The Straits Times Podcasts

The Straits Times
  • 4.3 (10)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Semiweekly

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.

  1. 4h ago

    Faishal Ibrahim’s exit and the Cabinet reshuffle: Is the PAP’s 5G team taking shape?

    It has been quite a week in Singapore politics, with adjustments to the Cabinet line-up and the surprise resignation of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. In this episode, Natasha takes a deep dive into the implications of blooding younger politicians such as Jasmin Lau into the Cabinet and junior ministerial roles now, and if the PAP’s high moral standards will cost them future talent. Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan and independent political observer Dr Felix Tan weigh in on the diversity of the new Cabinet and why politics is not priesthood. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:26 Was the new Cabinet line-up surprising? 5:45 Newbie politician Jasmin Lau’s fast rise 9:00 Is the 5G leadership team taking shape? 13:05 Does politics need politicians with private-sector experience? 16:38 Know how to communicate ideas, says Felix 19:16 Is Ng Chee Meng out of the “political wilderness”? 23:39 What’s the public “obsession” over Ng Chee Meng? 28:25 Who will eventually succeed Shanmugam at MHA? 32:30 Does having different generations in the Cabinet matter? 35:26 Should the Government reveal more about Faishal Ibrahim’s exit? 39:37 Why do conduct breaches keep happening despite the code? 45:47 “Politics is not priesthood.”: Eugene Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 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 -- #tup #tuptrf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Faishal Ibrahim’s exit and the Cabinet reshuffle: Is the PAP’s 5G team taking shape?

  2. 20h ago

    Injecting yourself in the bathroom and smiling through work: the reality of IVF while at work

    Two women share their journeys through IVF, miscarriage and the long road to motherhood   Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday. This episode explores the difficult journey some women take to become mothers.  Around one in six couples in Singapore experience infertility, yet many endure the physical and emotional toll of fertility treatment in silence while juggling work, medical appointments and the uncertainty of what comes next. Host Vanessa Chelvan speaks with Divya Menon, director of Fertility Support SG, who is still navigating her own in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey after multiple treatment cycles and a recent miscarriage, and Elisha Tushara, a Straits Times journalist whose daughter was conceived after years of fertility treatment and losses.  They discuss the grief of failed cycles and miscarriages, the burden of balancing treatment with work, the financial cost of trying to conceive, and why workplaces - and society - need to better support those navigating infertility. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:05 Emotional, mental and physical toll of fertility treatment   8:31 Dealing with the grief of loss  10:58 ‘I’m going to give it everything I have, even if the money goes’ 12:54 Why many choose to go through fertility treatment in silence 15:23 The misconception that infertility is a woman’s problem 18:53 The two-week wait 22:51 77% of women see trade-off between IVF and career  28:29 Does miscarriage equate failure?  35:45 The costs of fertility treatment 39:19 The Government should do more to help couples  41:04 Creating a supportive workplace  Resources:  Fertility Support SG: https://fertilitysupport.sg/Fertility Support SG’s Workplace Guide: https://fertilitysupport.sg/infertility-in-the-workplace/ Host: Vanessa Chelvan (vpchelvan@sph.com.sg) Read Vanessa's articles: https://str.sg/gr5Z Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jHdJ  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Elizabeth Law — Follow The Mother Load limited series every Friday (July 3-31): Channel: https://str.sg/oMofY  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/8Kbv  Spotify: https://str.sg/DELD  YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV 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 #themotherload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Injecting yourself in the bathroom and smiling through work: the reality of IVF while at work

  3. 1d ago

    The surprising reason Singaporeans complain but don’t correct bad public behaviour

    While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities? Opinion Editor Lin Suling speaks with sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about whether Singapore is becoming a nation that relies too heavily on rules, complaints and punishment — and what it would take to build a genuinely high-trust, "We First" society. Highlights (click/tap above):  3:35 Why does seemingly ordinary, considerate behaviour disappear once people get behind the wheel? 5:40 Does criminalising phone use while driving mean public education has failed? 12:25 Have we outsourced everyday conflict resolution to the state instead of correcting bad behaviour ourselves? 13:55 Is Singapore's complaint culture undermining trust and creating online vigilantism? 16:46 When is reporting someone the right thing to do? When should it be the last resort? 19:52 Thirty years after the Singapore Kindness Movement, have we become kinder or simply better at enforcing rules? 21:28 How can Singapore encourage people to speak up against antisocial behaviour without leaving them to stand alone? 23:11 Can Singapore realistically become a 'We First' society? What would a genuinely high-trust society look like? Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/hiLQ Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim 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 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  Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV --- 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.

    The surprising reason Singaporeans complain but don’t correct bad public behaviour

  4. 3d ago

    7 jobs in 14 years: A comms director explains why job hopping isn't always bad

    Job hopping: Career suicide or a way to learn what works for you? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, Annabel Lim, Business & Reputation Director at communications firm We. Communications shares how she built her career by cycling through 7 full-time jobs. She talks about how each change gave her a different perspective or skill that cumulated in her current role, and why “job-hopping” isn't necessarily a red flag in CVs.  Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann, who have worked in two jobs and one job respectively, also discussed how long a person should hold their job before making a switch and how to tell when a role no longer works for you. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Job hopping: Is it a bad thing? 6:56 Is there a minimum time one has to stay at a job? 9:45 Rage quitting 13:28 Is company loyalty worth anything? 20:40 Push factors at work 29:52 The urge to quit: just a phase or deeper problem? 34:31 Advice for those thinking of changing careers Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Hosts: See Kai Wen (seekw@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Natasha Liew Executive producers: Elizabeth Law 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 ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Watch Headstart On Record Podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/3psqrx --- 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 --- Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties. --- #headstart See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    7 jobs in 14 years: A comms director explains why job hopping isn't always bad

  5. 6d ago

    Why China's economy doesn't add up, according to one economist

    The gap between Beijing's stated growth rates and actual economic performance is widening considerably, says expert Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Dr Logan Wright, an expert on the Chinese economy. He is based in Washington, DC, after living and working in Beijing and Hong Kong for over two decades.  Wright is a partner at Rhodium Group, a US research and advisory group. He leads the firm’s China markets research work. He is also a senior associate of the trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).  His book Broken China: How the Economic Miracle Shattered and What it Means for the World hits the stores in September 2026. In this episode, he points out that most analysts treat the Chinese economy differently from other economies. “They tend to look at the Chinese system and say this is a different political system, it produces outputs that are long-term plans. Therefore, we filter incoming data in terms of how China is doing based on its long-term plans and its declared goals. From a financial system perspective, it looks entirely different,” he says. He also sketches out what strikes him as the most troubling aspect of the Chinese economy today.  Highlights (click/tap above):  1:20 Analysis of China's actual growth vs. official reports 2:50 Is that a minority opinion? 5:00 The most troubling aspects of the Chinese economy 9:10 Evaluating the quality of Chinese economic data 13:00 AI's impact on returns in the Chinese economy 17:00 When will the property sector rebound? 22:00 Will policy efforts to boost domestic consumption succeed? 25:00 Will China’s low birth rates, high death rates have a large impact on growth? 27:00 The worsening problem of excess industrial capacity 29:10 Reasons South-east Asia must pay attention to China Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo  Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E  Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Bhagyashree Garekar (bhagya@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 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Asian Insider YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR  --- 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.

    Why China's economy doesn't add up, according to one economist

  6. Jul 16

    1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?

    Should young job seekers start their careers with contract roles? With stiff competition for full-time roles, a tight job market and employers being more selective about new permanent hires, perhaps contract roles shouldn’t be off the table. In Singapore, such roles have become more common over the past few years. What can young people do to build their careers? Also, is contract work truly the ‘lesser cousin’ of permanent work? In this episode, I speak with: • Francois Lancon, the regional president of Asia Pacific and Middle East for ManpowerGroup, a global expert on labour market and employment trends, • Tyrina Toh, a contract content creator for businesses, who left a full time position to work only contract and freelance jobs •Seth Ng, a fresh university graduate who is currently looking for a job. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:34 Should the GovTech retrenchments be a cause for concern? 3:43 Why the surge in contract roles? 6:42 Tyrina’s first contract role at 16 10:26 Is contract work financially feasible? 12:01 Contract work a “launchpad” to full-time role: Seth 15:56 Do contract roles make you look like a job hopper? 19:10 Taking charge of your professional growth 23:26 Is contract work exploitative? 29:01 What happens when a contract role gets cut unexpectedly? 33:12 Should you do many internships to land a permanent role? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 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 -- #tup #tuptrf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?

  7. Jul 15

    Politician Rahayu Mahzam on mum guilt, screen time, social media algorithms

    Mothers today have more advice than ever before. But when does helpful information become overwhelming, and what can we do about it?  Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday. Social media has become a lifeline for many mothers - offering advice, reassurance and community at the tap of a screen. But what happens when the endless parenting tips and constant comparison start to undermine our confidence instead? In this episode, host Vanessa Chelvan sits down with Huda Rasid, founder of The Mum Collective, and Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam to talk candidly about the pressures of raising children in the digital age. From information overload to screen time guilt and the pressures of competitive parenting, they unpack why so many mothers feel like they're constantly falling short - even when they're doing their best. The conversation also explores practical ways to build a healthier relationship with social media, trust your own instincts again and find real support beyond the screen - reminding parents that no algorithm knows their child better than they do. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:20 Do social media algorithms reflect our anxieties back at us? 9:54 Too many choices have eroded mums' confidence in their own instincts 13:00 Getting caught in the comparison trap  18:04 Rahayu on mum guilt and parenting her son 23:45 Screen time struggles and why parents may feel judged 27:50 Keeping it real on social media and examining your own triggers around screentime 33:08 Intensive mothering: Can we be less competitive?37:42 The tuition dilemma 41:42 Using social media as a tool, not a trap45:10 Finding a mum community IRL47:50 No algorithm knows your child better than you do Host: Vanessa Chelvan (vpchelvan@sph.com.sg) Read Vanessa's articles: https://str.sg/gr5Z Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jHdJ  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Elizabeth Law — Follow The Mother Load limited series every Friday (July 3-31): Channel: https://str.sg/oMofY  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/8Kbv  Spotify: https://str.sg/DELD  YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV 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 #themotherload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Politician Rahayu Mahzam on mum guilt, screen time, social media algorithms

  8. Jul 14

    Singapore footpath wars: Why reclaiming car space could solve the PMD and PMA problem

    While more car lanes induce congestion, reclaiming road space for micro-mobility would make for a highly efficient transport. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. New rules for Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) kicked in on June 1, slashing speeds to 6 km/h and requiring medical certificates to crack down on able-bodied riders. But as pedestrians, e-bikes, and gig workers continue to squeeze onto narrow pavements, are we fighting over the wrong patch of concrete as Singapore embarks on a car-lite journey? In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with associate professor Yap Fook Fah from Transport Research Centre@NTU. They discuss why it is unsafe for micro-mobility devices to travel on Singapore’s roads, and his argument for allocating more space to transport modes that take up less room but have the capacity to ferry more people. Yap also discusses why regulations alone won't fix our active mobility woes, the illusion of induced demand for cars, and how aggressively reclaiming car lanes might be the ultimate, sweat-free solution to Singapore’s last-mile commute and congested feeder buses. Highlights (click/tap above):  6:27 The mobility gap: why able-bodied commuters are using PMAs  14:07 Cars take up more space but ferry fewer people 16:30 Why fewer cars would not slow the economy  17:57 How allocating more space for cars would induce traffic congestion  26:22 How integrating micro-mobility transport could save hundreds of millions of dollars in commute time 29:42 The weather isn’t hot for the first and last mile commute 34:19 Shifting the mindsets to view roads as public space instead of car space 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: Hadyu Rahim 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 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast  --- 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 footpath wars: Why reclaiming car space could solve the PMD and PMA problem
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Straits Times
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Straits Times
  • Show Website
    The Straits Times Podcasts

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