In Episode 46 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Benjamin “Mr. Miyagi” Lee — pioneering blogger, comedy writer, and Creative Director at Beach House Pictures (a Fremantle company).
From inventing Singlish on the page with Mr Brown, to building stories that cut through censors and land on Netflix, Miyagi unpacks the craft of storytelling that changes minds, policies, and even lives. His journey is a rare look at the evolution of Singapore’s creator culture and how storytelling adapts to new mediums, technologies, and global audiences.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Singapore’s blogging boom kickstarted modern creator culture

• The origins of podcasting with Mr Brown & “Mr. Miyagi”

• Writing comedy under constraints and working the censors

• Building global-ready content at Beach House Pictures

• Why AI is an intern, not a muse, for storytellers

• Fitness after 50, sobriety at 52, and habit engineering

• Parenting and homeschooling a world champion indoor skydiver

👥 Hosts
Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/
Raz Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/

👤 Guest
Benjamin “Mr. Miyagi” Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miyagi/

🔔 If you love founder stories, creator journeys, and insights for generalists navigating uncertain times — hit subscribe and turn on notifications!
👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources

• Beach House Pictures: https://www.beachhousepictures.com/

• Mr Brown Blog: https://www.mrbrown.com/

• Perplexity AI (research assistant): https://www.perplexity.ai/

• The Body: A Guide for Occupants — Bill Bryson: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Guide-Occupants-Bill-Bryson/dp/0385539304

• Burma Sahib — Paul Theroux: https://www.amazon.com/Burma-Sahib-Paul-Theroux/dp/1324076035

• iFly Singapore (indoor skydiving): https://www.iflysingapore.com/

• Kyra Poh: https://www.redbull.com/sg-en/athlete/kyra-poh

• Kai Minejima-Lee: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/up-close/world-cup-champion-indoor-skydiving-teenager-kai-minejima-lee-5302251

In Episode 45 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Veli Kattoulas — CEO of Lanturn, former investigative journalist, and founder of multiple companies across Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

From reporting on the Yakuza in 1990s Japan to navigating startup competition and scaling internationally, Veli shares hard-won lessons on resilience, discipline, and the art of “muddling through” when building enduring companies. His story is a masterclass in reinvention and the generalist mindset.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How frontline journalism trains you to make decisions under pressure

• Insights into Yakuza–politics connections in 1990s Japan

• Lessons from startup failures and competitors with deeper pockets

• Real-world product validation and pricing strategies

• Why discipline and speed are key for startup growth

• Scaling a company in Singapore vs expanding internationally

👥 Hosts
Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp
Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282

👤 Guest
Veli Kattoulas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velikattoulas/

🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & intrapreneurship insights:
👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources

• Lanturn (company): https://www.lanturn.com/

• Obliquity — John Kay: https://www.amazon.com/Obliquity-John-Kay/dp/1846682899

• Monetizing Innovation — Madhavan Ramanujam & Georg Tacke: https://www.amazon.com/Monetizing-Innovation-Companies-Design-Pricing/dp/1119240867

• Slow Horses (TV show): https://tv.apple.com/us/show/slow-horses/

• Middlesex — Jeffrey Eugenides: https://www.amazon.com/Middlesex-Novel-Jeffrey-Eugenides/dp/0312427735

• Tokyo Vice — Jake Adelstein: https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Vice-American-Reporter-Police/dp/0307475298

• Techmeme Ride Home (podcast): https://www.ridehome.info/techmeme-ride-home/

• MarkMonitor brand protection (Clarivate): https://clarivate.com/markmonitor/

• Taobao marketplace: https://www.taobao.com/

In Episode 44 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Gustavo Fuchs — Microsoft Asia Channels, ex Google Cloud leader who’s led teams across Brazil, Turkey, Bahrain, Angola, Dubai, and Singapore. He shares powerful insights on AI adoption, intrapreneurship, and the real advantages of being a generalist in complex organizations.

Gustavo explains why the true generalist advantage—understanding the whole system (P&L, leverage points, structure, and culture)—only works if you keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive. By connecting with startups, outsider communities, and fresh perspectives, you avoid corporate complacency and bring new energy back into your company.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The AI value chain: research → models → infra → apps/agents
• Where margins accrue in AI and how to pick high-leverage use cases
• Turning “experiments” into board-level, KPI-tied initiatives
• Build vs. buy decisions for AI and agentic workflows
• The “1%” most teams miss: internal selling & HQ alignment
• Intrapreneurship strategies: creating healthy tension in big orgs
• A practical lens for model builders, digital natives & enterprises
• Cross-cultural leadership playbooks for global GTM success
• Energy management: how to stay “always-on” without burnout

👥 Hosts

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp
• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282

• 
  

👤 Guest

• Gustavo Fuchs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavofuchs/

🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & intrapreneurship insights:

👉👉👉 Subscribe Now:https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources

• The Culture Map (book): https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Map-Breaking-Invisible-Boundaries/dp/1610392507

• Chip War (book): https://www.amazon.com/Chip-War-Worlds-Critical-Technology/dp/1982172002

• XA Network: https://www.xanetwork.co/
• Accelerating Asia: https://www.acceleratingasia.com/

Join us for the first episode from the Generalists Roundtable! Where Alex Dwek, Hiah Goh, Michael Smith Jr., and Raz Kotler talk about tech, AI, startups, pizza, and anything else that comes to mind!

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or curious observer, this roundtable offers raw, unscripted insights on AI, startups, and Southeast Asia’s tech future.

👥 The Table

• Hian Goh: Co-Founder & Partner, OpenSpace Ventures
• Alex Dwek: COO, Nas.io
• Michael Smith Jr.:Oracle Cloud Evangelist & Host, The Generalists Podcast
• Raz Kotler: Entrepreneur & Host, The Generalists Podcast

🚀 This episode dives deep into:

• How AI transformed Nas Daily’s video production workflow
• The signal vs. noise problem in content creation
• Why storytelling and ideas matter more than AI polish
• The rise of solopreneurs & “vibe coding” for prototypes, apps, and income streams
• Comparing Singapore’s risk-averse culture vs. Israeli “no-box” thinking
• How startups like Prefer Coffee thrive in Singapore’s innovation ecosystem
• Benchmark Capital’s $75M bet on Manas AI and Singapore’s role as the “Switzerland of AI”
• Jim Keller & 10storrent: Singapore/Malaysia as a hidden chip design hub
• The future of usage-based SaaS pricing vs. traditional models
• Why Singapore & Malaysia could become a global data center hub

🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & entrepreneurial insights.👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources

• Pakistani Coal Miner: https://www.instagram.com/pakistanicoalminer/
• Korean Husband Cooking: https://www.youtube.com/@koreanhusbandcooking
• OpenSpace Ventures: https://openspace.vc
• Nas.io: https://nas.io
• Prefer Coffee: https://prefer.earth
• Tenstorrent: https://tenstorrent.com
• Supabase: https://supabase.com
• ByteDance / TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com
• Love, Bonito: https://www.lovebonito.com
• Robert McKee – Story (book): https://mckeestory.com/story-book
• Jim Keller (engineer): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Keller_(engineer)
• Lenny’s Podcast (Intercom episode): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/podcast-intercom-ai
• SuperAI Conference: https://superai.com

In Episode 42 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Jake Berber — co-founder of Prefer, the bean-free coffee startup reinventing the future of sustainable ingredients — to explore the art of building category-defining products, raising capital in tough climates, and scaling food-tech from Singapore to the world.

From kitchen experiments to raising capital from 200+ funds and landing an oversubscribed pre-A, Jake reveals what it really takes to build a category-defining food-tech company. He explains why he actively seeks risk, how Prefer positions itself as a “coffee extender” instead of a replacement, and the strategies behind scaling from Singapore to the global stage.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Prefer is future-proofing ingredients like coffee and cocoa
• The power of platform fermentation and how it scales
• How Singapore’s ecosystem accelerates food-tech innovation
• What it takes to survive fundraising in a cold climate
• Jake’s nine-step playbook for engaging investors
• Why “coffee extender” beats “bean-free coffee” in FMCG sales
• How reference designs derisk adoption for big brands
• Managing copycat risk and building defensible IP
• The hybrid model of ingredient sales + licensing
• Fitness, journaling, and the habits that sustain founders

👥 Hosts

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp
• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282

👤 Guest

Jake Berber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeberber/

🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & entrepreneurial insights.👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources

• Prefer: https://prefer.coffee
• Iso Latte (Prefer product showcase): https://prefer.coffee/iso-latte
• Enterprise Singapore: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg
• Entrepreneur First (EF): https://www.joinef.com
• A*STAR Singapore: https://www.a-star.edu.sg
• Melvados: https://melvados.com
• Ajinomoto Thailand: https://www.ajinomoto.co.th/en/
• MrBeast: https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast
• The Green Blueprint: https://www.latitudemedia.com/podcasts/the-green-blueprint/
• 20VC (Twenty Minute VC with Harry Stebbings): https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com

In Episode 41 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down George Kassabgi (GK) — a two-time CEO, angel investor, technologist, and philosopher — to explore the art of fundraising, leadership, and startup strategy.

GK shares why raising capital feels like a ritualistic insect mating dance, highlighting the rhythm, back-and-forth, and delicate courtship between founders and investors. Drawing from three decades of experience across software infrastructure, NLP, ML, quant trading, and conversational AI, he offers practical and philosophical lessons every founder can apply.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How the Parent–Child analogy shapes founder decision-making
• Spotting hype vs. true paradigm shifts in software
• The most effective and damaging boardroom behaviors
• Why the CEO role is the loneliest job
• Poker analogies for investing discipline and risk
• Why raising capital is like an insect mating dance
• GK’s MoneyTime framework and how it guides life choices
• Why most AGI proclamations are nonsense
• How to master timeless skills despite technological revolutions
• Philosophical lessons from Stoicism, Vitae, and changing your mind

👥 Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠⁠
• Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠⁠

👤 Guest:

• George Kassabgi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgek/

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and global tech trends.

👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast⁠

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Bit9 / Carbon Black: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMware_Carbon_Black
• Real-time AI practice in English & Thai: https://phuk.et/
• Spoken Press: https://www.spoken.press
• Mendix: https://www.mendix.com
• Exuma Systems (Incubator): https://www.exuma.systems
• George on Medium: https://medium.com/@gk_
• Michael Pollan (How to Change Your Mind): https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/
• Netflix Documentary (How to Change Your Mind): https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/80229847/
  

In Episode 40 of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Grace Clapham—fractional executive, community builder, former Meta director, and serial entrepreneur—to explore her multidimensional career journey. From launching fashion brands across Asia to shaping global community strategies at Meta, Grace shares insights on generalism vs. specialization, building sustainable communities, and rethinking leadership for the next generation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Grace pivoted from fashion marketing to social innovation after personal loss
• The mechanics of building thriving communities and why monetization isn’t taboo
• Lessons from leading global community partnerships at Meta
• East vs. West: how collectivism and individualism shape community-building
• Challenges and solutions for women’s entrepreneurial networks in Southeast Asia
• How the dynamics of wealth are shifting with more women as primary earners
• Redefining success beyond money, status, and traditional markers
• Why generalists and “neo-generalists” are the future of work
• Parenting, self-awareness, and raising confident kids in the AI era
• Grace’s advice to her 20-year-old self: embrace uniqueness and start earlier

👥 Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp⁠
• Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282⁠

👤 Guest:

• Grace Clapham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graceclapham

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and global tech trends.

👉👉👉 Subscribe Now: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Meta (Facebook): https://about.meta.com
• The Change School: https://thechangeschool.com
• Gorman : https://www.gormanshop.com.au
• ConvertKit: https://convertkit.com
• ActiveCampaign: https://www.activecampaign.com
• Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com
• The Psychology of Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Wealth-Understanding-Investing-Performance/dp/0470481593
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: https://www.morganhousel.com/the-psychology-of-money
• The Neo-Generalist by Kenneth Mikkelsen & Richard Martin: https://www.neogeneralist.com
• Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You To Be Rich: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com