About this Event
Some stories are told with words. Others, with food. This evening brings both together.
Join us for an intimate and culturally immersive gathering at SanDai as we celebrate the recent launch of Wan Naszeerah's book, .
Part reflection, part playbook, Debunk with Empathy explores how we can approach difficult health conversations with the people who matter. Filled with narratives, psychology-backed strategies, and timeless wisdom from Nusantara, the book challenges us to rethink how we listen, respond, and ultimately, connect with one another.
But, what is Nusantara?
A historical term for the interconnected cultures of Southeast Asia's Malay Archipelago, Nusantara spans modern-day Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, and parts of the Philippines. It is a shared heritage—one that lives through its food, language, and even ways of healing. This culturally immersive evening will introduce you to some of these.
What to expect?
A Conversation on Health, Healing & Hati
Through selected passages from Debunk with Empathy, Naszeerah will guide guests through an evening of sensory storytelling, exploring how hati—the Nusantara concept of the mind-heart connection—shapes the way we eat, heal, and engage in meaningful conversations. Whether at the dinner table, in our communities, or online, she will share reflections on how empathy transforms the way we navigate health and trust.
A Thoughtfully Curated Nusantara Buffet
Nora Haron, Executive Chef for SanDai + Kopi Bar, known for bringing Nusantara heritage to California’s plate, joins Naszeerah in curating a multi-sensory buffet experience designed to complement the evening’s stories. Expect aromatic spices, deep flavors, and rich textures that tell a story of history and heritage. (Hint: Rendang is definitely included!)
Book Signing & Giveaway
Stay until the end for an exclusive book signing and a special giveaway featuring Nusantara-inspired items, including handcrafted Malaysian batik textiles and artisanal Malay sambal. Paperback and hardcover copies of Debunk with Empathy can be pre-purchased through Eventbrite, with a limited number available for sale at the event.
Please arrive no later than 7:30 PM to fully experience the event.
About the Book
Some conversations stay with us. The ones where a mother insists on a remedy passed down for generations. The ones where a father refuses a doctor's advice because “they cannot be trusted.” The ones where a friend believes in medical misinformation, but you don’t know how to respond. Through practical tools, psychology-backed strategies, and heartfelt stories from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, Debunk with Empathy is for these difficult (yet necessary) health conversations with those who we care about. Read more at www.Naszeerah.com/debunkwithempathy.
About Wan Naszeerah
Wan Naszeerah is an author, public health researcher, and storyteller who explores how culture, language, and the digital tsunami shape how we heal and talk about health. Born stateless in Brunei, raised by an immigrant Malaysian mother, and working with communities across the Nusantara, she has lived in the in-between—between tradition and modernity, inherited wisdom and scientific reasoning, belonging and otherness. Her book, , is both a reflection on living in this plurality and a practical guide to communication. Learn more at www.Naszeerah.com.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
SanDai, 1522 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, United States
USD 23.18 to USD 39.19
