The Straits Times Podcasts

Can Singapore's only Olympic champion ever make a comeback? Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle. For the first time since his 2011 debut, Joseph Schooling will not represent Singapore at the Cambodia SEA Games in May. After withdrawing from the swim team headed for Cambodia, the Republic’s only Olympic champion said on March 1: “After careful consideration with my team, I have decided to pull out of the SEA Games. This was not an easy decision, but I am currently not at the level at which I hold myself to perform.” On the back of Schooling’s decision to withdraw, ST’s Hard Tackle dives into the inevitable discussion on whether we have seen the last of our Olympic winner. Former national swimmer David Lim and Tao Li - Asian Games winner and a former teammate of Schooling's - join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss Schooling’s current predicament, if retirement is on the cards and how Schooling’s decline could have been prevented.  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:20 On Joseph Schooling’s current predicament of training while serving national service  7:38 Have we seen the last of Schooling at a competitive level? 9:58 Could Schooling be targeting an Asian Games return? 15:40 Understanding Schooling’s regression  21:00 What lessons can be drawn from this saga? Read more: https://str.sg/iZxz Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast channel here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on Twitter: https://str.sg/wtra Read Deepan's articles: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/deepanraj-ganesan --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #sportstalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Singapore's market is great for dividend yields, and listen to top regional stock picks. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get our tips on working smarter, getting ahead in your career and investing like a pro with ST's business correspondents and editors. Host Ven Sreenivasan - associate editor at The Straits Times - offers you an extra edge in managing your hard-earned money. In this episode, he hosts Thilan Wickramasinghe - regional research director at Maybank - discuss interest rates, inflation, recession, and its impact on financial markets, and in particular, risk assets such as stocks.  They focus on the region, and in particular the Singapore stock market, to see where the threats and opportunities lie, and how investors should position themselves amid current volatile and uncertain macro and micro conditions. In particular, they discuss why South-east Asia may outperform other regional markets in the medium term. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:40 Why there is a crisis in confidence all round? 7:10 Why volatility presents threats and good opportunities at the same time; how to position yourself 9:43 Why Singapore has been rated as one of Asia's best markets in dividend yields 14:10 Top stock picks for Singapore and around the region  15:38 Wrap-up of key themes to remember from expert analysis Register for ST's Head Start newsletter:  https://str.sg/stnewsletters Produced by: Ven Sreenivasan (ven@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow ST's Your Money & Career Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/ioWR  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Read Ven Sreenivasan's articles: https://str.sg/wuQe Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.   #moneycareerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why a new UN treaty gives hope to the world’s ailing oceans and is important to South-east Asia. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Did you know oceans provide about half the oxygen we breathe and soak up about 90 per cent of the excess heat generated by global warming? They also soak up about a third of the carbon dioxide emissions from mankind’s activities. While this is slowing the pace of climate change, the oceans are becoming warmer and more acidic. And that’s threatening coral reefs and key food chains.  Yet, there’s good news. Earlier this month, more than 190 nations agreed to the text of a new United Nations treaty to conserve and sustainably use the high seas. It’s the first treaty to focus on better protection for an area covering more than 60 per cent of the world’s oceans – the vast expanse outside national boundaries.  The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty (BBNJ) is nearly two decades in the making. It builds on another recent UN biodiversity agreement sealed in December 2022 at the UN’s COP15 biodiversity conference in Montreal. Nearly 200 nations agreed at COP15 to conserve and protect 30 percent of the world’s land, coastal and marine areas by 2030. This treaty will be key to meeting the 30 per cent target.  To find out more about the BBNJ treaty, we speak to Dr Edward Game, lead scientist & director of conservation, Asia Pacific, for The Nature Conservancy.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:24 What is the new treaty and how will it reduce the risks facing oceans? 5:50 Oceans hold the greatest amount of biodiversity on the planet 9:19 Why is the treaty so important to South-east Asia? 10:39 How can the treaty tackle fishing, pollution and other threats? 14:00 Seabed mining could pose major risks to the deep ocean Produced by: David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our expert guests explain how mental health charity Mindset helps recovering patients. Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Gaining employment can boost the self-esteem of someone who is recovering from a mental illness and facilitate their recovery. But the discrimination against people with mental illnesses may make it difficult for them to find work. The challenges that come with their illnesses may also make it hard for them to conform to traditional work norms such as fixed working hours. But there is help from mental health charities in the community. In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo finds out more about how Mindset, a mental health charity of the Jardine Matheson Group in Singapore, is helping mental health persons in recovery, find jobs as a way to reintegrate back into society. She speaks with the CEO of Mindset, Jeffery Tan and the head of Mindset, Ms Colyn Chua.  She asks them about the challenges these persons face and what employers can do to not just help them, but to raise awareness of mental health in general. She also asks Jeffery, who's also group general counsel and the chief sustainability officer of Jardine Cycle & Carriage, under the Jardine Matheson Group, if he has spoken openly about his mental health in the workplace. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:51 What jobs are available through Mindset? 8:34 Daily challenges faced by those in mental health recovery 10:59 Employer concerns regarding hiring those in mental health recovery 15:46 Understanding different types of mental health conditions 19:27 Tackling the stigma surrounding mental health disorders HelplinesMENTAL WELL-BEING•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES•  mindline.sg•  eC2.sg•  tinklefriend.sg•  chat.mentalhealth.sg•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25) Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh HELPLINES Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1-767; CareText: (WhatsApp) 9151-1767 (24-hour) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 2837 019 Institute Of Mental Health: 6389 2222 (24-hour) Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386 1928 Tinkle Friend: 1800 2744 788 and www.tinklefriend.sg Community Health Assessment Team: 6493 6500 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sg Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353 1180 Touchline (Counselling): 1800 3772 252 Touch Care line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804 6555 Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #healthcheckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore's Parliament has passed in early March, the Government’s $123.7 billion spending plans for the coming financial year. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Two single and unattached youths - aged 26 and 36 respectively - share their reactions to Budget 2023's new public housing measures after they had raised their concerns and thoughts about housing issues in prior episodes. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis finds out the sentiments of Mr Mohamad Arshad, a 26-year-old sales development executive who recently graduated from Singapore University of Technology and Design and now works in his family’s business. His second guest is Mr Cho Ming Xiu, 36, who started a non-profit mental health organisation in 2016 for youths and young adults, called Campus PSY.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:28 Ming Xiu on higher CPF housing grant for first-timer singles buying 2-5 room HDB resale flats, besides current option of 2-room flexi BTO in non-mature estates 5:17 On the new First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) priority category catering to those with Singaporean children aged 18 and below as well as married couples aged 40 and below, who will get more support when they apply for a new Housing Board flat 7:00 With combined grants of up to $190,000, up from $160,000 in this new priority category, has it opened up more options for youth in future, and young couples now? 12:50 Their views and concerns about the possible future mature/non-mature estate debate 15:45 Increasing CPF monthly salary ceiling in 2026 to keep pace with rising salaries and future retirement needs - their views on how this also relates to rising cost of living concerns and take-home pay Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the journey of a five-time LPGA Tour winner. Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every secondWednesday of the month. The HSBC Women’s World Championship was back in Singapore at the start ofthe month where most of the world’s top 20 golfers – and all of last season’sMajor champions – battled for honours in the March 2-5 event. In this episode, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan chats with Michelle Wie West - 2014 US Women’s Open champion and a five-time winner on the LPGA Tour - here in an ambassadorial role. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:55 On being a role model for others and who she looked up to 3:20 On the stereotypes that women in sport face 8:55 Dealing with fame and the struggles of stardom 13:20 How golf can still grow as a sport 14:00 What does Michelle most enjoy after retirement? Read more: https://str.sg/ikNn Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on Twitter: https://str.sg/wtra Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #sportstalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is getting less responsibilities, a sign of such a practice? Synopsis: Every first Monday of the month, the Work Talk podcast helps you work smarter, think deeper and get ahead in your work life. In this episode, ST's senior business correspondent Krist Boo speaks with Mr Clarence Ding and Ms Akshita Shetty to discuss the thorny issue of workplace prejudice. Clarence is an employment law specialist and a partner at law firm Simmons & Simmons, and Akshita is vice-president for South-east Asia at technology firm SAP. We also talk about the Workplace Fairness Legislation, which is expected to be passed in  Singapore in 2024. Last month, a report comprising 20 recommendations for the Bill was released for public consultation. Listen to get tips on how to make your company a fairer place to work. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:15 Why is discrimination inherent at the workplace? 3:45 Prevention: Is that the best way to stop workplace bias?  7:06 Is your boss biased or are you just not good enough? 11:56 How should a company prepare for the Workplace Fairness Legislation? 15:00 Three tips for small companies to get ready for the Bill Read more: https://str.sg/ikcX  https://str.sg/ikcB  Produced by: Krist Boo (kristb@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Your Money & Career Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/ioWR  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  Read Krist Boo's column: https://str.sg/wB2P --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #moneycareerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia's Rimba Raya project developers explain how rigorous the verification and auditing process is. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Forests soak up large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and halting deforestation and replanting forests make sense as a strategy to fight climate change – and save nature, too. Investors who do this, want to earn a return for their efforts by selling tradeable “offsets” representing a tonne of CO2 removed, or avoided from being emitted, such as protecting a forest under threat from clearing.  But a recent investigation by The Guardian concluded that rainforest carbon offsets issued by Verra, the world's main certification body for offsets, were mostly worthless. The conclusion has been widely panned as inaccurate.  So what are these projects really like on the ground? How difficult are they and how much work goes into creating and running them?  In this episode, we speak to Todd Lemons and Jim Procanik, who developed the Rimba Raya project in Central Kalimantan in Indonesia more than a decade ago. The project saved a large area of peat swamp forest from being chopped down to grow oil palms. Lemons and Procanik explain more about Rimba Raya, the forest area and the projects to help save the forest and boost local livelihoods.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:31 What is the Rimba Raya project and why is it important? 4:05 The project’s impact on the forest area 8:29 “The forest is our most efficient mechanism for fighting climate change.” 12:57 There are fears forest carbon projects can be damaged by fire or logging. How to address this? 17:45 “These forests have so many other benefits other than CO2 sequestration (which is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide) Listen to Pt 1 - Forest carbon offsets - scam or climate saviour?: https://str.sg/ikxn Produced by: David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How celebrities in this genre are marketed and their relationship with LGBTQ audiences. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.PopVultures host Jan Lee examines the unique pop culture genre of Thai boys' love dramas in this region and how they are marketed. She also looks at the term 'queer baiting' - what it actually means and how the term has been mistranslated and misused.Thai actor Mew Suppasit Jongcheveevat got fans into a bit of a frenzy after he posted several tweets explaining his relationship with his onscreen partner Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong.The two were stars of a popular Thai boys' love drama TharnType: The Series (2019- 2020) and attracted many fans with their "couple pairing" both on and off screen. After Mew explained that he shares a purely platonic relationship with Gulf, he was accused of 'queer baiting'. Jan examines why Mew's words triggered so much unhappiness among fans.Highlights (tap/click above):1:28 Who is Mew?3:15 Thailand's specialty in producing 'BL' dramas; and the difference in treatment with other Asian countries7:25 How does 'fan service' play into its marketing? How celebs in this genre are marketed?8:59 What did Mew say and why are fans upset? 14:11 What queer baiting actually means and why real people cannot 'queer bait'22:40 How British pop star Harry Styles is also accused of 'queer baiting', final thoughts about 'fan service' and engaging with Thai BL culture Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) & Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee & Teo Tong Kai Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Australia's Prime Minister is rooting for song and dance to be accepted as essential to the Australian way of life. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe. They talk about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises.  In this episode, she chats with ST’s correspondent in Australia, Jonathan Pearlman. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:00 Why the rugby-loving Australian PM Anthony Albanese cares about the arts 3:15 How big is the arts scene Down Under? 5:55 'DJ' Albo’s plans to raise the arts quotient 8:08 Is there a profit motive? 10:00 No more 'starving' artists? Read article: https://str.sg/ikT2 Produced by: Bhagyashree Garekar (bhagya@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Fa’izah Sani Follow Letter From The Bureau Podcast every first Friday of the month on our Asian Insider Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo Read Jonathan Pearlman's articles: https://str.sg/whNJ Read ST's Letters From The Bureau: https://str.sg/3xRd Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.