Episode 47: Celebrating Singapore: Uncovering Singapore's Past: A Talk with Josephine Chia

Truly Expat Podcast

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A Journey Through Singapore's History and Heritage with Author Josephine Chia

In this episode of the Truly Expat Podcast, hosts Rachel and Paula welcome renowned author Josephine Chia, who delves into her rich background of growing up in Singapore's Kampong Potong Pasir. She shares vivid memories of living in a village, the transition of her kampong, and the significant impact of Lee Kuan Yew’s policies. Josephine discusses her journey in writing, her literary contributions, and her experiences of blending Singapore history and Peranakan heritage into her books. She also talks about the inspiration for her latest book, 'Ayam Buah Keluak and the Art of Writing,' which merges her insights on writing with personal anecdotes. As the episode closes, Josephine reflects on the essence of creative writing, teaching, and community spirit that has shaped her career and life.

00:00 Introduction to Truly Expat Podcast

00:40 Josephine Chia's Early Life in Singapore

03:37 Struggles and Resilience in Kampong Potong Pasir

06:09 Education and Family Dynamics

11:20 Community Spirit and Lee Kuan Yew's Influence

23:13 The Journey to Becoming a Writer

25:51 Literary Giants and the Writer's Journey

26:51 Creative Writing vs. Journalism

27:46 The Joy of Creative Writing

28:38 Launching a New Book

30:52 The Inspiration Behind the Book

33:33 Personal Stories and Memoirs

40:22 Teaching and Workshops

46:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Buy Josephine's books and get to know her better:

• Ethos Publishing bookshop: https://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/products/ayam-buah-keluak-and-the-art-of-writing-a-memoir-on-living-creatively
• website: http://www.josephinechia.com

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