Sau Sheong Chang—Chief Technology Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of GovTech Singapore, and bestselling author of two Go-language books—drops by to code-switch with Michael & Raz on the future of technical leadership. From writing his first lines of C to shipping SingPass Mobile for five million citizens, Sau Sheong reveals how hands-on coding sharpens executive judgment, why GovTech runs like a startup inside the state, and how AI-augmented teams will rewrite the engineer’s career map over the next five years.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why he still writes code as a CTO

• Data-driven leadership lessons from GovTech, PayPal, & SP Group
• AI’s impact on software-engineering careers over the next 5 years
• Building “startup culture” inside government
• Counter-intuitive takeaways for building products
• The one thing he’d tell his 20-year-old self

• 
  

00:00 Introduction02:00 Writing and Publishing Books on Code02:24 Early Coding Journey and Java Era04:36 Transition to Ruby and Go09:31 Career Path and Opportunities12:43 Leading Engineering and Business Teams20:35 Singapore's Unique Tech Journey31:28 GovTech's Role and Responsibilities31:50 Smart Nation Initiative and Govtech34:15 The Role of AI in Software Engineering38:59 Impact of AI on Various Professions49:33 Advice for Startups and Engineers54:58 Reflections and Personal Insights

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp
• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282

Guest:

• Sae Sheong Chang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sausheong/

Resources & Links:

• GovTech Singapore: https://www.tech.gov.sg
• SP Group: https://www.spgroup.com.sg
• Temasek: https://www.temasek.com.sg
• Yuu Rewards: https://www.yuu.sg
• Codeium: https://www.codeium.com
• Revenge of the Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell): https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Tipping-Point-Overstories-Superspreaders/dp/B0D5RFG8KQ/

Kevin Brockland, CFA, founder & managing partner of Indelible Ventures, sits down with Michael & Raz to map out what it really takes to build—and fund—tech-enabled B2B startups that can scale internationally. From choosing Malaysia as a launchpad to running a lean, AI-driven fund, Kevin shares the operator tactics and investor discipline that turn regional bets into global wins.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Malaysia? Kevin’s contrarian thesis for basing a seed fund there—and the flywheel it unlocks
• Fundraising mastery: data-room hygiene, crisp narratives, and the art of saying “no”
• AI for VCs: specific automations Kevin uses to source, screen, and support deals
• Customer support = revenue: why most founders under-invest and how to fix it
• Building global-first B2B companies out of Southeast Asia—step-by-step guidance
• Well-being hacks: Kevin’s mental & physical regimen for sustainable performance
• One thing he’d tell his 20-year-old self that every emerging manager should hear

00:00 Introducing Kevin and Indelible Ventures04:06 Challenges of Raising a Fund in Malaysia09:31 The Role of AI in Emerging Markets19:18 Importance of Data Rooms for Startups23:44 Why We Invest: Decision-Making Insights30:01 The Importance of Saying No31:12 Tech-Enabled B2B Startups31:56 Understanding Consumer vs. B2B Markets32:58 The Evolution of Tech Ecosystems36:48 Customer Support as a Revenue Generator43:44 Challenges and Opportunities in ASEAN54:25 Advice to My 20-Year-Old Self56:13 Maintaining Physical and Mental Health58:17 Recommended Podcasts and Books

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp
• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282

Guest:

Kevin Brockland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

Resources & Links:

• Indelible Ventures: https://indelible.vc/
• Portfolio: https://indelible.vc/portfolio
• Kinetix Pro: https://www.kinetixpro.ai/
• K-Link: https://www.klink.cloud/
• Shoppable Business:https://shoppable.ph/
• The Next Big Idea podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-big-idea/id1482067226
• Blinkist (book-summary app): https://www.blinkist.com/
• Lightspeed Venture Partners “Southeast Asia: Resetting Expectations” report: https://lsvp.com/stories/southeast-asia-resetting-expectations/
• The Big Bang Theory (TV series): https://www.warnerbros.com/tv/big-bang-theory

In this episode of The Generalists Podcast, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Alan Soon, Co-Founder & CEO of Splice Media, to discuss:

• His journey from radio and TV newsrooms across Asia to roles at CNBC and Yahoo
• The community-driven success of Splice Beta and its impact on media entrepreneurship
• Transitioning into a media entrepreneurship coach, Alan explains how AI and live community events are transforming journalistic practice.
• Navigating mid-life - not a crisis but an opportunity

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/
• Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/ ⁠

Guest:

Alan Soon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansoon/

Resources & Links:

• Splice Media: https://splicemedia.com
• Splice Beta: https://splicemedia.com/beta-2025
• Splice Nano: https://splicemedia.com/nano
• Yahoo: https://www.yahoo.com
• CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com
• Computerworld: https://www.computerworld.com
• Do Not Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen: https://a.co/d/eIEK1t2

• 75% of small businesses get rejected for loans - but what if the system is rigged? Michel de Rijk, Founder of Kredit Hero, exposes why traditional SME lending is broken and reveals how AI-powered marketplaces are revolutionizing business financing across Asia.In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Michel de Rijk, Founder of Kredit Hero, to discuss:
• • His journey from adtech (iWonder) to building programmatic platforms like Xaxis and leading growth at S4 Capital
  • Co-founding 19Volt’s venture-builder model and launching Kredit Hero, an AI-powered SME lending marketplace in the Philippines
  • How Kredit Hero matches lenders and borrowers digitally—closing Asia’s SME financing gap with speed, transparency, and competitive pricing
• 
  

• 00:00 Introduction & Episode Kickoff 00:17 Meeting Michel de Rijk & Singapore Journey 02:21 Building Xaxis & Programmatic Advertising 03:41 Transition to S4 Capital & Global Growth 11:48 Launching 19Volt & Venture Building Model 14:17 Kredit Hero: SME Lending Revolution 32:39 Lender–Borrower Matching & Transparency 34:20 Philippines Launch: Market Impact 35:18 Revenue Model & Competitive Advantage 35:59 Career Reflections & Ecosystem Challenges 50:38 Balancing Work, Life & Physical Wellness Hosts:

  • Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/
  • Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/ ⁠

  Guest:

  • Michel de Rijk: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mderijk/ ⁠

  
  

  Resources & Links:

  • The Generalists Podcast: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast ⁠
  • Kredit Hero: ⁠https://kredithero.com 19Volt: https://www.19volt.com
  • S4 Capital: ⁠https://www.s4capital.com⁠
  • WPP: ⁠https://www.wpp.com/⁠

  
  

  #GeneralistsPodcast #SmallBusinessLending #FintechTrends

In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Mimi Nicklin, Empathy Advocate, to discuss:

• Transforming leadership through empathy—drawing on frameworks from her bestselling books and training over 16,500 leaders
• Tackling workplace loneliness via the OpenRoom initiative and comparing Southeast Asia’s evolving business ecosystem to Europe
• Operationalizing empathy across organizations, including the generalist-versus-specialist debate and practical steps for building empathetic cultures

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/
• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/

Guest:

• Mimi Nicklin – Empathy Advocate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miminicklin/

Resources & Links:

• Empathy Everywhere: https://www.empathyeverywhere.co/
• Softening the Edge – Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Softening-Edge-Mimi-Nicklin/dp/9948340094
• Empathy at Work – Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Empathy-At-Work-Using-Change/dp/811972643X
• The MiMi YouYou Show (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mimi-youyou-show-creating-empathy/id1687806240
• Mimi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxv635q-WB871-OA6KuUdpg
• The Cafe on the Edge of the World: https://www.amazon.sg/Cafe-Edge-World-Story-Meaning/dp/0991392051

In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Paul Hadjy, VP APAC Cybersecurity Services at Bitdefender and co-founder & former CEO of Horangi, to discuss:

• Building and scaling a cloud security startup in the APAC region

• Navigating an eight-year journey to acquisition by Bitdefender

• Leveraging AI and vast endpoint data for next-generation cyber defense

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/

• Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/

Guest:

• Paul Hadjy – VP APAC Cybersecurity Services (Bitdefender; ex-Horangi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-hadjy-316a026/

Resources & Links:

• Horangi: https://www.horangi.com/

• Bitdefender: https://www.bitdefender.com/
• Palantir: https://www.palantir.com/

• Landman (TV series on Paramount+): https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/landman/
• Yellowstone (TV series on Paramount+): https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/yellowstone/
• Sicario (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/
• Billions (TV series): https://www.sho.com/billions
• Succession (TV series): https://www.hbo.com/succession
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205
• The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681

• 
  

In this special solo episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler celebrate one year of podcasting and share the lessons learned from building their show as a product.

You’ll discover:

• How content creation challenges led to unexpected rewards
• The role of analytics and listener feedback in driving growth
• Tips for maintaining work-life balance and finding a natural on-air flow

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/

Razko Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/

Resources & Links:

• Poddster: https://singapore.poddster.com
• Studio Direction: http://www.studiodirection.com
• Hot Ones (First We Feast): https://www.youtube.com/c/FirstWeFeas
• DaVinci Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
• ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/
• YouTube Studio: https://studio.youtube.com/