ChatterBeans Podcast

Isaac Kong
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ChatterBeans© is the podcast where Isaac Kong shares a coffee and a conversation with remarkable people from every walk of life. Real people. Real stories. Each episode invites you into a warm, unfiltered chat about their journeys - the pivotal moments, hard-won lessons, and challenges they’ve overcome - as well as the joyful, funny, and surprising stories that shape who they are. From creators and innovators to everyday legends, ChatterBeans serves up intimate, thought-provoking conversations that linger long after the last sip.

  1. What 72 Years Teaches You About Life with James Banerjee | ChatterBeans Reserve

    JAN 28

    What 72 Years Teaches You About Life with James Banerjee | ChatterBeans Reserve

    In the Season 3 finale of ChatterBeans, I'm joined by a good friend - 72-year-old James Banerjee - for a powerful and reflective conversation about a life lived across continents, careers, and generations. James shares his journey from India to the UK at just 13 years old, navigating cultural shock, identity, and change. Over the decades, he built a successful career in the airline industry, raised a family, and spent years living in the Netherlands. Now in his seventies, James reflects on health, fitness after a heart attack, aging, mentoring younger generations, and the wisdom that only comes from a long life. I really hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did, chatting with James. Warm, honest, and full of perspective, this episode is a fitting close to Season 3. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 5m
  2. Building Cadence, Community & Authentic Fitness with Melissa Power | ChatterBeans Reserve

    JAN 21

    Building Cadence, Community & Authentic Fitness with Melissa Power | ChatterBeans Reserve

    This week on ChatterBeans, I'm chatting to Melissa Power - founder of Cadence Indoor Cycling in Crouch End (North London) - to talk about building a community-first studio with zero investment, and why “substance over style” is the hill she’ll happily die on. Melissa shares the life-changing accident that pushed her into indoor cycling, how she’s since certified 800+ instructors, and why she’s on a mission to fight “spin intimidation” and the performative TikTok version of cycling that scares people off. We also chat motherhood, energy levels, going back to work after six weeks, kindness in business, and the real reason great coaching looks “boring” online. Warm, funny, honest - with mini cheddars, gin & tonic energy. Find out more about Melissa and her work on her personal website, ⁠connect on Instagram⁠⁠ and book a class at Cadence Indoor Cycling. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    51 min
  3. Finding Your Way After Loss with Verònique Muñoz | ChatterBeans Reserve

    JAN 14

    Finding Your Way After Loss with Verònique Muñoz | ChatterBeans Reserve

    In this deeply honest episode of ChatterBeans, I'm joined by journalist and podcaster Verònique Muñoz, host of the Everybody's Lost Podcast, who shares her journey from a small Spanish enclave in North Africa to building a life and career in London. Verònique reflects on moving abroad alone at 20, working as an au pair, and pushing her way into journalism despite language barriers and uncertainty. She opens up with courage about the loss of her mum to suicide, the impact of grief while finishing university, and how she learned to live with loss rather than “move on” from it. Out of that experience came Everybody’s Lost, Verònique's podcast created to offer companionship, honesty, and connection for people navigating grief, mental health struggles, and moments of feeling lost. Together, we talk about resilience, immigration, mental health resources, personal growth, and why your past doesn’t define your future. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide, bereavement, and mental health. Please take care while listening. Connect with Verònique on ⁠Instagram⁠ and find Everybody's Lost Podcast on TikTok and listen on all the usual platforms. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    41 min
  4. Who We Become When the World Feels Heavy with Tim Barnden | ChatterBeans Reserve

    JAN 7

    Who We Become When the World Feels Heavy with Tim Barnden | ChatterBeans Reserve

    In the first episode of the new year, I sit down with Tim Barnden to unpack anxiety in today’s world - from politics and social change to identity, work, and purpose. Tim reflects on his career in immigration law and how it’s shaped his view of society, justice, and nuance. The conversation moves through coming out, workplace diversity, and the emotional weight of navigating identity in professional spaces, before landing on Tim’s creative passions for radio, music, and coffee culture. Warm, reflective, and quietly powerful, this episode is about staying connected to who you are - especially in a world that feels increasingly loud, divided, and anxious. Take a listen to Tim's Radio Show 'Captain T's Fantastic Voyage' on Totally Wired Radio. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    49 min
  5. Language, Identity & Music: Finding Your Voice with Lydia Walquist | ChatterBeans Reserve

    12/17/2025

    Language, Identity & Music: Finding Your Voice with Lydia Walquist | ChatterBeans Reserve

    In this episode of ChatterBeans, I sat with musician and freelancer Lydia Walquist for an open and inspiring conversation about identity, creativity, and finding your voice in the world of classical music. Lydia shares her journey from studying at the Royal Academy of Music to carving out her own freelance career - a path filled with flexibility, challenges, and self-initiative. She dives into her experiences with cultural identity, family dynamics, and growing up in a religious environment, and how all of this has shaped her personal and artistic evolution. From learning Cantonese to exploring innovative concert formats, Lydia reflects on community, collaboration, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Whether you're into music, self-growth, or personal stories that stay with you, this episode is full of warmth, reflection, and creative insight. Connect with Lydia on Instagram. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    48 min
  6. Boomers Found Netflix: Comedy, Love & the TV Industry with Paul Moore | ChatterBeans Reserve

    12/10/2025

    Boomers Found Netflix: Comedy, Love & the TV Industry with Paul Moore | ChatterBeans Reserve

    This week, I'm chatting to comedian, TV creative and host of the Don't Just Stand There Pod, Paul Moore for an honest, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about the changing landscape of UK television, the realities of freelancing, and the power of staying authentic. Paul opens up about navigating the comedy scene in a world shaped by social media, the importance of queer clubs as community hubs, and how personal growth often comes from unlearning old habits. He also shares his approach to relationships, why kindness matters, and the joy he finds in simple everyday moments. From industry insights to big laughs and reflective life lessons, this episode is a warm and deeply relatable journey through creativity, identity, and connection - capped off with a lively quick-fire round. Connect with Paul on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    49 min
  7. Slowing Down to Grow: Fame, Coaching & Connection with Vnisha

    12/03/2025

    Slowing Down to Grow: Fame, Coaching & Connection with Vnisha

    In this week's episode, I'm joined by Vnisha - a DJ, coach, and creative powerhouse, where we explore her evolution from being a devoted Belieber to becoming a voice of authenticity and self-growth. Together, we dive into the pressures of fame, the journey of Justin Bieber’s transformation, and the importance of slowing down and finding your tribe. She opens up about her path into DJing and coaching, her collaboration with Nike, and how music and mindfulness shaped her sense of purpose. ✨ Topics include: Fame, identity & Justin Bieber’s evolution Navigating mental health & the pressure of social media DJing as a creative outlet Relationships, boundaries & finding your tribe Coaching, purpose & Venetia’s Nike collaboration Slowing down, surrendering & self-growth Connect with Vnisha on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 1m
  8. Switching the Code: Diversity, Fitness & Mental Health with Darrian Geoghegan | ChatterBeans Reserve

    11/19/2025

    Switching the Code: Diversity, Fitness & Mental Health with Darrian Geoghegan | ChatterBeans Reserve

    Today, I'm joined by Darrian Geoghegan - fitness instructor, diversity consultant, and host of Switching the Code. Darrian opens up about his journey from corporate project management to fitness, navigating bullying, mental health struggles, and the power of therapy and community. 🎙 Topics include: Transitioning careers with purpose Overcoming bullying and mental health challenges Building inclusive communities through fitness The power of authenticity and representation HYROX, podcasting, and personal growth Connect with Darrian on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Follow ChatterBeans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more from ChatterBeans. And, subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes, as soon as they're released! Want to be on the podcast? Get in touch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chatter-beans.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    49 min
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Trailer

About

ChatterBeans© is the podcast where Isaac Kong shares a coffee and a conversation with remarkable people from every walk of life. Real people. Real stories. Each episode invites you into a warm, unfiltered chat about their journeys - the pivotal moments, hard-won lessons, and challenges they’ve overcome - as well as the joyful, funny, and surprising stories that shape who they are. From creators and innovators to everyday legends, ChatterBeans serves up intimate, thought-provoking conversations that linger long after the last sip.

Information

  • Creator
    Isaac Kong
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Isaac Kong
  • Show Website
    ChatterBeans Podcast