Melting Pot

In this episode of Melting Pot, host Payal Nayar speaks with Nika Brunet Milunovic, Founder of Calm Nest Collective and host of The Pink Nest Podcast, about well being, inclusion, and what it truly means to create humane experiences. Drawing from over a decade in the international events and music industry, Nika shares the realities behind high-pressure environments burnout, overstimulation, and emotional fatigue and how these experiences shaped her purpose-led work. She shares about designing sensory-friendly, neuro-inclusive spaces that support emotional regulation and psychological safety in events and workplaces. Blending lived experience,  work experience, sustainability, and PhD research, Nika of...

Conversations around aging often focus on care, but rarely on purpose. In this conversation on Melting Pot, host Payal explores these ideas with Cherry Thian, founder of Little Changemakers, a social enterprise creating experiences that foster empathy, resilience, and connection.

Cherry reflects on her work with seniors, caregivers, children, and individuals with special needs, sharing why meaningful engagement matters more than simply staying busy. The discussion touches on redefining contribution in later life, creating sustainable programs, and recognising the often-invisible role of caregivers. Through real stories and thoughtful insights, this episode highlights the importance of dignity, community...

In this episode, Payal talks to Caleb Matthews about purpose, faith, and inner guidance. Caleb reflects on a powerful dream he had at just six years old and how that experience stayed with him, shaping the work he does today. Together, they explore how dreams, intuition, and spiritual awareness can offer clarity during uncertain moments.

Caleb also shares his perspective on the connection between spirit, soul, and body, and how understanding this balance helps people feel supported and less alone. The conversation touches on listening deeply, trusting inner nudges, and recognizing that every person has a...

Communication is at the core of effective leadership, especially in today’s diverse workplaces.

In this episode of melting Pot  Payal speaks with María Garaitonandia, Interpersonal Intelligence Strategist and author of Untangling Communication, about helping leaders move beyond technical expertise to build clarity, trust, and connection. Drawing from over 20 years of experience across the U.S. and Latin America, María shares how her corporate training supports leaders in understanding individual needs and navigating cultural differences.

The conversation explores adapting communication styles, resolving conflict constructively, and creating alignment within global teams.María’s prac...

Leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about choices, values, and navigating uncertainty with intention.

Host Payal is joined by Dave Chauhan, leadership consultant and author of Captain, Set, Sail, for a thoughtful conversation shaped by real-world experience. With 17+ years across industries, Dave shares his journey into leadership, the stories behind his book, and how the Nautical Leadership framework came to life.

Together, they explore purpose-driven decision-making, balancing and leading people through change with clarity and empathy. The discussion offers practical insights, honest reflections, and meaningful takeaways for leaders seeking to build resil...

Kayne Harrison shares his journey and personal experiences that led him into acting. In the episode, Kayne reflects on a childhood spent inventing games with his friends, escaping into fantasy worlds, and falling in love with storytelling through TV and films. He shares how powerful true stories,especially Denzel Washington’s Hurricane, shaped his desire to perform, alongside an early fascination with Shakespeare and mythology and theatre.

Kayne also opens up about breaking into the industry on his own, navigating self-tape auditions, managing things and landing his first major role in Netflix’s Resort to Love. A ca...

This episode of Melting Pot features Elena Tengri, a young Siberian artist from Yakutia whose deeply personal connection to nature shapes her creative vision.

Growing up in the freezing landscapes of Yakutia, Elena developed a deep bond with nature that continues to guide her artistic vision. She was inspired by a British artist who makes nature installations and for her project she reimagined the legend-Bull of Cold (a figure in Yakutian folklore), to build these striking ice installations, most notably a seven-ton ice sculpture placed in the desert, symbolizing the tension between heat, cold, loss, renewal an...

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Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

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Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

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Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Episode available on all podcast streaming platforms!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

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Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

[Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage Reimagined

Community Through Art,Singapore Stories]

#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this heartwarming episode, Payal sits down with Anthony Wong as he takes us on a nostalgic journey through his childhood at Jiak Kim Road, once known as Jiang Road or Tiong Bahru. Anthony vividly recalls growing up in a close-knit community, spending carefree days playing street games, flying kites, catching spiders, and inventing fun without gadgets. He paints a touching picture of life in a humble four-storey block where thirteen family members shared one bathroom, yet lived harmoniously under one roof. Through Anthony’s memories, we glimpse a simpler time filled with imagination, togetherness, and the unspoken warmth of...

In this episode, Payal speaks with Dawn Tam, who grew up in Singapore during the transformative decades from the 1960s onward. Through her recollections, Dawn offers a vivid glimpse into life in Loyang, once a seaside fishing village before land reclamation reshaped the landscape. She shares personal and historical memories from her birth in the Year of the Tiger to witnessing her community’s relocation after a fire. Dawn also reminisces about the vibrant entertainment hubs of her youth , Happy World, New World, and Great World , spaces that defined leisure and joy in old Singapore. Her stories beautifully capture th...

In this conversation, Payal speaks with Ellil, who fondly revisits his childhood growing up in Singapore’s east, particularly around Kallang Airport Road. Through his stories, listeners are transported to a time before the National Stadium and bustling hawker centres, when neighborhoods thrived on friendship and community spirit.

Ellil recalls the joy of simple, carefree days,playing football in open spaces, catching rainbow fish in monsoon drains, and sharing meals with neighbors in a close-knit, multiracial community. With humor and warmth, he paints a picture of a childhood filled with freedom, curiosity, and camaraderie. His memories of...

In this nostalgic episode, Payal speaks with Fredrick, who takes us back to his childhood in a rural kampong more than sixty years ago. He recalls life in a muddy, undeveloped neighborhood, where daily routines included helping his mother rear pigs and chickens, fetching water from ponds, and playing freely in the rain. Fredrick paints a rich picture of open spaces filled with fruit trees, local opera stages, and nearby quarries, a world full of simplicity and adventure.

He also reminisces about his early years living in a colonial black-and-white house, where his father worked as...

In this delightful episode, Payal speaks with Jake, who transports us to his childhood days living in a rented shophouse along McPherson Road. From his upstairs window, young Jake would spend evenings counting passing cars with his mother, turning simple moments into imaginative games. He recalls the vibrant sights outside, laundry spread like colorful tapestries across open fields and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifting from a nearby coffeeshop.

Jake also shares fond memories of the Pasar Malam (night market), a weekly highlight filled with lights, laughter, food stalls, and performances that brought the...

In this episode, Payal speaks with Jeremy Tay, a community leader whose lifelong dedication to social work and public service has shaped many aspects of Singapore’s community development. Trained in social work, Jeremy shares his experiences serving in various roles from director at Outward Bound Singapore to Dean of the National Community Leadership Institute, and as the founding president of Morningstar Community Services, which supports families and strengthens relationships. Reflecting on his childhood in Hougang, Jeremy recalls growing up in a small provision shop house along Jalan Payoh Lai, surrounded by friendly neighbours and the nearby old folks’ home...

In this touching episode, Payal speaks with Li Leng, a 68-year-old jumping instructor who shares vivid recollections of her childhood in Singapore. She takes us back to her early years in a small compound along Mount Road, where five wooden stilt houses stood close together, home to Malay and Chinese families who all spoke Cantonese.

Li Leng fondly remembers the warmth of this tight-knit community and her short walks to Canossa Convent School with her sister. Later, when the government redeveloped the area, her family moved to Tanglin Halt. There, she recalls watching passing trains through...

In this heart warming episode, Payal sits down with Mr. Song, who shares his memories of growing up in a bustling shophouse above a dim sum stall at the junction of Victoria Street and Arab Street.

The seventh of ten children, Mr. Song recalls the warmth and chaos of living in a small space filled with family, neighbors, and laughter. He talks about his childhood friendships with children from the nearby printing shop, his mischievous school days at St. Michael’s, and the joy of sneaking under the school fence to play football during holidays. Mr. So...

In this reflective episode, Payal speaks with Mr. Leong, who shares vivid memories of his childhood growing up in the shipyard quarters near present-day Keppel Bay.

As the son of a shipyard worker, he recalls life in a close-knit community of families living in two-storey flats surrounded by open fields, fruit trees, and the hum of industry. Mr. Leong paints a rich picture of a multicultural neighborhood, where children of all races played freely and doors were never locked. He fondly remembers days spent exploring the shipyard, watching ships being welded and painted, and learning to...

In this delightful episode, Payal speaks with Mr.Yeo and Ms. Karen, who share their  memories of growing up in very different parts of Singapore during the 1950s and ’60s.

Mr. Yeo recalls his early years along Hong Kong Street, near the Singapore River, where he watched bustling scenes of bumboats unloading rice and rubber at Boat Quay and remembers how the once murky river transformed into today’s lively waterfront. He also reminisces about the Cavenagh Bridge, which used to open for large vessels to pass through.

In contrast, Karen paints a charm...

In this engaging episode, Payal speaks with Mr. Richard Chan, who shares memories of growing up along Petain Road in a large family of eleven siblings raised by two mothers. Living in a modest SIT flat, Richard recalls the closeness of family life, sleeping on the balcony during humid nights and walking miles to school each day.

He paints a lively picture of the neighborhood’s food culture, from the famous char kway teow hawker who fried noodles while seated due to polio, to the aroma of dishes wrapped in opeh leaves. Richard also takes us ba...

Lumina Vitae presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage board Singapore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.