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Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Renegade Radio
Southeast Asia
Indonesia
Myanmar
ASEAN
Thailand
Vietnam
China
Philippines
United States
Climate Change
Malaysia
Cambodia
Political Instability
Joko Widodo
South China Sea
Democracy
Timor-Leste
Protests
Laos
Sara Duterte

Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to listen to the latest episode to get to know what's happening. See you soon!This show is produced by Reneg... more

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Artwork for Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Latest Episodes

This episode looks at the agency and policy approaches of Southeast Asian countries over maritime defence issues in Southeast Asia with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran, drawing from a report by Verve Research.

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This episode with economist Dr. James Guild examines Indonesia’s political economy at a time when her currency is facing unprecedented pressures and President Prabowo Subianto is undergoing economic changes.

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This episode looks at recent developments in Philippine politics, from leadership changes in the Senate, impeachment trials, extraditions and management of disasters, and digs through the headlines in order to understand broader ongoing shifts.

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This episode discusses political violence in the Philippines through a lens focus on the recent Toboso killings with scholar Patrick Peralta.

Stay informed on our website:

straighttalkseasia.com/

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

James Guild
Economist, assistant professor at IIII University (International Islamic University in Jakarta)
IIII University (International Islamic University in Jakarta)
Episode: EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild
Ronald Holmes
Political Science Professor at DeSalle/La Salle University, Department of Political Science
La Salle University
Episode: EP140: A Look at Philippine Elite Politics with Professor Ronald Holmes
Patrick Peralta
PhD candidate at the University of Michigan researching political violence in the Philippines
University of Michigan
Episode: EP139: Toboso Killings, Philippines Political Violence with Patrick Peralta
Evan Laksamana
Shangri-La Senior Fellow at IISS
IISS
Episode: EP138: Shangri-La 2026 - Defence Diplomacy Challenges with Dr. Evan Laksamana
Kei Koga
Associate Professor, Public Policy and Global Affairs
Nanyang Technology University (Singapore)
Episode: EP137: Japan Steps Up for Southeast Asia with Associate Professor Kei Koga
Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros
Lead on the food security program at the non-traditional security center
RSIS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Episode: EP136: Food Security in Southeast Asia amidst the Iran War with Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros
Dr. Hipo Wangge
Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Papua politics expert
University of Science Malaysia (USM)
Episode: EP135: Papua Protests with Dr. Hipo Wangge
Ian Storey
Principal fellow, ISIS–USAF–ESHAC Institute; editor of Contemporary Southeast Asia; author of Putin's Russia and Southeast Asia
Yusof Ishak Institute (Singapore) / editor of Contemporary Southeast Asia
Episode: EP134: Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey
Paul Chambers
Adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma, specialist on Thailand politics and Thai military
University of Oklahoma
Episode: EP133: Thailand’s Military with Dr. Paul Chambers

Host

Bridget Welsh
Host and political analyst focusing on Southeast Asia; affiliated with Straight Talk Southeast Asia.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • The Podcast That Makes Sense of Southeast Asia

    Straight Talk Southeast Asia cuts through the noise with sharp analysis, clear perspectives, and truly well-informed guests. Bridget and Zachary break down complex policies and regional decisions in a way that makes sense—and shows why they matter, not just to the 700 million people in Southeast Asia, but to billions more around the world who feel their ripple effects.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GardenDistrictVC
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    This podcast is great for those interested in the complicated political world of Southeast Asia. My wife is from Thailand and the pod has been a great way to keep up with what’s been going on with the election.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBL1990
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Framing helps non-experts understand why regional events matter globally.
Solid insights from diverse guests on regional issues.
Great for keeping up with Southeast Asian political shifts and elections.
Sharp, well-informed discussions that cut through the noise.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#38
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#167
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#181
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#210
Singapore/News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Philippines/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP139: Toboso Killings, Philippines Political Violence with Patrick Peralta
Q: Has Toboso impacted Philippine politics, or is its influence likely to fade amid other crises?
The guest expresses a pessimistic view, noting that Toboso received intense media attention but faded from public memory within weeks as Manila politics and other crises captured attention, implying limited long-term political impact unless sustained accountability efforts occur.
EP139: Toboso Killings, Philippines Political Violence with Patrick Peralta
Q: What are the key features of these killings that we should learn from?
The Toboso killings involved a 12-hour clash described as a legitimate armed encounter by the army, but civil society investigations found civilians among the dead, alleged evidence tampering, and questions about who actually fought, suggesting deeper issues about accountability and the conduct of counterinsurgency.
EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild
Q: What are your thoughts on the central bank's independence under Prabowo, and could this erode investor confidence?
He discusses the historical tension between growth-oriented policy and central bank independence, cautioning that overt political interference could undermine credibility and investor sentiment but allowing for some intervention if managed with credible policy pathways.
EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild
Q: Can you talk about some of the adjustments that you see the Indonesian Prabowo government making recently?
Dr. Guild describes moves such as cutting spending, raising interest rates, and intervening in bond markets as steps the government has taken, noting both the intent to stabilize and the risk of credibility loss if changes are abrupt or inconsistent.
EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild
Q: Tell us what your thoughts are.
Bridget asks for Dr. Guild's assessment of whether Indonesia is in a financial crisis, and he explains that while the Rupiah is under pressure, the country is not in a crisis yet; he emphasizes the role of policy responses and market signals.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Straight Talk Southeast Asia

What is Straight Talk Southeast Asia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, policy-forward show covering Southeast Asia with sharp analysis and a steady stream of expert guests. Episodes frequently explore politics, security, economics, and regional diplomacy, tying local developments to broader global dynamics. The format blends rigorous host commentary with in-depth interviews from researchers, regional analysts, and practitioners, often highlighting governance, policy trade-offs, and resilience in the face of volatility. A standout aspect is the consistent focus on practical implications for policymakers and businesses, making it useful for listeners who want to understand both the why and the how of Southeast Asian affairs.

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How many listeners does Straight Talk Southeast Asia get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Straight Talk Southeast Asia:

1. Southeast Asia Radio
2. Sinica Podcast
3. Asia Geopolitics
4. The Asia Chessboard
5. Lowy Institute

How many episodes of Straight Talk Southeast Asia are there?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia launched 3 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

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What guests have appeared on Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

Recent guests on Straight Talk Southeast Asia include:

1. James Guild
2. Ronald Holmes
3. Patrick Peralta
4. Evan Laksamana
5. Kei Koga
6. Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros
7. Dr. Hipo Wangge
8. Ian Storey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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