Meet Tanya Gromenko, the woman behind SGB VA (Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Virtual Assistant), a platform that’s helping thousands take control of their careers and work from anywhere. More than just a course, SGB VA is a gateway to freedom, where anyone with a laptop and WiFi can learn to earn up to 18 million rupiah a month, connect with global clients, and redefine what a career looks like.We also met Shanez, an SGB VA alumni who found the program at just the right time in her life. Through SGB VA, she gained new skills, found her first clients, and now thrives in a full-time remote role, working from home with confidence and stability.To know more about SGB VA, here's a link to their free online webinar:https://link.sgbva.com/free-webinar-maknatalks
Long before social media turned everyone into a storyteller, one man made millions laugh with nothing but a keyboard and his truth. not through a video or a meme, but through his words. His book Kambing Jantan, born from a humble blog, became a phenomenon that redefined how Indonesians saw storytelling.Raditya Dika, writer, comedian, and filmmaker became a household name not because he chased fame, but because he told stories people secretly saw in themselves.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefr...Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefr...If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
What makes someone leave the comfort of home, travel thousands of kilometers, and discover a new life in a land he never expected to love so deeply?
In this episode, we sit down with Kristian Hansen, a Danish traveler who has spent years exploring Indonesia, not as a tourist, but as someone who wants to understand its heart. Through his journey, Kristian has captured raw stories of people, culture, and everyday kindness that the world rarely sees. From riding through remote islands to helping rebuild a bridge in Wakatobi, he shares how Indonesia has changed him in ways he never imagined.
He opens up about the beauty and chaos of the road, the small gestures that made him feel like family, the loneliness behind the adventure, and the moment he realized… maybe Indonesia isn’t just a destination, it’s home.
It’s no secret that we’ve leveled up our set (and we know you guys love it too). Well, today we’re sitting down with the man behind this beautiful space, the mind and maker himself, Eko Priharseno, the creative force behind Sawdust and a driving figure in Indonesia’s evolving design scene.We talked about how Indonesian design has finally found its momentum, what it means to keep pushing the industry forward, and how sometimes being too forward-thinking can be both a gift and a challenge. For Eko, the biggest reward isn’t just the paycheck, it’s seeing clients light up when the work comes to life. Because at the end of the day, good design isn’t just made, it’s felt, it's forward and it's timeless.
In this episode, we sit down with Ray Janson, a chef, entrepreneur, and storyteller to talk about the world that shaped him. From dreaming of becoming a chef as a kid to surviving the “tough” era of kitchen life, Ray opens up about what it really takes to thrive in the culinary world. He shares lessons from working alongside some of the best chefs in the world, including his time at Noma, often dubbed the world’s best restaurant, and how those experiences taught him about culture, discipline. We also dive into one big question: why doesn’t Indonesia have a Michelin starred restaurant yet?-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
If you play padel, you’ve probably heard his name across the courts. But if you don’t, let us introduce you to Zar Lasahido, Indonesia’s no. 1 ranked padel player and one of the driving forces behind the rise of padel in Indonesia. Padel may be relatively new to Indonesia, but in just a few short years, it has grown from being a curiosity into a lifestyle movement, with more and more people picking up a racket and discovering the joy of the game.
-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
What happens when someone with no political background steps into government, but carries a lifelong passion for the creative economy? In this episode, we sit down with Irene Umar, Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Creative Economy, to explore how her perspectives can help shape the nation’s newest and most vibrant sector.From FMCG to fine arts, Irene sees the creative economy as more than just culture, it’s a powerful economic engine, a matchmaker of collaborations, and a bridge between industries that don’t always speak the same language. She believes Indonesia already has the foundation to lead in this space, it just needs to be organized, sharpened, and pushed forward.-----------------Thank you for watching, don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications on these videos to be the first to know our next episodes. Also, if you're reading until this section, comment down below your favorite part from this podcast!Makna Talks is available on Spotify and Youtube. Twitter: @maknatalksInstagram: @maknatalksBusiness: talks@maknagroup.com
Before we got "lo-fi girl" who became the go-to soundtrack for late-night overthinkers and AM thoughts, we had Adhitia Sofyan where his songs sat with you in silence, helping you process love, longing, and everything in between.In this episode, we sit down with Adhitia to talk about his journey as a musician who started recording in his bedroom, the stories behind how he writes music, and a sneak peek into his upcoming album. We also dive into how the music industry has changed since the early days of his career back when sharing songs online felt like tossing them into the unknown (the good old days of 4shared), never knowing who might stumble upon them.
From viral beginnings to global stages, Rich Brian has redefined what it means to be a self-made artist in the digital age. Bursting onto the scene at just 16 the Indonesian rapper, singer, and producer quickly proved he was more than a one-hit wonder. With every release, Brian shows he’s not just riding the wave, he’s building his own.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links-----------------Thank you for watching, don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications on these videos to be the first to know our next episodes. Also, if you're reading until this section, comment down below your favorite part from this podcast!Makna Talks is available on Spotify and Youtube. Twitter: @maknatalksInstagram: @maknatalksBusiness: talks@maknagroup.com
Ask and you shall receive, finally the day has come where we have the one and only Nicholas Saputra on the podcast! Who doesn't know him? From the boy who stole the nation’s heart as Rangga in Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? to a filmmaker, traveler, and storyteller with purpose, Nicholas Saputra has lived a life both in the spotlight and behind the lens.In this episode, we dive into how he first fell in love with film, what it’s like navigating recognition and the limelight, his endless curiosity for the world through traveling, and his journey as a producer remaking the very film that made him a national icon. -----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
In this episode, we sit down with Ildo Hasman, the drummer of Perunggu, as he tells us about the early days of releasing music with zero expectations, simply putting songs out into the world without worrying about where it would take them and the time when he felt that spark of “wow, this band is the real deal” for the first time. At the heart of our conversation we see Ildo’s perspective on what some can say as a kind of mental privilege, where he has the freedom to make music and be in a band without the crushing pressure of having to “succeed” by industry standards. For him, being a musician isn’t about chasing fame or numbers, it’s about passion, joy, and the pure love of playing.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
Ever wondered what really happens in the final 24 hours before a massive music festival? In this special episode, we’re going behind the scenes with Gerhana “Ghana” Banyubiru, the mastermind behind The Sounds Project, as he takes us through the whirlwind of preparations at the venue just one day before the big show. magic that happens offstage, this is your all-access pass to the world of The Sounds Project.---------------Thank you for watching, don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications on these videos to be the first to know our next episodes. Also, if you're reading until this section, comment down below your favorite part from this podcast!Makna Talks is available on Spotify and Youtube. Twitter: @maknatalksInstagram: @maknatalksBusiness: talks@maknagroup.com
Where do we even begin with this one?Omara Esteghlal dropped by, and what started as a casual conversation about his new upcoming film "Tinggal Meninggal", a movie with a fresh out of the norm format, quickly turned into one of our most introspective conversations yet. We talked about philosophy, not just as an academic subject (although, he studied it for real), but also as a way he navigates the world. We suggest you make a cup of coffee before enjoying this episode because this conversation felt like a 3 AM conversation with someone who actually thinks before they speak.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
What does it take to leave everything familiar behind, start over in a city that never sleeps, and share it all with the world one vlog at a time?In this episode we sit down with Edward Halim, an Indonesian vlogger who's been living in New York and turning his day-to-day experiences into engaging stories through his lens bringing a unique perspective to life in the Big Apple as someone far from home. He also opens up about the loneliness that creeps in between busy city days, the simple things he misses most about Indonesia, and how being far from home is a constant mix of growth and longing.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links----------------
Some people pick up music. Endah let it pick her.Long before "Endah N Rhesa,” she was already deepening her knowledge and skills in music, going to competitions and finding her own feet as what kind of musician she wants to be. In this conversation, she tells us about growing up with in a household where music was always playing in the background. But this episode isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about identity, her independence to create as an Indie artist, and the power of building music with your own hands and the community around it.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
In this episode of Talks International, we sit down with Nuray Istiqbal a woman who’s stepping into a new beginning. Her journey into Islam wasn’t driven by pressure or expectation, but by curiosity, reflection, and a love for learning.
We talk about transformation, not as a rejection of the past, but as an honest search for peace. About letting go of what no longer fits, and embracing a life that feels more grounded, more intentional, more true.If you're moved by her story, Nuray will be sharing more at Amazing Muharram on July 14, where she’ll open up further about her journey and what it means to begin again.You can register here: https://syafa.at/maknatalks
A new beginnings don’t need permission, you just need the courage to follow it.
What does it take to become one of Indonesia’s most beloved storytellers? For Yandy Laurens, the answer starts in Makassar in a childhood shaped by racism, resilience, and one very perceptive aunt who saw something special in him.
In this episode, Yandy opens up about the moments that shaped his path: from growing up as an outsider, to getting a one-way ticket to IKJ thanks to his aunt’s belief in his potential. He shares how the original Sore web series was made with a crew of just five people, and how that small project has now grown into a feature film and a milestone in his career. Stories has such a way with people that a good one can make you reflect on life, and as Yandy put it himself, making up stories can also heal the ones we live through.-----------------
If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!
The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147
Interview Room:
https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
Dengan latar laut Labuan Bajo, kami mempersembahkan salah satu episode paling istimewa dalam perjalanan Makna Talks.Jeremy Thomas, aktor, entrepreneur, ayah, dan di atas semuanya, seorang manusia yang terus tumbuh bersama waktu. Dalam obrolan ini, ia berbagi pandangan tentang ketenaran, pentingnya fondasi hidup, merawat diri secara utuh, hingga perannya sebagai ayah dan perjalanan membangun bisnis di balik layar. Bukan sekadar nostalgia, ini adalah perbincangan tentang menjadi manusia dan menerima setiap fase kehidupan dengan tenang.A special episode with a special set and a special guest.Big thanks to our friends Scentplus for making this possible, and also AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach for the warm welcome.We hope everyone enjoys the episode!
We sit down with the one and only Yovie Widianto, a name synonymous with timeless songs, beautiful lyrics, and the golden era of Indonesian pop. From founding Kahitna to shaping the soundtrack of our love lives for nearly four decades, saying he is a legend still feels like an understatement. Now stepping into a new role as Presidential Special Staff for the Creative Economy, Yovie is using his voice and expereinces not just to compose, but to advocate for artists, creators, and the future of Indonesia’s creative industries.-----------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links
Forget fairy tales and outdated traditions real relationships are messy, beautiful, and it take more than just love. If you're preparing for marriage, trying to repair it, or simply want to understand your emotional patterns Bu Rani is a guide worth following. As a marriage consultant, she doesn’t promise happily ever after, but she does offer something even better: the tools to build a relationship that’s real and conscious. In this episode, we talk about love as it is without the sugar coating.---------------If you've watched the video until the end you probably notice there's a quick plug for our perfume collaboration with Avalanche. Here's the link to purchase the perfume, Thankyou!The Host: https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-the-host-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147Interview Room:https://www.tokopedia.com/avalanchefragrance/avalanche-fragrance-x-maknatalks-interview-room-extrait-de-parfum?extParam=whid%3D16513147If you want to see other collections from Avalanche you can head over to: avalanchefragrance.com/links