The Straits Times Podcasts

Celeb Chats Ep 7: Chef Julien Royer of Odette on his feat of topping Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list 6:09 mins Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times features the best chats with the creators and stars of music, film, books, theatre, food, and more. Owner and chef Julien Royer speaks to food writer Eunice Quek about the "insane week" he has experienced since Odette won top place in the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, and how he plans to go even further in his culinary adventures in Asia. Produced by: Eunice Quek and John Lui Follow Celeb Chats podcasts and rate us on: Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGq Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oeXg Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGQ Playlist: https://str.sg/Ji5X Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Picks Ep 29: What to do in Singapore April 4-18: The Guilty (film); Chen Wen Hsi exhibition (art) 6:44 mins Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times highlights the best films, concerts, restaurants and arts events you can catch in Singapore over the coming weeks. This week, Melissa Sim hosts colleague John Lui, who recommends Danish thriller The Guilty, as well as Toh Wen Li, who tells us about an exhibition featuring the works of pioneer Singapore artist Chen Wen Hsi. The exhibition takes place at his former home at 5 Kingsmead Road, from April 12 to May 3 (noon to 7.30pm daily). Look out for the two murals done by Chen. Produced by: Melissa Sim and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Subscribe, like and rate Life Picks on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGc   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXg   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/o8Gx   Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 39: How to be happier in life by being less of a financial hoarder 11:18 mins Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes. Our guest is Dr William Wan, the general secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement, and he has advice of a different type, rather than hard money-making or saving strategies. He warns against financial hoarding by outlining four points in this episode: 1. "Make all you can, save all you can and give all you can." - applying John Wesley's dictum to stewardship of your own finances. (1:50) 2. In making a will, and if you are more capable financially, consider not just the benefit of your family members, but also blessing charities and other needy organisations whose missions resonate with you. (5:10) 3. In your retirement years, consider spending a bit more on yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Take vacations and enjoy some of the comforts of life. No point in hoarding all for your children, for example. (6:07) 4. Live above, within or below your means. Living above will burden you with debts. Living within is usually just about spending on yourselves. But living below will ensure you have some to share with others, and that can be a good principle to strive for during your working years. (7:01) Dr Wan's new book - Through The Valley, The Art of Living and Leaving Well - is out in major bookstores or online. Check ST Press' Facebook page. Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim Edited by: Adam Azlee Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iconoclast director Tim Burton is back with the latest live action remake of a 'classic' Disney feature. It's the elephant who could fly, Dumbo. Jonathan Roberts is joined by The New Paper's Joanne Soh to discuss whether this films feels like a Burton joint, or if it is case of visuals over story... Produced by: Jonathan Roberts Subscribe, like and rate Double Feature on  iTunes: str.sg/oeXh Google Podcast: str.sg/oXeZ or Spotify: str.sg/oeGx Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop Vultures (Season 1: Ep 5) March 15: How China's crackdown on period dramas has hit TV show Yanxi Palace 22:31 mins Synopsis: A podcast by The Straits Times that examines all the ins and outs of pop culture, be it Asian entertainment or Hollywood. The Story of Yanxi Palace may have been a huge global hit, but China has now banned such shows from being aired, claiming they distort history and promote decadence and backstabbing, among other things. How much do dramas like Yanxi and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace stick to fact, and how much is fantasy? Should the crackdown on such shows end, or will they, like the Step Empress Hoifa-Nara, be banished to the cold palace forever? Pop Vultures spill the (Chinese) tea! Here's what they cover: - How big The Story of Yanxi Palace was, and how the state is cracking down on it (0.57) - Reasons why palace period dramas have been banned by the Chinese government (2:25) - Ramifications of the crackdown - reduced production of period pieces (4:20) - How true to history are these dramas? E.g Qianlong's (乾隆皇帝) Step-Empress Hoifa-Nara (继皇后) and her downfall (4:55) - Ridiculous portrayal of medical treatments (fertility soups?) and science (blood-mixing as paternity tests 滴血认亲) in palace intrigue dramas (6:49) - Real-life events that seem too dramatic to be true (Empress Dowager Cixi 慈禧太后 VS Concubine Zhen 珍妃) (9:52) - Palace intrigue dramas' attention to detail in fashion and accessories such as a pearl-encrusted cape (云肩) that Noble Consort Gao wears, and why such details are close to history (12:20) - Why are there so many dramas about the Qing Dynasty (清朝)? (15:03) - Our thoughts on the censorship and increasingly tight ban on period dramas and why it's a bad move (17:03) Produced by: Jan Lee, Yeo Sam Jo and Ernest Luis Edited by: Yeo Sam Jo Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg janlee@sph.com.sgyeosamjo@sph.com.sg Spotify: http://str.sg/otU9 Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLi Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLw Website: http://str.sg/stpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Picks Ep 28: What to do in S'pore March 28 to April 4: Odette & Alt pizza (food); Rubber Girl On The Loose (play) 11:29 mins Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times highlights the best films, concerts, restaurants and arts events you can catch in Singapore over the coming weeks. This week, Melissa Sim hosts colleague Olivia Ho, who recommends Rubber Girl On The Loose, a play co-produced by Cake as part of The Esplanade's The Studios series, as well as Eunice Quek, who talks about fine dining French restaurant Odette, which was recently ranked No. 1 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list. She also recommends new flavours at Alt Pizza, which stands out because of its sourdough crust. Produced by: Melissa Sim and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Subscribe, like and rate Life Picks on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGc   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXg   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/o8Gx   Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 29: Senior and young Lions roaring again; Spygate in the Singapore Premier League Time: 13m 59s Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. In an all-local episode of the podcast, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath talk about Singapore football rediscovering its mojo, with the senior national team and Under-22 side punching above their weight by holding higher-ranked opponents during the international break. Sazali and Rohit also discuss the "Spygate" saga that took place in the Singapore Premier League. Geylang International wrote a complaint to the Football Association of Singapore alleging two teams spied on their training sessions before games - and why such tactics should be frowned upon, even if a rule was not broken. Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves:   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 38: Make compound interest your best financial friend if you're in your 30s 10:23 mins Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes. Aggregate Asset Management is a fund management house that focuses exclusively on equities, also known as stocks. The company was first launched in Singapore in December 2012, and was the first local fund house to adopt a zero-management-fee model, charging only a performance fee. We chat with co-founders and executive directors Wong Seak Eng, Kevin Tok and Eric Kong about how you can retire earlier with a bigger retirement income by the age of 60 if if you plan as early as your 20s. For example, if your portfolio returns in equities or stocks are 10% a year, the Rule of 72 calculator - which means how many years it takes you to double your money - shows that 72 divided by 10, equals doubling your portfolio's value in seven years. So if you invest $1 at the age of 30, it can become $2 when you're 37, $4 by 44, and $16 by the age of 58. On paper, they explain that you have many seven-year cycles to go even if you're in your 30s, to maximise the power of compound interest. Are you also aware of transaction costs, brokerage or custodian fees? Do know they can also eat into your stock investment profits. Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim Edited by: Adam Azlee Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan Peele is back after his near-perfect debut of Get Out. And this time he's doubling down in that Us is a horror film about doppelgangers. And occasional rabbits. Jonathan Roberts and Cheow Sue-Ann discuss the horror movie (spoiler zone at the 9.30 mark), marvel at the acting of Lupita Nyong'o and wonder just how many YouTube video essays this will spawn. They also have some recommendations for those not going out.. Produced by: Jonathan Roberts Subscribe, like and rate Double Feature on  iTunes: str.sg/oeXh Google Podcast: str.sg/oXeZ or Spotify: str.sg/oeGx Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Picks Ep 27 Season 2 (March 21): Feasting along Keong Saik Road and previewing the Pet Shop Boys' concert 6:50 mins Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times highlights the best films, concerts, restaurants and arts events you can catch in Singapore over the coming weeks. This week, Melissa Sim hosts colleague Tan Hsueh Yun, who recommends a host of good eats along Keong Saik Road. It used to be a seedy red-light district but is now filled with hip bars and restaurants. Also, Boon Chan chats with us about the upcoming Pet Shop Boys concert. The British duo will hold their concert in Singapore on March 26. Produced by: Melissa Sim and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Subscribe, like and rate Life Picks on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGc   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXg   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/o8Gx   Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.