Steph Smith  (@stephsmithio), 26 is the founder of Integral Labs where she works with top tech companies on scaling their products. 

After less than a year of learning to code (while having a full-time job), she has won the Golden Kitty award for inclusion, on Product Hunt. 

Steph writes a blog about remote work, women in tech and learning to code. 

These days when she is not at work, she is building Upread, a tool connecting indie publishers with their readers.

In this conversation, we spoke about:

  • Things women face in the tech industry
  • Steph’s transition from consulting to remote work
  • The ups and downs of remote work
  • and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video 

Links Mentioned

Khailee Ng is a managing partner of 500 Startups, a venture capital firm. He has led more than 180 startup investments, with a few “unicorn” successes such as Grab and Bukalapa.

Khailee has previously founded Groupsmore which got acquired by Groupon and Says.com, which got subsequently acquired by Media Prima, Malaysia’s largest online media company.

BUT, even if you have zero interest in startups, this episode is well worth the time. This is really about the habits and beliefs of a successful (and fun) person.

In this conversation, we spoke about:

  • Lesson learnt at Richard’s Branson Necker Island
  • How does Khailee study and prepare for marriage
  • Principal to a kick-ass pitch
  • and much much more…

Enjoy this conversation with a curious character!

Links Mentioned

Connect with Khailee Ng:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Necker Island By Khailee Ng
Chris Sacca
Yuri Wong
Hujan (band)
Teng Poh Si (theCICAK, Director)
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal and
Bukalapa (company)
Protagonist (2007)
Joel on Software (Blog)
Present as yourself
The Pitch Effect: 5 Power Moves for 3 Minute Stage Pitching by Khailee
Le Hong Minh, VNG Corporation (Vietnam)
Leading remote team (MIT)
Patrick Grove
How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix Ph.D.
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
EarBuddyz 2.0 for AirPods

Show Notes

Lesson learnt at Richard’s Branson Necker Island [01:01]
Why was Khailee chosen for Necker Island? [06:11]
Pros and cons of VC funding and bank loans [10:13]
Khailee shares about Project Bazooka and Project Cicak [15:15]
Khailee discusses the impacts of a gig economy [32:15]
How does Khailee prepare his presentation? [01:03:21]
Elements of great pitch [01:08:30]
What did Khailee wish he had known earlier as a leader? [01:20:13]
Khailee on Tony Robbin’s Date with Destiny [01:45:15]
Why did Khailee re-think marriage and changed his thoughts on marriage [01:50:06]

Thanks for listening! 

Please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful for discovery! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

Special thanks to Shao Ning for the introduction.

“I don’t think we ask deep enough questions and give young people enough credit for being able to have those answer within themselves.”
– Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones is the founder of a higher education institution, Wayfinding Academy. It is a new 2-year college aiming to revolutionize higher education. They have been approved to offer Associate’s degrees by Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

She has taught in traditional colleges for 15 years. Some of the institutions include (but not limited to) Boston University,  University of New Mexico and Concordia University of Portland.

Michelle is also the organizer of TEDx Mt Hood for the last 8 years.

Wayfinding Academy is currently having a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign from June 17th – July 27th to raise $60,000. Thier goals are to double their student body size, launch a second program, and impact twice as many lives. Donate here. (I have made a donation of $250.)

In the podcast episode [02:40:00], you can listen to a conversation with a student (Meg Lamberger) of the Wayfinding Academy about her experiences.

Enjoy this incredible conversation! It was very eye-opening for me.

In this conversation, we spoke about

  • How Michelle started Wayfinding Academy with a personal budget of $15,000 for 2 years
  • Why Wayfinding Academy doesn’t have grades
  • The importance of guides in a student’s growth
  • and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video – Put it Online or Not?

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Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Show Notes

How did Michelle get the title of “magician” at the World Domination Summit [01:00]
What gave Michelle the impetus to start the Wayfinding Academy [09:55]
Did Michelle face any self-doubt before starting the Wayfinding Academy [26:55]
The journey of Wayfinding Academy’s Crowdfunding Campaign [37:52]
How does Michelle’s personal financial plan look like before embarking on starting Wayfinding Academy [51:16]
Why did Michelle choose to live in a tiny house? [55:33]
How does Michelle introduce the Wayfinding Academy to a parent? [01:08:42]
Why did Michelle decide to categorise Wayfinding Academy as a non-profit organisation? [01:20:55]
Why did Wayfinding Academy remove grading? [01:25:22]
What’s the philosophy behind the curriculum planning of Wayfinding Academy? [01:34:26]
Michelle explains her philosophy behind optimum class size and community size [01:41:04]
How does Wayfinding Academy explore the question of “Who are you?” [01:45:50]
What does Michelle look for when hiring “Guides” for Wayfinding Academy [01:52:00]
How do “Guides” get matched with the students? [01:57:39]
How did Wayfinding Academy spend $200,000 from the first crowdfunding campaign? [02:09:25]
What is Lifelong Wayfinding? [02:19:01]
Interview with Wayfinding Year 1 student, Meg Lamberger [02:50:00]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Michelle Jones:
Website | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

Photo Credit:
World Domination Summit
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
TEDx MtHood
SuperThank – radical gratitude for stuff that matters
One Week Job by Sean Aiken
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Brooks Cascadia (Mens | Women)
Power of Why by Simon Sinek

Thanks for listening!

And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Share your story in the comments.

Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

Keep up the good job, Michelle. Until next year!

“It is not a failure if there are lessons to be learnt from it.”
– Daniel Lim

Daniel Lim is an entrepreneur and business coach.

His coaching and training practice aims to help people to redefine success, build businesses and do work which is aligned with their values and purpose.

Daniel’s former design studio, Studio MDS work with clients such as Capella Hotels, Singapore Flyer and National Heritage Board.

In 2017, he designed and ran a retreat called #howtohuman for DesignSingapore Council.

In this conversation, we spoke about

  • The story of Daniel’s burnout
  • Toxic behaviour in the workplace
  • Characteristics of people that who should not be an entrepreneur
  • and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (How to Let Your Passion Make Money for You):

 

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Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Show Notes

How does Daniel answer the question of “What do you do?” [00:53]
Daniel Lim on his childhood growing up [11:20]
Daniel Lim on his first entrepreneur journey [32:33]
Daniel Lim shares characteristics of bad clients [53:27]
How did Magic Mushroom evolve into StudioMDS? [01:04:19]
What is Daniel’s favourite failure that planted a seed for later success? [01:10:24]
What are the signs of a burnout? [01:23:44]
Daniel Lim shares the most common misconception of psychotherapy [01:27:34]
How does Daniel’s define the currencies of life? [01:41:37]
How does Daniel define happiness? [01:45:12]
Daniel Lim on following your passion [01:51:51]
What are lessons that need to be unlearnt for one to be happy [01:57:04]
How does Daniel Lim think about designing a retreat for Design Council Singapore? [02:00:19]
What did Daniel after running the retreat? [02:09:50]
What are the mental blocks creative faces when he transits to being an entrepreneur? [02:12:49]
What are the characteristics of people who should not be entrepreneurs? [02:17:46]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Daniel Lim:
Website | Instagram | Litolabs

Conversation with God by Neale Donald Walsch
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Working with Shenpa (Getting Hooked) in Meditation by Pema Chodron
Kindle Paperwhite (Carousell seller)
Akina Nakamori

Thanks for listening!

And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Share your story in the comments.

Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

Special thanks to Danny for the heartfelt conversation. Until next time!

 

“No one says that they decided to start drinking because my ambition in life is to be an alcoholic. It’s rubbish.”
– Dr Munidasa Winslow

Munidasa Winslow is a psychiatrist and the executive director of Promises Healthcare. He has been practising psychiatry since 1988 and is known for his work in addiction medicine and impulse control disorders.

He was also responsible for the setting up the Addiction Management Department at the Institute of Mental Health. His last appointment at IMH was the Chief of the Department of Addiction Medicine Department at IMH Singapore.

Dr Winslow is accredited as a master addiction counsellor and a clinical supervisor.

In this conversation, we spoke about

  • Simple yardstick to test if one has an addiction
  • The framework recovery process for addictions
  • Dr Winslow’s views on ADHD
  • and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (Can ADHD Be a Superpower?)

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Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Show Notes

Why did Dr Winslow choose to study Psychology in NUS? [00:59]
The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? [11:49]
In what cases are drugs used to treat mental wellness? [22:09]
What are some simple and effective solutions for depression? [33:01]
Dr Winslow shares his experience at St Vincent Hospital, Melbourne [36:37]
Why does Dr Winslow think that the Australians are more open about their mistakes? [42:55]
What has Singapore done well in the mental wellness? [45:16]
Dr Winslow shares the best treatment in the industry for addiction? [48:19]
Dr Winslow shares application of human behaviour modification models [54:44]
What was the series of events that made Dr Winslow start the addiction management department at Institue of Mental Health [58:10]
How would one know that one is having an addiction? [01:02:42]
Dr Winslow shares the framework of the recovery process for addictions [01:06:55]
Dr Winslow shares the most common pitfalls when people relapse into an addiction? [01:10:18]
Dr Winslow’s views on the legal mandate for psychiatrists to report illegal addictions [01:12:54]
Why did Dr Winslow decide to start his own practice? [01:18:31]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Dr Munidasa Winslow (Promise Clinic):
Website | Facebook
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Narcotics Anonymous Singapore
Alcoholics Anonymous Singapore
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bob Smith & Bill Wilson
Flight (2012)
WeCare Community Services

Thanks for listening!

And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Share your story in the comments.

Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

Special thanks to Dr Winslow. Until next time!

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