Live Well ft. Lance Alexander

When does a thyroid lump need surgery, and can it be removed without leaving a visible neck scar? Lance Alexander speaks with Adjunct Associate Professor Oh Han Boon, Head of Division & Senior Consultant,Breast & Endocrine Surgery, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital about transoral thyroidectomy, an approach that removes part or all of the thyroid through incisions inside the mouth. They discuss who is suitable, how the risks and recovery compare with conventional thyroid surgery, and whether patients will need thyroid hormone medication afterwards.

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As 2026 draws to a close, should you top up your CPF, invest or keep more cash on hand? With the 31 December CPF top-up deadline approaching and CPF changes taking effect in 2027, Lance Alexander speaks with Chuin Ting Weber, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, MoneyOwl, about the financial decisions that can strengthen your retirement position. They discuss how to check your retirement income gap, weigh tax savings against access to cash, and decide what to prioritise when money is tight. Through practical examples, find out how your age, family commitments and financial position can shape your next move. 

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Can games help seniors build healthier eating habits? Lance Alexander speaks with Jean Khong, General Manager, FairPrice Foundation to explore Stay Strong, described by FairPrice Foundation as Singapore’s first gamified nutrition education programme for seniors. Developed with Tan Tock Seng Hospital and NTUC Health, it combines storytelling, food sampling and practical “Add, Swap, Reduce” tips to help seniors make everyday meals more nutritious on a budget.

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Thinking of investing in gold online in Singapore? What should you check before buying gold online, and how does it compare with physical gold bars and gold ETFs? Lance Alexander speaks with Sunil Kashyap, Co-founder, Finmet and Former Chairman, Singapore Bullion Market Association, about ownership, costs and risks. They examine buying and selling prices, storage fees, how to verify your gold holdings and what happens if a provider closes. Plus, how much gold should you hold, how can Singapore dollar movements affect your returns, and when should you consider selling?

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How well do you really know your parents or grandparents? Beyond family photographs and treasured possessions are stories, memories and life lessons that may never have been shared. Lance Alexander speaks with Jenny Tay, Co-founder of Direct Life Education and Managing Director of Direct Funeral Services, about My Story, My Life, a new Singapore initiative helping seniors preserve their personal histories. Hear what the first participants revealed, why even ordinary memories matter, and how families can start conversations that bring generations closer together.

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How do you pass on wealth without leaving yourself short? Lance Alexander speaks with Helen Shen, Group Head of Products, Singlife about balancing legacy planning with your own retirement and healthcare needs. Through two hypothetical family scenarios, they explore when to transfer wealth, whether to leave a lump sum or distribute it in stages, and how to adapt plans as family circumstances change. 

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At KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), patients can take a virtual trip to Gardens by the Bay, a beach or a forest before undergoing surgery. But can virtual reality (VR) really ease anxiety and improve recovery? Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Jason Chan, Senior Consultant, Department of Women’s Anaesthesia, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital about research showing how VR can reduce pre-surgery anxiety, why its calming effects may last beyond the operation, and whether the technology could eventually reduce the need for medication. Plus, practical ways patients can manage their fears before surgery.

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The US midterm elections have handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, triggering a Wall Street rally and raising questions about the outlook for AI regulation, trade and investment. What does the political shift mean for investors? Meanwhile, Anthropic's IPO could become one of the biggest stock market listings in history, but does its potential trillion-dollar valuation make sense? As the US and China compete over rare earth supplies, are MP Materials and Lynas Rare Earths worth watching? And with the Bank of Japan holding interest rates at 1.25%, where are the opportunities in Japanese stocks? Lance Alexander speaks with Arun Pai, Partner, Monk’s Hill Ventures on Money and Me to unpack these developments and the risks investors should consider.

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Who says learning stops at retirement? From picking up new skills to pursuing second careers, seniors in Singapore are returning to the classroom well into their 60s and 70s. Lance Alexander speaks Leslie Sim, Acting Director, Republic Polytechnic’s Academy for Continuing Education (ACE) & Surein Sandrasageran, Course Chair, Diploma in Social Sciences in Gerontology, Temasek Polytechnic, School of Humanities & Social Sciences about lifelong learning programmes for seniors, popular courses, SkillsFuture funding and the challenges of studying later in life. Plus, inspiring stories of older learners who are finding new purpose, confidence and opportunities through education. Could going back to school be one of the keys to ageing well?

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Selling your property could leave you with hundreds of thousands of dollars, but how much of that money is actually yours to use? After repaying your mortgage, refunding CPF savings and covering selling costs, what's the smartest way to manage the proceeds? Should you buy another property, invest in stocks or bonds, pay off debts or set aside money for retirement? Lance Alexander speaks with Grace Tay, Associate Director, Finexis Advisory to explore how Singapore homeowners can make the most of their property sale proceeds, with practical examples and common financial mistakes to avoid.

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