15 minutes to get to know the PSP's Stephanie Tan, who will be contesting in Pioneer SMC.

Who is the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and what sets them apart this GE2025? In this episode of our GE2025 special, we sit down with SDP Chairman and infectious diseases expert Dr. Paul Tambyah to unpack the party’s identity, vision, and strategy. From healthcare to housing and education, we explore the SDP’s core beliefs, its evolution since 1980, and how it positions itself within Singapore’s political landscape.

Make sure to FOLLOW us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to show your support, and to avoid missing out on new episodes!

This podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Chapters: 

00:00 Start of Episode

02:35 Welcoming Dr. Paul Tambyah

03:32 About the SDP and What It Stands For

05:37 The Left and Right of Politics

06:37 The SDP’s Values

08:51 How the SDP Differs from Other Political Parties in Singapore

11:34 Reevaluating Who to Vote for in GE2025

14:37 Defining ‘Parachuting’ in Singapore Politics

15:47 Qualities the SDP Looks for When Fielding Candidates

17:02 Key Issues the SDP Will Focus on If Elected to Parliament

18:20 The SDP’s Northern Strategy

20:50 On Announcing Where the SDP Intends to Contest in GE2025

22:37 Key Messages for Young Voters

25:24 The SDP’s Strategy for GE2025

27:12 Why Young Voters Should Attend Election Rallies

28:47 What to Expect from an Election Rally

30:30 Understanding the SDP’s Manifesto

35:06 Reaching Out to Young Voters: The SDP’s Approach

36:22 Addressing the "Mad Man" Perception of Chee Soon Juan

38:07 Why Paul Tambyah Chose to Join Politics Through the SDP

40:48 Being in the Public Eye and Facing Public Scrutiny

45:41 The Future of the SDP: Target Demographics

47:27 What Success Looks Like for the SDP in GE2025

48:29 How Having the SDP in Government Could Benefit Singaporeans

49:28 Why Young Voters Should Vote for the SDP

51:58 Closing Remarks

52:53 End of Episode

15 minutes to get to know the PAP's Shawn Loh, who will be contesting in Jalan Besar GRC.

Look, the truth is that many of our peers find politics boring. So we thought, why not reframe learning about politics through a lens that, well, excites?

We love a good tarot card reading, so this episode takes a unique detour from our usual format, and we have tarot reader Elaine Mok (Tarot on the Moon) joining us to explore what possibilities lie ahead. More importantly, this episode is meant to be a little refresher of what the major parties have faced and are facing entering this election season.

We're using tarot as a tool to discuss potential challenges, opportunities, and the general ~vibe surrounding the key players in the upcoming election. Think of it as a different kind of sense-making exercise, a new way to engage with politics.

Make sure to FOLLOW us on Spotify to show your support, and to avoid missing out on new episodes!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Political Prude – @politicalprude

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

In the final episode of our crash course to get us prepared for GE2025, we're learning about Singapore's political landscape. It might sound like a huge undertaking, but hey, if we can be so familiar with all the Great Houses of the Game of Thrones universe, Singapore politics won't be all that complicated.

Joining us is Dr. Elvin Ong, an Asst Professor at NUS teaching political science who also specialises in Southeast Asian politics.

We will trace the key developments in Singapore's party history, map out the current political landscape, and discuss the functions expected of different parties.

Make sure to FOLLOW us on Spotify to show your support, and to avoid missing out on new episodes!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Political Prude – @politicalprude

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Start of Episode

02:53 How Did Party Politics Start?

05:54 The Political Parties of Singapore

09:36 Left Wing vs Right Wing in Singapore

13:06 Dynamics of the Ruling & Opposition Party

15:22 What is Horsetrading in General Elections?

19:49 Why is it Harder to Compete in GRCs?

24:51 The Goal of an Opposition Party

27:27 How DoeChecks & Balances Work?

30:22 Tabling A Motion

32:10 One Thing to Get Ready This General Elections

33:52 Opposing Power: Building Opposition Alliances in Electoral Autocracies

34:47 Closing Remarks

35:32 End of Episode

Think of yourself as a HR manager. Before you can even award someone a job, you need to first understand what the job even entails. Similarly, when casting our votes this GE, we are essentially giving someone a job.

In the second episode of our GE2025 Special, it's another crash course where we break down the fundamentals: What is Parliament, really? What does a Member of Parliament (MP) actually do? And how do we, as voters assess if someone is fit for the role?

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Rebecca Grace Tan, a Political Science lecturer at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her topics of expertise centres on contemporary Singapore politics, particularly focusing on the interplay between migration, citizenship, multiculturalism, and national identity. Before receiving her PhD in Politics from the University of Bristol in 2021, Dr. Tan also received her MA in Law, Development & Globalisation from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and a BSocSci (Hons) in Political Science from the National University of Singapore.

If you’ve ever felt a little lost about how our system works or what you should be looking for in a candidate, this one’s for you.

Make sure to FOLLOW us on Spotify to show your support, and to avoid missing out on new episodes!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Political Prude – @politicalprude

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Start of Episode

00:07 Episode Overview

00:29 Guest Introduction

00:42 Parliament, Government & Cabinet: What’s the Difference?

03:36 How Singapore’s Parliamentary Democracy Works

05:15 Ministers vs Members of Parliament

06:59 What are MPs?

07:26 What are NCMPs?

08:08 What are NMPs?

09:24 Criticisms of the NCMP Scheme

13:17 What Happens in a Typical Parliament Sitting?

17:53 What is the Party Whip?

23:04 Opposition’s Role in Holding the Government Accountable

27:09 How to Assess an Incumbent MP

28:19 Evaluating MP Performance

29:40 Why Representation Can Be More Than Just Policy Outcomes

33:04 Assessing MPs Beyond Parliament

33:26 One Thing to Get Ready

35:28 Closing Remark

36:02 End of Episode

It's time to enter your informed voter era.

We're kicking off our GE2025 Special series with a power-packed episode featuring a panel of political analysts and academics: Dr. Felix Tan, Dr. Gillian Koh, Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin and Dr. Elvin Ong.

We tackle the practical questions many voters face: Where do we even start? How do we think about our vote? What do we prioritise in our decision-making process?

We specially designed this episode to offer a spectrum of viewpoints to empower our community, the young adult voters, to develop informed approaches to casting our ballots.

Make sure to FOLLOW us on Spotify to show your support, and to avoid missing out on new episodes!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Political Prude – @politicalprude

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Start of Episode

00:07 Episode Overview & Guest Introductions

01:35 Where to Begin? Practical First Steps

05:22 Why is Our Vote Important?

06:31 Can One Vote Make a Difference?

07:29 What Happens If You Don't Vote?

08:32 Key Considerations Before Voting

11:00 Beyond Promises: Judging Candidate Conviction

14:00 What Does Being ‘Informed’ Mean?

17:19 How to Decide What Matters Most to You

24:04 Weighing It All Up: Balancing Voting Factors

26:08 How to Critically Assess Election Manifestos

27:14 Party vs. Candidate: Navigating Voting Complexities

29:04 Debunking Myths About Voting

30:10 One Simple Thing to Get Ready for GE2025

32:26 Closing Remarks

33:28 End of Episode

What happens when the world throws you a crisis — or three — and you’re one of the people in charge of keeping the ship steady? In this episode, we sit down with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to unpack how Singapore responds to global turbulence, from pandemics to the most recent Geopolitical news.

DPM Gan co-chaired Singapore’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic — a defining period that tested not just our public health system, but our entire governance model. We dig into what it was like behind the scenes during those critical months: how decisions were made, what trade-offs had to be balanced, and what leadership under pressure really looks like. 

But we don’t stop at COVID-19. We zoom out to the big picture — how does Singapore govern in an increasingly unstable world? This conversation explores how Singapore’s crisis management DNA is evolving — and why the choices our leaders make today will shape our place in the world tomorrow.

Hit the 👍 button and make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

This podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GANKIMYONGPAGE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gankimyong/

PMO: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/The-Cabinet/Mr-GAN-Kim-Yong

Chapters: 

00:00 Opening

03:13 Welcoming DPM Gan Kim Yong

04:01 How Singapore Leaders Handle Crises

06:43 Learning from SARS

08:19 The Multi-Ministry Task Force "War Room"

09:59 Framework for Decision-Making

11:28 Biggest Challenges: Lack of Information & Communication

13:42 New Challenge: Navigating Social Media & Misinformation

16:19 Making Decisions with Trade-offs

20:16 COVID Response: Looking Back at What Went Right 

24:17 COVID Response: Looking Back at What Could Be Better

26:12 Convincing the Private Sector to Work with the Government

27:58 Experience Working Under Four Prime Ministers

34:32 Personal Leadership Style

38:16 Listening to Two Sides During Crises

41:22 Managing Differences Within the Team

43:47 International Playing Field During COVID

46:30 Risk Assessment During Crises

50:28 Key Lessons Learned: Expect the Unexpected

53:10 Can AI Aid In Crisis Response in the Future?

55:41 How to Approach Crisis Preparedness?

58:37 Are the Next Leaders Ready to Handle Any Crisis?

01:00:36 Gan Kim Yong Takeaways as a Leader

01:04:21 End of Episode

How does a small country like Singapore navigate its international relations at home and abroad? When global conflicts erupt, does a diverse country like Singapore have a say? To give us a broader perspective of what really goes into these decisions, we’re speaking with our very own Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K. Shamugam. Previously serving as Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Shanmugam was instrumental in shaping Singapore’s foreign policies, engaging with global counterparts to address regional and international issues. 

To enlighten us more about Singapore’s Geopolitical relations, we discussed the inner workings of Singapore’s political stance on global topics, the trade-offs being made, and how the government approaches various public sentiments at home. What is the significance of our voice as citizens? Well, Minister Shanmugam extends his candid thoughts on what it means to engage responsibly in a complex geopolitical climate.

Hit the 👍 button and make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

This podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Follow on Instagram:

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Minister K. Shanmugam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k.shanmugam.page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kshanmugam_/

PMO: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/The-Cabinet/Mr-K-Shanmugam

Chapters: 

00:00 Opening

02:35 Welcoming Minister K. Shanmugam

03:25 The Current Geopolitical Climate & Why It Matters

05:19 Historical Context: The Post-WWII World Order

09:10 Examining The Shift In US Administration And The Potential Impacts

13:35 How Does Singapore Navigate Survival in Geopolitics

18:01 Clarifying Singapore's Stance On International Issues

22:33 Addressing The Risks Of Taking A Stand

24:41 The Principles Behind Diplomatic Relations

27:34 Online Discourse And Youth Expression

33:10 Managing Domestic Sentiments

34:07 Foreign Interference and Singapore’s Countermeasures

38:30 Why Foreign Policy Can Be Misunderstood

41:51 Final Takeaway: Navigating An Uncertain World

43:17 End of Episode

In this episode, we explore a fundamental question: How do problems in Singapore evolve into policy?

Minister of State Sun Xueling joins us this episode to take us behind the scenes of policymaking in Singapore. From identifying complex challenges to formulating responses and adapting strategies over time, this episode charts the journey of policymaking, from big-picture thinking to real-world case studies. But it’s not just about the processes and frameworks. We also delve into her headspace as a policymaker, exploring her personal approach to leadership and decision-making, and how she balances trade-offs in a system that demands both speed and sensitivity.

This episode is designed to give listeners a fresh perspective on how Singapore works, offering a rare peek into the mindset of a policymaker and the human considerations behind national strategies.

Hit the 👍 button and make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

This podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠! 

Follow on Instagram:

Joel Lim – ⁠@limxjoel⁠

ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zyrupmedia⁠

Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – ⁠@zodapopsg⁠

Chapters: 

(00:00) Opening

(01:46) Welcoming Ms. Sun Xueling

(05:20) Where Does Policymaking Begin?

(08:22) How Does the Government Identify Urgent Needs?

(10:33) How Are Urgent vs. Long-Term Issues Addressed?

(19:29) Who Is Involved in Policymaking?

(22:15) Key Metrics to Assess Policy Effectivity

(30:00) Balancing Policy Implementation and Inclusivity

(35:32) Channels for Policy Feedback

(37:45) How Feedback Drives Changes or Policy Implementation

(44:18) How Are Policies Effectively Operationalised?

(49:46) Criteria of Legislating Policies 

(52:42) How Policymaking Evolved Over the Years

(56:17) Key Principle that Guides Sun Xueling's Decision-Making

(56:50) Closing