Cover Tatler Gen.T’s award-winning Crazy Smart Asia podcast features the unexpected stories behind some of Asia’s disruptors (Photo: Getty Images)
Tatler Gen.T’s award-winning Crazy Smart Asia podcast features the unexpected stories behind some of Asia’s disruptors (Photo: Getty Images)
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In season seven of Gen.T’s Crazy Smart Asia podcast, we heard the unexpected stories of a heel-wearing Buddhist monk, a celebrity chef, a record-breaking powerlifter and more. Here are five of our favourite quotes from the episodes
This week, Gen.T concluded the seventh season of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast with an episode filled with nuggets of wisdom from the guests that have been featured. In conversation with Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, we delved deep into the minds of each guest to discover untold stories of their journey—from what makes them tick to their hopes for the future.
Some of the guests included fashion entrepreneur Rachel Lim of Love, Bonito; Buddhist monk and LGBTQ+ activist, Kodo Nishimura; and celebrity chef Andre Chiang.
For the final episode of this season of the podcast, we selected five of our favourite quotes and takeaways, which you can read below. You can also listen to the full episode by clicking the player below. Subscribe to Crazy Smart Asia via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
André Chiang, celebrity chef
Above Celebrity chef André Chiang is the brains behind multiple successful restaurants including three Michelin-star restaurant Le Jardin des Sens in France and Raw in Taipei (Photo: André Chiang
Celebrity chef André Chiang is the brains behind multiple successful restaurants including three Michelin-star restaurant Le Jardin des Sens in France and Raw in Taipei (Photo: André Chiang
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On building the dream team, episode 4
“You don’t manage and motivate your team. You manage their goal and then you motivate their dreams. There will be a million things that you manage every single day, so you manage their goals instead. [Your team] needs to find purpose in what they do and who they want to become.”
Kodo Nishimura, Buddhist monk and LGBTQ+ activist
Above Japanese monk Kodo Nishimura is a global LGBTQ+ icon, author and makeup artist who has found the sweet spot between his religion and queerness (Photo: Masaki Sato)
Japanese monk Kodo Nishimura is a global LGBTQ+ icon, author and makeup artist who has found the sweet spot between his religion and queerness (Photo: Masaki Sato)
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On finding enlightenment, episode 6
“Buddhism encourages anyone to be themselves. One of the teachings that I really love is a song about the moonlight. It says, ‘Just like the moonlight shines onto the whole town, everybody can decide to look up to the moon and appreciate the beauty.’ Just like that, the mercy of Buddha welcomes everybody and enlightens anyone. I might be homosexual, but it does not matter.”
Farhanna Farid, record-breaking powerlifter
Above Farhanna Farid is a two-time Asian champion and a four-time national champion powerlifter who accidentally found herself in the sport (Photo: SBD Singapore)
Farhanna Farid is a two-time Asian champion and a four-time national champion powerlifter who accidentally found herself in the sport (Photo: SBD Singapore)
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On going the distance, episode 3
“If you want to go far and you want to enjoy what you’re doing, you can’t do it alone. Being able to do what I want to do is a privilege. And yes, I can complain and whine about it, but I need to remember that I chose this. No one pinned it on me. And I think that keeps me going.”
Read more: 5 athletes from Southeast Asia who are climbing the sporting ranks
Rachel Lim, co-founder of Love Bonito
Above Rachel Lim, co-founder of Love Bonito, dropped out of school to start the fashion brand and has helmed the company for over twenty years (Photo: Rachel Lim/Love Bonito)
Rachel Lim, co-founder of Love Bonito, dropped out of school to start the fashion brand and has helmed the company for over twenty years (Photo: Rachel Lim/Love Bonito)
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On discovering life outside of work, episode 5
“It took me a long time to recognise that there is more to life than work. There is this quote that says, ‘If you want to be first-rate at your work, work can’t be all that you are.’ You also need to be able to explore and find growth, excitement and adventures in different parts of your life. And I think that, for me, is such a great reminder that while work is important, don’t let it consume all of you at the expense of what’s important to you.”
Read more: How e-commerce entrepreneur Rachel Lim built her fashion empire
Christine Amour-Levar, co-founder of Woman on a Mission and Her Planet Earth
Above Christine Amour-Levar has scaled the world’s tallest mountains and braved the harsh conditions of the most remote environments (Photo: Christine Amour-Levar)
Christine Amour-Levar has scaled the world’s tallest mountains and braved the harsh conditions of the most remote environments (Photo: Christine Amour-Levar)
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On the massive power of little steps, episode 7
“My mom calls me a little ant—like a little ant that works every day, little by little, bit by bit. And over the years, I see a pattern. I don’t just talk about ideas, I actually execute them. I put follow-through behind them and I realise over time that it doesn’t have to be one huge step. Just like that, it has to be little incremental steps.”
Quotes are edited for clarity and brevity.
Listen to the episode and subscribe using your preferred podcast platform on our Crazy Smart Asia podcast page.
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Work
Based in Singapore, Valerie Lim is the digital editor for Tatler Power and Purpose, Tatler Asia’s dynamic platform spotlighting industry leaders across the region. Valerie leads the charge in shaping the platform’s digital presence, from overseeing and producing website content to curating social media strategies.
With a finger on the pulse of the region, she keeps an eye out for news and trends in business, innovation and leadership, ensuring the brand stays ahead of the curve in delivering stories that inspire and inform its community of changemakers.
About
Prior to this role, she worked in marketing and communications. She considers herself Singaporean at heart and international by passion. You may recognise her from her 15 minutes of fame when she was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2011. When she is not at her desk, you can find her in the gym or at a yoga studio.
Connect with her via Instagram @msvalerielim, LinkedIn or send press materials, and media invites to valerie.lim@tatlerasia.com
