Inspiring YOU with Sylvia Yu

Sylvia Yu
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Celebrating leaders, trailblazers, visionaries, and their inspiring stories that showcase power, beauty, and impact. Sylvia Yu Friedman's pioneering advocacy for exploited women highlights her commitment to empowerment, bridging cultures and narratives to uplift women. Through her leadership, this show aims to build a vibrant community of inspiration and personal growth, ensuring women are not only heard but celebrated in all their diversity.

Episodes

  1. Apr 12

    Turning Conflict into Creativity with Tay Guan Hin – one of Asia's Most Respected Creative Minds

    What if the very conflicts in your life were actually the fuel for your creativity and success? I had the honor of interviewing Tay Guan Hin – multi-award-winning creative leader, best-selling author of “Collide: Embracing Conflict to Boost Creativity”, and one of Asia’s most respected advertising minds. Guan Hin also shared invaluable insights on AI - some of the best I've heard in this era of FOMO-filled anxiety over AI. He went from being the “black sheep” in a family of doctors to becoming the first Asian to win Best of Show in a major US student competition – a collision that launched a global creative career. In this conversation, Tay shares: • How a “collision” in his life led him from a family of doctors to a global creative career • The student competition that made him the first Asian to win Best of Show and launched his advertising journey in the US • Why conflict and tension are at the heart of every powerful story and every original idea • How he used gaming and Fortnite to turn “killing to win” into “healing to win” and attract Gen Z into healthcare • What really matters in the age of AI: taste, judgment, and lived experience • Why average creatives (and average work) will be replaced by AI – and how to make sure you’re not one of them • His very human take on success: resilience, showing up consistently, and surrounding yourself with the right people This isn’t just a conversation about advertising. It’s about: • Turning setbacks into superpowers • Staying fresh and curious in a noisy world • Using AI as an invisible tool – so the work feels human, not “AI-slop” • Finding the courage to pursue a creative path, even when your environment tells you it’s “impractical” If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in your career choices, struggled with confidence, or wondered how AI will reshape creative work, this interview is for you. And if you haven’t yet, check out Tay’s book “Collide: Embracing Conflict to Boost Creativity” – it’s a powerful guide to turning tension into ideas that truly stand out.

    31 min

  2. Mar 12

    The Art of Lasting Impact: Global Tastemaker Olga Iserlis on Elevating Elegance

    Excited to share this episode of ‘Inspiring You with Sylvia Yu’ featuring the global tastemaker Olga Iserlis, founder of Adagio Events! Olga is renowned for her artful storytelling, meticulous execution, and impeccable taste in curating elegant high-profile experiences for elite clients and top global luxury brands. In this episode, we dive into: • Olga’s journey to becoming a fixture in Singapore’s and international magazines, and why fearlessness is the immigrant’s superpower • How to cultivate true elegance and taste from within (hint: it’s not about trends, it’s about intention and intuition) • The art, responsibility, and privilege of creating world-class events for brands like Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Audemars Piguet, Longchamp, and bringing to Singapore the iconic Valentino Retrospective Exhibition, among other projects • Building authentic connections, overcoming setbacks, and holding your values when the stakes are high • Olga’s advice for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting to make their mark with integrity Who will benefit: Meeting professionals, founders, creators, immigrants forging new paths, and anyone obsessed with the intersection of beauty, courage, and business. If you want to build something that lasts and do it your own way, this episode will motivate you. If you’re a builder, a creative, or anyone who’s ever wondered where elegance and grit intersect, this conversation is for you.

    27 min

  3. Feb 21

    Unstoppable at 90: Joy Fox’s Secrets to Living Fully and Aging Gracefully

    Thrilled to share my latest interview with 90-year-old Joy Fox, a true walking phenomenon. Joy is what researchers call a “superager”: someone in their 80s, 90s and beyond whose memory and cognitive function rival people decades younger. But Joy is so much more than a label. In our conversation, she talks candidly about: • Trailblazing in a Man’s World. Joy didn’t just break the glass ceiling; she shattered it. Her work in the male-dominated event planning industry paved the way for countless women to follow. • Solo Travel Revolution. Joy’s advocacy for solo women travellers is reshaping how women see the world. • The small daily routines – from walking and reading to staying socially connected –  that keep her mind and body strong • Why curiosity, humour and saying “yes” to new experiences have mattered more than strict diets or perfect habits • How she’s coped with loss, loneliness and major life transitions, including the mindset shifts that helped her keep going • Her views on independence at 90, and how to ask for help without losing your sense of self • What gives her purpose now, and why she still makes plans for the future Joy challenges so many of our assumptions about ageing. She’s sharp, funny, reflective and far more focused on living than on her age. If you’re interested in longevity, brain health, or simply how to live a fuller life at any age, you’ll want to hear Joy’s perspective. I’d love to hear your thoughts: What does “ageing well” mean to you and who is the “Joy” in your life who proves it’s possible?

    40 min

  4. Feb 8

    The Business Case for Doing Good: Inside the Economics of Mutuality with Dr. Jay Jakub

    Most companies are still obsessed with meeting the next quarter’s profits. Dr. Jay Jakub is the rare voice asking a bigger question: What if business was designed to serve people and the planet – and made more money because of it? Jay is the one of the founders of the Economics of Mutuality Foundation and one of the few people I’ve met who can talk about profit, power, and purpose in the same sentence and back it up with hard data, not just feel-good slogans. In our conversation, we dig into: • Why the old model of shareholder-first capitalism is structurally broken • How Economics of Mutuality turns “doing good” into a competitive advantage • The hidden value in human, social, and natural capital that most P&Ls completely ignore • How leaders can redesign incentives, culture, and strategy so that shared value becomes the business model, not a marketing campaign If you’re a founder, operator, or investor who: • Is tired of fluffy ESG decks with zero teeth • Wants businesses that are both cash-flow strong and ethically serious • Believes that long-term alpha comes from serving more than just the stock price …then you’ll want to hear what Dr. Jakub has to say. This isn’t another “purpose” pep talk. It’s a different operating system for how we build, scale, and own companies. 🎧 Listen to the full interview with Dr. Jay Jakub. (I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway in the comments.)

    43 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Celebrating leaders, trailblazers, visionaries, and their inspiring stories that showcase power, beauty, and impact. Sylvia Yu Friedman's pioneering advocacy for exploited women highlights her commitment to empowerment, bridging cultures and narratives to uplift women. Through her leadership, this show aims to build a vibrant community of inspiration and personal growth, ensuring women are not only heard but celebrated in all their diversity.

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