The Straits Times Podcasts

In an increasingly digital world, why are young Indonesians drawn to activities that bring them offline and together? Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. In this episode, host Li Xueying speaks with Indonesia correspondent Karina Tehusijarana about the growing popularity of shared, analogue and hands-on trends, such as a resurgence in cinema attendance to jump rope groups and custom mechanical keyboards. As people seek ways to connect beyond their screens, these different pursuits point to a renewed interest in community and the tangible pleasures of an offline life. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:20 Post-Covid-19 cinema boom 6:30 Exploring traditional communal practices like arisan 10:40 The analogue lifestyle: A resurgence 16:50 Mechanical keyboards and diverse communities 19:50 Emerging analogue trends such as knitting and vinyl records Read Karina Tehusijarana’s articles here:…

In the first two months after the Online Safety Commission (OSC) started operations, the agency handled more than 500 reports of online harms. Doxing and online harassment made up the bulk of eligible reports. The OSC is a new avenue - it launched on June 29 - that helps victims by compelling platforms and group administrators to remove harmful content quickly. Can the OSC make the internet a safe space for users in Singapore? Singapore’s Commissioner of Online Safety Francis Ng drops in on The Usual Place to talk about how the OSC has the power to tackle online harms, and why removing harmful content can give victims relief. Also, if Ng could personally ban one harmful online behaviour, what would it be? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:30 What does the Online Safety Commission do? 4:30 500+ cases, some of the material “very, very disturbing” 7:02 The AI sextortion case that stayed with Ng 9:54 Is there too much onus on social media platforms? 13:40 Is it always clear-cut that harm has been caused? 21:43 The…

IPS' Mathew Mathews unpacks why a high salary can't protect you like a wealth buffer can. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The average wealth held by the top 20% of households stands at $5.3 million. That is 18 times more than the bottom 20%, whose average wealth sits at $293,000, according to an occasional paper titled Income Growth, Inequality, and Social Mobility Trends in Singapore published by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in February 2026. While government policies and wage initiatives have successfully lowered income inequality, MOF's 2026 occasional paper reveals that Singapore’s wealth Gini coefficient now stands at 0.55. In this episode of In Your Opinion, host Lynda Hong sits down with Mathew Mathews, principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS), to unpack the critical…

Singapore is also testing out solutions to tackle heat without air-conditioning. After three years of clear skies, the haze is back in Singapore. One contributor to the pollution is the El Nino weather phenomenon, which causes drier, hotter weather in South-east Asia. This causes fires typical of Indonesia’s agroforestry landscape to burn harder and longer. So how is Singapore responding to the double whammy of haze and hotter weather? Green Pulse host Audrey Tan talks to correspondents Shabana Begum and Ang Qing on what they have observed while reporting on these conditions. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:13 The impacts of El Nino in South-east Asia 7:39 How people in Singapore are responding to the heat and haze 13:50 Are people in Singapore heat-tolerant or heat-avoidant? 15:53 Solutions to help people adapt to heat without air-conditioning 20:24 What are the global impacts of El Nino? Read Qing’s and Shabana’s related articles: Solar-powered air-con, freeze-tech and ‘fan-jakketos’ among innovative…

Wired earphones and film cameras: Is retro tech back, or another performative trend? In this episode, we look at how retro analogue items such as wired earphones, film cameras, and Walkmans are making a comeback. Is this here to stay or is it just another performative trend? Join hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann as they chat with Gen Z business owner and CD collector Cody Tong about the psychology behind the analogue revival and the benefits of unplugging. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction 2:32 Why physical formats are making a comeback 5:52 Tech trends, aesthetics, and nostalgia 8:33 Intention and benefits of going analogue 17:13 Digital detox and practical tips to unplug Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Elizabeth Law Follow the Headstart On Record…

Trump's stroking of Xi and talk of a G-2 with China is vexing Asian middle powers Japan and India. Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode, Ravi hosts two experts on geopolitics – Prof Tomohiko Taniguchi, former foreign policy adviser to the Shinzo Abe Cabinet in Japan, and Dr Sanjaya Baru, geoeconomist and media adviser to the late Indian PM Manmohan Singh. They both explain what their respective countries make of the spectacular welcome President Donald Trump gave President Xi Jinping in the Sept 23-25 summit that took place in Washington DC. They also discuss the evolving nature of Japan's and India’s bilateral relationships with the US, including talk of ‘derisking’ from Washington. Highlights (click/tap above) 1:30 Was the carpet ‘red’ enough? 5:30 Key takeaways from the summit 9:30 Is Xi bending Trump’s ear on Asia? 14:00 ‘De-risking’ from the US is on…

Will COE prices for cars fall if there is just one COE category for cars, with a tiered surcharge or rebate depending on the vehicle’s open market value? These are some changes that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) proposed on Oct 8, as part of a review of the COE system. This comes as the gap between Category A and B premiums has narrowed, making the distinction between mass-market and higher-end cars less clear. In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks to ST’s senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe and NUS associate professor Timothy Wong, who researches transportation and urban economics. How will the proposed changes affect the market? Will car dealers game the system? And if you’re in the market for a new car, should you buy now or wait until proposed changes kick in? Watch or listen to the podcast to find out. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:20 What is LTA is proposing and why? 5:21 Will COE prices come down? 7:13 How would a rebate and surcharge system work? 12:07 Can dealers game…

Classic ADHD stereotypes, like physical hyperactivity, can cause many to be overlooked and turn to maladaptive coping. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Despite the boom in online conversation about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in recent years, the neurodevelopmental condition is still largely misunderstood due to its name. Experts say those with ADHD don’t lack attention, as much as they lack the ability to regulate it. With October being ADHD awareness month, features correspondent Grace Yeoh speaks with Dr Ong Mian Li, a clinical psychologist and the founder of private practice Lightfull Psychology, in this episode of In Your Opinion. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Together, they explore the invisible challenges of ADHD, particularly when one is seen to be “high-functioning” — the ability to manage the…

Conservationists must make their pro-nature arguments to the mainstream, says ST’s Bhavan Jaipagras. Synopsis: Every Tuesday, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Recent announcements about new developments coming at the expense of nature areas in Singapore have reignited the perennial ‘conserve versus develop’ debate. Such discussions were first sparked when housing plans for the Gillman and Maju estates, on which secondary forests have grown, were revealed in July. In August, plans for a new western island – built by reclaiming several of Singapore’s southern islands – generated further discussion on the issue. Host Audrey Tan discusses with ST’s senior columnist Bhavan Jaipragas how the national debate on this can be more constructive. Our Green Pulse podcast has returned from a hiatus and every Tuesday from October onwards, host Audrey Tan will highlight how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society. Each episode also comes with a…

Invest but keep enough liquidity to help you sleep at night. In this episode, we look into the concept of liquidity. Everyone tells us to invest, but how much is enough and how much should we leave behind for a rainy day? What about saving for BTO and other commitments? Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann speak to guest Bryan Low, Managing Director and Head of International Wealth Management for Singapore at KGI about what liquidity really means, types of investments and how liquid they are, and if you should just keep all your money in savings accounts for fear of that rainy day. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Intro 1:08 How much cash do we really need 5:00 Liquidity vs cash 9:30 Investments that are less liquid 12:50 Risk profile differs according to age 15:15 But what if I need to pay for my BTO? 22:55 The intersection between your life and wealth 28:00 How much to keep in the bank Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's…

Parents have long complained that the education system in Singapore is too stressful for children. To address their concerns, the Ministry of Education has made policy changes over the years, including scrapping PSLE T-scores and removing weighted assessments and examinations at certain levels. But have these measures worked? A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) showed that parents are more stressed than 10 years ago, and they are spending more on tuition and enrichment classes. The Straits Times also reported that some property agents now explicitly market themselves as Primary 1 strategists or consultants, and advise their clients to plan ahead so their children can get into the school of their choice. If the system has been easing up, what’s driving parents to continue taking part in the education “arms race”? And are the tuition and property industries capitalising on their anxiety? In this episode, Natasha chats with: • Jacqueline Ho, assistant professor of sociology at the Singapore…

Trump and Xi are nudging the bilateral relationship from confrontation to stability, says Chan Heng Chee. Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and geopolitical talking points. In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Singapore's Ambassador At-Large Chan Heng Chee about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the United States in more than a decade. The pomp-filled visit included a rare sight; President Donald Trump and his wife Melania waited at the tarmac to greet President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan as they landed in Washington DC. Critics have dismissed the September 23-25 summit as heavy on symbolism and lacking in substance. Chan, who served as Singapore's envoy to the US for 16 years, says building a rapport counts as a worthy outcome. “When you have a relationship, you can make a deal, solve problems,” she said. “The Chinese will miss Trump when he's gone,” she added, noting that the charismatic American…

What are the repercussions of adding your boss and colleagues on social media? In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss the nuances of adding your colleagues and supervisor on social media. While there are benefits to sharing your personal life with them on these platforms, should we also be wary that they might use the information against us? Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction and personal experiences with bosses on socials 3:00 Power dynamics of social media 6:08 Online public vs private personas 8:56 Are there any pros to adding your boss on social media? 9:58 What do people use social media for? 15:32 Navigating social media boundaries with bosses and colleagues Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Elizabeth Law Follow the Headstart On Record…

There’s a potential Malay political realignment. Here’s what it means for regional stability and Malaysia’s governance. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points in Malaysia. For our September episode, ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Dr Syaza Shukri, associate professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Highlights (click/tap above): 03:50: Najib Razak’s conditional house arrest and what it means for unity government 10:00: Impact of Najib's house arrest on Pakatan Harapan's credibility 18:20: UMNO general assembly: Zahid Hamidi dares PM Anwar to face confidence vote 22:10: PAS' posture and leadership ambitions ahead of GE16 26:40: Regional perspectives: Should neighbours worry about a PAS-influenced government? 34:40: News nugget: JPJ's 'H' series vanity licence plates hit multi-million ringgit bids Read more: Crowdfunding $15m fine: Najib’s party…

Will AI eventually be able to kill us, or are AI doomsayers being alarmist? Recently, employees at AI frontier companies like Anthropic and OpenAI have voiced serious concerns - and made doomsday predictions - about the technology getting out of control. What made people pay attention: Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon publicly quit the AI giant in September, writing on X that “the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade”. His warning comes after the high-profile OpenAI-Hugging Face incident: OpenAI models broke out of an isolated testing sandbox and hacked into Hugging Face, an AI model repository. In this episode, Natasha speaks with Clement Neo, a research advisor at SASH, a non-profit organisation that looks at policy-relevant governance work. He also founded Neo Research, an independent AI safety evaluation lab, and was previously a research engineer with the Singapore AI Safety Institute under NTU Digital Trust Centre, which looks at AI models and figures…

Why do Singaporean kids write about winter? Gwee Li Sui on AI, Singlish & why culture cannot be rushed. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. A year after the launch of our Culture Pass credits, take-up rates sit at just 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Singapore’s new national reading movement, ReadSG, now aims to pay people to try building a consistent reading habit. What does this say about us as a people? Is it such a bad thing if we stop reading long-form fiction and just read social media? And why bother with SingLit when we are already so familiar with Singapore’s culture? In this episode, assistant opinion editor Lianne Chia speaks to poet, graphic artist, and literary critic Gwee Li Sui on why focusing too much on hitting KPIs in our quest for culture often backfires. They discuss how doomscrolling and short-form text change our capacity for empathy…

Our friend circles shrink as we get older. How do we deal with it? In this episode, therapist Cao Zhikai shares how we can deal with losing friends as we enter adulthood, and what we can do to combat that feeling of loss. She also shares about the grief of friendship breakups, which don’t often get given enough attention in a society that prioritises romantic relationships. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why it’s nerve-wrecking making friends as adults, yet having the payoff of a purposeful adult connection is worth it. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction 0:32 Shrinking adult friend circles? 4:35 Why proximity matters 8:39 The grief of losing friends 16:26 Being intentional in keeping friendships alive 24:39 Do friends serve a purpose? 28:10 The fears of making new friends as adults 33:59 Meeting new people in a non-romantic way Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See…

Donald Trump need not be. BRICS is nowhere near creating an alternative to the US-led world order, says our expert. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Sarang Shidore, the director of the Global South Program at the Quincy Institute in Washington DC. In a conversation taking stock of the grouping’s annual meeting in New Delhi on Sept 12-13, he calls BRICS an “interesting experiment” that is worth studying. Like ASEAN, it operates on consensus but has no charter. BRICS has been on a membership drive and now covers nearly all the regions outside of the wealthy western world. BRICS comprises 11 members - Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. It also has 'partner countries' including the likes of Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. US President Donald Trump has…

If you’re a customer with a pre-paid package with a business and it closes, will you ever get your money back? True Fitness and True Yoga customers and employees were left in the lurch last week after the businesses shuttered. Many have unused memberships, packages and services, and members have reported losses of more than $609,000. And it’s not just gyms. Prepayment packages are common at nail salons, spas, interior design and renovation firms, and bridal studios. When these businesses close, what happens to consumers’ money, and are there ways consumers can be better protected? In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha chats with: • Jeremy Ko, a fitness entrepreneur who has opened 25 fitness gyms and three climbing gyms, and had to close three of them, and • Debby Lim, a senior partner in Dentons Rodyk’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She was also affected by the recent closure of True Fitness, having been a member since June 2025. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:08 What’s happening with the…

It takes a bold mindset to imagine innovations like Creative’s sound card and the iPhone, says a venture capitalist. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Following a recent parliamentary debate on growing Fortune Global 500 companies in Singapore, we ask if Singapore can ever grow a homegrown startup into a global tech giant like Apple or Nvidia? Or do our cultural attitudes toward risk and failure limit this potential? To explore whether Singapore has the ecosystem and vision to build game-changing products that are similar to Creative Technology's sound card or the Apple iPhone, Lynda Hong sits down with Hian Goh, founding partner of Openspace Capital. Managing a billion-dollar portfolio, and having served as the investment banker to Creative Technology's founder Sim Wong Hoo, Hian discusses the realities of the venture capital world. In this…

Is travelling with friends worth the risk when all hell breaks loose? From disagreements over budget to one person wanting to “travelmax” while another wants to wake up at noon, a trip can become a horror story. In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss whether you should travel with friends and the red flags that can spell disaster instead of a fun holiday. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00: Intro 2:10 Compromising on travel choices 4:50 Walking red flags on holiday 8:11 Relaxing vs travelmaxxing 12:00 Breakups on holiday 14:05 Picking travel companions 15:57 Pre-trip disclosures Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Elizabeth Law Follow the Headstart On Record Podcast here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify:…

Will the increase in ministerial salaries cost the People’s Action Party (PAP) votes at the next General Election? On Sept 8, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that political office-holders will get a one-off pay increase of up to 9 per cent. This will take effect from Oct 15 - an entry-level grade MR4 minister getting the full adjustment will see his annual pay rise from $1.1 million to $1.2 million. The changes to salaries come after the Government accepted the recommendations of a committee convened to review political salaries. One of its recommendations is that the MR4 benchmark will also be updated from $1.1 million to $1.8 million. Existing ministers’ salaries will continue to be adjusted based on performance, and PM Wong expects most MR4 ministers to earn about $1.35 million – the lower end of the new salary range – by the end of this term of government. In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks with Straits Times’ senior columnist Bhavan Jaipragas, and Rebecca Grace Tan, a senior…

An unending conflict and shrinking aid leave Myanmar’s refugees and displaced in increasingly dire circumstances. Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode, he speaks with the British psychotherapist and aid worker Edward Blakeney on the travails of Myanmar’s 1.6 million exiles and 4 million internally displaced people. What emerges is a story of food shortages, medical issues including mental trauma, and lack of educational opportunities among an exile diaspora that now stretches from Thailand to Bangladesh, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. Highlights (click/tap above) 2:30 Brutal war and a worsening refugee situation 5:20 A 9-year-old drug addict 8:40 Wasting, malnourished children 14:10 Ukraine distraction, journalists under the gun 24:00 Has Blakeney seen a shrink himself, given what he has seen and experienced? Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow…

As Singapore ages, the number of family caregivers is rising, making caregiver respite a key focus. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The rising number of dementia patients is just the tip of the iceberg. An ageing population, chronic illnesses that leave loved ones bedridden, and more awareness of mental health conditions have cast a spotlight on the importance of caregiver respite. On this episode of In Your Opinion, we look at the mental health struggles faced by caregivers who sacrifice much of themselves in caring for loved ones. Joining assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong is Tim Oei, CEO of Mindfull Community. Drawing on decades of leadership at major social service agencies like AWWA and the National Kidney Foundation, he talks about caring for the carers, and why some see going to work as a form of respite. Oei touches on systemic gaps…

The US market is exciting, but it can also be dangerous for young investors. The US market has been on a tear, but it is also littered with pitfalls for unsuspecting new investors. Should we stock pick or just buy the S&P 500? And what about new IPOs like Space X? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to explore the US market without getting burnt. Her guests are Sheryl Choong, Head of Client Advisory Singapore at Endowus and Afdhal Rahman, OCBC executive director of wealth advisory. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:12 Should I just invest in the S&P 500? 7:13 What percentage of my portfolio should be in the US? 10:30 S&P 500 vs Nasdaq vs Dow Jones 12:00 How to start investing in the US 15:45 Getting into popular new US IPOs 18:30 Lump sum investing vs regular investing 23:20 Dealing with exchange rates Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Hosts: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and…

Discover the science of aging and learn about the latest geroscience research aimed at shifting the focus from mere lifespan to healthspan. Synopsis: Once a month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. In the latest Health Check podcast, we examine the burgeoning science of healthspan—the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease—shifting the focus beyond mere lifespan. Part of The Straits Times' “The New Age” series, this episode explores ageing not as an inevitable decline, but as a complex biological network. Host Joyce Teo sits down with Dr Brian Kennedy, director of the Center for Healthy Longevity at the National University Health System, about cutting-edge research in geroscience and the shift from reactive sick care to proactive healthcare. Brian is a distinguished professor of biochemistry and physiology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:33 Exploring ageing clocks,…

Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee reflects on her four-year journey in this special farewell episode. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. After four years of reporting from the frontlines, Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee is hanging up her media pass to embark on a new chapter. In this special farewell episode, host Li Xueying sits down with Wai Yee for one final, reflective look back at the island she called home for the past four years. They discuss the stark paradox of high-tech industries coexisting with deep-rooted tradition, and the everyday resilience of people living with geopolitical uncertainty. Wai Yee shares the stories that defined her tenure in Taiwan, and what she will miss most. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:08 Why it’s time to say goodbye: Wai Yee’s next chapter 3:56 Taiwan’s high-tech prowess meets deep-rooted tradition 6:16 How locals cope with geopolitical pressure…

If you own a private condominium unit and are looking to downgrade, or a family considering buying a BTO flat, the two recent housing policy changes would have brought some relief. In July, the 15-month wait-out period for private residential property owners who want to buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat was lifted. In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the income ceiling for BTO flats and new executive condominiums will be raised, and more ballot chances for first-timers with children. How will these moves affect housing prices, and will there be more million-dollar flats as demand goes up? Also, with more people qualifying for a BTO, will it be harder to get a flat? Chief researcher and strategist at Realion (Orange Tee & ETC) Group Christine Sun, and chief research officer at Mogul.sg Nicholas Mak, share their views on what moves we could possibly see in the property market. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:55 Three groups who will benefit 6:40 Will BTO application…

Denise Phua raised an autistic son and spent decades championing greater inclusion. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The Straits Times Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat sits with Member of Parliament and President of Autism Resource Centre Denise Phua to discuss her personal journey raising a son with autism and the lessons it has taught her about inclusion. The podcast explores the “post-18 cliff” faced by many adults with autism and their families, and what needs to change in learning, employment and living arrangements. Denise also discusses the anxieties caregivers face about their children’s futures, especially when parents are no longer around. The conversation examines whether Singapore’s disability policies are keeping pace with the needs of people across their entire lives – and what a truly inclusive society should look like.…

With DAP committed to the unity government, can Anwar Ibrahim reform his coalition before the next general election? Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For our August episode, ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Dr Ong Kian Ming, a former deputy minister and adjunct professor at Taylor’s University. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:20 DAP members vote to stay in government: Is it the right choice? 8:40 Is the DAP grassroots divided over call to stay in government? 17:40 What is the ideal situation for DAP? Is it time to return to the opposition? 19:50 Should Anwar Ibrahim step back to allow Pakatan Harapan to rebuild for 16th general election? 24:40 Anwar’s strategy: Tactical survival or a genuine long-term plan? 31:00 Are Anwar’s advisers listening? Here’s what we have to say to them 37:10 Side note: Formula 1 is back in Sepang, but…

An NUS scientist reversed his own biological age after stress-testing his diet, sleep and exercise in a longevity study Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Strict bedtimes, daily exercise and cutbacks to fat and sugar intake are usually gleaned from big data as standard advice for better health. But what if you could effectively tailor these rules for your own body? To find out more about how an individual’s biological baseline shifts over time, Dean Ho, director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), embarked on a two-year study on himself to develop a technology that analyses the data from wearables. Known as DELTA, this study had helped reverse the 47-year-old's biological age by 15 years, after undergoing a series of lifestyle interventions, including varying fasting durations,…

If you’ve been thinking about having kids, last night’s National Day Rally might have given you something to rally about. Parents - and those who are considering having children - were the focus of PM Wong’s address on August 23. In a nutshell, parents will get more help: more childcare leave and financial support, along with lower pre-school fees and more ballot chances when buying their first BTO flat. But will this move the needle on our Total Fertility Rate, which now stands at 0.87? Natasha asks Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh Hanyan from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth why the Government shifted its stance to consider every child equally. Dr Reuben Ng, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a father of four, shared his thoughts on when the Government needs to roll out more measures for this reset to count. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:17 Were the parenthood measures good enough? 6:56 Why tackle the cost concerns first? 12:15 Should mothers get medals for…

What kind of involvement do Singaporeans want in policymaking? The Maju Forest-Gillman Barracks issue has seen Singaporeans making their voices heard, offering counter-proposals, and demanding more transparency from the Government. This isn’t the first time Singaporeans have made their views known - remember issues including the Dear You bilingual policy debate, the SimplyGo roll out, and the scrapped NTUC Income-Allianz deal. Are we in a new era of civic participation, and does the way the Government engages Singaporeans need to change? Also, would too much consultation hamper policymaking? In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with: Assistant Professor of Sociology George Wong, who researches grassroots organisations in urban governance and politics in Asia at Singapore Management University, and Jonathan Ng, an independent consultant with more than 20 years of experience in policy advocacy and regulation, and a former civil servant. He also creates social media content about how government and…

The former senior minister unveils the robust Cabinet debates over three defining institutions published in a new book. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Governing Singapore today is a tough task, made more difficult by frequent comparisons with the immediate post-independence decades - a period dominated by the towering figure of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Yet was Lee more open to persuasion than we realise? Was governing Singapore far more complex, nuanced and more akin to a team sport? What enabled the Singapore Cabinet to have vociferous debates on policy including the Elected Presidency, the Group Representation Constituency and the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament? And after recent developments and the power of hindsight, would one of their chief architects say they’re due for a refresh? These are the subjects of the book…

Would you reveal your salary to your colleagues? What to do if you are underpaid? In this episode, ST’s own manpower correspondent Sharon Salim talks about navigating conversations around salary transparency and how being too transparent can affect workplace dynamics. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss transparency being crucial to benchmarking against peers in the same industry, and whether firms discourage employees from salary transparency to maintain an advantage in salary negotiations. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00: Intro 3:55 Utilising salary guides & public sector disparity 7:58 The impact on workplace dynamics 11:52 Downsides of transparency 15:34 Job interviews to check “market rate” 19:59 Is sharing your salary against rules 23:29 Negotiating a pay raise 27:42 Track your monthly career milestones Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and…

What more should we know now about this country that is central to the global economy and is playing an ever greater role in geopolitics? Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this first-ever joint episode of Asian Insider and Radio Davos, he is joined by the World Economic Forum’s Robin Pomeroy as they speak with Qian Liu, whose Wusawa Advisory helps companies understand China. It was recorded in late June at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China. Ravi and Robin discuss with Qian about how a Chinese economy built on innovation and scale is impacting the world, the mainland’s internal worry lines such as high youth unemployment and lagging consumption, and why female power could drive China’s next growth phase. Highlights (click/tap above) 4:00 Exports, joblessness, property in a slowing economy 9:00 China’s property market…

Would you read regularly if you were paid to do so? The National Library Board (NLB) is hoping that people will develop a consistent reading habit by giving readers virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash. They need to spend at least 15 minutes on the activity each day. But why does the library have to incentivise us to read for fun? What do we lose when we no longer read, especially if we’re choosing to doomscroll instead? In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with: Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee from the National Institute of Education, who researches people’s reading habits, and Chris Koh, the programme director of the National Reading Movement Highlights (click/tap above): 1:47 How was ReadSG conceptualised 3:41 Why do we have to be paid to read? 7:41 Is reading for 15 mins actually realistic? 10:45 Does reading daily create a habit? 19:16 Why we should stop calling kids “non-readers” 21:10 Will book clubs get people reading? 27:39 What do we lose when we don’t read? 32:19 S’pore’s…

Migrant workers - we discuss the unpaid wage saga and their role in our economy. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The Straits Times columnist Tan Dawn Wei sits down with Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash to discuss his transition to the Cabinet and how his background in healthcare for vulnerable groups shapes his approach to labour policy. The conversation tackles a major wage crisis where over 400 migrant workers went unpaid, sparking a debate on whether Singapore’s system is adequate in picking up early warning signs. The Minister of State also outlines a future with fewer but better paid migrant workers and better living conditions, concluding with a call for stronger social integration and mutual empathy between Singaporeans and migrant workers. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:38 Transitioning to the manpower portfolio: Dinesh…

Japan's ageing crisis has turned prisons into an unlikely safety net for lonely seniors. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. Japan's prisons are increasingly housing a growing number of elderly inmates, many of whom are repeat offenders convicted of minor crimes. Why would anyone choose prison over freedom? In this episode, host Li Xueying speaks with Japan correspondent Walter Sim as he takes the audience inside Tochigi Prison, Japan's largest women's correctional facility, where an unexpected trend is raising difficult questions about the country's rapidly ageing society. Some elderly women are repeatedly committing minor offences, but the reasons behind their actions may not be what you expect. Their stories reveal deeper challenges facing Japan, from loneliness and shrinking family support networks to rising care costs and an ageing population. What happens when prison becomes part…

Millennials are the generation that changed the conversation around mental health. They normalised mental health talk, encouraged self-care and made going to therapy less taboo. So what caused the 50 per cent jump in suicide deaths among adults in their 30s in 2024? Recently released data from the annual report on registration of births and deaths by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority showed there were 441 suicide deaths in Singapore in 2024. Suicide among adults aged between 30 and 39 increased from 66 cases in 2023 to 99 in 2024. In this episode, Natasha speaks with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and medical director at Connections MindHealth, and Anthea Ong, co-lead for a white paper for national suicide prevention strategy Project Hayat, about what’s affecting this group. We also talk about why men are still reluctant to seek help, and whether AI chatbots are valid sources of mental health support. Watch the previous TUP episode on how to help someone having suicidal thoughts: https://str.sg/3KHRV…

Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims & the Workplace Fairness Act: How S’pore’s new law rewrites the rules. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes? In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah & Tann. They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and…

Talking to friends about money can be sensitive, here’s how to navigate it. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Friendships may be priceless, but money talk often crops up among friends - who owes who money, choosing dinner locations, trying to budget for travel together. But how can we talk openly about money without breaking friendships? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan and See Kai Wen talk about how to navigate this issue. Their guest is Vivienne Ong from MoneyOwl. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:49 How will it affect the friend group if everyone knows each other’s pay? 7:43 People pleasing vs guarding your own finances 10:56 Money talk when travelling with friends 18:00 Can owing money break a friendship 23:29 Taking emotions out of the equation 24:50 Expensive weddings and hongbao 29:26 How to approach the money convo Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Follow Sue-Ann…

Will the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link sound the death knell for smaller, home-grown businesses when it opens in a few months? A new study, which was released on July 16, highlighted how Singaporeans are slated to spend $1.05 billion more across the Causeway in 2027. But visitors from the other side aren’t expected to send as much business our way. JB visitors are projected to spend about $756 million more. The Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Restaurant Association of Singapore and the Singapore Retailers Association jointly commissioned the study to look at how the RTS Link could reshape consumer spending, tourism flows and business competitiveness in Singapore’s retail and food and beverage sectors. Can local retail and F&B businesses, which are already struggling with rent and manpower costs, cope with the added pressure? In this episode, I speak with: • Musa Fazal, the chief policy and operating officer at the SBF, and • Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small and…

Mums discuss the trade-offs and rewards of both choices, and why there is no “right” way to be a mother. Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday. This final episode explores one of the biggest questions mothers face: Stay home with my children, or continue working? From the emotional cost of missing moments with their children to the financial realities of stepping away from paid employment, working mums often find themselves weighing impossible trade-offs, even though there is no “right” way to raise a family. Host Vanessa Chelvan speaks with Kristen Kiong, a speech therapist and mother of three who left the workforce to care for her children full-time; and Yong Qiao Qing, a marketing manager and mother of two who returned to work after being a stay-at-home mum. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding stay-at-home mothers, the hidden value of unpaid caregiving, and why becoming a mother can make women stronger and more productive at…

From running marathons to being personalised chefs, robots are redefining life in the future. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and Greater China bureaus. For July, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai teams up with ST’s senior China correspondents Yew Lun Tian and Daryl Loo. Their focus is on China’s AI and robots and what they mean for jobs, IPOs and the US-China rivalry. On the ground, Lun Tian notes that AI has become “everything, everywhere, all at once.” Everyday innovations now range from driverless robotaxis and near-unmanned factories to AI-generated microdramas. Such tech advancements have translated into a can-do spirit for China. The government has framed China’s open-source AI models as a driver of equitable global development—offering Beijing a chance to demonstrate leadership and responsible AI governance. However, skeptics argue against expanding China’s…

It has been quite a week in Singapore politics, with adjustments to the Cabinet line-up and the surprise resignation of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. In this episode, Natasha takes a deep dive into the implications of blooding younger politicians such as Jasmin Lau into the Cabinet and junior ministerial roles now, and if the PAP’s high moral standards will cost them future talent. Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan and independent political observer Dr Felix Tan weigh in on the diversity of the new Cabinet and why politics is not priesthood. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:26 Was the new Cabinet line-up surprising? 5:45 Newbie politician Jasmin Lau’s fast rise 9:00 Is the 5G leadership team taking shape? 13:05 Does politics need politicians with private-sector experience? 16:38 Know how to communicate ideas, says Felix 19:16 Is Ng Chee Meng out of the “political wilderness”? 23:39 What’s the public “obsession” over Ng Chee Meng? 28:25 Who will eventually…

Two women share their journeys through IVF, miscarriage and the long road to motherhood Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday. This episode explores the difficult journey some women take to become mothers. Around one in six couples in Singapore experience infertility, yet many endure the physical and emotional toll of fertility treatment in silence while juggling work, medical appointments and the uncertainty of what comes next. Host Vanessa Chelvan speaks with Divya Menon, director of Fertility Support SG, who is still navigating her own in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey after multiple treatment cycles and a recent miscarriage, and Elisha Tushara, a Straits Times journalist whose daughter was conceived after years of fertility treatment and losses. They discuss the grief of failed cycles and miscarriages, the burden of balancing treatment with work, the financial cost of trying to conceive, and why workplaces - and society - need to…

While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities? Opinion Editor Lin Suling speaks with sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about whether Singapore is becoming a nation that relies too heavily on rules, complaints and punishment — and what it would take to build a genuinely high-trust, "We First" society. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:35 Why does seemingly ordinary, considerate behaviour disappear once people get behind the…

Job hopping: Career suicide or a way to learn what works for you? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, Annabel Lim, Business & Reputation Director at communications firm We. Communications shares how she built her career by cycling through 7 full-time jobs. She talks about how each change gave her a different perspective or skill that cumulated in her current role, and why “job-hopping” isn't necessarily a red flag in CVs. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann, who have worked in two jobs and one job respectively, also discussed how long a person should hold their job before making a switch and how to tell when a role no longer works for you. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Job hopping: Is it a bad thing? 6:56 Is there a minimum time one has to stay at a job? 9:45 Rage quitting 13:28 Is company loyalty worth anything? 20:40 Push factors at work 29:52 The urge to quit: just a phase or deeper problem?…

The gap between Beijing's stated growth rates and actual economic performance is widening considerably, says expert Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Dr Logan Wright, an expert on the Chinese economy. He is based in Washington, DC, after living and working in Beijing and Hong Kong for over two decades. Wright is a partner at Rhodium Group, a US research and advisory group. He leads the firm’s China markets research work. He is also a senior associate of the trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His book Broken China: How the Economic Miracle Shattered and What it Means for the World hits the stores in September 2026. In this episode, he points out that most analysts treat the Chinese economy differently from other economies. “They tend to look at the Chinese…