How Singapore can truly be a ‘we first’ society.

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

“It’s not ‘I’ or ‘me’. It’s ‘we’. To keep Singapore going, we must be a ‘we first’ society.” 

This was Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s rallying call to strengthen the Singaporean Spirit – to put the welfare of the community ahead of individual interest.  

It came towards the end of his National Day Rally address on Aug 17,  perhaps as a reminder that the way forward is not only paved by policies meant to fix problems.

PM Wong’s first NDR speech after the 2025 General Election emphasised that “when the whole is strong, each of us becomes stronger too”. This message built on what was put forth during the Forward Singapore exercise – launched by the country’s fourth-generation team of political leaders – to refresh Singapore’s social compact and build a shared future.

But how does this rallying call resonate with Singaporeans?

In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha hosts Dr Rebecca Grace Tan, a political science lecturer at the National University of Singapore, and Mr Jeremy Tan, who ran as an independent candidate for Mountbatten SMC at GE2025.

They chat about PM Wong’s style of governance, and why he emphasised that Singapore needs to be a “we first” society to keep going.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:34 Why Jeremy wanted PM Wong to give Singaporeans the “bitter medicine”

7:45 Were the expectations of big announcements warranted?

9:18 “The disconnect is something that needs to be addressed”: Jeremy

16:15 Does PM Wong’s style of delegating announcements to his colleagues work?

21:00 PM Wong’s rally call dichotomy: Empowering Singaporeans, yet slightly paternalistic?

28:06 The big question about PM Wong’s We First message: What can be the new approach?

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh 

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong, Danson Cheong & Elizabeth Khor

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

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As the mercury rises, so does the need for awareness about the growing risks from Singapore’s steamy temperatures.

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Even if you’re not aware, we’re all affected by rising temperatures, especially when combined with Singapore’s high humidity. 

Heat is changing our behaviour and many of us actively avoid being exposed to it by limiting our time outdoors. But that can reduce our true potential by curbing exercise and access to fresh air and by spending more time in front phones and televisions, harming our vision – and even reducing vitamin D intake.

But for those who work outside, they have fewer choices. And those without regular access to air-conditioning are also at increasing risk.

Fortunately, much is being done to help people and educate them on the growing threat from rising temperatures caused by climate change and hotter urban environments. 

And for this special episode of the Green Pulse podcast, co-hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty speak with a dynamic duo who have helped shape Singapore’s response to heat.

They are Associate Professor Jason Lee, director of the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre at National University of Singapore and Ms Jaime Lim, a director at the Occupational Safety and Health Division at the Ministry of Manpower.

This episode was recorded and filmed on Aug 12 at The Fashion Pulpit in Jalan Besar, in front of an intimate live audience of about 95 people.

It was the fourth ST Podcast Live! session celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025, with two more events planned for the rest of the year.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:30 Despite the sharp spike in temperatures, do people think high heat is still not a concern?

8:35 The Ministry of Manpower has an acclimatisation programme for newly arrived outdoor workers. How does this programme work?

12:05 How the government and scientists work together to create heat policies.

17:50 What have been the reactions from businesses to MOM’s heat protection advisories and policies?

25:25 Much has been done but what other aspects of heat risk need more attention?

More on NUS' Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (HRPC): https://str.sg/Byiw

MOM's heat stress measures for outdoor work: https://str.sg/5j9K

Resources for workplaces and workers: https://str.sg/Hup2

Heat stress levels: https://str.sg/5WrT

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

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Why this sector also has back-of-house roles that call for talents from all walks of life.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Find out why job seekers should not just think of front-facing guest roles in this sector, as host and ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi chats with Ms Adeline Phua, managing lyf partner and vice-president for business development at Ascott, the lodging business of CapitaLand Investment.

You may have come across lyf (pronounced life) properties, that are creatively designed. It is known for its appeal to young travellers and inventive activities for guests.

Ms Phua argues why hospitality is something Singaporeans should look deeper into, beyond just traditional or stereotypical job roles associated with the sector.

Do you have to be an extrovert to work in hospitality? No.

Not everyone has to be interacting with guests on the frontline, with a surfeit of meaningful roles behind the scenes in areas including facilities management, designing and sustainability.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:23 Kombucha-brewing classes, world record attempts and other memorable guest activities 

6:10 Hospitality roles in SG: Is there room to improvise? 

13:23 The range of roles and skills needed at a company like lyf 

16:54 Wanted: Ex-kindergarten teachers, ex-zoo professionals, illustrators, content creators?

20:49 How’s the sector holding up in this current economy?

Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz

Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy

Host: Tay Hong Yi ([email protected])

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim & Natasha Liew

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: [email protected]

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Why does President Donald Trump seem so intent on winning the Nobel Peace Prize?

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

In this episode, President Donald Trump’s ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize is the topic of discussion for ST's assistant foreign editor Clement Tan who hosts colleague and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar.

They discuss the motivations behind his desire for the award and the international political implications of his nomination at a time when a number of wars are raging and the ensuing loss of innumerable lives frame his presidency. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:23 Trump's obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize

3:07 Trump vs. Obama: A rivalry

4:07 Global reactions and nominations

7:05 Trump's diplomatic efforts

9:59 Current major conflicts and Trump's role

13:43 Nobel Peace Prize nomination process

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Read Clement Tan's articles: https://str.sg/Ep62 

Follow Clement Tan on X: https://str.sg/uErS 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Host: Clement Tan ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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The clock is ticking on the leases for older Housing Board flats, and an answer on what the Government plans to do about lease decay dropped earlier this week.

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat updated on the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (Vers) in an interview that was published on Aug 10, outlining in broad strokes the plans for flats nearing the end of their 99-year leases.

The gist: Vers will let home owners of selected precincts that are aged about 70 and up choose if they want their homes to be acquired by the Government for redevelopment before their leases run out.

The scheme will start in the 2030s, and will likely begin “with a few selected sites”, said Mr Chee.

For many homeowners living in old flats, this announcement provides them with some direction on what happens should they choose Vers – or not.

In this episode of The Usual Place, ST land use reporter Ng Keng Gene and Ms Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, join me to discuss how this announcement will affect housing prices and considerations for buying an old flat.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:12 How Vers differs from Sers, and why isn’t Vers compulsory

16:02 The update on Vers might spur more transactions of older flats based on previous trends, said Christine

18:10 How will the prices of resale flats be affected, and will newer flats be more attractive?

24:51 Location and amenities might be a key factor that affects votes

33:27 Should home owners worry about not being able to pay for a new Vers flat replacement?

Read ST’s article on courses in yapping: https://str.sg/d82q

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh 

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong, Danson Cheong & Elizabeth Khor

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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We even invite ChatGPT to be a 'guest' in this episode with our host and two human guests.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Preliminary findings from a recent MIT study in June in the US, concluded that people using just generative AI (Gen AI) tools such as ChatGPT, became lazier with each subsequent essay they wrote. 

The study, conducted in Boston, categorised three groups of test subjects aged 18 to 39 according to the tools that they used: ChatGPT, Google or no tools. 

The brain activity of these writers were scanned across 32 regions of their brain. The result found that ChatGPT users had the lowest brain activity, and “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioural levels,” according to the study.  

But the way ChatGPT is used was critical, as the study found that test subjects who used ChatGPT only after writing the essays on their own, had significant increases in brain connectivity. 

Just how can ChatGPT be used to enhance productivity without making us lazy? In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong unpacks the issues and looks at how her human guests maintain the balance between optimising the use of ChatGPT and becoming over-reliant on it. 

Her guests are Shahrman Nayan, creative director of OneDash22, a local video production company and an avid user of Gen AI for his work; and Cheryl Chia, founder of BrainFit, an education centre for children and young adults, building their cognitive, thinking, and study skills through programmes grounded in scientific approaches. 

We also invite ChatGPT to be a 'guest' in this podcast discussion.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

6:00 How can youths use ChatGPT without becoming lazy

13:14 "I can make people lazier if they use me to avoid thinking critically": ChatGPT 

15:21 Cognitive functions like memory and concentration have been going down: Cheryl 

29:04 How young people can use Gen AI to improve critical thinking

37:03 How Shahrman uses Gen AI like ChatGPT to get his colleagues to produce creative work

Host: Lynda Hong ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim, Rebekah Chia and Natasha Liew

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Declaring war “against everybody” including China and hoping for the right result is very worrying.

Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this episode, Ravi speaks with Ambassador John Bolton, the American foreign policy hawk and former National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump, on US policy toward Asia.

Mr Bolton speaks on the chaos and confusion in the Trump White House, the lack of a coherent policy toward Asia including senseless tariffs slapped on key security partners, and Mr Trump’s proclivity to personalise foreign policy.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:00 A tone-deaf presidency 

4:45 Asia in Trump 2.0

6:30 Singapore’s shock over tariffs

10:20 Is Trump more than an aberration?

11:30 Trump’s China fascination

13:40 Desperation for a Nobel; Trump in Asian conflicts

16:40 Are Quad and Aukus dead in the water?

19:00 Taiwan has reason to be worried

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Natasha Liew

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

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Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Find out why some young people are taking social skills classes.

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

Some young adults are struggling with everyday conversations and other basic forms of social interaction.Whether it’s making small talk with strangers, holding eye contact, or just answering a phone call (just text me please!), Gen Zs and millennials are declaring that dealing with other people isn’t always their vibe.

They need help to fix their awkwardness.

That’s where the School of Yapping by social impact organisation Friendzone comes in, reported The Straits Times in July. Over four workshops, participants aged 20 to 35 practise how to be “confident, connected, and comfortable” talking to others.

In this episode of The Usual Place, I will chat with Tham Jun Han, the 32-year-old co-founder of Friendzone; Nur Haziqah Mohd Yazib, a 25-year-old case worker who took part in the workshop recently; and Savanna Tai, a 22-year-old university student who has had to change the way she communicates as she wants to become a journalist.

We discuss why social interactions are harder now for young adults than ever before, whether the Covid-19 pandemic made things worse, and what we stand to lose if we don’t find a way to connect again.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:46 Understanding group dynamics and how to start conversations

15:02 Haziqah and Savanna on their experiences in changing their skill sets and approaches so far

19:41 On personality tests

24:10 Could the Covid-19 pandemic have affected the way a generation communicates?

27:09 What will young people lose if they don’t know how to communicate well or are not socially confident?

Read ST’s article on courses in yapping: https://str.sg/d82q

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Learn how to manage bothersome symptoms that typically emerge in the four to five years before a woman's final menstruation. 

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Perimenopause is the stage before menopause that many women here do not talk about, largely due to stigma or a lack of awareness. 

The transition phase in perimenopause ends in menopause, which marks the end of a woman's natural fertility. This affects not just her reproductive organs but her entire body, adding to the confusion in distinguishing between ageing or illness. 

In this episode, senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Associate Professor Rukshini Puvanendran, the co-director of the KK Menopause Centre, to counter the misinformation out there.

Prof Ruskhini is also the head and a senior consultant at the Family Medicine Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

Highlights (click/tap above):

2.28 Symptoms of perimenopause

7.23 Older women can still have hot flushes 

11.03 Some women develop an awareness of their heartbeat 

18:39 What can women do about their symptoms?

30:08 The four symptoms of menopause that doctors won't argue about

31:59 Oestrogen cream to treat vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence

Check out ST's new series, No health without mental health: https://str.sg/mentalhealthmatters

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

Host: Joyce Teo ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow Health Check Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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When discussing climate change, mother doesn’t always know best.

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

For many people, climate change is scary and the science behind its causes and impacts is bewildering. And with all the other bad news these days, sometimes the easiest thing is just to hope climate change will fade away. 

Add in a noisy minority who vehemently deny climate change is real, or even believe it’s all a conspiracy, and it can be hard for people to know how best to respond or what’s even real. 

In our latest Green Pulse episode, co-hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty speak with Adam Switzer, a Professor of Coastal Science at the Asian School of the Environment at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. 

He gives us some tips and tricks on how to speak to people about climate change, including amplifying the stories of hope, a focus on solutions as well as educating people about the clear trends that show climate change is real, such as data showing rising temperatures, sea levels and carbon emissions. 

But what happens when your own mother is a hardened denialist? 

Have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

2:45 What does climate denialism mean to you?

5:55 How to help people who don’t understand climate science and feel unable to respond?

10: 44 ‘We need to focus on solutions’. 

12:10 What are top tips to help people sort out real science from cherry-picked, greenwashed science?

16:44 How to balance the bad news of climate change with the need for urgency?

23:17 Talk to people. It’s not hard to find common ground on climate change, such as health and money.

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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