Latest Article:

Meet the Bestselling Author of The Teenage Textbook, Adrian Tan

 adrian-tan
“You can’t see good writing, you can only see what’s behind it.” – Adrian Tan

Adrian Tan is the author of The Teenage Textbook and The Teenage Workbook which were both national bestsellers. The two books sold over 50,000 copies. The books were made into a film – The Teenage Textbook Movie, which topped the box office in Singapore for four weeks. In 2015, The Teenage Textbook was selected by The Business Times as one of the Top 10 English Singapore books from 1965–2015.

Adrian is currently a lawyer with Morgan Lewis in Singapore and specialises in intellectual property and information technology law. On his off-duty days, Adrian also judges on the International Emmy Award-nominated debate TV show – The Arena.

In this conversation, we spoke about:

  • Argument vs. persuasion, and how he has used the latter in his law practice
  • The writing process for The Teenage Textbook
  • Why he chose law as his career and much much more

It was a really fun and wide-ranging conversation. Adrian is such an insightful and a hilarious guy.

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (How Did Donald Trump Get Away with Half-Truths?)

Enjoy!

nq52fol-2

stitcher

Show Notes
Adrian Tan shares stories from childhood [1:05]
Adrian Tan on how he started writing [21:01]
Adrian recalls his enrolment to a Chinese School (Hwa Chong Institution) [24:55]
Adrian Tan shares advice on debating [32:14]
Adrian Tan on writing better [41:07]
Adrian Tan on his first paid writing gig [44:58]
Adrian Tan describes his writing style [51:13]
The writing process for The Teenage Textbook [54:31]
Adrian Tan on writer fees [56:39]
Adrian Tan on economics of writing [57:53]
Adrian Tan on why he chose to do law [01:02:46]
Adrian shares view on Singlish [01:07:45]
Adrian on his motivation to be a lawyer [01:14:54]
Adrian Tan on the Millennial Generation [01:20:09]
Adrian Tan on when to see a lawyer [01:28:42]
The overlaps between law and creative writing [01:35:34]
Adrian on the balance of law and creative work [01:36:18]
Adrian Tan on the intellectuals in Singapore [01:40:35]
Adrian Tan on Singapore’s over governance [01:44:28]
Links Mentioned
Animal Farm by George Orwell
6 Questions/6 Rules by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Pupil (TV Show)
Brave New Animal Farm – An SWF 2013 Lecture by Adrian Tan & Gwee Li Sui
The Teenage Textbook by Adrian Tan

Thanks for listening!

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

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 everyone of them.

Special thanks to Adrian. Until next time!

The Godfather of Singapore’s Boutique Hospitality, Loh Lik Peng

loh-lik-peng-2

Loh Lik Peng is the owner and director of Unlisted Collection. His career began as a litigator during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He mainly dealt with company bankruptcy. His transition to hospitality occurred in 2000 when he bought a property, now known as Hotel 1929, on a bargain and treated it as a passion project.

Today, he owns several boutique hotels and restaurants in Singapore, London, Shanghai and Sydney. Some of these include (but not limited to) New Majestic Hotel, Wanderlust Hotel,  Burnt Ends and Pollen. He also chairs the Shatec Institute and Singapore Hotel Association and holds directorships at the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, Asian Civilisations Museum and the Peranakan Museum.

We dived into topics including:
– The economics of the hospitality business
– Why Loh Lik Peng only opens restaurants with a co-chef owner
– Hiring practices in the competitive hospitality industry
– Old barbers’ chairs and lots more

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (Being a Good Chef is Not Enough to Get You That Dream Restaurant)

Enjoy!

nq52fol-2

stitcher

Show Notes

Loh Lik Peng shares stories from his childhood [2:09]
The decision to study law [7:21]
Loh Lik Peng on the birth of Hotel 1929 [11:32]
Loh Lik Peng on why he sold Hotel 1929 [16:51]
Loh Lik Peng on the economics of running a hotel business [20:04]
Loh Lik Peng on why he only opens restaurant with a co-chef owner [20:51]
Loh Lik Peng shares the story of his first restaurant, Ember [22:54]
Why did Loh Lik Peng start investing in more restaurant? [25:17]
What does Loh Lik Peng look for in a co-owner? [28:03]
Loh Lik Peng shares advice on people management [32:11]
Advice on hiring in the competitive F&B industry [34:18]
Loh Lik Peng shares lesson from his biggest failures [39:00]
Loh Lik Peng on time management [47:05]
Loh Lik Peng on his fascination for old barbers’ chair? [48:40]
What motivates Loh Lik Peng to continue running the business? [52:06]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Loh Lik Peng:
Website | Instagram

Books by Nadine Gordimer
Restaurant Ember 
Pollen Restaurant

Thanks for listening!

Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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

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 everyone of them.

Special thanks to Loh Lik Peng.

The World Renowned Beatboxer from Singapore, Dharni Ng

Dharni Ng

Dharni Ng (@dharniofficial) started beatboxing at age 15.

He studied at Temasek Polytechnic. In 2011, he won Emperor of the The Mic in Canada. He is the first person in history to win The Grand Beatbox Battle Championship twice in a row. He has also has opened for artistes like Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and performed during Mariah Carey’s concert.

If you’ve only got 5 minutes, here’s a short video on (Why a Beatboxer can Also BE a Good Businessman?)

And here is the video of the (Final round (Dharni vs TWO.H) at Grand Beatboxing Battle 2014)

Enjoy!

nq52fol-2

stitcher

Scroll down for the link and show notes…

Show Notes

Dharni shares his lesson on winning the Grand Beatbox Battle [01:49]
The difference between working hard and working smart [5:39]
A day in the life of a beatboxer [16:27]
Dharni shares advice on working with music agents [18:44]
Dharni shares his philosophy on self expression [23:26]
Dharni speaks about his coming to adulthood [24:33]
Dharni moved to Poland and lived on his own [32:30]
Dharni shares lesson from living independently overseas [37:24]
How does one become self aware and avoid the Ego trap? [46:38]
Dharni on his forage into tech startup [51:54]
How Dharni discover the root cause of his talent [53:59]
Dharni explains how he gives back to the Beatbox community [55:35]
What is missing from Singapore’s music scene? [57:16]
Dharni shares his perspective on Singapore’s media [01:01:25]
Dharni shares his first travelling experience [01:06:43]
Why did Dharni make Poland his second home? [01:09:20]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Dharni Ng:
Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

Dharni @ Grand Beatbox Battle 2013 | Showcase Grand Final
Reeps One interview on his art exhibition
Dharni’s Virtual Video (Polish language = Beatbox)
Dj Rattle
DJ inquisitive
Dharni’s 2nd Virtual Video (Learn To Beatbox In 6 Languages)
Foodboxer @instagram
Kwaver iOS App

Thanks for listening!

Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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 everyone of them.

Until next time!

The Radio DJ Who Built a Million Dollar Cupcake Empire, Daniel Ong

daniel-ong-2

Daniel Ong is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Twelve Cupcakes, with more than 40 stores around the region. He was a well-loved radio deejay from Singapore’s MediaCorp Radio 987FM and won the most popular radio personality awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Daniel also managed the radio station for 15 months. In 2010, he announced that he was leaving the radio industry at large. In 2011, Twelve Cupcakes was born and it has grown to more than 40 stores today.

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (The One Technique Daniel Ong Practices Daily to Success)

Enjoy!

nq52fol-2

stitcher

Scroll down for the link and show notes…

Show Notes

Daniel’s childhood, first step into business and the source of his hunger
Daniel’s education and his start in Radio
Daniel on his unwavering positivity
Daniel on how he became the top DJ
Daniel’s views on Singlish
Daniel on becoming the manager of the radio station
Daniel gives advice on how to manage people with egos
Daniel shares insight on celebrities he met along the way
Daniel’s views on money and wealth
Daniel’s lesson from his biggest failure
Behind Twelve Cupcakes’ success
Daniel Ong shares his experience on bringing Twelve Cupcake overseas
Daniel shares his future business ideas
Daniel on the contraversies from his perspective
Daniel advice for staff management
Daniel’s dog got kidnapped
Daniel on time management

Links Mentioned

Connect with Daniel Ong:
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell
Daniel’s Ong letter to his neighbour
Pike Place Fish Market
Thanks for Listening!

Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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

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.

Until next time!

The 21 Year Old Founders of Staple Magazine, Emily Tay and Clara Lee

Staple Magazine

Clara Lee, Tan Yi Ping and Emily Tay are the 21 year old founders behind socio-culture magazine, Staple Magazine. Their pilot issue is themed Dizziness of Youth, whereby the notion of “arriving to an age” or the awkward manoeuvre between childhood to adulthood is the topic of interest.

We dived into topics including:
– The world of publishing; finding contents, curating and marketing the magazine
– How they started a magazine at the age of 21 while being full-time students who lived in different time zones
– Why one should work before entering university
– Explore being a youth and loads more

Enjoy!

nq52fol-2

stitcher

Scroll down for the link and show notes…

Links
Connect with Staple Magazine:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

STAPLE is currently stocked at Allscript, BooksActually, Basheer Graphic Books, Emporium of the Modern Man and Magpie Magazines.

Liba Studio
Middle Class Cigar
The Happy Reader
Hans Ulrich Obrist
Fountain Head by Ayn Rand
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer

Show notes
Childhood of Clara [10:55]
Childhood of Emily [13:15]
The birthplace of Staple [14:57]
Personalities of Clara and Emily [21:25]
Why one should get work experience before entering university [25:40]
Work experience of Emily [30:55]
What is Staple? [34:25]
The publishing process for Staple [35:30]
How was Staple magazine produced in different time zone? [40:35]
Parents’ reaction to the magazine [46:32]
How did they decide on their roles within Staple? [47:38]
Widsom acquired along the journey? [52:00]
Advice to your younger self [57:54]
Staple’s best marketing effort [1:01:35]

(more…)

Connect

IG ->
YT ->
LinkedIn ->
Email ->

Newsletter

Email Terms & Privacy

Email Terms & Privacy

Connect

IG ->
YouTube ->
Linkedin ->
Email ->

Email Terms & Privacy

Connect

IG ->
YouTube ->
Linkedin ->
Email ->