Yana TV and Change Makers in the Asia Pacific with Yana Fry

"There are so many voices here that people can create their own unique things. And yet there is still this culture, that's still lingering from the past, that somehow the answers are in the West. And trust me, they are not. So the West is also confused and looking for their way to figure out things. And so the main inspiration for Yana TV was to create this particular platform where we can showcase the voices of Asian movers and shakers, which means people who are doing interesting things, who are standing up, who want to speak up, challenging the status quo, and the norms. People who are regional, who are thought leaders, and I also feel it is time there has to be a bigger platform where we can all go and see who are the people who are doing amazing things here." - Yana Fry

Fresh out of the studio, Yana Fry, producer & host of Yana TV joined us in a conversation about the behind-the-scenes of her show and her perspectives on interviewing Asian change makers across the region. Our conversation kicked off with Yana's odyssey to Singapore and delving into what sparked the creation of Yana TV and its core themes. In the conversation, Yana shares the heartwarming tales featured on her show, ranging from a kidnapped diplomat to a heart-touching Singaporean Santa Claus and her perspectives as a content creator in the Asia Pacific. Last but not least, she shares what great would look like for Yana TV.

[00:48] Quote of the Day #QOTD by Yana Fry, Founder & Host, Yana TV.
[02:24] Introduction: Yana Fry, Founder & Host of Yana TV.
[04:28] Perspectives on living in Singapore.
[06:43] Yana shares lessons of her career journey.
[08:20] Inspiration behind Yana TV.
[10:28] Intended Audience behind Yana TV.
[11:50] The Great Resignation and its Impact on Executives re-thinking work-life balance.
[13:49] Main Themes and Key Takeaways from interviewing Asian change-makers in Yana TV.
[16:18] How a seven-time convicted criminal becomes a change-maker to help prison inmates re-integrate into Singapore society.
[17:43] The behind-the-scenes (BTS) behind Yana TV's production.
[21:01] Different Profiles of Change-Makers on Yana TV.
[25:14] How Asian change-makers differ from their Western counterparts.
[29:35] Challenges faced by Asian Change Makers.
[34:49] Tales of Asian Change Makers: A Diplomat.
[36:30] Tales of Asian Change Makers: Singapore Santa Claus that moved the production crew on Yana TV.
[41:23] How to tell stories in Asia with the digital format.
[44:32] The challenge of distribution for Asian podcasters.

Podcast Information: Bernard Leong (@bernardleong, Linkedin) hosts and produces the show. Proper credits for the intro and end music: "Energetic Sports Drive" and the episode is mixed & edited in both video and audio format by G. Thomas Craig (@gthomascraig, LinkedIn).