Welcome to You Never Know where we talk about life, career, change & the stories of people who have taken the unconventional road & embraced the unknown. Where we talk about things we don’t normally talk about with our families and sometimes even with our friends, especially here in Asia. After more than a decade in a top private bank and a transformational experience at a startup which changed my life, I am now rewriting my life story, walking into the unknown, and inspiring others to thrive in life. Thank you so much for your support, wherever you are in the world. It means a lot to me. - Nicole
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#27 - How Gut Health Affects Hormones, Anxiety & Autoimmune Disease | Jo Brownlow: “The Root Of Autoimmune Diseases Is A Leaky Gut!” “You Can Eat Healthy & Still Have Type 2 Diabetes!”
Episode 27
Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 47:22
Could your anxiety, fatigue, or arthritis actually be coming from your gut?
In episode 27 of the You Never Know podcast, Nicole Lee sits down with functional medicine coach Jo Brownlow to explore the link between gut health, hormone balance, autoimmune conditions, and emotional well-being.
Jo shares her personal journey healing from Hashimoto’s disease, quitting alcohol, and transforming her son’s focus and neurodivergence through gut repair. They dive deep into the misunderstood symptoms of autoimmune disorders, and how stress, toxins, mold, food, and even botox, affect you.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:
How functional medicine uncovers root causes, not just symptoms
The surprising gut-hormone-anxiety connection
Why 95% of serotonin, the happy neurotransmitter, is made in your gut
The link between alcohol, inflammation, and autoimmune issues
Perimenopause and thyroid healing
Why over-exercising and under-resting depletes your body
Jo’s story of healing her son’s brain fog and neurodivergence through diet
If you’ve been dismissed, overwhelmed, or just want to understand your body better—this one is for you.
#26 - The #1 Factor That Beats a Company’s Financials! Gold, Coffee & Why Singapore’s Market Surprises | Nirgunan Tiruchelvam: “A company’s financial health is not directly correlated to its stock price!” “Boring isn’t bad in the equities market.”
Episode 26
Sunday, August 10, 2025 • Duration 44:12
Many investors obsess over numbers, charts, earnings, and market noise. But what if the real edge came from something far less obvious?
In this episode, I speak with Nirgunan Tiruchelvam — Head of Consumer and Internet at Aletheia Capital and author of Investing in the COVID Era — about seeing equity markets in a completely different way.
We dive into why strong financials don’t always mean a strong stock price, what coffee prices tell you about perceptions of value, and why gold and oil prices sometimes tell a different story when compared to their equities.
From Singapore’s quietly performing equity market to the rise of stablecoins, and how to cut through the noise when choosing a digital wealth platform, this is a conversation that might just change how you see investing.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why markets need a new language
04:33 From movie critics to equity analysts
06:45 Trade wars, tariffs, and investor fear
10:50 The #1 factor that can beat a company’s financials
#17 — What Men Don’t Talk About: Failure, Sales & The Darker Sides Of Entrepreneurship | Neil Patwardhan: “Vulnerability Is The Hidden Sales Superpower!” “It’s OK To Be Not OK!” “Men Need To Have Open Conversations!”
Season 1 · Episode 17
Sunday, May 4, 2025 • Duration 01:00:04
Men don’t talk enough about the failure, burnout, or mental toll of running a business or leading in the workplace — but perhaps they should.
In this episode of You Never Know, Neil Patwardhan shares what it’s really like behind the scenes — from working in the corporate world at Dell and Accenture to becoming an “accidental founder,” and learning the sometimes-dark lessons of entrepreneurship.
Growing up as an immigrant kid in the U.S., Neil had to learn how to fit in, fail fast, and find his way out of deep loneliness — which allowed him to hone valuable skills in networking, leading to sales roles, including the one he has today as Chief Sales Officer APAC at Sinch.
We talk about sales as a life skill regardless of your role, the stigma in Asia around failure, and why vulnerability — especially for men — is often the missing piece in both business and life.
If you want to up your game in sales and networking, and you’re curious about what some men may be going through in business and in life, this episode is for you. I hope it reaches you exactly when you’re meant to find it.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:22 Feeling Alone Growing Up as an Immigrant Kid in the U.S.
06:08 You Can’t Wait Around to Make Friends or Fit In
10:29 Going Through Depression as a Teenager
12:20 Becoming a Chameleon to Survive — Early Lessons in Networking
15:06 The Truth About Networking — And Why People Overthink It
17:25 You’re Constantly Selling Yourself — Even If You’re Not in Sales
#16 — Knowledge Isn’t Your Biggest Asset. Your Brand Is! | Rae Fung: “People Want Your Story & Perspective!” “Owning Your Voice Is Like Going To The Gym. Put In the Reps!”
Season 1 · Episode 16
Sunday, April 27, 2025 • Duration 56:30
Your voice is your personal brand. And your brand is your biggest asset. Not your knowledge. Not your picture-perfect image. Not even your business card.
In this episode of You Never Know, I sit down with Own Your Voice coach, speaker, and emcee, Rae Fung for a real conversation about what it means to find — and own — your voice.
From starting out as an emcee at 15, to navigating the raw hunger for validation, battling the complexities of unhealthy mentorship, and discovering the power of her inner and outer voice, Rae's journey is a strong reminder that personal branding isn’t something you build — it’s something you uncover from within.
If you’re learning to find your voice, and wondering where to start on building your personal brand, this episode is for you. I hope it finds you exactly when you need it.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:50 Starting Out as an Emcee at 15
06:24 The Deep Craving to Be Seen and Heard
10:45 Living on External Validation: The Raw Truths
17:33 Chasing Freedom: Joining a Multi-Level Marketing Company
21:11 When Mentorship Becomes Toxic
30:22 Trusting Your Inner Voice Over More Experienced People
34:43 How “Successful” People Lose Their Voice Too
37:46 Self-Doubt Never Leaves Until You Do the Inner Work
40:51 How to Start Owning Your Voice Today
43:46 Why Personal Branding Is Your Greatest Asset
#15 — Award-Winning Marketer: Why Purpose Leads To Real Success | Anser Aly: “Marketing Is The New Finance!” “A Good Leader Listens!” “Purpose Is Why You Get Out Of Bed!”
Season 1 · Episode 15
Sunday, April 20, 2025 • Duration 53:59
What if winning awards doesn’t mean you’ve truly succeeded? What if purpose matters more than, and can even lead to, success?
In this episode I speak with Anser Aly, an award-winning "accidental marketer" who spent nearly two decades at Unilever leading campaigns at global brands — including three Cannes Lions wins.
But despite all the accolades, something was missing. And that something was purpose.
That was when Anser found his why, transitioned into learning and leadership development, and committed to helping others find theirs too.
Whether you’re winning on paper or wondering what’s next, this episode is your reminder that purpose is so much more than success — it leads to real success. I hope this inspires you and finds you exactly when you need it.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
02:50 – Anser’s Cultural Roots, Name & Identity
07:55 – From Accountant to Accidental Marketer
13:47 – Entering Marketing at Unilever
19:30 – Running Award-Winning Campaigns
25:04 – Marketing Today: The New Finance?
27:23 – The Shift: From Marketing to Leadership Development
30:50 – Discovering Purpose and Taking Action
36:03 – What Makes a Good Leader
39:51 – The Role of Purpose in the Workplace
45:50 – Embracing Change Because You Never Know
#14 — Do This For Better Teeth & Sleep!: From Teacher To CEO | Louisa Lee: “I Can Be Anything I Want To Be!” “I Was Struggling As A Teacher!” “More In Business Doesn’t Mean Better.”
Season 1 · Episode 14
Sunday, April 13, 2025 • Duration 55:24
From teacher to CEO of a dental practice and health & wellness group, DP Healthverse, Louisa Lee’s career journey is anything but ordinary.
In this episode of You Never Know, Louisa opens up about the internal struggles many don’t see behind the teaching profession, why she left it to build a business with her husband, how she grew it without being a dentist herself, and the surprising truths about oral health.
If you’re curious about what goes into running a health-related business, and want tips on improving your health, this episode is for you. I hope this conversation finds you exactly when you need it.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:58 A Master's in Linguistics and Speaking & Thinking in Mandarin
06:00 Why She Started Her Career as a Teacher
09:03 The Sides We Don’t See About Being a Teacher: Rethinking Education
13:16 How Louisa Went from Teaching to Running a Dental Practice
16:13 The Push Factor to Leave Teaching at a Top Girls’ School
20:44 Building a Dental & Healthcare Business from Scratch
27:21 Being Progressive & Pushing the Boundaries of Dentistry
34:30 Biggest Challenges & Lessons Running Her Business
38:22 Mouth Breathing & Tongue Positioning: How They Impact Your Teeth?!
41:36 How to Have Better Teeth & Oral Health
44:15 Partnering with Her Husband to Build the Business
48:33 Balancing Being a Mom and an Entrepreneur
#13 — Speaking Out At 21: What This Content Creator Learned The Hard Way | Jeraldine Phneah: “I Stress Every Time I Post!” “I've Learned To Be Accountable & Not To Run!” “Everyone Has Something Valuable.”
Season 1 · Episode 13
Sunday, April 6, 2025 • Duration 44:44
At just 21, Jeraldine Phneah started speaking out online about things that mattered to her and her millennial generation — even when many of her peers didn’t.
In this episode of You Never Know, she opens up about why social issues have always interested her, the emotional cost and personal growth of speaking out, and her experiences from investing to dating in her 30s.
For anyone who’s ever struggled with using their voice or creating content in public — this one’s for you. I hope this episode reaches you exactly when you need it.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:01 Jeraldine's Childhood and Family Influence
04:24 Early Advocacy of Social Issues: Why She Started
10:44 Equal Opportunity, Career Fulfilment & Elderly Care
14:02 The Importance of Self Belief
16:49 Navigating the Public Scrutiny of Speaking Out
21:58 The Real Value of Content Creation
24:32 Biggest Lessons from Writing in Public
26:56 Investing Early and Being Financially Independent
33:28 Dating and Relationships in Your 30s
36:43 The Surprising "World Figure" She’d Want to Meet
40:14 The Common Misconception People Have About Her
42:20 Message for the Millennial Generation
❤️
#12 — Want To Thrive In Banking & Finance? Learn This! | Paul Hodes: "Raise Both Hands!" "Be Your Own Career Counsellor." "Use Your Network!" "AI Is A Game-Changer."
Season 1 · Episode 12
Sunday, March 30, 2025 • Duration 58:31
If you want to thrive in banking and finance, this episode is for you. Finance veteran, Paul Hodes, shares about the key moves that shaped his long-standing career, including experiences at Fidelity, more than 25 years at senior positions in Citi, and his transition to fintech at Privé Technologies, where he is now CEO.
We dive deep into what really makes a difference in your career — how networking and corporate dynamics shape success, why mindset shifts are essential when moving from banking to fintech, and the impact of AI and digital solutions on the industry.
If you’re navigating the finance industry or simply looking to elevate your career in a big corporation, this episode will help you gain some valuable insights. I hope this finds you exactly when you need it on your journey.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction 01:56 Paul's Career in Finance & His Drive to See the World 05:19 Biggest Lessons from More Than 25 Years at Citi 07:02 Building a Career at a Big Bank & Changing Roles Internally 10:44 Navigating Complex Dynamics at a Big Corporate 16:05 The Importance of Building Your Internal & External Network 19:02 Recognizing & Responding to Reorganizations 31:02 Transitioning from Banking to Fintech: Biggest Surprises 40:13 Learning Through Doing in Fintech 42:21 The Role of AI in Wealth Management & Wealth Tech 49:53 The Human Value in AI-Driven Finance 52:32 Advice for Transitioning Careers 54:59 One Game-Changer for Financial Investors 55:54 Favorite Song & One Thing He Would Swap Between SG & HK
❤️
Nicole
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#11 – Starting A Business At 19: Why You Are Your Biggest Enemy | Amanda Cua: “I Thought Being Young Was A Disadvantage!” “There Is No Best Path In Business!” “I Found The 3rd Door!”
Season 1 · Episode 11
Sunday, March 23, 2025 • Duration 01:00:15
Most people wait until they’re fully ready to start a business. 23-year-old Amanda Cua didn’t.
At 19, she skipped university and launched Backscoop, a media startup covering Southeast Asia’s startup scene. No degree, little experience—just an idea, a problem to solve, and the determination to make it work.
Now, at 23, she’s a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia entrepreneur. But her biggest challenge? Managing herself.
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to start a business, the hardest lessons in entrepreneurship, and how she’s navigating identity, growth, and being enough.
I hope this reaches you exactly when you need it.
00:00 Introduction
02:53 Amanda's Early Life In The Philippines & Exploring Identity
08:47 Understanding Her Heritage: What It Means To be Chinese Filipino
13:11 The Birth of Backscoop: Taking Risks
16:18 "The Third Door" In Life & Not Going To University
21:48 Going From Rejecting To Embracing Her Young Age
24:52 The Biggest Challenge As An Entrepreneur Is Yourself
25:57 Her Observations Dealing With VCs & Founders
31:06 Evolving Business Perspectives: At 23 vs. 19
34:20 Advice To Someone Thinking Of Starting A Business
36:09 3 Biggest Lessons From Running Her Own Business
41:10 Facing Insecurities, Disconnection & Feeling Not Enough
#10 – Money Blocks That Keep You From Getting Wealthy: The Journey From Abuse To Abundance | Crystal Chow: “I Needed An Exit Plan.” “Rewrite Your Money Narratives!”
Season 1 · Episode 10
Sunday, March 16, 2025 • Duration 55:47
Let’s face it. We all want and need money, but most of us don’t like to talk about it. I speak with Crystal Chow, a Money Consciousness Coach, as we dive into her transformative journey—from abuse to abundance, banking to crypto, and starting her own business.
We go deep into how scarcity beliefs and self-doubt block wealth, the powerful role of self-worth in shaping our financial reality, and how healing your relationship with money and people can unlock true freedom.
If you struggle with talking about money, how relationships show up in your life, or feel like one or both have been a source of stress, guilt, or discomfort — this episode is for you. I hope you this podcast reaches you whenever you are meant to find it.
00:00 Intro
02:48 Crystal's Early Influences and Money Philosophy
04:10 Lessons from Managing Money for Wealthy Clients
06:45 Transitioning from Banking to Crypto
09:35 The Living Hell of an Abusive Marriage
11:59 Attracting a Partner That Reflects Your Low Self-Worth
13:57 When Enough Was Enough
18:13 Inner Work & Building a Financial Lifeline Before Walking Away
22:15 The Importance of Financial Education: Start Simple
25:00 Biggest Money Blocks vs Enablers: Scarcity vs Abundance
28:10 Scarcity Consciousness and Self-Worth
30:02 The Challenge of Receiving Repels Givers
34:49 Understanding Trust & Control Issues; Setting Boundaries
37:52 Redefining Abundance Beyond Money
36:07 Choosing the right digital wealth platform
40:50 The secret sauce of sustainable companies
41:50 ETFs vs stock picking for everyday investors
43:57 Final advice for equity investors
🎙️Follow me for stories on life, career, finance, the unconventional road, and embracing the unknowns.
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