Tank Talks Asia

About Tank Talks Asia

Against a backdrop of booms, busts, and geopolitical shifts, Asia continues its quiet and confident rise. More than ever, new and colourful Asian voices are bursting onto the global stage, from the world of business, tech, media, music, politics, sports, art, and culture. Hosted by acclaimed broadcaster and interviewer Manisha Tank, Tank Talks Asia meets the humans helping to drive this dynamic region forward.

Publisher

AsiaWorks

Category

business · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

27 Oct 2025

Latest episode

28 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Sept 2026

   How Creators Turn Content Into Business (and Why Most Fail) | Jasper Donat | Tank Talks Asia

   In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Jasper Donat, co-founder of Branded and creator of All That Matters, to break down the business side of the creator economy. From running Music Matters Academies to helping independent artists work with global brands, Jasper shares what it really takes to scale your creative craft into a commercial business. Featured Voices Hosts: Manisha Tank Guest: Jasper Donat, (https://www.branded.live/) CEO and Co-Founder, Branded Key takeaways Jasper explains why creators need to think of themselves as businesses, with a clear plan of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. He discusses the mental health pressures facing creators, particularly the difficulty of separating personal rejection from professional rejection. Jasper argues that authenticity is fundamental to successful creator-brand partnerships. He highlights the power of collaboration, particularly across cultures, and shares examples of creators working together to reach new audiences. His advice to aspiring creators is do what you love, never give up and never stop selling. Chapter heads 01:13 Culture is Commerce Jasper explains why music, sport, gaming, creators and marketing are increasingly converging, and previews the thinking behind this year's Music Matters programme. 03:01 Why Most Creators Don’t Have a Business Plan He says the Music Matters Academy helps musicians understand the business side of their careers, from setting goals to working with platforms, brands, publishers and lawyers. 04:33 Learning From People Who Have Made It Jasper describes how candid conversations with industry leaders give emerging creators access to advice, mistakes and experiences they would rarely encounter elsewhere. 07:51 Managing Mental Health and Handling Rejection The conversation turns to the unique pressures of being your own boss and putting deeply personal creative work into the public domain. 10:27 Luck, Money and the Power of Collaboration Jasper considers how creators break through, why luck can play a role, and how collaborations can help artists reach new audiences across borders. 13:03 Authenticity vs. Brand Deals Jasper shares an example of a creator who turned down a lucrative brand deal, illustrating why trust with an audience can be more valuable than a single payday. 15:38 Finding Your Audience From micro-influencers to creators with millions of followers, Jasper explains why the value of an audience depends on who is actually listening, watching and engaging. 17:28 The Golden Rule: Never Stop Selling Jasper offers his three pieces of advice for aspiring music creators: do what you love, never give up and never stop selling! 20:06 It's About the Fan Drawing on his experience with YouTube FanFest and creators around the world, Jasper explains why successful creators put their relationship with their audience at the heart of what they do. Useful links https://sg.linkedin.com/in/jasperdonat (https://sg.linkedin.com/in/jasperdonat) https://www.branded.live/allthatmatters (https://www.branded.live/allthatmatters) https://www.branded.live/music-matters (https://www.branded.live/music-matters) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqU1jW85jG8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqU1jW85jG8) https://www.branded.live/youth-music-matters-2025 (https://www.branded.live/youth-music-matters-2025) Don’t miss out We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com (mailto:tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com) And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia. Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks (https://www.asiaworks.com/) production.

2. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Bigger than AI: The #1 Threat Bosses Face in 2026 | Maha El Dimachki, GFTN | Talk Talks Asia

   In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Maha El Dimachki, CEO of Solutions at the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), to unpack the future of global fintech. Maha also shares her insider’s view on how technology is reshaping global finance and economic access, and what she believes the future holds for jobs in an increasingly automated world. Featured Voices Hosts: Manisha Tank Guests: Maha El Dimachki (https://gftn.co/who-we-are/our-leadership), CEO of Solutions, Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) Key takeaways Maha explains why she believes fintech is capable of solving practical problems in areas such as agriculture, healthcare and access to credit. She says technologies including AI, blockchain, tokenisation and open finance could expand access to financial products and make them more affordable. Maha talks about how regulators need to strike a balance between allowing innovation to develop, while also staying close enough to emerging technologies to understand and manage the risks. She argues that companies need to develop “AI fluency” and understand how AI is being deployed. Maha believes Asia's biggest challenge is creating jobs for a growing population of young people, and is hopeful that collaboration between governments, businesses and organisations can help address it. Chapter heads 01:25 The Future of Financial Services Maha explains what she does at GFTN Solutions and why creating jobs, developing skills and building supportive ecosystems are at the heart of her work. 02:27 From Sydney to London to Singapore She reflects on more than 25 years in finance, talking about the experiences that shaped her career, including her time at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. 03:59 Making Finance Work in the Background Maha and Manisha discuss how technology has transformed everyday banking and how financial innovation can connect technology with practical challenges in areas such as farming, healthcare and financial inclusion. 07:00 The Technologies That Could Change Finance From blockchain and tokenisation to AI and open finance, Maha looks at the technologies she believes could unlock new opportunities and make financial services more accessible. 08:47 How Should Regulators Respond? Maha explains the balancing act regulators face as technologies such as AI and quantum computing develop at unprecedented speed. 10:49 Why Businesses Need AI Fluency She argues that companies need to understand the risks and implications of AI for themselves, with boards playing a central role in deciding how the technology should be deployed. 12:27 Can Regulation Be a Friend? Maha challenges the idea that regulators are simply there to get in the way, arguing that startups and scale-ups can use regulation to build stronger, more trusted businesses. 14:29 Cutting Through the Fintech Jargon The conversation turns to acronyms, jargon and the importance of explaining financial technology in terms that everyone can understand. 17:47 Payments, Geopolitics and Sovereignty Maha traces the evolution of payments from traditional banking to neobanks and digital wallets, and explains why geopolitical shifts are making homegrown payment systems and financial sovereignty increasingly important. 20:11 The Five Rewirings Maha previews the themes shaping this year’s Singapore FinTech Festival, from technology and geopolitics to talent, policy and capital, before returning to the question of how Asia can create jobs for its youth. Useful links https://gftn.co/press/gftn-strengthens-global-leadership-team-with-anthony-thomas-as-chief-strategy-growth-officer-and-maha-el-dimachki-as-ceo-of-gftn-advisory (https://gftn.co/press/gftn-strengthens-global-leadership-team-with-anthony-thomas-as-chief-strategy-growth-officer-and-maha-el-dimachki-as-ceo-of-gftn-advisory) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/taking-insights-action-practical-approach-necxc?trk=public_post_feed-article-content (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/taking-insights-action-practical-approach-necxc?trk=public_post_feed-article-content) https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/Industries/financial-services/perspectives/fintech-glossary.html (https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/Industries/financial-services/perspectives/fintech-glossary.html) https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-a-central-bank-digital-currency (https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-a-central-bank-digital-currency) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1lIKhHhZQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1lIKhHhZQ) https://www.fintechfestival.sg/ (https://www.fintechfestival.sg/) Don’t miss out We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com (mailto:tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com) And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia. Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks (https://www.asiaworks.com/) production.

3. 

   27 Aug 2026

   Are Insects the Future of Protein? | Christina Rasmussen & Sasha Wijidessa, Fura | Tank Talks Asia

   In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Christina Rasmussen and Sasha Wijidessa, the co-founders of award-winning Singaporean bar FURA, which serves up innovations such as mealworm margaritas and cultured Japanese quail. The duo explain the thinking behind their unconventional approach to food and drink, discuss what they mean by “collaborative survival” and explain why they want people to rethink the way we eat and drink. Featured Voices Hosts: Manisha Tank Guests: Christina Rasmussen (https://www.fura.space/team), Co-owner and Head Chef, FURA and Sasha Wijidessa (https://www.fura.space/team), Co-owner and Head Bartender, FURA Key takeaways Christina and Sasha say FURA is about creating a new way of eating and drinking that challenges the generational habits shaping the way we consume. They explain how they build their menus on ingredients that are abundant or readily available, working directly with producers and farms where possible. Christina believes her experience as a forager at Noma transformed her understanding of where food comes from and has given her an increased respect for ingredients. The pair say FURA’s use of insects and cultured meat isn’t a gimmick and is a way to introduce people to alternative sources of protein. Christina and Sasha believe meaningful change begins with small, individual choices. Chapter heads 01:03 The Story Behind FURA Christina and Sasha reflect on the very different paths that took them to Copenhagen, where they began the journey that would eventually lead to them establishing FURA in Singapore. 03:31 From Mushrooms to “Collaborative Survival” Sasha reveals how the book The Mushroom at the End of the World helped inspire FURA's name, philosophy and focus on the idea of collaborative survival. 07:44 Cooking With What’s in Abundance Christina breaks down how the restaurant chooses ingredients that are abundant, invasive or prevalent, and how those principles shape its dishes. 10:01 What a Forager Really Does Christina looks back at her time at Noma and explains how getting out into the field transformed her understanding of food and waste. 13:45 Why Insects Are on the Menu From mealworm margaritas to jellyfish martinis, Sasha and Christina explain their thinking behind using insects as an alternative source of protein and why they don't want them to be treated as a gimmick. 19:58 Is Asia the Next Food Frontier? Christina reflects on how Asian food, culture and techniques are increasingly shaping global cuisine, and why Singapore’s mix of influences makes it a natural hub for food innovation. 20:48 The Personal Cost of Choosing an Unconventional Path Sasha recalls the difficult conversations with her parents about working in hospitality, while Christina reflects on unexpectedly becoming a business owner. 23:16 Small Changes, Big Impact Christina and Sasha call for more conscious choices, arguing that small changes in how we eat and consume can help make sustainable habits part of everyday life. 24:18 An Unusual Gift The pair reveal what’s inside the jar they brought for the TTA shelves and, unsurprisingly, it has something to do with insects. 25:56 The Long Road to Insect Approval They reflect on the lengthy process of getting insect-based dishes approved for human consumption and how they had to navigate strict safety regulations before finally receiving the green light. Useful links https://www.fura.space/menu (https://www.fura.space/menu) https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/Establishments/Singapore/Singapore/Fura.html (https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/Establishments/Singapore/Singapore/Fura.html) https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/mealworm-margaritas-jellyfish-martinis-at-new-eco-conscious-bar-fura (https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/mealworm-margaritas-jellyfish-martinis-at-new-eco-conscious-bar-fura) https://greenloopfarms.com/ (https://greenloopfarms.com/) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mushroom_at_the_End_of_the_World (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mushroom_at_the_End_of_the_World) https://www.sfa.gov.sg/regulatory-standards-frameworks-guidelines/insect-regulatory-framework/insect-regulatory-framework (https://www.sfa.gov.sg/regulatory-standards-frameworks-guidelines/insect-regulatory-framework/insect-regulatory-framework) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/10/singapore-approves-insects-eat-food (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/10/singapore-approves-insects-eat-food) https://nomaprojects.com/blogs/journal/stepping-into-nature?srsltid=AfmBOor6XyjpTJlxR46ew5cJip1YeM70YVrV408zE4wKqlwOoI5i9s07 (https://nomaprojects.com/blogs/journal/stepping-into-nature?srsltid=AfmBOor6XyjpTJlxR46ew5cJip1YeM70YVrV408zE4wKqlwOoI5i9s07) https://www.instagram.com/fura.sg (https://www.instagram.com/fura.sg) Don’t miss out We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com (mailto:tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com) And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia. Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks (https://www.asiaworks.com/) production.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.