The Straits Times Podcasts

The MP for Punggol West SMC first joined the People's Action Party as a member 25 years ago after becoming a volunteer to help with Meet-The-People sessions. Synopsis: On Thursdays, 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, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Home Affairs, and Social and Family Development, chats with Natasha about her experiences from 25 years of Meet-The-People sessions since she first got involved on the ground at the age of 20.They talk about Ms Sun’s latest efforts to combat family violence and scams and why we should work together as a community to halt any family violence and child abuse in Singapore. She also highlights the challenges of tackling scams, which exploit human emotions like trust and greed, making it harder for authorities to do their jobs. Besides juggling her roles in two ministries and as the MP for Punggol West SMC, Ms Sun is also an author who has written books for children. The mother of two girls shares her thoughts on balancing work and passion, along with advice for anyone looking to pursue a side hustle.  Highlights (click/tap above): 5:41 The need to raise the alarm with the authorities 12:06 Why do Singaporeans keep getting scammed? 22:08 Why Ms Sun started volunteering at Meet-The-People sessions 25 years ago 27:49 “I just feel like I'm just an ordinary person...” 34:15 Her advice for those who want to pursue a passion on the side Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) 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/v6DNRead Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmFilmed by: Studio+65 Edited 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insights on Asean's beachside pow wow, the Johor-Spore economic zone and ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid. 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 January, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, based in Kuala Lumpur. There are high expectations for Malaysia as it assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2025. But there are hard questions too. How will it navigate economic turbulence? And tackle Asean’s tricky issues from disputes in the South China Sea to unrest in Myanmar? Meanwhile, excitement over the freshly-signed agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone continues to buzz among business folk on both sides of the Causeway. But what will make it work?  Teoh also lists the JSSEZ’s ingredients for success, and suggests a snappier acronym for it. He also tells us what’s in store if ex-PM Najib Razak wins his fight to serve the rest of his jail sentence under house arrest. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:21 Takeaways from the Asean foreign minister’s meeting, the first major gathering of 2025  7:00 A possible appearance by China’s Xi Jinping at this year’s Asean summit? 8:42 A catchier name for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone 11:52 Solving the pain points of doing business between Johor and Singapore 22:00 Made in Singapore or made in Johor?  25:08 What happens if former PM Najib gets his request for house arrest?  30:38 Why Najib continues to fight for house arrest  32:45 Fit for duty: Malaysia’s policemen must get in shape to get promoted Read more: https://str.sg/EQBu  https://str.sg/nkbG https://str.sg/i7Se    Read Lim Ai Leen’s articles: https://str.sg/MKsE  Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ  Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK  Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  Hosts: Lim Ai Leen (limal@sph.com.sg) & Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg)   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  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  --- 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  --- 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  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making sense of the blitz of executive orders, announcements and rhetoric from the new US President - and what Asia should take away. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief based in the United States to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Lin Suling and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar discuss the big announcements, power moves and ambiguous comments from the 47th US President - pulling the brake on the TikTok ban, the threat of tariffs and the outlook for trading partners among other pressing issues. Which will be policy and which are simply rhetorical opening positions? How soon could Asian countries be caught in the cross-hairs? And what’s behind Donald Trump's pronouncement of wanting to visit China in his first 100 days? Highlights (click/tap above): 2:50 What the moves say about Mr Trump’s communication style and policymaking preferences 5:00 Is there disagreement within the Trump administration? 8:30 What does Trump want from Asia? 11:23 The Marco Rubio factor in US foreign policy 15:20 What’s behind Trump’s desire to visit China in the first 100 days? 16:30 On TikTok: Will Trump make a deal with China? 18:30 What the change in US policy on TikTok says about its view of China 23:28 What’s behind Trump’s blistering start - why the hurry? 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  Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg  --- 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  --- 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  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re toying with the idea of getting a pet, the first question to ask yourself is: Are you ready for the time, financial, and emotional commitment? Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.On this episode of The Usual Place, host Natasha Ann Zachariah found out what blindspots first-time pet owners may have and what they should anticipate when getting a pet.Dibashini and TheAsianPawrent manager Jamie Wong dropped by to share their views about how to assess if you’re ready for a furry companion, the differences between adopting and buying pets, and the financial and emotional commitments of a pet owner.They also brought their furkids with them – Dibashini with her shiba inu, six-year-old Zuko, and Jamie with Yoko, a Bernedoodle (a mix of Bernese mountain dog and poodle), and Bowie, a kerry blue terrier pomsky.The starting point of a pawrent’s journey should start with deciding whether an animal’s personality, type and its age, among other factors, would be a good fit for the family, said Dibashini. Before anyone becomes a pet owner, they should do a lot of research about the breed or type of animal they want to adopt, and what their specific needs are, said Jamie. His advice: Ask yourself honestly if you’re ready for a long-term commitment with a pet. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:40 How will I know if I’m ready for a pet14:03 Could you be neglecting your pet unknowingly?22:22 The protocol for petting other people’s pets26:20 Would you pay US$45,000 for a flight ticket for your pet?37:42 What is the first step in your pawrent journey? Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) 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/v6DNRead Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmFilmed by: ST Video, Marc de Souza & Joel Chng Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast here 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can stereotypes of male pre-school teachers be reduced to ease more men into the profession that is seeing shortage in Singapore? Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. There is less than one man for every 10 early childhood educators in Singapore - surprising given that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) estimates the need for another 1,500 more educators to support the sector’s expansion in the coming years.  As male pre-school teachers conventionally face more scrutiny, could MSF’s new set of guidelines spelling out appropriate boundaries help ease tensions?  The new set of guidelines for primary caregivers include expression affection, bathing practices and exposure to nudity.  Amid a spate of abuse cases at various pre-schools in Singapore being reported in 2024, these guidelines could help pre-school teachers and parents set their mind at ease, especially when it comes to male pre-school teachers, said guests in this episode.  The two guests are: Sajit Sesikumar, 30, a senior English pre-school teacher, who shares his six-year experience at MindChamps Preschool; and Yeo Shufang, 42, a mother of four kids, with her youngest attending preschool at age 4. In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - STNow reporter Christie Chiu - ask their two guests whether setting guidelines can ease the tensions male pre-school teachers have to navigate at work, and encourage more to the early childhood education profession.  Highlights (click/tap above): 6:50 How pre-schoolers can learn better from a diversity of teachers 11:24 How MSF’s healthy family guidelines can ease the work of pre-school teachers  13:25 How Sajid deals with physical affection from students   16:37 How Shufang teaches her children about personal boundaries 21:28 Is Singapore ready to normalise male preschool teachers and how can stereotypes be reduced? Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Christie Chiu’s articles: https://str.sg/LfQG  Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Christie Chiu  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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With global warming increasing heat risks across the world, early warning systems and early action can be a lifesaver, especially in densely populated Asia-Pacific. 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. More than six billion people are now exposed to heat waves and this will increase in coming years because of climate change.  And the Asia-Pacific region is at great risk because of its high population densities and exposure to heat, says Dr Luis Rodriguez, lead for climate and environmental crises for the Asia-Pacific at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). He tells The Straits Times’ Green Pulse podcast the Asia-Pacific region has 66 per cent of the global population at risk of the impacts of heat waves. He explains why it is so important to have early warning systems and early action. Doing so can save many lives. Take a listen to the latest Green Pulse episode to learn more about the risks from extreme heat and efforts to reduce the danger.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:31 Why is the Red Cross sounding the alert on heat in the Asia-Pacific? 6:22 How are the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies raising the alarm? 9:20 What are some of the best solutions for dealing with the growing risks from heat? 15:18 Just like other hazards, reaching everyone at risk is a “monumental challenge”. 24:47 What are the key takeaways? What can individuals do to prepare for extreme heat? 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 (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 --- #greenpulseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conditions such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia, as well as the ways one lives with these conditions, can provide fresh ways of thinking. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Neurodivergence: A big word, but one imbued with the simple promise of progress. It means to recognise that brains may be wired differently between different people, causing perceptible differences in information processing and social relations, impacting both work and personal life. ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi, who was himself diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) aged 27, talks about the emerging consciousness of neurodivergence and the importance of supporting the neurodivergent to fulfil their potential with his guests. His guests are: Mr Rumi Mohd, associate director for sales and marketing hiring at Randstad Singapore, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child Mr Himanshu Chaudhari, a finance professional diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and board member of awareness group Unlocking ADHD Highlights (click/tap above): 02:30 How did the guests find out about their condition? 05:31 How did their conditions affect them at work? 10:34 What can employers do to meaningfully support neurodivergent team members? 14:33 Is it a good idea to disclose one’s neurodivergence to employers? 20:33 Has anyone ever dismissed the guests’ neurodivergence? 25:17 Is neurodivergence a “superpower”? Read more about neurodivergence in the workplace: https://str.sg/CZz6 Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy Host: Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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 --- 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 --- #headstartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research on the serious brain disorder paves the way to new treatments. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. Some people may associate the disorder with just hallucinations or delusions, but it is more than that. Those with the illness can experience cognitive and motivational problems that have no pharmaceutical solution, though other strategies, like therapy, may help. Schizophrenia affects one in 116 people in Singapore, and is the most common disorder seen at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). With treatment, many people with schizophrenia can go on to lead fulfilling lives. In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to psychiatrist Jimmy Lee about the complexity of schizophrenia and the research that is being done to help individuals who have this illness. Associate Professor Jimmy Lee is a senior consultant at IMH’s Department of Psychosis. He has been conducting research to help advance the understanding of schizophrenia for more than 15 years.  This podcast is part of the No Health Without Mental Health series. It is a special year-long series that The Straits Times started in October 2024 to normalise conversations about mental health so that people can get timely support.  Highlights (click/tap above) 3:18 It’s not a disease of multiple personalities 5:45 So how do people know that they have schizophrenia? 12:56 What’s happening on the research front? 14:43 What are the possible causes of schizophrenia? 19:28 IMH brain stimulation trial aims to improve schizophrenia symptoms 22:53 Will newer drugs for schizophrenia emerge soon? 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 (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 --- #healthcheckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Great Wall of China was built for protection, but now it's in need of guardians to preserve the 2,000-year-old structure. 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. When a part of the Great Wall section in Liaoning started to crumble in 2016, authorities paved it over with cement to keep it safe, sparking outrage. Other sections had been transformed into tourist attractions complete with cable cars. But China’s approach towards restoration has since been marked by a saying - “to go along with the layers, the slopes, the curves, the old and the dilapidated” - one tended to carefully by local villagers-turned-craftsmen. In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei about how China’s attitudes towards historical heritage restoration have shifted, and why.    Highlights (click/tap above): 0:45 Three men, one mission 2:58 Thinking about heritage preservation 8:08 What the Great Wall means to younger Chinese 10:16 A China correspondent’s Great Wall climbs  Read Dawn’s article here: https://str.sg/FofV 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 (xueying@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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  --- 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 --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that we’re in 2025, one thing’s for sure – a General Election is on the horizon. Synopsis: Out on Thursdays, The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. When exactly? That’s anyone’s guess. But political parties are already up and about, ramping up efforts to touch base with voters. And, judging by the recent episode between some volunteers of Progress Singapore Party and People’s Action Party in Bukit Gombak in Chua Chu Kang GRC, the political temperature is rising. In the lead-up to the polls, The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah looks at how MPs, and others involved in the GE, are preparing themselves. In this week’s episode, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Desmond Tan stops by to talk about his experience so far as a first-term MP. Mr Tan, who has been an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC since 2020, said he “won’t call it a job because... it’s an elected role that has no fixed job description and no fixed terms of reference”. The 54-year-old, who spent almost three decades in the Singapore Armed Forces before joining the People’s Association, said that he had to “level up very quickly” when he joined politics and took on positions in the government. When he ran for office in the last GE as a rookie, he lost 3.5kg during the hustings. In anticipation of this year’s campaign, he’s gaining some weight, and is also more emotionally ready for the work. For one thing, he has built relationships with the residents in his ward, and has put in the work since the last election to serve them. And how does Mr Tan, NTUC’s deputy secretary-general, deal with criticism over a hot potato issue like, say, the failed Allianz-Income Insurance deal? “Sometimes there may be disagreement (in) opinions, but we have to continue our path,” he said. “As long as I speak the truth and I’m clear about my conscience, I have nothing to worry about.” On a lighter note, Natasha asked him what he thinks of the nickname some voters bestowed on him in 2020 – “Down-To-Earth Desmond” – and what nickname he would pick for himself, if he had to. Watch or tune in to the episode to find out what he said. Highlights (click/tap above): 6:24 Politicians must accept that they won’t always be right 10:18 “I have no strategy for social media.”14:35 “You can’t just give an order, like in the army.”21:34 Being labelled “Down-To-Earth Desmond”  29:25 He lost 3.5kg during the 2020 GEHost: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) 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/v6DNRead Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXmFilmed by: Studio+65 Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast here 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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 --- 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.