Head in the Clouds
30 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWelcome to the cloudy world of Claudia! Having studied in the American Midwest, Claudia has now returned to her sunny homeland of Malaysia. Join this fresh grad as she explores themes of adulthood, culture, identity, and pretty much anything under the sun through self-ruminations and conversations with friends.
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Episodes
Misogyny & Sexism in K-Pop - Ep. 21 (Got the Beat, Day6 Jae, Double Standards)
March 29, 2022 01:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBIn part four of our K-Pop series, we're taking a look at the industry-wide misogyny in K-Pop. We touch bases with Day6 Jae's comments on Jamie Park, producer Ryan Jhun's derogatory comment, Got the Beat's weird lyrics, the double standards within the industry, and so much more.
The Illusion of Meritocracy - Ep. 20 ft. anattynook (Equality vs Equity, Malaysia vs Singapore...)
February 22, 2022 02:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBIn this episode, I chatted with Nat of anattynook to pick her brain about meritocracy. Growing up, people have always told me about the supposed meritocracy in Singapore that has allowed it to prosper beyond Malaysia's capacity. I took this as the truth until I thought deeper about it. Because really, is a true, equal, and just meritocracy even possible when we all have different starting lines? In this episode, we discuss the limited and academic nature of "acceptable" merits (in Singapore ...
Exposing Malaysia's Homeschools - Ep. 19 ft. Five Former Homeschool Students
January 30, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBIn Malaysia, "homeschool" might mean something completely different. There is a network of "learning centers" in Malaysia commonly referred to as homeschools where students are expected to self-learn without having a proper teacher guiding them through lessons. In this episode, I talk to four other former homeschool students to ask them about their experiences in such a schooling system. We give a candid view into how our school operated and whether or not it provided us with a good educatio...
Exposing Malaysia's Homeschools - Ep. 19 ft. Five Former Homeschool Students
January 30, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBIn Malaysia, "homeschool" might mean something completely different. There is a network of "learning centers" in Malaysia commonly referred to as homeschools where students are expected to self-learn without having a proper teacher guiding them through lessons. In this episode, I talk to four other former homeschool students to ask them about their experiences in such a schooling system. We give a candid view into how our school operated and whether or not it provided us with a good educatio...
The Importance of Media Literacy - Ep. 18 ft. Darshini Kandasamy of Between The Lines
January 08, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBWhat is media literacy? Why does it matter? How can we cultivate it? In this episode, we answer these questions with the help of Darshini Kandasany, an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Malaysia Information Literacy Education (MILE). Media literacy is crucial in today’s world where we are surrounded by news and media, sometimes even unsolicited pieces of information. That’s why we need to give ourselves the armor of media literacy to protect ourselves.
K-Pop's Exploitation of Minors - Ep. 17 (Underage Idols, Trainee System, Survival Shows)
December 18, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBIn the part three of the podcast's K-Pop Deep Dive, we discuss the inadequacies of the K-Pop industry specifically as it pertains to underage idols and talents. In particular, we shed light onto the lyrics of Park Ji Yoon's "Adult Ceremony," question the age of new girl group "IVE," and argue that trainees are mistreated and perhaps shouldn't debut until they're older. Instagram: @theheadinthecloudshow Website: www.theheadinthecloudshow.wordpress.com
We Were Straight A Students - Ep. 16 (Pressure, Expectations, Education)
December 04, 2021 07:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBIn this episode, my friend Colleen and I discuss our history of being high-achievers in academic settings, and how that influenced our mentalities about self-worth, academic pursuits, and more. Listen as we talk about how to "game" the exam system, how we feel about about the education system at large, and how mediocrity might be alright, after all. Other fun topics include "pseudointellectuality" and "gifted child syndrome." This episode is a chill, candid conversation between two friends w...
Stories from America with My Sister - Ep. 15 (Culture Shock, Racism, Friends)
November 20, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 34.4 MBMy sister is back to grace the podcast with her wit and humor. In this episode, we're sharing things we experienced from the US, where we studied. We talked about experience culture shock, facing racism and making friends, among other things. Fun anecdotes include the time I got locked out of my room wearing just a robe.
Beauty Standards in K-Pop - Ep. 14 (Plastic Surgery, Colorism, Weight)
October 23, 2021 13:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIn the second instalment of the podcast's look into K-Pop, we talked about the beauty standards perpetuated in K-Pop and by K-Pop and how it reflects public sentiment and society. Is plastic surgery feminist? Where does colorism come from? What's up with entertainment industries dictating how bodies should look like? We try to answer these questions in this episode.
Beauty Standards in K-Pop - Ep. 14 (Plastic Surgery, Colorism, Weight)
October 23, 2021 13:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIn the second instalment of the podcast's look into K-Pop, we talked about the beauty standards perpetuated in K-Pop and by K-Pop and how it reflects public sentiment and society. Is plastic surgery feminist? Where does colorism come from? What's up with entertainment industries dictating how bodies should look like? We try to answer these questions in this episode.
The Truth about Being a NEET - Ep. 13 (Anxiety, Hustle Culture, Actualization)
October 09, 2021 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBBeing a NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) often gets you weird looks. People make assumptions about your character and personality, and traditional society often label such people as shut-ins or just lazy. However, there's more to it than that. The mindful choice to be a NEET can even be a beneficial thing in helping one shape their future and their identities.
Welcome to the Cloudy World of Claudia - Head in the Clouds Trailer
October 05, 2021 08:00 - 43 seconds - 528 KBHello, and welcome to Head in the Clouds - a candid look into the sociocultural problems dealt with today’s youth and also an attempt to articulate, document and share Malaysian sentiments while bringing in global perspectives!
Welcome to K-Pop! - Ep. 12 (Capitalism, Parasocial Relationships, Cancel Culture)
September 25, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBIn the pilot episode of the podcast's deep-dive into the problematic aspects of "K-Pop Culture," actual listeners of K-Pop music discuss relevant issues including the consumerism and capitalism promoted in the music industry, the parasocial relationships fostered in K-Pop, as well as the so-called cancel culture found within fandom communities. They also discuss specific incidences such as the allegations surrounding ex-members of AOA and Lucas of NCT. Whether you're a K-Pop fan or just som...
Welcome to K-Pop! - Ep. 12 (Capitalism, Parasocial Relationships, Cancel Culture)
September 25, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBIn the pilot episode of the podcast's deep-dive into the problematic aspects of "K-Pop Culture," actual listeners of K-Pop music discuss relevant issues including the consumerism and capitalism promoted in the music industry, the parasocial relationships fostered in K-Pop, as well as the so-called cancel culture found within fandom communities. They also discuss specific incidences such as the allegations surrounding ex-members of AOA and Lucas of NCT. Whether you're a K-Pop fan or just som...
The Challenge of Homophobia in Malaysia - Ep. 11 (LGBT Policies, Religion, Seeking Asylum)
September 11, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBDue to state-sponsored anti-LGBT rhetoric and actively encouraged homophobic sentiments in Malaysia, my friend Dienta was pushed to seek for asylum in the US, where she is studying. This episode is an exploration of her life and the struggles she has faced because of her sexual orientation and her nationality, from being targeted online and having her scholarship revoked to strenuous personal relationships.
My Sister's Sleep Problems - Ep. 10 (Sleep Paralysis, Vivid Dreams, Anxiety)
August 28, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBMy sister has a lot of sleep issues. Even after growing out of her chronic sleep paralysis, she still struggles with overly vivid dreams that leaves her poorly rested every night. In this episode, we talk about her weird hallucinations and dreams. Oh, and we also briefly talk about stories about sleep walking and my bruxism.
The Olympics Makes Me Sad - Ep. 9 (Sports Culture, Exploitation, Entitlement)
August 14, 2021 13:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBI don't watch sports, but every time a major sport event like the Olympics rolls around, I get hooked into it. There's just something about rooting for a team or an athlete that really gets us hyped, which is why the Olympics have been around forever, I suppose. But there's always something kind of bittersweet about watching athletes duke it out. There's also a sense of jealousy or envy and also a prominent sense of sympathy. Listen to my friend, G, and I talk more in depth about sports cult...
The Spectrum of Body Shaming - Ep. 8 ft. Sue Jean (Insecurity, Fatphobia, Skinny Privilege?)
July 31, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBSue Jean is a petite girl whereas Claudia is on the curvier side - but both have definitely experienced their fair share of body shaming. Join them as they share their body shaming stories and the scrutiny they face under society's beauty standards.
The Spectrum of Body Shaming - Ep. 8 ft. Sue Jean (Insecurity, Fatphobia, Skinny Privilege?)
July 31, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBSue Jean is a petite girl whereas Claudia is on the curvier side - but both have definitely experienced their fair share of body shaming. Join them as they share their body shaming stories and the scrutiny they face under society's beauty standards.
Age is Not Just a Number - Ep. 7 (Harassment, Grooming & Pedophilia)
July 17, 2021 13:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBIn this episode, I open up to my friend, G, about my experiences as a minor interacting with adult men. Despite having not spoken about it at large before, I've become much more aware of how important it is to shed light on conversations regarding child grooming and pedophilic behavior especially in the age of the internet. We discussed how adult men need to be held accountable, how trauma can hit years after the causing event occurred, and how children are never the ones at fault. (Explici...
Elaborations on Toxic Positivity - Ep. 6 (Social Media, Envy, Criminology...?)
July 03, 2021 13:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this episode, I invited my friend Colleen to ruminate on positivity when its pushed to the extreme (aka "Good Vibes Only") and discuss random topics like growing up, coffee drinking, quantum physics, and so much more.
My Sister and I Take the MBTI Test - Ep. 5 (Barnum Effect & Self-Fulfilling Prophecy)
June 19, 2021 13:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBTwo sisters who used to share the same MBTI type retake the test together while trying to be as honest as possible, while dissecting how legit and relevant personality tests such as the MBTI are. They are not at all well-versed in MBTIs and personality tests, but they sure have some thoughts on it. Humor and chaos ensues.
Exploring our Chinese Identities - Ep. 4 ft. Adele Du (Mainland Chinese and Malaysian Chinese perceptions)
June 05, 2021 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBThe Chinese community throughout the world is vast, diverse and nuanced. Overseas Chinese and those from China share many cultural traits, but as you may expect, there are certainly differences between us. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Adele Du, who is from China, and talked about our similarities and differences. We also touched on the migration of Chinese people to Malaysia, Peranakan/Baba Nyonya culture, dialects and accents, as well as Malaysian Chinese idols in China.
Exploring our Chinese Identities - Ep. 4 ft. Adele Du (Mainland Chinese & Malaysian Chinese perceptions)
June 05, 2021 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBThe Chinese community throughout the world is vast, diverse and nuanced. Overseas Chinese and those from China share many cultural traits, but as you may expect, there are certainly differences between us. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Adele Du, who is from China, and talked about our similarities and differences. We also touched on the migration of Chinese people to Malaysia, Peranakan/Baba Nyonya culture, dialects and accents, as well as Malaysian Chinese idols in China.
The Politics of Language in Malaysia ft. Malaysians (Stereotypes, Education & Cultural Pluralism)
May 22, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBWhat's in a language? In Malaysia, you are defined by the language you speak. Your community, your schooling, your mindset and your identity is all informed by what language you primarily speak. In school, this results in different "cliques." In real life, the implications are scarier. My friend, Nuha, who went to a Chinese vernacular school for her elementary education despite being of a Malay descent, dissects the nuances of language in Malaysia and it means to speak a language and not the...
The Politics of Language in Malaysia - Ep. 3 (Stereotypes, Corporal Punishment & Cultural Pluralism)
May 22, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBWhat's in a language? In Malaysia, you are defined by the language you speak. Your community, your schooling, your mindset and your identity is all informed by what language you primarily speak. In school, this results in different "cliques." In real life, the implications are scarier. My friend, Nuha, who went to a Chinese vernacular school for her elementary education despite being of a Malay descent, dissects the nuances of language in Malaysia and it means to speak a language and not the...
The Politics of Language in Malaysia - Ep. 3 (Stereotypes, Corporal Punishment & Cultural Pluralism)
May 22, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBWhat's in a language? In Malaysia, you are defined by the language you speak. Your community, your schooling, your mindset and your identity is all informed by what language you primarily speak. In school, this results in different "cliques." In real life, the implications are scarier. My friend, Nuha, who went to a Chinese vernacular school for her elementary education despite being of a Malay descent, dissects the nuances of language in Malaysia and it means to speak a language and not the...
Chatting with a YouTuber - Ep. 2 ft. Selly Gouw (Content Creation, Media & Haters)
May 08, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBMy good friend Selly Gouw who makes videos on YouTube joins me to discuss the YouTube platform and the stress and mean comments that can come with it, work-life balance and the world of communications, as well as the impacts of media among other fun topics!
Chatting with a YouTuber - Ep. 2 ft. Selly Gouw (Content Creation, Media & Haters)
May 08, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBMy good friend Selly Gouw who makes videos on YouTube joins me to discuss the YouTube platform and the stress and mean comments that can come with it, work-life balance and the world of communications, as well as the impacts of media among other fun topics!
My Sister Hates Podcasts - Ep. 1 ft. My Sister (Men, Tik Tok & Friendships)
April 24, 2021 14:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBMy sister, Chloe, does not like podcasts. She thinks they're basic and boring. She does not think anyone will care about my podcast. Who better to invite to come onto my first podcast episode than her? Join us as we talk about men, Tik Tok, friendships, our outlooks on life, our car accident, our birthday party and much more.