Bold But Gold

Ben Kheng is one of the most all-rounded talents in the creative industry in Singapore. Most of us would likely recognise Ben as one-fourth of The Sam Willows, which is one of the most critically- and commercially-acclaimed English pop music acts in Singapore. But depending on your favourite media platform, you might also know him as a radio DJ, actor, comedian, or... national swimmer. If you spend time in Ben's company, you'll also realise that he's one of the sharpest minds in the media industry. In this episode, you'll get a flavor of the business acumen that has gotten him to the top of the game. Ben has allied that acumen with a special determination that was likely honed from his years as a swimmer in the Singapore Sports School; listen out for how he made his way from the pool to the stage. From his schooling days to his current work on The BenZi Project, Ben takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to be one of the foremost creatives in Singapore - buckle up for quite the journey. Visit boldbutg

Preetipls has at various times been Singapore's #1 fashion influencer, #1 daughter, and now apparently #1 podcast guest. She famously scored E8 for her O-Level Mandarin, yet Mandarin is at the heart of her burgeoning career. Her comedy and music make astute observations about our society and are at once irreverent and tongue in cheek. But in today's episode, we find out more about Preeti Nair - the person behind the character. Preeti has truly had to earn her success - through humour, she has overcome massive disappointment in her professional, personal, and academic lives. It all means that her comedy is comedy with a conscience, and so in this episode - much like in her videos - get ready to simultaneously laugh at and question your personal beliefs. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

Charlie Lim is one of the most distinct voices in the English pop music scene in Singapore. Intricate, versatile, and confessional - his music sets the mood whatever the mood. Charlie joins us in this episode to give us fascinating insight into his journey, which has taken him from studying music in Melbourne to selling out shows at the Esplanade. Along the way, he has released two albums - Time/Space and Check-Hook - and even reworked "We Are Singapore" for the National Day Parade in 2018. But much like his music, Charlie is incredibly thoughtful and circumspect about his success. Despite being one of the leading lights in the music industry in Singapore, Charlie is very much like the rest of us - he still questions the meaning of his success. So strap yourselves in for a conversation that takes in hope, apprehension, and happiness in equal measure. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

In this episode of Bold but Gold, we speak to someone who is making waves in the conservation world. Nat Soon is the filmmaker behind Our Seas, Our Legacy - a documentary series about Singaporeans who are taking steps to conserve our seas. But Nat isn't just a filmmaker - he is also a dive master, a mountaineer, and a photographer who has been published in the Asian Geographic magazine. What's amazing about Nat is that he's also a full-time university student. Listen out for how he manages his academics with his multiple passions. Nat is someone who doesn't let the grind get in the way of leaving an impact on society - and we all have a lot to learn from him. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

Zachary Ibrahim is one of the freshest voices in the theatre scene in Singapore. If you've ever watched him onstage, you'll know that he is captivating, versatile, and emotive in equal parts. No wonder then that he has acted in multiple productions with Pangdemonium, including Fat Pig, for which he was nominated for a Life Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015. Away from the stage, he also lit up our screens in the 2017 movie Wonder Boy. But Zach wasn't always destined to be an actor; he didn't go to acting school, for one, and also spent time as a show presenter at the Night Safari. His journey in showbiz has been as entertaining as his actual work - and in this episode of Bold but Gold, he gives us some wonderful insight into his journey. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

If you've ever been to a concert by Weish or her band .gif, you would likely have been entranced by her ephemeral and enigmatic electronic music. In this week's episode of Bold but Gold, we speak with Weish to discover the incredible journey that she has been on over the last few years. Either with .gif or as a solo artist, Weish has performed at countless gigs including Laneway and Baybeats, opened for Tegan & Sara, appeared on the soundtrack of the Oscar-shortlisted movie Shirkers, and is now a Noise mentor.  But until very recently, Weish was also a secondary school teacher - and a really good one at that. Listen out for her remarkable story about giving up her teaching career to become a full-time musician. Much like Weish's music, this episode of Bold but Gold will enthrall, entertain, and educate in equal measure. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a professional musician? To tour with the biggest mandopop acts? To be in demand by JJ Lin, Wang Leehom, Jackie Cheung, and others? This week's guest - Shaun Seow - has those answers and more. Shaun is a bass guitarist who has toured and recorded albums with a host of chart-topping mando- and canto-pop artists. But Shaun's success has not come easy. He has followed the path that his love for music has taken him - but that path has wound around dropping out of NUS, losing his first gig within a week, and playing for years in anonymity in the club scene in Singapore. Humble, unassuming, and introspective - Shaun defies all expectations of a rock musician. He has some wonderful stories to tell, including one about playing music around a campfire with JJ Lin... Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

Warning: This episode of Bold but Gold is sure to leave you hungry! Our guest on this episode is Chris Hwang, who is the co-founder of The Golden Duck Co - the company behind those delicious salted egg fish skin snacks, among others (https://thegoldenduck.sg). Many of you already know about Chris's recent successes - apart from co-founding a rapidly-growing company, he is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur - but not many know about his incredible journey to this point. In this episode, you're going to hear from Chris like you've never heard him before. Chris's journey is the definition of making sacrifices for success. He has lost handsome sums in failed ventures, been taken for a ride by other business partners, and has had to give up on his childhood dream of being a professional bowler. Oh, and let's not forget that momentous decision to drop out of law school... Brave, determined, and creative - this episode takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Visit boldbutgo

Singapore's Changi Airport is an experience like no other - it is an attraction in itself, replete with entertainment options and manicured landscapes. And in this episode of Bold but Gold we speak to Khaja Nazimuddeen, who is in charge of ALL the indoor and outdoor landscapes at Changi Airport. In his role as Head of Horticulture at Changi, Khaja is responsible for every tree, shrub, flower, butterfly, and more. Khaja's journey to Changi is a story in itself - from the Singapore Bird Park to the National Parks Board and through multiple diplomas and degrees, his is a story of determination, diligence, and passion for his craft. Oh, and listen out for that story about how our late Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, used to pass on hand-written notes about the plants at the airport... Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!

Bold but Gold is a podcast about Singaporeans who are taking risks to chart more adventurous paths for themselves. In each episode, Walter Wong speaks in-depth with Singaporeans who are pursuing their passions in sports, music, art, entrepreneurship, and more. We'll follow their journeys of success, hard work, despair, and dedication. Whether you're at the start of your own journey or simply curious to know more about what other Singaporeans are doing, Bold but Gold is for you - this is Singapore as you've never heard it before. Visit boldbutgoldsg.com for more!