Modern Idealist Valerie Leung and Meryn Willetts

In this captivating installment, we sat down for a chat with Dennis Yao Yu, a true champion for diversity and a fervent advocate for highlighting minorities, with a particular focus on the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community. Dennis shares a wealth of insights drawn from his experiences in the heart of big tech and corporate life in Silicon Valley and the West Coast.
Dennis delves into the critical importance of cultivating robust professional networks, especially for Asian American and Pacific Islander professionals who, according to a recent study by Coqual, face unique challenges in career advancement (being least likely” to say they have been promoted at their current companies and “significantly less likely" to say they have strong networks).
He unravels the power of 'Otherness' and how embracing our differences can drive personal and professional growth. His talks on 'Otherness is a feature, not a bug' cut through to showcase the true value that inclusive and diverse workplaces bring.
Drawing inspiration from the legendary Bruce Lee's philosophy of 'being like water,' Dennis empowers individuals to find their voices and advocate for themselves. As he puts it, "closed mouths don't get fed," and he offers invaluable guidance on how to speak up and make a lasting impact.
Prepare to be energised and inspired as Dennis shares his journey and insights on navigating the corporate landscape while championing diversity. It's an episode that will leave you motivated to forge your own path and create meaningful change.

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Welcome back to another episode of Modern Idealist, a podcast for career driven professionals striving to make an impact in today’s fast paced society. I’m Valerie Leung. And we’ve brought on a very smart and data-driven friend of Modern Idealist today, Tony Senanayake, is a Chief Strategy Officer at Fortify Health, a non-profit that provides micronutrient-rich wheat flour to combat iron-deficiency anemia. He's passionate about development economics, public policy, and using data and evidence to amplify impact for people on the ground. He talks to us about data driven development and how he has been working with data driven methods to ensure and further his impact. If you stick around to the second half of the episode, we get into how development work, which often receives philanthropy funding, looks out on the ground. 



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Tell us what you enjoyed and what you want to hear more on! 
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*RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE EPISODE*
Doctors Without Borders Video, Anti-racism: When you picture Doctor Without Borders, what do you see?

Book: Poor Economics, by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo Banerjee

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention




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Suggested: Listen on 1.2x! Welcome back to another exciting episode, where we delve into the raw and honest experiences of individuals living and working abroad. In this episode, we'll explore the international life in Norway, focusing on navigating relationships, work, and dating, and providing personal tips and insights on how to thrive abroad, particularly in Norway and the Nordic region. Join us as we uncover the joys and challenges of building a life as foreigners.




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Rethinking Sustainable Finance with Rodolphe Bocquet
In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Rodolphe Bocquet, a distinguished sustainable investment and policy expert, to delve into the world of sustainable finance. Rodolphe brings a vast array of knowledge and experience in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainable investments, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance and sustainability.
Our discussion begins by introducing Rodolphe and exploring his extensive background in the field. We learn about his diverse expertise and the factors that fueled his passion for sustainable finance. From there, Rodolphe shares valuable insights and reflections on his career journey, including the challenges he encountered while advocating for sustainable practices within the financial industry and sustainability field.
One of the key highlights of this episode is Rodolphe's proposition to reimagine the term "ESG." He argues that calling it "GSE" (Governance, Sustainability, and Environment) might be a more efficient way to achieve our hairy sustainability goals. We delve into the limitations of the existing terminology and the potential benefits of adopting this alternative order.
As the conversation progresses, Rodolphe outlines his vision for the future of sustainable finance. We discuss the role of policymakers, businesses, and individuals in driving change and achieving sustainable development goals. Rodolphe also shares practical advice for aspiring professionals looking to make a difference in this field.
Throughout the episode, we engage in a dynamic and insightful conversation that challenges our preconceptions about sustainable finance. Our reflections on the discussion underscore the importance of reevaluating our approaches and embracing a more comprehensive mindset in order to create a truly sustainable financial system.
Tune in to learn from Rodolphe Bocquet's vast experience, and discover why the term "GSE" might be a game-changer. Join us as we explore the path towards a more sustainable and equitable financial future.

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Valerie meets up with Bjørn Kjetil Mauritzen, Head of Sustainability from Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company. It is also one of the world’s largest aluminum company. We discuss the hot topics of industrial sustainability, holistic value chain approaches and innovations applied in the heavy industries towards sustainability. Aluminum production is deeply complex as it has heavy carbon emissions, it is extractive of raw material, and could create toxic chemicals in production that results in polluting local waters. On the other hand, it is known to be the greener metal compared to the other metals as it is largely recyclable, and has a big recyclable potential.  In addition, Bjørn shares his intriguing personal journey, tracing their transition from the world of crude oil trading to their current pivotal role in industrial sustainability.

Through this enlightening episode, we gain invaluable insights into the strategic approach adopted by the Hydro company to navigate the intricate landscape of sustainability while maintaining profitability. Our guest unveils the very tangible challenges encountered along the way, with a particular focus on the intricate interplay between aluminum and key industries such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries, renewable energy, and the elusive realm of consumer behavior.

With EVs revolutionizing the automotive sector, we unravel the vital relationship between aluminum production and the quest for sustainable battery technologies. Bjørn Kjetil offers a wealth of knowledge on the concerted efforts being made to ensure that aluminum production processes and supply chains align seamlessly with sustainable practices, mitigating the environmental impact associated with EV battery manufacturing.

But our exploration does not stop there. We shed light on the profound significance of fair trade within the aluminum industry, as our guest emphasizes the critical need for inclusive practices that extend benefits to all stakeholders. The path to a greener and fairer aluminum industry is to prioritize the well-being of communities, workers, and marginalized groups.

Join us in discussion as we peel back the layers of industrial sustainability challenges, delve into the innovative and value chain opportunities that lie within, and continue the progression towards a fairer trade for all stakeholders concerned.



Correction of the New York's tax free bagel: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/19/1170715220/tax-free-bagel-loophole-sandwich-tax


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Meryn and Valerie reunite on air after a brief hiatus caused by Meryn's loss of voice due to illness. While Valerie has been traversing the states, from New York to North Carolina, Meryn has been holding it down in Oslo, Norway. Join us as we catch up on our respective journeys and dive deep into discussions surrounding work-life setups and the complexities of privilege and materialism. We contemplate the privileges we enjoy and the material setups they possess, including the finer things in life, financial stability, luxury, wealth, careers, salaries, and overall well-being. Honesty being the core principle of our podcast, Meryn and Valerie question our own actions and aspirations, delving into the paradoxical nature of striving for success within a discriminatory and capitalistic system.

One intriguing topic emerges during the conversation is the rising trend of building passive income, particularly through real estate ownership, among middle-income individuals. We explore the ethical dilemmas and conflicting implications associated with this growing phenomenon, challenging its impact on society and personal values.

Additionally, Valerie drops an exciting career update and talks about feeding her latest insights into updating her theory of change.

Tune in and let us know what you think!
Resources mentioned on the show : -Instagram skits: Shabazsays (https://instagram.com/shabazsays?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==)

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