Off the REKOrd with Gia Santos
Off the REKOrd with Gia Santos
Podcast Description
Life doesn’t always go as planned—but what if the plot twists lead you somewhere even better?Welcome to Off the REKOrd with Gia Santos: Kwentuhan on Life’s Plot Twists, Ikigai, and New Chapters.The best conversations happen off the record—raw, unfiltered, and unexpected. That’s exactly what this podcast is about. We dive into the behind-the-scenes stories of people who’ve navigated life’s biggest plot twists—from career shifts to love, passion projects, and everything in between.Here, we don’t just talk about the wins—we embrace the messy middle, the transitions, and the highs and lows that come with them. We unpack the pivotal moments that changed everything, the lessons learned, and the books that helped our guests find their way.Because sometimes, the biggest plot twists are what lead us to our Ikigai—our reason for being. Whether it’s a career, a passion project, or a new path you never saw coming, these twists shape the journey, giving life meaning and direction. And sometimes, all it takes is one book—or even just one page—to shift your perspective.Maybe you'll find that moment in a story from this podcast. Maybe you’ll discover it in Reko, your go-to platform for relatable books by Filipino authors. (Shameless plug )Or maybe, this episode is exactly what you need right now. New episodes drop every Saturday at 5PM. For those at a crossroads, taking chances, or figuring things out—this one’s for you. Because the best stories always come with a plot twist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes of personal growth, career transitions, and discovering one's ikigai through the lens of unexpected life changes. Episodes delve into topics such as creative pursuits, financial literacy, and self-discovery, with specific examples including the journey of a shy individual becoming a spoken word artist and an engineer turning into a financial coach.
Life doesn’t always go as planned—but what if the plot twists lead you somewhere even better?
Welcome to Off the REKOrd with Gia Santos: Kwentuhan on Life’s Plot Twists, Ikigai, and New Chapters.
The best conversations happen off the record—raw, unfiltered, and unexpected. That’s exactly what this podcast is about. We dive into the behind-the-scenes stories of people who’ve navigated life’s biggest plot twists—from career shifts to love, passion projects, and everything in between.
Here, we don’t just talk about the wins—we embrace the messy middle, the transitions, and the highs and lows that come with them. We unpack the pivotal moments that changed everything, the lessons learned, and the books that helped our guests find their way.
Because sometimes, the biggest plot twists are what lead us to our Ikigai—our reason for being. Whether it’s a career, a passion project, or a new path you never saw coming, these twists shape the journey, giving life meaning and direction. And sometimes, all it takes is one book—or even just one page—to shift your perspective.
Maybe you’ll find that moment in a story from this podcast. Maybe you’ll discover it in Reko, your go-to platform for relatable books by Filipino authors. (Shameless plug 
)
Or maybe, this episode is exactly what you need right now.
New episodes drop every Saturday at 5PM.
For those at a crossroads, taking chances, or figuring things out—this one’s for you. Because the best stories always come with a plot twist.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if that “wrong turn” is actually the path to purpose?
In this heartwarming and candid episode, Gia chats with Matthew Alamar—co-lead of Financial Literacy PH, host of the Upward Stream podcast, and a fellow electronics engineering graduate. Together, they unpack his wildly unexpected career journey: from aspiring MassComm student to Biomed engineer, hopeful OFW to pharmacy sales assistant, to finally building one of the Philippines’ most trusted financial education communities.
Matt opens up about the twists in his journey—missed applications, failed exams, visa issues, burnout—and how each one led to growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. This episode is a masterclass in grit, pivots, and finding your ikigai through service.
🎙️ In this episode, we talk about:
· How a college mishap landed Matt in ECE
· Falling in love with Biomed through field exposure
· The job hunt struggle in Dubai—and working in sales despite being an engineer
· Rising from shelf-wiping to becoming the first Filipino manager in his company
· People management lessons and Middle East leadership growth
· The pivotal family losses that led him into financial literacy
· Growing Financial Literacy PH from 200 to 200,000+ members—and why trust is everything
· Why ikigai can evolve, but core values stay the same
· Rejecting the myth of being “self-made” and sowing good seeds
· Books that helped him navigate major transitions
· Why podcasting became his go-to creative outlet
This episode is for anyone navigating change, stuck in-between, or trying to reconnect with purpose. Matt’s story reminds us that detours have value—especially when you keep showing up for your growth and for others.
📚 Books & Authors Mentioned:
📖 Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler – on navigating nonlinear lives
📖 The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith – on letting go of success myths and starting anew each breath
📖 How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark – on patience and legacy thinking
📖 Works by Mark Manson – for his bold, truth-telling approach to mindset and meaning
📖 How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick – on being a multi-passionate multipotentialite
📚 REKO Staff Pick for This Episode:
✨ Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga by Stefani J. Alvarez — A witty take on identity, reinvention, and OFW life. Perfect for those who resonated with Matt’s Middle East journey.
📌 ABOUT THE GUEST
Matthew Alamar is a financial literacy advocate, content creator, and podcaster. He co-leads Financial Literacy PH, a Facebook community with 200,000+ members dedicated to empowering Filipinos through accessible finance education. A former electronics engineer and Biomed professional, Matt now uses his platform to guide others through stories of service and self-discovery.
From board exams to Dubai pharmacy shelves to building inclusive online communities, Matt’s journey reflects what it means to stay grounded in growth and purpose.
⏳ Episode Timeline (Condensed):
00:00:00 – Selling vitamins in Dubai: the unexpected starting point
00:03:00 – Missing MassComm, ending up in ECE, falling for Biomed
00:08:30 – Working in Manila and flying around PH for Biomed
00:15:00 – Moving to Dubai, facing visa setbacks, working retail
00:23:00 – From shelf-wiper to manager: habits, exams, and hustle
00:34:00 – Going home, discovering Financial Literacy PH
00:43:00 – Trust and growth in online communities
00:48:00 – Matt’s evolving ikigai and multipotentialite life
01:00:00 – Sunk cost fallacy and breath as reset
01:07:30 – Final advice: sow good seeds, no one is self-made
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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