“In sickness and in health” holds another layer of meaning for Marcel and Caitlin. He’s HIV-positive, and she’s not. But medical advancements have allowed them to have an active and safe sex life. Their greatest concern? An unwanted pregnancy. Caitlin shares with us how they navigate through the challenges of everyday couples, from maintaining a long-distance romance and dating across their own cultures. 

This season, we want to feature unique stories about love. December is HIV Awareness Month, and we hear the story of Caitlin and Marcel, a mixed status couple on how they’re breaking the stigma on people living with HIV.

And we’re back with season 2! ✌️

Before we dive deep into the first episode, just wanna do a quick mental health check in - how have you guys been? Globally, there is a push to break mental health stigma and for better mental healthcare services. Back home, we’re progressing!

With influencers coming forward to share their story, and campaigns to destigmatize mental illnesses. But on an institutional level, we’re still SOOOOOOOO SLOW. We just saw our first ever mental health insurance policy rolled out THIS YEAR.

On this episode, I speak with Abigail, a listener of the podcast, on her 4 year long struggle with a mental health misdiagnosis, her experience going through 6 rounds of electroconvulsive therapy, and breaking the stigma. We’re back with new episodes every Monday! SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW AND SHARE!!! 

When the verdict for the NUS molester case was published in late September, many were outraged at what they felt was only a “slap on the wrist” for Terence Siow, who was given 21 months of supervised probation. 

The online outcry and onslaught of memes ridiculing the rationale of a “potential to excel in life” for a punishment seen as lenient... WE WEREN’T PREPARED FOR IT!!!

In the midst of partial outrage and partial amusement (at the memes), I found a Facebook post from the victim herself with 7 short pointers on her thoughts about the verdict, alongside a change in her profile picture to Terence’s face.

'THIS BAD ASS!' I thought to myself, and so we spoke on this episode - NOT ABOUT THE CASE, but about everything else. From her favorite meme that surfaced, to a need for a reformation in our sex education, and the future of Singapore society from here on.

Episode 10 marks the end of season 1 of Something Private. We’ll be right back. :)

🎀BREAST CANCER CAN SUCK IT!!!🎀

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), AND WE’RE NOT HAVING ANY OF ITS SHIT!!! Breast cancer might be the most common cancer among women worldwide, but it’s also one of the most highly treatable types of cancer today. Years of health advocacy has led to early detection of the cancer, which is associated with higher survival rates, and better funding for finding cures. On this episode, I speak with Dr Chia Hui Ling, a breast reconstruction surgeon and co-founder of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Singapore (BRAS), about life after breast cancer, and the significance of reconstruction and support from family and friends. In light of BCAM, Something Private wants to remind you to do your routine monthly breast self-examination. Breasticle chesticle!

🗣Your vulva has a voice and she wants to be heard!🗣

First, she and your vagina are not the same. If you're shaving or waxing or lasering off your pubes, you best be moisturising and exfoliating her afterwards. Whatever your reason is for shaving, remember that as long as it makes you feel good and safe, it is okay to do it.

I have two lovely guests with me on this episode! Dr Jessherin Sidhu, a cosmestic gynaecologist from InSync Medical, and CEO of SPA Esprit Group, Cynthia Chua. We explore how we can better take care of our vulva skin and hair, and if there's anything wrong with removing hair for ourselves, or our partners. 

'In Her Words' is a sub-series of Something Private — a space for women to share deeply personal stories of unspeakable pains and triumph, faith and strength.

Anyone else love 😍Tiong Bahru Bakery? 😍On this second episode, we hear from Cynthia Chua, CEO and founder of SPA Esprit Group, first of her name, Queen of Lifestyle Establishments, Khaleesi of the Well Groomed Lawn, Breaker of Gender Stereotypes and Mother of Croissants! Cynthia sits down with me (honoured!) to share about her success behind 19 brands, almost 20 years later. We also check out her natal charts to see what kind of qualities and traits successful people have. Turns out, most of it boils down to having a positive mindset. Bon bon!

Condoms alone as a type of birth control are kinda lame. 85% effectiveness? Buck up sis… Meanwhile, the pill been DELIVERING at 99% - it also lightens periods, reduce menstrual cramps, clears acne and even helps boobs grow. But while it can work for some, it may potentially mess others up because we all have differing level of hormones.

On this episode, two precious friends of mine share their opposing experiences with the pill; while one swears by it, the other has had a series of misfortunes with this hormonal contraceptive. Tune in to understand how the pill works, what you should look out for, and some (better) alternatives that are growing in popularity. (IUD, IUD, IUD!)

Update: New episodes air every 🌞MONDAY🌞 from now on! Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts to get notified.

AND WE’VE REACHED MID-SEASON! Episode 5 is a ~COLLAB~ with some really cool guys from shy.sg, a platform dishing out information about sex health for the MILLENNIALS. 🤪

After polling for questions about 2 weeks ago, they chalked up nearly 100 responses and realised that most people ask the same questions about sex! (I mean… just look at NUSWhispers 🤪🤪🤪) 

We all have the same curiosity about contraceptives, STIs, sex drives, and orgasms - except we may not express them so vocally. BUT IS ALL G - we’re here to give you guys the rundown, PLUS some really interesting (and not to mention very VALUABLE) facts that we’ve learnt along the way. Y’all gonna finish this episode feeling really SMORT! 🤘

HELLO SISTERS, IT’S 2019, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO BE IGNORANT ABOUT OUR SEXUAL HEALTH ANY LONGER! But of course, in an Asian society where any kind of sex talk is taboo, it’s no surprise that there’s still a huge stigma around STIs. 

But contracting STIs is incredibly common and keeping silent can be very harmful, not to mention passé! Staying INFORMED, ENGAGED and SUPPORTIVE? We stan. 

On this episode, Dr Liana Koe, an OB-GYN from STO+G at Thomson Medical blesses us with her extensive knowledge on the subject. She clarifies common misconceptions and dishes out tips on how to stay protected and how you can help others. This episode also features 3 short stories from 3 brave women who are pushing for a change in the way we view STIs and how we talk about them. QUEENS!

❗️WARNING: This episode contains content that may be disturbing to some listeners.❗️ 'In Her Words' is a sub-series of Something Private — a space for women to share deeply personal stories of unspeakable pains and triumph, faith and strength. In the first episode, we follow the story of a sexual assault survivor who shares her journey towards recovery, five years after she was raped. If you think her story might provide comfort to someone you know, share this with them. And if you just need someone to listen, drop me a DM on Instagram at @somethingprivatepod.

Otherwise, there’s great help here:

AWARE provides counselling for women and their hotline is 6779 0282 or you can email them at [email protected]. Oogachaga works with the LGBTQ+ community and their hotline is 6226 2002, WhatsApp 8592 0609 and email [email protected].