The Straits Times Podcasts

Some see them as dating opportunities, while for others, it's a chance to learn more about themselves.Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.Becoming a runner has always lingered in Natasha's mind, especially now that it’s a 'thing' with young people. She sees others joining run clubs and signing up for marathons and triathlons, and even flying overseas to run in events or various locations.In this episode, she invites two runners to help her understand why they do it, and what keeps them coming back for more.Meliani Lee is a budding enthusiast who just decided one day to buy a nice pair of running shoes, while being deskbound in her job as a client lifecycle management specialist. She started long-distance running in 2023, and last year, completed one full marathon and three half-marathons.Arthur Tong is the founder and head coach of Elevate Performance Coaching. As an Ironman-certified coach, his philosophy isn’t just about crossing finish lines, but about creating meaningful, lasting transformation.Highlights (click/tap above):5:22 Advantages of running: Can you start at any age? 9:26 Is running the new 'dating trend'? Importance of community too, to support running newbies14:19 How do you get better or faster at running in marathons?16:08 When do you know you are ready?18:00 What they learn about themselves when it comes to running23:07 Helping people discover their own 'whys' in discovering running27:47 Calling couch potatoes: How to get out of the door and show up?Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXmFollow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8WavFollow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DNFilmed by ST Video: Joel Chng and T KumarEdited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, Natasha Liew & Rebekah ChiaST Podcasts’ executive producer: Ernest LuisFollow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:Channel: https://str.sg/5nfmApple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijXSpotify: https://str.sg/cd2PYouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7uFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast 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.

Four cat deaths recently have re-ignited calls for tougher enforcement against animal abusers. Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Just before the crack of dawn in early May, the mutilated carcass of a community cat was discovered on a road in Yishun. In the days that followed, three more cats were reported to have been seriously injured or found dead in housing estates around Singapore, stoking fears of animal abusers at large.  While three of the cases have since been attributed to road traffic accidents rather than deliberate acts of cruelty, they have re-ignited calls for tougher enforcement against animal abusers. In this episode, correspondent Ang Qing unpacks the psyche of an animal abuser in Singapore with psychiatrist Lim Boon Leng and criminal lawyer Josephus Tan. They discuss the gaps in Singapore’s animal protection system, how to fix them, as well as why society’s failure to protect vulnerable creatures can have worrying consequences for the nation as a whole. Highlights (click/tap above):  1:45 Inside an animal abuser’s mind 5:29 Understanding psychopathy and spotting red flags 10:19 Gaps in enforcement and how criminals exploit them 15:30 Do some abusers have a sadistic desire to get caught? 18:58 What animal abuse says about Singapore and its people 24:06 Can tougher laws and caning make a difference 32:59 What the ordinary citizen should or shouldn’t do Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Ang Qing (aqing@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong 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 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast 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.

China’s unofficial national flower is getting Heze noticed, as its cities strive to develop unique calling cards 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. The Straits Times’ foreign editor Li Xueying and China correspondent Joyce Lim take us to Heze, a city in Shandong province, where peonies aren't just admired by tourists - they drive a multi-billion yuan industry. Long revered for their cultural significance, peonies now powers a thriving local economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and carrying unexpected political symbolism, including ties to First Lady Peng Liyuan. What can a single city alone reveal about the China’s deeper economic challenges - from changing consumer behaviour to rising youth unemployment and growing regional divides? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:28 The cultural significance of peonies in China 4:04 Peonies in modern Chinese culture 5:42 Toothpaste, cooking oil and TCM - how peony is made into 260 products 13:33 Challenges and strategies for cities in China 17:43 Conclusion and broader economic insights Read Joyce Lim’s article here: https://str.sg/LcLs  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 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 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  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we be real when it comes to celebrating professional milestones and branding ourselves? Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. A recent viral post on LinkedIn has cast the spotlight on how some users have pushed content about their jobs and professional endeavours into something more self-serving and performative. Just a couple of weeks ago, Ms Janney Hujic shared about what she claimed was a “chance encounter” with former DBS CEO Piyush Gupta in a cafe in Bali, where she praised his “quiet conviction” and how he had shared wise words for her upcoming all-women’s expedition in Mongolia. The whole thing turned out to be a fake interaction. But it sparked a conversation about humble bragging, toxic positivity or exaggerating professional interactions in the quest to stand out on LinkedIn. In this episode of The Usual Place, Ms Crystal Lim-Lange - co-founder of Forest Wolf, a leadership consultancy that specialises in leadership transformation and personal growth - dropped by to talk about how we can be real when it comes to celebrating professional milestones and branding ourselves. Our conversation also turned to the importance of career visibility, how this incident highlights about the temptation to appear connected or successful, and how to avoid being performative. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:12 Many reasons why people show up differently on social media 4:05 The casual racism behind the viral LinkedIn post, and why we need to be conscious of what we say 8:16 Career visibility is important, but when does it become self-serving or a humblebrag? 13:59 Crystal’s checklist for her LinkedIn posts: Is it educational, entertaining or inspirational? 20:20 What does building career visibility entail? 30:39 Record and share insights from your work, avoid being performative to sell yourself 36:07 How do we recover from a professional gaffe? Ms Lim-Lange’s Comfort and Growth podcast is available on: Spotify: https://str.sg/bTzR YouTube: https://str.sg/9Bhh Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm 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 Filmed by ST Video: Joel Chng and T Kumar Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Natasha Liew ST Podcasts’ executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow The Usual Place Podcast 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 Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast 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.

Community care for your mental health needs. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Seeking mental health help at a centre near you is gradually becoming easier in Singapore as the country focuses its efforts on making this happen. But, it will take time for things to improve.  In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Dr Timothy Singham to find out more about what one can do to navigate the system. He is  a senior Clinical Psychologist and Manager at Viriya Psychological Services at Viriya Community Services Dr Singham also talked about a client who managed his agoraphobia with therapy given in a community setting instead of in the hospital. Agoraphobia is a disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:07 He sought help for his agoraphobia at a community care agency 4:16 What is a clinical psychologist?  12:35 Can therapy harm us?  19:38 Where to go for help in the community care sector? 31:49 An anxiety tip we can all use 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 & Natasha Liew 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.

A regional power grid could help bring clean power to people. But huge challenges remain. 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. Rapidly growing Asean is hungry for power to keep its economies humming. With electricity demand growth of 3 to 4 per cent a year, meeting that demand is a costly challenge for governments in the region.  A regional grid, long-talked about, could help the region meet its energy needs while also putting a lid on growing carbon emissions that are heating up the planet. The regional grid could shift power around the region, helping move green electricity to countries less able to produce it.  And the grid is becoming a reality, with Singapore’s demand for low-carbon electricity imports helping drive investment. But wiring up the whole region will be expensive and large hurdles remain, including stronger policy support from regional governments, guaranteed power purchase agreements and lack of regional power trading networks.  Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions in this episode.  Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:52 The ASEAN power grid was first floated as an idea in 1997 but languished for years. 3:16 What are the key turning points that are helping make the grid a reality? 6:26 Lower air pollution, cheaper power are just some of the potential benefits 9:54 But high upfront costs of wiring up the region is a key challenge 14:48 What are some of the other challenges? 21:41 Blended finance and other funding sources are needed to come together to lure investors 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 (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.

Gaining exposure, cultural conflictions and intergenerational discussions are all part of the road to inheriting a family business. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Family businesses have been in the spotlight, after the CDL saga that saw father and son in a tussle for control over one of Singapore’s largest companies.  But whether it is about inheriting family businesses or family wealth, the process is not a straightforward one.  Banks and financial organisations prepare young people to take over family wealth, through programmes and even boot camps.  So how does wealth planning work, and how do youths take over their family businesses?  In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what wealthy kids do to prepare to inherit wealth and companies.  Her guests are Darren Hui, who will one day lead his family’s property management business, and former national athlete Kendrick Lee who co-founded Raffles Family Office.   Highlights (click/tap above):  5:35 What is family legacy planning and governance? 7:30 The challenges the next generation faces 9:00 Generational differences between father and son 10:49 What difficulties has the family office seen in dealing with multiple generations? 18:02 When did you first realise you were going to inherit the business? 21:00 Will Kendrick let his children take over the business?  22:36 Going from national athlete to family office  Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Host: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@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.

For those running businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) scene, 2024 hit a record that wasn’t quite comforting. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. The F&B industry saw 3,047 closures – an almost-20-year record high.  In spite of rising rental rates and food costs, many still want to give the F&B business a shot, as demonstrated by over 3,790 new eateries being opened in the same period last year.  In an industry that is increasingly tougher to run, young business owners taking over their family business also have a challenge of future-proofing their business.  To find out more about what’s it like to take over their family businesses, I speak with Mr Ernest Ting, 34, director at Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant, and Ms Maria Didih, 37, head of operations at Hjh Maimunah.  For Ernest, a third-generation owner of a handmade dim sum business that was opened by his grandparents in 1962, that means taking a fresh approach to menu offerings and expanding the business. Maria, a second-generation owner who runs the restaurant that makes kampung-style Malay dishes, sauces, and pastes business with her sisters, said that it’s about “being creative and keeping up with the times”, instead of solely banking on an established name. As Ernest puts it: “It’s not the easiest to do. I think it’s getting even harder. I always tell new people who want to start F&B to ‘think twice’.”  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:34 What these next-generation of F&B owners think about the high number of business closures 4:36 “Singaporeans really know how to eat, so our food better be of decent quality,” says Ernest 5:21 Social media may misrepresent the life – and stresses – of an F&B owner 8:22 Why did Maria and Ernest agree to join the family business? 11:27 Reservations about joining a business with strong legacy and reputation 16:03 How to get the older generation of owners and staff excited about their creative ideas 21:10 “We’re all custodians of Singapore’s food heritage,” says Ernest 34:30 A “compulsory thing”: Maria on how social media changed the way they do business 36:00 What if the next generation doesn’t want to take over the business? Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow The Usual Place Podcast 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 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industry players say they will hunker down and focus on Central Asia and Southeast Asia. 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 May, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai and assistant foreign editor Sarah Ng connect with Aw Cheng Wei who is based in Chongqing. They discuss Chongqing’s evolution as an automotive hub and its aspirations to beef up the tech sector to better support the manufacturing of vehicles going forward. Given its geographical location and logistical prowess, Chongqing has thus far focused on Central Asia and other parts of the developing world as key export markets for its vehicles. Even as the US-China trade war rages, Chongqing’s prospects remain upbeat as those in the industry say they will hunker down and continue to focus on markets that are plugged into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a central pillar to President Xi Jinping’s bid to expand China’s political and economic influence worldwide. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:12 Past history: How Chongqing became an automotive hub 3:45 Chongqing’s automotive sector makes up half of its industry value-added services 5:20 Dummy question: What is the difference between smart cars and EVs? 10:04 Temporary truce in trade war could affect Chongqing? Is China dumping EVs into emerging markets? 13:20 Rail connection critical to Chongqing-Central Asia trade 14:50 Mala food scene in Chongqing: What you need to know Read more: https://str.sg/eGoi Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  Hosts: Albert Wai (albertw@sph.com.sg) & Sarah Ng (ngsls@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 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  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The votes are in, the general election is over, and a new Parliament is taking shape. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. The last piece of the GE2025 chapter was unveiled on May 21: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Cabinet line-up, which had a few surprises including just one deputy prime minister (DPM) position and a bumper crop of seven newly-elected MPs taking on political office. In this episode of The Usual Place Podcast, I unpack the post-GE2025 Cabinet line-up with Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan and Ms Nydia Ngiow, the managing director of strategic advisory firm BowerGroupAsia. For Prof Tan, not having a second DPM was a surprise move, and he noted that PM Wong is “breaking that particular trend”. Going into the next term of government, Ms Ngiow said the much-talked about 4G leadership renewal is in place. Given the publicity and talk around the new faces during the general election, she added: “We can expect that the public will definitely scrutinise this Parliament and Cabinet a bit more closely. All eyes will be on how the 4G leaders will then be helping to lead and guide the younger generations moving forward.” Highlights (click/tap above): 7:51 Are Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chan Chun Sing the front runners for the other DPM spot? 10:16 On moving National Development Minister Desmond Lee to the Ministry of Education11:25 A “bigger canvas” at the Ministry of National Development: Prof Tan on Mr Chee Hong Tat’s move17:56 What does the post of Acting Minister mean? 22:53 A bumper crop of people with “political office holder potential” sets the scene for leadership renewal: Prof Tan 29:01 On Dr Faishal Ibrahim’s appointment as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs 31:27 Will we see labour chief Ng Chee Meng back in government at a later time? 40:55 Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s role in this Government Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by ST Video: Joel Chng, Marc Justin De Souza and Rubeen Raj Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow The Usual Place Podcast 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 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.