We’re told what’s best for us—how to look, how to love, how to succeed. But what if those rules were never meant to serve us?
This edition of The Tok on Self-Development is about challenging everything we’ve been taught—about beauty, relationships, success and health.
On Yana TV, Dr. Kausthub Desikachar uncovers the uncomfortable truth about beauty standards—how they shift to keep us chasing an unattainable ideal. Real confidence begins when we stop buying into the lie and embrace who we truly are.
In How to Live, Afeef Hussain shares how rejection shaped his journey. It took 37 failed attempts before he got his first big break, proving that setbacks aren’t signs to quit—they’re signs to keep going.
On Timeless Teachings, Alex Shlaen questions what real support looks like. Sometimes, stepping back and letting others struggle is the best way to help them grow. Authentic learning, in parenting and life, happens when we’re given space to figure things out.
One lesson stands out in each of these stories and the many others featured here: growth isn’t about finding the right answers—it’s about asking better questions.
The takeaways:
- Beauty standards aren’t real—so why are we still chasing them?
- Helping isn’t always doing. Sometimes, it’s stepping back and letting others learn.
- Setbacks aren’t failures; they just prove you’re still in the game.
- Success isn’t something you find—it’s something you align with when you stop forcing and start listening.
If you’re looking to challenge old narratives and start conversations that matter, CrazyTok makes podcasting effortless. Book a chat with our founder, Amit Ray, today and begin amplifying your voice!
— The CrazyTok Team
Yana TV | The Brutal Truth About Relationships You Need To Hear
“In India, people are told to lighten their skin. In the West, they want to be darker. The truth? A big lie is being told to sell products. Accept yourself—because diversity is what makes the world beautiful.” — Dr. Kausthub Desikachar
Reclaiming Your Identity
- Beauty standards shift constantly. This makes it impossible to “win.” Real confidence comes from embracing your unique look.
- Seeking external approval drains your energy. Confidence isn’t about being the “ideal”—it’s about being yourself.
- The beauty industry thrives on insecurity. Recognising this helps us break free from unrealistic expectations.
Let’s Talk About Love (Insights from Young Voices)
“A good relationship isn’t about constant butterflies—it’s about choosing each other every day. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action.” — Vidushi Gupta
Want to Look Beyond the Myths on Relationships?
- Passion fades, but deep connection grows. This happens particularly when partners choose to support and respect each other daily.
- Traditional marriage timelines don’t work for everyone. The best relationships happen at the right time—not at society’s “expected” time.
- Self-love isn’t just about bubble baths. It’s about treating yourself with the same care you give to others.
Is Singapore Just for the Super-Rich?
“Helping just one person can change an entire family’s future. When a struggling family member gains confidence and direction, it eases the burden on everyone else. That’s why I focus on empowering individuals—because their growth lifts up those around them.” — Dhiren Dev
How One Person’s Growth Can Change Everything
- Confidence is contagious. When one person finds purpose, it doesn’t just benefit them—it inspires those around them to believe in their own potential.
- Support creates a ripple effect. A single act of encouragement, like helping someone secure a job, can uplift an entire household by reducing stress and creating new opportunities.
- No one succeeds alone. Growth happens when we surround ourselves with people who believe in us.
Women’s Health — Every Woman Should Know This
“We’ve been told what’s best for us—what to eat, how to exercise, how to live. But what if we questioned everything? What if the answers were simpler than we thought?” — Dr. Priyadarshani
What If Everything You Knew About Health Was Wrong?
- Trendy superfoods aren’t always better. Why chase expensive imports when local alternatives offer the same, if not better, nutrients?
- Your body already knows how to move. A treadmill won’t adjust when your heart races, but nature forces you to listen.
- We treat rest like a luxury when it’s a necessity. It’s time to rethink sleep, not fight it.
Timeless Teachings | Redefining “Working Dad”: The Unconventional Journey of A Working Father
“We think helping means stepping in, but sometimes real support is knowing when to step back. Learning, parenting and even relationships thrive when we give each other the space to figure things out.” — Alex Shafran
What If Less Help Was Actually More?
- Fixing things for others isn’t always helpful. Stepping in too soon stops people from learning, whether it’s parenting, work or relationships.
- True support is giving space. Sometimes, the best way to help is by resisting the urge to take over and letting people find their own way.
- Trust is built when we let others struggle. Instead of rushing to make things easier, what if we let growth happen through experience?
How To Live Podcast | Wisdom from The Maldives
“Opportunities don’t just come to you. I remember trying 37 times before I finally got an international speaking gig. Every rejection felt like a failure, but looking back, I learned that persistence is what makes success possible.” — Afeef Hussain
Why Setbacks Are Just Part of the Journey
- Resilience comes from everyday struggles. Whether it’s a career setback or a personal challenge, learning to adapt makes all the difference between standing still and moving forward.
- Growth isn’t just about personal wins. The more you help others, the more you are pushed to improve. Real success is measured by your impact.
- Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It often just means the timing or opportunity isn’t right—keep going, and the right one will come.
Turning Purpose Into Action
“Oprah always said that our number one job in life is to align ourselves with the biggest dream the universe has for us. Stillness, gratitude and reflection have helped me see that the path isn’t about forcing things—it’s about finding what was meant for me.” — Uma Balasingam
Trusting the Bigger Plan
- Your future isn’t something you chase—it’s something you align with. The most meaningful opportunities come from recognising when the right path presents itself.
- A single mission can take many forms. The key isn’t how you do it—it’s that everything you do serves your greater purpose.
- Confidence is about owning your space. True confidence comes when you stop adjusting and start showing up as yourself.
The Dream Catchers Show | She Built the First Live Bollywood Radio in Southeast Asia
“I read it in the newspaper before anyone told me—my station was shutting down. No warning, no chance to fight for it. In that moment, I realized how quickly everything you build can disappear.” — Renuka Arora Bhagat
How Do You Move Forward When Life Shifts Unexpectedly?
- Nothing is guaranteed, but resilience is a choice. One moment, you’re at the top; the next, it’s all gone. The only thing you control is how you respond.
- Community is what lasts. Success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the people who believe in what you do and the lives you impact along the way.
- Your legacy isn’t in what you build but in how you give back. When everything else is uncertain, helping others—whether through music, connection, or service—can be the real measure of success.
Quotes That Hit Home
“Self-love is about treating yourself the way you would treat a friend. You accept their flaws, allow them to grow and don’t judge them too harshly—so why not do the same for yourself? Awareness and patience matter more than constant self-criticism.” – Jamie
“Equal parenting isn’t about swapping roles—it’s about playing to your strengths. Some fathers are better nurturers, some mothers are better planners. The key is not taking over, but figuring out how each partner can contribute best to the shared goal.” – Alex Shafran
“Knowledge isn’t power until it’s shared. Learning is valuable, but its real impact comes from teaching others—especially those who don’t have the same opportunities. Every lesson passed on turns personal success into something far greater: collective progress.” – Afeef Hussain
——————————————————-——————————————————
CrazyTok was born out of the desire to help experts broadcast their knowledge and expertise to the world through podcasts.
We are a team of content experts with a track record of success with over 40 clients, committed to making podcasting easy, affordable and accessible for everyone.
We help you launch, produce and grow your podcast and put in our best efforts to make it simple and hassle-free so you can enjoy the process of content creation without getting bogged down with all the grunt work.
(We also offer blog, social media, short video and LinkedIn post writing services!)
Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Book a complimentary brainstorming call with our founder, Amit Ray.
