In a world obsessed with rapid growth, slick decks and big numbers, this week’s podcast stories remind us that real power lies in people-first choices, not flashy facades.
On Rewrite the Rules, Bruce Perry challenges everyday workplace norms designed around men by default. Change starts, he says, with redesign, not retrofitting.
On TiE Talks, Vijay Sambamurthi urges founders and investors alike to bring structure into their scale-up journey. “Financial audits are expected. But legal audits? Nobody thinks they need one—until it’s too late.”
Speaking on Hard Truths by Vertex, Gary Koeng reflects on Indonesia’s startup collapse. The reason? “Valuation became the goal, not value.”
From Spyne’s growth journey to Persuader Podcast’s take on storytelling, one theme emerges clearly: Spectacle fades. Substance lasts.
The takeaways:
- Slick doesn’t equal sustainable. Hype won’t hold if the foundations aren’t solid.
- Structure is a support system, not a straitjacket. Good governance fuels trust, scale and resilience.
- Authenticity outlasts theatrics. From storytelling to leadership, people connect to what’s real, not what’s rehearsed.
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— The CrazyTok Team
Rewrite The Rules | Can Male Leaders Really Support Women at Work
“There were never astronaut suits made for women. Even your office thermostat? Set for male comfort. So much of life is designed for men by default. It’s time we stop adjusting and start changing what doesn’t work.” — Bruce Perry
Why ‘Normal’ Might Just Be a Male Default
- Everyday bias hides in plain sight. From clothing to temperature settings, most systems assume a male norm and women adapt around it.
- Support starts with solidarity. Change begins when women back each other boldly—not quietly comply.
- Redesign, don’t retrofit. If something doesn’t fit—your role, your environment, your expectations—it’s not you. It’s the blueprint.
TiE Talks Singapore | Why Some Startups Don’t Follow The Rules
“In the race to grow and impress investors, founders take shortcuts. But if you ran a legal audit twice a year, you’d catch the red flags early. Nobody thinks they need one—until it’s too late.” — Vijay Sambamurthi
Why Post-Investment Diligence Is a Blind Spot
- Legal audits don’t end at funding. Most companies do financial audits—legal ones are overlooked but equally essential.
- Growth pressure invites shortcuts. Founders trying to impress often bypass structure, leaving investors exposed.
- Catch trouble before it catches you. Biannual legal audits can throw up issues early, protecting the long game.
Hard Truths By Vertex | Lessons from Indonesia’s Startup Crash
“In the past, because of the bull market, founders felt like increasing valuation was everything. But sometimes you don’t need to chase that. What matters more is finding the right investors to partner with—those who believe in what you’re building.” — Gary Koeng
Valuations Don’t Build Businesses—People Do
- Not all growth is value-driven. Founders sometimes equate valuation increases with success, but this is a shallow metric without real traction.
- Choose the right investor over the highest bidder. Strategic alignment often matters more than a headline number.
- Build value before you raise value. Market fit, user love, and a solid product beat vanity metrics every time.
How Spyne is Building a Global AI SaaS Company Without a U.S. HQ
“There are only two things that make or break a startup—your product and your distribution. If your product isn’t 8 to 10x better than anything else out there, keep iterating. And if you can’t scale it, it won’t matter.” — Sanjay Varnwal
What Founders Should Really Obsess Over
- Every successful startup solves two problems. Building something exceptional and getting it to the right people at scale.
- Product-market fit isn’t enough. It has to be undeniable. If your product isn’t clearly and significantly better than the competition, users won’t switch.
- Distribution isn’t just marketing—it’s momentum. Early scale comes from building a distribution engine that grows fast, reaches deep and doesn’t stall.
Persuader Podcast | Secrets of Singapore’s Top Storytellers
“Storytelling is one of the last human skills that AI can’t replicate. Because at its core, it’s about connection, emotion and shared experience—and that’s deeply personal.” — Adeline Ng
Why Some Stories Stick—and Others Don’t
- Lead with logic, then land with emotion. Great storytelling starts with clarity. Ground your message in real-world logic before reaching for emotion.
- Respect your audience—they’ll reward you. Treat listeners as equals. Share, don’t instruct. The best stories invite reflection, not just applause.
- Your humanity is a superpower. Powerful storytelling isn’t about polish. It’s about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and making them feel seen.
TechTonik | Boom & Bust: Another One Bites the Dust
“Storytelling, greed, speculation, innovation—it’s all part of the money game. From junk bonds to Bitcoin, financial systems have always reflected our deepest fears and desires. The future? It’s being written as we speak.” — Sherry Jiang
Why Financial Bubbles Keep Bursting—and Who Rises After
- Look past the hype and ask harder questions. Before you jump on the next big thing, ask: does this solve a real problem, or just sound exciting?
- Back the tech you can’t live without. The most powerful platforms don’t just impress—they integrate. Products that become daily habits last.
- Watch the power map shift. From India’s growing consumer base to Norway’s sustainability-first investments, influence is spreading beyond the usual players. Pay attention to the next wave.
Quotes That Hit
“In Asian culture, we’re taught that authority means you talk down. But as a speaker, I’ve learned to treat my audience as peers. They know their world better than I do, so I don’t preach. I share a story and let them take what they need from it.” – Adeline Ng
“We may not have the same tech talent depth as India or Vietnam, but with AI, even a lean team can build powerful products. That’s the upside—AI doesn’t just replace effort, it multiplies potential.” – Gary Koeng
“Most of the bestsellers and frameworks come from the West, but they miss some of the nuances in Asia. Here, we have house help and a family ecosystem—your parents, in-laws, everyone chips in. That’s a big advantage for women trying to raise a family and work.” – Ritu Mehrish
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