The Straits Times Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

S1E3: 'I felt so alone,' says foreigner who married Singaporean man Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on audio apps - Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts.

The Straits Times' senior social affairs correspondent Theresa Tan speaks to two foreign brides in Singapore on their struggles to adapt to life in a new city, far from their loved ones back at home. Our series' narrator is Tan Jia Ning:

Once a financially independent woman in Indonesia, Siti finds her movements restricted by her controlling husband in Singapore (0:31)
A timely programme and a buddy system prove a lifeline for lost, lonely Vietnamese bride Anna in the early years of her marriage (2:36)
Anna pays it forward by befriending other Vietnamese women newly married to Singaporean men (3:33)
The collective plight of the many “voiceless", "invisible” migrant brides in Singapore (5:06)

Read the full story by Theresa Tan: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/i-felt-so-alone-in-singapore

Produced by: Magdalene Fung, Tan Jia Ning and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Discover ST's Invisible Asia podcast series:

Channel: https://str.sg/wuZn

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3s

Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJH

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Invisible Asia Videos: https://str.sg/wuTU

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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S1E63: Quad countries to deliver 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses: Asian Insider Ep 64 Mar 20, 2021

Show notes

Asian Insider Ep 64: Quad countries to deliver 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses

14:38 mins

Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests.

Without naming China, Quad countries aim to beef up cooperation based on values and principles. Our U.S. Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh speaks with India bureau chief Nirmala Ganapathy and Japan Correspondent Walter Sim on the inaugural Quad summit.

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team and Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to Asian Insider Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc

Read Ghosh's stories: https://str.sg/JbxG

Follow Nirmal Ghosh on Twitter: https://str.sg/JD7r

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E2: BTxM+S Podcast Ep 2: Understand prime property investing in Singapore better Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

BT x M+S Podcast Ep 2: Understand prime property investing in Singapore better

11:52 min

Synopsis: This is the second in a series of four episodes on Marina One Residences and topics covering the advantages of inner city park-like living in the heart of Singapore's downtown area. It is brought to you by developer M+S: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/

BT's digital editor Chris Lim hosts Nicholas Mak, head of research and consultancy at ERA Realty Network, as they discuss the following:

The definitions that make a property "prime", and how the new financial District 1 has joined traditional high-end real estate areas such as Districts 9,10 and 11 (0:50)
Which development with wider unit selections buyers can purchase directly from the developer (2:05)
Key characteristics of high-end properties relevant for prime real estate buyers (2:25)
Step-by-step roadmap for a buyer thinking of a home in Singapore’s upmarket districts (6:08)
Covid-19's impact on Singapore's high-end residential property market, and how the vaccination programme can lead to higher demand (9:10)

Find out more:

Marina One Residences: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/

Virtual Tour: http://marinaone.com.sg/virtualtour.html

Registration: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/register.html

Listen to Ep 1 - Pros and cons of investing in mixed-use property: https://str.sg/Jj9H

Ep 3 - CBD home buying - factoring in lifestyle and well-being: https://omny.fm/shows/st-bt/bt-x-m-s-podcast-ep-3-cbd-home-buying-what-role-do

Ep 4 - How sustainable property developments can save costs: https://omny.fm/shows/st-bt/bt-x-m-s-podcast-ep-4-esg-property-investing-how-w

Produced by: Chris Lim and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Discover ST & BT podcasts:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWVR

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

Websites: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts

https://bt.sg/moneyhacks

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.

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Discover more niche BT podcast series:

Follow BT Money Hacks Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

Follow BT Mark To Market Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmark2mkt

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#SponsoredBTPodcast

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S1E1: BTxM+S Podcast Ep 1: Pros and cons of investing in mixed-use property Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

BT x M+S Podcast Ep 1: Pros and cons of investing in mixed-use property

11:21 min

Synopsis: This is the first in a series of four episodes on Marina One Residences and topics covering the advantages of inner city park-like living in the heart of Singapore's downtown area. It is brought to you by developer M+S: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/

BT's digital editor Chris Lim hosts Ong Choon Fah, CEO of Edmund Tie & Company, and they discuss the following:

Understanding what is a mixed-use property development before buying or investing (0:32)
Pros and cons of buying a mixed-use property development for the purpose of investment (1:25)
Why are mixed-use developments more resilient investments in the Covid-19 era and more sustainable? (2:16)
What is living in the heart of the new Marina Bay financial district like, and the possible tenant pool of financial workers (5:10)
Aiming for Singapore's transport concept of a 20-minute town, with amenities accessible within that time frame (8:00)
Resale value and why millennials, and even seniors who are "empty nesters", are keen on mixed-use property developments (8:50)

Find out more:

Marina One Residences: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/

Virtual Tour: http://marinaone.com.sg/virtualtour.html

Registration: http://www.marinaone.com.sg/register.html

Listen to Ep 2 - Understand prime property investing in Singapore better: https://str.sg/Jj9j

Ep 3 - CBD home buying - factoring in lifestyle and well-being: https://omny.fm/shows/st-bt/bt-x-m-s-podcast-ep-3-cbd-home-buying-what-role-do

Ep 4 - How sustainable property developments can save costs: https://omny.fm/shows/st-bt/bt-x-m-s-podcast-ep-4-esg-property-investing-how-w

Produced by: Chris Lim and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Discover ST & BT podcasts:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWVR

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

Websites: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts

https://bt.sg/moneyhacks

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Discover more niche BT podcast series:

Follow BT Money Hacks Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

Follow BT Mark To Market Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmark2mkt

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#SponsoredBTPodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E5: How to invest in an overvalued market: BT Mark To Market Ep 5 Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

BT Mark To Market Ep 5: How to invest in an overvalued market
8:34 min
Listen to Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this new podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times.
In this fifth episode of the Mark To Market podcast, BT's senior correspondent Ben Paul talks about how to invest in the market at a time when Covid-19 beneficiaries like Top Glove face a looming earnings slump while recovery plays like Singapore Airlines are yet to deliver significant improvement in profitability.

Why the Straits Times Index began outpacing the S&P500 in Oct 2020 (1:40)
SIA's rocketing share price belies continued cash-burn and hefty losses (2:55)
Analysts unsure how to price Top Glove's sinking stock as earnings peak (4:12)
Investors should be selective, and avoid being fully invested in the market (6:08)

Produced by: Ben Paul (benpaul@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Lee Kim Siang and Adam Azlee
Edited by: Aleemah Basirah
Follow BT Mark To Market podcasts and rate us on:
Channel: http://bt.sg/btmark2mkt
Apple Podcasts: https://bt.sg/4DJp
Spotify: https://bt.sg/4DJN
Google Podcasts: http://bt.sg/4D2E
Website: http://bt.sg/mark2mkt
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.

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Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks Podcast on: https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

WealthBT Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btwealthbt

BT Podcasts on: http://bt.sg/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E10: How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan?: ST Sports Talk Ep 124 Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

ST Sports Talk Ep 124: How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan?

12:27 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In the first of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup.

Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, shed more light into the plan and how they hope to achieve the targets set out.

They discuss:

Can Singapore football develop a culture of excellence? (1:36)
A 180 degree mindset shift needed - from coaches? (6:51)
How Unleash The Roar is different from plans that came before (10:22)

Listen to Pt 2 - Can children succeed in SG football with a good post-playing career?: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/can-children-succeed-in-sg-football-with-a-good-po

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to ST Sports Talk Podcast and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams': Invisible Asia Ep 2 Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

Invisible Asia Ep 2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams'

10:25 mins

The Straits Times' China correspondent Danson Cheong explores the hardships that short-term labourer Wei Xiaoqiang faces daily. Xiaoqiang is one among China’s 290 million rural migrants who have moved to the big cities to seek a better life.

But a lack of skills has kept such migrants out of most employment opportunities, forcing them into an endless cycle of grabbing whatever temporary jobs are hawked their way, at places such as the Majuqiao labour market in the outskirts of Beijing. Our series' narrator is Tan Jia Ning:

Xiaoqiang on what it's like to have to find a new job each day and struggle to keep up to earn his wages (2:27)
He yearns for a better life, doing something different, but his dreams still seem far out of reach to him (3:44)
Why China's rural migrants are stuck at the bottom of the "food chain" (4:51)
With short-term labour romanticised for the "gig worker lifestyle", Xiaoqiang says it's in fact 'an incredibly lonely life' (6:52)
Challenges mounting for such workers in China, and what the government has done to alleviate the problem (7:38)

Read Danson Cheong's story here: https://str.sg/Jj9a

Produced by: Tan Jia Ning, Magdalene Fung, Ernest Luis & Adam Azlee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Discover Invisible Asia Podcast playlist: https://omny.fm/shows/st-bt/playlists/invisible-asia

Discover Invisible Asia Video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnK3VE4BKduNKeEL19yhXFVHxGB8X315b

Discover ST & BT podcasts:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWVR

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

Websites: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts

https://bt.sg/moneyhacks

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Discover more niche podcast series by ST and BT below:

Follow BT Money Hacks Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

Follow BT Mark To Market Podcast on: http://bt.sg/btmark2mkt

Follow Health Check Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWaN

Follow Green Pulse Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWaf

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWa7

Follow Lunch With Sumiko Podcast on: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Follow #PopVultures Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWad

Follow Life Weekend Picks Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWa2

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWRE

Follow Bookmark This! Podcast on: https://str.sg/JWas

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#InvisibleAsia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E46: Reconciling forest loss with One Million Trees initiative: Green Pulse Ep 46 Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

Green Pulse Ep 46: Reconciling forest loss with One Million Trees initiative

13:33 mins

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 in this podcast series.

Last December, parts of a woodland in Kranji were cleared before environmental studies were completed. Investigations are ongoing to determine what happened and why. But the incident has also highlighted the growing affinity between Singaporeans and the green spaces in the country, and generated criticism of whether such deforestation projects defeat the purpose of Singapore’s goal of planting a million more trees over the next decade.

In this episode, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shares his response to this criticism with ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan. They also discuss how his ministry aims to walk the fine line between development and conservation in Singapore.

This podcast contains excerpts of an interview between Mr Lee and ST environment correspondent Audrey Tan (see her interview) last month.

They discuss the following points:

What the One Million Trees is also an act of stewardship? (3:17)
How to determine which green spaces stay, and which must go? (6:22)
How science and technology was used to prove the value of the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat, which will publicly open in mid-2022 (9:10)
How the National Development Ministry aims to strike a balance between development and conservation? (10:23)

Produced by: ST Video & Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Listen to previous episodes with Mr Desmond Lee:

What has Covid-19 taught Singapore about sustainability: https://str.sg/Jj99

Transforming Singapore into a City in Nature: https://str.sg/Jj9C

Balancing development and conservation in land-scarce Singapore: https://str.sg/Jj9y

Subscribe to Green Pulse Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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 Audrey Tan on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLMB

Read her stories: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on Twitter: https://str.sg/JLM6

Read his stories: https://str.sg/JLMu

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams,' says Chinese migrant worker Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

Xiaoqiang on what it's like to have to find a new job each day and struggle to keep up to earn his wages (2:27)
He yearns for a better life, doing something different, but his dreams still seem far out of reach to him (3:44)
Why China's rural migrants are stuck at the bottom of the "food chain" (4:51)
With short-term labour romanticised for the "gig worker lifestyle", Xiaoqiang says it's in fact 'an incredibly lonely life' (6:52)
Challenges mounting for such workers in China, and what the government has done to alleviate the problem (7:38)

Read Danson Cheong's story here: https://str.sg/Jj9a

Produced by: Tan Jia Ning, Magdalene Fung, Ernest Luis & Adam Azlee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Discover ST's Invisible Asia podcast series:

Channel: https://str.sg/wuZn

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3s

Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJH

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Invisible Asia Videos: https://str.sg/wuTU

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S1E42: Dissecting Oprah's bombshell interview with Meghan & Harry: #PopVultures Ep 42 Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

#PopVultures Ep 42: Dissecting Oprah's bombshell interview with Meghan & Harry

17:16 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood industries.

This week, Jan Lee and Yeo Sam Jo discuss the interview that has rocked the world - Oprah Winfrey's exclusive sit-down with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spilled the English Breakfast tea on stepping back as senior royals and on alleged racist comments about their son Archie.
The #PopVultures recap what went down before, during and after the bombshell interview, including bullying accusations against Meghan, her claims of suicidal ideation, anti-Meghan personality Piers Morgan and the problematic Prince Andrew.
Finally, they chat about their favourite memes, moments and Oprah gestures to emerge from this television special.

Here's a look at what they cover:
1. Biggest bombshells from Oprah's interview, the responses that followed (1:38)

2. Biased coverage of Meghan and similarities to Princess Diana (5:13)

3. Why Prince Andrew continues to undermine Buckingham's position (7:53)

4. Meghan's revelations that she had contemplated suicide and counter-claims that she is lying (10:02)

5. Best memes and moments: From Humphrey Yogart to Oprah's "silent" lasagne (13:59)

Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg), Yeo Sam Jo (yeosamjo@sph.com.sg) & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

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