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Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Renegade Radio
Southeast Asia
Vietnam
Climate Change
Indonesia
Philippines
Renewable Energy
Carbon Emissions
Transnational Crime
ASEAN
Anti-Corruption Campaign
Gaza
Urban Heat Island Effect
Deforestation
El Niño
Timor-Leste
Communist Party Of Vietnam
Thailand
Bridget Welsh
Lee Hsien Loong
Scams

Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to listen to the latest episode to get to know what's happening. See you soon!This show is produced by Reneg... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes119Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Latest Episodes

This episode looks at the economy in Southeast Asia over the past year with Lowi Institute's Roland Rajah, highlighting shocks, resilience and variation across the region

Stay informed on our website:

straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the recent COP30 meeting in Belem Brazil and how developments at the meeting connect to Southeast Asia, as well as policy trends around climate governance in ASEAN with Sharon Seah.

Stay informed on our website:

straigh... more

This episode catches up on developments in the region after the Sabah polls hiatus and fleshes out the lessons from Malaysia’s Sabah’s 2025 state polls for understanding the region’s changing politics.

Stay informed on our website:

straightt... more

This episode looks at AI governance in Southeast Asia with Michael Bak, Head of Policy & Network

of AI Safety Asia.

Stay informed on our website:

straighttalkseasia.com/

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sharon Seah
Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Climate Change Program at the ISIS ISEAS Institute.
ISIS ISEAS Institute
Episode: EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah
Michael Bak
Head of policy with AI Safety Asia
AI Safety Asia
Episode: EP114: AI Governance in Southeast Asia w/ Michael Bak
Dr. Ilango Karuppanan
Former ambassador and adjunct professor at University of Malaya, expert on ASEAN and Malaysian diplomacy.
University of Malaya
Episode: EP113: Trump Comes to Malaysia / ASEAN with Dr. Ilango Karuppannan
Dr. Moe Thuzar
Senior fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and coordinator of the Myanmar Studies Program
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Episode: EP112: Myanmar and ASEAN with Dr. Moe Thuzar
Ivo Ribiero
Scholar from Timor-Leste and fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research
National Bureau of Asian Research
Episode: EP111: Timor Leste Enters ASEAN with Ivo Ribiero
Bey Lih Yi
Asia Pacific Director at Committee to Protect Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
Episode: EP110: Media Freedom in Southeast Asia with Bey Lih Yi
Natalie Sambhi
Executive director at Verve Research
Verve Research
Episode: EP108: Indonesia Civil-Military Relations w/ Natalie Sambhi & Reshuffle Insights by Wasisto Raharjo Jati
Wasisto Raharjo Jati
Researcher at BRIN Indonesia, in the Research Center for Politics
BRIN
Episode: EP108: Indonesia Civil-Military Relations w/ Natalie Sambhi & Reshuffle Insights by Wasisto Raharjo Jati
Georgi Englebrecht
Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
Episode: EP107: Bangsamoro Election with Georgi Engelbrecht

Hosts

Bridget Welsh
Host and political analyst known for her insights on Southeast Asian political dynamics and current affairs.
Zachary Abusa
Co-host and contributor specializing in Southeast Asian political discourse and analysis.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 13 ratings
  • The Podcast That Makes Sense of Southeast Asia

    Straight Talk Southeast Asia cuts through the noise with sharp analysis, clear perspectives, and truly well-informed guests. Bridget and Zachary break down complex policies and regional decisions in a way that makes sense—and shows why they matter, not just to the 700 million people in Southeast Asia, but to billions more around the world who feel their ripple effects.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GardenDistrictVC
    United States7 months ago
  • Great podcast

    This podcast is great for those interested in the complicated political world of Southeast Asia. My wife is from Thailand and the pod has been a great way to keep up with what’s been going on with the election.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBL1990
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate clear, insightful analysis of complex political issues, showcasing a blend of expert contributions that enrich discussions.
The podcast is regarded as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the evolving political landscape in Southeast Asia, often resonating well with both casual listeners and professionals.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#216
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#33
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#41
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#97
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#169
Indonesia/News
Apple Podcasts
#196
Philippines/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah
Q: How do you see Southeast Asia's climate governance evolving?
Sharon highlighted the importance of addressing public ambiguity regarding climate transitions and ensuring social safety nets.
EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah
Q: Which countries are doing well and which ones are not?
Sharon noted that Singapore is leading in climate governance, with ambitious plans and actions, while others like Myanmar are lagging.
EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah
Q: How do you see this ASEAN Common Carbon Framework?
Sharon described the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework as being primarily led by the private sector and still needing formal cohesion.
EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah
Q: Can you talk about COP 30?
Sharon expressed that COP has become less effective but indicates some key outcomes like the Bellum Action Mechanism.
EP114: AI Governance in Southeast Asia w/ Michael Bak
Q: What specific policies should be introduced to ensure AI governance aligns with societal needs?
It is suggested that guiding principles based on global benchmarks should be adapted for the region, and that regional collaboration with civil society as partners is vital.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Straight Talk Southeast Asia

What is Straight Talk Southeast Asia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the political landscape and current affairs in Southeast Asia, the content explores a range of pressing topics affecting the region. Episodes frequently feature expert insights on key issues such as civil-military relations, electoral processes, regional conflicts, and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. This series stands out for its in-depth discussions with knowledgeable guests, including academics, researchers, and analysts, who provide detailed perspectives on both historical and contemporary issues affecting Southeast Asia.

Unique to the format is its timely analysis of ongoing political developments, making it a crucial resource for listeners seeking to und... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Straight Talk Southeast Asia:

1. Empire
2. Pekingology
3. ChinaPower
4. The Rachman Review
5. Southeast Asia Radio

How many episodes of Straight Talk Southeast Asia are there?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia launched 3 years ago and published 119 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

Recent guests on Straight Talk Southeast Asia include:

1. Sharon Seah
2. Michael Bak
3. Dr. Ilango Karuppanan
4. Dr. Moe Thuzar
5. Ivo Ribiero
6. Bey Lih Yi
7. Natalie Sambhi
8. Wasisto Raharjo Jati

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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