Today I Learned
Today I Learned
BFM Media
The world is in debt, but who are we in debt to? Pro-wrestling is fake, so why do we love it? These are the kinds of discussions we have on Today I Learned -- a weekly show exploring a plethora of topics, to satisfy your curious mind!
How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud
Most people think they're too smart to fall for a scam, but the data says otherwise. In this episode, we break down how credit card fraud actually happens in Malaysia, who's really at risk, and exactly what to do if it happens to you. We get into it with guest Winnie Chan, Ombudsman (Capital Markets and Banking, Islamic Banking and Payment Systems) at the Financial Markets Ombudsman Service.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 3
31 min
Why Are Animal Crossings Important?
Looking back at the many human-wildlife conflicts that have ended in catastrophe, one thing that's common in the aftermath is the renewed calls for additional protections and improved wildlife crossing structures. We look at how Malaysia’s wildlife crossings shape up to international standards and unpack why they’re important with Lim Teck Wyn, Adjunct Lecturer of Environmental Sciences at University of Nottingham Malaysia. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 27
37 min
How Do You Get Good at Chess?
Chess is having a moment, from packed local meetups to online creators bringing the game to new audiences. In Kuala Lumpur, FriendsWhoChess has grown into one of the city's biggest chess communities, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to seasoned competitors. We speak to the club's founders about why chess continues to captivate people, how newcomers can get started without feeling intimidated, what separates casual players from grandmasters, and whether AI is changing how we play and learn the game.Image Credit: FriendsWhoChessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 20
39 min
Has the FIFA World Cup Ever Been Politically Neutral?
If you've been following the 2026 World Cup, you've obviously seen the football, but you've also probably seen a lot of Donald Trump. The US President made himself part of the tournament after FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded him the organisation's first-ever "Peace Prize" in December. Fast forward to the Folarin Balogun decision, where one phone call from Trump was enough to reverse a red card on a US player. Fans, coaches, and lawmakers called it a clear breach of FIFA's political neutrality. To many people, the way politics is impacting the game might seem new, but has it ever really been any different? We discuss this with James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and one of the most-cited voices on sport and politics. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13
36 min
What Makes A City Child-Friendly?
We often talk about how increasing urbanisation means that children today no longer have childhoods where they can run freely, climb trees and play in the rain. In our bustling, densely populated urban centres, can children still thrive, live a quality life and participate in the city’s progress? To find out more about what makes a city child-friendly, we’re speaking to Janisha Keerthi Saravanan, Former Secretary of the Petaling Jaya Child Council and Tiara Shahrani Shahrom, Creative & Program Director of Cotton Space.Image Credit: Shutterstock*Note: This podcast picture was edited with generative AISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 6
32 min
What Environmental Toxins Are Really Doing to Us
Microplastics, air pollution, contaminated water, pesticides—we’re exposed to environmental toxins every day, often without realising it. But how much are these exposures actually affecting our health? Are they getting worse, and what could that mean for future generations? We explore what the science says about pollutants in our food, water, and air; whether the body can recover from these exposures; the myths surrounding "detoxing"; and how well Malaysia is monitoring and regulating the environmental risks around us.Image Credit: PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 29
34 min
Why is Yoga Still Relevant?
Amidst a revolving door of fitness and lifestyle trends, yoga continues to resonate with millions of people around the world. But how has it evolved from its ancient beginnings, and how does it benefit us in the modern world? Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 22
40 min
What Does It Mean To Flourish?
Flourishing isn't a word we often use in everyday life, but perhaps we should. In a world that constantly tells us to chase happiness, success, productivity, or self-improvement, many of us still find ourselves feeling exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled. So on this episode of Today I Learned, we explore whether flourishing might offer us a different way of thinking about what it means to live well. Joining us is Dr Eugene Tee, Professor of Psychology at HELP University and author of the book "The Science of Flourishing: What Psychological Research Tells Us About Living Well." Together we explore the difference between happiness and flourishing, why constantly chasing happiness can sometimes leave us feeling emptier, and how flourishing may involve embracing the full complexity of life, including struggle and uncertainty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15
39 min
What Are Hope Spots & Why Do They Matter For Ocean Conservation?
It’s World Ocean Day today, so what better opportunity to dive into the wonders of the marine world? As we all have heard before, the ocean makes up 70% of the Earth’s surface and plays a key role in regulating the planet’s climate. So in a world where climate change is wreaking havoc on the marine environment, what can we do to protect it? We speak to Shannon McIntyre Rake, Hope Spots Programme Manager with Mission Blue, about the network of 170 Hope Spots (and counting!) that they’re building and how we can all do our part. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 8
34 min
Why Malaysia Experiences Earthquakes
Thanks to recent earthquakes like the 7.1 magnitude that struck Kota Belud, Sabah in February 2026 and the 4.1 magnitude that hit Segamat, Johor in August 2025, Malaysians are starting to realise that our country is not free of seismic risks. But just how high is the risk of the next earthquake, and how alarmed do we need to be? We find out from Prof Emeritus Dato' Dr Ibrahim Komoo, an engineering geologist and Head of Sustainability and Planetary Health Cluster from Akademi Profesor Malaysia. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25
36 min
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