Stay ConnectedSynopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.
Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media.
An entrepreneur shares his hard-earned lessons on working with one’s hands.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
For much of human history, manual work and the skilled trades have been the default way to earn your keep.
Even in a small, advanced economy such as Singapore, there remains a need for this work to be done, that requires a mix of hard graft and mindfulness.
To piece together how to be successful in the trades, ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, an entrepreneur who slogged to build businesses across landscaping, hospitality and outdoor education.
His guest is:
Mr Clarence Chua, co-founder of The Sundowner Nature Experience Centre
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:53 Did Clarence always know he would be working a skilled trade?
10:07 What is the most satisfying part of Clarence’s job?
11:18 Tips for those hoping to pursue a skilled trade
21:06 Dealing with parental disapproval
Read about Mr Chua’s work here: https://str.sg/iiCi
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
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When it comes to hard conversations, are we quick to shame, label others or lash out?
Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
In this episode, we explore why it’s so hard to unpack difficult topics without getting angry, rude, or shutting down.
Whether it’s inconsiderate commuters, vaccine debates, or matters about race, we now have to navigate more difficult conversations. And more people seem on edge – both online and offline.
So how can we have a discussion about issues that matter without blowing up or checking out?
Natasha sits down with Ms Audrey Low, founder of leadership consultancy Designing Trust, and Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, cultural change strategist and founder of Common Ground Civic Centre and Consultancy, to unpack Singaporeans’ seemingly short fuses, public shaming and mob justice, and explore how we can respond more constructively.
They also talk about why labelling people as “woke” or “social justice warriors” can shut down discussions even before they start.
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:14 Are Singaporeans an angry bunch?
6:50 The psyche of trolls and why people drop rude comments
10:09 What do cavalier, unkind comments say those who post them?
18:33 Why discussions about racial issues get heated?
24:50 Using labels like “woke” and “social justice warrior” can shut down conversations
37:38 How to be open to perspectives that they don’t agree with
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
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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
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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A recent ST-Milieu survey has found some striking similarities Gen Zs and their parents have, in the way they view their life priorities and challenges.
Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
In this episode, we’ll revisit the old stereotype that the younger generation has it all too good, that they’ve gone soft and are not resilient enough to withstand hardships or even hard work.
Young adults on the other hand, often lament that their parents don’t understand them enough. But how true are any of these often-held views?
A recent survey commissioned by The Straits Times found that Gen Zs, like their parents before them, feel disheartened and frustrated when they cannot find work.
This generational gap is also reflected in the findings of an online survey, conducted by Milieu Insight for ST.
In October and November 2024, the poll of 800 Gen Zs between ages 16 and 27, and 600 parents of Gen Zs explored the two generations’ views on goals, stress, money, self-esteem and joblessness. The parents were asked to answer based on recollections of their views when they were in their 20s.
But there are slight differences between how they approach work and gain wealth, and we discuss this with a father-son pair in this episode.
Lawyer Michael Han, 55, is an occasional columnist. He is joined by his son Jazer Han, 22, now an economics undergraduate at the Singapore Management University (SMU).
Highlights (click/tap above):
5:22 Mr Han on sacrificing work-life balance for career growth?
10:35 Mr Han: Not about generational gaps; more like different seasons in life
14:05 Jazer on time outside of 'school and work', extra commitments, fulfilment
16:15 Jazer's view on urgency to complete tasks
26:20 How Jezer got scammed $15,000 from his savings?
38:29 Is the younger generation really 'strawberry' or 'snowflake'?
Read ST’s article on how Gen Zs and their parents approach work and life differently: https://str.sg/FCkq
Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH
Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)
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
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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:
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Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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How can young people build up their mental health and cope with societal pressures while adulting?
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
We all know that adulting is not easy, but why is adulting hitting the mental health of young people so much these days?ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo explores this with two guests in this episode.
They are:
Ms Lee Yi Ping, the programme lead and principal Case Manager at Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health in Singapore. This service by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) serves as a first-stop touchpoint for young people seeking mental health support.
Mr Delane Lim, the founder and executive director of the charity Character & Leadership Academy, which runs youth development, mental wellness, and suicide prevention programmes for young people. Mr Lim himself contemplated suicide at 25 and he knows just how tough adulting can be.
They discuss what one can do to manage the challenges that adulting brings, whether it is related to identity, work or relationships.
Ms Lee and Mr Lim also share their own experiences.
This episode was recorded live - and filmed in front of a live audience - at The Projector at Golden Mile Tower, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:35 Is adulting harder today than it was in the past?
5:45 Managing the pressure of "having it all" by a certain age
10:55 Delane’s brush with suicide at 25
16:28 Yi Ping on feeling burnout
19:13 Navigating social media safely
22:20 Advice to their younger selves
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 by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team
Edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & 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
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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
ST Podcasts 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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Three students in their early 20s tell us how they're approaching this.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
Retirement used to be a word for middle-aged workers, perhaps as they started to think of how to lay up enough savings to enjoy their twilight years.
But with movements like Fire - also known as financial independence, retire early - younger workers are starting to talk about retirement and prepare for the time they can kick their feet back and stop working.
And for university students in their early 20s, preparing for retirement is already underway, to hit their goals of retiring early and to fund their ideal retirement lifestyles.
So how early should you think of retirement and how can you plan for it?
In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at retirement planning even when you're in your 20s and if Fire can really work.
Her guests are three NTU students in their early 20s - Tina Aw, Charmaine Chia and Aurene Graciella.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:51 How old were you when you first thought about retirement?
5:33 Hustling from the age of 12 to achieve Fire
8:20 The mental and social costs of Fire
9:15 What is your ideal retirement age?
11:58 How are you preparing for retirement?
24:56 How much will you need per month in retirement?
27:44 Will you consider micro-retirement?
Listen to "Should we play with FIRE?": https://str.sg/5mHc
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 Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
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Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
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Singapore's 2025 general election was held on May 3, and the ruling People's Action Party won 65.57 per cent of the national vote, a commanding swing up from its 61.24 per cent share in 2020.
The ruling party won 87 seats out of the contested 97, securing a majority in Parliament.
The opposition Workers' Party retained two GRCs in Aljunied and Sengkang, and one SMC in Hougang.
This election gave Prime Minister Lawrence Wong the clear mandate that he had sought, in his first electoral contest as head of government and leader of the PAP.
Narrated by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg)
Produced & edited by: Hadyu Rahim, Teo Tong Kai & Amirul Karim
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
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Follow more podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
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Indonesia’s capital, one of South-east Asia’s most crowded cities, contains 12 million people in a land area of 660 sq km.
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.
Host and foreign editor Li Xueying speaks to The Straits Times’ Indonesia bureau chief Arlina Arshad, who has lived in Jakarta for 16 years - and moved five times. What are the lessons that she’s picked up in searching for the right apartment in Indonesia’s capital city?
In this city of contrasts, private-sector developers are on a tearing streak to build high-end condominiums for an expanding middle class. At the same time, graveyards and slums are just round the block from these homes.
And for decades now, the government has strove to resolve the housing and urban development challenge in Jakarta. What plans does the Prabowo administration now have?
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:58 Every move an exciting and chaotic journey
4:03 Drawing the curtains on a graveyard
5:57 Indonesians’ attitudes towards the dead
8:31 Why Jakarta is so crowded
10:48 Fixing the housing challenge
Read Arlina Arshad’s article here: https://str.sg/b9qb
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
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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
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
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Christie Chiu, Wong Yang and Isabelle Kumar - young journalists with The Straits Times - reflect on their experiences and insights.
Synopsis: Every noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - The Usual Place moves to a half-hour daily livestream - with Singapore's general election on May 3.
Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter.
Joining her on the couch are young reporters Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar.
Beyond witnessing the election unfold up close through their work, Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar, are also experiencing it from a personal angle – as first-time voters.
What have their own Gen Z friends been saying to them about similar experiences that helped shape their approach to content ideas?
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:26 Christie and Yang’s response to being labelled the ‘Gen Z version’ of TV presenters Glenda Chong and Steven Chia
7:53 Did being reporters help them learn anything for themselves as young first-time voters?
8:54 Their rally experiences
13:50 “They are also human” - Isabelle on her observations while filming candidates like PAP’s Foo Cexiang and WP’s Alexis Dang
19:14 “Be kind” to one another - the trio’s key personal takeaways from GE2025
Today’s shirt worn by Natasha was sponsored by Good Addition.
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
Shorts edited by: ST Video
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
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
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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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Newcomer Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik joins his experienced teammates on the couch.
Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.
Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
Joining her on the couch are Ms He Ting Ru, 41; Associate Professor Jamus Lim, 49; and Mr Louis Chua, 37, who are contesting Sengkang GRC again – this time with newcomer Abdul Muhaimin, 36.
As first-term MPs, they had to navigate both constituency work and team dynamics after winning Sengkang GRC in GE2020 with 52.13 per cent of the vote – the biggest upset of the election then. The WP took 60,136 votes, while the PAP got 55,214 votes.
Since then, have there been any growing pains, and how has their working relationship evolved? How do they split roles in the team?
Natasha asks them how they feel about winning Sengkang in the last election, and what they’re learning so far during campaigning for GE2025.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:59 One theme from the ground that needs to be examined beyond GE2025
6:33 Being yourself - new candidate Mr Muhaimin on advice he gets from his teammates during campaigning
12:20 How they react to party leaders’ statements on WP fielding its strongest slate in many years
13:40 Ms He on women in politics
19:20 The quartet on valuable advice coming from senior WP leaders that they still hold dear today
24:15 Prof Lim on advice given to new candidate Michael Thng for the recent national TV roundtable discussion?
33:34 “Such language was not used in volunteer chat groups or with residents”: Mr Chua on Mr Andre Low’s leaked Telegram messages from a private chat among his business school classmates
41:01 Game Time! What are some apps they wish they would use less on the phone
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
Shorts edited by: ST Video
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
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
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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
#tup #tuptr
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RDU has the second-highest number of opposition candidates.
Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.
Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
Red Dot United (RDU) is a very young political party, formed only in 2020 when it contested just one constituency – Jurong GRC – with a team of five candidates.
Fast forward five years, and RDU is now fielding the second-highest number of opposition candidates in this election, behind the WP’s 26 candidates. RDU’s 15 candidates are contesting four constituencies, going head-to-head with the PAP.
How did the party scale up from a one-GRC showing in 2020 to four constituencies today?
Joining Natasha in this episode are Ms Liyana Dhamirah, 38, and her teammate Marcus Neo, 33 - part of the party’s team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC - and Ms Kala Manickam, 57, candidate for Jurong Central SMC.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:35 How a relatively new party like RDU managed to field the second largest number of opposition candidates
10:33 How Ms Liyana is able to dismiss a lot of insults; why file a police report over online harassment recently?
23:27 Ms Kala on switching from Jalan Kayu SMC to Jurong Central SMC
28:17 Mr Neo on housing and job insecurity as top concerns for millennial voters his age
36:23 Game time! Kopi-O kosong, bubble tea, teh tarik - what’s your favourite drink?
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
Shorts edited by: ST Video
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
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 #tuptr
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