Jom Sembang, Malaysia

In this season finale, Gina and Juwita look back on 25 episodes that almost didn’t happen—until a surprise sponsor stepped in. They share how the partnership resonated with them, the differences between Season 1 and Season 2, the challenges they faced, the lessons learned, and the joys that kept them going. Together, they reflect on what they hoped to accomplish through these conversations and what lies ahead for Jom Sembang, Malaysia.Special thanks to Joy Luck Penang for making this season possible!

Every generation thinks they know best — that they’re better than everyone else. Boomers think Gen Xers are all waiting for hand-me-down success. Gen Xers think Millennials are irrational with their work-life balance proclamations. Millennials think Gen Zs rely too much on technology. And let’s not even get started on what we all think of Gen Alpha. In this episode, we discuss the struggles between generations and ask if we’re really all that different.This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Work-related anxieties can stem from various factors: job insecurity, heavy workloads, difficult relationships with colleagues, fear of failure, and a lack of control. In this episode, we discuss the triggers to these anxieties, the consequences of such triggers, and how we can cope better at work.This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Our prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has announced that each Malaysian aged 18 years old and above will be given RM100 on 31 August 2025. All we have to do is present our MyKad to use the money at participating shops such as Giant, Mydin, and Hero Market. The products available include essentials such as rice, cooking oil, diapers, paracetamol, stationery, and bath soap. What would you buy and why?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

What does it mean to be an independent woman in today’s world? In this episode, we explore the strength and resilience, even the complexity of women who define life on their own terms. Do they scare people off just because they are way too self-sufficient? Is that why some of them are still single today? What do they actually feel being unapologetically themselves? Do they need others to care for them despite it all?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

We always say other people are judgmental, but are we sure we are not judgemental too? One of the most cruel judgments is self-judgement. It’s when we do something wrong and we become hard on ourselves about the mistake. It’s even when we do nothing, yet we look at the mirror and we judge the person staring back at us. How do we overcome self-judgement?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Imposter syndrome isn’t just about pretending to know as you wing it—it goes deeper into the question, “Am I really that good?” Especially when it feels like there’s always someone more qualified to do what we do.In this episode, we unpack the quiet panic of being seen, praised, or promoted for who others think we are—while we quietly wonder if we’re really as good as they say. Why does self-doubt linger? And how can we stop discrediting our own journey?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

It feels like anyone who has a social media account is creating content and engaging the mass every single moment of the day. While some do it for fun, others work it like a full-time job. Where do artists, celebrities and key opinion leaders stand in this new digital world? Are they struggling to stay relevant? Must they turn to content creation to engage and garner new audiences? Is content creation a stressful task for veterans in the creative industry? How do we cope with this sudden need to produce content consistently and regularly?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Is it okay to order food delivery every day? Are we crazy for taking Grab rides to work daily? How often do we check out the shopping cart on online shopping platforms? When should we splurge and when should we save? Is ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ a good option in comparison to debit and credit cards? What is a bad financial decision, and what makes a good one? At the end of the day, how is our spending habit justified?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

The trend of Home Cafes is growing in Singapore. Many people are opening their homes to strangers who enter and sit in their living room to have a home-cooked meal or home-baked yummies. What gives them the confidence to share their personal space with strangers? Are we able to do that? Do we even invite our friends over? What do we hide in our homes that we would never want anyone to know about?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Sometimes we meet someone for the first time, and they are all nice and warm, and we think they’re a good person. Other times, we have friends we've known for years, only to discover they're not who we thought they were after a certain situation. In today’s discussion, we look at four scenarios that help us get to know a person better. They just might make or break a friendship or relationship.This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

There are so many different personality tests available out there and some of us can be so obsessed as to take all the tests in our desperate need to understand ourselves better. Are personality tests really effective? Do the tests help to define us or are we boxing ourselves into the test results? Are personality tests a poor excuse for those who behave badly? Will it influence our view of others positively or negatively?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Love is at the center of who we are, but how we express and receive it can be wildly different and mind-boggling. In this episode, we dive deep into the language of love and why we do the things we do for love. We explore the motivation and intention behind each gesture, and reflect on its meaning to us and to the ones we love. Let’s rethink how love moves through our lives, so that we can love more meaningfully.This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Second-hand shopping, also known as thrifting, is a growing trend around the world. There are more and more bundle shops appearing in Malaysia and some of such bundle shops are doing evidently well with more outlets mushrooming even in smaller towns. What are some of the reasons behind this trend and what are the benefits of second-hand shopping?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

In this episode, we explore the unspoken rules that shape our everyday lives. What are some of the unspoken and unwritten rules in Malaysia that the new generation is messing up with, and do these rules still apply now? Whether the rules apply at work, at home, or in the community at large, how did these rules come about and why do people follow them without questioning the origins?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Items can hold sentimental value to us because of the significant moments, relationships, or people they represent in our lives. This emotional connection to inanimate objects often makes it difficult for us to let go, even if they are seemingly ordinary things. When the attachment becomes extreme, it might lead to excessive accumulation and difficulty in discarding them, even when they are no longer needed. This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Reaction and summary videos are becoming increasingly popular, sometimes garnering more views than the actual movies or dramas. Why is this so? Why do people enjoy filming themselves responding to a piece of media, news, music or viral clip? More importantly, why is there a market for this and are we part of the target audience? Why do we consume such videos and what does this habit do to us? This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Being physically healthy enables us to enjoy better overall well-being in various areas of our lives—including mental health, relationships, career, and more. We only have one body, so taking care of it is important. But how do we do so efficiently within our busy schedules? What are the highs and lows of physical exercise? How can we stay consistent in ensuring our body receives the care it deserves?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Ideally, adults should get 8 hours of sleep every day so that our bodies can recuperate and regain energy for another day. But do most of us get enough sleep? Why do some of us find it difficult to fall asleep? How do we get better, rested sleep amidst the busyness of our minds?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito, recorded at Studio 21:05, and brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Apparently, yes. One can retire many, many times in a lifetime—and this applies especially to Gen Zs. Termed as Micro Retirements, Gen Zs are known to take a short-term long break from work to pursue personal interests or rest from work burnout. It’s a growing trend that can help improve work-life balance and support better mental health—or can it?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito, recorded at Studio 21:05, and brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

In this episode, we explore finance-related questions in regards to living in KL city, chasing big and small dreams, and what lies in the future. Some of the questions we will discuss are: Would you choose to invest or save your money? What’s one finance tip you wish you learned sooner?Would you rather be debt-free or service a loan? What would you do if you inherited RM30 million? Do you think you can retire comfortably in KL, or anywhere else?This episode is hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently listed ‘loneliness’ as a global public health concern. Research showed that one in four people struggles with loneliness. Furthermore, the younger generation, Generation Z, is labeled to be the loneliest generation. What is the difference between being alone and loneliness? Where does loneliness come from? How do we manage loneliness? In this episode, we delve deeper into the universal need for personal connection.This episode was hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Indecisiveness can cause many issues, especially when it comes to smaller matters in everyday life. Most of us may take a longer time to decide on major matters such as choosing a life partner, starting a new business, or purchasing a new property, which is a normal notion. But what happens when we take a longer time to decide on simple things like what to eat, what clothes to wear, or what to read? What causes the difficulty to make such simple decisions? How can we overcome this?This episode was hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Some days, it does happen, we don’t feel like leaving our house—even more so when we need to be somewhere else. Whether it is because we are tired, or avoiding someone or have some agendas out there, this feeling is real. Some may call it a symptom of depression, but is it so? Could it be that all we need is just a break? Or is there a deeper underlying reason that we should address?This episode was hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Preconceived notions are ideas or opinions that people subconsciously have before having enough information or experience about the truths. These notions can be based on stereotypes, hearsay, or personal biases. For example, one may assume a pink car must be owned by a woman, or a blue coloured door must be the gents toilet; but are these true? What are your automatic thoughts? How do we break our preconceived notions? This episode was hosted by Gina Yap Lai Yoong and Juwita Suwito. It was recorded at Studio 21:05 and was brought to you by Joy Luck Penang.

Why do people create podcasts or listen to podcasts? 99 episodes later, Juwita Suwito and Gina Yap Lai Yoong look back on the purpose of this podcast series and all the things they have learnt along the way. They also share the importance of being vulnerable on a podcast to make it a success. Should they continue the ‘Jom Sembang, Malaysia’ series? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Volunteerism is on the rise these days. But so are the reasons behind people being willing to spend their time helping someone else without getting paid. Some do it as a way of learning new things, giving back to the community, and relieving stress to alleviate depression symptoms. Others, well, we have all encountered some along the way, those who volunteer to produce boasting power for their social media profiles. The question is: have societies begun misusing volunteerism for their own greedy purpose? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Insecurities are uncertainties that make us anxious and move us to do silly things that will ruin us. It has something to do with our lack of confidence in certain areas of our lives.  Like it or not, we all deal with insecurities from time to time. Some are aware of what their insecurities are, others are ignorant or totally unaware because they are in denial about them. How do we deal with our insecurities so that they won’t affect our lives? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Sometimes, it almost feels like everyone has the need to be right at all times. No one would admit when they make a mistake. People just want to do things their way regardless of the outcome. Is being right the most important thing? Is insisting to always be right a way of being dominant and controlling? And does wanting to always be right reflect our personality? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05. 

Music has a great influence in our lives, and more often than not, it is a subconscious powerful influence that guides our behaviors and actions. Whether it is played during physical shopping time or the sound we hear from live streams during online shopping, music is a vital marketing tool to businesses. As such, how do businesses decide on the kind of music to play at their premises? We chat with Dr Joanne Yeoh who did a research study on the impact of musical fit in shopping behavior, focusing very much on cafe businesses.  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

We are very different people but there are some things that everyone generally views or reasons out the same way, which is known as common sense. Examples of common sense include looking left and right before crossing the road, not to leave a candle burning when you leave the house, or complete the urgent tasks first instead of non-deadline tasks. In this podcast, we discuss theories on why common sense is not common anymore. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

What is the difference between Excellence and Perfection? Does striving to achieve both make us a better person? Does it inspire creativity or kill the great mind? What does it mean to have a perfectionist boss at work? Are we pushing ourselves too hard at work and in everything we do?  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

In this loud and bustling world, a new keyword has appeared to counter the hustle bustle of life. Defined as doing the bare minimum of one’s job and no longer putting in time, effort, or enthusiasm than absolutely necessary, the buzz word is Quiet Quitting. In today’s episode, we will be chatting about quiet quitting, quiet breaking up, quiet vacationing, quiet living and some other silence related to it. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Those who are good with growing fruits and vegetables are known to have green fingers, while those who kill plants easily are known to have black thumbs. Is it really impossible to grow some food on the balcony of the concrete jungle that we live in? Why are some people moving out of the city to try out sustainable living, and are they succeeding? Join us for a greening chat with Shao-Lyn Low who has gone from not-bothered to very invested in growing food through Eats, Shoots & Roots. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

We should realize by now that everything we search on the Internet or the conversation we have with someone in person triggers a series of related ads that are being fed into our newsfeed for the next few weeks. This is called targeted advertising. As consumers, what do we feel about this? Is the algorithm working for us or against us? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Most people are against working with their friends, especially entering into a business partnership, because history has proven time and time again that the friendship might be stretched beyond repair. But since the 2000s, we see more and more family and friends collaborating at work, entering into partnerships, and more and more of them surviving, in fact thriving both in their bonds and business together. What’s the secret to working together without destroying great friendships? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

More and more people are dying alone. Most people prefer to die in their own bed, but research shows that only a quarter of deaths occur at home. What would you do if you knew your death date? Where and how do you want to spend your last days of life? Is it too much to fulfill a ridiculous wishlist at one’s death bed? Is planning your own funeral too morbid an idea to consider? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

The most common question a musician receives — can you earn a living just by making music — is also the least asked question by those who pay and appreciate good music. So what’s the music scene like in Malaysia? Is it really all struggle and no fame? If you don’t viral overnight, does it mean you are an expired musician? Do you have to sacrifice your values and identity in order to be the musician that everyone loves? In this episode, we chat with Icco Elnoel who is making a living solely through music-making. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Being successful is subjective. Whether it is defined as financial stability or being high up on the corporate ladder, there’s a price to pay. How much are we willing to sacrifice to achieve the type of success we envision for ourselves? In this episode, we focus a bit more on the prices to pay for success in the creative arts industry. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

When we are in our early twenties, we are energetic and full of aspirations to strive for the ‘great life’ we’ve envisioned for ourselves. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard, sometimes we push others away while we are at it. Perhaps sometimes, we wish we could turn back time and do things differently. If we had the chance, what would we tell our younger self? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05

Career breaks – many are afraid to take them in case they return without a job awaiting them. Yet the younger generation is more than happy to take career breaks whenever they desire. The duo chat about career breaks as one of them had taken a year off at the peak of her career. What are the impacts and consequences? And what does one do during a career break anyway? This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Doomscrolling, also known as doomsurfing, is the act of spending way too much time scrolling our social media newsfeed on our phones. We might or might not be consuming the contents we scroll, and that’s the scariest part about doomscrolling. Why do we doomscroll even when we know it is not good for us? How does it impact our mental health, and how do we stop?  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

A trio chat between a Gen X, a Millennial and a Gen Z as we dig deeper to close the gap between generations. In this episode, we try to understand how Gen Zs approach life, communication and dreams. From getting their first jobs to knowing what they look forward to in life, we peel the layers one by one to reveal that Gen Zs are not as self-centered as everyone labels them to be. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

India can be an overwhelming place for first time travellers, but there’s a certain appeal to the land if you can navigate the culture, food and way of life. In this episode, Gina who just got back from India shares some practical tips to help you pack and know what to expect when you arrive. From food to transportation, population density and expectations, at least you’ll know to bring toilet rolls on your first trip. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Working hours are no longer standardized across the industries and countries anymore. Is this a good or bad thing? Where did the concept of 9-to-5 come from, and what was the inspiration behind it? Do flexible hours really work for us in the long run? In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons so that all of us can make better decisions on our working hours. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

In a previous episode, we chatted about being text communicators and verbal communicators. To dig deeper into the texting world, we shall discuss some etiquettes when it comes to texting. How many texting platforms do we use daily? Is there a right way to text? Can we do others wrong in our texting habits? Does the depth of our relationship with the other party affect the way we text them? Let’s find out if we are good or bad texters. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Change is inevitable, but it is getting way out of hand with the rapid development of the world. One minute we have a job, the next we might have lost it. One second we have a car, the next we might have lost it to a flash flood. For some of these changes, we can easily adapt and move on. For others, it might be a life-changing change that will alter our lives forever. In this episode, we chat with Alia Alsagoff who was served with a change that uprooted her entirely from her comfort zone into a new foreign territory. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

The bedtime monsters are coming alive! The said monsters are insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea and some others - that have been keeping us awake at night despite how tired we feel. Does scrolling on our smartphones help us to fall asleep faster? Can we resume sleeping after waking up to go to the loo? Are some of these monsters defeatable? In this episode, we discuss sleeping problems and better habits to counter them. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

In today’s high speed world, stress is almost unavoidable. How much of this stress is caused by technology and our so-called need to keep up with the world? Is technology easing our lives while subtly destroying our inner peace? Are we in denial that technology, when not applied properly, can be harmful to us? In this episode, we dissect the pressures that come with digital responsibilities and what we should do to maintain a balance in life.  This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.

Of course, the direct answer is YES. But how many of us actually live as if we are the main characters in our lives? What does it take to be the main character? Does it include being a people pleaser? Do we have to say YES to everything? How do we take charge of our lives where we don’t compromise ourselves for others? Perhaps the fuel we need is Main Character Energy, and not Main Character Syndrome. This episode was recorded at Studio 21:05.