Shows
Apptivate: App Marketing ExplainedHow an airline's app is turning loyalty into currency - Udhara de Silva (Singapore Airlines)Udhara de Silva, who leads loyalty marketing for Singapore Airlines in Australia, walks through the launch and rapid growth of Kris+, the digital rewards app that enables members to earn and spend miles in restaurants and retail stores – a first for any airline rewards app outside of Singapore. The discussion tracks why Australia was chosen as the testbed, the challenges of localizing a QR-based payment app in a card-centric market, and the dual work of building merchant trust and user habits from zero. Udhara details what drives engagement, how to “double dip” on points, and why genuine merchant partnerships matter...2025-07-0927 min
Let's Talk LoyaltyFlying High with Kris+: Growing Singapore Airlines’ Loyalty in Australia (#679)This episode is available in audio format on our Let's Talk Loyalty podcast and in video format on www.Loyalty.TV.Udhara De Silva is the Head Loyalty Marketing for Singapore Airlines in Australia, being involved in the successful launch of Kris+ in in November 2023, and growing the Australian KrisFlyer member base to become the largest outside of Singapore and localising the global KrisFlyer programme content to resonate with Australian consumers and anchor the Singapore Airline brand. Hosted by Carly Neubauer This episode is sponsored by ComarchShow Notes:1) Udha...2025-06-1931 min
Let's Talk Loyalty#537: Singapore Airlines Launches Kris+ in AustraliaThis episode is available in audio format on our Let's Talk Loyalty podcast and in video format on www.Loyalty.TV.Today brings another exciting opportunity to discuss airline loyalty and share the story of the launch of Kris+, the lifestyle rewards app of Singapore Airlines from KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of Singapore Airlines Group.Australia is the largest market for Singapore Airlines outside of its home base, and we were thrilled with the opportunity to hear about their achievements in such a mature loyalty market.Our guest is Udhara de Silva, Head L...2024-05-1635 min
A Life Less OrdinaryTaking Batik to New Places: Fern Chua, MalaysiaFern Chua is the award-winning founder of FERN, a Malaysian sustainable and high-end fashion label rediscovering the elegance of the ancient Asian fabric art form, Batik. Fern and I chatted earlier this year on the unexpected path that led her to Batik, the challenges building and growing her team of artisans from the ground up, and pushing the boundaries of the UNESCO listed heritage. Check out FERN’s incredible looks at fern.gallery or follow @fernbatikcollective on Instagram.2021-12-1853 min
A Life Less OrdinaryCreating Australia’s First Anti-Racist Comedy Club: Tina Zaman, AustraliaTina Zaman is a comedian, writer, teacher and founder of Tight5Comedy a unique platform in Sydney’s comedy scene. Tight5’s comedians of colour and allies have entertained thousands of fans, handpicked for their originality and social impact. Acts are empowered to explore both their comedic and cultural identities in careful curated venues from theatres in Sydney’s Inner West to Ethiopian restaurants in the outer suburbs of the city. Show host Udhara chatted with Tina about growing up in Los Angeles, how she landed in Australia by way of a teaching gig in Korea, and why she decided to double...2021-08-0351 min
A Life Less OrdinaryThe Relentless Optimist: Matthew Chapman, Singapore & New ZealandMatthew Chapman is an entrepreneur and investor who has mastered the art of relationship building. His company ChapmanCG finds HR leaders for the world’s leading companies. He's an investor in Bawah Reserve, a luxurious and sustainable tropical island retreat that's a Condé Nast Traveler Top 10 resort of Asia. And he's a co-founder of the 300km Snowman Race in Bhutan, one of the world's toughest ultra-marathons in the world, focused on raising awareness of climate change. He does all this while living on a farm, Parihoa, in coastal New Zealand with his many collaborators working all over the plane...2020-12-0948 min
A Life Less OrdinaryOn writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri LankaT.P. Tovenaar is a writer from London, born to Sri Lankan parents. For the last decade, she’s called Colombo home. Her book, 'Mum’s the Word', is a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about the relationship between a Sri Lankan mother and her British-born daughter, both trying to live within a complex mix of cultures, customs and environment. The stories light-heartedly remind us that we’re more than our place of birth and that immigration isn’t a bad thing. Show host Udhara and Tovenaar spoke about her career at the BBC, how she l...2020-08-041h 12
A Life Less OrdinaryThe Warrior of Singapore’s Kranji Countryside: Ivy Singh-Lim, SingaporeIvy Singh-Lim founded Bollywood Veggies Organic Farm with her husband in Kranji, a northwestern suburb about 22 kilometres from the towering skyline of Singapore, showing an alternative, greener side to the country. Visitors can explore the village-like tropical farm, eat a mouth-watering, farm-to-table Nasi Lemak served on a banana leaf, and learn about the history of food and its influence on civilisation. In our Season 2 finale, hosts Vanessa Fernandez and Udhara de Silva visited her home in the middle of the farm, where she lives with her husband and dogs. They spoke about: how she decided to start...2019-05-0452 min
A Life Less OrdinaryBecoming MoneySmart: Vinod Nair, SingaporeVinod Nair used the last of his life savings to set up a website and hire an intern. Today, that website, MoneySmart.sg, is Southeast Asia’s leading personal finance portal, helping people compare loans, insurance, and credit cards. There’s been a lot of press coverage in Singapore about the big wins of his career, but show hosts Vanessa Fernandez and Udhara de Silvaspent time with him in MoneySmart HQ to talk about: Scaling MoneySmart from bootstrapped to funded company The Singaporean approach to personal financial How to find trustworthy financial experts The financial landscape of Singapore A Life Less Ord...2019-04-2654 min
A Life Less OrdinaryIrreverence is an Asset: Rosalyn Lee (Rozz), SingaporeRosalyn Lee, or Rozz, is a Singaporean radio DJ and TV host with an incredibly adventurous career. She has featured in Elle and Esquire magazines, hosted Singapore’s hottest radio shows, and interviewed everyone from Lana del Ray to Gene Simmons. She has not one but two travel shows. The first is Rozz Recommends, where she explores the world on her terms. Highlights include her journey exploring Iran and surviving sub-zero temperatures at the North Pole. The second is Weird Food Diaries on Singapore’s Channel 5. Show hosts Vanessa and Udhara visited Rozz at her home to talk about the challenges...2019-03-281h 03
The Glow Life Podcast#55 Digital Nomad Life and Creativity with Udhara de SilvaUdhara de Silva is a world traveler, an Entrepreneur, owns a production company, Nomads Bazaar, hosts the interview series "A Life Less Ordinary" on Apple Podcasts and works with different brands on their commercial content. He has a deep desire to be creative and earn a living through his creativity. The desire to build things, the desire to make some sort of positive impact on the world around him is what truly drives him. In today's episode, we talk about Living life as a digital nomad, as Udhara lived in 7 countries and moved 28 times by the age of 29 The power of...2019-02-1249 min
A Life Less OrdinaryHow to Make Things Cool: Andrew Ing, Singapore Andrew Ing creates culture for a living, whose career is based on combining the cool with the commercial. In the early 90s he promoted concerts in Hong Kong for artists likes Diana Ross, Simply Red and Public Enemy. He then moved to Singapore to turn the nightclub Zouk into one of the top 10 clubs in the world and bringing electronic music culture to South East Asia. Today, he’s the Chief Operating Office of The Lo & Behold Group, a hospitality group that owns a few of Singapore’s hottest spots to eat, sleep, drink, and party. Vanessa and Udhara chatted to Andre...2019-01-1642 min
A Life Less OrdinaryThe King of the Jacket: Thomas Wee, SingaporeThomas Wee is a Singaporean fashion designer who has worked in the industry for over 4 decades. He is known for his masterful workmanship, cutting edge 3D forms and perfectly tailored suits. After building several high-end fashion labels serving South-East Asia’s elite, the “King of the Jacket” took to teaching fashion design and pattern drafting for 11 years, and eventually made a sensational comeback at the Audi Fashion Festival Singapore 2008. CNN’s Power List names Thomas as one of the 30 people who have shaped Singapore. Hosts Udhara and Vanessa chatted with him about many things, including: his childhood in colonial Singapore how his car...2018-12-071h 06
A Life Less OrdinaryBreaking World Records & Breaking Taboos: Theresa Goh, SingaporeTheresa Goh is the first female Singaporean swimmer to qualify for the Paralympics. Vanessa and Udhara met the world-record breaker to talk about her childhood, how athletes compete over milliseconds to win races, being an openly gay public figure, and why accessibility should be a given in any space. Theresa Goh is an ambassador for Singapore's LGBT non-profit, Pink Dot, a group for everyone, straight and gay, who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. If you loved this episode, check out our other episodes on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our show and pl...2018-11-1445 min
A Life Less OrdinaryFrom Creative Public Servant to Tech Exec: Nic Foo, Singapore Nicolas Foo has had a successful career with the Singapore Tourism Board, is a photographer whose experiences living in India inspired an exhibition, ‘For Your Approval, Please’, and has also been the head of business development for South-East Asia’s largest tech startup and ride-hailing platform, Grab. Vanessa and Udhara met Nic at The Analog Vault, a vinyl record store hand selected by Nic. They chatted to him about: his diverse career how his time living in India shaped him Singapore’s evolving narrative his sharp insights on the country’s future If you loved this episode, check out our other episod...2018-10-3156 min
A Life Less OrdinaryHelping the Underdog: Adrian Sim, SingaporeAdrian Sim is a volunteer with Singapore’s Workers’ Party, the only opposition party to have elected members in parliament in a political system led since 1959 by the People’s Action Party. Vanessa and Udhara sat down with Adrian at an ‘HDB’ apartment complex in Lorong Ah Soo, a Workers’ Party constituency, who shared: His story growing up in a low income household in Singapore Why he chose to join the opposition rather than achieve results through the ruling party Why he believes government needs to become more compassionate Thanks for listening to A Life Less Ordinary. If you loved this episode, c...2018-10-1741 min
A Life Less OrdinaryThe Sibling Co-Founders of The Working Capitol: Ben & Saranta Gattie, SingaporeBen and Saranta Gattie built The Working Capitol, a co-working space set up in a renovated former biscuit factory on Keong Saik Road. Since opening in 2015, it has become one of Asia’s leading co-working spaces. Hosts Vanessa & Udhara spoke to them at The Working Capitol about: Growing up as third culture kids Real estate in Singapore How they developed their business What ‘culture’ means at a place like The Working Capitol How the government and business work closely together to innovate Thanks for listening to A Life Less Ordinary. If you loved this episode, check out our other episodes on Apple...2018-10-1058 min
A Life Less OrdinaryRedefining Success by Embracing Individuality: Dr. Vanessa Von Auer, SingaporeDr. Vanessa Von Auer is one of Asia’s leading child experts and founded Singapore’s one-of-a-kind Integrated International School, where students get the complete opposite of a “one-size-fits-all” education. Dr. Von Auer invited Udhara and Vanessa to her school to talk about psychology and parenting in Asia, the challenges of building your own business, and education in Singapore. Thanks for listening to A Life Less Ordinary. If you loved this episode, check out our other episodes on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our show and please leave us a review. It’d mean the world to us!2018-10-0349 min
A Life Less OrdinaryThe Business of Design & the Design of Businesses: Jonathan Bonsey & John Palmer, SingaporeJonathan Bonsey and John Palmer have called Singapore home for the last 3 decades. Jonathan Bonsey runs Bonsey Design, a design agency which has built iconic Asian brands in entertainment, media, retail, and much more. John Palmer is a serial entrepreneur who’s built e-commerce, social media and aviation companies. Hosts Vanessa and Udhara had a chat in their office about: building companies from scratch and with millions of dollars design thinking and how design agencies work how Singapore has evolved over the last 30 years Thanks for listening to A Life Less Ordinary. If you loved this episode, check out our othe...2018-09-2654 min
A Life Less OrdinaryThe Magic of Acting: Tan Kheng Hua, SingaporeTan Kheng Hua is an award-winning actress and producer who has worked on projects in theatre, TV and film since the early 90s. She was the Empress Dowager on Netflix’s Marco Polo, has produced a critically acclaimed cabaret act, The Dim Sum Dollies, and most recently, played the role of Kerry Chu in the record-breaking, much loved Hollywood film, Crazy Rich Asians. Hosts Udhara and Vanessa chatted with Kheng about her career beginnings, the art of acting, and her views on everything from entertainment to ageing. If you loved this episode, subscribe to our show and le...2018-09-191h 14
A Life Less OrdinaryEverything with Soul: Vanessa Fernandez, SingaporeShow creator Udhara de Silva chats with co-host Vanessa Fernandez, who's been plugged into Singapore’s culture for the past 20 years. In this episode Vanessa gives us an overview on Singapore, enlightens us on its music history, talks about her career in radio, and gives us a sneak peak of our guests this season! Vanessa’s performed at music festivals such as the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Festival in France, Laneway Festival in Singapore, BIGSOUND in Australia, V-ROX in Russia, and the Concrete and Grass Festival in China. She’s released music with major record labels as well as indie labels. Besides mak...2018-09-121h 20
A Life Less OrdinaryStarting Up in Sri Lanka: Indi Samarajiva, Sri LankaOutspoken. Irreverent. No bullshit. These are rare qualities in Sri Lankan society, and even rarer for Sri Lankan influencers who run their own companies. Indi Samarajiva started YAMU, the digital guide to Colombo and Sri Lanka 5 years ago, and the way the company operates says a lot about its founder. Tanya & Udhara talked to him about moving back to Sri Lanka after growing up in North America, building a content company in a country whose startup culture is in its infancy, and his views on everything from Sri Lankan education to Buddhism. Visit www.alifelessordinary...2018-01-0755 min
A Life Less OrdinaryJaffna Boy: Danu Innasithamby, Sri LankaColombo is a city with many personalities – you have personalities and then you have Personalities with a capital P. The first lot are people that everybody knows because Sri Lanka is a small island, and Colombo is somewhat of a tiny bubble within the small island. These people are related to this person or that, who know so-and-so, and who live in the most exclusive parts of the city. But then there are the second group of people. The people known for what they do and who they’ve become. Danu Innasithamby is one of those people. A you...2017-11-301h 03
A Life Less OrdinaryAnonymous Creator: The Sooriya Village, Sri LankaThis episode’s guest has a life deeply rooted in music. His grandfather was a pioneering Sri Lankan pop music entrepreneur. And today, at just 25 years old, our guest is turning the Sri Lankan music industry on its head through the creative haven he founded, The Sooriya Village. The Sooriya Village gives musicians and creatives a space to compose, record, and perform their work. All the while, the Village initiates international collaborations so that local musicians can get the global audience that they deserve. During the recording of this episode, our guest revealed his preference to...2017-10-271h 12
A Life Less OrdinaryPolitical Provocateur: Venuri Perera, Sri LankaHave you ever been in a conversation with someone who seems to say things just to provoke a reaction? No matter what the topic is about? Often we just go with the flow and keep our cool. But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we react, in varying degrees of emotion. And sometimes, those provocations make us stop and think. Hosts Tanya & Udhara talked to performance artist Venuri Perera, discovering why she aims to push our buttons, the challenges of being an artist in Sri Lanka, and the difficulty and excitement that comes with creating your...2017-10-031h 02
A Life Less OrdinaryAdopted by an island: Alice Luker, Sri LankaTravel opens our eyes to so many different ways of living, different perspectives, different cultures, and of course, different kinds of cuisine. You could fall so deeply in love with a country, that you dream of one day living there and adopting it as your second home. Well that’s exactly what Alice Luker did. The British photographer and blogger, who by the way has taken pictures for Conde Nast Traveler and Nat Geo traveler, used her creativity and love of exploration to build an adventurous life in Sri Lanka. For the past few years, she’s been...2017-09-2548 min
A Life Less OrdinaryFailed builder, indifferent mathematician, personal trainer to the rich and infamous (and writer): Ashok Ferrey, Sri LankaHosts Tanya & Udhara talk to author of ‘Serendipity’, Ashok Ferrey, about his colourful life across many continents. He’s one of Sri Lanka’s best-selling authors in English and his latest book is ‘The Ceaseless Chatter of Demons’. This episode will show you how an interest in many different things, having several callings, can be an incredible asset. Ashok Ferrey’s upbringing is as diverse as his interests: born in Colombo, raised in East Africa, educated at a Benedictine monastery in the wilds of Sussex. Ferrey studied maths at Oxford University, ending up in the south of London where h...2017-09-151h 48
A Life Less OrdinaryPhotographing a 3000-year old martial art while working three jobs: Reza Akram, Sri LankaHosts Tanya & Udhara talk to Reza Akram, a Sri Lankan photographer who’s worked with the British Council, Al Jazeera, and the UN. He proves that everyone has a real chance to pursue their wildest dreams. And not just one chance, but many, many chances. But wildest dreams don’t come true overnight. It takes stamina, long-term thinking, and sacrifice. Out of his several projects, one that stands out to us are his incredible black and white photographs of Angampora fighters, which attracted the attention of the Huffington Post. You’ll find out what turned a university projec...2017-09-081h 06
A Life Less OrdinarySex, Drugs...and HIV: Hans Billimoria, Sri LankaEvery country has its taboos, and Sri Lanka is no different. 'Sex', 'drugs', and 'HIV' are all words that are uttered in hushed tones. To find out more, hosts Tanya & Udhara talked to Hans Billimoria from the Grassrooted Trust. He works with people living with HIV, people who use drugs, who sell sex, and people who have been marginalised due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. He also works with young people who’ve been sexually abused, cyber-stalked or bullied and conducts workshops and talks on healthy relationship behaviour. We understand that some of the topics we...2017-09-011h 26
A Life Less OrdinaryFour Years to Everest: Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala & Johann Peiris, Sri LankaWhen you think of a womens rights advocate and a hair-designer from the tropical isle of Sri Lanka, do you instantly jump to picture them conquering Mount Everest, one of the coldest and harshest places on earth? Well these are two people who did just that: one shines a light on gender equality, the other creates fabulous hair with acting and singing on the side, and when they’re not working – they scale a mountain or two. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala (@jayfemrock) is the first and only Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest (that’s 8,848 metres), and Johann Peiris (@Everest...2017-08-231h 10