This is life! unfiltered, with Gagan Gurung.: Recent Episodes
Gagan Gurung
Hong Kong Bar Industry veteran Gagan Gurung chats with his friends and guests about their life, and how they grew up and where are they now in life.
Jonathan Song is the Global Business Director of Plaza Premium Group. Although he had Malaysian roots, he was born and raised in Hong Kong. After high school, he studied economics and chemistry at Bowdoin, a small liberal arts college in Maine.
Christina Brandt is an American newly relocated to Japan by way of Hong Kong.
She’s a long-term Starbucks Partner who is passionate about supporting women in their personal and professional development and equal rights for everyone. Last but not least, she is a mother to Charlie, her 23 year old son who is the light of her life.
Father, husband, leader Entrepreneur, published author of a cocktail book (Cocktails & Dreams) and co-owner of recently crowned world50best bars no.26 Sidecar, he is a true legend for our younger generation get inspired from.
Sonam Lama is a tea practitioner and an educator with almost three decades of experience in his bag. His devotion to tea emphasises on aesthetics, wellness, and education of Camellia Sinensis- the evergreen shrub, with a special focus on fine artisanal teas.
He has been deemed a teacher of tea but he denotes himself as a student of tea. His practice invites a deeper understanding and respect for self-tapping into intuitive wisdom and awareness. Influenced by classical Buddhist philosophical thoughts and culture, he views tea as a medium for self-cultivation, change, and healing. He uses tea as a tool to introspect into one’s own mind.
In the last two decades, Sonam has introduced and taught tea to hundreds of people, young and old from all over the world. While he teaches tea to students who come to him, he makes an exception for the locals of Ilam, Nepal. Lama often visits local schools and colleges and motivates young children to understand the treasure in the gardens around them.
Originally from the UK, Douglas has lived and worked as a lifestyle journalist in London, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Formerly Managing Editor at Time Out Hong Kong and now Senior Commissioning Editor at the South China Morning Post, he has covered many beats and is a specialist in many topics including the F&B scene in Hong Kong, international education in East Asia, as well as Asian cinema.
Stephanie is originally from Canada but grew up in Hong kong. She’s worked in PR and marketing in various industries including f&b, hospitality, lifestyle and wellness.
Wilson Fok is a Hong Kong-based freelance food and lifestyle writer with over 10 years of experience in the media circle. An avid food lover with healthy appetite and curiosity in everything food related, Wilson shares his perspectives in the local food world and insight in the importance of writing the right story that inspires.
Spencer Douglass
A gentleman and a knave, born out of time, yet somehow at the right time. A connoisseur of cocktails and fine foods, yet equally a street rat easily found outside 7 Elevens with a beer in hand.
Has been a businessman, marketer, entrepreneur, talent manager & producer. Now sits comfortably at the NBA helping them bring their sport and all inherent fun & happiness to markets across Asia.
Santosh Dhakal , a civil engineer from Nepal who arrive Hong Kong to hustle and turns to be a great story to listen
Slavica Habjanovic is a writer and communications specialist. An Australian-born Croatian, she’s worked in sociology, publishing, media and design and has an infinite curiosity about all things related to culture and art. Through her work she aims to give space to the voiceless, marginalised and underrepresented.
Amrit Sunder arrived to the shores of Hong Kong in the midst of 2019. He flew for an airline in Hong Kong for over 2 years and has recently left the city to pursue opportunities overseas.
Gagandeep Singh is an Assistant Lecturer at The University of Hong Kong and a Hong Konger through and through, born and raised in the city.
Angelica has a background in food security and environmental science. But when she’s not working she’s hanging out with friends and family or going out to explore the Hong Kong countryside for tiny plants and animals!
James Hong - Sydneysider, engineer of tunnels. Lived in Hong Kong for 8 years whilst cultivating his bar and cocktail enthusiasm, and work sometimes.
Andrew Davis is this episode's guest who used to work in logistics. Now, an Agave spirits enthusiast who co-founded Mezcal mission.