Calling all lovebirds: Nearly $7 billion will be spent on marriage and parenthood initiatives in financial year 2026, up from over $4 billion in 2020. 

In light of this, Emaad quizzes Ryan and Audrey on some interesting tidbits on wedding customs. Why do brides to wear white gowns on their big day? Who started the trend of trading rings? You DO it; but do you know why?

Play along!

 

Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek

Produced by Emaad Akhtar

Edited by Audrey Siek

Photo and music credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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On this episode of Mind Your Business, Ben King, Managing Director, Google Singapore and the APAC Agency at Google shares his unconventional journey from a media student turned cricket player to leading Google's Asia-Pacific initiatives.

What has the past decade looked like for him as a leader in an ever-evolving tech industry and how is Google navigating the next phase of growth?

Presented by: Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar
Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])

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Overall trust between racial groups in Singapore and appreciation for diversity have grown. That’s according to a recent study by the Institute of Policy Studies and racial harmony advocacy group OnePeople.sg, which also found a dip in reports of racial discrimination at work across the board compared with the previous study.

However, stereotyping went up and an area of concern highlighted was the decline in cross-racial friendships from 2018 to 2024.

On this episode of Morning Shot, Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of Social Lab & Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies shares more insights from the study.

Presented by: Audrey Siek
Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])
Photo credits: Gin Tay / ST

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President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. federal workers back to the office by today (February 6th) - or, "you're fired"!

We've also seen big companies like Amazon and JPMorgan scaling back remote work; with some employers claiming productivity and company culture both take a hit with working from home.

But is there a case FOR remote work? 

 

Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang & Emaad Akhtar

Produced and Edited by Audrey Siek

Music and picture credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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It’s music to the ears for Spotify after the Swedish audio streaming platform posted another quarter of better-than-expected subscriber growth in the fourth quarter! In fact, it recorded its first-annual profit even despite two rounds of price increases in a little more than a year!

Listen to Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they explore Spotify’s latest stellar numbers and if they can keep people listening this year and beyond.

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Lee Kian Soon, CEO, Astral Asset Management, discusses whether it's time to take profit from Asian technology stocks with the potential risks around trade war escalations.

Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

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On World Nutella Day, Emaad, Ryan and Audrey talk about the origins of this delectable paste, its secret ingredient (hazelnuts, and the sheer volume of them that are used in each jar) and some strange controversies its maker, Ferrero has run into over the years!

 

Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek

Produced and Edited by Emaad Akhtar

Music and picture credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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Did you know that according to a survey by GXS bank, 32% of Singaporeans still feel stressed to make a financial decision and 2 in 5 residents have unmet financial needs? That’s concerning given how we’ve got one of the most advanced financial sectors in the world!

Jenn Ong Managing Director, Head of Retail, GXS Bank joins The Breakfast Show to discuss what banking means for everyday Singaporeans and how banks can step up to better serve their consumers.

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Recent incidents involving fallen trees, both around the region and in Singapore, have brought into focus the challenges behind managing trees, especially in light of intense rainfalls in recent months.

With climate change driving changes in weather patterns, as well as the frequency and intensity of storms, on this episode of Morning Shot, Dr Shawn Lum, Senior Lecturer from the Asian School of the Environment at NTU shares his insights on what can be done in order to mitigate the risks.

Presented by: Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar
Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])
Photo credits: Shin Min Daily News; ST / Ariffin Jamar / Shintaro Tay

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Matt Maley, Chief Market Strategist, Miller Tabak shares his insights on whether investors should rotate away from tech, coming on the back of Alphabet and AMD's lacklustre results; and sectors that are looking attractive. He also weighed in on what Trump's intention to drill more will do for oil majors.

Presented by: Ryan Huang
Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])
Photo credits: Gonzalo Fuentes | Reuters

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