With modern skyscrapers dominating Singapore’s skyline, some question whether the city lacks cultural depth but heritage activist and historian Sarafian Salleh says that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just look at Kampong Glam, once known as Seduyong by the indigenous Orang Laut, meaning mermaid. And no, that’s not some wild conspiracy theory. In this ep, he joins us to debunk myths and prove that Singapore’s cultural depth runs far deeper than we think.

With F&B outlets shutting down left and right, starting a food business sounds risky, especially if you’re only 20 and still in school. Yet that’s exactly what the founders of Berjaya Western did. And perhaps it’s no surprise, considering they first ventured into entrepreneurship at just 16. In this episode, they share how they balance studies with running a business, and unpack the harsh realities of the F&B industry, from soaring rents to financial pressures.

(01:55) Welcome founders of Berjaya Western!

(08:18) Challenges of running a F&B business

(14:33) Balancing school, life, and work

(17:50) Bestsellers at Berjaya Western

(25:20) Is the school supportive of their careers?

(27:20) Future of Berjaya Western

Every other week, another beloved local business shuts its doors, and the reason is almost always the same: rising rents. As closures mount, some say the vacuum is being filled by foreign players, particularly from China. To understand what’s really happening, we speak to the founders of popular halal Chinese eatery Deanna’s Kitchen about their fears for the future, and to Vernon Lim of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises to unpack what’s driving landlords’ decisions. The answers may surprise you.

(00:58) Say hello to Vernon Lim!

(02:18) Founders of Deanna’s Kitchen

(05:30) Growing trend of businesses closing down

(10:33) Explaining landlord’s decisions

(17:25) Should the government step in?

(30:00) Competition with China-owned businesses

(34:15) “Running a business based on passion is a privilege”

It's this week's biggest political story: Pritam Singh is no longer Leader of the Opposition. With so many twists and turns, the latest question on everyone's minds is: should the LO role be constitutionalized? The Darren Aadam Mak show asked this question. We read out the comments

(00:33) Darren’s Show

(05:45) Should the LO role be given a framework?

(07:55) Reading comments

(21:15) What should our stand be on this?

(25:30) Syed Harun’s Response

As local businesses in Singapore get squeezed by rising rents, many are shutting their doors, and increasingly, what replaces them are Chinese-owned businesses. In neighbourhoods like Kampong Glam, the surge has sparked concerns over the erosion of local heritage and culture. If this trend continues unchecked, are we looking at an economic takeover similar to what’s happened in places like Jeju and London?

(04:33) Review of Ministers’ Salaries

(10:00) Rise of Chinese businesses

(16:35) US’ interest in Greenland

(19:00) Iran Protest

Just days into 2026, global headlines have been dominated by the US’ capture of Venezuela’s then-president, Nicolás Maduro. As Singapore said it is “gravely concerned” by the situation, the episode has raised uneasy questions closer to home. In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, are small states like Singapore more vulnerable than we think?

(00:50) Dzar’s holiday

(05:27) US’ intervention in Venezuela

(10:00) Responses from other countries

(15:26) Malays as providing “windows for the Chinese”?

(23:30) Changing attitudes among Gen Z

What better way to wrap up the year than with something sweet? In this episode, we sit down with Darren, co-founder of Sugar Mama Lah, the halal tiramisu brand that went from a home-based hustle to a full-fledged storefront. Darren opens up about the “thick skin” mindset behind his success, from live streaming to unconventional marketing, and drops a surprising truth: many kunafa desserts in Singapore use colouring that isn’t halal-certified.

(02:05) What is assorted tiramisu?

(04:50) Home-based to storefront

(11:35) Challenges of being halal-certified

(20:45) Importance of live streaming

(22:55) Meaning behind Sugar Mama Lah

A viral TikTok shows LTA and Traffic Police cracking down on a car meet at Decathlon Kallang, and while many cheered the enforcement, others say it’s exactly why Singapore’s car culture is dying. Compared to places like Japan, where modified cars are celebrated, Singapore feels far more conservative. But as the city pushes towards a car-lite future, is this scene inevitably fading away? And is that really a bad thing?

(05:25) Terrorist threat at St Joseph Church

(09:35) UN (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations?

(13:30) Singapore’s dying car culture

(25:00) Car-lite society

(27:55) Najib Razak fails in bid for home arrest

A devastating tragedy struck Bondi Beach in Sydney when two gunmen killed at least 15 people during a Jewish celebration. While many netizens expressed sympathy and grief, the aftermath quickly spiralled into controversy. From antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric to claims of a ‘false flag’ attack, the tragedy has been swept into a fierce online information war.

(00:55) Darren’s Bar Exams

(04:25) Bondi Beach Shooting

(08:25) Start of ‘Information Wars’

(14:00) Hero of Bondi Beach

(17:10) Japan’s relationship with China

(21:12) Predictions for 2026

Everyone’s travelling this year-end, especially to Japan, where the yen has plunged to about ¥120 for S$1. But while Singaporeans are chasing cheap flights and exchange rates, PM Wong is on the move for a different reason. His recent trip to South Africa and the announcement of Singapore’s 1st East African embassy in Ethiopia may seem unexpected but they hint at something bigger: Singapore is quietly deepening its footprint and ties across Africa.

(0:33) Welcome back Darren!

(07:34) Travelling during the holidays

(10:57) PM Wong’s working trips

(16:30) Are Africans the next generation of content creators?

(19:05) Future trips