Best NERD Zealand Podcasts (2024)

1
Cognitohazards: Suicide Social Contagion, 1982 Tylenol Poisonings & Extremist Self-Radicalization - E439 9:04

12h ago9:04

9:04

Jeremy Au delved into the concept of “cognitohazards” — information that causes harm upon comprehension. Introduced by the sci-fi novel "There is No Antimemetics Division," this definition helps encapsulate a new danger in modern society. Examples include the "Werther effect" where suicide becomes contagious due to social replication and mass media…

1
The Hon. Minister Williams MP - Minister for Public Transport and Active Modes 52:21

2d ago52:21

52:21

The Hon. Minister Williams MP is Victoria's Minister for Public Transport and Active Modes and shares her fascinating journey from practicing law to becoming a key political figure in Victoria, with host Michelle Batsas. With a remit that includes driving major public transport infrastructure initiatives, like the Metro Tunnel, she advocates daily …

1
Sam Gibb: New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC, Regional Fintech Upside & Aspiring VC Partner Advice - E438 29:37

3d ago29:37

29:37

Sam Gibb, Managing Partner of Resolution Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC: Initially set on a legal career, Sam quickly realized it wasn't his calling after interning at a law firm. Sam transitioned to PwC, where he worked in the finance sector. In 2011, Sam relocated to Singapore to ta…

1
$3B Money Laundering Singapore Family Offices, Apple AI Integration & VC Fraud Maze with Shiyan Koh - E437 23:26

5d ago23:26

23:26

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $3B Money Laundering Family Offices: Jeremy and Shiyan highlighted recent fraud cases in Singapore involving Chinese nationals, focusing on a massive $3 billion scheme by a group of 10 individuals who set up five family offices. This prompted tighter reg…

1
70. All My Covid Jokes Comedy Special Commentary 50:31

5d ago50:31

50:31

Fill out the survey about the show HERE! Episode 70 already, blimey! If there was a comedy guild award for milking my previous content until it was long dry, I'd be the undisputed winner many years running. I watched the movie Contagion a couple of weeks ago and it got me thinking about the pandemic again and I'd always wanted to do a comedy specia…

1
Darwinian VC Evolution: Strategy Changes Due to Low Southeast Asia Fund Performance 0.4X vs. USA, India & China - E436 30:07

8d ago30:07

30:07

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au assessed Southeast Asia's low VC fund performance (median 0.4X returns vs. USA (1X) and India (1.3x). They discussed VCs shifting towards more realistic and localized investment strategies, while also taking into account growing geopolitical USA vs. China tensions with their resultin…

1
Tommaso Demarie: Quantum Computing Startup, PHD Academia to Founder & Michelin Mistake Ownership - E435 33:51

10d ago33:51

33:51

Tommaso Demarie, CEO & Cofounder of Entropica Labs, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Quantum Computing Startup: Tommaso shared his insights on quantum computing and its potential applications. He talked about his company, Entropica Labs, which focuses on developing software for quantum error correction, a crucial element in quantum …

1
Vietnam: New President Tô Lâm, South China Sea Island Building (692 Acres) & Coal Energy & Flight Price Jumps with Valerie Vu - E434 26:45

12d ago26:45

26:45

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. New President Tô Lâm: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the recent stabilization efforts by the Vietnamese government amidst political and economic turbulence, with the election of the new president, Tô Lâm, who previously served as the Minister of Public Sec…

1
69. Done Is Better Than Perfect w/ Anto Martin 39:15

12d ago39:15

39:15

Fill out the survey about the show HERE! In this episode I'm joined by my good friend Anto Martin and we discuss the concept of "Done Is Better Than Perfect", a philosophy I've been working very hard to live by lately rather than getting bogged down in perfection and then projects never getting finished. Anto's someone I greatly respect who has ach…

1
Bittersweet Goodbyes Before Raffles Junior College Demolition - E433 8:50

14d ago8:50

8:50

Jeremy Au reflects on his nostalgic visit to his alma mater Raffles Junior College before its demolition. He remembers his initial excitement of joining a new school, bitterness over a personal loss, and the processing of his grief over the next 2 decades. He also reconnected with former teenage classmates who are now fellow middle-aged adults, all…

1
Cassie Hames - Programmer at Sage Automation 36:41

16d ago36:41

36:41

Cassie Hames is a programmer at SAGE Automation who has lived experienced as a professional with impaired vision. She discusses her role at SAGE with host, Michelle Batsas, including the development of the See Me app which enhances public transport accessibility for users with impaired vision, and shares her personal journey proving her detractors …

1
Agung Saputra: Indonesia Pollution Crisis, 48 Million Tons of Food Waste (170kg Per Capita) & Surplus Marketplace App - E432 20:44

17d ago20:44

20:44

Agung Saputra, CEO & Founder of Surplus Indonesia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia Pollution Crisis: Agung flagged that Indonesia is one the top 3 polluters in the world: #2 plastic polluter, #2 food wastage and #1 most air polluted city (Jakarta). He highlighted the lack of regulations and public awareness as major barri…

1
Leadership & Development: Author Martha LaGuardia Kotite talks about her books So Others May Live, about U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers and Changing the Rules of Engagement, which features several aviatrix ... 1:09:33

17d ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Send us a Text Message. In this interview with author and retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Martha LaGuardia-Kotite, we talk about her career, which culminated in being recalled to active duty as the Commandant’s Press Secretary, then we get into her books - So Others May Live: Saving Lives, Defying Death; Changing the Rules of Engagement: Inspiring…

1
Post-AI "Good Jobs", SGX & IDX Capital Market Challenges & USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance with Shiyan Koh - E431 27:00

19d ago27:00

27:00

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance: Bain’s 2023 private equity report shows that Southeast Asia's VC returns have been lower over the past decade, with median LP distributions of 0.4X for Southeast Asia, China 0.6X, Europe 0.7X, USA 1X and India …

1
68. Reality TV w/ Comedian Brodie Hunter 39:11

19d ago39:11

39:11

Fill out the survey about the show HERE! This week I'm joined by stand up comedian, fledgling journalist and just all around lovely guy, Brodie Hunter! We have a chat about his studies as a journalist and then move onto talking about Reality TV, we chat about the early days of MTV's reality tv programs, keeping up with the kardashians, jersey shore…

1
Army Lessons: Might Makes Right, Camaraderie Humor & Sacrifice Crucible into Adulthood - E430 13:31

22d ago13:31

13:31

Jeremy reflects on his teenage military experience in the Singapore army across two years: 1. might makes right 2. camaraderie humor and 3. sacrifice as a crucible into adulthood. He details the transition from the implicit social norms of school into the military, where he learned that laws which codify right and wrong are actually backed by the u…

1
Aviatrix Classics discussion with Jacque Boyd and Jenny Beatty about Louise Thaden's memoir, High, Wide, and Frightened 1:15:54

23d ago1:15:54

1:15:54

Send us a Text Message. In this Literary Aviatrix Classics discussion with co-hosts Jacque Boyd and Jenny Beatty, we discuss Louise Thaden’s memoir, High, Wide, and Frightened, first published in 1938, two years after Thaden won the Bendix in its first co-ed year. This is a quintessential read for every pilot and avgeek, anyone who loves history, a…

1
Fady Abdel-Nour: Antler Partner ($285M AUM) Outlook, Naspers & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Learnings and India vs. China vs. Southeast Asia VC - E429 32:42

24d ago32:42

32:42

Fady Abdel-Nour, General Partner at Antler, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Naspers & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Learnings: Fady shared his career path, starting in investment banking during the peak financial markets of 2007. He then transitioned to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, focusing on long-term and solution capital in…

1
Singapore vs. USA Education Systems, WEIRD AI Teddy Bears & US Senate $32B AI Investment Bill with Shiyan Koh - E428 29:46

26d ago29:46

29:46

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Singapore vs. USA Education Systems: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed differences in structure, funding, and outcomes. In Singapore, the education system is centralized with high academic rigor, while in the USA, quality varies significantly due to local prop…

1
67. Anna From Paint & Sip's Tiny Joys 48:02

26d ago48:02

48:02

This week I'm joined by Anna of Paint & Sip, a lovely wee art studio in Christchurch's Arts Center where you can come along and join in on fun and social painting classes where you can also have a bevvy or two. Anna has been a joy to chat with on the couple of occasions I've been into her studio so I feel very lucky she gave up some of her very bus…

1
Aviatrix Writers' Room interview with bestselling author Maggie Shipstead on her classical writing education and publishing journey. 40:20

26d ago40:20

40:20

Send us a Text Message. In this Literary Aviatrix Writers’ Room interview with best-selling author Maggie Shipstead we get into the details of her author journey. Maggie is an inspiration for anyone who aspires to be a professional writer. In our conversation, she talks about how a writing course with Zadie Smith during her undergrad at Harvard cem…

1
Novelist Maggie Shipstead talks about the feral bootlegging, Alaska bush, and Air Transport Auxiliary pilot character, Marion Graves, from her best selling Great Circle. 39:16

28d ago39:16

39:16

Send us a Text Message. In this interview with author Maggie Shipstead, we discuss her best-selling novel Great Circle. In this sweeping saga, we follow fictional pilot Marion Graves from her feral childhood in Montana where she first encounters a barnstorming pilot team and decides that flying is her life's purpose. She flies as a bootlegger trans…

1
Success Habit: Creator Craftsmanship & Amplify Your Voice To Reach Millions - E427 11:30

29d ago11:30

11:30

Jeremy Au discusses the success habit of creating content, rather than consuming. He remembers the nervousness in launching the first podcast episode, his desire for deep, human-centric stories about tech leaders, and overcoming writer's block. He advises rising thought leaders to start with a topic they are passionate about, the importance of cons…

1
Beef, Venison & Male Delusion | Hoss Town Podcast Ep. 2 52:25

29d ago52:25

52:25

Watch the FULL episode WITH VIDEO for FREE on YouTube HERE! Content Warning: The fellas discuss the Drake/Kendrick beef which alludes to some alleged misconduct, as well as Baby Reindeer which deals with some really heavy subject matter, as well as a bit towards the end about terrorism which contains death, mayhem and self harm references. Jesus, w…

1
Stacey van der Putten - Director Public Transport and Active Modes, Auckland Transport and PTAANZ Board Director 45:20

1M ago45:20

45:20

Stacey van der Putten is the Director Public Transport and Active Modes at Auckland Transport and a PTAANZ Board Director. A trailblazer in the transportation industry, Stacey delves into her journey of integrating private sector expertise into public transport with host Michelle Batsas, emphasising the significance of inclusive leadership and effe…

1
Huawei R&D Leadership, Public Sector Digital Transformation and Resilience with Hong-Eng Koh - E426 52:39

1M ago52:39

52:39

Jeremy Au collaborated with Huawei’s Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist, Mr. Hong-Eng Koh, to discuss insights from the 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok. They talked about three main themes: 1. Public Sector Digital Transformation: Mr. Hong-Eng Koh shared his journey from the Singapore Police Force to leading Huawei's global public sector…

1
China: Diaspora Waves, Bamboo Network Economic Interdependence & 996 MNC Culture with Jianggan Li - E425 29:02

1M ago29:02

29:02

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. China Diaspora Waves: Jeremy and Jianggan discussed the long-standing historical connections between China and Southeast Asia, dating back to the era of Admiral Zheng He's voyages during the Ming Dynasty. They touched on the various dialect groups Cantone…

1
66. People Watching, Bevvies & Unhinged Facebook Posts - Charn Williams' Tiny Joys 1:00:01

1M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Charn Williams is back with a vengeance and we talk about her Tiny Joys, it's another fun filled frolic through topics such as oodies, when is it people watching vs perving, how many beverages can one person have on the go at once, and why I suspect Charn is secretly a cat masquerading as a human. Charn Williams's Tiny Joys: my oodies People watchi…

1
Digital Immortals: Fear of Death, Human Longevity & Homo Digitalis Species - E424 30:33

1M ago30:33

30:33

Jeremy Au reflects on the finite nature of life, creating the human desire to survive, build a family, or leave behind a legacy of accomplishments. He explores longevity and discusses life extension champion Bryan Johnson and his "don't die" slogan. He references Mark Manson's book "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," which argues that confrontin…

1
Helen Wong: AC Ventures Managing Partner Leadership Journey, China VC Acceleration & Indonesia Growth Optimism - E423 34:06

1M ago34:06

34:06

Helen Wong, Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. AC Ventures Managing Partner Leadership Journey: Helen shared her extensive journey from Oxford University to investment banking to GGV Capital to INSEAD MBA to Qiming Ventures to Managing Partner of AC Ventures. She highlighted her 20 years of investing e…

1
Indonesia: Prabowo on Western "Double Standards", Jakarta City Master Plan & Microsoft $1.7B Investment with Gita Sjahrir - E422 26:56

1M ago26:56

26:56

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Jakarta City Master Plan: Gita highlighted Jakarta's urgent urban planning needs to address rising sea levels, land subsidence, air pollution, traffic congestion, sanitation upgrades and education requirements. Miscommunications, fragmented stakehold…

1
65. Fringes, Nuggies & Schadenfreude - Ocean Denham's 5 Tiny Joys 49:34

1M ago49:34

49:34

This week I'm joined by Auckland based stand up comedian Ocean Denham and she brought 5 tiny joys to the show. We ended up getting into some great tangents about entertaining children, being labeled the "picky" eater as a kid, and why whenever you have a fringe, it's a sign that things aren't going well. (I currently have a fringe) Ocean has a show…

1
Robot Propaganda So You Will Love AI and AI Loves You Too - E421 19:53

1M ago19:53

19:53

Jeremy Au explores "roboganda," the new wave of propaganda promoting the benefits of robots and AI. Roboganda playbook: 1. Emphasize transformation of industries with increased productivity, downplay short-term negative job displacement, reskilling and search costs for individuals. 2. Humanize AI to satisfy individual social needs (loneliness, vali…

1
Michelle Sheppard - Senior Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at Victoria's Department of Transport and Planning 1:02:10

1M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Michelle Sheppard is a Senior Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning. In her transparent and vulnerable conversation with host Michelle Batsas, Michelle details her personal and professional journey as a transgender woman in the transport industry. Reflecting on her own experiences struggling with identit…

1
Aviatrix Classics - Introducing my co-hosts, Dr. Jacque Boyd, general aviation pilot and aerospace educator, and Captain Jenny Beatty, professional airline pilot and aviation diversity advocate, both self ... 1:02:37

1M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to the new ‘Literary Aviatrix Classics’ series, where I discuss books written by and about our aviatrix pioneers with my venerable co-hosts, Dr. Jacque Boyd and Captain Jenny Beatty. In this interview, we get to know Jacque and Jenny, and we announce the subject of our first ‘Classics’ discussion. Dr. Jacque Boyd is …

1
Chia Jeng Yang: Reset Your Hunger, VC to Founder Transferable Skills & USA vs. SE Asia Startup Ecosystems - E420 24:57

1M ago24:57

24:57

Jeremy and Chia discussed his experience changing careers from Southeast Asia VC Principal to US AI founder. He outlined the non-transferable nature of many VC skills when becoming a founder. While VC offers a high-level understanding of market and investment dynamics, it lacks the hands-on operational skills needed to build a startup from zero. Th…

1
Singapore: New Prime Minister Transition, Immigration Assimilation & Schools and CTO & Engineering Pass with. Shiyan Koh- E419 24:22

2M ago24:22

24:22

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Prime Minister Transition: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the transition of Prime Minister leadership from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong. They discussed the potential challenges that the new Prime Minister would face such as addressing wealth inequal…

1
64. Donating A Kidney w/ Charn Williams 53:03

2M ago53:03

53:03

This week I'm joined by my good friend and comedic colleague, Charn Williams where she talks us through the process of what it was like to donate a kidney here in NZ. Charn has a great memory for the details and took me through every step of the process with heaps of laughs along the way. If you'd like to learn more information about the Kidney exc…

1
Pilot Polly Vacher talks about her record-setting solo flight from the North Pole to Antarctica to raise funds for the charity Flying Scholarships for the Disabled 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Send us a Text Message. In this interview with inspiring pilot Polly Vacher, she talks about her memoir Wings Around the World: The Exhilarating Story of One Woman’s Epic Flight from the North Pole to Antarctica. She shares how she prepared for the trip, some of the obstacles that stood in her way and how she navigated them, the very difficult deci…

1
3-Body Problem: Social Darwinism, Technology Blockades & Community Over Individuals by Liu Cixin - E418 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

Jeremy Au as a science-fiction and history nerd reviewed the 3 complex themes of Liu Cixin's "Three-Body Problem" series. Spoilers ahead: 1. Social Darwinism: "Dog eat dog" foundational psychological core of human society due to the survival instincts of individual humans, in stark contrast to Western fiction like social utopian “Star Wars,” moral …

1
Jason Edwards: Lawyer to Founder & VC, Alternatives.pe Regional Capital Insights & January Capital Venture Debt Strategy - E417 37:07

2M ago37:07

37:07

Jason Edwards, CEO & Founder of Alternatives.pe, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Lawyer to Founder & VC: Jason recounted his legal career at Baker & McKenzie in Australia and Hong Kong. Due to the Asian Financial Crisis, he focused on financial restructuring for distressed firms (many of whom had borrowed heavily in US dollars) acr…

1
Vietnam: $24B Bank Bailout & Legislature Chairman Resignation, FPT $6B Tech Conglomerate Growth and Apple Investment & China High-Speed Rail - E416 22:17

2M ago22:17

22:17

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Vietnam $24B Bank Bailout & Legislature Chairman Resignation: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the $12B fraud at Saigon Bank, the death penalty verdict, the appeals process and the closure of 50+ bank branches. The Vietnamese central bank injected $24B of "s…

1
63. What it's been like working as a full time comedian for a year 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

It's just over a week since a year to the day I left my previous job to work as a comedian full time. It's been a year of ups and downs and I've learnt a lot, most of which I tried to document in this episode of the podcasts. The questions I covered: Did I make any money this year? How much of my runway have I used? How has my lifestyle changed? Ho…

1
Huawei 2024 APAC Congress: AI & Hardware Vertical Integration, Ecosystem and R&D Leadership & Genuine ASEAN Partnerships - E415 7:10

2M ago7:10

7:10

Jeremy Au partnered with Huawei to share his observations of their 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok, which highlighted their latest advancements in AI, hardware, and infrastructure. He analyzed Huawei’s R&D investment commitments, vertical integration, manufacturing scale, globalizing workforce and local partnerships - positioning them as a formidable…

1
Kylie Gorham - Senior Product Manager at NEC Australia 47:46

2M ago47:46

47:46

Kylie Gorham is a SeniorProduct Manager at NEC Australia. In her interview with host Michelle Batsas,Kylie talks about the innovative edge of public transport. Listen as theyunpack the impact of technology on operational intelligence and passengerexperience. Kylie shares her career journey and insights, including theimportance of travelling to diff…

1
Léa Klein: 98% Southeast Asians Want Meaning At Work, Western vs. SE Asia On Sustainability & Economic Stability For Family - E414 26:18

2M ago26:18

26:18

Léa Klein, CEO of Makesense, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 98% Southeast Asians Want Meaning At Work: Léa and Jeremy highlighted that regional workers' desire for purpose contrasts with the dissatisfaction many feel with the level of meaning in their current roles. They discussed how companies could bridge this gap between desire…

1
$1.5 Trillion USD Green Investment Gap, Competition vs. China Industrial Policy and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Viability with Gita Sjahrir - E413 29:37

2M ago29:37

29:37

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $1.5 Trillion USD Green Investment Gap: Jeremy and Gita agreed with Bain & Company’s report that Southeast Asia is "woefully off track" on green investments to reduce emissions and needs new policies and financial mechanisms to help bridge the gap. Th…

1
62. Portable Buffets, Knee Injuries & Ultra Running w/ Comedian Chris Ingham 41:25

2M ago41:25

41:25

Stoked to be finally sitting down with Chris Ingham, a comedian from the Manawatū region of NZ and chatting about Ultra Marathon Running. I have an aunt and uncle who are into this so it was great to chat with someone about it. Don't think I'll be partaking in it any time soon, although I've been training to try and hit the city 2 surf 6km run next…

1
Charoen Pokphand (CP) $85B Conglomerate: China to Thailand to Kitchen of the World - E412 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

CP Group, a prominent Thai conglomerate, traces its beginnings to the founder Chia Ek Chor migrating from Chaozhou, China to Thailand in 1919. Despite early skepticism, he started a humble seed business which grew significantly by adapting to local agricultural challenges and changing global climate patterns. This foundation allowed his son and suc…

1
Can We Beat Our Dads In A Fight? | Hoss Town Podcast Ep. 1 46:24

2M ago46:24

46:24

Watch the FULL episode WITH VIDEO for FREE on YouTube HERE! HossTown is a monthly podcast by two big boys respectfully making some noise, stand up comedians Taylor Ruddle & Matt Lilley. The aforementioned Mayors of HossTown take a lighthearted look at masculinity in modern times - it's a journey of trying to find a balance between being Cavemen and…

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