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Tank Talks Asia

Tank Talks Asia

By: AsiaWorks
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Against a backdrop of booms, busts, and geopolitical shifts, Asia continues its quiet and confident rise. More than ever, new and colourful Asian voices are bursting onto the global stage, from the world of business, tech, media, music, politics, sports, art, and culture. Hosted by acclaimed broadcaster and interviewer Manisha Tank, Tank Talks Asia meets the humans helping to drive this dynamic region forward.Copyright 2026 AsiaWorks Economics Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • How One Woman Changed Banking in India. And is Now Betting on AI | Arundhati Bhattacharya | Tank Talks Asia

    How One Woman Changed Banking in India. And is Now Betting on AI | Arundhati Bhattacharya | Tank Talks Asia
    Jul 29 2026
    In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & CEO, South and Southeast Asia, Salesforce and former Chair of the State Bank of India.As one of India’s most influential business figures, Arundhati discusses the impact of AI, the importance of values-based leadership, and the gender barriers she has faced throughout her career. She also reflects on the decisions that helped her transform India's largest bank.Featured Voices Hosts: Manisha TankGuest: Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & CEO, South and Southeast Asia, SalesforceKey takeawaysArundhati believes lasting leadership begins with taking action, which is a lesson she learned from her mother at an early age.She explains how listening to other women led her to take simple but transformative policies to remove barriers to career progression at SBI.Reflecting on demonetization in India, she says clear leadership, constant innovation and practical problem-solving were essential during one of India's biggest banking challenges.Arundhati argues AI is not a magic solution but a long-term transformation that depends on trusted data, strong governance and clear business outcomes.She believes AI should be viewed as an opportunity to create new skills and careers.Chapter heads02:31 The Power of IdentityArundhati reflects on her first encounter with gender bias and how lessons learned from her mother shaped her determination to build an identity of her own.05:58Never Part of the PlanArundhati explains how joining State Bank of India at the age of 22 marked the beginning of an unexpected four-decade career at the bank.08:23Removing Hidden Barriers for WomenShe describes how a practical housing challenge was preventing women from taking rural postings and how a simple solution helped change that.10:52 Leading Through DemonetizationArundhati reflects on managing India's largest bank through one of the country's biggest financial disruptions and why innovation became a daily necessity.13:34Starting Again at SalesforceShe reveals why leaving banking for the technology sector was one of the hardest decisions of her career and what ultimately persuaded her to join Salesforce.17:43Why AI Isn't a Magic WandArundhati believes successful AI adoption will require patience, trusted data and a willingness to experiment and learn.22:45Building Trust Across BordersShe discusses the challenge of deploying AI across Asia's diverse regulatory landscape, where compliance, privacy and trust are non-negotiable.24:35Is AI Really Taking Our Jobs?She says many young people in India view AI as an opportunity rather than something to fear.26:27Writing IndomitableArundhati shares how the pandemic gave her the time and motivation to write about the childhood experiences that shaped her life and leadership.28:47Carve Out What Doesn't ExistManisha revisits two memorable quotes from Arundhati, on territoriality and the dangers of complacency, as the conversation concludes with a reflection on what it takes to create new roles and keep growing.Useful links https://harpercollins.co.in/product/indomitable/https://www.salesforce.com/in/news/stories/arundhati-bhattacharya-india-award/https://fortune.com/2026/05/22/arundhati-bhattacharya-salesforce-south-asia-ceo-india-most-powerful/https://www.forbes.com/profile/arundhati-bhattacharya/https://www.ft.com/content/b46f06d9-2661-4685-9b5b-a3fd1791d64c?syn-25a6b1a6=1https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/banks-shouldve-been-given-more-time-to-prepare-for-noteban-arundhati-bhattacharya/articleshow/61248590.cms?from=mdrhttps://www.salesforce.com/artificial-intelligence/Don’t miss outWe’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email:tanktalksasia@asiaworks.comAnd don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.
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    32 mins
  • How a Simple Walk Became a Global Movement. 23 Million Steps. Over $500K Raised for Dementia | Tom Platts, Walk-to-Talk.com | Tank Talks Asia

    How a Simple Walk Became a Global Movement. 23 Million Steps. Over $500K Raised for Dementia | Tom Platts, Walk-to-Talk.com | Tank Talks Asia
    Jul 15 2026
    In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Tom Platts, the Singapore-based M&A lawyer who turned a spur-of-the-moment walk around MacRitchie Reservoir into a global movement raising money and awareness for dementia.Tom shares how swapping a beer with a client for a walk in the jungle spiralled into Walk to Talk, a foundation now active across five countries that has raised more than half a million US dollars — and why two phone-free hours in nature each morning completely changed his outlook on life.Featured VoicesHosts: Manisha Tank & AndrewGuest: Tom Platts, Founder, Walk to TalkKey takeaways• Tom explains how a chance decision in January 2023 (swapping a client beer for a charity walk around MacRitchie Reservoir) grew into a movement called Walk to Talk.• He says the daily loops have spread far beyond Singapore, with regular walks now running in London, Melbourne, Dubai and New York.• Tom reveals the initiative has raised more than half a million US dollars for dementia charities across Singapore, the UK and Australia.• He argues that walking and talking away from screens is powerfully good for connection, wellbeing and brain health.• Tom urges anyone touched by dementia not to suffer in silence, noting that roughly 55 million people worldwide live with the disease.Chapter heads02:45The Expat Who Never LeftTom explains how an 18-month posting to Singapore in 2011 quietly turned into 13 years and counting.03:26A Beer That Turned Into A Big IdeaHe recalls a difficult year and the January morning he persuaded a client to swap a pint for a walk and a donation.07:50What Exactly Is MacRitchie?He gives a tour of the 12.1-kilometre loop, its wartime history and the wildlife he logs for Singapore's National Parks.09:50The Challenge Goes GlobalTom shares how Walk to Talk spread from Singapore's jungle to London's streets, Melbourne, Dubai and New York.12:26The Numbers Behind The StepsTom talks through the steps he took and the funds he raised for dementia charities across three continents, plus one-off causes close to his heart.16:04Getting Dementia OutdoorsHe explains why bringing people living with dementia into nature matters so much for memory and the senses.18:46Don't Suffer In SilenceTom offers advice to families facing dementia and puts the sheer scale of the disease into perspective.20:10Why Walking And Talking Is Beneficial For YouHe looks ahead to brain health, a growing team and how the whole thing reshaped the way he sees life.23:35How Can People Get In TouchTom shares how people can get involved with Walk to Talk.Watch a mini-documentary about Tom & The MacRitchie Challenge https://youtu.be/YJ9mz4vXi_gUseful linkshttps://www.walk-to-talk.com/https://dementia.org.sg/https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/https://www.dementia.org.au/https://www.linkedin.com/company/walktotalk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-platts-18924475Don't miss outWe're on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com.And don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don't miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.
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    25 mins
  • The Man Who Knows EVERYONE | Jasper Donat, CEO & Co-Founder Branded, All That Matters | Tank Talks Asia

    The Man Who Knows EVERYONE | Jasper Donat, CEO & Co-Founder Branded, All That Matters | Tank Talks Asia
    Jul 1 2026
    In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Jasper Donat, co-founder of Branded and creator of All That Matters (and the man who knows everyone!) about the three decades he has spent at the forefront of Asia’s media, music and live events industries. Jasper shares stories (name dropping included!) from a career spent connecting audiences, artists and ideas. He also reveals why he believes Asia is increasingly shaping global culture, rather than just consuming it.Featured Voices Hosts: Manisha Tank Guest: Jasper Donat, CEO and Co-Founder, BrandedKey takeawaysJasper says Asia has evolved from being a destination for global entertainment into a major exporter of culture, talent and influence.He argues that despite advances in AI and virtual events, people still want to gather in person and share live experiences.Jasper believes creator culture transformed fandom by creating direct and personal relationships between audiences and talent.He says the future of entertainment lies in the growing overlap between sports, music, culture and digital communities.Jasper states that Asian artists and creators are increasingly finding global audiences without relying on traditional Western gatekeepers.Chapter heads01:15Why I Never Went HomeJasper explains how a planned two-year move from London to Hong Kong led to a 30-year career in Asia.02:13The Birth of Modern Asian MediaHe reflects on the rise of satellite television, Channel V and the early efforts to localise content for Asian audiences.03:09A Marathon Was BornJasper tells the story of how a casual brainstorming session helped create the first Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.04:04When the Spice Girls Came to DelhiHe reminisces about when some of the world's biggest music acts came to Asia during the region's entertainment boom.05:03Building Music MattersJasper explains why Asia needed its own music industry platform as the sector grappled with piracy, Napster and digital disruption.08:36The Day YouTubers Became SuperstarsJasper recalls the launch of YouTube FanFest and the moment creators proved they could command fan loyalty on a global scale.11:50The Craziest Fans in AsiaHe compares fan culture across the region, from the passionate crowds of the Philippines to the orderly queues of Singapore.15:11Influencers vs. A-ListersJasper weighs in on who holds more sway in Asia today and shares a memorable Nile Rodgers story.17:08When Shah Rukh Khan Wasn't the Main AttractionJasper recounts the surreal moment Bollywood's biggest star was overshadowed by Lilly Singh.19:09Why Asia Is Now Exporting CultureHe explains why the next chapter for Asian creators, musicians and entertainers is taking their influence to audiences around the world.Useful linkshttps://www.allthatmatters.asia/https://www.branded.live/https://www.youtube.com/@YouTubeFanFesthttps://www.wearyourmusic.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WI23EMNKPEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9CY4CPgCzshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9FxhGElochttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_lPCGrbWMQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIZzZ28u-Vshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjjDwycSq4khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO6x9Xn6CsMDon’t miss outWe’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email:tanktalksasia@asiaworks.comAnd don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia. Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.
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    22 mins
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