Podcast
You Never Know with Nicole Lee
Hosted by Nicole Lee · EN
You never know where one choice might take you. One story that could change your life. One conversation that shifts everything you thought you knew.
I’m Nicole — host of You Never Know, a podcast with real conversations about life, career, finance, and health, featuring visionary people who’ve taken the unconventional road and embraced the unknowns.
After 13 years at a top private bank and a transformational leap into fintech and entrepreneurship, I created You Never Know to inspire people to discover the different truths in life — and the infinite pathways that emerge when we look within.
Thank you so much for being here. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need it today.
With ❤️ from Singapore,
Nicole
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#42 — Full-Time YouTuber: Is It Worth It? | Max Chernov on Choosing Singapore & Reinvention
1w ago00:43:17Tap to summarizeMax Chernov built a YouTube channel interviewing expats, entrepreneurs and billionaires across Asia. Born in Russia, lived in eight countries, and now calls Singapore home. We talk about living in Singapore, what it really costs to be a full-time creator, what billionaires actually teach you about success, and why so many foreigners never leave the expat bubble.TODAY'S GUEST🌐 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@maxchernov?si=CUL57DUDlixzjf5A🌐Instagram: instagram.com/chernov_networking🌐 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maxchernovCONNECT WITH ME🌐 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme▪️ Instagram & TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme▪️ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme▪️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5uRGujeye6cPVvaIGsAt7p?si=91942ccd3c054c1e▪️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-never-know-with-nicole-lee/id1789080795 🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co✉️ Partnership & Speaking Enquiries: nicole@youneverknow.co WATCH NEXT► Best Cities In The World To Live & Work | Nirbhay Handa with Nicole Lee► Why Rich People Can Still Feel Poor | Kees Stoute with Nicole Lee► No Gold Behind Paper Gold | Christophe Numa with Nicole LeeTIMESTAMPS00:27 Introduction01:02 From Russia to Finding Home in Singapore03:56 Embracing Local Culture as an Expat05:56 The Upside of Singapore’s Predictability09:21 What Travel Teaches12:19 The Reality of Being a YouTuber14:41 From Street Interviews to Meeting Billionaires17:54 What Successful People All Have in Common21:55 Inside the Backstage Circle25:35 Why Creators Should Be Creative and Business-Savvy29:46 What It Takes to be a Successful YouTuber33:31 How Do You Find Your Passion in Life?40:48 What You Never Know Means to Max💌 I'm Nicole Lee. I spent more than a decade in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a defining life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, I'm also a moderator, speaker, and podcast producer — partnering with visionary leaders and businesses to shape strategic narratives through authentic storytelling.—-----
Transcribe →#41 — No Gold Behind Paper Gold | Christophe Numa: "Gold Is Not A Speculative Asset."
4w ago00:53:57Tap to summarizeMost people think they own gold. They don't. I discuss all things gold with Christophe Numa, Founder & CEO of Gauld — who spent over a decade building businesses around physical gold, from running a multi-million dollar trading platform backed by global hedge fund Millennium, to now making physical gold ownership accessible to everyone, anywhere in the world. Enjoy!TODAY'S GUEST🌐 Learn about Gauld: www.gauld.com🌐 LinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/christophe-numa-69946927/en CONNECT WITH ME🌐 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme🌐 Instagram & TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co✉️ Partnership & Speaking Enquiries: nicole@youneverknow.co TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro02:44 Is Gold Really A Safe Haven?04:40 Paper Gold vs Physical Gold: The Real Difference11:06 What Gold ETFs Actually Invest In15:44 How Physical Gold Actually Works18:40 Gold Supply Chain: Mine to Vault23:10 How Physical Gold Is Priced25:20 How To Buy Physical Gold Today26:13 How To Know If Your Gold Is Legitimate32:30 Gold vs Real Estate34:43 How To Generate Yield On Gold35:25 Gold Price Outlook39:40 Should Everyone Hold Gold?40:15 Why Christophe Started Gauld45:38 The Syria Story That Changed Everything47:20 Is There Enough Gold For Everyone?49:22 Gold vs Silver: Which to Hold First?51:20 What Would Change His Mind About Gold52:28 What "You Never Know" Means to Chris💌 I'm Nicole Lee. I spent more than a decade in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a defining life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, I'm also a moderator, speaker, and podcast producer — partnering with visionary leaders and businesses to shape strategic narratives through authentic storytelling.
Transcribe →#40 — Best Cities In The World To Live & Work | Nirbhay Handa
Apr 100:42:29Tap to summarizeIf you could live anywhere in the world, would you know where to go? I speak with Nirbhay Handa, global mobility entrepreneur & CEO of Multipolitan, about how cities are evolving, why global mobility is becoming more nuanced, and how Millennials and Gen Zs are shaping a more borderless way of living.We explore why cities are increasingly becoming “pseudo-states” where talent and capital concentrate, the three types of cities that will thrive — financial centres, nomad-friendly cities, and startup-friendly cities — and why “builder cities” like Singapore and Dubai are rising while legacy titans risk falling behind.We also dive into digital states, AI, sovereignty beyond geography, and what people often get wrong when choosing where to live.Chapter markers:00:00 Introduction02:10 Millennials & Gen Z: Redefining Success04:18 What Wealth Means Today: Optionality, Frictionless Living, Well-Being06:31 Decoupling Identity From Your Birth Certificate08:44 Why Cities Are Becoming “Pseudo-States”09:28 The 3 Types of Cities That Will Thrive10:30 Builder Cities vs Legacy Titans12:09 Why Singapore and Dubai Are Rising17:15 How to Choose Where to Live Today24:37 Alternative Residencies & Hedging Your Life33:30 Digital States37:00 One Underrated City to Watch38:00 The Future of Global Mobility39:12 What Most People Get Wrong About Choosing Where to Live40:14 What “Home” Means in a Borderless World💌 If you’re new to this channel, I’m Nicole Lee. I spent more than a decade in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a defining life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, through You Never Know Studios, I partner with leaders and organizations to shape strategic narratives through video content that authentically resonates.---🔗 Connect with Nirbhay Handa🌐 Website: https://www.multipolitan.com/👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nirbhay-handa-44949822📲 Instagram:@handa.eth@multipolitan.app🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#39 — Your Body Never Forgets: What Pain, Disease & Insomnia Are Telling You | Sufen Paphassarang: “It’s Never Just A Headache or Illness.”
Mar 1901:01:04Tap to summarizeYour headaches, pain, and illness aren't random — they're your body telling you something. Sufen Paphassarang reveals how your body stores every suppressed emotion — knowing exactly where, what caused it, and how it manifests as pain, disease, or chronic conditions — to get your attention.We explore the three brains — head, heart, and gut — what your 3am insomnia is really telling you, what the left and right sides of your body reveal about your past and future, and how men and women store emotions differently, and where it shows up physically.Sufen is an advanced BodyTalk practitioner, instructor, and owner of The Body Talk Center in Singapore, and helps people decode the deeper intelligence stored in their bodies to heal and thrive. She began her journey after fully recovering from Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition many consider incurable.If you've ever pushed through pain, or wondered why your body keeps breaking down in ways that don't make sense — this episode is a must watch. Your body never forgets. And it never lies to you. It's time to start listening.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction02:50 — What Is BodyTalk?: It’s Never Just About The Headache05:00 — The Three Brains: Head, Heart & Gut Explained09:10 — What Your Insomnia Is Telling You About Your Decisions14:00 — Why Food Intolerance & Poisoning May Not Be About Food18:20 — Why We Forget We're Even In Pain22:00 — How Sufen Reads & Communicates With The Body26:00 — How Men & Women Store Emotions Differently33:00 — Resentment, Anger & Disease43:50 — Where Emotions Live In The Body & Why You Wake Up Stiff51:00 — What Pain In The Left & Right Sides Of Your Body Reveal About You56:40 — Why Anger Is Good For You57:40 — The One Question That Could Change Everything💌 If you’re new to this channel, I’m Nicole Lee. I spent more than a decade in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a defining life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, through You Never Know Studios, I partner with leaders and organizations to shape strategic narratives through video content that authentically resonates.---🔗 Connect with Sufen Paphassarang🌐 Website: sufen paphassarang👤 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sufen-paphassarang-55b8061aa📲 Instagram / TikTok: @sufen_bodytalk🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#38 — Help! I’m Rich!: Why Rich People Can Still Feel Poor | Kees Stoute: “Many Tie Their Self-Worth To Their Net Worth.” “You’ll Never Have Enough If You Don’t Define Enough.”
Mar 600:36:36Tap to summarizeWhy do some rich people still feel poor? When is enough money, enough? Kees Stoute, former CEO of EFG Bank for Hong Kong and Singapore, and author of the book Help! I’m Rich!, believes the biggest challenge of wealth isn’t financial. It’s psychological.In this episode of the You Never Know Podcast, we explore why some of the wealthiest people still struggle with the idea of “enough”, how self-worth is often tied to net worth, and why money can create pressures and problems most people never expect.Kees also shares his unconventional journey from accidental IT programmer to bank CEO — and why sometimes the best opportunities appear when you stop trying to control every step of the way.What does wealth mean to you? And what actually makes your life feel rich? If you're curious about the psychology of wealth and investing, this conversation is for you.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction02:00 — The Hidden Problems of Being Rich03:28 — The Biggest Mistakes Rich People Make06:15 — Why Money Attracts the Wrong Crowd07:00 — How to Spot a Bad Banker09:30 — What a Good Wealth Manager Actually Does12:10 — Why the Best Bankers Challenge Clients16:30 — Why Money Stops Making You Happy18:45 — When Is Enough Money Enough?21:00 — Are Private Banks Losing Relevance?22:35 — The Best Kept Secret in Investing25:00 — From IT Programmer to Bank CEO31:00 — Why Losing Your Job Isn’t the End34:00 — What Wealth Really Means34:45 — What “You Never Know” Means to Kees💌 If you’re new to this channel, I’m Nicole Lee. I spent 13 years in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a major life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, through You Never Know Studios, I partner with leaders and organizations to shape strategic, credible narratives through video content that authentically resonates.---🔗 Connect with Kees Stoute👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kees-stoute📚 Buy Kees’ book, Help! I’m Rich!: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Help%2C+I'm+Rich!%3A+Your+Compass+to+a+Value-Adding+Private+Banking+Experience-p-9781119020547🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#37 — Investing Mistakes Most People Make | Sameer Deshpande: “I Used To Convert My Short-Term Trades Into Long-Term Investments.”
Feb 1200:36:56Tap to summarizeMany investors say they want to “make a lot of money.” But that’s not a strategy. Sameer Deshpande, Head of Wealth Management for Asia Pacific at Emirates NBD, reveals the investing mistakes that most people don’t realise they’re making.From turning short-term trades into long-term investments, to chasing yield over total return, to holding on to losing positions out of hope — we unpack the psychology that quietly erodes performance.We also explore investor behaviour in Asia, the evolution of digital wealth platforms and offshore wealth management, and why adaptability — and going beyond your specialization — will define long-term success in modern finance.If you care about thinking more clearly about money, risk, and long-term financial decisions, this conversation will change the way you invest.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:09 How to Anchor Investments to Clear Goals04:16 Review Your Portfolio — But Not Every Day05:48 Investing Mistake: Turning Trades into Investments08:37 Investor Psychology in Asia: Yield, Loss Aversion & Concentration Risk11:34 Yield vs Total Return: What Most Investors Get Wrong13:44 The Truth About Digital Wealth Platforms16:55 Will Human Advisors Become Obsolete?18:04 What Is Offshore Wealth Management?23:38 How to Choose the Right Financial Centre for Your Wealth25:25 The Capability Wealth Managers Will Struggle to Build27:11 Why Going Outside Your Comfort Zone Is Now a Necessity29:52 What the Next Generation of Leaders Underestimate32:09 The Most Underrated Leadership Skill: Adaptability33:52 Why Skill Sets Matter More Than Titles35:58 What “You Never Know” Means to Sameer💌 If you’re new to this channel, I’m Nicole Lee. I spent 13 years in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live.Today, through You Never Know Studios, I partner with leaders and organizations to shape strategic, credible narratives and video content that authentically resonate.---🔗 Connect with Sameer Deshpande👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sameersdesh🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#36 — Former Hospital CEO: Future Of Healthcare is Hospital At Home | Dr. Timothy Low: “Most Western Drugs Have Side Effects.” “AI Cannot Hold Your Hands.”
Jan 2800:52:23Tap to summarizeWe trust hospitals with our lives — but what if the future of healthcare isn’t in hospitals at all? I sat down with Dr. Timothy Low, former CEO of Gleneagles Hospital and Farrer Park Hospital in Singapore, to explore what’s really changing in healthcare, and what most patients will never see.We talk about what goes on behind the scenes of running a hospital, why hospitals will get smaller, the differences between Western and Eastern medicine, alternative therapies like phototherapy, and how AI is reshaping the future of healthcare.If healthcare innovation, investing, and regenerative health spark your interest, I hope you enjoy this episode, and share it with someone who needs it today.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction03:10 – From GP to Hospital CEO04:15 – What a Hospital CEO Actually Does07:20 – What Patients Never See09:10 – Why Hospitals Are Always Short of Nurses13:50 – “Not Many Leaders Love Their Staff”20:00 – The $1 Million Decision23:50 – Why Healthcare Costs Keep Rising26:25 – Can AI Replace Doctors?30:45 – From Sick Care to Well Care31:50 – What Is Phototherapy?39:00 – How to Spot Real Healthcare Innovation45:00 – Western vs Eastern Medicine46:20 – Hospitals Will Get Smaller50:10 – The One Thing Every Doctor Should Remember50:50 – What “You Never Know” Means to Dr. Timothy💌 If you’re new to this channel, I’m Nicole Lee. I spent 13 years in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live.Today, through You Never Know Studios, I partner with leaders and organizations to shape strategic and credible narratives that authentically resonate — using video content to build trust, thought leadership, and connection.---🔗 Connect with Dr. Timothy Low🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimothylow/📱Instagram: @askdrtimlow 📲TikTok: @askdrtim📕Get his latest book, Patching Up Wellness: https://forms.gle/7UXN8oQiqkFjfwRMA🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#35 — Inside a 15-Year-Old’s Head: AI, School & Meaning of Life | Joshua Goh: "I Don’t Want a 9–5 I Don’t Enjoy." “I’m Scared About My Future.”
Dec 2900:31:12Tap to summarizeWhat does the world feel like to a 15-year-old today?In this episode, host Nicole Lee speaks with Joshua Goh, a student from National Junior College in Singapore, about growing up in a time of rapid technological change, rising competition, and the pressure to figure out the future earlier than ever.They talk about AI, school, emotional intelligence, and career paths — and the deeper tension between wanting to enjoy being a kid and feeling the need to prepare for what lies ahead.This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers at 15. It’s a conversation about curiosity, self-awareness, and how the next generation is making sense of the world around them.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:20 Networking as a kid & caught between worlds05:10 Questioning life at 1306:15 Life is like playing Minecraft08:00 Balancing being a kid vs staying ahead10:40 AI and a more competitive future13:20 What school really means today14:40 Does the education system prepare kids for the future?17:20 Losing a carefree childhood18:25 Emotional awareness at a young age22:10 Understanding insecurities and healing24:10 What success means to the next generation28:30 One subject that should be added in school30:10 What adults should know about kids today👍 If you found this episode meaningful, like, subscribe, comment, and share it with someone who needs it today.🔔 Follow Nicole Lee and the You Never Know Podcast, where we talk about life, career, finance, and health with visionary people who’ve taken the unconventional road and embraced the unknown.---🔗 Connect with Joshua Goh🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-goh-joon-kai/?originalSubdomain=sg🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#34 — Sales Is Like Dating: Rejection, 38x Returns & Private Markets In Asia | Jahnavi Bhagwati: "Learn To Walk Away." "Find Ways To De-Risk."
Dec 1800:49:14Tap to summarizeSales is like dating. You read the signals. You invest the time. And sometimes, you get ghosted.In this episode of the You Never Know Podcast, host Nicole Lee sits down with Jahnavi Bhagwati, founder of Koka Capital, as she shares candid insights on sales and private markets in Asia from over a decade in finance and deal-making at Goldman Sachs, Nomura, and Bank of Singapore.From learning how to set boundaries as a young saleswoman, to why investors in Asia are increasingly drawn to private equity despite illiquidity and risk, this conversation unpacks the realities behind headline-grabbing returns, why AI continues to dominate attention in private markets, how investors can better discern quality investment opportunities, and what it really takes to build a business when income is uncertain and rejection is constant.If you’re interested in sales, finance, private markets, or entrepreneurship, this one’s for you.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:35 From modelling & acting to banking03:55 What being a woman in finance really means05:50 Sales, boundaries & self-respect11:35 Femininity, power & how to show up at work13:30 Leaving banking & building Koka Capital16:55 Entrepreneurship, runway & surviving the early years20:55 Trust, relationships & how deals really work in Asia23:30 Why checks move faster in Asia25:40 Why investors in Asia are drawn to private markets27:15 Illiquidity, exits & managing private equity risk29:20 Do brand names matter more than fund performance?31:20 How investors decide where to allocate34:35 US vs Asia: where capital is flowing36:30 AI investing: hype, momentum & discernment39:40 Advice for entrepreneurs starting out44:30 Rejection, ghosting & why sales is like dating46:35 What modelling taught her about rejection47:30 Motherhood, ambition & balance🌐 Jahnavi Bhagwati is currently Founder of Koka Capital — a capital introducer and M&A advisor for private and listed investment opportunities.👍 If you found this episode meaningful, like, subscribe, comment, and share it with someone who needs it today.🔔 Follow Nicole Lee and the You Never Know Podcast, where we talk about life, career, finance, and health with visionary people who’ve taken the unconventional road and embraced the unknown.---🔗 Connect with Jahnavi Bhagwati🌐 LinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/jahnavi-bhagwati-a06112118 🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
Transcribe →#33 — How To Get Promoted In Banking | Philip Kunz on Pay, Politics & Leadership: “Sucking Up To Your Boss Doesn’t Help Much.” “Your Peers Are The Most Influential As You Rise In Leadership.”
Dec 200:51:21Tap to summarizeVeteran banking leader Philip Kunz dismantles the biggest myths about rising in banking — from promotions and politics to influencing people who don’t report to you.Across 40 years in wealth management, Philip held senior leadership roles at UBS, ABN AMRO, and Credit Suisse, led Global Private Banking for South Asia at HSBC, and is now Senior Advisor & Group Head Southeast Asia at Nomura International Wealth Management.In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to rise — and stay — at the top of global financial institutions: how to navigate complex matrix organizations, what to do when politics and perception turn against you, and the real responsibilities that come with senior leadership beyond the title.If you work in banking, finance, wealth management, or any large matrix organization, this episode will reshape how you think about career growth, influence, and leadership.Chapters:00:00 – Intro02:50 – Can you be “nice” and still make it to the top?05:18 – Kind vs soft: authenticity, respect & tough conversations06:48 – Navigating complex matrix organizations08:32 – Influencing without authority: why peers matter most11:30 – Standing out among ambitious peers14:28 – Promotions: merit, perception, relationships19:25 – Pay, entitlement & sustainability in private banking24:10 – Promotion frameworks, transparency & manager responsibilities28:25 – What is politics in the corporate world?33:28 – How to recover when perception turns against you37:45 – At the top: does it get easier or harder?40:25 – Tough decisions: retrenchments & impact on people42:12 – The privilege and burden of senior leadership44:50 – From apprentice to MD46:40 – What keeps Philip going48:28 – Traits of the most respected senior leaders50:05 – What “You Never Know” means to Philip51:45 – Closing👍 If you found this episode meaningful, like, subscribe, comment, and share it with someone who needs it today.🔔 Follow Nicole Lee and the You Never Know Podcast, where we talk about life, career, finance, and health with visionary people who’ve taken the unconventional road and embraced the unknown.---🔗 Connect with Philip Kunz🌐 LinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/philip-marcus-kunz-9b0b45186 🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme📲 Instagram / TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme
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