Compounding Curiosity

My guest today is Murray Hunter. Murray has been involved in the Asia-Pacific business scene for the last 40 years as an entrepreneur, consultant, academic, and researcher. Murray was named one of Asian Correspondent’s thirty-five selected bloggers in the region’s blogosphere based on quality of reporting, relevance and popularity, and is also the author of multiple books.   In this conversation, we discuss his new book with Lim Teck Ghee, Dark Forces Changing Malaysia. So we go deep into the dark forces changing Malaysian society today, and what the future may look like for Malaysia. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Murray Hunter.   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep35    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Background [00:04:13] - Why write a book on Malaysia’s Dark Forces?  [00:17:18] - Who are the Malay Elite? [00:22:16] - Corruption in Malaysia [00:24:00] - Malaysia's race-based political system [00:26:35] - Malaysia's brain drain and demographic change [00:30:13] - Bright spots for Malaysia [00:31:55] - The political scene in Malaysia [00:38:42] - Blowback to Murray’s work? [00:41:11] - Most undervalued life experience? [00:42:47] - Influential books or people [00:46:22] - Future Plans and wrapping up   ------   Connect with Murray: Murray’s Newsletter: https://murrayhunter.substack.com/about  Follow Murray on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DalastKimbasabi    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Dark Forces Changing Malaysia Paperback by Lim Teck Ghee and Murray Hunter: https://amzn.to/3RrP63D    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Stay Connected with Compounding Curiosity: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Sign up for the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Compounding Curiosity on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CompndCuriosity/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for the Allocators Asia SUBSTACK: https://AllocatorsAsia.substack.com/   Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb 

My guest today is Alvin Yuan. Alvin is the Founder & CEO of HealthMetrics. A next-generation employee healthcare platform for companies to manage their employee healthcare benefits holistically & seamlessly with process automation, live dashboards, data analytics, self-service employee mobile app & crafted wellness programs. In this conversation, we cover the startup scene in regard to healthcare, ASEAN-specific healthcare problems, and what it’s like running a startup. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Alvin Yuan. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep34    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Background [00:02:04] - Why go into startups? [00:02:55] - How hard is it running a healthcare startup? [00:04:13] - What is HealthMetrics [00:08:10] - Where do you even start as a tech healthcare startup [00:10:00] - Balancing stakeholders and current problems? [00:14:18] - Hiring at a startup [00:19:35] - ASEAN healthcare problems? [00:23:34] - Closing round of questions   ------   Connect with Alvin: Connect with Alvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin--yuan/  HealthMetrics’s Website: https://healthmetrics.com/    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: https://amzn.to/3BtlWeR    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Signup for the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://AllocatorsAsia.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb

My guest today is Michael Fritzell (@Fritz844), Michael is the author and owner of Asian Century Stocks, a newsletter providing financial journalism for companies and stocks in the Asia-Pacific. In today’s conversation, we cover life as a creator, balancing readers' wants and authors' needs, and the marketing needed for a successful newsletter. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Michael Fritzell. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep33  ------ Show Notes: [00:00:13] - [Intro] - What’s new? [00:03:07] - How to convert a free reader into a paying subscriber? [00:05:11] - The pressure of timeliness [00:06:16] - Life Outside Content [00:09:48] - Michael’s Workflow [00:11:26] - The Substack Fellowship [00:14:21] - Reflecting on Subscription price changes [00:19:06] - Asian Century Stocks Business Plan? [00:23:33] - Balancing Reader Wants VS Author’s Sanity [00:31:29] - Michael’s Approach to Marketing [00:36:49] - Wrapping Up ------ Connect with Michael: Follow Michael on Twitter Signup to Asian Century Stocks ------ Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  ------ Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Sign up for the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://AllocatorsAsia.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb

My guest today is Wan Zahidi. Wan is the Director and CEO of Tapir Partners, based in Malaysia. Wan has previous equity research experience within Malaysia and Indonesia. But interestingly has an honours in physics before joining the investing world! In this conversation, we cover his investing style, investing in Malaysia, and a little about cricket and physics! I had a tonne of fun with this one, so I hope you enjoy my conversation with Wan Zahidi.   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep32    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:30] - [First question] - Wan’s background [00:07:01] - Going from Physics to Investing [00:08:06] - Wan’s investing style [00:12:38] - ESG investing [00:14:57] - Idea generation [00:18:13] - Investing in Malaysia [00:21:25] - Building a network [00:25:33] - Interesting sectors of late? [00:27:11] - Advice for investing in Malaysia [00:28:49] - Most undervalued life experience [00:30:37] - Influential books [00:33:57] - Wrapping up and future plans   ------   Connect with Wan: Connect with Wan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wan-zahidi-7b1575b2/ Tapir Partners’ Website: https://www.tapirpartners.com/    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Crossroads: A Popular History of Malaysia & Singapore by Jim Baker: https://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Popular-History-Malaysia-Singapore-ebook/dp/B00BARLF38  Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555  The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham: https://www.amazon.com.au/Intelligent-Investor-Benjamin-Graham/dp/0060555661    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb    If you’ve read this far down, flick me a message on Twitter or LinkedIn and I’ll get some Compounding Curiosity stickers made up and sent to ya :)

My guest today is Rachel Lau. Rachel is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of RHL Ventures. RHL Ventures is a Southeast Asian-based private investment firm that focuses on growth capital investments in the Southeast Asia region.  In this conversation, we discuss the VC scene in Malaysia and ASEAN, how the landscape has changed over the last two years, and the story behind RHL. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Rachel Lau.   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep31    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Rachel’s Background [00:01:30] - The VC landscape within ASEAN  [00:06:44] - COVID’s effects on VC in ASEAN [00:10:06] - Investing in the A and B stage [00:13:27] - Aspects of VC that Rachel disagrees with [00:15:40] - What should people know about Malaysian VC [00:18:11] - Advice for graduates entering the VC scene? [00:19:33] - Rachel’s investing style [00:24:37] - Why start RHL Ventures? [00:27:32] - RHL’s edge? [00:29:07] - What Rachel wished she learned earlier [00:31:22] - Most undervalued life experience? [00:33:42] - Influential books? [00:35:55] - Wrapping up and future plans   ------   Connect with Rachel: Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lau-b90957a1/  RHL’s Website: https://rhl.ventures/    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah: https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Cinderella-Unwanted-Daughter-Teenage-ebook/dp/B00PVHE724    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb

Today’s conversation is all about TSMC. We go deep into the chip development process from start to finish, the fabs they’re constructed in, TSMC's business model, the competitive landscape, and what the future may hold. My guest today is Jon from Asianometry (@asianometry), creator of the hugely popular Asianometry YouTube channel where he posts video essays on business, technology, and history within Asia. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jon from Asianometry on TSMC.   (For reference, this episode was recorded January 25, 2021)   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep30    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Some background on TSMC [00:03:44] - The chip development process [00:05:36] - The science behind it [00:08:52] - What do the fabs look like? [00:11:19] - Why do fabs need so much water? [00:13:26] - Why are fabs getting bigger? [00:14:46] - Apple and TSMC’s relationship [00:16:24] - ASML and TSMC’s relationship [00:20:41] - CAPEX, Competition and a potential glut? [00:24:47] - Taiwan and TSMC’s relationship [00:27:05] - Would Apple ever compete with TSMC? [00:30:43] - TSMC Q4 Results and future plans [00:35:48] - Why is TSMC so secretive around their fabs [00:37:37] - Can the US feasibly compete in the semiconductor space? [00:40:15] - Is Moore's law really dead? [00:42:33] - Anything else that's consequential about TSMC's future?   ------   Connect with Asianometry: Asianometry’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Asianometry/featured  Follow Asianometry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/asianometry Asianometry Newsletter: https://asianometry.substack.com/  Asianometry Podcast: https://anchor.fm/asianometry    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: How TSMC Came to Taiwan's South: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x02pq2HeKQY  TSMC is more than just Taiwan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCnF-i1XDiU  How Taiwan Created TSMC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fVrWDdll0g  ASML: TSMC's Critical Supplier, Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFsn1CUyXWs    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb    If you’ve read this far down, I appreciate you :)

My guest today is Shinya Deguchi. Shinya is the founder of Star Magnolia Capital, a multi-family office and Co-Founder of Gen Z Group. Through Gen Z Group, Gen Z Media creates and promotes educational content (mainly in the medium of graphic novels) in Chinese-speaking regions which is today’s focus. In today’s conversation, we cover Webtoons and Manga in the context of investor education. It’s a little different but an extremely interesting and exciting topic. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Shinya Deguchi.   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep29    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Shinya’s background [00:03:47] - The influence of Makoto Maki [00:08:00] - Shinya’s investing style and how that’s changed over time [00:12:11] - Manga and Why start the Gen Z Group? [00:24:14] - Early mistakes? [00:31:07] - When comparing Manga and Webtoons compared to other mediums, why do it? [00:32:21] - What Shinya wished he knew before starting this project  [00:35:55] - And what’s next for Gen Z Group? [00:39:10] - Anything else we haven’t covered and wrapping up   ------   Connect with Shinya: Connect with Shinya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinya-deguchi-b403908/  Gen Z Group’s Website: https://www.genzgroup.org/    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: INVEST! Webtoon: https://www.genzgroup.org/new-investor-z  Investor Z IMPACT! Webtoon: https://www.genzgroup.org/investors-z-impact    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb

My guest today is Pratyush Rastogi (@FarrerWealth). Pratyush is the CEO & Founder at Farrer Wealth Advisors and was previously Head of Sales at Grab for Business, as well as prior experience in private equity. Today’s conversation is all about Grab. We go deep on their business model, Grab’s history, how regulation and management affect them, and what the future may hold.   (For reference, this episode was recorded December 29, 2021)   I hope you enjoy this deep dive on Grab with Pratyush Rastogi.    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep28    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:31] - [First question] - Pratush’s background with Grab [00:03:42] - Grab’s major aspects today and revenue drivers [00:08:04] - Grab’s history and battle with Uber [00:15:46] - The supply side of Grab’s business [00:20:25] - Grab the Super App and why create one? [00:22:38] - The scale and capital problem [00:26:29] - Unappreciated aspects of Grab’s and culture? [00:28:38] - Anything that people fundamentally misunderstand about Grab [00:30:14] - Grab’s leadership [00:34:35] - Worried about Anthony Tan’s 2.2% stake? [00:35:47] - Grab’s story and success with Regulators [00:37:60] - Biggest risks to Grab’s business? [00:41:11] - Anything we haven't talked about Grab that's consequential for their future?   ------   Connect with Pratyush : Follow Pratyush on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FarrerWealth  Farrer Wealth Advisors’s Website: https://www.farrerwealth.com/  Farrer Wealth’s Newsletter: https://farrerwealth.substack.com/    ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Ex-Grabber on Grab: https://www.farrerwealth.com/blog/ex-grabber-on-grab  Ex-Grabber on Grab (part 2): https://www.farrerwealth.com/blog/exgrabber2    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb

My guest today is Greg Lam (@lifewhereimfrom). Greg is the creator of the immensely popular Life Where I’m From YouTube channel. LWIF gives interesting and educational insight into the everyday, special events and uniquely Japanese aspects of life in Japan. In this conversation, we cover the process required for his videos, the YouTube landscape, and his new documentary, Being Japanese. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Greg Lam of Life Where I’m From!   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep27    ------   Show Notes: [00:00:33] - [First question] - Greg’s process for a video [00:03:06] - How Greg approaches video intros and thumbnails [00:05:29] - When did Greg find his voice and niche? [00:07:36] - Thoughts on recording video in public [00:09:04] - When did Greg think he could take YouTube fulltime? [00:11:02] - Lessons and takeaways from monetizing? [00:16:51] - Things Greg wished more viewers knew [00:20:41] - Videos that performed wildly different to Greg’s expectations? [00:24:10] - How to think about story when making videos [00:26:23] - What have been the hardest videos to make [00:33:31] - Favourite videos? [00:35:28] - Outsourcing parts of his video process? [00:44:35] - Advice for YouTube creators on what not to do?  [00:47:14] - Plans for the future?   ------   Connect with Life Where I’m From: Life Where I’m From on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqwxJts-6yF33rupyF_DCsA  Life Where I'm From X Channel: http://bit.ly/ytlwifx  Life Where I’m From’s Website: https://www.lifewhereimfrom.com/  Follow Life Where I’m From on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lifewhereimfrom  Follow Life Where I’m From on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifewhereimfrom    Follow Life Where I’m From on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifewhereimfrom      ------   Mentioned/Recommended Content: Being Japanese Documentary: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/beingjapanese/    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Join the Compounding Curiosity DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/

My 2021 recap! Talking a little about my lessons learned so far, some future guests, episodes, and plans for the podcast, and some of my stats so far. Will be back to regularly scheduled guests from next week!   For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep26    ------   Stay up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Compounding Curiosity Substack, where I’ll email you when the latest episode comes out along with my summary and takeaways, links to mentioned content, graphics and the transcript. Sign up at https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/    ------   Connect with Kalani: Visit the Compounding Curiosity PODCAST: https://CompoundingPodcast.com/  Visit the Compounding Curiosity SUBSTACK: https://compoundingcuriosity.substack.com/  Follow Kalani Scarrott on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ScarrottKalani/  Sign up for Allocators Asia: https://KalaniS.substack.com/  Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/NPVNPVsCYb