Today I Learned

How do you turn an ordinary tree into a bonsai? And at what point does a small tree become a work of art? We get a beginner’s guide to bonsai, from shaping and caring for these miniature trees to the patience and artistry behind them. We also find out what suiseki is, and look back at Malaysia’s first time hosting the World Bonsai Convention.Image Credit: PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about September 16, 1963, our standard history textbooks often refer to the formation of Malaysia to a simple timeline of diplomatic handshakes between Kuala Lumpur and London. But if we take a closer look at Sabah, and the broader regional landscape, we get to uncover a far richer and higher-stakes narrative. It’s a story shaped by fierce debates over state autonomy, wartime resistance movements and complex cross-border ties across Southeast Asia that existed long before our modern borders were drawn. We sit down with historian Professor Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken to delve into the untold stories of this momentous day. Image Credit: Arkib Negara MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sport is often seen as something that brings people together, but it can also be a powerful tool of international politics. From hosting the Olympics and World Cup to sending athletes abroad and using sporting exchanges to build relationships, countries have long used sport to project their image, build influence and pursue diplomatic goals. But how exactly does sports diplomacy work? In this episode, we speak to Haresh Deol, a sports journalist and the founder of the news platform TwentyTwo13. He is also one of the co-editors of a new book called Routledge Handbook of Sports Diplomacy, and the only editor from Asia to work on the book.Image Credit: Pexels, RoutledgeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before that unforgettable "Merdeka!" cry rang out seven times at Dataran Merdeka, Malaya's path to independence was littered with false starts, stalled negotiations, and moments that almost changed history's course. We take a look into the road not taken with Eddin Khoo. Image Credit: Wikimedia CommonsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Merdeka approaches, the Malaysian Coat of Arms and Jalur Gemilang become familiar symbols of national pride and unity. But behind these instantly recognisable designs are stories, meanings and details that reveal how thoughtfully they were created. In this episode, we take a closer look at the design of these national symbols and what they tell us about Malaysia. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.