The Front Row Podcast

Keith Yap
The Front Row Podcast

Front Row Interviews with experts to expand your mental map of the world. Made in Singapore. For Asia and the World.

  1. 2D AGO

    #28- Ong Ye Kung: Governing Singapore in A Turbulent Time

    Ong Ye Kung is the Minister for Health. He was elected Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in September 2015, and was re-elected in July 2020 in Sembawang GRC.He had held the positions of Minister for Transport, Minister for Education, Second Minister for Defence and board member of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He is also the Chairman of the Chinese Development Assistance CouncilIn this conversation, we discuss what it took for Singapore to overcome the pandemic, why the Singapore-Johor Economic Zone might change the game for Singapore and what Singapore needs to thrive in such turbulent times.

    50 min

  2. MAR 6

    #27- Dr. Noeleen Heyzer (Former UN Under-Secretary General) - Championing Women's Rights In The UN

    In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, a distinguished diplomat and international civil servant who served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Dr. Heyzer also led the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), transforming it into a powerful advocate for women's rights and empowerment globally. This episode was produced in conjunction with the upcoming International Women's Day, with the hope of getting more of us to reflect on the progress we have made and what is needed for the road ahead. Dr. Heyzer speaks candidly about her efforts to empower women through economic security, break the silence on gender-based violence, and ensure women's inclusion in peace negotiations—drawing from her direct experience with peace processes in Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She offers a thoughtful assessment of the UN's challenges in modern conflicts and her vision for reforming this critical institution for a new era. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Teaser/Introduction01:02 The Origins of The UN07:00 The Importance Of The UN For Countries10:06 Singapore's Journey and the UN's Influence10:56 Dr Heyzer's Journey19:20 Women's Rights In The 20th Century27:14 The Progress Made For Women's Rights34:55 Understanding The Tangible Impact of The UN44:03 The Role of Women in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Efforts46:56 Role Of The UN In Conflicts47:40 Challenges Facing the UN in Modern Conflicts52:46 Reimagining the UN for a New Era56:15 Advice for Future Leaders

    58 min

  3. FEB 26

    #26- The One Book From Lee Kuan Yew You Must Read (Solo Episode)

    In my first ever solo audio episode, I thought to share with a book that I have read and re-read every year. I re-read Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going during a recent holiday and thought I should share with you my thoughts on this book (and why you have to read this!) Let me know your thoughts!

    15 min

  4. FEB 19

    #25- Robert Wu, CEO of Big One Lab : How China Became A Technology Superpower

    Robert Wu is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and thinker.He started working for BigOne Lab, China’s leading data & information service provider, first as an employee/partner, and later, with a buyout, became its CEO. You can find his China-focused Substack here at https://www.baiguan.news/?r=8th0v TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Trailer and Intro 01:32 DeepSeek's Watershed Moment for China's AI 02:21 China's Emergence As A Tech Leader 10:02 Why Was China Not A Known 1-N Innovator? 13:58 The Funding of Innovation in China 17:27 The Current State of Venture Capital in China 21:22 The Role of State Subsidies in Chinese Innovation 25:52 Tesla's Catfish Effect 31:01 How Tesla Benefitted From China33:37 Chinese Tech Talent 39:03 What's Behind The Crackdown on Jack Ma 45:02 Cultural Differences Between China and the West 50:50 Understanding Censorship in China 55:22 Current Challenges in China 57:35 Advice for Graduates Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: keith@frontrow65.co

    1 hr

  5. FEB 12

    #24- Professor John van Wyhe : How Charles Darwin Changed The World

    Professor John van Wyhe is a historian of science at the National University of Singapore and the founder and Director of Darwin Online– probably the most comprehensive scholarly website on any historical person. His research has resolved long-standing mysteries and myths such as Darwin’s so-called delay, when Darwin received Wallace’s evolution essay, whether Darwin was the naturalist on the Beagle, where the legend of Darwin’s finches comes from, and whether Darwin lost his faith because his daughter Annie died. His book, Darwin: A Companion, has been called “the most amazing book on Darwin ever published”. It includes thousands of new discoveries and the most extensive iconography of any historical figure in science. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Teaser & Introduction 01:42 The Intellectual Climate of Darwin's Time 07:10 Darwin's Early Life and Influences 10:47 The Voyage of the Beagle 16:48 Understanding Natural Selection 26:45 Darwin's Contributions to Geology 31:55 Nature vs. Nurture Debate 39:52 The Controversial Reception of Darwin's Theory 42:09 The Descent of Man and Its Implications 47:19 The Church's Acceptance of Evolution 50:05 The Importance of Earthworms 53:40 Darwin's Daily Life and Productivity 56:14 Cultivating Observational Skills 01:00:13 Setting the Record Straight on Wallace 01:03:57 Wallace's Contributions to Science 01:09:05 Advice for Graduate Students

    1h 10m

  6. FEB 4

    #23- Professor Daniel Bell: Confucianism In The New Age of Chinese Politics

    Professor Daniel A. Bell is Professor, Chair of Political Theory with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong. He served as Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University (Qingdao) from 2017 to 2022.He specialises in Comparative Political Theories, focusing on Confucianism and Legalism. His books include The Dean of Shandong (2023), Just Hierarchy (co-authored with Wang Pei, 2020), The China Model (2015), The Spirit of Cities (co-authored with Avner de-Shalit, 2012), China’s New Confucianism (2008), Beyond Liberal Democracy (2007), and East Meets West (2000), all published by Princeton University Press. He is also the author of Communitarianism and Its Critics (Oxford University Press, 1993).Bell’s latest book, The Dean of Shandong, is an insider’s perspective of Chinese academia and China’s political system.TIMESTAMPS: 00:50 The Reality of Chinese Academia06:05 Political Meritocracy As An Alternative Ideal11:02 Why Scale Matters In Politics16:30 Corruption and Governance in China23:20 Legalism in Practice24:43 The Influence of Confucianism in Chinese Politics32:58 Marxism in Chinese Politics43:19 The Myth of The One Man Rule51:14 China's PR Problems56:12 Future of Meritocracy and Democracy in China01:00:04 Critique Of Cuteness01:04:56 Cultural Insights: Canada vs. China01:08:49 The Spirit of Hong Kong01:10:30 Advice for Graduates Entering the Workforce01:13:03 Where To Find Prof BellFeel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: keith@frontrow65.co

    1h 15m

  7. JAN 29

    #22- Jack Sim : How Clean Toilets Can Save The World

    Jack Sim is The Founder of the World Toilet Organization. Renowned as "Mr. Toilet," Jack Sim shattered the global stigma surrounding toilets and sanitation by propelling the issue into the international spotlight. After achieving financial independence, he retired from business to dedicate his life to social work. In 1998, he established the Restroom Association of Singapore and 2001 founded the World Toilet Organization (WTO), a global network advocating for improved sanitation and public health policies. WTO proclaimed November 19th as World Toilet Day, which has since been recognised as an official UN observance. In this episode, we discuss why toilets matter for global sanitation and how the World Toilet Organization is making a difference. Jack speaks candidly about his journey—his challenges with the Singaporean government and how he has also helped bring clean toilets overseas. Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/ Website: www.ykeith.com Email: keith@frontrow65.co Timestamps: 00:00 How Important Are Toilets 04:55 Why Were Toilets Discounted? 07:06 Founding the World Toilet Organization 10:07 Early Challenges in Public Toilet Cleanliness 10:33 Why Coffeeshop Toilets Are Dirty 15:09 Bringing Clean Toilets Overseas 17:22 The Chinese Toilet Revolution 19:57 Bringing Clean Toilets to India 24:24 Getting Salman Khan to Help With Fundraising 28:23 Guerrilla Marketing and the World Toilet Organization 29:44 Global Sanitation Challenges and Progress 33:16 Privatization of Sewage Treatment in Brazil 35:16 Cultural Identity and National Dress 39:24 Navigating Bureaucracies and Public Policy 43:41 What Drives Jack? 46:51 Living a Life of Purpose Beyond Materialism 50:44 Future Aspirations for the World Toilet Organization 54:45 Life Advice

    57 min

  8. JAN 22

    #21- Nir Eyal: Reinvent Your Life By Being Indistractable

    Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. Nir previously taught as a Lecturer in Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. Nir co-founded and sold two tech companies since 2003 and was dubbed by The M.I.T. Technology Review as, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.” Bloomberg Businessweek wrote, “Nir Eyal is the habits guy. Want to understand how to get app users to come back again and again? Then Eyal is your man.” He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. His books have resonated with readers worldwide, selling over 1 million copies in over 30 languages. In this episode, Nir helps us understand why we are distracted and how we can learn to pay attention to what matters. Timestamps: 00:05 Why Social Media Is Not Distracting You 03:22 Price of Progress 07:40 What Is Addiction 10:42 The Myth of Tantalus and The Human Condition 13:55 Become Indistractable 17:38 Understanding Distraction 26:11 10 Minute Rule 35:53 Timeblocking 42:00 Managing Relationships 46:46 Identifying Workplace Distractions 48:37 An Indistractable Workplace 56:30 Creating A Workplace Culture of Psychological Safety 01:04:04 Reflections on Life in Singapore 01:12:25 Advice for New Graduates

    1h 14m
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    About

    Front Row Interviews with experts to expand your mental map of the world. Made in Singapore. For Asia and the World.

    Information

    • Creator
      Keith Yap
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      28
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Keith Yap
    • Show Website
      The Front Row Podcast

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