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A missed scholarship. A second attempt. That same "fail, fail again, fail better" grit carried Chia Yi from rural Pahang to speech-language therapy, and now shapes how she helps families with dementia find comfort, dignity, and care partnership. More resources about dementia and Alzheimer’s: Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia: https://www.adfm.org.my/Alzheimer’s Disease International: https://www.alzint.org/ Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing: https://mash.org.my/ Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care: https://teepasnow.com/

Trusting the unknown takes courage. A secure job, a growing sense of unease, a decision to start over – that’s Maha Subramaniam’s journey from central banking to building Schola, now reaching 750,000 students across Malaysia! Sometimes, the leap IS the plan.

Ballet discipline, a crashed laptop days before her thesis defense, homesickness abroad. Clinical dietitian and baker Loo Yee Wong shares how she turned every setback into fuel, and why she believes resilience, like dough, just needs time and pressure to rise.

Life transitions can feel like setbacks, but they are often just opportunities to redefine your path. Thanaselan Rajendran opens up about navigating his lowest professional points and how a "last-minute" decision to study abroad in Sheffield became the critical reset that bridged his past in the civil service to his future in social innovation.

We are all craving connection, and trainee counsellor Alina Nazri knows how deeply that shapes our lives. She sits down with us to unpack the role of community in wellbeing, and why moving past surface-level small talk to real vulnerability is the most courageous (and rewarding) thing we can do.

Ever felt intimidated by art galleries? Feng is on a mission to change that. He’s breaking down institutional walls to ensure everyone (not just the "art crowd") feels they belong! Hit play, as we discuss taking risks to make art a seamless experience for all.

Is softness a liability? Not at all. This International Women’s Day, Sharifah Hani Yasmin and Aisha Hassan (Dia Guild) share how knowledge and connections fuel clarity, courage, and community, proving women thrive by lifting each other. And of course, there’s the joy of simply being girls together!

Ashley Robinson spent years believing she wasn't smart enough for law school… until she realised capability was never the issue. Hear how changing universities twice, making labels in law firms, and finally enrolling at 39 (with two children in tow!) taught her that the only race that matters is against yourself.

Who shapes the cities we live in, and who gets left out?Dr. Katerina Antonopoulou from the Liverpool School of Architecture invites us to rethink the traditional top-down approach to urban design. She reveals why architects need to step off the map and step into real communities to understand how people actually live, move, and belong in a space. Discover why great architecture isn’t just about strong design skills, but also about critical thinking, empathy, and the courage to question who we’re really building for. Explore how truly inclusive cities emerge when we ask the most important question: whose future are we shaping?

From cleaning rat cages to exploring the complexities of addiction, Dr. Lisa Wallace’s journey is a testament to the power of proving doubters wrong. Along the way, pharmacology taught her unexpected lessons about empathy, resilience, and the human side of science. She reflects on why stubbornness can be a hidden strength, how setbacks often redirect us toward greater opportunities, and why the longest, most winding paths can ultimately lead to extraordinary destinations. Tune in to hear a story of determination, curiosity, and the surprising lessons that shape a meaningful career in science.

The daydreaming boy who took hours to walk home grew up to decode focus. Dr Carmel Mevorach reveals why we’re brilliant at filtering distractions, how devices hijack our attention, and why neurodivergent minds offer unique strengths. This is truly a conversation that changes how you think about potential.

How can seemingly small moments shape an entire career? Professor Jeremy Simpson, Dean of Science at University College Dublin, shares how his journey was transformed by moments as simple as attending a lecture on oil-eating microbes or discovering the glow of jellyfish proteins. He opens up about the power of curiosity, the unexpected paths that define a life in science, and why pursuing what genuinely excites you can matter far more than following a rigid career plan. Listen in to discover how embracing curiosity and seizing small opportunities can lead to extraordinary transformation.

Why do high achievers self-sabotage? According to York’s Professor Paul Bishop, the answer lies deeper than motivation or discipline. His research uncovers how shame can quietly derail even the most capable students - manifesting as writer’s block, procrastination, or avoidance. He also reveals why lecture attendance carries different levels of impact depending on a student’s year of study, and how the rise of conspiracy theories sheds light on how young people construct and trust knowledge. Explore the hidden psychology behind academic success, the silent struggles students face, and what educators can do to support them more meaningfully.

After over 15 years in the corporate world, Dr. Caroline Chaffer went from PwC chartered accountant to University of York Associate Dean. Her story reveals how a promotion offer sparked a complete career pivot and why “being good at math” isn’t enough for success today.

What’s it really like to swap Malaysia’s sunshine for the UK’s famously unpredictable weather? MARA scholar Izz Irfan shares his honest take on adjusting to life at the University of Birmingham - from the cold and halal food hunts to making campus feel like home.