plus all your fashion news updates and burning questions. From Birkin bags to Burberry campaigns, let's get into it.
Monocle magazine’s editor, Josh Fehnert, is joined by editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, foreign editor, Alexis Self, and senior foreign correspondent, Carlota Rebelo, to discuss what makes a city truly liveable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Maria Grazia Chiuri just show her last (and best) collection for Dior? It would appear so. Let's download how it went and what legacy she leaves behind. Also, I have some advice for emerging designers trying to break out. And some (unsolicited) advice for a few that are already household names. Plus, we look at the current state of tax-free shopping and comfortable travel shoes: two things fashion-savvy tourists such as ourselves care deeply about. Ok let's get into it.
The team work together across the planes to enact their most daring, and dangerous, of plans. Lafian sees clearly, Rhal ponders Tio's capabilities, Squash is the unseen hand and Zaltanna is poised to strike - hard. Thanks to Jay for voicing Emmil and David for voicing Daechin. Get early access to the [Kino] campaign on Patreon! You can help support the show at http://www.Patreon.com/blighthouse Find us - Email: TheLuckyDiePodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TheLuckyDie.com Twitter: @TLDPod [Arch - @Arch_DnD] [Casey - @childofginevra] [Eyþór - @Abyzzinn] [Neil - Neil@blighthouse.studio] [Volonda - Volonda@blighthouse.studio] This is a Blighthouse Studio production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What do Black Dandies and Björk have in common? Well, a lot actually. Daring to be different and referencing one's culture in experimental ways has made it so both the stylish men and the musician are in conversation as brilliant examples of living artfully. Better late than never (which should maybe be the title of my memoir?) we're also breaking down the best of the best Met Gala fashion moments. And I take you behind the scenes on some career highlights of the past (Andre Leon Talley and a lotta Manolo's) and present (covering our Icelandic Queen's new Björk Cornucopia film premiere for Monocle). What fun. What fashion. What aesthetic bliss. What thought-provoking fashion. Come along.
Monocle’s Tom Edwards is joined by serial entrepreneur Dumi Oburota to discuss the power of being present and of meaningful exchange. From his experiences in the music industry, nurturing the career of acclaimed British rapper Tinie Tempah to closing deals on his newly founded drinks brand Severan, Oburota tells us why he’s a firm believer in the magic of human connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, talks about the business opportunities in Indonesia. Plus: we hear from the co-founder of a design studio in Singapore and contemplate the virtues of phone-free spaces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re celebrating the fifth edition of the annual Monocle Design Awards by discussing highlights from this year’s cohort of winners. We hear from medallists Manuel Cervantes and Eva-Marie Eriksson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monocle Daily with Fiona O’Brien at Reporters San Frontières, Nick Paton Walsh from CNN, Monocle’s Jessica Bridger and Konfekt’s Sophie Grove.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We recap some of the most exciting city-focused conversations from Monocle’s The Chiefs conference in Jakarta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first episode of Monocle’s collaboration with Pullman Hotels, Monocle’s Tom Edwards is in Dubai to meet the architect and founder of design practice Roar, Pallavi Dean. A seasoned globe-trotter, Dean is no stranger to new geographies and beginnings. We ask her how activating change can help to breed the resilience and agility needed to grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In partnership with the University of Warwick, Monocle teamed up with the institution’s acclaimed academics to answer big questions submitted by readers. In this episode, Professor of Economics Caroline Elliott answers, ‘Why are luxury consumers attracted to exclusivity?’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Volodymyr Zelensky is in South Africa and we speak to Jakarta’s governor ahead of Monocle’s The Chiefs conference. Plus: an update on Kashmir’s attack and Emmanuel Macron’s Indian Ocean tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Adam Biles is joined by writer Dan Richards to talk about his new book Overnight, a deep dive into the world of the night and the people who live and work while the rest of us sleep. From ferry captains and bakers to ICU nurses, researchers, and racing drivers, Richards explores the unseen rhythms and quiet heroism of nocturnal life. The conversation touches on the origins of the book—an unexpected night stranded on a mountain with his father—and how a life-threatening experience during the pandemic reshaped his understanding of vulnerability, care, and community. With warmth, wit, and poetic insight, Richards discusses circadian myths, the industrialisation of sleep, bats, and the benevolence of those who keep the world turning in the dark. Overnight is a tribute to those who inhabit the night, and this conversation shines a light on their often-unseen contributions.Buy Overnight: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/overnight*Dan Richards is the co-author of Holloway (with Robert Macfarlane and Stanley Donwood), and the author of The Beechwood Airship Interviews, Climbing Days, Outpost and Overnight. Only After Dark, a BBC Radio 4 series about the nocturnal world, was broadcast to acclaim in 2022. Dan has written for the Guardian, Economist, Esquire and Monocle.Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company. His latest novel, Beasts of England, a sequel to Animal Farm, is available now. Buy a signed copy here: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/beasts-of-englandListen to Alex Freiman's latest EP, In The Beginning: https://open.spotify.com/album/5iZYPMCUnG7xiCtsFCBlVa?si=h5x3FK1URq6SwH9Kb_SO3w Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.