
23 episodes
by Rachel Lim · English
CLOSER with Rachel Lim is about the conversations beneath the surface. Rachel sits down with people who fascinate her to explore not just what they’ve done, but what has shaped who they are: the experiences, relationships, contradictions, failures, beliefs and questions that have made them who they are today. Alongside long-form conversations are personal reflections from Rachel on what she is learning, unlearning and seeing differently in her own life. There may not always be a clear answer.. but perhaps the point is to come away seeing someone differently, seeing ourselves differently, and feeling a little closer. To ourselves. To each other. To what matters.
Authority without fear in conscious parenting—how to set boundaries, handle disagreement, avoid fear-based control, and build an internal moral compass through safe connection and repair.
3 Nov 2026 · 47m · 21 chaptersChloe Tong (wife of Grab co-founder/CEO Anthony Tan) discusses building an anchored life while still “becoming,” shaped by her family, boarding school, grief, faith, marriage practices, and her Ace…
20 Oct 2026 · 1h 6m · 31 chaptersEpisode 2 of a six-part series on raising “conscious humans” by protecting children’s curiosity and intrinsic motivation, building self-trust, and distinguishing perseverance from when a parent…
6 Oct 2026 · 41m · 19 chaptersExplains narcissism as a rigid, unhealthy personality style (not just “big ego” or vanity) and how it shows up in relationships, including manipulation, gaslighting, invalidation, domination, and…
29 Sep 2026 · 39m · 19 chaptersParenting “the child you have, not the child you want,” centered on curiosity, critical thinking, language/culture, homeschooling vs schooling based on needs, and a “we’ve got you” safety-net mindset…
15 Sep 2026 · 43m · 20 chaptersShanti Pereira’s journey as Singapore’s fastest woman and elite sprinter—how she learned to love running, handled losses and injuries, managed pressure and expectations, and what success didn’t teach…
11 Aug 2026 · 48m · 23 chaptersNg (founder of Ingu) discusses how he built his skincare platform by teaching people to read ingredient lists and question marketing, then launched his own brand in 2022—while facing backlash, panic…
22 Jul 2026 · 1h · 29 chaptersThe episode explores “next chapters” that are bigger than expected, arguing that meaning and purpose are design problems.
1 Jul 2026 · 24m · 11 chaptersSingapore’s “kiasu”/high-performance parenting culture and the broader structural drivers behind parents’ “unease” (a subtle discomfort and sense of having “no choice”), linked to low birth rates,…
16 Jun 2026 · 43m · 20 chaptersMinister Indranee Rajah discusses Singapore’s falling fertility rate and what it will take for Singaporeans to feel safe, supported, and hopeful enough to have children and build families.
19 May 2026 · 49m · 23 chaptersFertility as a shared, societal health issue; reducing stigma; and encouraging early, proactive reproductive health knowledge (hormone levels, follicle counts, egg freezing options), not waiting…
12 May 2026 · 28m · 15 chaptersNathania Ong’s journey from childhood singing and cheerleading to becoming the first Singaporean to lead as Eponine in Les Misérables (and her near-giving-up moments).
28 Apr 2026 · 47m · 20 chaptersDiane von Furstenberg’s life story and lessons on identity, resilience, and women’s empowerment—how her Holocaust-survivor mother shaped her, how the iconic wrap dress built her confidence and…
16 Apr 2026 · 22m · 11 chaptersLeadership through uncertainty and change; redefining success as responsibility grows; asking for help; calm decision-making; mentorship; balancing career and motherhood; protecting children’s…
7 Apr 2026 · 36m · 21 chaptersTan Kheng Hua discusses “choosing yourself without apology” through long-term craft, consistency, curiosity, and self-care.
10 Mar 2026 · 1h · 23 chaptersTrial lawyer turned communication coach Jefferson Fisher explains how connection, emotional regulation, and “next conversations” matter more than winning arguments.
24 Feb 2026 · 38m · 16 chaptersLeo reflects on 2025 and lessons from restarting at age 52 after a depression season, emphasizing humility, consistency, and “being a beginner” while still in the journey.
27 Jan 2026 · 33m · 13 chaptersRachel Lim’s solo New Year reflection on 2025 and intentions for 2026, focusing on inner steadiness, handling uncertainty, gratitude for routines and community circles, and adopting “alignment” and…
20 Jan 2026 · 20m · 9 chaptersLive Singapore “Closer” conversation with Steven Bartlett focused on self-belief, founder “delusion”/vision, quitting and uncertainty, plan-A thinking (burning boats), skill stacking and choosing the…
21 Oct 2025 · 55m · 25 chapters
Infertility and miscarriage “quiet grief,” plus how to hold hope and uncertainty while navigating IVF, stigma, and workplace challenges.
8 Oct 2025 · 48m · 24 chapters
Rebecca Lim discusses heartbreak, imposter syndrome, public scrutiny, friendship breakups, and how motherhood reshaped her identity, confidence, beauty standards, and definition of success.
11 Aug 2025 · 1h 9m · 29 chapters
Rodrigo Kede Lima, President of Microsoft Asia, discusses leadership “with soul” while leading 30,000+ people across 20 countries, drawing lessons from his mother, family, fatherhood, and his recent…
14 Jul 2025 · 43m · 19 chapters
Adrian Ang (SGAG’s “Xiaoming”) discusses identity and authenticity after years of building a public persona, and how entrepreneurship, leadership, and fatherhood led to a deep identity crisis,…
30 Jun 2025 · 1h 7m · 27 chapters