The Usual Place

The Usual Place

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The Usual Place episodes

  • S1E46: GE2025: Trailing candidates, squeezing into rallies - covering the campaign as young journalists

    Christie Chiu, Wong Yang and Isabelle Kumar - young journalists with The Straits Times -  reflect on their experiences and insights.

    Synopsis: Every noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - The Usual Place moves to a half-hour daily livestream - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter. 

    Joining her on the couch are young reporters Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar. 

    Beyond witnessing the election unfold up close through their work, Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar, are also experiencing it from a personal angle – as first-time voters.

    What have their own Gen Z friends been saying to them about similar experiences that helped shape their approach to content ideas?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    3:26 Christie and Yang’s response to being labelled the ‘Gen Z version’ of TV presenters Glenda Chong and Steven Chia

    7:53 Did being reporters help them learn anything for themselves as young first-time voters?

    8:54 Their rally experiences 

    13:50 “They are also human” - Isabelle on her observations while filming candidates like PAP’s Foo Cexiang and WP’s Alexis Dang

    19:14 “Be kind” to one another - the trio’s key personal takeaways from GE2025

    Today’s shirt worn by Natasha was sponsored by Good Addition.

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

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    24 min
  • S1E45: GE2025: WP’s Sengkang team on going from new faces to first-term MPs

    Newcomer Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik joins his experienced teammates on the couch.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    Joining her on the couch are Ms He Ting Ru, 41; Associate Professor Jamus Lim, 49; and Mr Louis Chua, 37, who are contesting Sengkang GRC again – this time with newcomer Abdul Muhaimin, 36. 

    As first-term MPs, they had to navigate both constituency work and team dynamics after winning Sengkang GRC in GE2020 with 52.13 per cent of the vote – the biggest upset of the election then. The WP took 60,136 votes, while the PAP got 55,214 votes.

    Since then, have there been any growing pains, and how has their working relationship evolved? How do they split roles in the team?

    Natasha asks them how they feel about winning Sengkang in the last election, and what they’re learning so far during campaigning for GE2025. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    0:59 One theme from the ground that needs to be examined beyond GE2025

    6:33 Being yourself - new candidate Mr Muhaimin on advice he gets from his teammates during campaigning

    12:20 How they react to party leaders’ statements on WP fielding its strongest slate in many years

    13:40 Ms He on women in politics  

    19:20 The quartet on valuable advice coming from senior WP leaders that they still hold dear today

    24:15 Prof Lim on advice given to new candidate Michael Thng for the recent national TV roundtable discussion? 

    33:34 “Such language was not used in volunteer chat groups or with residents”: Mr Chua on Mr Andre Low’s leaked Telegram messages from a private chat among his business school classmates

    41:01 Game Time! What are some apps they wish they would use less on the phone

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

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    47 min
  • S1E44: GE2025: How did RDU go from contesting 1 constituency in 2020 to 4 this year?

    RDU has the second-highest number of opposition candidates. 

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    Red Dot United (RDU) is a very young political party, formed only in 2020 when it contested just one constituency – Jurong GRC – with a team of five candidates.  

    Fast forward five years, and RDU is now fielding the second-highest number of opposition candidates in this election, behind the WP’s 26 candidates. RDU’s 15 candidates are contesting four constituencies, going head-to-head with the PAP.

    How did the party scale up from a one-GRC showing in 2020 to four constituencies today?

    Joining Natasha in this episode are Ms Liyana Dhamirah, 38, and her teammate Marcus Neo, 33 - part of the party’s team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC - and Ms Kala Manickam, 57, candidate for Jurong Central SMC. 

    Highlights (click/tap above): 

    2:35 How a relatively new party like RDU managed to field the second largest number of opposition candidates

    10:33 How Ms Liyana is able to dismiss a lot of insults; why file a police report over online harassment recently?

    23:27 Ms Kala on switching from Jalan Kayu SMC to Jurong Central SMC

    28:17 Mr Neo on housing and job insecurity as top concerns for millennial voters his age

    36:23 Game time! Kopi-O kosong, bubble tea, teh tarik - what’s your favourite drink?

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

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    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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    40 min
  • S1E43: GE2025: GST, tight contests - Analysts react to PAP’s Fullerton rally

    Three seasoned political observers analyse and offer talking points.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    The People’s Action Party held the first lunchtime election rally of GE2025 at noon on April 28 at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza. The PAP’s secretary-general and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, along with other party members, addressed Singaporeans.

    The Fullerton rally, named for its venue being close to Fullerton Square, has in the past attracted thousands of office workers. The area has been a venue for political rallies since 1959, when the earliest Singapore political parties took to the podium there.

    Chatting with Natasha at The Usual Place are Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Dr Rebecca Grace Tan, a political science lecturer from the National University of Singapore, and Dr Felix Tan, an independent political observer.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:35 How the new PAP candidates fared in their speeches at the Fullerton rally

    6:17 Was there a lack of specifics from new PAP candidates on their motivation to join politics?

    15:57 Thoughts on PAP’s opposition to the opposition parties

    22:50 Is DPM Gan Kim Yong in danger of losing Punggol GRC?

    25:47 Did GST turbocharge inflation in Singapore?

    40:35 Will the PAP get a clear mandate from the ballot box on Polling Day?

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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    48 min
  • S1E42: GE2025: 3 PAP new faces on kinder politics and being their true selves

    PAP’s new candidates on cost of living and groupthink

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    On the couch today are: Mr Shawn Loh, 38, part of the party’s Jalan Besar GRC team; Mr Foo Cexiang, 40, from the Tanjong Pagar GRC slate; and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, 40, part of the team contesting East Coast GRC.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    4:08 What does being a ‘millennial politician’ mean in this day and age?

    11:19 As a former Budget director, Mr Loh responds on the feasibility of reducing GST

    19:15 Diversity that helps in robust discussions when formulating policies

    35:03 How to help children cope with stress from social media and exams

    38:41 Rojak, economy rice and nasi lemak - how these dishes represent their leadership style

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    43 min
  • S1E41: GE2025: Is ‘abandonment’ the word of the campaign so far?

    As the election campaign heats up with a week left to Polling Day on May 3, how is this General Election shaping up? 

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host of the Political Prude podcast Joel Lim and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the NUS Department of Political Science join Natasha in this live episode.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:25 Abandonment: Buzzword of the GE2025 campaign so far?

    9:15 Rallies and democratic conversations in Singapore; how younger voters are also keen on studying political issues

    11:10 Gloves truly off yet? What kind of punches have been thrown so far?

    22:58 Which candidates have come across to Prof Ong and Mr Lim as most authentic so far, online?

    25:43 Being a ‘Conviction politician’: What does it mean? 

    26:58 Why they both feel GE2025 is truly a “podcast election”, following on some trends from the recent US presidential election

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    33 min
  • S1E40: GE2025: Talking Tampines with Workers’ Party

    Three WP candidates, including party vice-chairman Faisal Manap, drop by The Usual Place.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Apart from Mr Faisal Manap, 50, also joining Natasha Ann Zachariah for the second live episode of The Usual Place are: Dr Ong Lue Ping, 48 and Mr Jimmy Tan, 53. 

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:13 Response towards The People’s Power Party candidate Goh Meng Seng’s comment on the four-way fight in Tampines GRC

    6:20 A feast of political buffet vs dilution of opposition votes? 

    19:50 The impact of groupthink within Singapore's highest decision-making bodies 

    23:06 WP’s sense of the response for them on the ground at Tampines GRC 

    28:32 Professional football player, police officer, and doctor - childhood ambitions of the three WP candidates

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    34 min
  • S1E39: GE2025: PAP's new candidates on Nomination Day whirlwind, handling online negativity

    These new faces are from three GRC teams.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

    Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    But first up, on the living room couch with her in today’s (April 24) livestream are three candidates from PAP: Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50, part of the party’s East Coast GRC team, Mr Daniel Liu, 40, part of its Aljunied GRC team, and Ms Valerie Lee, 39, part of its team contesting the newly created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

    On April 25 next - at noon - find out in our second livestream, which candidates from another party will appear on the couch with Natasha.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    3:37 Most unexpected experiences about Nomination Day for the trio

    8:47 Is there a new vision for the ‘East Coast plan’, for the new team to potentially build on DPM Heng Swee Keat’s legacy?

    11:43 Mr Liu on the PAP’s Aljunied GRC team having the 3Es - expertise, experience and energy - to lead the constituency, if elected

    17:45 Ms Lee on how she plans to stand out in the newly-created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, on negative comments about party new faces

    21:00 How they are handling their initiation to negative online comments after being thrust into the spotlight suddenly

    26:07 Ms Lee on her journey to motherhood and why she opened up on her two previous miscarriages

    32:31 Get-to-know-you game time! If you could implement one fun law in SG for one day, what would it be?

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65 

    ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by: ST Video

    Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    34 min
  • S1E38: Partners in life and politics: PSP’s Hazel Poa and Tony Tan on GE2025

    They touch on why young voters should speak up now at this stage in their lives.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

    Progress Singapore Party’s Hazel Poa and Tony Tan have quite a bit in common.

    They were both government scholarship holders who graduated from the University of Cambridge. They were both public servants, and both got their starts in politics with opposition parties.

    They also happen to be married to each other. The other similarity between them is that they are both standing in the upcoming general election.

    Ms Poa, 54, is part of the opposition PSP team that will be fielded in the newly formed West Coast-Jurong West GRC, together with PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock, 84, and party chief Leong Mun Wai, 65.

    Former National Solidarity Party (NSP) member Tony Tan, 55, will be standing in Kebun Baru SMC under the PSP banner.

    Ms Poa and Mr Tan drop by The Usual Place Podcast to chat with Natasha a day before Nomination Day (April 23).

    They discuss their political motivations and PSP’s thinking behind a change in plans on where to be fielded for GE2025.

    They also share how they are trying to attract younger candidates to join the party, and why the couple are choosing to be foster parents now.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:00 Ms Poa on the party strategy to be fielded in a GRC instead of being in an SMC

    5:00 Mr Tan on previously contesting under the National Solidarity Party banner in GE2011 and now representing PSP for GE2025

    8:40 Why education is close to both their hearts

    13:50 Being a former Singapore Armed Forces scholar could have led him down a different political path, so why did Mr Tan join an opposition party?

    17:10 Ms Poa on leadership experience and roles in an opposition party

    18:10 On becoming foster parents during this busy period besides having adopted sons

    25:00 On the challenge of drawing younger candidates to PSP, what could be a gamechanger? On younger voters

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza)

    Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by ST Video: Johnboy Iype John & Philip Cheong

    ST Podcasts executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

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    33 min
  • S1E37: On to his 9th GE: Shanmugam on his 37 years in politics

    He says a serious-minded person can come into the Singapore political system and make a difference.

    Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

    In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

    Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam is a seasoned politician about to head into his ninth election at the upcoming General Election.

    The minister, who will be leading the Nee Soon GRC team at GE 2025, first became an MP in 1988 and later a Cabinet Minister in 2008.

    In this episode, he speaks with Natasha and her co-host and editor of The Straits Times - Jaime Ho - about how he has seen Singapore and the PAP change in the almost four decades he has been in politics.

    Also, what does he make of the public’s perception of him as a "hard politician"?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:18 Changes in Singapore society in that time

    7:25 “My focus is on governance.”

    17:53 Mr Shanmugam on having more opposition politicians 

    40:35 On going into his ninth election: “I won’t be here if I didn’t think I could do it.”

    50:42 His take on perceptions of him as a “hard politician”

    Follow ST’s GE2025 coverage here:

    Unpacked newsletter: https://str.sg/JGMTq

    Latest articles: https://str.sg/kkXQ

    Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

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

    Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza)

    Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

    Shorts edited by ST Video: Johnboy Iype John

    ST Podcasts executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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

    Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

    YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

    ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

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    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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    59 min

About The Usual Place

From the publisher's feed

Synopsis: Join host and correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.