About That. (with Marga Ortigas)

An insightful and wide-ranging conversation with Epigram Award winning author of "The Accidental Malay", Karina Robles Bahrin, on everything from creating while running a business to 'Own Voices' narratives, writing in a second language, and being multi-racial in Asia. You won't want to miss this one!

After decades of working with one of the largest global news companies in the world, Guatemala-born journalist, Harris Whitbeck, boldly tells his own story in a new memoir. He speaks to me from his home about death squads, dictators, and growing up gay in Latin America in the late 20th century. We also explore what its like to work in warzones, how using gadgets affects a story's impact on storytellers, and what he's learned about handling creative blocks.Disclaimer: Some colourful content, which is not meant as an endorsement of narcotics or psychedelics.

The Brontes, The Moriartys, and also The Serings. But besides their individual achievements as authors and writers, sisters Tweet & Tara Sering together penned the hit show "K-Love" for VIU, Asia's leading streaming service. It instantly became a hit with viewers. With the success of their first -- joint -- screenwriting endeavour, Tweet & Tara join me to talk about the joys and challenges of working with a sibling, the many different ways creative projects come to be, and believing in the power of dreams.This is the first episode of a new season spotlighting STORYTELLERS.

Catch up with Gen-Xers Marga (the journalist), Karla (the chef), & Tanya (the film producer), a year after they were first "community quarantined" in pandemic-stricken Manila. The city has been under the longest and most militarised 'lockdown' in the world.Our hosts talk coping, keeping busy, and staying hopeful - as they say farewell to Karla who is off on a new adventure.

How do we move past an increasingly polarised world to create a common identity? Or are we doomed to always draw lines between US...and THEM?Back on the podcast is special guest Nik de Ynchausti. Music: Homestead, by Kai Engel

Boomers, Gen-Xers, Gen Y, Millennials, Gen Z...each generation had its share of challenges, but it can be argued that none more so than today's children. Health crises, wars, violence, environmental catastrophes, and above all global warming - they're in line to inherit a world with an expiry date. On this episode, we speak to Bhanu Bhatnagar from Save the Children International. Why aren't the Grown-Ups doing more for the world's children?

It's the 21st century and women in positions of power are still a rarity in many places. Even the country feted as the most powerful in the world has yet to see a female president. We talk gender and politics with a female (minority) senator from an Asian country overrun with macho, populist leaders and strongmen. SPECIAL GUEST: Philippine senator Risa HontiverosNews clips from : Euronews, ABS-CBN, ViceMusic by Scott Holmes

The ins and outs of the Southeast Asian meth trade. Who are the key players? What's politics got to do with it? And how successful is the so-called "war on drugs"? We speak with journalist Patrick Winn, author of "Hello Shadowlands: Inside the Meth Fiefdoms, Rebel Hideouts and Bomb-Scarred Party Towns of Southeast Asia."Visit us on: www.patreon.com/aboutthatthepodcastTwitter: @margaortigas

A former journalist from a country that no longer exists talks to us about oppressive regimes, freedom of the press, and the changing face of democracy. .Neven Andjelic left his native Sarajevo when the communist republic of Yugoslavia was splintering. He sought asylum in the UK and is now a leading lecturer on International Relations and Human Rights. I catch him in Croatia.Newsclip from Radio Free EuropeMusic: "Paper Lanterns in the Dusk" by springtide

With special guest, Nik de Ynchausti. Why are autocrats & the far right rewriting the past? How powerful a tool is social media in this exercise? In the democratized world of information, are we seeing the demise of "objective facts"? And yes, we talk about the Marcoses and their creative view of Philippine history. EPISODE MUSIC: "Over Midnight" by Lobo Loco.

A brief look at life in Manila, one of the longest lockdowned cities in the world. We talk staying sane, Viber ecosystems, cloud kitchens, social participation during distancing - and the glaring social divide.With special guests, media executive Tanya Yuson and chef Karla Mendoza.Please do pardon the audio quality. Recorded over the internet.Music is courtesy of Purple Planet.

So who else is glad to see the back of 2018? It wasn't the easiest of times... but the beginning of a new year is always the perfect reason for a fresh slate. (Phew!)Last December, we took a trip to the Yukon. To say it was inspirational would be an understatement. There's something about the starkness of frost that is invigorating. I felt the same rejuvenation a few years prior on a visit to Mongolia in the dead of winter. It was like rediscovering magic.Nature holds all the universe's secrets - after snow, comes the Spring. The cycle of life and all that.This is the story of our trip to the Yukon in Northern Canada, the people we met... the choices they made... the way they live. I revisit it often because it has a way of uplifting my spirits. Hopefully, this recording - in some small way - can do the same for you.Find a comfy spot, shut your eyes, and let a cup of hot cocoa cool beside you as you listen... :) Here's to the wonder of a new year.Here's to new beginnings.With all my best wishes.P.S. - if you'd like to read the full article from the Yukon, you can find it on this link: https://www.i-migrant.com/stories/stargazing/

If there's anything that many of our guests have echoed it's that legacies are built one small step at a time.In this final episode, a leading personality on Philippine English-language radio talks us through her pioneering journey: how a summer job that wasn't going too well became the career of a lifetime. Plus - the sorrows and surprises along the way. How DELAMAR unintentionally managed to speak for a generation... and take it all in stride.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the world and struggling to keep up with everything you need to do? Or do you sometimes find yourself feeling "blah" about things? Maybe you're in the middle of a big life change and aren't sure how to get everything sorted just so...? It has been said that change is the only constant in life -- and yet it is the one thing that many of us fear the most. In this episode, we speak to professional life strategist Randi Levin who wants us all to live our best moments every day. She also shares with our listeners a 52-week self-guided challenge from her website: How to Balance Your Life: https://randilevincoaching.com/balance/

We're always searching for next big health kick...the latest cure-all and magic remedy. But what if that "new" health fix is really an old one? Centuries old, in fact.Business executive Nena Wuthrich joins us to share her latest passion outside of the office: it's all-natural, chemical-free, can help a wide vareity of ailments -- and ancient.Let's talk - Essential Oils.

Are you battling depression? Maybe you're dissatisfied with your life - or know someone who is. Do you think people are unhappier now than they have been before? Does the nonstop buzz of the digital world make things worse for you?Why is that as humanity has reached technological heights, many say they feel trapped in the black night of their soul?There are ways to cope - without medication.Psychoneurologist Lia Bernardo speaks to us about finding peace and living a joyful life.

Fashion designer. Artist. Entrepreneur. Son. Brother. Partner. Empire builder. Just a few of the hats worn by Philippine style icon Rajo Laurel. Hear this unfiltered conversation about living honestly, finding contentment, and defining identity through clothing.

This episode is dedicated to the dreamers. To those who are still in pursuit of dreams, and those who have had them come true. Are you an aspiring writer? Or maybe you don't know what it is you want to do yet. How do you find your passion? Meet British author Matt Killeen. He's done it all. Advertising, store managing, graphics designing, music playing. He's even dabbled in stand-up comedy. Now in his mid-40s, his 1st book is out this March on a topic that has critics raving - not just about the ingenuity of the plot - but also its timeliness. Matt speaks to us about his highly anticipated "Orphan, Monster, Spy", and taking the creative journey to self discovery.

Turning the tables on a veteran journalist:Gaby Tabuñar, Chairman Emeritus of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, speaks about the things he's seen, the choices he's made, the world as he's seen it change, and what matters most...Can you imagine yourself at a hundred?We're doing things a little differently this episode - we hope you take the journey with us!

We all know Jagger, Ozzie, and even Gene Simmons... but ever wonder about a rockstar's life in the East? Spanish-Filipino musician Tirso Ripoll burst onto the Asian music scene in the early 1990s with the iconic rock group Razorback.27 years later - Tirso is a businessman, a father, and still rocking with his band.He says there is a way to do it all. Hear more in this super animated conversation.