Who We Are with Rachel Lim

You may know him as “Xiao Ming”, the funny guy behind the shades, the face of SGAG. But in this conversation, I sat with Adrian Ang, the man behind the persona.Adrian and I go way back to our school days. And over the past few years, we’ve reconnected, not over memes or milestones, but over the messy, honest work of untangling who we are from what we’ve built.In this episode, Adrian opens up about the cost of becoming someone the world applauds, and the quiet courage it took to start unbecoming what no longer served him.We talked about:The moment his son asked him to take off the sunglassesHow he nearly lost himself trying to keep it all togetherDrinking to escape, leading while empty, and hurting the people he loved mostAnd what it really means to heal — slowly, gently, from the inside out00:00 Introduction: The Man Behind the Persona01:37 Adrian Today: Diving Beneath the Surface04:54 Kampung Childhood & Free-Spirited Beginnings06:50 Becoming “Xiao Ming”: The Internet Persona Is Born09:20 When the Character Overshadows the Creator11:22 The Cost of Compartmentalising Who We Are16:17 Chasing Impact, Validation & Approval22:37 What Success Really Cost Him25:56 Breaking Point: The Spiral He Couldn’t Ignore30:31 Shutting Down, Pushing Love Away34:53 Reclaiming Himself, One Layer at a Time38:58 The Practice of Healing & Rewiring44:12 The Hardest Work: Sitting With Discomfort48:54 Learning to Find Peace Within51:29 Redefining Success, Impact & Enoughness56:58 To My Younger Self: It’s Okay to Feel01:02:58 If His Eyes Could Speak…01:04:08 Closing Reflections: The Journey Back to SelfFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Adrian here: https://www.instagram.com/adrian.xiaoming/

Best known for The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli has helped millions of readers sharpen their thinking and sidestep the traps that cloud our judgment. In his latest book The Not-To-Do List, he flips traditional self-help on its head; arguing that the key to a good life isn’t doing more, but doing less of what doesn’t serve us.In this candid conversation, Rolf shares practical ways to reclaim your attention and energy: how to stop overcommitting, why reliability matters more than talent, when to quit (and why it’s not a failure), and what he’s learned from consciously stepping away from the news cycle.This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched thin, trapped in a productivity loop, or simply ready to cut through the noise.00:00 Introduction 01:04 Rolf Dobelli’s Not-To-Do Habit: Overconfidence 02:44 Rolf’s Study on Cognitive Biases 05:14 The Sunk-Cost Fallacy’s Impact on Our Decisions 07:22 How to Avoid the Manipulation of Reciprocity 10:12 Rolf’s Inspiration Behind ‘The Not-To-Do List’12:44 Why Reliability Outweighs Brilliance 14:46 Knowing When to Quit or Persevere 18:33 Why To-Do-Lists Don’t Work 20:12 The Magic of Setting Low Expectations 23:54 Why Rolf Stopped Reading the News 27:25 Rolf Dobelli’s Mission to Sharpen the Quality of Our Thoughts 29:15 The Billboard Question: Rolf Dobelli’s Message30:22 Episode Closing Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Stay up to date with Rolf Dobelli here: https://www.dobelli.com/en/Purchase 'The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions' online here.Purchase 'The Not to Do List: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Success' online here.

Tan Su Shan’s story is more than a career trajectory; it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to lead. In this special and intimate conversation during Love, Bonito's IWD event, Su Shan, now the CEO of DBS, reflects on her journey from intern to the top of one of Asia’s most influential banks.She opens up about the moments of self-doubt, the lessons learned from “demotions,” and how she learned to command a room without changing who she is. From cultivating clarity and conviction, to breaking through the “sticky floor” that holds many women back, Su Shan shares powerful truths about ambition, presence, and the price of leadership.Whether you're a rising leader, a seasoned professional, or simply navigating what it means to take up space in your own life, this conversation is filled with wisdom, warmth, and actionable insight.00:00 Introduction00:38 From Intern to CEO: Su Shan’s Early Days at DBS02:04 When a “Demotion” Becomes a Turning Point07:16 Facing Self-Doubt and Leading Through Discomfort08:57 Learning to Command the Room with Confidence12:02 Grounding Leadership in Customer-Centricity14:08 How “WRECKOON” Shaped Her Perspective as a Leader15:41 The One Leadership Skill That Will Define the Next Decade17:57 The Best Investments Su Shan Has Made in Life19:28 Q&A: Building Clarity and Communicating with Impact21:07 Q&A: Finding the Right Mentors and Sponsors23:59 Q&A: What It Really Takes to Build Great Teams26:15 Final Reflections: What Leadership Means TodayFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Su Shan here: linkedin.com/in/tan-su-shan-50296732

What’s really going on inside the minds and hearts of today’s teenagers?In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr Cheryl Loh, one of Singapore’s leading adolescent psychiatrists and a mother to two teens, to explore the inner emotional world of adolescence: a time of searching, shaping, and often silent struggle.We unpack what teens are truly longing for, not just connection, but a deep sense of belonging, identity, and emotional safety. Dr Cheryl shares why so many adolescents turn to the digital world to cope, why shame is such a potent and often misunderstood force during these years, and how adults can begin to show up in ways that don’t just manage behaviour, but meet real emotional needs.What makes this conversation truly special is that it doesn’t stop at insight. Dr Cheryl offers practical, actionable ways for parents, caregivers, and educators to reconnect, rebuild trust, and offer teens the safe, anchored presence they may not know how to ask for.00:00 Introduction01:28 Dr Cheryl Loh on Championing Adolescent Mental Health in Singapore04:24 Why Teen Mental Health Deserves More Attention10:13 Are Our Teens Simply Misunderstood?14:37 Parent Guilt, Anxious Parenting & the Pressure to Get It Right17:33 Teens vs the Internet: Navigating Influence, Shame & Identity22:37 How to Stay Present in Your Teen’s Life — Without Pushing Them Away27:16 Seeing the Good: Shifting from Fixing to Connecting30:03 What Increases the Risk of Mental Health Struggles in Adolescents?34:36 The Role Educators & Schools Play in Teen Emotional Safety37:55 The Social Media Trap: Why Teens Seek Validation Online39:42 Showing Up for Your Teen & Playing the Long Game44:17 Netflix’s Adolescence: When Emotional Needs Go Unmet46:45 Why Healthy Parent-Teen Relationships Matter More Than Ever48:53 Helping Teens Build an Inner Compass in a Noisy World50:52 The Power of Good-Enough Parenting52:57 What Gives Dr Cheryl Hope About This Generation54:40 The Billboard Question: “Say Hello to Your Kid Today”56:07 Episode ClosingFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/You can book an appointment with Dr. Cheryl Loh at Garden Grove Clinic. Find out more here: https://gardengroveclinic.sg/about-us/

In this powerful episode, Wes Kao; co-founder of Maven and pioneer of cohort-based learning, joins us to explore what separates good leaders from great ones, and why intentional communication is at the heart of it all.We dive into everything from how to sharpen your judgment and make faster, better decisions, to why concise communication isn't just efficient, it's essential. Wes unpacks her signature concept of “avoiding negative inception” and shows how certain well-meaning phrases can actually sabotage your message and plant doubt.We also talk about how to turn worries into action, why owning your strengths is a quiet superpower, and what it looks like to challenge your own thoughts with intention. Wes shares her biggest leadership challenge to date, and how she learned to balance transparency with confidence, especially when leading through uncertainty.If you're a leader, creator, or communicator of any kind, this conversation is packed with tactical wisdom that will shift how you speak, lead, and show up.Topics we cover:The communication traps even smart leaders fall intoWhat it means to “incept negative ideas” and how to avoid itWhy saying less can help you lead more effectivelyThe underrated power of self-awareness and reframingHow to personalise your communication to truly connectTune in and learn how to lead not just with vision, but with voice.00:00 Introduction00:55 Wes Kao’s Passion for Education 02:08 Good vs Great Leadership: What Sets Them Apart?04:12 How to Sharpen Your Judgement and Make Better Decisions 08:28 The Importance of Concise Communication 10:24 Stop Incepting Negative Ideas: How to Protect Your Message14:41 Turning Your Worries Into Action 18:54 The Beauty of Owning Your Strengths 22:53 Saying ‘No’ to Unproductive Struggles 26:33 The Art of Challenging Your Own Thoughts 29:51 Wes Kao’s Biggest Leadership Challenge and Lessons Learned 31:59 Transparency vs. Confidence: Communication as Leaders 35:05 The Importance of Personalising Your Communication 36:25 Episode Closing Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Wes Kao here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskaoSubscribe to her newsletter here: https://newsletter.weskao.com/

After Leo’s episode, I was deeply moved by the messages that poured in, not just about his story, but about the unspoken weight many of you are carrying in your own lives. So many asked: How do you support someone you love when they’re struggling? How do you stay steady for them without losing yourself in the process?In this intimate solo episode, I share my personal experience; what it looked like to walk beside Leo during one of his hardest seasons. Not from a place of having it all figured out, but through the lens of the lessons it taught me.I open up about what helped, what didn’t, and the truths I had to learn the hard way; like not taking his withdrawal personally, listening to understand (not to fix), and continuing to show up with love, even when I felt emptied out.If you’re in that space right now, quietly holding it all together, I hope this conversation reminds you:You are not alone. And you are allowed to be strong and tired at the same time 💛00:00 Introduction: Why This Episode Matters01:38 Q&A: Navigating Turbulent Seasons in Relationships02:15 The Subtle Signs: Spotting Early Symptoms of Depression05:16 Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability09:25 How to Stay Resilient When There’s No Timeline12:49 What Support Really Looks Like: Small Acts, Big Impact16:29 My Own Breaking Point: Personal Struggles and Lessons19:15 The Hardest Truths I Had to Learn21:45 If I Could Speak to Her: A Heart-to-Heart With My Younger Self26:45 Final Reflections & ClosingFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Listen to Leo's story here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cfdJMK348KROmJzLJzKgo?si=iT5YgN0xRG6ATPEHFTvHjQ

Leadership is more than just strategy; it’s about self-awareness, emotional mastery, and the ability to lead from a place of integrity and presence. In this special live session, renowned leadership coach Joyce Chen joins a room full of entrepreneurs for a deep, unfiltered conversation on what it truly means to lead with consciousness.This episode features four live coaching sessions, where Joyce guides participants through some of the most pressing leadership dilemmas:🔹 How to hold yourself and your team accountable using the Teach the Class method.🔹 Navigating burnout and knowing when to take a break; is it a whole-body yes or time to realign?🔹 Leading by example; how to teach the Above-Below the Line framework through role modeling.🔹 Overcoming overwhelm and uncertainty; learning to trust your instincts while staying open to growth.Through raw, honest coaching and actionable insights, Joyce helps uncover the deeper patterns that shape how we lead and shows us how to shift into a more empowered, intentional way of showing up - both in business and in life.00:00 Introduction00:54 Understanding the ‘Above-Below the Line Framework’03:42 Shifting from Contraction to Expansion 05:24 ‘Teaching The Class’ Method for Improved Accountability 12:00 ‘Whole Body Yes’ Framework: Navigating Burnout and Indecision 18:04 Role-modelling and Implementing Change as Leaders20:41 The Importance of Joy and Celebrating Wins 24:55 Evaluating Progress from Above the Line / How to Know I’m Doing Things Right26:46 Final Reflections and Key TakeawaysFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Get connected with Joyce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-chen-coach/

This conversation with Gurmit Singh moved me deeply. It’s not just about a career; it’s about the constant pull between ambition and presence, the delicate balance between success and self-worth, and the courage it takes to step away and realign with what truly matters. Whether you’re in the thick of building your career, questioning your path, or seeking clarity in life’s transitions, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. I can’t wait for you to hear it.For over two decades, Gurmit Singh was a household name, bringing laughter to millions. But behind the scenes, he was giving everything; his time, his energy, and unknowingly, pieces of himself, to an industry that demanded more than it gave. Then, at the height of his fame, he made a decision few expected—he walked away. In this deeply personal conversation, Gurmit shares the story of why he left, the sacrifices he made along the way, and the hard-earned wisdom that reshaped his understanding of identity, purpose, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life.00:00 Welcome & Introduction01:47 Gurmit Singh: The Man Behind the Laughter07:06 Fighting Inner Battles: Overcoming Inferiority Complex10:45 The Legacy and Burden of Phua Chu Kang13:31 Why Gurmit Walked Away from Fame for Family17:22 The Power of Saying ‘No’: Guarding Time & Priorities19:35 A Child’s Silent Plea: The Cost of a Father’s Absence23:45 Parenting in a Changing World: Lessons & Challenges26:40 Choosing Love Without Conditions: A Father’s Journey30:03 Bridging Generational & Belief Gaps with Your Kids35:27 A Near-Death Experience That Changed Everything40:31 What Gurmit Would Tell His Younger Self Today44:47 Beyond the Persona: Who Is Gurmit Singh, Really?47:48 Final Reflections & Parting WisdomFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Gurmit Singh here: https://www.instagram.com/gurmit.65/

James Dyson, the innovative founder of Dyson, shares his inspiring journey of defying industry norms and believing in his vision despite over 5,000 rejections. He highlights the power of naivety as an advantage in innovation, challenging reliance on market research. Dyson discusses the importance of resilience in the face of self-doubt while recalling the transformative impact of the James Dyson Award in inspiring young innovators to tackle real-world challenges. His story is a call to trust your instincts and pursue groundbreaking ideas against all odds.

In a heartfelt conversation, Leo shares his journey of starting over at 52, navigating change, and rediscovering purpose after losing his job. The discussion dives into the emotional complexities of grief and identity, highlighting the transformative power of new beginnings. Leo's love for cooking becomes a source of solace and connection, inspiring him to share his culinary passion online. As they reflect on personal growth and community support, listeners are reminded that reinvention is a shared experience filled with hope and strength.