Actsplore This

Hosted by Janice & Sarah-Ann

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Actsplore This is a podcast for the modern day working professional. The show is hosted by Janice and Sarah-Ann, former lawyers who went on to do an MBA before pivoting careers. Each week, we pick the minds of inspiring guests who will bring you actionable insights on how you can thrive personally & professionally. From career insights, to personal development hacks, mental health chats and more, join us as we Actsplore how to create a more meaningful and fulfilled life!

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60 recent

June 15, 202630 min

EP 97: What Nobody Tells You About Moving Abroad Mini Series (Part 1: Friendships) with Janice & Sarah-Ann

Moving abroad is exciting, transformative, and often romanticised. But what about the friendships that quietly change along the way?In Part 1 of our three-part miniseries, What Nobody Tells You About Moving Abroad, we unpack the realities of maintaining meaningful friendships across time zones while building a new life in a different country.From missing milestone moments like weddings and new babies, to learning how to show up through voice notes, calendar reminders, and intentional check-ins, we explore the quiet grief, unexpected growth, and evolving dynamics of long-distance friendships.We also share practical lessons on building community abroad: from finding your anchor, saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities, and investing deeply in the relationships that matter most.Whether you're living overseas, considering a move abroad, or navigating friendships through a season of change, this episode is a reminder that meaningful relationships don't survive by default, they survive by design.In this episode, we explore:🌏 How moving abroad reshapes friendship dynamics💌 Navigating milestone moments from afar🎙️ Practical ways to stay connected across time zones💭 Letting go of guilt when friendships evolve🤝 Building intentional community in a new cityWhat was something nobody told you about moving abroad? We'd love to hear from you so tag us when you tune into this episode with your story on Instagram!CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: ⁠@actsplorethispodcast⁠✨Tiktok: ⁠@actsplorethispodcast⁠✨Youtube: ⁠Actsplore This Podcast⁠✨Apple Podcast: ⁠Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts⁠✨Email: ⁠actsplorethis@gmail.com⁠✨Buy us a coffee: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

May 25, 202630 min

EP 96: Trust Your Gut (Literally) with Julian Koh, Founder of Supergulp

When was the last time you actually trusted your gut - not just physically, but in life?In this episode, we sit down with Julian Koh, founder of Supergulp - a homegrown sparkling prebiotic brand making gut health fun, accessible, and part of everyday life. From creative design to tech, and now entrepreneurship, Julian shares the exact moment a simple supermarket visit turned into a business idea.We unpack:🛒 The inspiration behind Supergulp💡 Turning gaps in affordability and access into opportunity🚪 Navigating rejection (and not taking it personally)💰 Why product-market fit is more than just hype🤝 Building a brand through communityPlus, we get real about the founder journey - including the lonely parts people don’t talk about enough.Whether you’re thinking of starting something, pivoting careers, or just figuring things out as you go, this episode is your reminder to start first, refine later - and trust your gut along the way.Special thanks to Julian and Supergulp for being one of our local sponsors for our #ActsploreThisIRL Building Influence event in January 2026 🙌🏻Check out Supergulp products here 👇:https://supergulp.co/

May 10, 202648 min

EP 95: How to manage up and get ahead in your career with Melody Wilding

You’ve heard the phrase: people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses. So why does “managing up” still feel a little misunderstood when it’s so central to how we experience our work?In this episode, we’re joined by award-winning executive coach and author, Melody Wilding, to unpack how managing up is less about politics, and more about taking ownership of your career.For over a decade, Melody has worked with top performers at companies like Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Verizon, helping them earn the recognition, respect, and compensation they deserve. She’s a licensed social worker with a master’s from Columbia University, a professor of human behavior at Hunter College, and a former emotions researcher at Rutgers University.Drawing on her book Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge, we explore:How to use your 1:1s as a lever for career accelerationPractical shifts to set boundaries without burning bridgesHow to advocate for your progression - even in uncertain timesNavigating salary conversations with clarity and confidenceIf you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to advocate for yourself at work - this one’s for you.MELODY WILDINGWebsite: https://melodywilding.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/FOLLOW THE PODCAST :✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02xWljGMOwQEyKWRFFvN3e?si=f869d84b31464d6b ✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

February 9, 202642 min

EP 94: [LIVE] Building Influence: Leading from Where You Are

Recorded live from the Actsplore This Building Influence workshop in Kuala Lumpur, we sat down with Prof Dr Ong Kian Ming and Zalina Jamaluddin to unpack how we can lead with impact - through intention, curiosity, and the courage to act before you feel “ready.”Together, we explored:What influence really means and why it mattersHow to lead and create impact before you have the titleBuilding trust with sceptical stakeholders and competing interestsThe role of networks and social capital in amplifying influenceProf Dr Ong Kian Ming is the Executive Director of RGE and an Adjunct Professor at Taylor’s University. Prior to this, he served as Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (2018–2020) and was a two-term Member of Parliament. Today, he continues to advise businesses, industry bodies, and think tanks alongside his academic and executive roles.Zalina Jamaluddin is the Head of Decarbonisation at Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad. With over 20 years of experience across the private and public sectors, she has held senior roles at ExxonMobil and Talisman Energy, was a founding member and Vice President of the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).To everyone who joined us live at the Building Influence workshop - thank you for showing up with such openness, curiosity, and energy. We’re truly grateful you chose to kick-start 2026 with us. And to those tuning in now, we hope this conversation sparks a reminder that influence doesn’t begin with a title; it begins with how you choose to show up, right where you are.

December 22, 202544 min

EP 93: Wrapped, Unfiltered: Our 2025 Reflection with Janice & Sarah-Ann

Before 2025 clocks out, we’re pulling up the chair (& our mics!) for a cozy, honest, no-filters reflection on the year that flew, stretched us, and quietly changed us in ways we didn’t see coming😌In our final episode of Season 6 for the year 2025, we crack open the Year Compass and reflect about the highs that grounded us, the plot twists we didn’t sign up for, and the lessons we’re choosing to carry (and leave behind).We get into:🌱 The moments of joy that kept us sane💛 Navigating uncertainty, road bumps, and “what now?” seasons🧠 Small wins, personal growth & protecting our mental wellbeing🏃‍♀️ Discipline, resilience, and learning when to push vs. let go🚦 Choosing peace and a more rested, intentional 2026If this episode hits close to home, come reflect with us in person.We’re hosting an exclusive in-person workshop on Building Influence, designed for those who want to step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and presence ✨🎟️ Early bird extended til 25/12 so save your spot for our in-person event here 👇🏻 https://luma.com/gikysqau📘 Download the Year Compass here:https://yearcompass.com/ & tag us when you tune into this ep with your own reflections of 2025!CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: @actsplorethispodcast✨Tiktok: @actsplorethispodcast✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

November 24, 202544 min

EP 92: Lessons from Downing Street, Podcasting & the Future of Work with Jimmy McLoughlin OBE

Today, we speak to Jimmy McLoughlin OBE , former Special Advisor to the UK Prime Minister on business, technology and entrepreneurship. Jimmy now hosts Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future, one of the UK’s top careers podcasts, and is the founder of Boxlight, a creative video agency.In this conversation, Jimmy shares his remarkable journey: from shaping business policy at No.10 to swapping Downing Street for diapers, becoming a stay-at-home dad, and eventually building a podcast that grew from a few hundred listeners to over 91k subscribers. We dive into:✨ What a day in the life of a Special Adviser to the Prime Minister actually looks like✨ The biggest leadership lessons from his years inside No.10✨ How he built a community and audience from the ground up✨ The future of jobs and the real impact of AI on the workforce✨ How Jimmy would approach building a career if he were starting todayCONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02xWljGMOwQEyKWRFFvN3e?si=f869d84b31464d6b ✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

November 3, 202531 min

EP 91: Breaking Up With “Should” in Your Career with Julia Korn

Julia Korn is an executive career coach and the founder of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator, a community dedicated to the growth of female leaders. A self-described recovering people-pleaser, Julia has reshaped the career coaching landscape, earning recognition as a Business Insider Most Innovative Career Coach. She’s also a sought-after Forbes Contributor and was featured on global platforms such as BBC World News and Fox Business News, Her TEDx talk, Break Up With “Should” In Your Career, was named a TED Editors’ Pick of the Year. In this episode, we talk about: Why the word ‘Should’ can be toxic for ambitious professionalsPivoting with purpose and building a career that feels aligned and authentic Turning off autopilot and how we can shift from passively living to actively choosingHow to build a “personal board of directors to maximize career success So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Is this really it?”, this conversation might be the reminder you need that you’re so much more than your job title.Link to Julia’s TEDX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgrcyGWYYPE&t=44sFind out about the Women’s Leadership Accelerator: https://juliakorn.com/CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02xWljGMOwQEyKWRFFvN3e?si=f869d84b31464d6b ✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

October 6, 202542 min

EP 90 How To Build a Fulfilling Career with Frank Koo

Is meaning and fulfilment at work a universal need, or just a nice to have? In this episode, Frank Koo, Founder & CEO of Nextplay, joins us to explore what it really takes to design a career that feels both successful and significant.With a career spanning IBM, Oracle, Pearson, and most recently as Head of Asia of Talent & Learning Solutions at LinkedIn, Frank shares how he made the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, and what he’s learned about purpose along the way.You’ll discover:Why purpose isn’t found overnight but built over timeHow Frank’s SPICE Model (Stimulation, Purpose, Income, Connection, Esteem) can help you find meaning in your workThe trade-offs between income and impact and how to navigate themPractical tips to future-proof your career at any stageWhether you’re a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional itching for change, or a seasoned leader redefining success, this episode will leave you rethinking what fulfilment at work truly means.CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

September 22, 202544 min

EP 89: The Doors You Can Open: Sponsorship That Transforms Careers with Rosalind Chow

We’ve all heard the career advice: “Find a mentor.” But here’s the twist.Mentorship alone won’t always get you the big opportunities. That’s where sponsorship comes in.In this episode, we sit down with Rosalind Chow, Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon, to unpack what really makes sponsorship such a career game-changer.Rosalind walks us through:🔠 The ABCDs of sponsorship—Amplify, Boost, Connect, Defend📢 Why “good gossip” can supercharge your visibility🎬 How a single story (hello, Sal Khan + Bill Gates) can change your trajectory🏢 The subtle but critical ways sponsorship differs from mentorship🚀 How you can actively cultivate sponsorship opportunities in your own careerWhether you’re a rising professional looking to get noticed, or a leader hoping to lift others as you climb, this conversation will help you see sponsorship in a whole new light.🎧 And stick around until the end: we’re giving away a signed copy of Rosalind’s book The Doors You Can Open to 3 Actsplore This Podcast listeners! CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis

August 31, 202538 min

EP 88: Why Boardroom Power Starts in the Bedroom (Jingjin Liu)

What if confidence at work starts in the bedroom? In this provocative conversation, entrepreneur Jingjin Liu challenges the myths that women must be “likable” to lead. From becoming the “triple only” in a male-dominated German boardroom to launching Asia’s first sexual wellbeing hub, Jingjin shares how respect, not approval - fuels true influence.We explore the hidden cost of the good-girl script, why asking for what you need at home is a rehearsal for boardroom power, and how redefining success after burnout reshaped her mission. Jingjin Liu is a trailblazing entrepreneur driving women’s inclusion and social justice across Asia. Founder of The ELEVATE Group, she’s reshaping workplaces and leadership, building real opportunities for women at every level of society. A serial entrepreneur, she co-founded ASBO Drives (acquired in 2019) and launched ZaZaZu, Asia’s first sexual wellbeing hub.Watch Jingjin's Ted talk here: Want to be confident at work? start in the bedroom CONNECT WITH US HERE:✨Instagram: Actsplore This Podcast 🎙 (@actsplorethispodcast) • Instagram photos and videos✨Youtube: Actsplore This Podcast - YouTube✨Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02xWljGMOwQEyKWRFFvN3e?si=f869d84b31464d6b ✨Apple Podcast: Actsplore This on Apple Podcasts✨Email: actsplorethis@gmail.com✨Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/actsplorethis