Shit We Like

Podcasts You Need for Your Dull Commute to Work

By Rathika Sheila No Comments
Podcasts You Need for Your Dull Commute to Work

When I’m not spending quality time with Netflix or overthinking that one line of copy I wrote 2 weeks ago that could’ve been better now that I think about it, I’m listening to podcasts during my commute to and from work — unless Beyoncé’s got a new album (RIP everything else).

Here are some of my favourites channels to listen to:

Today, Explained

Brought to us by the same creators of Explained on Netflix, Today Explained condenses current affairs in America in 20 minutes…which can be exhausting because America. 

The show breaks down everything from myths on metabolism to Elon Musk’s breakdowns (I was rooting for you!) to how the United States has a role (and a rather important one at that) in the funding for the war in Yemen. And if you’re anything like me, aka will cry at the mention of “children were killed”, then do not start with episode ‘Could one man’s death change the conflict in Yemen?’ unless you’d like to cry in the train. I’m sorry passengers, I’m not usually like this.

You can listen to the show here.

Pretty Big Deal with Ashley Graham

To those unaware of the wonder that is Ashley Graham, she is essentially the face for the plus size community. She’s walked for brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Christian Siriano — as a size 18 (which is typically considered XXXXL in Asia) and that’s a pretty big deal because it’s no secret that the fashion industry is still working on embracing bigger models.

Ashley discusses body positivity, entrepreneurship, racial identity, the importance of being inclusive and more with guests like Noor Tagouri, Gabrielle Union and Kim Kardashian. She’s loud, proud and absolutely lovely. Get on it, f’reals.

You can listen to the show here.

The Guilty Feminist 

Before we get into it: being a feminist doesn’t mean hating men, okay? Please take your ignorance somewhere else. Like Google.

I’m a feminist but when a guy that I like refers to me as ‘his girl’ I don’t dislike it — which some feminists will see as me allowing myself to be referred to as property/enabling the construct of ownership. The Guilty Feminist hosts talks about the “insecurities, hypocrisies and fears” that underlie the feminist movement.

This show features a panel of women from various backgrounds (comedians, activists, entrepreneurs) who discuss everything from emotional labour to orgasms to what it means to push back. The conversation is about women but it’s not just for women — I find that men, who are open to learn, will be able to have a deeper understanding to the issues women have to work through via this podcast. It’s insightful and I always learn something new after each episode.

You can listen to the show here.

Business Wars

I’m curious to understand how products have the ability to shift our behaviour and how brands in the same industry position themselves to stand out in the market. Like Coca Cola and Pepsi, there’s a smaaaaall difference in its flavour (Coca Cola being the one that tastes better); competition is high and there’s little room to be different. Business Wars explains how and why (in a rather animated manner) they do it for, and what the outcome of their strategies have been like.

The host, David Brown, has compared brands like Netflix vs. Blockbuster, Nike vs. Adidas, Marvel vs. DC, Hearst vs. Pulitzer and many more! If you enjoy learning about the evolution of companies, markets and consumer behaviour, definitely start with its Coke vs. Pepsi  episode ‘cos that shit is sweet.

You can listen to the show here.

Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer

When people ask me why I don’t have a boyfriend yet, I usually ask the question back to them because honestly why won’t men date me? Is it because I don’t giggle enough? Do I have to twirl my hair to let them know that I’m interested? Is that the dating signal? Or is it my sarcasm? Hmm. That can’t be it.

I used to think that I was the only one who faced this issue of battling feeling undesirable and knowing that perhaps I’m just not the target audience of this market (thanks Advertising), until I listened to this show. Nicole Byer is entertaining and is the human equivalent of having bangers and mash on a rainy day; very comforting. She also shares anecdotes of her dating history and why she uses a photo of herself and a huge dildo as her profile picture on Tinder. Yes.

You can listen to the show here.

Unexplained

I love me a good ol’ conspiracy theory and/or unsolved mystery. There’s something about the unknown that’s very tempting but I’m not going to venture into anything on my own because I’m a little chicken shit. HOWEVER I will not stop at listening to other people’s experiences. That’s why we listen and share ghost stories even though we know damn well we can’t sleep after, right?

My best friend introduced me to this show, sharing an episode of how someone had tried to record bird songs from his garden but caught voices speaking to him through the transmissions at the same time. Did someone close-by tap into his frequency? Or were they from the other side? Goosebumps? Same, fam. But it’s too interesting to skip!

You can listen to the show here.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors on this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of C27, our CEO, the management, the fish in our fish tank, and/or all the awesome people within the agency. The content and opinions shared are the personal views of the author so please don’t sue us.

…or the author.

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By Rathika Sheila
Honest Shit

Sugar, Spice, and Everything that Makes me Anxious

By Rathika Sheila No Comments
Sugar, Spice, and Everything that Makes me Anxious

I use to view dealing with my anxiety the same way I do with the concept of marriage: unnecessary. 

I hoped it’d go away eventually. “Out of sight, out of mind” right? But the problem was in my mind, so it wasn’t going to solve itself, and only I could do something about it. I mean, if I don’t look after me, how will I take care of the 7 dogs that I want to have, right? (I’m really doing this for the dogs.) 

When I joined C27, I was pressed over not knowing what I could bring to the table — see, this table had dishes like Netflix, B.I.G., Spotify, Urbanscapes, and all I had to offer was juice. Were the people here thirsty to begin with? 

I’ve been dealing with my anxiety on my own for years, and I’ve made it a point to jot down triggers/patterns just so I can improve the way I treat it. I realised I felt it the most during my first few brainstorms.

My go-to thoughts were: 

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And in extreme situations, my anxiety attacks feel like:

The toughest one to deal with though, and what frustrates me the most about having anxiety is that everything can be going fine externally; I can have a great balance of work and personal time, healthy relationships, but I still have days where I wake up feeling unable to deal with this thing called Life.

It feels like there’s a deep void in my chest, and I can’t focus on anything. The best thing I can do though, is to sit still until the noise in my head becomes softer — which is sometimes the most difficult thing to do when you have responsibilities.

The “just tell yourself to be happy, and you’ll snap out of it!” practice does not work. It’s not even realistic because human beings aren’t programmed like that (and if anyone still believes in this, they are ignorant, please don’t listen to them). On a daily, I’m a “Problem? Fix it!” kind of girl, so it took me a whole lot to accept that it’s okay that I need to put in more time to be okay, and that I’m not weak because I feel this way.

It’s very easy to give into the idea of being ‘weak’ because I’m not in control of the situation. Worse still when I used to feel guilty about it, because “what do I have to feel anxious about, anyway? Things are going good for me!” But what happens on the outside, is not a measure for what’s felt internally.

Coming to terms that mental health issues have to be treated the same way I would any other health issue (the flu, a cough) made the recovery a little easier; accepting that it takes time to heal.

 

I’ve dealt with it by:
1. Sharing it from the get-go
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During my interview at C27, I mentioned what I was going through, and I was exceptionally nervous to bring it up. I thought my bosses wouldn’t understand, or would think I wasn’t valuable enough to be part of the team because of it. And that’s the scariest reality, right? Knowing that by putting yourself in a vulnerable position, it could result in you being unemployed, and having your bank account reach the same number as the decent, available men you’ve met in the last year (read: 0). But I had to do it because I needed to take care of myself first — even if that meant struggling to make ends meet for a while — and I didn’t want the team to be unprepared if anything did happen.

2. I let them know when I need space
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I am fortunate to work in a (mostly) progressive environment, and I know that’s not something everyone else is afforded. But if you can speak to someone in the company who can help, grab that opportunity the way you would a sale item from Zara. I’ve disclaimed my breaking points to my Creative Director and Project Managers just so they know how to plan my work and understand where I’m coming from when I say I need a break.

3. Finding a quiet corner
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This bit is particularly important because I need alone time. A lot of it. I can’t avoid from being around people forever, but I can spend my lunch breaks on my own watching Stephen Colbert or Kendrick Lamar eating cereal (it’s therapeutic, I s2g), and not having to try too hard to make conversations with people feels like the perfect day.

4. Writing my feelings out
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I carry my journal with me all day every day. And whenever the noise in my head becomes too loud, I find that writing my thoughts down helps me compartmentalise the issue better. Sometimes it could even just be writing “what the fuck” a dozen times. It’s not the most helpful material for self-reflection but it helps me feel better.

5. Having a friend to check-in with
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When I need a sounding board to reassure me that I am/am not overanalysing a situation, I text my best friends. And I’m clear with what it is I’m looking for (if it’s advice, or just to rant) so they also know how to respond to me. It’s good to have clear communication with people you trust just so you’re able to support one another’s needs.

That’s about it, really. Relatively simple steps that have helped me function better in my workplace.

On that note though, I still believe it’s painfully unfair that we feel like we have to neglect our mental health because of our jobs sometimes, or because we’re ridiculed with doubt of people not understanding our situations. So, I hope in light of the ‘new Malaysia’, and more people being vocal about their mental health experiences here, that companies provide better care and resources for their employees. Remember, nobody chooses to be sad or feel isolated; if we want to build stronger teams, it’s not about hiring the best people, it’s providing them with the tools to do it themselves.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors on this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of C27, our CEO, the management, the fish in our fish tank, and/or all the awesome people within the agency. The content and opinions shared are the personal views of the author so please don’t sue us.

…or the author.

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By Rathika Sheila
Fashion

Malaysian Retail Brands Worth Every Ringgit

By Rathika Sheila No Comments
Malaysian Retail Brands Worth Every Ringgit

Malaysian brands are blooming faster than hibiscuses these days. A few brands included in this wave of retail growth have got their direction and identity down — like Aaliyah ‘Down’, not Jay Sean vibes. But no judgement if you dig it… for now.

I can’t list all the brands that I admire right now (because then you won’t come back for more), so here are 4 homegrown brands that y’all should be keeping up with if you aren’t already.

1. Velvet Vanity Cosmetics

The brand’s aesthetic is sharp, memorable and playful — all at once — and translates across everything from its packaging to its lookbooks to content on social media.

What I like about Velvet Vanity is that it takes risks. When we think of cosmetics, the immediate thought of who its audience is becomes: women. But in the larger — and more socially conscious picture — we know that there are men who love wearing makeup just as much as we do, and Velvet Vanity does not shy away from including them in its campaigns too.

 

Brand identity aside, the names of its products is what I live for. ‘Shook’, ‘Glo With the Flo’, ‘Peach Perfect’, ‘Mr. West’, ‘Cheap Thrills’ — simple but enough to be embedded in your mind. Its order boxes have ‘Treat Yoself’ written across it and that’s the kind of reminder every customer needs after they’ve shopped. And y’all should ‘cos everything is under RM60.

Bottomline is: The founder, Adlina Nadirah, has a vision, and y’all gotta trust it.

Check it out here: @shopvelvetvanity

2. The BIG Group

I remember when Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G) introduced itself to the market; it left many of us in awe of its prettiness. There was a lot of giggling because of its heavy use of puns on its signages and in captions — like “There’s no problem when there’s masala (chai)”. And of course, the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ because it carried beautifully packaged products. Like, I have had so many instances of shopping at B.I.G and wanting to buy something just because it looked good. Don’t judge me. You’ve probably done it too.

 

Ultimately though, I think many of us were stunned at the distance this team was willing to go to create an experience for grocery shopping. We then saw the expansion of the BIG Group which included bars, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, roasters — you name it, BIG’s probably working on it — all of which received the same treatment and attention to detail as B.I.G had, which meant that success was guaranteed.

And thanks to its consistent aesthetic and brand voice, it’s become easier to identify whether or not an establishment is under the BIG umbrella.

Keep up with the BIG Group here.

3. Against Lab

I find that many homegrown streetwear brands are uninspiring and lazy. Many designs either replicate a popular silhouette or print a paraphrased copy of a popular statement (hello anything Supreme touches). But one brand that does stick out though, is Against Lab. Everything from its well-executed lookbooks to apparels shows that effort was put into it.

When it comes to advertising, I appreciate that it does things organically; pasting photos of its lookbooks across streets that have high traffic (hello Bangsar) and positions itself in places that are relevant to its audience — which not only makes for great #OOTD props, but now whenever you (if you’re familiar with the brand) see a fashion editorial, you can almost immediately think to yourself that Against Lab was behind it.

 

Ultimately though, its products are at the forefront. No gimmicks, no sensationalism, just original thought. Against Lab also caught the attention of Hypebeast last year — it’s not a big deal, it’s just the biggest media brand that validates a brand’s existence and assures the people behind it that they’re on the right path. It’s totally chill.

Follow Against Lab here.

 4. Mossery

My fellow stationery hoarders will be with me on this: if a cover of a journal/planner has bright gradients, polka dots, or stripes and is complemented with calligraphy, we know it’s Mossery’s. There’s no argument.

 

Mossery produces the essentials for every creative; notebooks (in both pocket and medium sizes), planners, sketchbooks, pens washi tapes… alright, the latter is not an essential but it’s pretty to have. The brand also gives the option of personalising your planner with your name — use your given name or one of a person you wish you were like (mine would be Beyoncé). Go wild.

Keep up with Mossery here.

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By Rathika Sheila
Hit or Shit?

Oprah’s Running For President

By Rathika Sheila No Comments
Oprah’s Running For President

Okay, she’s not and she probably won’t because she’s got zero time to correct the fuck-ups 45 men have left for her to inherit. Speaking of mistakes men make that women have to clean up, the theme of the Golden Globes this year was #TimesUp; it was in response to the ludicrous number of sexual assault and harassment reports, and inequality that we’ve put up with for decades. It’s essentially saying that we’re not making anymore time to listen to excuses for inappropriate behaviour; a strong statement dressed in black tie, of course.

There were many moments throughout the show that were worthy of ‘Who Run the World? Girls!’ playing in the background. Some of our favourites were:

1. When Natalie Portman called out the all-male nominees for the Best Director category

I suppose it was rather difficult to find successful films directed by women in 2017 to nominate. There were only productions like A United Kingdom, The Zookeeper’s Wife, Lady Bird, I Think We’re Alone Now, The Beguiled, Mudbound and Wonder Woman — which is considerably one of the most influential movies of 2017 and was even listed to be the highest-grossing live-action movie directed by a woman, to choose from. Why any of those titles didn’t qualify will be a justification that only the Lasso of Truth can give us.

The lesson we learned here is this: It is important to call things out.

While the nominees for this category were deserving (The Shape of Water is brilliant!), completely sidelining titles that created a great impact in the industry as well as its overall contribution to pop culture was not cool. There is a dubious historical pattern with the Globes to only nominate one woman every few years. Hell, the last time a woman won in this category was in 1984. That was 34 years ago when we made room for sexism but as they said: time’s up. 

It’s not like we’re asking for women to be nominated because of their gender — if that thought crossed your mind, you need to learn how to outgrow your ignorance before breeding — it’s because women are putting in just as much (or more) work in the entertainment industry as men but aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. It has to change.  

Browse through Netflix’s section of Women Who Rule the Screen here to expand your watchlist.

2. Handmaid’s Tale’s wins and encouragement to be more than just gaps between stories
 

Handmaid’s Tale took home 2 awards that night for Best Drama TV Series — fun fact: 8 of the 10 episodes were directed by women — and Elisabeth Moss won the Best Actress in a Drama TV Series award for her spectacular portrayal of the main character, June Osborne.

In Elisabeth’s acceptance speech, she (sort of) quoted the writer of the show, Margaret Atwood, saying:

“We no longer live in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. We no longer live in the gaps between the stories. We are the story in print, and we are writing the story ourselves.”

What we learned here is direct; when stories and opportunities aren’t accessible to us, we have to create them ourselves.

If you’d like to induce yourself into an existential crisis of personal reflection, we’d strongly recommend reading Margaret Atwood’s work; she has the ability to make you want to curl up into a ball and cry while also empowering you to do better.

3. Oprah’s speech when she accepted the Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement

What a time it would be if we were able to live in the United States of Oprah. She’d be the president, the emperor, and the queen. She’d be Michael Jackson, and we’d all be Tito.

Oprah shared anecdotes of what it was like for her watching the Golden Globes as a little girl seeing Sidney Poitier, a Bahamian American actor, being celebrated on television:

“And I’d never seen a black man being celebrated like that. And I’ve tried many, many, many times to explain what a moment like that means to a little girl — a kid watching from the cheap seats, as my mom came through the door bone-tired from cleaning other people’s houses. But all I can do is quote and say that the explanation’s in Sidney’s performance in “Lilies of the Field”: “Amen, amen. Amen, amen.”

In 1982, Sidney received the Cecil B. DeMille Award right here at the Golden Globes, and it is not lost on me that at this moment there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this same award.”

All the feelings! But wait, Oprah isn’t done. She hits us with another one.

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories.”

What everyone can take home from Oprah’s speech is this: we need to both listen, and speak up.

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By Rathika Sheila