Echoes from the Axis: Taylor’s Scholar Inspires at TEDxUTM

On 25 May 2025, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia hosted TEDxUTM at the iconic N24 venue in Skudai, Johor, under the theme aXis: Dimensions of Change. The event brought together an extraordinary lineup of speakers, each offering a fresh dimension of thought across fields ranging from education and entrepreneurship to personal growth and social impact.

Among the voices that resonated with the audience was Janak Ashok Teckwani, a PhD scholar from Taylor’s University, who attended the event with his co-supervisor, Dr. Ahmad Mustaqim bin Yusoff. Janak delivered a compelling talk titled “Passive Participants vs Architects of Life,” urging the audience to move beyond passive existence and become active creators of their own paths. Drawing on his diverse experiences as a counselling researcher, social service volunteer, award-winning innovator, and founder of the podcast #TimeToTalk, Janak’s insights were both deeply personal and universally relevant.

With sincerity and conviction, Janak reframed how we view opportunity, success, and failure. He reminded the audience that we often hear about hard work only after it has succeeded, but rarely during its most difficult moments. Sharing stories of his own setbacks and achievements, including representing Malaysia at the Sustainable Expo (SX2024), he emphasised the importance of not waiting for the “perfect time,” but instead beginning with what you have. His talk was a powerful call to stop overthinking, start laying bricks, and build something meaningful, one intentional act at a time.

Janak’s multi-industry perspective, spanning technology, psychology, podcasting, and public speaking, added depth to his message about designing life with awareness, clarity, and resilience. His talk was a timely reminder that failure should be embraced, not avoided, and that challenges should be taken up rather than perpetually feared.

The event also featured moments of levity and performance, adding to its vibrant energy. In a space buzzing with curiosity and creativity, connections were made, ideas exchanged, and perspectives shifted. TEDxUTM 2025 wasn’t just an event, it was a movement of minds pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to lead change.

The Evolution of #timetotalk Podcast by Taylor's Master of Counselling Students to Break Boundaries with Global Guests

#timetotalk has emerged as a vibrant local podcast, fostering impromptu dialogues with a diverse array of guests, both local and international. It sprouted from a simple yet profound vision during the pandemic to nurture authentic conversations, unencumbered by societal norms, solely through the realm of social media. The Founder of this endeavor, Janak Ashok Teckwani, and the Editor and Co-host, Goh Ian Shen, are now pursuing Master of Counselling at Taylor’s University.

Originating from humble beginnings as university students studying Psychology programme and various other disciplines, the podcast delved into an array of topics including Mental Health, Art, Films, while also spotlighting local talents and the unheralded successes of unconventional sources. The trajectory of this passion driven, from its inception during undergraduate years to its current postgraduate phase, epitomized perseverance against daunting odds. The creator deliberately steered away from the allure of social acclaim, prioritizing authentic dialogue and meaningful sharing.

The podcast has featured an array of distinguished guests including notable figures (Linktree: https://linktr.ee/timetotalk2020). These guests and many others were invited for engagement solely through social media platforms, making the process notably unique. The #timetotalk journey challenges traditional notions of podcast success, emphasizing the value of fostering genuine conversations over the status of guests. Success, in this context, is defined by the ability to facilitate authentic discussions without pretense. The belief that one does not need to be 'big' to engage 'big guests' remains a fundamental philosophy.

This approach prioritizes meaningful interactions with individuals who embody significant work rather than focusing on fame. Engaging with global guests exposes counseling postgraduates to diverse cultural, social, and psychological perspectives, enhancing their interpersonal skills and cultural competence in counseling practice. Interacting with global guests also expands their knowledge beyond traditional classroom teachings, providing insights into various cultural nuances and global issues. The resonance of this narrative extends to both the audience and the guests who have participated in the podcast.