In this day and age, when multitasking is so necessary, podcasts have become the new ‘in thing’ because you can listen to it while doing other stuff. Podcasts also cover a wide range of topics; movies, fashion, daily lives— you name it, they have it. Think radio shows, but at a time of your choosing.
Some of them are heartwarming, funny, informative or just plain witty. But, a lot of these podcasts are born from passion. They cover topics they feel strongly about, and it’ll resonate if you feel the same. If not, there’s always plenty to learn!
Most people would recommend international podcasts, but few are aware that we have some good homegrown talents right here in Malaysia, run by some well-known names. The wide-range topics they choose are also close to home and as a Malaysian, you’ll definitely understand the various topics that come up.
So, get comfortable, get ready for some good old Malaysian humour, and settle in with one of our podcast picks!
1. The Takeaway Table/ Table Talk
- Hosts: Ming Han and Ming Yue, aka the popular YouTubers; the MingThing
- Genre: Society
- Types of topics covered: Business, social media, adulting, life, music and a lot more
- Target audience: Young adults
- Our favourite episode: The Ming brothers introduce Natalie Chai and talked about what it was like meeting their personal heroes. Some of them were from the Western world, but Natalie in particular was an Emcee for several K-pop stars like EXO, F(X), Apink and Ji Chang-wook, to name a few. She delves into some eye-opening behind-the-scenes.
2. Head Over Heels
- Host: Maggy Wang (TV and radio host, Presenter, Fitness coach)
- Genre: Interview
- Types of topics covered: Girl-talk, relationships and social issues.
- Target audience: Girls and ladies (Men are also invited to listen in)
- The funniest episode: Maggy and friends demonstrate what a conversation between girls usually sounds like. Very fast and leading from one subject to another. It’s very casual and very funny. Did you know people can control when to faint? This episode covers that. Be prepared to laugh a lot and get down to the nitty gritty details girls won’t usually share in public.
3. Ayy-men
- Hosts: Ming Yue (YouTuber), Raj Mahal, Joseph Lee
- Genre: Comedy and society
- Types of topics covered: Life and relationships from guys’ perspectives
- Target audience: Young adults
- Suggested episode: Who doesn’t like talking or listening about love? This trio talk about past relationships and how they dealt with it. It’s amazing to see them be honest with one another, and very relatable at the same time. It may be a painful subject but these guys still find laughter in unexpected places.
4. The Fashion Weak
- Hosts: Arnold Loh (Radio announcer, Co-Founder of Pestle & Mortar Clothing) and Lucas Lau
- Genre: Fashion and interview
- Segments: Swag Check, Self introduction, Rate that Fit, Let’s Be Honest, Money and Sex
- Types of topics covered: Fashion, life and trends.
- Target audience: Adults
- Suggested episode: Wit and banter abound in this episode. Arnold and Lucas dish out some very interesting call outs and blunt fashion advice with Sandra Woo. Sandra also drops knowledge about yoga, health and wellness; her specialty. Be prepared as more than one F-bomb is dropped.
5. Mamak Sessions
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- Host(s): JinnyBoy (main host) with either Shu Faye Wong (Twitch Streamer), Ryan Yee (Figure skater) or Brandon Ho (TV Host, Emcee)
- Genre: Society and Interviews
- Types of topics covered: Life, relationships, interviews with local and international stars.
- Target audience: Young adults and adults.
- Suggested episode: JinnyBoy and Shu Faye talk with Nigel Chin and Magnum about coming out. Both Nigel and Magnum share how they met and their experiences coming out to friends and family. It’s a glimpse into the LGBTQ+ community with a few funny but heartwarming anecdotes.
6. Hello, Hello, Kopi Ke Milo?
- Host: Milo Faeqo (Film Maker, Barista, World traveller)
- Genre: Interview
- Types of topics covered: Inspirational stories from various artists
- Target audience: Aspiring artists and people interested in the industry
- Suggested episode: Ever dreamt of being a DJ? Milo interviews Leila who is living the dream. It’s amazing to have a glimpse into someone else’s life and understand how they’ve built their career. Milo keeps the conversation chill and draws out the artist’s bubbling passion, leaving the listener inspired to follow their own dreams.
7. Let’s Get Real
- Host: Brandon Ho (TV Host, Emcee, Actor, YouTuber)
- Genre: Christianity
- Types of topics covered: Personal testimonies from various Christians
- Target audience: Christians
- Suggested episode: Brandon Ho sits down with Ming Han to talk about a very real topic— what its like being a 2nd generation Christian. If you are one yourself, you can definitely relate with Ming Han’s experiences. It sheds a lot of enlightenment and can help Christians struggling with the same problem in finding peace.
8. The Hello Mentor! Podcast
- Host: Derek Toh (Founder CEO of Wobbjobs)
- Genre: Interview
- Types of topics covered: Career advice and success stories
- Target audience: People interested in business building and want a peek into other careers.
- Suggested episode: Derek interviews Julian Yee, Malaysia’s first ever Olympic Skater! He talks about how he got into figure skating and what it was like learning figure skating in Malaysia. Derek keeps listeners engaged with interesting questions and shows the behind-the-scenes of figure skating.
9. Project Thought with Hannah Yeoh
- Host: Hannah Yeoh (Local politician)
- Genre: Politics
- Types of topics covered: Hannah’s experience in becoming a politician
- Target audience: Malaysians and anyone interested in Hannah’s story
- Suggested episode: Listening to Hannah tell her story about what moved her to become a politician leaves something stirring in you. Politics may sometimes seem to be a foreign concept but Hannah cuts through to the heart of it. It really brings out the Malaysian in you.
With MCO 2.0, expand your mind with a few of these podcasts. Who knows? You might get hooked.
