Podcast: Growing up queer in Singapore - struggles, identity and breaking norms

What does it mean to grow up queer in a society that often demands conformity? To kick off the inaugural season of The Human Algorithm Podcast, I share my journey of navigating identity, acceptance, and self-discovery in Singapore's conservative landscape. This episode is unique because I answered questions that were sent in anonymously by you, the audience. Putting the questions to me is Yan Yi Chee, a legend in the advertising industry. She is the former general manager at BBH Asia Pacific and spent more than a decade at Ogilvy, where she last held the position of managing partner. She is now a development coach and thought partner at Matter, Inc.From the challenges of finding gender-neutral spaces to confronting societal expectations, I open up about the struggles I faced while embracing my true self in a culture that often values tradition over diversity. This episode explores the intersection of identity and belonging, the impact of cultural norms on personal growth, and how I found strength through authenticity and community. Tune in to hear: * The reality of living as a gender-fluid individual in a conservative society * The importance of representation and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community* How breaking gender norms can lead to personal and professional empowerment* Practical steps towards fostering inclusion in workplaces and beyond Whether part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, or simply curious to learn, this episode offers a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation on identity, resilience, and the fight for belonging.What to expect for the rest of Season 1While this episode is free, the upcoming episodes will only be available to paid subscribers. If you are already a free subscriber, you must upgrade to become a paying subscriber by pledging to listen to these episodes and other exclusive content coming up.I will feature exclusive up to 10-minute insights from each episode on YouTube and a teaser into the more significant conversations happening behind the paywall. This will give new audiences a taste of what’s to come, allowing them to engage with thought-provoking content before diving deeper into the whole experience.Thanks for reading Human Algorithm! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit humanalgorithm.substack.com/subscribe