Afleveringen
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ASEAN’s latest climate plans will face intense scrutiny as climate impacts worsen.
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Fast-growing South-east Asia is highly vulnerable to climate change.
As the climate risks grow, the region needs to lift its game to ramp up green energy investment and adopt stronger climate targets.
This year is a key test of the region’s climate resolve. All 10 ASEAN members are obliged to submit updated and more ambitious 2035 climate plans to the UN this year. Only Singapore has done so to date.
The question is, though, with the United States and Europe rolling back on climate finance and targets, does South-East Asia have the will to boost green investment? And where will the money come from?
Green Pulse podcast hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss SE Asia’s climate plans with Ms Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow and Coordinator, ASEAN Studies Centre, at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
2:20 With the US and EU backsliding on climate commitments, are you seeing this in ASEAN, too?
4:21 Importance of ASEAN on global climate and energy policies
10:53 Efforts in in funding ASEAN net zero targets
17:10 ASEAN ambitions in new climate plans this year
21:54 Could China step in as a major source of climate finance for South-East Asia?
30:09 Why ASEAN should start showcasing climate investment opportunities with a pavilion at the annual UN climate conference
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W
Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2
Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy
Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu
Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag
Feedback to: [email protected]
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Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Major shifts in the job market and employer practices make for more options but tougher decisions too.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
Singapore’s tertiary education system has been shaken up in recent years, with polytechnics and universities among those seeing major changes.
These include apprenticeships, structured talent programmes, industry attachments, longer-duration internships and even global exposure opportunities that raise the skills bar and prepare students for skilled roles from the outset.
On one hand, some employers, especially in technical fields, seek for diploma graduates who enter the workforce earlier than others in their cohort and gain skills on the job.
On the other, there is a push to grow the proportion of the cohort enrolled in university for further studies.
ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, a seasoned education expert on how to make sense of these different forces in charting out your own education and career path.
His guest is:
Associate Professor Jason Tan, who studies education policy, curriculum and leadership at the National Institute of Education
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:10 Where are these shifts in the tertiary education system stemming from?
5:49 Does this mean there are more pathways to meet industry needs from an earlier age?
10:35 What are the challenges that come with these changes?
16:34 Pay structures that look strictly at paper qualifications may not reflect differences in skills
18:08 Keeping an open mind on the best choice
Read about one such recent change: https://str.sg/ioJA
Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz
Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy
Host: Tay Hong Yi ([email protected])
Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow
Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:
Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3
Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9
Feedback to: [email protected]
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl
---
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All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) dropped its report on March 11 and here’s the gist: Boundaries for GRCs have been rejigged, new SMCs have been carved out, and there are now more constituencies with double-barrelled names.Now that we have a clear picture of how the electoral map has changed, what do these changes mean as we head into a general election?
To answer that question, Natasha speaks with former nominated Member of Parliament Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University, and Straits Times senior political correspondent Tham Yuen-C.
The conversation also dives into the talk of gerrymandering, why the EBRC gave a more detailed explanation of the changes than in past reports, and what political parties have to do now.
Highlights (click/tap above):
5:23 Dissecting the talk of gerrymandering
13:23 Voters are more concerned with everyday issues17:43 What's with the double-barrelled GRC names?
23:42 The Jurong GRC split: what does it mean for parties with a presence there?
28:34 Will the electoral map changes affect "horse trading"?32:19 Prof Tan and Yuen-C pick the 'hottest' GRCs or SMCs to watch
Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN
Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm
Filmed by: Studio+65Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX
Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P
YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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But Malaysians’ love affair with the fruit persists.
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.
Talk about what’s new with Johor nowadays and one usually ends up with a five-letter acronym - JSSEZ, or the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
But all the excitement about rising opportunities has also hastened the demise of what traditionally has juiced up Johor’s economy - pineapple farms. Land packed with the hardy, spiky fruits is making way for more profitable oil palm plantations, data centres as well as other commercial and industrial activities.
Malaysia is not giving up on pineapples though, as it's the No 2 export fruit after the mighty durian. Sarawak has earmarked 20,000 hectares just for growing the fruit.
In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with Malaysia correspondent Lu Wei Hoong about his love affair with pineapples and why it means so much to Malaysians.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:56 A special fruit to Malaysians
5:00 The closure of Lee’s Pineapple Juice
7:03 The rise of data centres
12:42 From Johor to Singapore: The pineapple connection
Read Lu Wei Hoong’s article here: https://str.sg/zby2
Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR
Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])
Edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX
Feedback to: [email protected]
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Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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How younger social workers and social service entrepreneurs are exploring the use of music in the eldercare space.
Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests.
In this special edition of In Your Opinion - filmed in front of a live audience at The Foundry - a social service entrepreneur and social worker share how music can transform the eldercare space.
Be it for their loved ones or as part of their advocacy, youths can now find more avenues to reach out to seniors, using the powerful tool in music.
When it comes to engaging the elderly, music can reinvigorate and empower them - all while closing the gap between different generations.
Studies have shown that music can amplify connections between the brain’s auditory and emotional regions, encouraging memory encoding and recall.
In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - STNow reporter Christie Chiu - speak with two guests who are harnessing the power of music to transform eldercare in Singapore.
The two guests are: SanCare Asia founder Johnson Soh, who uses music-based technologies and services to help dementia patients; and Fei Yue Community Services programme executive Amanda Soon, who taps on music to get seniors more involved in their communities.
Having studied in the UK and worked in the film industry there before returning to Singapore, Amanda now uses her creative skills to empower seniors and youths. At Fei Yue, she uses music to pilot various programmes and workshops with youth volunteers, youths and seniors.
After working in the music industry for almost 30 years, Johnson founded SanCare Asia in 2016. The first elder-care service in Asia to offer person-centered reminiscence music programmes came about when Johnson's father developed dementia.
"I actually used my dad as a guinea pig," he said, adding that he put together a playlist of songs which would resonate with him, songs which he grew up with during his formative years.
"And yeah, it worked wonders, you know, to see him light up, to see him in a different mood just gave me the impetus to start the company."
Over the years, Johnson has used reminiscence music to develop various programs as well. With his extensive research and deep music expertise, Johnson developed many programmes including Strike A Note©, a proprietary personalised music playlist programme for seniors. He also launched Return To The Tea Dance©, a silent disco-inspired music and movement programme, which became a finalist at the 2020 Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.Highlights (click/tap above):
6:41 How Fei Yue creates community for seniors by reviving lost dreams
7:20 How Fei Yue youth volunteers bring energy and ideas to do community work with seniors
9:03 Bridging inter-generational gaps through SanCare Asia’s person-centred care, creating a personalised music playlist for each senior
12:06 When music can also elicit adverse reactions; a delicate task for youth volunteers with seniors
15:50 Return to the Tea Dance, a silent disco programme for dementia seniors
22:41 Youth volunteers, social services and social enterprises empowering each other
25:20 How the Crdl can help the less-functioning dementia seniors
Find out more about:
SanCare Asia: https://str.sg/kEvE
Fei Yue Community Services: https://str.sg/sAxH
Listen to the other filmed live podcast at The Foundry:
Saving our old buildings from obscurity: What can young people do? - https://str.sg/FKRb
Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH
Read Christie Chiu’s articles: https://str.sg/3ESxU
Hosts: Lynda Hong ([email protected]) and Christie Chiu ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb
Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Get The Straits Times’ app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
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Why our expert guest speaker draws parallels with the chaotic Cultural Revolution in China in 1966.
Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.
In this episode - recorded on March 4 - Ravi speaks with Wang Xiangwei, the eminent Hongkong-based China scholar and former editor-in-chief of South China Morning Post. Mr Wang, who currently teaches at Hongkong Baptist University, offers a Chinese perspective on the vast changes being brought to the United States by President Donald Trump.
He draws parallels with the chaotic Cultural Revolution ordered by foundational Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1966, and discusses what strategic openings this could present China.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:30 Comparisons with Mao’s chaotic Cultural Revolution
5:30 ‘The enemies are within’
9:00 Trump popular despite chaos unleashed
14:40 China too needs to drain the bureaucratic swamp
17:50 China gains as Trump undoes Biden policies
20:30 Putin won’t burn China bridges to please Trump
22:40 US-China confrontation will continue until there’s a winner
Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])
Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP
Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX
Feedback to: [email protected]
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Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
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Are we talking enough about health checks and the possibility of cancer for young adults?
Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
When she was about 35 years old, stay-at-home mother Hannah Seow discovered she had breast cancer after a self-examination. Her diagnosis came about two years after her youngest child, Caleb, died.
For Samuel Ng, a month-long on-and-off fever was a sign that there was a deeper issue. In January 2024, after a blood test, he got the dreaded call. His report was “unfavourable”.
Soon after, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. While dealing with cancer, he was laid off from his job.
In this episode, Natasha chats with Hannah, now 37, and Samuel, 35, about how it feels to get cancer as young adults, their mindsets through their journeys, and if they want to be known as cancer survivors.
According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022, while cancer remains largely a disease of older age, more young people are being diagnosed with cancer.
Between 2008 and 2012, the age groups with the most rapid increases in the age-specific incidence of cancer were all under 50 years old - with those aged between 30 and 39 registering the largest differences.
This trend is also reflected globally, with Global Burden of Diseases data showing an increasing trend of cancer among younger age groups, with a 79 per cent increase in “early onset” – under 50 years old – cancer globally between 1990 and 2019.
To celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and those still fighting against the disease, the Singapore Cancer Society has organised Relay For Life (RFL) once again. The annual overnight event from March 8-9 comprises a 100km physical relay event at the National Stadium, as well as a virtual challenge component.
While registration for the physical relay has closed, donations to RFL remain open until March 23, 2025. Donate at www.scsrelayforlife.sg.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:32 How did Hannah and Samuel find out they had cancer?
10:39 What was it like telling people about their diagnoses?
15:35 How both of them stayed positive throughout27:46 Should Samuel disclose his cancer diagnosis to a potential employer?
33:57 Do Hannah and Samuel want to leave their cancer story out of their identities?
Follow Singapore Cancer Society: https://www.instagram.com/sgcancersociety/?hl=en
Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN
Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm
Filmed by: Studio+65Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX
Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P
YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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Combating loneliness with a mindfulness trainer.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Loneliness – that social pain of not feeling connected, is widespread. Inadequate social connections or social isolation is also a growing problem today.
Social isolation and loneliness have significant, yet often overlooked, consequences for our health and longevity. The health risks are comparable to smoking daily, excessive drinking and obesity, said the World Health Organisation.
Social isolation and loneliness are also associated with anxiety, depression, suicide, dementia, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, said WHO.
Why do we feel lonely? Can we stop feeling lonely? What can we do about it? In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo finds out why we feel lonely and gets tips on how the young and old can combat loneliness from a mindfulness trainer.
She is Adjunct Associate Professor Angie Chew, the founder and chief executive of the Brahm Centre, a mental health charity dedicated to promoting happier and healthier living.
Highlights (click/tap above)
1:18 Why do we feel lonely?
3:45 Letting go of judgement to free our minds
5:55 Feeling lonely in the corporate world?
7:10 Combating loneliness in old age
8:39 What can parents do to help their children cope with loneliness?
12:00 Loneliness in young adults
Check out ST's new series, No health without mental health: https://str.sg/mentalhealthmatters
Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN
Host: Joyce Teo ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
Follow Health Check Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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In a divided world, environmental treaties are still worth fighting for.
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
President Donald Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement for the second time, prompting other countries to ponder about their involvement in the multilateral climate treaty. At the same time, other environmental agreements are running into speed bumps. Talks at the UN plastics treaty in December 2024 fell through; while the COP16 biodiversity conference, postponed in November 2024, reached a deal when talks resumed in February 2025.
In such an increasingly polarised world, are global environment treaties under threat? Do they still matter and how can they be strengthened as the impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution worsen?
Green Pulse podcast hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss why treaties still matter, some of the key problems they face and offer some solutions.
Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
1:54 Significance of environmental treaties in effecting change
5:52 Using climate data to measure success of international meets
9:23 The need for consensus to strengthen international environment treaties18:06 Multilateral treaties can't be abandoned, but forming small groups with like-minded nations could alleviate climate problem
22:46 Bright spots amid the gloom - regulations for business driving positive change.
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W
Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2
Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6
Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu
Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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CDC vouchers are welcome, but young people also want more housing, jobs and childcare help.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
Budget 2025 has come and gone - the time we Singaporeans look for some free money and vouchers.
This year, a big theme was around helping to alleviate the cost of living especially with inflation in the last few years.
But exactly how much did the Budget have for us young people in our 20s and 30s, and what are the remaining problems that are untackled?
In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what the Budget gave and what young people might want from it in the future.
Her guests are young financial literacy expert from DBS Shawn Lee, and investment strategy managing director Vasu Menon from OCBC.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:39 What were the top three Budget goodies for us?
6:15 Help for young parents and families
8:58 Feeling the cost of living pinch
12:21 No housing measures this Budget?
18:31 Help for young people looking for jobs?
25:10 What would you tell PM Wong given the chance?
27:44 Giving your Budget 2026 wishlist
Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa
Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X
Host: Sue-Ann Tan ([email protected])
Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow
Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:
Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3
Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9
Feedback to: [email protected]
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl
---
Follow more podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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The relationship may not necessarily be purely competitive only.
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 China bureaus.
For February, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai and assistant foreign editor Chang May Choon connect with colleagues - Magdalene Fung based in Hong Kong, and Joyce Lim in Shenzhen.
They wonder if Shenzhen has indeed eclipsed Hong Kong today, and look at how the two cities’ roles have evolved in recent years.
Once a rural backwater that looked up to its richer, savvier neighbour across the border, Shenzhen underwent rapid development in the past four decades and flipped the power dynamics.
But within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the reality is that both cities will need each other in order to have sustainable growth going forward.
The GBA refers to the region comprising the semi-autonomous cities of Hong Kong and Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:50 Past history: When Hong Kong was less developed and Shenzhen was just a village
3:40 Light show comparisons: The Shenzhen light show, launched in 2018, and Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights - a tourist staple since 2004
5:35 Does Shenzhen represent the future, in terms of the tech edge?
8:35 Hong Kong is still the big brother that is the largest source of investment for Shenzhen
11:35 Why would one cross the border, to visit either city?
13:42 Understanding the Greater Bay Area concept
Read more: https://str.sg/9Snd
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
Hosts: Albert Wai ([email protected]) & Chang May Choon ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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The Aljunied GRC MP chats about his first term as an elected MP and being from an opposition party.
Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
Also, in the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.
In this episode, Mr Giam, who is an Aljunied GRC MP looking after the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol division, chats with Natasha about his journey to becoming a WP member, the challenges of being in an opposition party, and how his first term as an elected MP has been.The episode was filmed on Feb 14.
Highlights (click/tap above):2:10 “Sports is very much like politics in many ways.”
7:50 The most difficult speech Mr Giam made in Parliament
14:57 Is there a myth of opposition parties that he would like to debunk?
22:00 Will screening candidates deter people from stepping forward
29:43 What Mr Giam thinks will be different in the upcoming GEHost: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN
Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm
Filmed by: Studio+65Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX
Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P
YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u
Feedback to: [email protected]
---
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Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
On Feb 18, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the Budget 2025 that has been called a “Budget for all Singaporeans”.
Among the goodies were SG60 vouchers, CDC vouchers, and grants for parents who choose to grow their family beyond two children. Businesses and workers also received support in the form of credits, allowances and tax rebates, among other things.
In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha sits down with three guests to dissect Budget 2025 - what it delivered on, what it means for Singaporeans, and what comes next.
Her guests are:1. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah
2. Singapore University of Social Science Associate Professor and labour economist Walter Theseira
3. Singapore Business Federation (SBF) chief policy officer Musa Fazal
Joining Natasha as a co-host is Claire Huang, senior business correspondent at The Straits Times.
Were you expecting something for everyone, or did you feel more could be done? Listen to this episode and connect with Natasha after.
Highlights (click/tap above):
9:20 We should see the Budget in a larger context, says Ms Indranee
18:34 Why give out CDC vouchers instead of tackling food prices?
43:30 “This Budget has something for everyone. You just need to know where to find it.”: Ms Indranee
50:41 The matter of becoming parents - or not - is a complex one, says Ms Indranee
56:31 With spending expected to rise, what’s the plan for Singapore going forward?
1:05:46 Is this an Election Budget?
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN
Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmProduced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Filmed by: Studio+65
Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX
Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P
YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u
Feedback to: [email protected]
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Making sense of the domestic and foreign policy agenda of Trump 2.0 – and the implications of a new world order for Asia.
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, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Lin Suling, US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar and assistant foreign editor Clement Tan discuss the first month of Donald Trump's second term, focusing on his foreign policy in Europe, in the aftermath of the Munich Security Conference and the implications of the muscular reshaping of the US federal government, led by Elon Musk.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:36 Trump's foreign policy and European relations
6:37 Domestic policy and government efficiency
16:23 Media relations and the Trump administration
28:50 Looking ahead: coverage and insights from Texas
Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo
Read Lin Suling’s articles: https://str.sg/nnEQ
Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/t2RX
Read Clement Tan's articles: https://str.sg/Ep62
Follow Clement Tan on X: https://str.sg/uErS
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
Host: Lin Suling ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX
Feedback to: [email protected]
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Can young people revive Singapore’s old buildings?
Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
That was the question Natasha teased the audience with during the video podcast’s first live event. Held on Feb 12, the show was a part of ST Podcasts’ Live!, a series of six events this year to celebrate ST’s 180th-year anniversary.Organised by The Straits Times in partnership with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the event drew more than 80 people in an intimate setting at The Foundry in Prinsep Link, which was the former Elections Department building.
The two guests on the show were SLA’s chief executive Colin Low and Mr Ng Wee Liang, a real estate university student, who creates social media content on Singapore heritage, arts and culture.
As Mr Low sees it, buildings are not just physical structures. Instead, they are opportunities waiting to be unlocked, reflecting our past, present, and future, he says.
But how do we get young people to care about old buildings they may not even know?
Mr Ng, 25, says that unfamiliar buildings can become meaningful once young people form new memories in them.But he argued they should have accessible programming and business rather than catering only to a more affluent crowd, which might limit their appeal to younger Singaporeans.
For SLA, the challenge is to find the “right formula” for each space, rather than going with the bidder offering the highest rent.
Citing spots like The Foundry, Kada in Kadayanallur Street and Dempsey Hill, Mr Low says: “There's no one cookie-cutter (spot). The way we look at things…it's about multiple offerings, different locations (and) different experiences.”
Highlights (click/tap above):1:27 How do we get younger people to care about heritage spaces?
8:38 How would Wee Liang encourage his peers to look beyond the facade
14:38 Remembering the history of these old spaces18:57 How does SLA find the “right formula” for the spaces it manages?
25:09 No cookie cutter experiencesMore on:
SLA https://www.sla.gov.sg/
State properties for rent: https://app.sla.gov.sg/spio
Link up with SLA: https://sg.linkedin.com/company/singapore-land-authority
Listen to the other filmed live podcast at The Foundry:
Using music to better reach out to seniors: https://str.sg/FF9T
Follow Wee Liang on social media (@ngweeliang_)
Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN
Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmProduced and edited by: ST Podcasts
Executive producers: Ernest Luis
Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX
Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P
YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u
Feedback to: [email protected]
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From keen pricing to guaranteeing the resale value of its electric vehicle, BYD is bent on staying on top.
Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.
BYD has been in Singapore for more than a decade before it became the country’s biggest selling car brand among authorised distributors. Mr James Ng, the managing director for Singapore and the Philippines, is doubling down on efforts to ensure that BYD extends its lead, not just for passenger cars, but also for public buses and commercial vehicles.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:44 BYD, the same company that made surgical masks during the Covid-19 pandemic
8:44 Eyes a fourth dealer to grow its retail network
14:00 Dealers are free to be creative with their services, but BYD prices are fixed
32:44 We will definitely not be starting a taxi company
34:41 Unsurprising if EV adoption comes up to 50 per cent in 2025
Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G
Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ
Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC
Host: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected])
Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
Follow Wheel Insights Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2
Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB
Feedback to: [email protected]
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UN Cali Fund aims to collect millions, and possibly billions, of dollars for the conservation of nature and to benefit indigenous people.
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Nature’s bounty is vast and we all benefit from it. Think of the huge variety of plants and their timber, seeds and fruits – even the materials from them to make cosmetics.
The immense variety, the huge number of different species and traits in nature, comes from genetics. And this has long been an intangible part of biodiversity, one that is hard to put a price on.
But a new fund agreed at UN biodiversity talks at the end of 2024 is set to change this. Called the Cali Fund, the industry is expected to contribute money for making use of nature.
Companies, such as pharmaceutical and cosmetics firms, will pay for their use of the genetic resources from nature. Money will flow based on either a share of profits or turnover.
But how exactly will this voluntary fund work? And how are these genetic resources defined and tracked?
Green Pulse speaks with Dr Siva Thambisetty, an expert in Intellectual Property Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She was closely involved in the negotiations for the fund.
A special thanks to Aruna Chandrasekhar, who helped with research for this episode. She covers land, food and nature for the Carbon Brief news site.
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
2:53 What is the Cali Fund?
4:16 What is genetic material and digital sequence information (DSI)?
8:15 “DSI can also accelerate our research for new drugs.”
19:52 What about the risks of rising inequality? For example, rich companies using free genetic data to create profitable products?
23:32 How will the fund flow into conservation and to indigenous groups?
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W
Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2
Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6
Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu
Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag
Feedback to: [email protected]
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An expert shows how fresh entrants to the workforce can gain the prior experience employers increasingly seek.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
It seems paradoxical for prospective employers to seek prior experience even for entry-level roles.
This reflects the rising bar expected of fresh entrants to the job market.
However, employers are becoming more open-minded towards what constitutes relevant prior experience.
ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, a seasoned career expert who has worked with tertiary students from different backgrounds, on the help at hand.
His guest is:
Ms Sarah Neo, head of the career development office at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:55 Why are employers increasingly seeking prior experience even for entry-level roles?
4:13 The forms such experience can take, from internships to hackathons
9:05 Is it realistic to expect ever more prior experience from students before graduation?
11:58 How can students who lack experience still land that first job?
14:15 What does Sarah recommend those who remain undecided about their future careers do?
Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz
Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy
Host: Tay Hong Yi ([email protected])
Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow
Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:
Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3
Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9
Feedback to: [email protected]
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl
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Find out too, why the Rodrigo Duterte outreach to China failed.
Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.
In this episode, Ravi speaks with Don McLain Gill, a Manila-based geopolitical analyst, and lecturer at the international studies department at De LaSalle University. Dr McGill presents a primer on Filipino-China ties, the implacable nature of China’s approach to the South China Sea, why the Rodrigo Duterte outreach to China failed, and also responds to the question: Did Manila overplay its hand?
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:40 State of play in Filipino-China ties
5:30 Marcos started out wanting to improve relations
11:20 ‘Appeasement emboldened China’
16:00 Did America prod Manila to be tough?
22:00 Trump will not undermine Philippine interests
Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])
Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP
Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX
Feedback to: [email protected]
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ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Why are some Singapore companies willing to bear the expense to implement pet-care leave as a form of benefit?
Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
While fewer people are keen on having children, more are becoming pet owners, based on statistics from the Animal and Veterinary Service and an Euromonitor International report.
But what happens if you have a full-time job and your pet is sick?
Instead of requiring their employees to take urgent leave, some firms in Singapore have begun rolling out pet care leave, for "pawrents" who need to take their furkids to the vet.
Only a small number of firms have started implementing it, but the response from employees has so far been overwhelmingly positive.
In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - journalist Aqil Hamzah - ask their two guests whether having a separate leave category the caring of pets is ultimately a good thing, and whether it’d affect the morale of those without pets.
The two guests are: Emilyn Ang, founder of public relations and marketing agency Brave Communications, which provides three days of “pawrental” leave a year; and Diane Lee, a senior HR business partner for South-east Asia at recruitment firm Robert Walters.
Highlights (click/tap above):
01:34 Considerations behind implementing pet care leave
06:45 Advantages of having pet care leave
09:12 Why employees with no pets shouldn’t feel resentment
14:30 Leave days as an expense, and how firms can balance out the cost
17:30 Are more Singapore firms ready to roll out pet care leave
Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH
Read Aqil Hamzah’s articles: https://str.sg/Cc85
Hosts: Lynda Hong ([email protected]) and Aqil Hamzah
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb
Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV
Feedback to: [email protected]
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