“I Wish People Would Hold Their Judgement When They See A Child Jumping Up & Down Randomly In Public”

We caught up with local podcaster Didi Fadhli to discuss his decision to step away from podcasting and the challenges of balancing work while raising a child with special needs.

If you’re part of the local Malay community, chances are you’ve heard of the Singapore-based podcast KauApeHal (@kauapehalx) – a cheeky, highly unfiltered show that directly translates to “What’s your problem?” Known for its humour, authenticity, and relatable content, this Malay-language podcast airs on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, with a loyal following tuning in every week.

The hosts cover everything from cultural heritage and social issues to everyday personal challenges, all complemented with a casual, unfiltered vibe that resonates with many listeners, including those from our neighbouring countries!

We recently spoke with Didi Fadhil (@didifadhli), a former member of KauApeHal (KAH), who shared his decision to step away from the show to focus on family. Didi, currently working full-time as a Motion Graphics Designer at a local gaming company, often spoke on the podcast about his experience raising a child with special needs. In the podcast, he’s known for his contagious laughter and joyful personality. In our conversation, we learned more about his decision and his heartfelt journey through fatherhood.

Can you share with us how you initially got into podcasting?
It all started in 2022 when an old friend reached out and asked about video editing and video equipment. He shared his idea of opening a podcast and asked if I was keen to join. I agreed because I thought I was joining as a designer. To my surprise, he actually wanted me to join as a co-host!

What were some of the highlights of your podcasting career that you’re most proud of?

My first official sponsorship was with Shortcutx, where I took on the challenge of losing 10kg in a month. Thanks to their products, along with a lot of hard work and discipline, I successfully hit my goal!

Understand that you wanted to step away from the podcast to spend more time with the family, and care for your son. Please tell us more about that.
Stepping away from podcasting was a tough decision. I loved making people laugh and enjoyed every moment of it. However, due to circumstances regarding the podcast and responsibilities at home, it felt like the right time to step back.

During the day, I worked as a designer, and at night, I recorded podcasts. On good days, I had some free time to play with my kids before putting them to bed. On busier nights, I was either working on designs or editing podcast episodes. Those were my ‘hustling days’, working until 1am or 2am almost every night. Hahaha.

I’ve always been goal-oriented, and I believe my contributions helped shape the podcast into what it is today. After almost three years, it’s time to prioritise work-life balance. Furthermore, with my eldest son starting Primary 1 next year, my wife and I need to be there for him as he embarks on this new chapter.

KAH is doing well in the podcast scene, was there a pivotal moment that made you decide you need to step away?
There wasn’t a specific moment that made me want to step away from podcasting; rather, it was the gradual unfolding of circumstances around me. Over the past few months, multiple events shifted my perspective and prompted me to reevaluate my life priorities.

How did the rest of KAH react when you broke the news?
I think everyone on the team was shocked, and there was even a moment of silence. The news was quite heavy for them to process.

How did you balance your podcasting career with your family life before making this change?
I had to manage my time wisely, especially with podcast recordings at night and video shoots on the weekends. Both my wife and I work full-time, and we don’t have a helper.

We plan ahead to ensure she has the support she needs at home before I leave for recordings or shoots. For instance, if I have a video shoot on a weekend afternoon and my wife needs to cook or clean, I’ll take the kids out for a morning walk to give her some space. It may seem simple, but it really makes a difference.

My kids are happier spending time with me, and my wife feels less burned out in the afternoon while managing the kids. We take turns, and I do my best to help out with household chores when I can. I’m very involved with my kids; I just don’t showcase it on social media.

What’s the first thing you did after deciding to take a break from the podcast?
Honestly, the first thing I did was turn off notifications for all my social media accounts and go offline for a while.

How has the transition been so far since stepping away from the public eye?
The transition wasn’t as drastic as you would expect. People still say hi and acknowledge me as a member of the podcast when I’m out and about. I appreciate that recognition and enjoy talking with them. I remain active on social media, sharing posts about fitness and my weight loss journey.

How has your relationship with your son been since you left the podcast?
My relationship with my son has been great before, and even better now.

Raising a child with special needs can be both rewarding and challenging—what have been some key lessons you’ve learned as a parent?
I’ve learned that focusing solely on our children’s disabilities and weaknesses can prevent them from reaching their fullest potential. Instead, we should embrace their strengths, interests, and unique abilities. If we take the time to observe, we can see their world through their eyes, which is what makes them truly special.

My eldest son, who has mild autism, struggles in social situations. We do our best to model positive interactions at home, but he still faces challenges in making friends. During one playdate, we noticed him sharing his toy and starting a conversation with another child. Watching them play together brought us so much happiness, knowing he was applying what we had taught him at home.

Do you have any other support such as family, support group and friends?
Having a wife I can depend on is incredibly important. She takes charge of organising our daily schedules, ensuring that our routine is in place. Once a routine is established, our kids can follow it with less resistance. They know what to expect at different times of the day, which reduces their anxiety and keeps them prepared.

I’m also very grateful to my mother-in-law, who has been a tremendous help, especially when both my wife and I need to be at the office. I’m close to my family as well, particularly my two sisters, and we stay in touch frequently, often communicating every other day.

What are some of your favourite/most rewarding moments as a dad?
My most rewarding moment as a dad was witnessing my son’s play performance during his graduation ceremony. We had no idea he and his classmates had been practising for weeks. Imagine our shock on the actual day!

What amazed me most was that he played the main character and had the most lines. Honestly, I felt nervous watching him on stage, fiddling with the backdrop while delivering his lines. He memorised everything effortlessly and even corrected his classmate, who was the narrator. The audience erupted in laughter at that moment! I’ve never been prouder of him.

Do you foresee yourself returning to podcasting in the future?
If there comes an opportunity, I don’t see why not!

What are your aspirations for yourself and your family moving forward? Any projects or causes you would want to take on?
Now that I have more time, I’m excited to revive my Instagram food review page, @munchingupnext. I’m also interested in selling my designs on apparel. Who knows, I might even launch a new apparel line!

What are some things you wish people would understand about being a parent with a child with special needs?
I wish people would hold their judgment when they see a child jumping up and down, laughing to themselves, or having a meltdown in public. Behind every one of these children are parents trying their best to hold it all together. We can never truly know what they’re going through, but we can offer them the space they need and extend our empathy.

Do you have any advice for working fathers or parents in Singapore who may be facing similar challenges with caring for their child’s needs?
Acceptance is key. Lower your expectations of your child with special needs and do your best to enter their world by engaging in activities they enjoy. If your child loves playing with water, take them swimming. If they enjoy stacking or aligning objects, introduce them to games like Dominoes or Jenga. The options are limitless!

It’s perfectly okay to embrace your inner child and be silly with them. A good father figure knows when to be fun and when to be serious. You’ll find that your child will become more open and attentive once they see that you understand, accept, and love them for who they are.