Tank Talks Asia Podcast Pilot | Milken Institute Asia Summit 2025 "Why talk Asia?"

Episode Overview

In this very first episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank talks to some of the region’s most influential movers and shakers at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore.

TTA Producer and Milken insider Yeen Chong joins her to offer insights from an event that brings together billion-dollar investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are all helping to shape the future of Asia.

Featuring insights from leaders including Curtis Chin, Pandu Sjahrir, Lu Zhang, Steven Ciobo, Chinta Bhagat and more, this episode captures the optimism, urgency, and cultural energy driving what many believe is Asia’s decade.

Manisha and Yeen ask the question why Asia, and why now?

Featured Voices

Host: Manisha Tank

Producer and Co-host: Yeen Chong, Head of Communications, Milken Institute Asia

Voices from the Milken Institute Asia Summit: 

• Curtis S. Chin, Chair, Senior Fellows; Senior Advisor, Global Markets, Milken Institute; featured at 5:30 and 22:23
• Pandu Sjahrir, Chief Investment Officer, Danantara Indonesia; featured at 7:41 and 22:27
• Miro Lu, Founder & Managing Director, Perspective Media; featured at 9:25
• Lu Zhang, Founder & Managing Partner, Fusion Fund; featured at 11:18 and 22:17
• Chinta Bhagat, Managing Partner, Aries Holdings; featured at 13:39
• Steven Okun, Founder & CEO, APAC Advisors; featured at 15:14 and 22:05
• Steven Ciobo, Milken Institute Asia Fellow, Former Australian Minister of Trade, Tourism & Investment, & Minister for Defence Industry; featured at 16:11
• Billy Naveed, Founder & Chairman, Young Founders School; featured at 17:48
• Alicia Ng, VP, Head of R&D, Wider Asia, Haleon; featured at 19:34
• Laura Entwistle, Director of Strategic Partnerships; Unheard; featured at 20:58

Key takeaways from our guests

• Asia is no longer emerging — it’s driving global opportunity.
• The region’s diversity is its strength, not a challenge.
• Tech, especially AI, is reshaping every industry from China to Indonesia.
• Immigrant identity is a powerful entrepreneurial fuel.
• Geopolitical tensions require resilience, not fear.
• Growth must be balanced with awareness of ethical and societal issues.
• Culture, community, and family remain central to Asia’s identity.

Don’t miss out

We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com

And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia. 

Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production

Additional credit

The team would like to extend their thanks to artist, Tay Bak Chiang, whose painting appears behind Manisha and guests in all clips filmed at the Milken Institute Asia Summit.