Best Double Espresso Podcasts (2024)

1
Elon And The Felon 1:02:38

7h ago1:02:38

1:02:38

In this week's episode the Powell men discuss the aftermath of the shocking results of the #2024Election . #DonaldTrump is the #PresidentElect. #Project2025 will be the law of the land while the #UnitedStates careens into #autocracy . #November5 will be the new day that lives in infamy. The guys attempt to come to grips with what will be a new real…

1
The Body Shop's New Lease Of Life 24:10

1d ago24:10

24:10

The Body Shop is an iconic skincare, cosmetics and perfume brand that was synonymous with conservation and recycling even before ESG became mainstream. However it recently has gone into receivership and emerged with a new owner, Aurea Group. We speak to Mike Jatania, the new Executive Chairman of the Body Shop on their turnaround plans and why they…

1
Can ASEAN Supply Chains Remain Resilient? 24:01

1d ago24:01

24:01

Logistics Consulting Asia – Savills (LCAS) is a Malaysian consultancy that helps businesses across Asia strengthen their supply chains and logistics capabilities. What are the supply chain trends shaping the region amid ongoing US-China trade tensions? We speak with John Talbot, CEO of LCA Savills about how its business is navigating the challengin…

1
Metro Healthcare Growing Foothold In Fertility Treatment 23:00

1d ago23:00

23:00

The fertility, obstetrics and gynaecology services industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11% to reach RM470 million ringgit by 2026, on the back of slowing population growth. How is Metro Healthcare looking to capitalise on this momentum through its ACE Market listing? We speak to Managing Director Jason Lim for more on how the company intends…

1
S9 Ep9: Russian mercenaries in Africa with Philip Obaji 1:09:12

1h ago1:09:12

1:09:12

In this conversation, award-winning investigative journalist Philip Obaji discusses the increasing influence of the Russian Wagner Group in Africa, particularly in relation to military coups and economic interests. He shares insights into the motivations behind Russia's actions in the region, the impact of Yevgeny Prigozhin's death on Wagner's oper…

1
Higher Education Needs More Than A Blueprint 32:14

1d ago32:14

32:14

The Madani Government is working on a new policy blueprint for public higher education to replace the current plan that ends in 2025. What is the policy direction we should be taking to improve the higher education landscape for national progress? We discuss themes in higher education with Dr. Sharifah Munirah Alatas, an Independent Scholar and Cha…

1
Spain's Economic Renaissance 23:30

22h ago23:30

23:30

Spain was once seen as the laggard of the Eurozone, but following the post-pandemic recovery it is now one of the bloc’s outperformers. We discuss the factors in the change in Spain’s economic narrative as well as the aftermath of the tragic floods that hit Valencia early this month with H.E. Jose Luis Pardo, the Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia. Se…

1
Puerto Rico!! 1:09:16

8h ago1:09:16

1:09:16

In what may be our final podcast, the Powell men share their thoughts on #Election24 eve . #2024Election is upon us. #EarlyVoting has started and now we cross our fingers in hope that #KamalaHarris will be #MadamPresident in #2025 . #PresidenElectHarris is what we're hoping for , otherwise we won't be able to podcast under #DictatorTrump . Hopefull…

1
Mega Fortris, Sealing Their Way To Success 23:11

1d ago23:11

23:11

Security seals are often a forgotten part of the supply chain. We speak to the world’s 3rd largest player which is due to list on Bursa Malaysia as to their reasons for listing, how they got OCBC to be their shareholder and why should you buy their share. Their Group MD, Datuk Adrian Ng joins us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Podcast Update November 2024 1:02

1h ago1:02

1:02

Hi everyone, I hope you are well. There won't be an Espresso Martini this week. Instead, I will be joined by award-winning investigative journalist Philip Obaji, who discusses the increasing influence of the Russian Wagner Group in Africa. That episode will be released on Friday 8th November. Then, the following week, we will be on a podcast break,…

1
Ukraine: Driving Trade Amid An Ongoing War 23:46

1d ago23:46

23:46

Ukraine has been in the midst of war after Russia invaded its western neighbour nearly 1,000 days ago, and now controls around 18% of that country. Today, Ukraine's Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Trade & Agriculture, Taras Kachka, who is on a mission around the world to drum up more trade, shares about the ongoing challenges and whether …

1
Malaysia-Cuba Relations: Common Ground To Work From 23:46

22h ago23:46

23:46

Malaysia and Cuba have had diplomatic relations since 1975 and citizens of both nations don't require visas to visit each other. Yet, bilateral trade remains low. Florentino Batista González, the ambassador of Cuba to Malaysia shares his views on the potential of bilateral relations after both countries became BRICS partners, as well as how the con…

1
S9 Ep8: David Bickford, former Legal Director of MI5 & MI6 turned author 1:02:04

1h ago1:02:04

1:02:04

In this conversation, David Bickford shares his fascinating journey from a unique childhood to a distinguished career in the intelligence services, specifically as a legal director for MI5 and MI6. He discusses the complexities of balancing national security with legality, the current threats posed by Russia and China, and the evolving landscape of…

1
How To Make It As An Author In Malaysia 23:41

22h ago23:41

23:41

November has become associated with novel writing, thanks to the grassroots NaNoWriMo movement, to the extent that in the US, November 1st is designated as National Authors Day. In this spirit, we discuss themes related to the Malaysian writing and publishing industry with author Cheeming Boey and publisher Amir Muhammad of BukuFixi. See omnystudio…

1
This Ain't Texas 1:01:07

15d ago1:01:07

1:01:07

In this week's episode the Powelll men share their thoughts as the election is in the final countdown. One week to save the Republic. #MadamVicePresint #KamalaHarris went to #HarrisCounty #Texas to campaign on the #TexasAbortionLaw with future senator #ColinAllred and former #DestinyChild members #KellyRowland and the leader of the #BeyHive #QueenB…

1
Levi's Keeping It's Heritage Relevant In SEA 22:17

2d ago22:17

22:17

Levi's, a brand synonymous with jeans, has a 170-year heritage. But does it still have a cache, and how does this world-leading apparel maker compete in SEA? We pose these questions to Sameer Koul, General Manager for Southeast Asia and Country Manager for Thailand, Levi Strauss & Co. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
3REN: Automation Solutions For A High Tech Future 23:34

4d ago23:34

23:34

3REN Bhd is a soon-to-be-listed automation solutions and engineering services provider, primarily focusing on the semiconductor, electronics, and manufacturing sectors. Koh Dim Kuan, its executive director and CEO, shares the company's future plans following its listing to raise some RM31 million to expand its operations and to enhance its R&D capa…

1
Does French Laicite Unite Or Disenfranchise? 24:21

5d ago24:21

24:21

The past year has seen a seismic shift in the political landscape in Europe, with far-right groups and ideologies gaining momentum across the continent, including in France. Is the French principle of laicite a bulwark or a vulnerability in the face of the far-right movement? We get a better understanding of the concept and how it's implemented wit…

1
S9 Ep7: Espresso Martini | North Korean Troops to Ukraine, Sinwar’s End, Israel Rolls Up an Iranian Spy Ring, and Conspiracies Drive Threats to FEMA 1:15:24

16d ago1:15:24

1:15:24

In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt discuss the alarming news that North Korea is sending up to 12,000 troops to bolster Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They explore the implications of North Korea gaining combat experience and modern warfare training and whether these troops are likely to be anything more than cannon fodder for Putin…

1
Budget 2025, Good But Can Be Better 23:50

13d ago23:50

23:50

Budget 2025 is the most expansionary in history at RM421bn with the goal of fiscal consolidation while growing the economy through the introduction of new taxes and incentives. To delve into the implications of this budget for businesses, we speak with Tai Lai Kok, Head of Corporate Tax at KPMG, and Datuk William Ng, National President of the Small…

1
Leslie Lopez: The Siege Within 22:19

21d ago22:19

22:19

1MDB is undeniably the largest financial scandal in Malaysia’s history. Malaysian journalist Leslie Lopez has released his first book, The Siege Within, which reveals previously unpublished material from his own archives related to the embezzlement of 1MDB funds. The book explores the roles of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and fugiti…

1
Hey Teacher Leave Those Kids Alone 1:06:31

21d ago1:06:31

1:06:31

In this week's episode the Powell men share their thoughts on the state of education . #teachers are demoralized because #parents aren't #parenting their children. #gentleparenting doesn't work. #studentbehavior is out of control at #schooldistricts across the country. The #NYCDOE doen't want kids to fail so that they can maintain artificial #gradu…

1
Swiss Re, Insuring The Insurers 23:49

10d ago23:49

23:49

Swiss Re a key player in the insurance business has been providing coverage to insurance companies as a reinsurer since 1863. Paul Murray, CEO of Life and Health Reinsurance at Swiss Re, shares his insights on their role in risk management, growth strategies, and the pricing challenges faced in today’s environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for p…

1
Countdown To The 2024 US Presidential Election 23:52

11d ago23:52

23:52

Eligible American voters have just two more weeks to cast their votes for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump to be the next resident of the White House. Early voting, either in person or by mail will go on until Nov 5th. Wendy Schiller, a professor of Political Science at Brown University helps us understand what c…

1
Steps, Not Strides Towards Fiscal Sustainability 36:10

25d ago36:10

36:10

The Madani government unveiled the most expansionary budget in history with a federal expenditure of 421 billion ringgit. With a theme; ‘MADANI Economy, Prosperous Nation, Well-being of the People.’, we ask Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance if this budget sets the country on the right path to econ…

1
Chris is unwell, so he is resharing The Double Bind with Meredith Tax 47:52

12d ago47:52

47:52

Chris is unwell so there won’t be a new episode this week. Instead, Chris is re-sharing the first-ever episode in which he is joined by the author Meredith Tax, and they discuss her book “The Double Bind”, which looks at the problematic relationship between Anglo American left and the Muslim right. Later in the podcast, they also discuss the role o…

1
Scaling Pilots To Modernize Malaysia's Agroeconomy 23:35

27d ago23:35

23:35

We speak to Anuja Kar, Senior Agriculture Economist at the East and Pacific Region Agriculture and Food Global Practice of the World Bank as she helps us unpack the World Bank’s latest Malaysia Economic Monitor report, entitled “Farming the Future: Harvesting Malaysia’s Agricultural Resilience through Digital Technologies”. The report sheds light o…

1
How Impartial Is The Dewan Rakyat Speaker? 35:54

28d ago35:54

35:54

Ahead of the Budget 2025 tabling, we get the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul to give a rundown on the parliamentary agenda this session and what he’s doing to strengthen parliamentary democracy. We will also tackle his decision on the Bersatu 6 and the anti-party hopping laws, as well as how he deals with perceptions of bias. See …

1
Vote Blue No Matter Who 1:03:47

20d ago1:03:47

1:03:47

In this week's episode the Powell men discuss the value and benefits of #earlyvoting. The need to vote early in the #battleground states of #Michigan #Pennsylvania #Wisconsin #Georgia #Arizona #NorthCarolina #Nevada is paramount.The guys suggest that #Texas , and #Florida could be in play as polling doesn't take #abortionrights into consideration .…

1
Will The Madani Government Do The Right Thing In Budget 2025 24:01

29d ago24:01

24:01

The theme of this year’s national budget is MADANI Economy: Prosperous Nation, Well-being of the People. It is the third budget by the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Will it deliver the much needed reforms to improve our fiscal position yet be expansionary? Professor Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice Chancellor for External En…

1
Volatile Markets Ahead But Stay Invested In Equities 24:16

30d ago24:16

24:16

Markets have been volatile due to uncertainty over the pace of the Fed Fund rate cut and US elections. Yet, equity markets have been resilient with the S&P500 up by 22% and the Nasdaq by slightly more than that quantum. What can we expect for the last quarter of the year and 2025? George Maris, CIO and Global Head of Equities at Principal Asset Man…

1
Pearson VUE Eyes SEA Market For Future Growth 24:46

1M ago24:46

24:46

Pearson VUE, a subsidiary of the British education conglomerate Pearson plc, is responsible for administering high-stakes examinations in a range of different sectors. How is the company capitalising on trends that will drive digital testing and licensure exams in Southeast Asia for business growth? We find out from Craig McFarlane, Vice President …

1
S9 Ep6: Espresso Martini | Gaza After a Year of War, Iran’s Criminal Alliances, Russia’s Arctic Intrigues, and Tom Clancy’s Legacy 1:21:29

24d ago1:21:29

1:21:29

In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt discuss a new public opinion poll revealing a sharp decline in Palestinian support for Hamas after a brutal year of war in Gaza. They also explore Iran’s troubling alliances with criminal organizations to carry out assassinations in the West, and Russia’s use of a remote Norwegian town in the Arct…

1
Navigating Geopolitics: The View from Manila and Hanoi 25:40

1M ago25:40

25:40

Both Vietnam and the Philippines are claimant states in South China, but they have different relationships and approaches towards China. We discuss how Manila and Hanoi are navigating internal political turbulence as well as broader geopolitical dynamics with the respective country experts. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener…

1
Gerakan, Finding A New Purpose 23:09

1M ago23:09

23:09

Founded in 1968, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia advocates for a non-racial, secular, and socially just Malaysia. Once a dominant force, particularly in Penang, the party lost all its parliamentary seats in the 2018 elections and subsequently left Barisan Nasional after more than five decades with the coalition. Datuk Dr. Dominic Lau, the National Pr…

1
Stormy Weather 1:04:15

27d ago1:04:15

1:04:15

In this week's episode the Powells discuss the devastating #climatechange #globalwarming induced #hurricanes affecting #Florida #Georgia #NorthCarolina and parts of #Appalachia. Last week #HurricaneHelene slammed into the southeast causing widespread damage and #stormsurge. This week #HurricaneMilton has #Tampa in its bullseye. #Category5 hurricane…

1
InvestSarawak: From Fossil Fuels To Renewables 23:39

1M ago23:39

23:39

Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state by land area yet it contributed only 9.1% to the country's GDP last year. That is now expected to change with the state having invested some RM20 billion ringgit to develop its infrastructure so far. Timothy Ong, CEO of the newly established InvestSarawak, shares his vision to bring sustainable investments into t…

1
Scania: A Heavy Commercial Vehicle Maker's Evolution 23:45

1M ago23:45

23:45

Scania has been in Malaysia manufacturing heavy commercial vehicles like lorries and buses from its sole assembly plant in Port Klang since the 1970s. Joyce Antar, recently appointed the managing director of Scania Southeast Asia three months ago, shares her vision of where she wants the company to go in terms of growing its sales volumes while ens…

1
S9 Ep5: Who Attacked Nord Stream? Inside the Investigation with Florian Flade 53:35

24d ago53:35

53:35

Today’s episode brings you an in-depth look into one of the most mysterious and controversial sabotage incidents in recent history – the Nord Stream Pipeline attack. Joining both Chris and Matt is investigative journalist Florian Flade, who has been at the forefront of uncovering the truth behind the explosions that shook Europe. Florian, working w…

1
For SDCG, Going Green Pays Off 21:21

1M ago21:21

21:21

Solar District Cooling Group Bhd specialises in supplying building management systems, solar thermal systems, and energy-saving services. Listed on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market, following an IPO that was oversubscribed by 144 times we asked Managing Director, Edison Kong about their post-listing plans and if there is still upside to the share price …

1
S9 Ep4: Hezbollah Decapitated, Israel Invades, and Iran Attacks with Phillip Smyth 1:45:23

27d ago1:45:23

1:45:23

In this special episode, Matt welcomes back Phillip Smyth just days after his last appearance to analyze another major development in the Middle East: the assassination of Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, in a targeted Israeli airstrike. Nasrallah’s death has sent shockwaves across Lebanon, Iran, and the wider network of Iran-backed…

1
Apple Vacations: Towards A Sustainable Tourism Business 23:40

1M ago23:40

23:40

Apple Vacations is one of Malaysia's largest outbound travel agencies with a history dating back to the mid-1990s when travelling on group tours was the preferable and indeed more affordable option. Dato' Sri Lee Ee Hoe, the co-founder and group executive chairman of Apple Vacations, talks to us about surviving the Covid-19 lockdowns, adapting to c…

1
Strong Foundations To Grow Malaysian German Ties 23:21

1M ago23:21

23:21

Germany celebrates Unity Day today but 34 years after the creation of a United East and West Germany, what challenges does the EU's most powerful member state face? We speak to their ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Dr Peter Blomeyer, to find out if populism is once again challenging the foundations of modern Germany whilst talking about relations with…

1
Eric Adams The Turkey Whisperer 1:03:14

1M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

In this week's episode The Powell men discuss the #indictment of #NYCMayor #EricAdams AKA #SwaggyE AKA #TurkishTaffy on charges of #corruption , the levels of which this city hasn't seen since the 70s. #Adams is in deep doo doo relating to his accepting bribes from the #TurkishGovernment . #Erdogan has bought himself a mayor. It only cost him 10 mi…

1
Decoding Madani Foreign Policy 25:05

1M ago25:05

25:05

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has earned both flowers and brickbats in his interactions with foreign leaders, most recently with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. How is Malaysia’s foreign policy shaping up under the Madani Government? We discuss the developments and policy signals with our panel of experts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.c…

1
Can Monash Malaysia Maintain Momentum? 23:44

1M ago23:44

23:44

Monash University Malaysia has the distinction of being the first foreign university in the country and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. With the landscape for international higher education evolving dramatically since 1998, what is Monash doing to defend its brand reputation in an intensely competitive sector? I discuss these themes with…

1
Datacenters: Boon Or Bane For Malaysia? 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon Web Services are just some of the biggest names that have invested in the development of data centers in Malaysia, but will this industry really complement the transformation of this country’s digital economy, and will we see positive spillover effects? Amy Wong, Executive Director at Knight Frank & Ong Chin Seong, PI…

1
S9 Ep3: Exploding Pagers and More Airstrikes: Unpacking Hezbollah’s Catastrophic Week with Phillip Smyth 1:24:27

1M ago1:24:27

1:24:27

On today’s episode, Phillip Smyth, the guru for all things related to Iranian proxy groups, returns to chat with Matt about the exploding pagers and radios that maimed thousands of Hezbollah members last week and the following wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting the group’s long-range missile and drone forces. They discuss the implications for Hez…

1
KPKT On Madani Government Support For Home Ownership 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is responsible for addressing a wide range of issues important to Malaysians, including affordable housing, sustainable development, the circular economy, and local governance. How are Madani Government policy initiatives being translated on the ground? We hear from Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and …

1
Can ASEAN Navigate The Geopolitics Of A Multipolar Era? 23:55

2M ago23:55

23:55

We are living in the Asian century, with the meteoric rise of China, India and ASEAN economies heralding the era of multi-polar geopolitics. Is this an era of optimism for the international order, or is it as some say the most dangerous time in geopolitics since the end of the Cold War? We discuss these themes with Professor Kishore Mahbubani, a di…

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