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23 episodes

CLOSER with Rachel Lim

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.

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Raising Conscious Humans: Raising Children Who Still Tell Us the Hard Things

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 chapters

#62: Chloe Tong: Marriage First, Life Beyond Labels & Growing With Grab

Chloe 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 chapters

Raising Conscious Humans: Raising Children With an Inner Compass

Episode 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 chapters

#61: Dr. Ramani: The Signs of a Narcissistic Relationship & How Not to Lose Yourself

Explains 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 chapters

Raising Conscious Humans: Raising the Child You Have, Not the Child You Want

Parenting “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 chapters

#60: SG's Fastest Woman on What Success Never Taught Her

Shanti 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 chapters

#59: What Success Never Prepared Me For with Ingck

Ng (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 chapters

#58: What If Your Next Chapter Is Bigger Than You've Imagined?

The episode explores “next chapters” that are bigger than expected, arguing that meaning and purpose are design problems.

1 Jul 2026 · 24m · 11 chapters

#57: What 'Kiasu' Culture Is Really Costing Us with Teo You Yenn

Singapore’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 chapters

#56: Minister Indranee Rajah: What Does It Take to Want a Future in Singapore?

Minister 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 chapters

#55: The Fertility Convo That's Long Overdue ft. Margaret Wang

Fertility 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 chapters

#54: Nathania Ong: First Singaporean to Lead the West End, And She Almost Gave Up

Nathania 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 chapters

#53: Diane von Furstenberg: How She Became the Woman She Wanted to Be

Diane 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 chapters

#52: 450 People Depending on Her — Then She Lost Her Job

Leadership 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 chapters

#51: Tan Kheng Hua: On Choosing Yourself Without Apology

Tan Kheng Hua discusses “choosing yourself without apology” through long-term craft, consistency, curiosity, and self-care.

10 Mar 2026 · 1h · 23 chapters

#50: What a Trial Lawyer Learned About Love, Arguments & Raising Kids

Trial lawyer turned communication coach Jefferson Fisher explains how connection, emotional regulation, and “next conversations” matter more than winning arguments.

24 Feb 2026 · 38m · 16 chapters

#49: Leo: "The Most Humbling Season Of My Life"

Leo 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 chapters

#48: First Episode of 2026: A Solo Reflection with Rachel Lim

Rachel 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 chapters

#47: CLOSER with Steven Bartlett: Live in Singapore

Live 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

#46: Infertility, Miscarriage & Quiet Grief

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

#45: Rebecca Lim: Lessons From Heartbreak, Motherhood & Fame

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

#44: President of Microsoft Asia: Lessons from My Mum, Asia & Leading 30,000 People

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

#43: Adrian Ang: What I Built Almost Cost Me Who I Am

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