Imagine losing everything—could you fight your way back? In Part 2 of this episode, I continue my raw and powerful conversation with Josephus Tan, the "Gangster Lawyer." He reveals how he faced rock bottom and still found the strength to rise. Despite his career success, Josephus hit some brutal low points: Low Points: - Overcommitted to free legal work—almost bankrupt. - Marriage collapsed. - Suffered a mild stroke. - Ended up living in a van. But Josephus didn’t just survive—he came back stronger. His Comeback: - Started smoking at 12, quit at 45—his latest victory! - Rebuilt his life from nothing, twice. - Went from a 1-room flat to a penthouse. - Now a top lawyer, fiercely fighting for justice. In this episode, Josephus gets real about the hardest moments in life, the importance of second chances, and the advice he’d give his younger self. You’ll also hear critical tips on what to do if you’re arrested or caught in a police chase, and how defense lawyers handle client confessions. Josephus Tan’s story is your roadmap to resilience. This episode will move you—and leave you believing that no setback is final. Follow Josephus Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephus-tan-303352307/ Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/ More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

00:00 Start of Episode

00:48 Pro Bono Overcommitment Leading to Debt

03:42 Near Bankruptcy and Failure of First Marriage

07:16 Suffering from a Medical Emergency

10:41 Going on Medication for the Rest of His Life

11:44 Becoming Pest Buster for Vessels

13:49 Dangers of Working on Vessels

15:30 Life of Living in a Van

18:38 Moments When Josephus’s Pride Is Shattered

22:15 Josephus’ Support in Tough Times

23:26 Josephus’ Advice for Life Struggles

25:49 From Pest Buster to Penthouse Owner

30:58 Josephus's Take on Embracing Second Chances

34:25 Remarkable Journey to Quit Smoking

40:33 Action Steps for Arrest Situations

42:49 How to Respond to a Police Chase Situation

45:45 How Defense Lawyers Handle Client Confessions

50:02 What Would Josephus Say to His Younger Self?

50:51 Personal Questions for Josephus

55:06 Outro

In this episode, I sit down with an extraordinary guest, Josephus Tan, famously known as the "Gangster Lawyer," whose life story is a compelling testament to the power of transformation, resilience, and redemption.

Josephus shares candidly about his descent into gang life, his struggles with alcohol that led to destructive behaviour, and the moments of darkness that made him question his path.

At his lowest point, he nearly ended it all.

Discover how a profound spiritual awakening and a deep desire to make amends for his past guided him to quit drinking, pursue a law degree, and eventually train under the legendary criminal lawyer Subhas Anandan.

Join us as we explore his journey from despair to purpose, learning how he overcame his inner battles and embraced a life dedicated to justice and helping others. Plus, for the first time on After the Bar, Josephus reveals an exclusive update—his decision to quit smoking this year.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter one’s past, change is always within reach. Josephus Tan’s story will inspire you to believe in the possibility of redemption and the potential to create a better future.

Follow Josephus Tan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephus-tan-303352307/

Connect with me on LinkedIn at / shulinlee

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

• 00:00 Start of Episode

• 00:38 Introduction

• 01:41 From Bankruptcy to Owning a Law Firm

• 03:11 Formative Years of Josephus’ Life

• 05:52 Being a Victim of Bullying in School

• 10:22 Why Josephus Turned to Joining a Gang

• 11:45 The Reason Most Young People Join Gangs

• 17:12 Growing up Tough in a Blue-Collar Family

• 18:30 Understanding the Gangster Lifestyle

• 22:05 Why Do Gangsters Do What They Do

• 23:28 Josephus’ Epiphany: Moving On from Gang Life

• 25:38 Experiencing Fulfillment in National Service

• 27:07 Old Habits Die Hard

• 31:35 Finding Clarity Through Prayer and Self-Acceptance

• 36:16 The Journey Through Depression & Seeking Help

• 41:35 Josephus’ Push to Get His Diploma

• 49:43 Chasing a Law Degree Against All Odds

• 54:04 A Mother’s Love Fuels His Promise to Do Good

• 58:36 Outro

⛔️ Stop telling yourself you can’t pivot your career.

Think it’s impossible? Meet Lara Quie.

She went from:

➨ Lawyer to Montessori Teacher

➨ Teacher to Kitchen Designer

➨ Designer to BD Manager

➨ BD Manager to Coach

➨ Coach to Podcast Host

Lara Quie, dubbed the “Queen of Pivots” 👸🏻, has done it all.

She’s thrived in diverse roles across Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, Spain, Germany, and Belgium.

Each transition wasn’t just a move—it was a reinvention. 🔥

—

Our latest podcast episode features Lara’s incredible journey of transformation.

Curious about:

➥ How to navigate a mid-life career switch?

➥ Can you make a U-turn if it fails?

➥ How to brand yourself on LinkedIn?

Join us as Lara unveils the secrets of her career pivots, offering you a roadmap to follow.

Learn from a top executive coach who’s just moved from Singapore 🇸🇬 back to the UK. 🇬🇧

🌟If Lara can pivot her career across multiple industries and countries, why can’t you?

Ready to rewrite your career story?

Follow Lara Quie:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie/

Podcast with Lara Quie:

https://thelegalgeniepodcast.buzzsprout.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

• 00:00 Start of Episode

• 00:40 Introduction

• 01:48 The Queen of Pivots: Lara’s Multiple Careers

• 08:34 Lara’s Opportunity Cost When She Pivoted

• 10:06 Having a Supportive Husband and Friends When Pivoting

• 12:55 The Legal Industry: Expectations vs Reality

• 14:47 Looking Back: What Lara Would Have Done Differently

• 16:00 Lara’s Coaching for Career Pivots

• 20:12 What to ‘Unlearn’ to Change Career Paths

• 23:22 Learn From Lara’s Experience in Career Pivots

• 26:24 How to Gain Clarity in What You Want to Do

• 29:22 If Money and Failure Were Not a Concern: What Would Lara Do

• 31:06 Lara’s Journey on LinkedIn

• 34:45 Tips for Personal Branding on Linkedin

• 42:56 How to Start on LinkedIn

• 45:39 Lawyers on LinkedIn with Strong Personal Branding

• 47:09 Lara’s Farewell to Singapore

• 48:56 Rapid Fire Round

• 51:09 Outro

Meet the powerhouse behind Psychobitch.

Amanda Chong is a lawyer trained in Harvard and Cambridge, with endless accolades.

Outside of law, she’s an award-winning Poet, Playwright and Advocate for Social Justice.

Her play 'Psychobitch' sold out in record time, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer. (Could she be Singapore’s answer to Taylor Swift?!)

Simply put, she is a powerhouse you absolutely need to hear from.

In this episode, explore:

🧩 The perception of single women in our society.

🖋️ Her unique approach to Poetry and Playwriting.

🎭 The story behind ‘Psychobitch’ and why it resonates with so many.

🌟 How she advocates for women and children, challenging societal norms and driving change.

-

Named ‘Her World’s Young Woman Achiever” in 2022, Amanda holds nothing back in this episode.

Hear how she addresses gender dynamics, privilege, and the emotional layers behind her creative process.

Join us as she shares her insights with humour and honesty.

Listen now on Spotify! 🎧

#AfterTheBar #AmandaChong #Psychobitch #GenderEquality #ArtAndLaw #Inspiration #Podcast

Follow Amanda Chong:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandawzchong/

More of Amanda Chong’s work:

Buy Professions at: https://epigrambookshop.sg/products/professions or https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789811112362.

Support Psychobitch’s run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2024: https://www.wildrice.com.sg/event/234995-psychobitch-2/

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

00:00 Start of Episode

01:02 Intro

02:48 Amanda on Being Single

06:23 Accessibility to Opportunity, Being Placed On A Pedestal

10:12 Did The People Around Her Start to Treat Her Differently?

12:09 One Thing Amanda Wishes Other People Knew About Her

15:08 Her Journey As A Playwright

23:10 On The Success Of Psychobitch

27:11 Knowing The Boundaries of Taking Inspiration From Personal Life

32:31 Revisiting Memories In The Process Of Writing Psychobitch

37:20 What To Note When Writing Confessionally

41:55 Being Vulnerable & Honest In Work

47:31 Her Legal Career and Advocating for Women and Children’s Rights

54:44 Amanda’s Experience Prosecuting Sex Crimes Informs Her Art

01:00:08 Thoughts On Her Mom’s Sacrifice To Become A Homemaker

01:03:36 Rapid Fire Round

01:06:16 An Excerpt from “Monsoon Girls”

01:07:03 Outro

What are some things you must NEVER say in a job interview?

How can you effectively negotiate your salary package?

What are the biggest mistakes people make during their job search?

How can you turn your career transition into a success story

Ten years ago, Tessa moved to Singapore from Spain to embark on a new career in legal recruitment. She went from knowing nothing about the legal industry in Singapore to becoming a director at Aslant Legal.

Tessa’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, discover how Tessa adapted to a new country, excelled in her career, and balanced starting a family. Hear from a former lawyer and seasoned legal recruiter about navigating the complex landscape of career transitions.

We’ll also dive into:

• How to stand out in an employer’s market?
• What to do if you want to pursue an international career in law?
• How did Tessa overcome her career transition adversities to thrive in a foreign market?

Join us as Tessa shares her invaluable tips and tricks to ace job interviews, adapt to new environments, and advance your career internationally.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from her incredible journey and get inspired to take your own career to the next level!

Follow Tessa Arquilliere:

LinkedIn - / https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessa-arquilliere-60b63b21

Videos with Tessa Arquilliere:

https://youtu.be/8CWXO2a-T1Y?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/1_egYETbG3s?feature=shared

More on Battampore, an inspiring organisation founded to give children in rural Cambodia access to primary education: https://www.battampore.org/

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

00:00 Start of Episode

00:33 Introduction

01:38 Aslant Legal & Tessa’s Role

02:38 What She Wishes She Knew As A Young Lawyer

03:36 The Best Career Advice She Ever Received

04:15 How She Resigned To Do A Career Change

05:46 Some Bad Career Recommendations To Ban

07:55 Common Mistakes People Make In Job Interviews

09:48 Expectations On Pay & Salary Negotiation When Moving Companies

11:06 Do We Need A Cover Letter?

12:57 Setting Yourself Up For A Successful First Interview

14:33 Moving From Spain to Singapore: Challenges And Perception On Singlish

17:52 Is There A Division Between Singaporeans And Expats?

19:13 Tessa’s Difficulties In Moving To A New Industry

20:25 Advice For A Career Pivot When We Have Children And A Mortgage

23:51 How To Prepare Before Moving To A New Country

24:57 Is Singapore Currently An Employers Market?

25:59 Standing Out In A Crowded Market

27:10 Asking For Internal Transfer

29:19 What Tessa Wishes She Knew Before Making Her Career Change

29:54 Looking Back, What Tessa Would’ve Done Differently

31:06 Her Reasons Behind Pursuing Real Estate Law

32:31 A Failure That Set Her Up For Success

36:22 Pro-bono Work Setting Up Schools in Rural Cambodia

38:54 How Tessa Manages All Her Commitments

39:46 Rapid Fire Round

41:14 Outro

Why is the mid-life career pivot so daunting?

Why does networking pose a greater challenge for women?

How can we retain more talented women in the workforce?

And is it really possible to eradicate mum guilt?

Five years ago, Rachel Eng embarked on what she calls the scariest career move of her life!

Amid countless paths, she chose the “hardest” one. Leaving a prominent role at a top law firm to start her very own law firm. What once seemed audacious, has since paid off!

Today, she remains the only woman in Singapore to ever head up one of the Big 4 local law firms; honoured in 2014 as the esteemed Her World Woman of the Year.

As Managing Director at Eng and Co. LLC, Chair of the Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network, and a Board Member of JTC Corporation, Rachel epitomises success.

In this episode, you will hear about how Rachel manages to stay on top of everything.

How was she able to break that glass ceiling?

What gave her the confidence to make the switch?

How did she manage her successful career whilst raising her children – something she did without a domestic helper?

Join us as Rachel unveils her blueprint for advancing gender equality in the legal profession and imparts wisdom drawn from her extensive career journey.

Topics we discuss in this episode:

• Reasons for Leaving a Comfortable Job to Starting a Business
• Balancing your Career and Parenthood without a Helper
• Building a Company with Female Leadership and Management

Join us, whether you are considering shifting careers, embarking on your professional journey, or already experienced in your field, as we discover Rachel Eng’s outstanding career path and the lessons she has to offer.

Follow Rachel Eng:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-eng-50366319/

Videos with Rachel Eng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-eng-50366319

Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network: https://www.sbf.org.sg/about-us/our-communities/business-networks/singapore-women-entrepreneurs-network

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

00:00 Start of Episode

00:57 Introduction

02:35 Forging A Path For Female Leadership and Gender Diversity In Management

04:36 Building A Firm With A Family-Oriented Philosophy To Retain Talented Women

11:00 Implementing Nursing Rooms In The Office

15:32 Balancing Work and Family Commitments Without A Helper

16:50 Struggling With Parental Guilt As A Mother

21:04 How The Advice to Hire A Helper Might Land

23:07 The Road To Partnership As A Female in Law

26:09 Leaving The Comforts Of A Firm To Start A Company

31:49 Whether The Opportunity Or The Decision To Make A Pivot Came First

34:31 The Mission Behind Eng & Co.

35:14 What Rachel Wish She Knew When Starting The Firm

37:17 Advice For Someone Contemplating A Career Change

39:23 What Is Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network (SG-WEN)?

42:26 How You Can Be A Part Of SG-WEN

43:41 Advice To Her Younger Self

44:26 Rapid Fire Questions

46:11 Outro

Would you leave a well-paying legal career to be a pastor? That's what Raymond Fong did.

An ex-Deputy Public Prosecutor with a career in the Legal Service, he took a different path to be a pastor. He is now a Pastor-in-Charge at Wesley Methodist Church, a role that he holds with a deep sense of purpose.

In this episode, you will hear about his story: a prosecutor turned pastor. We'll explore the challenges he faced during this career shift, the lessons he learned, and the journey that led him to become a pastor.

We also discuss:

• Implications of his transition: significant income loss, working 24/7
• His leadership and life lessons
• His experience as a prosecutor

Join us, whether you are considering shifting careers, embarking on your professional journey, or already experienced in your field, as we uncover the unique story of Pastor Raymond's dual careers and the lessons he has to offer.

For more about Pastor Ray and his work, check out his newly launched podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wTfH91dRk5bT6VPJ0GuS9?si=c7d7374f8c4e45ae

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:

What if you get retrenched? What if you need to terminate someone? Do you know what your rights are? Or what to do?

In this episode, you’re going to learn what your rights are if you get retrenched in Singapore.

We talk about retrenchment, termination and employment law with two senior lawyers - Amarjit Kaur, Head of Singapore Employment Practice at Withers KhattarWong and Seow Hui Goh, Head of Singapore Employment Practice at Bird & Bird.

Hear their views on the recent Lazada layoffs. And how retrenchment can go terribly wrong and also surprisingly well, when handled properly.

We also talk about:

• Repercussions of Remote Work
• How to Terminate Employees, and Still Preserve Goodwill.
• Effectiveness of Performance Indicator Plans (PIPs) in the Workplace.

Join us, whether you're a leader, experienced professional or just starting out in the workforce, as this episode offers invaluable insights beneficial for both employers and employees.

If you know someone who’s dealing with employment uncertainty, send them this episode and provide them with the information they will need.

Seow Hui Goh LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seow-hui-%E6%99%93%E6%85%A7-goh-%E5%90%B4-a997b66a

Videos with Seow Hui Goh: https://youtu.be/HirBFsXP9oo?si=fQR0vcfp_NMLNuaZ

Amarjit Kaur LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarjit-kaur-4b1ba620/

Videos with Amarjit Kaur: https://youtu.be/bdQ3WNBuloM?si=QbzEjtAeq_PN2vg-

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 00:45 Introduction 01:47 Dealing with Rumours of Retrenchment 04:01 What to do When Colleagues are Offered a Better Retrenchment Package 06:13 Taking a Pay-cut to Stay in the Organisation 07:29 Lazada Retrenchment Exercise 10:32 How can Employers Cushion the Blow of Retrenchment? 14:04 Can Retrenchments Go Well? 15:59 Retrenchment as a Disguise to Let Go of Poor Performers 19:41 Do PIPs Actually Work? 24:36 When to Let Go of a Poor Performer 28:45 Preserving the Relationship When Employees Leave the Organisation 31:10 Should You Reveal at Your Next Interview if You Were Made Redundant? 34:30 Can Organisations Do Anything When an Employee Posts a Bad Review on Glassdoor? 37:01 Disgruntled Employees Sharing Their Opinions Online 39:52 Remote Working in a Public Place 44:23 What’s the Best Ratio of Working In Office To Working From Home 47:56 Upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation 54:06 Rapid Fire Round 57:08 Outro