In Your Opinion

The Straits Times
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Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

  1. 1d ago

    He spent 16 years at McDonald’s, now he’s growing a Chinese tea brand | Chagee APAC CMO Eugene Lee

    After 16 years at McDonald's, Chagee APAC CMO shares how Chinese companies operate differently in the global arena Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. What does it take to turn a Chinese tea chain into a global brand? And what can China's new generation of consumer companies learn from the likes of McDonald's and Starbucks? Eugene Lee has seen both sides of the divide. After 16 years at McDonald's, where he rose to become international chief marketing officer, he joined Shanghai-headquartered Chagee as its Asia-Pacific chief marketing officer in 2025. In this conversation with The Straits Times’ senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei, Lee describes the culture shock of moving from an 86-year-old American multinational to a fast-moving young Chinese company, where ideas can become reality within days. He explains how Chagee uses automation, standardisation and lessons borrowed from competitors to expand rapidly, and why building emotional connections with consumers matters as much as selling a good product. He also addresses Chagee’s falling market valuation, slowing sales and the risk of becoming another passing fad in the food and beverage industry. Beyond tea, the conversation explores China's remarkable transformation from the world's factory into a creator of increasingly ambitious - and desirable - global brands. Highlights (click/tap above):  2:40 A culture shock from McDonald’s to Chagee 5:12 The Chinese lack of fear of failure 15:01 Becoming “the Starbucks of tea” 18:26 The secret behind scaling a business quickly 23:14 How Chagee localises for different markets 28:19 Is Chagee expanding faster than consumer demand can keep up? 31:15 Taking lessons from other successful Chinese F&B brands  34:05 Will Chagee be yet another F&B fad? 39:57 The influx of Chinese retail brands to Singapore and the anxiety it brings  42:50 How China is building global brands Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Tan Dawn Wei (dawntan@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    He spent 16 years at McDonald’s, now he’s growing a Chinese tea brand | Chagee APAC CMO Eugene Lee

  2. Oct 21

    It’s not about greed: Behavioural scientist Serene Koh explains the psychology of falling for scams

    A behavioural scientist unpacks the dark psychology of why smart people fall for the Nanning pyramid scheme Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. We often hear this saying: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Yet, 52 Singaporeans were recently arrested in China over the notorious Nanning pyramid scheme. So why do highly educated, financially literate people continue to fall for frauds that seem so obvious from the outside? In this episode of In Your Opinion, Lynda Hong sits down with Dr Serene Koh, director of the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) in Singapore, to deconstruct the dark psychology behind massive investment scams.  Moving past the surface-level blame of describing victims as greedy and gullible, Dr Koh explains how sophisticated syndicates architect fake realities, weaponise our closest family networks, and use our own intelligence against us.  Highlights (click/tap above):  00:52 Why behavioural science is the key to understanding scam victims  1:55 How the Nanning Ponzi scheme differs from other scams  4:15 How pig-butchering scams work   7:57 Why scammers target the human desire for family security rather than pure greed  13:11 Why shame and cognitive dissonance keep victims silent 15:42 Using inoculation programmes and survivor stories to build public resistance against scam syndicates  18:31 The sunk cost fallacy and social ties that prevent victims from walking away  22:12 How trust and personal relationships override logical due diligence  25:42 Why higher financial literacy and education can increase scam vulnerability 31:29 The social cost of fraud, eroded trust, and why people have stopped picking up phone calls anymore Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It’s not about greed: Behavioural scientist Serene Koh explains the psychology of falling for scams

  3. Oct 14

    Households without wealth can get ‘completely disabled’ by disruption, job loss: IPS’ Mathew Mathews

    IPS' Mathew Mathews unpacks why a high salary can't protect you like a wealth buffer can. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The average wealth held by the top 20% of households stands at $5.3 million. That is 18 times more than the bottom 20%, whose average wealth sits at $293,000, according to an occasional paper titled Income Growth, Inequality, and Social Mobility Trends in Singapore published by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in February 2026. While government policies and wage initiatives have successfully lowered income inequality, MOF's 2026 occasional paper reveals that Singapore’s wealth Gini coefficient now stands at 0.55. In this episode of In Your Opinion, host Lynda Hong sits down with Mathew Mathews, principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS), to unpack the critical difference between earning and owning. They explore why real income growth alone cannot bridge the mobility gap if lower-income families lack the disposable cash needed to invest in property or compounding assets. Mathews explains how accumulated wealth acts as a vital psychological and practical buffer against economic shocks, particularly for lower-income households. The conversation dives into the future of the Singaporean social fabric, tackling the threat of AI-driven job disruptions, the dangers of retail investing without financial literacy, and the potential for a universal basic capital model. Finally, they discuss whether slowing relative mobility means the traditional status symbols — like car ownership — are irrelevant, or simply being revisioned by a new generation. Highlights (click/tap above):  00:48 Why did MOF focus on wealth inequality recently  2:16 Income vs wealth: When what you own matters more  3:52 Can two families with the same income but varying wealth withstand economic shocks?  5:05 How wealth protects children’s opportunities for the future 5:35 Impact of AI on widening income inequality  8:49 Why salary growth doesn't equal social mobility  12:00 How to generate wealth apart from property and CPF  15:12 The hidden risks of retail investing for the lower-income  25:05 Does moving up the economic ladder mean more comforts in life? 29:20 The threat to Singapore's social cohesion Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Households without wealth can get ‘completely disabled’ by disruption, job loss: IPS’ Mathew Mathews

  4. Oct 7

    ADHD is not an attention deficit problem: clinical psychologist Ong Mian Li

    Classic ADHD stereotypes, like physical hyperactivity, can cause many to be overlooked and turn to maladaptive coping. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Despite the boom in online conversation about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in recent years, the neurodevelopmental condition is still largely misunderstood due to its name. Experts say those with ADHD don’t lack attention, as much as they lack the ability to regulate it.  With October being ADHD awareness month, features correspondent Grace Yeoh speaks with Dr Ong Mian Li, a clinical psychologist and the founder of private practice Lightfull Psychology, in this episode of In Your Opinion. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.  Together, they explore the invisible challenges of ADHD, particularly when one is seen to be “high-functioning” — the ability to manage the condition on their own while delivering results like neurotypicals. They argue that when society still expects classic behavioural signs, such as physical hyperactivity, many who need support may go underdiagnosed, developing potentially maladaptive coping mechanisms.  The conversation also highlights practical ways to seek and offer support, ultimately reframing diagnosis as a step toward better understanding of neurodivergence. Highlights (click/tap above):  0:46 Reframing ADHD as an attention regulation issue instead of a deficit 3:41 Reflecting on childhood signs after a diagnosis later on in life 7:03 Difference in symptoms between boys and girls  11:11 Transitions can be challenging for those with ADHD   17:24 The problem with the “high-functioning” label  23:53 When scepticism affects support given 28:14 Common coping mechanisms among those who may be overlooked 40:02 When an ADHD diagnosis shouldn’t be disclosed at the workplace 45:13 Practical ways to support someone with ADHD  49:30 Seeking an assessment as the start of self-acceptance Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Grace Yeoh (graceyeoh@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    ADHD is not an attention deficit problem: clinical psychologist Ong Mian Li

  5. Sep 23

    Singapore writer Gwee Li Sui talks Culture Pass credits and what it’ll take to get people to read

    Why do Singaporean kids write about winter? Gwee Li Sui on AI, Singlish & why culture cannot be rushed.  Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. A year after the launch of our Culture Pass credits, take-up rates sit at just 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Singapore’s new national reading movement, ReadSG, now aims to pay people to try building a consistent reading habit. What does this say about us as a people? Is it such a bad thing if we stop reading long-form fiction and just read social media? And why bother with SingLit when we are already so familiar with Singapore’s culture? In this episode, assistant opinion editor Lianne Chia speaks to poet, graphic artist, and literary critic Gwee Li Sui on why focusing too much on hitting KPIs in our quest for culture often backfires. They discuss how doomscrolling and short-form text change our capacity for empathy and nuance, and uncover the brutal economic reality of being a creative writer in Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:50 Singapore's pragmatic way in handling social problems 8:00 Why is SingLit a hard sell for readers compared to global titles? 8:57 Why do Singaporean students still write school essays about winter and autumn? 22:12 Is Singlish still considered "bad English" today?  27:06 What do we miss if we only read social media? 34:43 With AI summarising everything, is there still room to read for enjoyment? 38:02 Why paying people to read is like forcing kids to eat vegetables 44:50 Is being a creative writer in Singapore an economic dead end?  51:50 Why Gwee prefers to write for readers 50 years in the future 53:47 Is self-censorship among local writers a worry? Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lianne Chia (liannechia@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Singapore writer Gwee Li Sui talks Culture Pass credits and what it’ll take to get people to read

  6. Sep 16

    $1b venture capitalist Hian Goh on how Singapore can grow a firm like Apple

    It takes a bold mindset to imagine innovations like Creative’s sound card and the iPhone, says a venture capitalist. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Following a recent parliamentary debate on growing Fortune Global 500 companies in Singapore, we ask if Singapore can ever grow a homegrown startup into a global tech giant like Apple or Nvidia? Or do our cultural attitudes toward risk and failure limit this potential? To explore whether Singapore has the ecosystem and vision to build game-changing products that are similar to Creative Technology's sound card or the Apple iPhone, Lynda Hong sits down with Hian Goh, founding partner of Openspace Capital. Managing a billion-dollar portfolio, and having served as the investment banker to Creative Technology's founder Sim Wong Hoo, Hian discusses the realities of the venture capital world. In this episode, they examine the role of the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) in unlocking private capital, and the challenges of commercialising deep-tech R&D.  The discussion also touches on what it takes for Singapore to cultivate its own Silicon Valley, the necessity of tolerating setbacks, and the value of backing founders with an unreasonable mindset. Highlights (click/tap above):  1:08 What is actually missing in Singapore's private capital ecosystem?  6:06 Working with Sim Wong Hoo and hitting the structural ceiling  12:40 Love, Bonito and the challenges of scaling a brand out of Singapore  17:43 The "No U-Turn Syndrome" and why younger Singaporeans are breaking the mold  19:16 Silicon Valley's risk appetite vs. Singapore's fear of failure  21:27 The ChatGPT-4 lesson: Why celebrating uncertainty is the key to deep-tech innovation 28:34 Why the art of investing means backing the "crazy" founders  32:34 Overcoming investor trauma for a more vibrant SGX 35:52 Should national R&D focus only on creating unicorns? 44:54 Block 71 and trusting the ecosystem to build a uniquely Singaporean Silicon Valley Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    $1b venture capitalist Hian Goh on how Singapore can grow a firm like Apple

  7. Sep 9

    A non-profit chief on why caregivers refuse the rest they need and end up hitting a wall

    As Singapore ages, the number of family caregivers is rising, making caregiver respite a key focus.  Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The rising number of dementia patients is just the tip of the iceberg. An ageing population, chronic illnesses that leave loved ones bedridden, and more awareness of mental health conditions have cast a spotlight on the importance of caregiver respite. On this episode of In Your Opinion, we look at the mental health struggles faced by caregivers who sacrifice much of themselves in caring for loved ones. Joining assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong is Tim Oei, CEO of Mindfull Community. Drawing on decades of leadership at major social service agencies like AWWA and the National Kidney Foundation, he talks about caring for the carers, and why some see going to work as a form of respite.  Oei touches on systemic gaps that could disadvantage asset-rich, cash-poor caregivers, and why quitting your job to be a full-time carer can very quickly lead to burnout.  They also explore the marathon that is caregiving, and how friends, colleagues and neighbours can take small steps to help. Highlights (click/tap above):  3:23 When burnt-out caregivers face health issues 5:34 Caregivers only seek help when crisis hits 9:22 Why having a job can backfire when applying for grants  11:40 ‘Work is respite’: How some carers see their jobs 14:25 Will the $10m OrangeAid grant help with caregiver burnout? 21:45 Why sending a caregiver on a ‘staycation’ backfired 23:13 How to scale tailored support for caregivers? 26:20 The dementia tsunami: Scaling support for 2030 27:41 Co-location of services to help care recipients and caregivers 34:45 Hitting the wall: When caregivers reach the tragic breaking point Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong and 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- MENTAL WELL-BEING Mindfull Community HQ (for caregivers, families and persons in recovery): 6460-4400 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) National Mindline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) Tinkle Friend (for primary school-age children): 1800-2744-788 COUNSELLING Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180 ONLINE RESOURCES mindline.sg/fsmh eC2.sg chat.mentalhealth.sg carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25) limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25) #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A non-profit chief on why caregivers refuse the rest they need and end up hitting a wall

  8. Sep 2

    My son has autism, he changed how I think about success and significance | MP Denise Phua

    Denise Phua raised an autistic son and spent decades championing greater inclusion.  Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The Straits Times Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat sits with Member of Parliament and President of Autism Resource Centre Denise Phua to discuss her personal journey raising a son with autism and the lessons it has taught her about inclusion.  The podcast explores the “post-18 cliff” faced by many adults with autism and their families, and what needs to change in learning, employment and living arrangements.  Denise also discusses the anxieties caregivers face about their children’s futures, especially when parents are no longer around. The conversation examines whether Singapore’s disability policies are keeping pace with the needs of people across their entire lives – and what a truly inclusive society should look like. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:55 Motherhood and personal advocacy journey 5:55 Evolving support systems and challenges 15:55 Bridging gaps in learning, working and living 22:55 Creating inclusive employment opportunities 29:35 What would you say to employers to embrace inclusivity? 37:25 Will AI take over jobs meant for people with special needs? 40:35 Personalised support and living models 47:10 On straddling between advocacy and her role as MP 51:05 Grappling with life without parents for people with autism Read more:  Going beyond tackling misconceptions about autism: https://str.sg/xaFs When you’re told you’re ‘not autistic enough’: https://str.sg/sXC4 Walk a mile in my shoes as mother of two children with autism: https://str.sg/EpUu Autism lasts a lifetime. Can support stay the course?: https://str.sg/LR3om Autism in the workplace is about more than job placement: https://str.sg/apLC We are more aware of autism, but how well do we understand it?: https://str.sg/ejLE Schools have integrated children with autism. Have they included them?: https://str.sg/qgmz Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Follow Mubin Saadat on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/brVx Host: Mubin Saadat (mubin@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong and 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 YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT 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  --- 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 --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    My son has autism, he changed how I think about success and significance | MP Denise Phua
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About

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Information

  • Creator
    The Straits Times
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Straits Times
  • Show Website
    In Your Opinion

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