The Financial Coconut Podcast

The Financial Coconut

Singapore’s First Financial Literacy Podcast

  • 49 minutes 9 seconds
    The Art & Science Behind Building Diversified Portfolios [Chills 260]

    Markets are volatile. Headlines are everywhere.

    Oil prices are rising, geopolitics is heating up, and investors everywhere are trying to predict what happens next.

    But what if trying to predict the market is the biggest mistake investors make?

    How should you actually invest in a world that feels unpredictable?

    Sit with Wei Dai, Global Head of Research, Dimensional Fund Advisors, to break down the science behind investing and why long-term strategies often beat trying to outguess the market.

    Wei Dai leads a global research team studying how markets behave and how academic insights translate into real investment portfolios. In this conversation, she explains why disciplined, research-driven investing may matter more than reacting to headlines.

    We discuss:

    • Why market prices already contain more information than most investors realise
    • The difference between active investing, passive investing, and systematic investing
    • The real drivers of long-term stock returns: size, value, and profitability
    • How professionals avoid value traps and falling knives
    • Whether geopolitics and oil prices should affect your portfolio
    • The truth about global diversification (and why many investors aren’t truly diversified)
    • Why predicting markets is far harder than people think

    Whether you're a beginner investor or someone building a long-term portfolio, this conversation offers a deeper look into how markets work and how disciplined investors navigate uncertainty.


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 April 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 46 minutes 52 seconds
    New Format Coming Soon, Follow our New Feed

    After nearly a year of conversations with founders, creators, and entrepreneurs, the TFC Business Show is wrapping up its current format.

    But before we move into the next phase, we’re looking back at the most memorable stories, unexpected insights, and biggest lessons from the journey.

    From founders who built businesses from scratch to creators turning passion into thriving ventures, this episode reflects on what it really takes to build something meaningful.

    Expect honest reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, and a few unfiltered thoughts about entrepreneurship.

    🔔 What’s Next

    The TFC Business Show isn’t ending—it’s evolving into something new.

    Make sure to follow the show so you don’t miss the next chapter.

    If you enjoy conversations about business, founders, and entrepreneurship, like the video and subscribe for more.

    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 49 minutes 20 seconds
    Our Last Wise & Shine Episode

    After 160 episodes and 3 years of conversations, the entire Wise and Shine team is back together for one final discussion.

    But this episode is different.

    We’re sharing the real story behind the show, the lessons we learned, and why we’re pressing pause on the podcast… for now.

    From its humble beginnings to becoming a platform for honest conversations about careers, personal growth, and the changing world of work, Wise and Shine has explored the realities that professionals face today.

    But the world of work is changing faster than ever.

    Hear from our host and co-hosts:

    • Reggie – Founder of The Financial Coconut
    • Dawn Cher – Author of Take Back Control of Your Money and SG Budget Babe
    • Alex Loh – Next Coach helping professionals navigate career transitions
    • Cheryl Lau – Producer behind the recent evolution of Wise & Shine

    So what happens next?

    💬 Question for you:

    What was your favourite Wise & Shine episode or lesson?

    Let us know in the comments.

    If you’d like the show to return in a new format, tell us what topics you want us to cover next.


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    ‘Love Is Not Enough’ Why Couples Must Talk About Money [Chills 259, Sponsored by OCBC]

    Is talking about money before your wedding unromantic, or is it the ultimate act of love?

    From 'death files' to treating a marriage like an M&A merger, we’re peeling back the layers on how to build a financially stable future without the awkwardness.

    Dive into the uncomfortable but necessary conversations couples should have before and during marriage, and why avoiding them can lead to bigger problems later.


    Joining us are:

    • Vasu Menon, Managing Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC Bank - a wealth management veteran who brought his expertise home to his own marriage
    • Wong Kai Yun, Senior Partner, Dentons Rodyk - a family lawyer specialising in structuring instead of just disputes
    • Chen Shao Chun, Founder, 9 to 5 Millionaire Mindset - a personal finance advocate focused on helping working professionals build wealth through investing, financial literacy, and long-term financial planning

    What you’ll hear in this episode

    • The money talk couples avoid
    • Marriage as a financial partnership, from shared goals to aligning risk appetite and spending habits.
    • Budgets, spreadsheets & reality checks
    • What to do when things go wrong - disputes, power of attorney
    • From insurance and investments to wills, LPAs, and protecting your family.

    Whether you're single, engaged, or married, this episode might change how you think about love and money.

    🎧 Tune in to hear the stories, the lessons, and the conversations most couples never have, until it’s too late.



    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 45 minutes 15 seconds
    Meet The Technology That Can Keep Durians and More Truly Fresh All Year Round [TBS 54]

    Can technology make seasonal food available all year round without losing its freshness?

    We sit down with Christopher Quek, VC, entrepreneur, and founder of Spike Durian, to explore how a simple obsession with durian led to an unexpected startup opportunity.

    After two decades investing in startups, Christopher decided to jump back into the arena. What followed was a fascinating journey into food technology, AI-assisted freezing methods, and building a new kind of durian business.

    From finding suppliers in Malaysia to launching the company in just three months, this episode dives deep into the entrepreneurial mindset behind spotting opportunities others overlook.

    But the conversation goes far beyond durian.

    We explore:

    • What investors really look for in startups
    • The challenges of commercializing new technology
    • How founders test product-market fit
    • The surprising customer segment that embraced this idea
    • And why Southeast Asia might be the next big growth story for entrepreneurs

    If you're a startup founder, SME owner, investor, or just curious about how businesses are built, this episode is packed with insights.



    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 54 seconds
    Should You Tell Your Boss About Your Mental Health Diagnosis? [W&S 161]

    Mental health is something many workplaces say they support today. But when it comes to actually sharing a diagnosis at work, many professionals still choose to stay silent.

    Why is that?

    Through an honest and thought-provoking discussion, we unpack the fears, trade-offs, and decisions people face when navigating their careers while managing their mental wellbeing.

    Joining us for this conversation are two experienced voices in mental health:

    • Sharon Teo - Psychotherapist and Educator, who works with individuals across diverse communities including athletes, military personnel, and youth.
    • Dr Mian-Li Ong - Clinical Psychologist, who works with children and adults navigating ADHD, trauma, depression, and other mental health challenges.

    Together, they share insights from both clinical practice and real-world workplace experiences, helping us better understand the difficult decisions professionals face every day.

    If you’ve ever wondered whether being open about mental health could impact your career, this is a conversation worth listening to.

    🎧 Tune in to hear the full episode.



    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 6 seconds
    The New Scams Hitting Professionals (Most People Don’t See It Coming) [Chills 258]

    🚨 Think you’re too smart to get scammed?

    Think again.

    Sit with Beaver Chua, Managing Director and Head of Group Anti-Fraud at OCBC Group - a former police officer now leading the fight against scams inside one of Singapore’s largest banks.

    Many scam victims today aren’t careless. They’re educated professionals and investors who thought they knew better.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Why white-collar professionals are prime scam targets
    • How investment and government impersonation scams actually work
    • The powerful role of pressure and secrecy in scam tactics
    • How AI and new technology could make scams even harder to detect

    If you think it won’t happen to you, this conversation might change your mind.

    🎧 Tune in to learn how modern scams really work — and how to stay one step ahead.


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 59 seconds
    The Boring Business Of Vending Machines, Made Interesting Again [TBS 53]

    ☕ Can a vending machine make café-quality coffee?

    In this episode of The Financial Coconuts Business Show, we sit down with the founders of Flow Coffee, a startup challenging Singapore’s coffee scene with an unexpected idea: coffee vending machines that serve café-grade drinks made with fresh milk.

    After noticing how expensive and inconvenient good coffee can be, Chang Wei Sheng (Founder & CEO) and Jarran Ng (Co-Founder & COO) set out to build a smarter solution, combining automation, technology, and clever operations to make quality coffee more accessible.

    In less than a year, they’ve deployed 20 machines across Singapore - but the journey to get there involved engineering challenges, manufacturing hurdles, and plenty of experimentation.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    🔹 Why good coffee is getting more expensive

    🔹 The idea behind café-style coffee vending machines

    🔹 How they went from concept to 20 machines in under a year

    🔹 The technology powering their automated coffee system

    🔹 Lessons from building a hardware + operations startup

    🔹 The challenges of scaling a physical product business

    🔹 What it takes to disrupt a traditional industry

    If you’re an entrepreneur, SME owner, or startup builder, this episode is packed with insights about launching and scaling a real-world business.

    🎧 Tune in to hear the full story behind Flow Coffee.

    Guests:

    • Chang Wei Sheng, Founder & CEO, Flow Coffee
    • Jarran Ng, Co-Founder & COO, Flow Coffee

    👍 Like this episode?

    Subscribe to The Financial Coconuts Business Show for more conversations with founders, operators, and SME leaders.

    #startup #entrepreneurship #coffee #vendingmachine #businesspodcast


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 56 seconds
    The Builder Traits That Make Mid-Career Professionals Irreplaceable [W&S 160]

    Why do we say we want innovators… but still reward rule followers?

    In this episode, we are joined by Patrick Lim, CEO of ACE.SG, and Ezekkious Loo, YSEALI Fellow; Winner of FY25 POL-ITE Entrepreneurs Challenge, to dive into a fascinating paradox: Young people are building projects, joining startup competitions, and launching side hustles earlier than ever, yet many of them still don’t see themselves as entrepreneurs.

    So what actually creates a builder mindset?

    Is it something you're born with… or something that can be developed through experience?

    In this conversation, we explore how curiosity, experimentation, and even failure can spark the mindset that turns employees into builders and thinkers who act like founders.

    But the real question is: Are our schools and workplaces truly creating space for this mindset to grow?

    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Financial Mistakes Homeowners Make When Designing Their Dream Home [Chills 257, Sponsored by Commune]

    You’ve waited years for your keys.

    You’ve saved, pinned, planned… maybe even built a 20-page brief.

    But when the hacking starts and the bills roll in, what really happens?

    In this episode, we dive into the emotional, financial, and practical realities of renovating your first home. From design dreams to budget shocks, from Pinterest boards to unexpected mold problems, we unpack what most homeowners only learn the hard way.

    Here’s what we explore:

    • Why renovation planning should start months before key collection
    • The biggest hidden costs that catch first-time homeowners off guard
    • Why furniture should NOT be an afterthought
    • The mistake almost everyone makes when choosing paint and tiles
    • When to splurge… and where you can safely save
    • The mindset shift that can save your relationship (and your budget)

    And joining us on this renovation reality check:

    • Jasper Goh, Creative Partner at Ascend Design, sharing what designers wish homeowners understood before work begins
    • Natasha Conceicao, content creator and recent homeowner, who documented her entire renovation journey, brutalist vibes and all
    • Shee Wen Gan, COO of Commune, offering an insider’s take on furniture strategy, material quality, and what most buyers overlook

    If you’re planning your first renovation, or still recovering from one, this conversation might just change how you approach your home.

    Because renovation isn’t just about aesthetics.

    It’s about lifestyle, longevity… and making decisions you won’t regret five years later.

    Tune in before you pick up that paint swatch.


    Check out how Commune can help you design your dream home.


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 March 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 6 seconds
    The Business of Keeping Things Fresh in the Philippines [TBS 52]

    What if the reason your food isn’t fresher isn’t the farm, but everything in between?

    In this episode, we dive into a business almost nobody dreams of starting, yet it quietly powers entire cities. Think traffic jams, melting margins, broken fridges, and a problem so hidden that most consumers never even notice it.

    Here’s what we’re unpacking:

    • Why traffic in Metro Manila became a business opportunity
    • The surprising gap in the “invisible road” your food travels before it reaches you
    • How a 40% energy efficiency breakthrough sparked something much bigger
    • The pivot that changed everything, from selling cold rooms to renting them by the box
    • Why small businesses were willing to pay before the product even landed
    • The harsh lessons of trying to sell to big corporations, and why it nearly didn’t work
    • Why the Philippines, not Singapore, became the launchpad

    And joining us are:

    • Jonathan Harvey, a food industry veteran who’s spent over 15 years across Southeast Asia uncovering gaps in the region’s cold chain infrastructure
    • Joe Khoo, a former early-stage tech employee with a six-figure exit, who pivoted from VR hardware and sustainability projects into building energy-efficient, self-serve cold hubs

    Together, they’re building something deceptively simple, but potentially game-changing for SMEs, food security, and climate tech.

    It’s scrappy.

    It’s technical.

    It’s capital-heavy.

    And it almost didn’t work.

    If you’ve ever wondered how real founders navigate pivots, funding trade-offs, family responsibilities, and finding product-market fit in an unsexy industry, this episode is for you.

    Tune in.


    ---


    🎧 The Financial Coconut:

    Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.


    Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut


    📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE


    🔗 CONNECT WITH US

    Get daily tips, insights, and community:


    📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

    Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube


    ⚠️ Disclaimer:

    The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

    Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 March 2026, 10:00 pm
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