Through no-holds barred conversations, Spill The Teh gets into the minds of individuals who break stereotypes of society. Join us in igniting curiosity, changing perspectives, and seeing life’s flip side.
[EP 21] Game on, Penang: Inside the State’s Sports Scene with YB Daniel Gooi
In this episode, we sit down with YB Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang State Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports, to discuss the exciting landscape of sports in Penang. YB Daniel shares insights on Penang’s impressive performance at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), where the state surpassed its gold medal target. We also delve into Penang’s efforts to enhance sports infrastructure, nurture young talent, and promote community engagement in sports. Additionally, YB Daniel touches on how sports can play a vital role in fostering regional cooperation and promoting peace.
[EP 20] Advocating Autism and Neurodiversity: Eileen Soon and Dipa Darishini from LemmeLearn Empowerment Centre
Eileen and Dipa from LemmeLearn Empowerment Centre spoke to Yeong Pey Jung about the realities and challenges of neurodiverse adults with autism and special needs, the different ways in which they see and understand the world, and how we can build an inclusive society that embraces their uniqueness. They also highlighted LemmeLearn’s mission, training/placement programs, and shared inspiring stories about their students.
[EP19] Raising Awareness and Destigmatising Dementia: Dr. Cecilia Chan
In this episode, Dr. Cecilia Chan, a gerontologist and dementia advocate, spoke to Yeong Pey Jung about her training as a gerontologist and her work with dementia patients and their carers. Dr. Chan touched on the importance of understanding and destigmatising dementia, and how patients and their carers can be supported. She also shared some personal and touching stories about the people she had encountered in her work as a dementia advocate.
[EP18] On Adaptive Reuse and Inspiring Future Generations Of Architects, with Ar. Tan Bee Eu
In this episode, Dr. Beh May Ting chats with Ar. Tan Bee Eu, the award-winning architect and founder of BETA Architects, a boutique firm renowned for its annual accolades in architectural conservation. Bee Eu discusses her insights on restoring historical structures to meet modern needs and her hopes for the next generation of architects. She also expresses her delight in seeing her column in The Star and her posts on social media resonate with readers outside the architecture field.
[EP17] Leading in the United Nations, with Datuk Judy Cheng-Hopkins
In this episode, Yeong Pey Jung hosted Datuk Judy Cheng-Hopkins, former Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support in the United Nations, about her rich experiences while working in the United Nations. Datuk Cheng-Hopkins shared candidly some of her unique experiences, and reflects on her role as one of the top women leaders in the organisation. She also emphasises the importance of encouraging young Malaysians, especially women, to rise up and contribute on the international stage.
[EP16] Valuing Homemakers, with Professor Euston Quah
In this episode, Penang Institute’s Yeong Pey Jung and Fauwaz Abdul Aziz speak to Professor Euston Quah, Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, about the importance of measuring household production and valuing homemakers. Professor Quah also discusses valuation methods, the contribution of household production measurement towards gender equality, and makes some policy suggestions.
[EP15] (Part 3 of 3) On Meaning-Making, Nationhood, and Country-Building for a New Malaysia, with Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng
In the last of a three-episode podcast, Penang Institute Executive Director Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng speaks with Fauwaz Abdul Aziz on federal-state relations in Malaysia. Why can’t Malaysia have multiple centers, he asks.
[EP14] (Part 2 of 3) On Meaning-Making, Nationhood, and Country-Building for a New Malaysia, with Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng
In this second part of a three-episode podcast, Penang Institute Executive Director Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng speaks with Fauwaz Abdul Aziz on the significance and implications, both conceptual as well as political-economic, of ‘Nusantara’ for Malaysia. Its significance, Dr Ooi suggests, lies in its potential for a radical rethinking of power/politics, identity, nationhood, and economics.
[EP13] (Part 1 of 3) On Meaning-Making, Nationhood, and Country-Building for a New Malaysia, with Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng
In this first part of a three-episode podcast, Penang Institute Executive Director Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng shares his thoughts with analyst Fauwaz Abdul Aziz on ‘nations’, ‘states’, ‘nationhood’, and their conceptual building blocks. While seemingly removed from the minds of most ordinary Malaysians, Dr Ooi explains why – and how – he has grappled with these notions for as long as he can remember, and their importance for our efforts to make and find meaning in our everyday struggles.
[EP12] Seriously Funny: The Power of Comedy and What’s Behind the Stage, with Gajen Nad
As the saying goes, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. Whether or not it cures physical ailments, comedy shows definitely have the power to bring strangers together by laughing about the same subject, sometimes at the expense of themselves. We speak to Gajen Nad, stand-up comedian, on the power of comedy and his journey to becoming the first Penang-born comedian to have his own show on Netflix.
[EP11] Scoring it High: Malaysian Football and the Domestic Sports Ecosystem, with Jeffrey Chew
When it comes to football, many would think about international footballers and the clubs they belong to, branded jerseys, and roaring crowds. That is on an international level. On the domestic level, the enthusiasm during local leagues in Malaysia might be of a different nature. We talk to Jeffrey Chew, General Manager of the Penang Football Club who is also on the Board of Directors of the Malaysian Football League to learn more about Malaysia’s football scene.
[EP10] Raising the Bar in the Art Ecosystem, with Ch’ng Huck Theng
Penang often gives the impression of being an artsy place due to its built and natural heritage, as well as the popularity of the murals amongst tourists. However, mentioning an international art summit in Penang would be a pleasant surprise for many, given that such an event is hardly heard of here. We speak to Dato’ Ch’ng Huck Theng, award-winning artist and sculptor and the founder of Beyond Contemporary Art Penang (BCAP), an international art summit and expo, on integrating life with arts and business.
[EP9] Mixing Hits and Making History: Phil Tan’s Journey
Phil Tan dropped by Penang Institute for a podcast chat with the Institute’s Executive Director Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng. For those who don’t know Atlanta/Georgia-based music/audio engineer Malaysian Phil Tan, quoting from his website philtan.com, “He is a 3-time Grammy Award recipient, as mixing engineer for Mariah Carey’s “The Emancipation of Mimi” (Best Contemporary R&B Album, 2005), Ludacris’ “Release Therapy” (Best Rap Album, 2006) and Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World)” (Best Dance Recording, 2010).
[EP8] Experimental Experiences: Architecture and Community Engagement, with Mei Chee Seong
We speak to Ar. Mei Chee Seong, founder of aLM Architects and COEX, one of Penang’s latest community hubs which actively serves as a platform for collaborative events. Mei shares his thoughts on curating an experimental space and his idea of ‘Timescapes’ in allowing buildings to tell their own stories through time.
[EP7] Exploring Ecotherapy: Conversations with Jonathan Lim, Chief Storyteller of Tropical Spice Garden
Terms such as ‘forest baths,’ ‘nature therapies,’ and ‘glamping’ are becoming more popular as city dwellers long to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Tropical Spice Garden is known as an ecotourism destination where one can explore and learn about the natural heritage of Penang. We speak to Jonathan Lim, Chief Storyteller of the Tropical Spice Garden, who explains the importance of connecting nature and culture to the community.