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    News Commentary

    The Straits Times Podcasts

    Synopsis: 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.

    Advertise
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    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    S1E31: Grace Fu on S’pore’s climate change fight, changes to Yuhua SMC Mar 21, 2025
    Show notes

    Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
    Following Budget 2025 and the Committee of Supply Debate on government spending for different ministries, Natasha and her co-host Audrey Tan, ST assistant news editor for environment coverage, discuss how Singapore is pushing ahead with climate action. She’s also the host of Green Pulse on ST Podcasts.
    Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu joins them in this episode.
    They talk about mitigation efforts versus adapting to climate change, Ms Fu’s thoughts on her long-time SMC being absorbed into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, and being a woman in politics for almost two decades.

    Highlights (click/tap above):
    2:46 Why is S’pore persevering on climate action
    13:17 With the US scaling back on its climate efforts, what can S’pore do?
    22:05 MSE’s plans for the longevity of S’pore’s hawker culture
    30:57 Will climate change and environmental issues be one of the GE2025 issues?
    36:17 Being a woman in politics for almost two decades

    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

    Co-Host: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg)

    Read Audrey Tan's articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

    Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/MZne

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: ST Video (Azim Azman, Philip Cheong and Jacen Tan)

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
    Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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 #gptr

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E25: Dr Anji Sinha: Trump's mystery pick for ambassador to Singapore Mar 20, 2025
    Show notes

    Who is Dr Anji Sinha? Our US bureau chief finds that the key to this story lies in relationships.

    Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

    As of the publication of this episode on March 21, nothing much is known about the person recently nominated by US President Donald Trump to become the top American diplomat in Singapore beyond his or her name.

    The Straits Times’ senior columnist Lin Suling and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar reveal the detective work involved in trying to uncover who US President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to Singapore is - from following the breadcrumbs laid out by contacts to dealing with dead ends and working the phones to reveal the Florida connection.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    03:00 The significance of the US Ambassador to Singapore

    04:55 Uncovering who Dr Anji Sinha is

    07:34 A tip-off and a subtle hint

    09:53 Dealing with hesitant sources, sensitive diplomatic matters

    14:17 Broadening contacts

    17:28 The Trump administration’s cautious approach

    19:46 The Florida Connection

    25:02 Looking ahead: The confirmation process

    Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo

    Read Lin Suling’s articles: https://str.sg/nnEQ

    Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/t2RX

    Read Clement Tan's articles: https://str.sg/Ep62

    Follow Clement Tan on X: https://str.sg/uErS

    Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

    Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@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

    ---

    #STAsianInsider

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E26: Why are so many mainland Chinese making Malaysia their second home? Mar 20, 2025
    Show notes

    Thousands of mainland Chinese are choosing Malaysia’s laid-back vibes over their stressful lives back home.

    Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

    For March, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, and special guest Dr Ong Kian Ming, both based in Kuala Lumpur.

    It’s easy to settle down in multicultural Malaysia, as thousands of mainland Chinese on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme have discovered. Affordable property, international schools, local food and a relaxed lifestyle are all draws, but are there drawbacks? As it is, signage in the Chinese language has already sparked off a war of words between politicians.

    Speaking of politics, the recent Democratic Action Party (DAP) election saw the Lim family influence diminished. Former deputy minister and party insider Dr Ong gives us the lowdown on what happened on March 16, and his predictions for the DAP’s future.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    01:21 MM2H: Why is it so popular with mainland Chinese?

    06:43 Cultural shift, retail landscape change from influx of Chinese

    11:19 How Chinese brands are adapting to local market

    14:57 Furore over Chinese signage

    19:43 DAP election: How the party’s evolved in Malaysian politics

    26:56 Will DAP turn into MCA 2.0

    30:49 Mood at party polls

    38:02 Lim Guan Eng's future role and influence

    42:38 News nugget: What’s your desert island Malaysian snack?

    Read more:

    MM2H scheme - https://str.sg/bsDx

    Malaysia’s DAP election - https://str.sg/Kiqx

    Heated exchange Malaysia’s MCA and DAP - https://str.sg/FS6T

    Dr Ong Kian Ming’s Are We OK? podcast - https://str.sg/63jG

    Read Lim Ai Leen’s articles: https://str.sg/MKsE

    Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ

    Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK

    Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

    Hosts: Lim Ai Leen (limal@sph.com.sg) & Tan Tam Mei (tammei@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

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    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

    ---

    #STAsianInsider

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S1E30: Desmond Lee on housing, GE2025 and lessons learnt as a politician Mar 19, 2025
    Show notes

    Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

    Following Budget 2025 and the Committee of Supply Debate on government spending, Natasha invites as her co-host Isabelle Liew, a ST journalist who covers the housing beat.

    They welcome Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on their living room couch as he says housing affordability will always be a “top-of-mind” issue for Singaporeans, as the nation gears up for the upcoming general election.

    He explains how the Government’s measures, including the increase in supply of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and the injection of executive condominium (EC) units, will start to address this issue.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:50 What are 'brownfield' sites? Minister explains; on seeming ground sentiment that homeownership is slipping out of reach for younger Singaporeans

    5:29 Differences between "willing buyer, willing seller" resale open market and new BTO flats; on supply projection

    9:25 On property sales flyers hyping up million-dollar HDB resale flats; the FOMO (fear of missing out) effect, information and prudence

    11:42 On possible government levers and measures on demand, how market can find stable baseline over the long term; advice to younger home-buying couples

    18:20 On how his own West Coast GRC team fared since the last general election, and following the departure of Mr S Iswaran after corruption charges

    24:00 On voter sentiments and housing affordability as an issue for the GE

    34:00 What Minister Desmond Lee has learnt about himself as a politician so far, juggling portfolios? On what happens at his Meet-the-People Sessions

    39:28 The deeper nuances behind converting the brownfield site for the upcoming new Mount Pleasant BTO housing estate

    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
    Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

    Follow Isabelle Liew on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Lu6q

    Read Isabelle Liew's articles: https://str.sg/iqDq

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: ST Video (Jacen Tan)

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

    Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E5: Who needs a car when there is a driverless bus at 2am? Mar 18, 2025
    Show notes

    Forget “car-lite”, go for “car-free”, an SUTD prof makes the case for drivers to hang up their keys.

    Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

    It turned out that capping fares for seniors can be a way to urge older Singaporeans to not only stay mobile, but also ditch their cars for public transport. Dr Samuel Chng, research assistant professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, believes that Singapore has the potential to be “car-free”.

    Also head of SUTD's Urban Psychology Lab in the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Dr Chng sees a future where autonomous vehicles can fill in the gaps left by existing public transport modes.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    7:42 Journey from fewer cars towards car-free

    12:50 The shock of not being on public transport in decades

    20:33 The opportune time to intervene and form new transport habits

    24:34 The role of walk, cycle and ride in the overall transport system

    28:59 Driverless technology as a solution for late-night hunger pangs

    Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

    Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

    Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

    Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg)

    Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Hadyu Rahim

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

    Follow Wheel Insights Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    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

    ---

    #wheelinsights

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E14: Can Asean step up on climate action? Mar 17, 2025
    Show notes

    Asean’s latest climate plans will face intense scrutiny as climate impacts worsen.

    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.

    Fast-growing South-east Asia is highly vulnerable to climate change.

    As the climate risks grow, the region needs to lift its game to ramp up green energy investment and adopt stronger climate targets.

    This year is a key test of the region’s climate resolve. All 10 Asean members are obliged to submit updated and more ambitious 2035 climate plans to the UN this year. Only Singapore has done so to date.

    The question is, though, with the United States and Europe rolling back on climate finance and targets, does South-East Asia have the will to boost green investment? And where will the money come from?

    Green Pulse podcast hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss SE Asia’s climate plans with Ms Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow and Coordinator, Asean Studies Centre, at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

    Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!

    Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

    2:20 With the US and EU backsliding on climate commitments, are you seeing this in Asean, too?

    4:21 Importance of Asean on global climate and energy policies

    10:53 Efforts in in funding Asean net zero targets

    17:10 Asean ambitions in new climate plans this year

    21:54 Could China step in as a major source of climate finance for South-East Asia?

    30:09 Why Asean should start showcasing climate investment opportunities with a pavilion at the annual UN climate conference

    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 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

    ---

    #greenpulse

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E14: To enter the workforce with a diploma or not? Mar 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Major shifts in the job market and employer practices make for more options but tougher decisions too.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

    Singapore’s tertiary education system has been shaken up in recent years, with polytechnics and universities among those seeing major changes.

    These include apprenticeships, structured talent programmes, industry attachments, longer-duration internships and even global exposure opportunities that raise the skills bar and prepare students for skilled roles from the outset.

    On one hand, some employers, especially in technical fields, seek for diploma graduates who enter the workforce earlier than others in their cohort and gain skills on the job.

    On the other, there is a push to grow the proportion of the cohort enrolled in university for further studies.

    ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, a seasoned education expert on how to make sense of these different forces in charting out your own education and career path.

    His guest is:

    Associate Professor Jason Tan, who studies education policy, curriculum and leadership at the National Institute of Education

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:10 Where are these shifts in the tertiary education system stemming from?

    5:49 Does this mean there are more pathways to meet industry needs from an earlier age?

    10:35 What are the challenges that come with these changes?

    16:34 Pay structures that look strictly at paper qualifications may not reflect differences in skills

    18:08 Keeping an open mind on the best choice

    Read about one such recent change: https://str.sg/ioJA

    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

    ---

    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

    ---

    #headstart

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S1E29: EBRC report: What the new electoral boundaries mean for GE2025 Mar 14, 2025
    Show notes

    Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
    The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) dropped its report on March 11 and here’s the gist: Boundaries for GRCs have been rejigged, new SMCs have been carved out, and there are now more constituencies with double-barrelled names.

    Now that we have a clear picture of how the electoral map has changed, what do these changes mean as we head into a general election?

    To answer that question, Natasha speaks with former nominated Member of Parliament Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University, and Straits Times senior political correspondent Tham Yuen-C.

    The conversation also dives into the talk of gerrymandering, why the EBRC gave a more detailed explanation of the changes than in past reports, and what political parties have to do now.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    5:23 Dissecting the talk of gerrymandering
    13:23 Voters are more concerned with everyday issues

    17:43 What's with the double-barrelled GRC names?

    23:42 The Jurong GRC split: what does it mean for parties with a presence there?
    28:34 Will the electoral map changes affect "horse trading"?

    32:19 Prof Tan and Yuen-C pick the 'hottest' GRCs or SMCs to watch

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah

    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
    Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm
    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

    Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S2E24: From pineapple farms to data centres: Johor’s changing landscape Mar 13, 2025
    Show notes

    But Malaysians’ love affair with the fruit persists.

    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.

    Talk about what’s new with Johor nowadays and one usually ends up with a five-letter acronym - JSSEZ, or the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

    But all the excitement about rising opportunities has also hastened the demise of what traditionally has juiced up Johor’s economy - pineapple farms. Land packed with the hardy, spiky fruits is making way for more profitable oil palm plantations, data centres as well as other commercial and industrial activities.

    Malaysia is not giving up on pineapples though, as it's the No 2 export fruit after the mighty durian. Sarawak has earmarked 20,000 hectares just for growing the fruit.

    In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with Malaysia correspondent Lu Wei Hoong about his love affair with pineapples and why it means so much to Malaysians.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    0:56 A special fruit to Malaysians

    5:00 The closure of Lee’s Pineapple Juice

    7:03 The rise of data centres

    12:42 From Johor to Singapore: The pineapple connection

    Read Lu Wei Hoong’s article here: https://str.sg/zby2

    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

    ---

    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

    ---

    #STAsianInsider

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    S1E52: Using music to better reach out to seniors Mar 11, 2025
    Show notes

    How younger social workers and social service entrepreneurs are exploring the use of music in the eldercare space.

    Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests.

    In this special edition of In Your Opinion - filmed in front of a live audience at The Foundry - a social service entrepreneur and social worker share how music can transform the eldercare space.

    Be it for their loved ones or as part of their advocacy, youths can now find more avenues to reach out to seniors, using the powerful tool in music.

    When it comes to engaging the elderly, music can reinvigorate and empower them - all while closing the gap between different generations.

    Studies have shown that music can amplify connections between the brain’s auditory and emotional regions, encouraging memory encoding and recall.

    In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - STNow reporter Christie Chiu - speak with two guests who are harnessing the power of music to transform eldercare in Singapore.

    The two guests are: SanCare Asia founder Johnson Soh, who uses music-based technologies and services to help dementia patients; and Fei Yue Community Services programme executive Amanda Soon, who taps on music to get seniors more involved in their communities.

    Having studied in the UK and worked in the film industry there before returning to Singapore, Amanda now uses her creative skills to empower seniors and youths. At Fei Yue, she uses music to pilot various programmes and workshops with youth volunteers, youths and seniors.

    After working in the music industry for almost 30 years, Johnson founded SanCare Asia in 2016. The first elder-care service in Asia to offer person-centered reminiscence music programmes came about when Johnson's father developed dementia.

    "I actually used my dad as a guinea pig," he said, adding that he put together a playlist of songs which would resonate with him, songs which he grew up with during his formative years.

    "And yeah, it worked wonders, you know, to see him light up, to see him in a different mood just gave me the impetus to start the company."
    Over the years, Johnson has used reminiscence music to develop various programs as well. With his extensive research and deep music expertise, Johnson developed many programmes including Strike A Note©, a proprietary personalised music playlist programme for seniors. He also launched Return To The Tea Dance©, a silent disco-inspired music and movement programme, which became a finalist at the 2020 Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    6:41 How Fei Yue creates community for seniors by reviving lost dreams

    7:20 How Fei Yue youth volunteers bring energy and ideas to do community work with seniors

    9:03 Bridging inter-generational gaps through SanCare Asia’s person-centred care, creating a personalised music playlist for each senior

    12:06 When music can also elicit adverse reactions; a delicate task for youth volunteers with seniors

    15:50 Return to the Tea Dance, a silent disco programme for dementia seniors

    22:41 Youth volunteers, social services and social enterprises empowering each other

    25:20 How the Crdl can help the less-functioning dementia seniors

    Find out more about:

    SanCare Asia: https://str.sg/kEvE

    Fei Yue Community Services: https://str.sg/sAxH

    Listen to the other filmed live podcast at The Foundry:

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    Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Christie Chiu (christiec@sph.com.sg)

    Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team

    Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

    Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

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