What if the very conflicts in your life were actually the fuel for your creativity and success?

I had the honor of interviewing Tay Guan Hin – multi-award-winning creative leader, best-selling author of “Collide: Embracing Conflict to Boost Creativity”, and one of Asia’s most respected advertising minds. Guan Hin also shared invaluable insights on AI - some of the best I've heard in this era of FOMO-filled anxiety over AI.

He went from being the “black sheep” in a family of doctors to becoming the first Asian to win Best of Show in a major US student competition – a collision that launched a global creative career.

In this conversation, Tay shares:

• How a “collision” in his life led him from a family of doctors to a global creative career

• The student competition that made him the first Asian to win Best of Show and launched his advertising journey in the US

• Why conflict and tension are at the heart of every powerful story and every original idea

• How he used gaming and Fortnite to turn “killing to win” into “healing to win” and attract Gen Z into healthcare

• What really matters in the age of AI: taste, judgment, and lived experience

• Why average creatives (and average work) will be replaced by AI – and how to make sure you’re not one of them

• His very human take on success: resilience, showing up consistently, and surrounding yourself with the right people

This isn’t just a conversation about advertising. It’s about:

• Turning setbacks into superpowers

• Staying fresh and curious in a noisy world

• Using AI as an invisible tool – so the work feels human, not “AI-slop”

• Finding the courage to pursue a creative path, even when your environment tells you it’s “impractical”

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in your career choices, struggled with confidence, or wondered how AI will reshape creative work, this interview is for you.

And if you haven’t yet, check out Tay’s book “Collide: Embracing Conflict to Boost Creativity” – it’s a powerful guide to turning tension into ideas that truly stand out.

Excited to share this episode of ‘Inspiring You with Sylvia Yu’ featuring the global tastemaker Olga Iserlis, founder of Adagio Events! Olga is renowned for her artful storytelling, meticulous execution, and impeccable taste in curating elegant high-profile experiences for elite clients and top global luxury brands.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Olga’s journey to becoming a fixture in Singapore’s and international magazines, and why fearlessness is the immigrant’s superpower

• How to cultivate true elegance and taste from within (hint: it’s not about trends, it’s about intention and intuition)

• The art, responsibility, and privilege of creating world-class events for brands like Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Audemars Piguet, Longchamp, and bringing to Singapore the iconic Valentino Retrospective Exhibition, among other projects

• Building authentic connections, overcoming setbacks, and holding your values when the stakes are high

• Olga’s advice for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting to make their mark with integrity

Who will benefit: Meeting professionals, founders, creators, immigrants forging new paths, and anyone obsessed with the intersection of beauty, courage, and business. If you want to build something that lasts and do it your own way, this episode will motivate you.

If you’re a builder, a creative, or anyone who’s ever wondered where elegance and grit intersect, this conversation is for you.

Thrilled to share my latest interview with 90-year-old Joy Fox, a true walking phenomenon.

Joy is what researchers call a “superager”: someone in their 80s, 90s and beyond whose memory and cognitive function rival people decades younger. But Joy is so much more than a label.

In our conversation, she talks candidly about:

• Trailblazing in a Man’s World. Joy didn’t just break the glass ceiling; she shattered it. Her work in the male-dominated event planning industry paved the way for countless women to follow.

• Solo Travel Revolution. Joy’s advocacy for solo women travellers is reshaping how women see the world.

• The small daily routines – from walking and reading to staying socially connected – that keep her mind and body strong

• Why curiosity, humour and saying “yes” to new experiences have mattered more than strict diets or perfect habits

• How she’s coped with loss, loneliness and major life transitions, including the mindset shifts that helped her keep going

• Her views on independence at 90, and how to ask for help without losing your sense of self

• What gives her purpose now, and why she still makes plans for the future

Joy challenges so many of our assumptions about ageing. She’s sharp, funny, reflective and far more focused on living than on her age.

If you’re interested in longevity, brain health, or simply how to live a fuller life at any age, you’ll want to hear Joy’s perspective.

I’d love to hear your thoughts: What does “ageing well” mean to you and who is the “Joy” in your life who proves it’s possible?