Michael Sng is the principal designer of Machination Studio.

He is the creator of the Codename Colossus – a Walking War Machine with 435 individually 3D-printed parts.

Michael is the first Singaporean who spoke on the main stage at the TED Conference (2016) in Vancouver.

He holds a Bachelor of Graphic Design (Advertising) from the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (2000).

In this conversation, we spoke about:

• Tools and skills to design and build a 3D printed & moving toy
• Hacking Kickstarter to conclude a 442% funded Campaign
• Michael’s experience preparing for TED
• and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (The Designer Snobs From Central Saint Martins)

• Listen to the full interview on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

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 Michael Sng introduce himself to a stranger? [0:01:49]
Michael Sng on his childhood [0:12:48]
What is Michael Sng’s superpower when he was younger? [0:1858]
What are the lessons Michael learnt from his time in design school? [0:24:13]
What is the value of an education at a design school when we can learn design from Youtube?  [0:30:51]
How did Michael get started with building the ultimate toy “Colosuss”? [0:36:47]
What are the software and skills required to design a toy? [0:4956]
Why did Michael decide to go to Comic Con? [01:02:44]
Did Michael achieve what he wanted at Comic Con? [01:05:09]
How did Michael get invited to TED? [01:09:07]
Michael Sng shares his experience preparing for his TED talk [01:11:41]
Michael Sng shares common mistakes people make with their Kickstarter campaigns [01:24:30]
Why did Michael set a low Kickstarter budget? [01:28:46]
What would Michael do differently for his Kickstarter campaign? [01:30:43]
How did Michael’s Kickstarter project get funded within 6 hours of its launch? [01:34:08]
Michael Sng shares the economics behind his Kickstarter campaign [01:39:49]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Michael Sng:
Website | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Photo Credit: Marla Aufmuth (TED)
Arduino
Fusion 360
SolidWorks
Ultimaker (3D printer)
Wanhao (3D printer)
Comic Con (New York)
Introducing Codename Colossus (Viral Video)
Singapore Toy and Games Comic Convention

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 Michael Sng. Until next time!

Pek Jin Shen, 25, better known by his stage name ShiGGa Shay is a Singaporean hip-hop artist, songwriter, director, and music producer.

In 2012, ShiGGa was named the “Unsigned Talent of The Week” by WorldStarHipHop.

He was the first Singaporean hip-hop Artist that made it to iTunes top chart with his song, LimPeh.

In 2016, ShiGGa Shay was invited by the US Ambassador to perform at the White House State Dinner after-party.

ShiGGa is also a founder member of hip hop group Grizzle Grind Crew, as well as production company Grizzle Films.

He films and art-directs most of his music videos.

In this conversation, we spoke about

• ShiGGa Shay’s vision for his career
• How ShiGGa Shay dealt with the passing of his father
• ShiGGa’s advice for young budding artists
• and much more!

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (Dealing With the Death of His Father)

• Listen to the full interview on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

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

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

Show Notes
ShiGG Shay on his childhood [0:02:01]
What is ShiGGa’s on first paid performance [0:09:51]
ShiGGa Shay shares about his music’s heroes [0:11:11]
When was ShiGGa Shay’s first big break? [0:13:08]
What is the passion that drives ShiGGa? [0:13:55]
What was Jin Shen’s parents’ reactions to his career? [0:15:35]
ShiGGa Shay shares backstory of the song he did with Stefanie Sun [0:19:33]
Why did ShiGGa choose to study for a Diploma in Media and Communication? [0:25:52]
What was ShiGGa Shay’s vision for his career? [0:28:02]
ShiGGa Shay on the passing of his father [0:32:48]
What is ShiGGa Shay’s take on “making money” and “selling out” [0:37:36]
Mentors that helped ShiGGa Shay along his journey [0:40:10]
ShiGGa Shay shares what it means to be an all-rounded performer? [0:46:34]
ShiGGa Shay on “talent” vs “hard work” [0:50:01]
ShiGGa Shay shares advice for young artists? [0:57:52]
ShiGGa Shay shares what does it means to be a director? [1:06:37]
Why did ShiGGa Shay decide to take up the role in 3688? [1:07:59]
What did ShiGGa Shay learn from film director Royston Tan? [1:10:03]

Links Mentioned

Connect with ShiGGa Shay:
Website | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Photo Credit: Daryl Adamz (Instagram)

Liang Wern Fook (Song-writer)
Simply, Love by Stefanie Sun and ShiGGa Shay
3688 by Royston Tan
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Hip-Hop Evolution (2016)
Departures (2008)
Charlie Lim

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 ShiGGa and Yasmeen. Until next time!

“Ownself check ownself”
– Wayne Cheong

Wayne Cheong is the head writer for Esquire Singapore. He is a two-time recipient of the MPAS (Media Publishers Association of Singapore) “Journalist of The Year”, for both 2014 and 2015.

He has interviewed numerous iconic personalities, including Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Dev Patel, Colin Schooling, “The SMRT Vigilanteh” and Eric Bana, amongst others.

On the side, Wayne performs standup comedy regularly. He has performed at Singapore Comedy Fringe Festival, Talk Cock Comedy 2015 as well as regular improv nights together with other comedians.

In this episode, we talked about

• Wayne’s interview process: from crafting questions to writing the article
• Esquire’s hiring process
• Recommendations for Japan
• and much much more…

If you’ve only got 2 minutes, here’s a short video on (How to ‘Not” to get a job at Esquire)

• Listen to the full interview on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

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 did Wayne first get introduced to me [0:02:18]
Wayne’s research process before his interview [0:07:29]
Wayne shares common mistakes when crafting interview questions [0:13:09]
Wayne shares advice on asking following up questions [0:17:21]
Wayne shares advice on creating rapport with the interviewees [0:22:33]
Wayne on planning an ideal interview scenario [0:26:07]
Wayne on his personal interviewing style [0:29:19]
What are the common themes that Wayne likes to cover with his interviewees? [0:44:45]
How does Wayne produce an article from his raw interview materials? [0:51:56]
Wayne shares advice on how to stay inspired to write? [0:58:50]
Wayne shares common misconception of working at Esquire [1:04:50]
What is Wayne’s definition of lazy writing [1:12:02]
Wayne on the difference between a good writer and a great writer [1:13:47]
Wayne recommendation for Japan [1:16:43]
Wayne shares his experience on interacting with people as an introvert [1:23:34]
Why does Wayne perform stand-up comedy? [1:25:22]

Links Mentioned
Studio Ghibli
Blue Blue 
Ragtag (second-hand store)
Kindal (second-hand store)
Shimokitazawa
Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison & Dave McKean
Exit Through the Gift Shop by Banksy
The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer
Stephanie Dogfoot
Jacky Ng

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 Wayne & Zul for making this happen. Until next time!

“Always challenge your teacher. The second your teacher fubar you from challenging him or her. He is no longer your teacher.”
– Richard Chong

Richard Chong retired from the Australian Army at the peak of his military career as a Paratrooper after more than 13 years of service, serving in multiple deployments at several theatres of conflict around the globe.

He is also a practitioner of several martial arts codes including Krav Maga, Silat, Filipino Martial Arts, slacklining and body flying.

In 2010, Richard was my first Couchsurfing host in Melbourne and he had opened up my world. We became good friends and he brought me to my first indoor skydiving experience in KL. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to interview him when he passed by Singapore.

In this conversation, we spoke about:

• Richard stories as a paratrooper in the Australian army
• How Richard became one of the first person to be paid for teaching slacklining in Melbourne
• Self-defence advice for solo-travellers
• and much more…

“The problem with complaining is.. you just piss people off.”
– Richard Chong

If you’ve only got 3 minutes, here’s a short video on (The Joy and Wonders of Solo Travel)

• Listen to the full interview on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”

This podcast is brought to you by Altizen. If you don’t know already, research is concluding that sitting all day is terrible for you (“Sitting is the new smoking” is the new health phrase).  If you are like me, I went to Ikea and tried one of the self-cranking desk – it’s not for me.

Altizen desk is a smart motorized workstation that transforms the tabletop into a healthy standing desk. It is also intelligent – it tracks and coaches you to develop this new habit with its sensors and smartphone app.  Models start at $1,349. Check out Alitizen.com to see which one might be right fit for you. If you decide to get one, quote “MISFITS” to get $400 off Altizen immediately! Offer is limited to the first 10 customers.

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 did Richard and Bryan first meet? [0:02:17]
Richard Chong on his childhood [0:12:30]
Does Richard face any racism while growing up in Australia? [0:14:03]
What led Richard to join the Australian Army [0:19:30]
Richard Chong’s experiences as a paratrooper in the army? [0:27:40]
How did Richard carry a 3-wheel truck up a mountain? [0:32:32]
How did Richard cope with the loss of fellow men? [0:35:05]
Why did Richard choose to leave the army? [0:42:32]
Richard Chong shares the difference between a Soldier and a Warrior [0:52:07]
Richard Chong shares experience of his first day after leaving the service [0:56:48]
What are the few factors that caused Richard to get into depression after leaving the army? [0:58:57]
Richard Chong shares his experience in a mental facility [1:04:19]
What had Richard learnt from solo-traveling? [1:12:19]
Why does Richard carry a knife wherever he goes? [1:16:22]
What self-defence advice would Richard give to solo female travellers? [1:21:11]
How does Richard feel about living the ‘retired life’ for 10 years now? [1:32:47]
How did Richard become the first person in Victoria, Australia to be charging for slacklining? [1:37:39]

Links Mentioned

Connect with Richard Chong:
Website (CASD) | Facebook

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Life on Earth by David Attenborough
Tactical Writing Pen by Hardcore Hardware

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 everyone of them.

Special thanks to Richard for sharing these experiences. Until next time!