The Generalists

Raz Kotler & Michael Smith Jr.

The hosts Raz Kotler & Michael Smith Jr., interview people around how they arrived in Singapore, their careers, their personal journeys and how the concept of being a Generalist influences their life and career. All episodes currently filmed F2F in the Poddster Singapore studios.

  1. From Crime Journalist to CEO: My Startup Journey

    3D AGO

    From Crime Journalist to CEO: My Startup Journey

    In Episode 45 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Veli Kattoulas - CEO of Lanturn, former investigative journalist, and founder of multiple companies across Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. From reporting on the Yakuza in 1990s Japan to navigating startup competition and scaling internationally, Veli shares hard-won lessons on resilience, discipline, and the art of “muddling through” when building enduring companies. His story is a masterclass in reinvention and the generalist mindset. 🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How frontline journalism trains you to make decisions under pressure - Insights into Yakuza–politics connections in 1990s Japan - Lessons from startup failures and competitors with deeper pockets - Real-world product validation and pricing strategies - Why discipline and speed are key for startup growth - Scaling a company in Singapore vs expanding internationally 👥 Hosts Michael Smith Jr.: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp](https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp) Razko Kotler: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282](https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282) 👤 Guest Veli Kattoulas: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/velikattoulas/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/velikattoulas/) 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & intrapreneurship insights: 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast](https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast) 🔗 Links & Resources - Lanturn (company): https://www.lanturn.com/ - Obliquity -John Kay: https://www.amazon.com/Obliquity-John-Kay/dp/1846682899 - Monetizing Innovation: Madhavan Ramanujam & Georg Tacke: https://www.amazon.com/Monetizing-Innovation-Companies-Design-Pricing/dp/1119240867 - Slow Horses* (TV show): https://tv.apple.com/us/show/slow-horses/ - Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides: https://www.amazon.com/Middlesex-Novel-Jeffrey-Eugenides/dp/0312427735 - Tokyo Vice - Jake Adelstein: https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Vice-American-Reporter-Police/dp/0307475298 - Techmeme Ride Home (podcast): https://www.ridehome.info/techmeme-ride-home/ - MarkMonitor brand protection (Clarivate): https://clarivate.com/markmonitor/](https://clarivate.com/markmonitor/ - Taobao marketplace: https://www.taobao.com/](https://www.taobao.com/

    1h 4m
  2. How Generalists Succeed in Big Companies

    SEP 9

    How Generalists Succeed in Big Companies

    In Episode 44 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Gustavo Fuchs — Microsoft Asia Channels, ex Google Cloud leader who’s led teams across Brazil, Turkey, Bahrain, Angola, Dubai, and Singapore. He shares powerful insights on AI adoption, intrapreneurship, and the real advantages of being a generalist in complex organizations. Gustavo explains why the true generalist advantage—understanding the whole system (P&L, leverage points, structure, and culture)—only works if you keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive. By connecting with startups, outsider communities, and fresh perspectives, you avoid corporate complacency and bring new energy back into your company. 🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - The AI value chain: research → models → infra → apps/agents - Where margins accrue in AI and how to pick high-leverage use cases - Turning “experiments” into board-level, KPI-tied initiatives - Build vs. buy decisions for AI and agentic workflows - The “1%” most teams miss: internal selling & HQ alignment - Intrapreneurship strategies: creating healthy tension in big orgs - A practical lens for model builders, digital natives & enterprises - Cross-cultural leadership playbooks for global GTM success - Energy management: how to stay “always-on” without burnout 👥 Hosts - Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠ - Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠ 👤 Guest - Gustavo Fuchs: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavofuchs/⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & intrapreneurship insights: 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast⁠ 🔗 Links & Resources - The Culture Map (book): ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Map-Breaking-Invisible-Boundaries/dp/1610392507⁠ - Chip War (book): ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Chip-War-Worlds-Critical-Technology/dp/1982172002⁠ - XA Network: ⁠https://www.xanetwork.co/⁠ - Accelerating Asia: ⁠https://www.acceleratingasia.com/

    49 min
  3. The Switzerland of AI - Singapore thoughts! Roundtable #1

    SEP 4

    The Switzerland of AI - Singapore thoughts! Roundtable #1

    Join us for the first episode from the Generalists Roundtable! Where Alex Dwek, Hiah Goh, Michael Smith Jr., and Raz Kotler talk about tech, AI, startups, pizza, and anything else that comes to mind! Whether you’re a founder, investor, or curious observer, this roundtable offers raw, unscripted insights on AI, startups, and Southeast Asia’s tech future. 👥 The Table - Hian Goh: Co-Founder & Partner, OpenSpace Ventures - Alex Dwek: COO, Nas.io - Michael Smith Jr.:Oracle Cloud Evangelist & Host, The Generalists Podcast - Raz Kotler: Entrepreneur & Host, The Generalists Podcast 🚀 This episode dives deep into: - How AI transformed Nas Daily’s video production workflow - The signal vs. noise problem in content creation - Why storytelling and ideas matter more than AI polish - The rise of solopreneurs & “vibe coding” for prototypes, apps, and income streams - Comparing Singapore’s risk-averse culture vs. Israeli “no-box” thinking - How startups like Prefer Coffee thrive in Singapore’s innovation ecosystem - Benchmark Capital’s $75M bet on Manas AI and Singapore’s role as the “Switzerland of AI” - Jim Keller & 10storrent: Singapore/Malaysia as a hidden chip design hub - The future of usage-based SaaS pricing vs. traditional models - Why Singapore & Malaysia could become a global data center hub 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & entrepreneurial insights. 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast 🔗 Links & Resources - Pakistani Coal Miner: https://www.instagram.com/pakistanicoalminer/ - Korean Husband Cooking: https://www.youtube.com/@koreanhusbandcooking - OpenSpace Ventures: https://openspace.vc - Nas.io: https://nas.io - Prefer Coffee: https://prefer.earth - Tenstorrent: https://tenstorrent.com - Supabase: https://supabase.com - ByteDance / TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com - Love, Bonito: https://www.lovebonito.com - Robert McKee – Story (book): https://mckeestory.com/story-book - Jim Keller (engineer): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Keller_(engineer) -Lenny’s Podcast (Intercom episode): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/podcast-intercom-ai - SuperAI Conference: https://superai.com

    57 min
  4. How to Raise $4.2M After 200 Rejections

    SEP 3

    How to Raise $4.2M After 200 Rejections

    In Episode 42 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Jake Berber — co-founder of Prefer, the bean-free coffee startup reinventing the future of sustainable ingredients — to explore the art of building category-defining products, raising capital in tough climates, and scaling food-tech from Singapore to the world. From kitchen experiments to raising capital from 200+ funds and landing an oversubscribed pre-A, Jake reveals what it really takes to build a category-defining food-tech company. He explains why he actively seeks risk, how Prefer positions itself as a “coffee extender” instead of a replacement, and the strategies behind scaling from Singapore to the global stage. 🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why Prefer is future-proofing ingredients like coffee and cocoa - The power of platform fermentation and how it scales - How Singapore’s ecosystem accelerates food-tech innovation - What it takes to survive fundraising in a cold climate - Jake’s nine-step playbook for engaging investors - Why “coffee extender” beats “bean-free coffee” in FMCG sales - How reference designs derisk adoption for big brands - Managing copycat risk and building defensible IP - The hybrid model of ingredient sales + licensing - Fitness, journaling, and the habits that sustain founders 👥 Hosts - Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp - Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282 👤 GuestJake Berber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeberber/ 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & entrepreneurial insights. 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast 🔗 Links & Resources - Prefer: https://prefer.coffee - Iso Latte (Prefer product showcase): https://prefer.coffee/iso-latte - Enterprise Singapore: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg - Entrepreneur First (EF): https://www.joinef.com - A*STAR Singapore: https://www.a-star.edu.sg - Melvados: https://melvados.com - Ajinomoto Thailand: https://www.ajinomoto.co.th/en/ - MrBeast: https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast - The Green Blueprint: https://www.latitudemedia.com/podcasts/the-green-blueprint/ - 20VC (Twenty Minute VC with Harry Stebbings): https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com

    53 min
  5. Poker, Stoicism & Startups: Mental Models That Actually Work

    AUG 30

    Poker, Stoicism & Startups: Mental Models That Actually Work

    In Episode 41 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down George Kassabgi (GK) — a two-time CEO, angel investor, technologist, and philosopher — to explore the art of fundraising, leadership, and startup strategy. GK shares why raising capital feels like a ritualistic insect mating dance, highlighting the rhythm, back-and-forth, and delicate courtship between founders and investors. Drawing from three decades of experience across software infrastructure, NLP, ML, quant trading, and conversational AI, he offers practical and philosophical lessons every founder can apply. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How the Parent–Child analogy shapes founder decision-making - Spotting hype vs. true paradigm shifts in software - The most effective and damaging boardroom behaviors - Why the CEO role is the loneliest job - Poker analogies for investing discipline and risk - Why raising capital is like an insect mating dance - GK’s MoneyTime framework and how it guides life choices - Why most AGI proclamations are nonsense - How to master timeless skills despite technological revolutions - Philosophical lessons from Stoicism, Vitae, and changing your mind 👥 Hosts: Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠⁠⁠ Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠⁠⁠ 👤 Guest: George Kassabgi: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgek/⁠ 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and global tech trends. 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast⁠⁠ 🔗 Links & Resources: - Bit9 / Carbon Black: ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMware_Carbon_Black⁠ - Real-time AI practice in English & Thai: ⁠https://phuk.et/⁠ - Spoken Press: ⁠https://www.spoken.press⁠ - Mendix: ⁠https://www.mendix.com⁠ - Exuma Systems (Incubator): ⁠https://www.exuma.systems⁠ - George on Medium: ⁠https://medium.com/@gk_⁠ - Michael Pollan (How to Change Your Mind): ⁠https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/⁠ - Netflix Documentary (How to Change Your Mind): ⁠https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/80229847/⁠

    59 min
  6. Stop Measuring Success Wrong w/Grace Clapham

    AUG 26

    Stop Measuring Success Wrong w/Grace Clapham

    In Episode 40 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Grace Clapham—fractional executive, community builder, former Meta director, and serial entrepreneur—to explore her multidimensional career journey. From launching fashion brands across Asia to shaping global community strategies at Meta, Grace shares insights on generalism vs. specialization, building sustainable communities, and rethinking leadership for the next generation. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How Grace pivoted from fashion marketing to social innovation after personal loss - The mechanics of building thriving communities and why monetization isn’t taboo - Lessons from leading global community partnerships at Meta - East vs. West: how collectivism and individualism shape community-building - Challenges and solutions for women’s entrepreneurial networks in Southeast Asia - How the dynamics of wealth are shifting with more women as primary earners - Redefining success beyond money, status, and traditional markers - Why generalists and “neo-generalists” are the future of work - Parenting, self-awareness, and raising confident kids in the AI era - Grace’s advice to her 20-year-old self: embrace uniqueness and start earlier 👥 Hosts: - Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠⁠ - Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠⁠ 👤 Guest: Grace Clapham: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/graceclapham⁠ 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and global tech trends. 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast⁠ 🔗 Links & Resources: - Meta (Facebook): ⁠https://about.meta.com⁠ -The Change School: ⁠https://thechangeschool.com⁠ - Gorman : ⁠https://www.gormanshop.com.au⁠ - ConvertKit: ⁠https://convertkit.com⁠ - ActiveCampaign: ⁠https://www.activecampaign.com⁠ - Insight Timer: ⁠https://insighttimer.com⁠ - The Psychology of Wealth: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Wealth-Understanding-Investing-Performance/dp/0470481593⁠ - The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: ⁠https://www.morganhousel.com/the-psychology-of-money⁠ - The Neo-Generalist by Kenneth Mikkelsen & Richard Martin: ⁠https://www.neogeneralist.com⁠ - Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You To Be Rich: ⁠https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com

    52 min
  7. How to Build a Global Career Starting in Asia

    AUG 20

    How to Build a Global Career Starting in Asia

    In Episode 39 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Nadav Itach, Vice President at Mastercard, to unpack his unique journey—starting as the only foreigner in a 4,000-person Chinese factory in Qingdao, to leading APAC for Trax Retail, and now driving enterprise data adoption at Mastercard. Nadav shares lessons on navigating manufacturing, startups, and global enterprises—plus how to balance family with the demands of leadership across Asia. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - What does it really take to build a career across Asia’s most complex markets? - Why China in the mid-2000s was a career-defining launchpad - Lessons from being the only foreigner in a Chinese manufacturing plant - How a serendipitous dinner led to joining Trax Retail in Singapore - Scaling SaaS globally with Coca-Cola & P&G - The differences between startup agility and enterprise stakeholder management - The “five-year rule” for truly understanding China and Asia - How to balance travel, work, and family as a regional leader - Advice to his 20-year-old self: relax, invest early, and stay present 👥 Hosts: - Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠ - Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠ 👤 Guest: Nadav Itach: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadav-itach-24546745⁠ 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and global tech trends. 👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast⁠ 🔗 Links & Resources: - Mastercard: ⁠https://www.mastercard.co⁠ - Trax Retail: ⁠https://traxretail.com⁠ - Tomorrow.io (climate tech): ⁠https://www.tomorrow.io⁠ - Coca-Cola: ⁠https://www.coca-cola.com⁠ - Procter & Gamble (P&G): ⁠https://www.pg.com⁠ - Daimler (Mercedes-Benz Group): ⁠https://www.mercedes-benz.com⁠ - General Motors (GM): ⁠https://www.gm.com⁠ - Tencent (WeChat/Weixin): ⁠https://www.tencent.com⁠ - WeChat (Weixin): ⁠https://www.wechat.com⁠ - Joe Rogan Experience: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk⁠ - Howard Stern Show: ⁠https://www.howardstern.com⁠ - Sam Harris Podcast (Making Sense): ⁠https://www.samharris.org/podcast⁠ - Snipd (podcast discovery app): ⁠https://snipd.com⁠ - Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang: ⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291448/wild-swans-by-jung-chang

    55 min
  8. How Plug and Play Became the Tinder for Corporates

    AUG 12

    How Plug and Play Became the Tinder for Corporates

    In Episode 38 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Xander Khoo and Kishore Ravichandran from Plug and Play and learn exactly how their matchmaking system connects 550+ corporate partners with high-potential startups across 27 industries and 67 countries. From nuclear engineering startups to the future of corporate innovation in Southeast Asia, we explore why deep tech remains the most exciting (and misunderstood) investment frontier, and how Plug and Play helps founders cross borders—both geographically and commercially—faster than they ever could alone. What You’ll Learn: - How Plug and Play matches corporates with startups - The 3 business lines driving Plug and Play’s global reach: VC, corporate innovation, and accelerators - Why deep-tech investing demands a completely different mindset—and can yield outsized returns - How brutal honesty accelerates corporate–startup partnerships - The “technical sniff test” for vetting founders in emerging tech - Scaling strategies for startups expanding beyond Singapore into diverse regional markets - Why nuclear engineering may be the next big clean-energy frontier - How to avoid over-promising in early corporate engagements Hosts: - Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guests: - Xander Khoo: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanderkhoo/⁠ - Kishore Ravichandran: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishore1997/⁠ Resources & Links: - Plug and Play: ⁠https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com⁠ -CSA (Cyber Security Agency of Singapore): ⁠https://www.csa.gov.sg⁠ - TIG: ⁠https://www.tig.com.sg⁠ - Ulu: ⁠https://www.oklo.com⁠ - 1890 Industries: ⁠https://www.1890industries.com⁠ - Fukushima Nuclear Accident: ⁠https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/fukushima⁠ - Chernobyl Disaster: ⁠https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx⁠ - Waymo: ⁠https://waymo.com⁠ - NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC): ⁠https://enterprise.nus.edu.sg/education-programmes/nus-overseas-colleges⁠ - Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell:⁠https://www.gladwellbooks.com/titles/malcolm-gladwell/outliers/9780316017930/⁠ - Originals by Adam Grant: ⁠https://adamgrant.net/book/originals/⁠ - Same as Ever by Morgan Housel: ⁠https://www.morganhousel.com/same-as-ever⁠ - The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: ⁠https://www.morganhousel.com/the-psychology-of-money

    1h 3m
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About

The hosts Raz Kotler & Michael Smith Jr., interview people around how they arrived in Singapore, their careers, their personal journeys and how the concept of being a Generalist influences their life and career. All episodes currently filmed F2F in the Poddster Singapore studios.

Information

  • Creator
    Raz Kotler & Michael Smith Jr.
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    The Generalists