Highlighting forward thinking ideas on US-Southeast Asia. We bring you straight-talk conversations with leaders, experts and change makers about Southeast Asia’s growth and what it means for U.S. audiences. Produced by VINSY Group LLC.
Podcast Overview
Highlighting forward thinking ideas on US-Southeast Asia. We bring you straight-talk conversations with leaders, experts and change makers about Southeast Asia’s growth and what it means for U.S. audiences. Produced by VINSY Group LLC.
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Publishing Since
2/5/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 23, 2026
Why Southeast Asia’s Energy Security Matters to U.S. Business
<p>How vulnerable is Southeast Asia to an energy shock thousands of miles away? The conflict in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed up oil, LNG and jet fuel prices, with effects that reach far beyond the energy sector.</p><p>ASEAN has described the region’s vulnerability through the 5Fs: fuel, food, fertilizer, finance, and foreign workers.</p><p>In this episode, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran about which countries facing the greatest risks, why some are more exposed than others, how the crisis impacts different sectors of the economy and what the crisis means for companies operating in Southeast Asia.</p><p>The conversation also dives into the importance of the Strait of Malacca, regional cooperation during emergencies and the need for governments and businesses to prepare together. Looking ahead, they discuss the transition to clean and renewable energy and where U.S. companies could contribute to the region’s energy security.</p><p>Dr. Prashanth Paramesawaran is a fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and a senior columnist at The Diplomat.</p><p>Chapters</p><p>0:34 Introduction2:45 How the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz impact Southeast Asia’s energy security.</p><p>4:46 Why the Philippines is the most impacted country in Southeast Asia.</p><p>5:23 What an energy state of emergency means.</p><p>7:56 Whether Malaysia can power its growing data center industry</p><p>8:29 How the energy crisis affects people’s daily lives</p><p>12:28 What a multi-alignment approach means in a crisis.</p><p>13:48 What a Strait of Malacca disruption would mean for Southeast Asia.</p><p>17:45 What businesses can learn from the energy crisis and its impact on Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s economies.</p><p>20:07 Why Southeast Asia needs to broaden its energy options.</p><p>21:42 Where ASEAN may turn for energy: renewables, nuclear or coal.</p><p>23:02 Whether China and Russia could emerge as winners in this energy crisis.</p><p>25:25 What lasting impact the energy crisis could have on Southeast Asian countries.</p><p>27:27 What would make Southeast Asia more energy secure in 5-10 years from now.</p><p>30:06 What role the United States can play in Southeast Asia’s energy future.</p>
July 9, 2026
Can Indonesian Films Go Global? | Asia Forward | Episode 12
<p>Indonesian animated feature “Jumbo” became the highest-grossing animated film in Southeast Asia, drawing millions of viewers at home and bringing new attention to the country’s animation talent. Can other Indonesian films replicate Jumbo’s commercial and international success?</p><p>In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata sits down in Jakarta with Angga Dwimas Sasongko, film director, producer, and founder and CEO of Visinema Pictures, the studio behind “Jumbo.” They discuss what the film’s success says about Indonesia’s movie industry and whether Indonesian films can reach a wider global audience.</p><p>“Jumbo” was made with a budget of about $3 million, a fraction of what a major studio Hollywood movie can cost. For U.S. businesses, investors and collaborators, Angga makes the case that Indonesia offers a combination of low production costs, scale and early-stage opportunity. But he also explains why going global will require more than one successful film. It will take stronger talent development, better industry infrastructure and smarter distribution.</p><p>Angga talks about why local success matters before a film can travel internationally, what it takes to build Indonesian stories and characters that can last across generations, and how Indonesia’s production talent can become part of a larger global film business. He also discusses the role of streaming platforms, the rise of horror films, the potential of AI in production, and why he believes film should be seen not only as a creative industry, but also as part of Indonesia’s broader cultural economy.</p><p>0:00 Introduction</p><p>1:24 How Jumbo became a breakout success for Indonesian animation.5:20 What Jumbo’s commercial success says about Indonesia’s film market. </p><p>9:43 How Jumbo reached more than 40 international markets.</p><p>12:50 How Visinema Pictures plans to enter the U.S. market.</p><p>13:35 Where Indonesia’s film industry stands today.</p><p>16:58 How AI could change film production in Indonesia.18:51 What types of Indonesian films can appeal to international audiences.</p><p>20:57 How streaming services help Indonesian films reach global audiences. </p><p>23:42 How Visinema balances creativity and commercial success.</p><p>25:23 What Indonesia can learn from Korea, Japan and India’s entertainment industries.</p><p>27:38 Why U.S. investors should pay attention to Indonesia’s film industry.</p><p>29:25 Where the strongest opportunities are in Indonesian film.</p><p>31:13 What Indonesian films could achieve globally in the next five to 10 years.</p>
June 25, 2026
What U.S. Businesses Should Know Before Entering Southeast Asia | Asia Forward | Episode 11
<p>Southeast Asia offers major opportunities for U.S. businesses, but each market comes with its own risks.</p><p>In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Erin Murphy, managing director for Asia at Redpoint Advisors and a former CIA analyst, about how companies should assess risks before entering or expanding in the region.</p><p>The conversation looks at Vietnam’s manufacturing growth, Indonesia’s regulatory complexity, the Philippines’ political and energy challenges, Malaysia’s digital infrastructure ambitions, Thailand’s recurring political uncertainty and Myanmar’s high-risk business environment.</p><p>They also discuss why U.S. companies should look beyond the U.S.-China lens, how climate change factors into country risk assessment, and what businesses can do before committing capital in Southeast Asia.</p><p>Watch the full episode to learn how U.S. companies can better understand political risks as well as long-term rewards in one of the world’s most important growth regions.</p><p><br /></p>
13 total episodes available
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