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Genecia Alluora: A strong and independent woman is something to behold. She pays her own bills, buys her own things, and she doesn't let a man affect her stability or self-confidence. She is a Soul Rich Woman. Are you ready to be rich, doing what you love? Be on purpose and in control of your life again. And For Women Who Love the F-word Podcast, we will be openly talking about getting more clients online, getting recognition as the leader and female entrepreneur, and also the F word. Being fabulous, having freedom and financial independence. It's time to own and love the F word. Welcome to the show.

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Genecia Alluora: Hey gorgeous, and welcome to today's episode. Today's special guest is Dr. John Tan. He is someone that I've known for 20 years as a volunteer with Care Singapore. I am a volunteer with Care Singapore, which is children at risk empowerment, and it's something very close to my heart. Because I was a youth at risk before, because of my background that I was often being bullied, so I became really rebellious and a lot of things happened to me. So when I spotted podcasting as a way to share his message or tell his stories on every youth matters, Dr. John rejected initially. But today, Dr. John has recorded two seasons of podcast shows. Now two seasons means that two years worth of content in a really short time using my system and process to help him to leave a legacy.

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Genecia Alluora: So that he can build connections, meaningful connections, internationally even without, being there. And with a voice, with his voice, his experience, his message is going to touch the world and change the world and helping more people to understand youth and help these youths at risk. Prevention is better than cure. So enjoy today's episode and do connect with me on social media if you love today's episode on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram at Genecia Alluora. Dr. John Tan, please.

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Dr. John Tan: Thank you. Thank you. And welcome to this very special episode. And I'm speaking to you at the conclusion of a run of recording, recording for the whole entire Season 2 of Every Youth Matters. And what have I learned? What have I done? Well, this is so exciting for me. In case you do not know me, this is Dr. John Tan. I am the founding president of the Youth Work Association Singapore, as well as the executive director of Children at Risk Empowerment, otherwise known as CARE Singapore. For the past 30 years, I have been the founding director of Children at Risk Empowerment. And for the past 30 years or so, I've been working with young people as well as the people who work with young people wanting to help them succeed.

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Dr. John Tan: And so in season two of Every Youth Matters, I have shared tips and strategies and ways to reach out to the young people because I have learned from experiences and transformed them into lessons, lessons for which I have been already pay the tuition fee. And so in sharing others, parents and educators and youth workers need not go through the painful lessons that I went through, right? And so season two was quite a journey for me. At the back end of it all, I would say I have succeeded in completing it. And despite disruptions, disruptions, the reason for me saying that is that we have laid out four recording days at the studio. And some of the days that we were about to record, we were interrupted by some renovation works that were done in the neighbours.

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Dr. John Tan: And that was a tough one because we had to time our recording around their renovations. And it ended up in a day where we could not record at all. But at the back of it all, the four days that were set aside, we completed in actually three days, minusing off that one day that was disrupted. So what that has taught me is that it's possible. We can wrap around. We can learn around disruptions that happen. And this is particularly meaningful to me because it just reminds me that despite challenges, we can overcome. As one of my favorite mantras goes like this, our problems may be tough, but remember, we are always tougher. And I managed to complete Season 2 despite being very busy, despite having a very busy schedule of presenting workshops and writing materials and training people and all of that.

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Dr. John Tan: I'm so glad that I was able to accomplish something that I wanted to do for quite a long bit. And it has further embedded my legacy and it has further given me the materials that are already recorded down. So, it is with a great sense of accomplishment that I have finished Season 2. And I'm also very, very glad to be working with my new podcast coach, Janet Aisyah. And she has been a great help being beside me and giving me pointers and just so that the recordings can be sharper and better. And so, you will notice, I believe that as the season progressed with later episodes actually getting into a better rhythm. And I think it's all kudos to my podcast coach, Janet Quack.

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Dr. John Tan: All right. So, now in looking at the realities of it, right? So, we have building on the successes, there were some objections, there were some obstacles in the preparation. Well, I finished Season 1 and had already made some sort of loose plans to record Season 2. But along came a pandemic, coronavirus pandemic, and that meant we had to make all kinds of adjustments. So, the timing. The timing, something that we cannot, you know, fully control. We can plan for the timing, but we could not control it. And so, it came at a time where I had to contemplate, I had to contemplate doing this whole season online. And doing this whole season online meant I had to beef up my computer system. I have to beef up my recording system. Which was a challenge, particularly during circuit breaker lockdown, where we couldn't go anywhere, we couldn't get things delivered and all of that. So it was a big challenge.

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Dr. John Tan: And the lack of equipment meant that I had to either wait it out. We don't know when, and therefore when Phase 2 came in and it meant that we could move about, there was the potential possibility of then going through it to the studio to record it. But, that is a big part because the part came from the wife who was concerned for me going out. Going out, maybe even exposing myself into the community, right? And that was slowly overcome by explaining to her the steps involved, what we were doing and all that. And so, it meant that I did not need to do the recording in my then non-furbished home studio, if you can call it that way. But, it meant then moving into a studio and booking that four days that we could do the recording.

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Dr. John Tan: So, it was a learning process, bit by bit, right? And I also had the issue, the issue of what do I choose? Which topics? How do I be concise? I had to choose the number of episodes. And truth be told, I had more material than I needed for this season. Which meant then, which is to the next point coming soon, would there be a season three? There's a possibility. But, before that, before I had to then choose and decide the materials that I wanted to to keep it concise, to keep the rhythm going and not to drag. So, the initial episodes, you know, the length of the episodes were varied. But, when it got into a rhythm, then I got into a pattern. I got to be able to know how to kind of demarket. How much material goes into each episode. Right? So, that's a learning point for me as well.

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Dr. John Tan: Which then, then leads to will there be a season three? Well, it is highly possible. It is highly possible because in the course of recording season two, then new possibilities expanded. New possibilities expanded. So, sometimes if there's an objection of not wanting to work on something in the fear that, oh, you will get there. But, in the process of working, the mind gets stirred up. The mind gets launched into new areas. And so, now in my mind's eye, I can almost see season three forming. Right? So, that is my what's next. So, looking forward to what's next, then it will be season three coming up sometime. Sometime soon, perhaps. All right? So, going towards my conclusion for this whole season two, you know, what has been my feeling? My feelings has been something of a great accomplishment.

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Dr. John Tan: Great accomplishment because as part of my plan to leave a legacy of my lessons learned, I have embedded it further. So, now I have not only presented season one, it now goes into season two with the promise of season three, meaning that I have forever archives. Archived my materials into resources that can benefit more people. Right? So, I'm really, really thankful and grateful to the team at instantpodcastleader.com. And if you really, really have a need, an urge to have your voice heard and listened to, and like me, leaving a legacy, then I strongly encourage you to sign up for the program. In fact, this is a truism that I've been told that when we raise our voices together, the words become more than just a phrase. Right? It becomes more than just a phrase. It becomes a movement. And that our dreams are valid. And know that our dreams are valid. That on your path, you are never denied. And you can be directed. But you need to let your voice be heard.

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Genecia Alluora: Thank you so much for joining me today. I'm so honored that we are connected. And I hope that I can continue to serve you as you build your dreams. And if you love this episode, and I hope that you did, rate it five stars. Give us that glowing review because it will help more women around the world finding the Soul Rich Woman podcast. Alone you are strong. Together we are unstoppable. Now share this with every woman who needs it because this is how we are changing the world. One woman at a time. As always, get out of your comfort zone and go towards the dreams you've always wanted to achieve. For women who love the F word, being fabulous, having freedom, and financial independence. My dear Soul Rich Woman, sending you my love and I'll speak to you soon. Bye for now.