You Never Know with Nicole Lee
You Never Know with Nicole Lee is a podcast featuring real conversations about life, career, finance, and health. Host Nicole Lee, after 13 years at a top private bank and a leap into fintech and entrepreneurship, interviews visionary people who have taken unconventional paths. The show aims to inspire listeners to discover different truths and embrace the unknowns in life.
Episodes
#45 — Why Great Actors Know People Better Than Most | Kristina Pakhomova: "Villains Don't See Themselves As Villains.”
What do great actors know that the rest of us don't? According to Kristina Pakhomova — Russian actress, filmmaker, and founder of the Authentic Transformation Academy — the answer is simple: themselves. In this episode, Nicole Lee sits down with Kristina to explore how acting isn't about pretending to be someone else — it's about understanding yourself so deeply that pretending beco
#44 — Patterns of Power: History, Geopolitics & Investing | Meng Keet WONG: “We Destroy Ourselves From Within.”
What does the Iran war reveal about the current world order? What are we underestimating about China? Is AI as revolutionary as people think? Meng Keet Wong, Head of Managed Products and Alternative Investments at UOB Private Bank, discusses what most people don't see about what's happening in the world — and what history is actually telling us right now.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:49
#43 — She Left Visa To Confront What The System Never Told Women | Maaike Steinebach: “Why Do I Know Nothing About This?”
Maaike Steinebach, former CEO of Visa for Hong Kong and Macau, walked away from 25 years of financial services and tech to found FemTech Future — an advisory platform closing the gender health gap through women's health innovation. Because even though women make up half the world's population, the products, services, and systems we rely on every day were never really designed with us in
#42 — Full-Time YouTuber: Is It Worth It? | Max Chernov on Choosing Singapore & Reinvention
Max Chernov built a YouTube channel interviewing expats, entrepreneurs and billionaires across Asia. Born in Russia, lived in eight countries, and now calls Singapore home. We talk about living in Singapore, what it really costs to be a full-time creator, what billionaires actually teach you about success, and why so many foreigners never leave the expat bubble.TODAY'S GUEST🌐 YouTube: https:/
#41 — No Gold Behind Paper Gold | Christophe Numa: "Gold Is Not A Speculative Asset."
Most people think they own gold. They don't. I discuss all things gold with Christophe Numa, Founder & CEO of Gauld — who spent over a decade building businesses around physical gold, from running a multi-million dollar trading platform backed by global hedge fund Millennium, to now making physical gold ownership accessible to everyone, anywhere in the world. Enjoy!TODAY'S GUEST🌐 Lea
#40 — Best Cities In The World To Live & Work | Nirbhay Handa
If you could live anywhere in the world, would you know where to go? I speak with Nirbhay Handa, global mobility entrepreneur & CEO of Multipolitan, about how cities are evolving, why global mobility is becoming more nuanced, and how Millennials and Gen Zs are shaping a more borderless way of living.We explore why cities are increasingly becoming “pseudo-states” where talent and capital concen
#39 — Your Body Never Forgets: What Pain, Disease & Insomnia Are Telling You | Sufen Paphassarang: “It’s Never Just A Headache or Illness.”
Your headaches, pain, and illness aren't random — they're your body telling you something. Sufen Paphassarang reveals how your body stores every suppressed emotion — knowing exactly where, what caused it, and how it manifests as pain, disease, or chronic conditions — to get your attention.We explore the three brains — head, heart, and gut — what your 3am insomnia is really telling you, w
#38 — Help! I’m Rich!: Why Rich People Can Still Feel Poor | Kees Stoute: “Many Tie Their Self-Worth To Their Net Worth.” “You’ll Never Have Enough If You Don’t Define Enough.”
Why do some rich people still feel poor? When is enough money, enough? Kees Stoute, former CEO of EFG Bank for Hong Kong and Singapore, and author of the book Help! I’m Rich!, believes the biggest challenge of wealth isn’t financial. It’s psychological.In this episode of the You Never Know Podcast, we explore why some of the wealthiest people still struggle with the idea of “enough”, how self-wort
#37 — Investing Mistakes Most People Make | Sameer Deshpande: “I Used To Convert My Short-Term Trades Into Long-Term Investments.”
Many investors say they want to “make a lot of money.” But that’s not a strategy. Sameer Deshpande, Head of Wealth Management for Asia Pacific at Emirates NBD, reveals the investing mistakes that most people don’t realise they’re making.From turning short-term trades into long-term investments, to chasing yield over total return, to holding on to losing positions out of hope — we unpack the psycho
#36 — Former Hospital CEO: Future Of Healthcare is Hospital At Home | Dr. Timothy Low: “Most Western Drugs Have Side Effects.” “AI Cannot Hold Your Hands.”
We trust hospitals with our lives — but what if the future of healthcare isn’t in hospitals at all? I sat down with Dr. Timothy Low, former CEO of Gleneagles Hospital and Farrer Park Hospital in Singapore, to explore what’s really changing in healthcare, and what most patients will never see.We talk about what goes on behind the scenes of running a hospital, why hospitals will get smaller, the dif
#35 — Inside a 15-Year-Old’s Head: AI, School & Meaning of Life | Joshua Goh: "I Don’t Want a 9–5 I Don’t Enjoy." “I’m Scared About My Future.”
What does the world feel like to a 15-year-old today?In this episode, host Nicole Lee speaks with Joshua Goh, a student from National Junior College in Singapore, about growing up in a time of rapid technological change, rising competition, and the pressure to figure out the future earlier than ever.They talk about AI, school, emotional intelligence, and career paths — and the deeper tension betwe
#34 — Sales Is Like Dating: Rejection, 38x Returns & Private Markets In Asia | Jahnavi Bhagwati: "Learn To Walk Away." "Find Ways To De-Risk."
Sales is like dating. You read the signals. You invest the time. And sometimes, you get ghosted.In this episode of the You Never Know Podcast, host Nicole Lee sits down with Jahnavi Bhagwati, founder of Koka Capital, as she shares candid insights on sales and private markets in Asia from over a decade in finance and deal-making at Goldman Sachs, Nomura, and Bank of Singapore.From learning how to s
#33 — How To Get Promoted In Banking | Philip Kunz on Pay, Politics & Leadership: “Sucking Up To Your Boss Doesn’t Help Much.” “Your Peers Are The Most Influential As You Rise In Leadership.”
Veteran banking leader Philip Kunz dismantles the biggest myths about rising in banking — from promotions and politics to influencing people who don’t report to you.Across 40 years in wealth management, Philip held senior leadership roles at UBS, ABN AMRO, and Credit Suisse, led Global Private Banking for South Asia at HSBC, and is now Senior Advisor & Group Head Southeast Asia at Nomura Inter
#32 — Addicted to Burnout? Why Overachievers Can’t Stop | Pei Chan: From Hedge Funds to Breathwork "I Couldn't Recognize Myself After Being Made Redundant."
Former Singaporean hedge fund executive Pei Chan opens up about her addiction to corporate burnout, the shock of being made redundant, why she transitioned to teaching breathwork full-time — and how success without self-awareness can quietly destroy you from the inside out.After nearly two decades in London at some of the world’s top hedge funds including Millennium, UBS O’Connor, and Balyasny, Pe
#31 — Inside Najib’s Office: 1MDB, Anwar & Malaysia’s Future | Ei Sun OH: “It Became Rather Unbearable!” “Politics Isn’t Idealism — It’s Problem-Solving.”
Former Political Secretary to then–Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ei Sun OH, shares his honest reflections on what it was really like working inside Malaysia’s seat of power — and why he eventually chose to walk away.From the early days of 1MDB to the 2018 elections that ended Barisan Nasional’s 61-year rule, Ei Sun opens up about the realities of politics and leadership — and weighs in on
#30 — Independent Asset Managers vs Banks: What's The Difference? | Urs Brutsch: “There's No Job Security In A Bank!” “I Work For the Client Now, Not The Bank.” “Investors Always Make The Same Mistakes!”
Is there still job security in a bank? That's the question Urs Brutsch, Founder & CEO of HP Wealth Management, explores in this episode.After decades leading private banking in Asia across Credit Suisse, ABN AMRO, and Clariden Leu, Urs left the banking world in 2009 to build his own firm — now one of the largest Independent Asset Managers in Singapore.In this conversation, we unpack what
#29 — Plastic Surgery Is Not Vanity | Dr. Michelle Ho on Mommy Makeovers, Myths & Stigmas: “We’re Giving Patients Back What They Lost.” “It Has To Be For Yourself, Not To Save Your Marriage!”
Plastic surgery. Is it vanity or empowerment? What if it helps give you back what you lost after childbirth, illness, or the hectic demands of life? And the question everyone asks: is it safe?In Episode 29 of the You Never Know Podcast, host Nicole Lee sits down with Dr. Michelle Ho — plastic surgeon & founder of Plastic & Aesthetics Practice @ TDP, mother of five, former breast reconstruc
#28 - How To Get Into Top US Universities From Asia: Polytechnic To Ivy League | Joash Lee: “It’s Not Just About Grades. What’s Your Story?” “You Never Know If You Never Try!”
If you're applying to U.S. universities from outside the U.S. — especially from Asia — this episode reveals what it really takes to break in.In this insightful episode of the You Never Know Podcast, host Nicole Lee speaks with Joash Lee — a former polytechnic student in Singapore who made it to Columbia University, one of the top Ivy League schools.But his journey wasn’t typical — and that’s
#27 - Healing Anxiety & Disease Through Gut Health | Jo Brownlow: “The Root Of Autoimmune Diseases Is A Leaky Gut!” “You Can Eat Healthy & Still Have Type 2 Diabetes!”
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 f
#26 - How to Analyze Companies Beyond Numbers | Nirgunan Tiruchelvam On Equities, Coffee & Gold: “A company’s financial health is not directly correlated to its stock price!” “Boring isn’t bad in the equities market.”
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
#25 - StashAway CEO: Building A Fintech That Doesn’t Burn out | Michele Ferrario: “Passion Gives You Grit & Stamina During Tough Times.” “The Most Important Factor Is People.”
Michele Ferrario, CEO of StashAway, didn’t set out to build a fintech company because it was trendy.He built it because the banks didn’t align with the kind of investment approach he wanted for his hard-earned money—and he believed there had to be a better way. Nearly a decade later, StashAway is now one of CNBC’s Top Fintech Companies in the World—for the third year running.In this episode, Miche
#24 — Commodities, Gold & Tokenization Of Real-World Assets | Eren Zekioglu: “What If Gold Pays You Like Rent?” “Everything Is A Derivative Of Crude Oil.” “Financing Doesn’t Always Have to Happen Through Banks.”
What if gold could pay you like rent, without you having to sell it?In Episode 24, Eren Elvis Zekioglu returns to talk about one of the most important forces shaping the global economy—and one that powers how we live: commodities.From oil and agriculture to gold, we explore how everything around us is ultimately a derivative of crude oil—and how this often-overlooked sector is entering a new chapt
#23 — Property In 5 Moves & Growing Up Malay in Singapore | Farhan Adenan: “Your First Home Is Your First Chess Move.” “Someone Else’s Limitation Isn’t Yours.”
Did you know buying property in Singapore is a 5-move strategy—and most people stop at move one? In this episode, I sit down with Farhan Adenan, a proud Malay-Singaporean who’s helping everyday people rethink what property really means—and how it can help them build long-term financial freedom. We talk about what it’s like growing up Malay in Singapore, breaking out of cultural expectations, and h
#22 — Gender-Fluid & Pansexual: From Arrests To Fatherhood | Shawn Lim: “I Told My Wife I Wasn’t Straight.” “Sometimes I Wonder If It’s Worth It Coming Out.” “I Can Only Be Authentic With My Daughter If I Am Myself.”
He told his wife he wasn’t straight. Then became a father. Then came out as pansexual and gender-fluid. At 34 years old, Shawn Lim spent most of his life taking the arduous journey of navigating sexuality, gender, identity, marriage, and the emotional toll of suppressing who he truly is.From gang fights and getting arrested twice as a young teen, to building a new path forward as a husband, father
#21 — From Theatre to Trading, Without a Degree: Investment Banking, Hedge Funds & Commodities | Eren Elvis Zekioglu: “Working At Big Brand Companies Matter.” “Build Yourself A Persona.” “If You Can Represent Yourself, Doors Will Open.”
From studying theatre to landing a job on Citi’s trading floor, building a hedge fund backed by Glencore, and running operations at Gunvor—one of the world’s largest independent commodity trading houses—Eren Elvis Zekioglu broke into finance without a degree, armed only with a bold letter, acting experience, and a lot of hustle. In Part 1 of Episode 21 of You Never Know, we talk about how he navig
#20 — The Real ER: Cockroaches, Chaos & Confessions | Dr. LIEW Wai Wai: “I Landed An A380!” “Doctors Can Cry Too.” “Being An ER Doctor Is Easier Than Being A Mom!”
You’ve seen it on screen. But what’s it really like in the real ER? Dr. LIEW Wai Wai shares the raw, unfiltered truth about life as an emergency doctor—what it takes, what people don’t see, and why being an ER doctor is actually easier than being a mom.We dive into the most surprising cases ER doctors have to face (cockroaches included…), the reality of working in the ER—shift work, emotional toll
#19 — Life Isn’t Just A Movie. It’s Your Cinema. Rewrite Your Story. | Nicole Lee: “Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe!” “Your Past Doesn’t Define What’s Next.”
Have you ever felt like your life was a movie? One minute, you’re in a romantic comedy. The next, a drama with a plot twist no one saw coming. But what if life isn’t just a movie? What if it’s a whole cinema? You get to choose which movie to be in.Write it.Rewrite it.I know—it sounds crazy.But what if it’s real? What if you’re more powerful than you think? 🚀 Follow me for real conversations on lif
#18 — You Shouldn’t Need A Bank To Buy A Bond: Blockchain, Tokenisation & Banking | Aaron Gwak: “We Don’t Need More Middlemen!” “Finance Should Be A Birthright — Not A Privilege.”
You shouldn’t need a bank — or 4x your country’s GDP per capita — just to buy a government bond. But in many parts of the world, that’s still the reality. And for Aaron Gwak, it was a problem worth solving. Born in Korea, raised in Ghana, and shaped by two decades in investment banking, Aaron spent years helping governments and financial institutions raise capital through bonds. From UBS to Standa
#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!”
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. Gr
#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!”
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 fo
#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!”
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
#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.”
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
#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.”
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 struggl
#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."
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 networki
#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!”
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? Managin
#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!”
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
#9 — From Woman To Mom, Bank To Startup: Letting Go Of Being Perfect | Nicole Lee: “I Thought I Could Control Everything!” “It’s So Hard To be A Super Mom!” “It’s OK To Make Mistakes.”
Have you ever felt like you needed to be "perfect" to be enough? I have.For years, I thought I had to be in control. I thought I could. I planned everything. I strived to meet every expectation. I anticipated people's needs. In this special edition of You Never Know, the mic gets turned on me! Guest host Daria Huck leads a deep and honest conversation about my journey as a woman and
#8 — The Hard Truth About Startups & The Magic Of Sales | Ned Phillips: “Closing My Startup Was Super Hard.” “Most People Don’t Know How To Sell!” “You Sell By Not Selling!”
Everyone talks about their wins, but not many talk about their failures. Ned Phillips spent 8 years building Bambu, a prominent robo-advisory fintech firm based in Singapore. Then one day, he had to face the brutal truth – they ran out of money. And it was over. Shutting it down wasn’t just a business decision. It was an emotional toll, a hit to his identity, and a reckoning with what it really me
#7 – How Cancer Broke This Lawyer Open & Gave Him Back His Life | Will Finn: “Stop Caring About What Other People Think!” “Being Lost Is A Necessary Part of Life!”
Sometimes, the hardest moments in life are the ones that bring us back to who we truly are. For Will Finn, that moment came when he was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn’t just a health battle — it was a wake-up call. A moment that forced him to step back and ask: Am I living in alignment with who I truly am? Or am I just following a path that was expected of me? For years, he was a lawyer at top-ti
#6 – Can Astrology Really Predict Your Future? | Nivas: “Leaving My Job & Starting My Business Was The Biggest Decision In My Life!” “Be Bold & Authentic & Things Will Manifest Automatically!”
Like many of you, I never believed in astrology. I thought it was just something fun for magazine editors to write about, or for us girls to get to know each other a little quicker. I thought it can’t be real. But what if our stars and planets in the universe are telling us part of our story? WHAT IF they could guide us on our some of our biggest decisions in our lives? A little more than a year a
#5 — How To Reinvent Your Career At Any Age | Frank Koo: “Your Job Is NOT Your Identity!” “I Chose Freedom & Purpose Over A Higher Paycheck”
Would you take a pay cut to do something you love? Frank Koo reveals that’s what he did. And he never looked backed since.Many of us were raised to believe that Success = Earning more money + More social status.But what if true fulfilment comes from something bigger than yourself? Something bigger than material pursuits?In Episode 5 of You Never Know, I speak with Frank Koo, who has navigated majo
#4 — Gen Z’s Big Dilemmas: Chasing Likes vs Chasing Purpose | Glen Chan: “Not All Gen Zs Are Strawberries!” “FOMO Is Real!”
“Gen Zs are strawberries -- they bruise easily and don’t want to work hard.” That’s what the media and many others have to say about the generation who’s now in their late teens to mid-20s. But honestly, that’s completely opposite to my experience with these bright, young sparks of light whom I’ve had the chance to work and interact with. They dare to think different and believe different. And I c
#3 — From Nightclub Bouncer To Senior Executive & Facing Retirement | Keith Power: “Most Men Live On The Surface!” “Bouncing Taught Me Most About Sales & People.”
So many of us, including myself, have unconsciously let life happen to us. And so often, perhaps because of how we grew up or what we’ve been through, we get so used to going with someone else’s flow that we don’t even realize what it actually does to our happiness, our fulfilment, our health, and our true desires. In this episode, I speak with Keith Power, an executive coach and soon-to-be host o
#2 — 5 Big Lessons I'm Taking Into 2025 For A More Conscious & Abundant Life
It's amazing how life can change so much in a year, a month, or even a day. The only power we have is in the now, not in the past or the future. But we MUST learn from our past and our experiences to help us move forward with clarity, to know ourselves better, and to learn to align our actions more closely with our truer selves. Before we leave 2024 completely behind, here are 5 BIG LESSONS I
#1 — Why I Left A Top Bank For A Startup & How It Changed My Life | My First Solo Podcast
It feels so unreal filming and launching the first solo episode of my new podcast, You Never Know with Nicole Lee. It started with an idea. A dream. A vision of a part of me I’m meant to be amid the depths of my reflection more than a year ago. A calling for me to share my truth, and those of others, with you and with the world. To talk about things we don’t normally talk about, especially here in
