Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

As Washington edges closer to a government shutdown, contradictory signals in the US economy are keeping investors on edge, from a cooling labor market to resilient growth and consumption. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs remain unpredictable but markets seem largely unfazed. Mel Siew, Portfolio Manager for Asia Public Credit at Muzinich & Co, also examines how China’s Golden Week may reveal consumer strength, why EM and Asian credit are seeing strong inflows, and where opportunities are emerging in credit markets. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all been there: an old friend suddenly pops back into your life, and you’re excited to reconnect… until you realize they’re now an insurance agent, life coach, or some other professional, and you’re the target of a pitch. In this episode of Breakfast Bites, we explore the delicate balance between supporting a friend and protecting your wallet, with practical tips on how to handle these tricky “friend-or-client” moments without making things weird.   Presented by Audrey Siek and Ryan Huang  Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starbucks has dominated for decades, but consumer habits are shifting and smaller cafés are stealing time and traffic. Add in layoffs and closures, and the world’s biggest coffee chain is suddenly on the defensive. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they digest the latest on the coffee chain’s restructuring plan, shifting consumer trends and what it all means for global investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bottleneck in education isn’t content, it’s capacity. Attention spans are shrinking, working memory is under strain, and technology risks eroding the very skills students need to succeed. The Breakfast Show speaks with Hoa Ly, Co-founder and CEO of Nuroe about building a venture that brings science out of the lab and into family life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is now at the top of the agenda for many boards across Asia, but turning those investments into business value has proven far harder than expected. Egon Zehnder’s latest CIO survey shows 60% of Asian boards prioritise AI, yet most organisations still struggle to scale projects or see real returns. So what explains this gap between ambition and outcomes? What kind of leadership do companies actually need to unlock AI’s potential, and how might the answer differ in Southeast Asia’s corporate landscape? Burcu Bicakci, Partner at Egon Zehnder, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack the leadership challenge behind AI adoption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Tan, Portfolio Manager at Grasshopper Asset Management, discusses why global equities may be running ahead of fundamentals, and where fresh catalysts could emerge. From China’s tech rebound to defense stocks and the dollar’s slide, we explore the forces shaping markets into year-end. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us in Singapore don’t think twice about the longkang, until it floods. And we rarely think about the people who keep them clear, even though their work keeps our city safe from floods, pests, and disease. Too often, these essential jobs are stigmatised, seen as “less meaningful” or “less dignified.” The Breakfast Show invites Shaik Nifael, Founder, Jetters Incz to share how he built a company in one of Singapore’s least glamorous industries and turned it into a purpose-driven business recognised as a Companies of Good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia’s financial markets are undergoing a quiet revolution. Instead of relying on global capital, more Asian households and institutions are now channeling their vast savings into local investments. HSBC calls this the Asia Buys Asia mega-trend - one that could reshape financial resilience, investment flows, and the role of Asia in global markets. Herald van der Linde, Head of Equity Strategy for Asia Pacific at HSBC shares what this means for investment opportunities.  Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How closely were you following the news this month? September was undoubtedly a busy time: we saw a slew of global and local headlines from a big shakeup of the US's HB-1 visas, to Charlie Kirk's high profile assassination and Singapore's parliamentary debates.  Play along and let us know how well you do!   Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lithium Americas shares nearly doubled after reports that Washington may take a 10% stake in its Nevada project. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they break down what this means for the Thacker Pass mine, U.S. EV supply chains, and whether this stock is a speculative trade or a long-term strategic investment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.