The Usual Place

1. S1E118: Can Nvidia survive without Jensen Huang? 2 experts on what happens next after Huang’s affairs

   November 12, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 118Play next

   Nvidia’s co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang is in a precarious position after being outed for a second alleged affair with a company executive. News of the second affair broke on Nov 12, and comes days after Huang …

   Show notes

   Nvidia’s co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang is in a precarious position after being outed for a second alleged affair with a company executive.

   News of the second affair broke on Nov 12, and comes days after Huang admitted to his first extramarital affair with Chinese national Alice Huang. US intelligence services reportedly believe she was a Chinese intelligence asset.

   Singapore has been pulled into this scandal - Alice Huang was a top executive at a Singapore-based data centre company called Megaspeed International.

   Was Alice Huang indeed a “honey trapper” as media reports claim, and will this scandal have blowback for Singapore?

   In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks with Dr Shashi Jayakumar, the executive director of geopolitical consultancy firm SJK Geostrategic Advisory, and Alexander Neill, a security and Asia-Pacific policy analyst, as well as an adjunct fellow at the Pacific Forum.

   We discuss espionage tactics, if tech bros should be worried, and whether this is the end of Nvidia’s glory days?

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:44 Was it a Chinese intelligence operation?

   5:52 Honey-trapping - a part of spycraft?

   7:50 How did Jensen Huang fall for this ploy?

   11:50 Will two affairs spell the end of Jensen Huang?

   14:50 Can Nvidia survive without Jensen Huang?

   18:43 Why tech leaders are vulnerable to influence

   24:13 Is China the only one spying?

   27:06 The “Singapore-washing” conundrum

   31:36 Will Singapore face US blowback from the scandal?

   34:41 Is tech too dependent on personalities?

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

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

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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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   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (11)

   1. 0:00Can Nvidia survive without Jensen Huang? 2 experts on what happens next after Huang’s affairs
   2. 1:44Was it a Chinese intelligence operation?
   3. 5:52Honey-trapping - a part of spycraft?
   4. 7:50How did Jensen Huang fall for this ploy?
   5. 11:50Two affairs spell the end of Jensen Huang?
   6. 14:50Can Nvidia survive without Jensen Huang?
   7. 18:43Why tech leaders are vulnerable to influence
   8. 24:13Is China the only one spying?
   9. 27:06The “Singapore-washing” conundrum
   10. 31:36Will Singapore face US blowback?
   11. 34:41Is tech too dependent on personalities?

2. S1E117: Can you secretly record your boss? An employment lawyer on how this could end your career

   November 5, 202630 minSeason 1 · Episode 117Play next

   Should you secretly record your workplace meetings, even if it’s legally allowed? A recent case, where a PR firm director was fired after secretly recording an internal meeting, has brought into focus the issue …

   Show notes

   Should you secretly record your workplace meetings, even if it’s legally allowed?

   A recent case, where a PR firm director was fired after secretly recording an internal meeting, has brought into focus the issue of how employees can document such meetings without putting their jobs at risk.

   Also, should employment contracts now spell out the rules on recording conversations?

   The director brought a wrongful dismissal claim to the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) - and it was thrown out.

   In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha asks Angel Kilian, the founder & CEO of Career inFocus, and corporate lawyer Jennifer Chih from Nair, Jen and Tan whether keeping receipts of all workplace conversations is the way to go. We also look at what a “contemporaneous record” is, and when you should write one.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:25 Do employees need creative ways to protect themselves?

   5:59 How to make a “contemporaneous record”

   11:36 Should contracts spell out recording rules?

   15:28 Employer vs employee: an unequal balance of power?

   17:44 Is keeping receipts a smart habit or a career risk?

   21:41 Treated unfairly? What to do instead of recording

   26:53 Can you come back after trust is broken?

   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://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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

   ---

   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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   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

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   #tup #tuptr

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (8)

   1. 0:00Can you secretly record your boss? An employment lawyer on how this could end your career
   2. 1:25Do workers need to get creative to stay safe?
   3. 5:59How to make a “contemporaneous record”
   4. 11:36Should contracts spell out recording rules?
   5. 15:28An unequal balance of power?
   6. 17:44Keeping receipts a smart habit or is it risky?
   7. 21:41What to do instead of recording
   8. 26:53Can you come back after trust is broken?

3. S1E116: “They treat us like dogs”: Xiaxue on the reality of being a live seller

   October 29, 202658 minSeason 1 · Episode 116Play next

   Would you eat 2kg of durian in one go to sell a batch of the fruit? How about yapping for eight hours straight to hit your sales numbers? Live-streaming is booming, and for some, it looks like an easy gig with …

   Show notes

   Would you eat 2kg of durian in one go to sell a batch of the fruit? How about yapping for eight hours straight to hit your sales numbers?

   Live-streaming is booming, and for some, it looks like an easy gig with easy money. But seasoned live-sellers say the market is saturated and only the top sellers get high commissions.

   In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha chats with social media personality Xiaxue (@xiaxue) and fellow live-streamer Yin Peiying (@officially.poopa) about the reality of selling on platforms like TikTok or Shopee.

   We talk about banned words, “violations” that can hurt your viewership numbers, and why not every live-seller makes it big.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:45 Most extreme thing Peiying has done on a livestream

   3:49 Why did live streaming get so big?

   7:14 Why merchants give huge discounts

   11:15 Can you sell anything in a live stream?

   13:55 No idea if I’m a good live streamer: Xiaxue

   26:04 $20k-$30k commission possible, but outlier

   34:33 Why live streamers are treated differently from influencers

   41:18 Does live streaming encourage drama?

   45:26 Uneven rules on who gets flagged: Xiaxue

   48:50 The words that you can’t say on a stream

   51:10 Is the “limited stock” warning always true?

   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://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

   #tup #tuptr

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (12)

   1. 0:00“They treat us like dogs”: Xiaxue on the reality of being a live seller
   2. 1:45Most extreme thing Peiying has done
   3. 3:49Why did live streaming get so big?
   4. 7:14Why merchants give huge discounts
   5. 11:15Can you sell anything in a live stream?
   6. 13:55No idea if I’m a good live streamer: Xiaxue
   7. 26:04$20k-$30k commission possible, but outlier
   8. 34:33Streamers treated differently from influencers
   9. 41:18Does live streaming encourage drama?
   10. 45:26Uneven rules on who gets flagged: Xiaxue
   11. 48:50The words that you can’t say on a stream
   12. 51:10Is the “limited stock” warning always true?

4. S1E115: Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice over the haze?

   October 22, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 115Play next

   Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) has been criticised for being toothless, but is that criticism fair? And if the anti-haze law is not working, can Singapore take Indonesia to the …

   Show notes

   Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) has been criticised for being toothless, but is that criticism fair?

   And if the anti-haze law is not working, can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice?

   As Singapore finds ways to tackle its worst haze crisis in over a decade, Scott Tan, a partner in the International Arbitration practice of Rajah & Tann, says diplomacy - not litigation - would be a more durable solution to this perennial problem.

   In this episode, he joins Audrey Tan, assistant news editor at The Straits Times and host of ST’s environment podcast, Green Pulse, to talk about why Singapore’s anti-haze law has been criticised, and whether that’s warranted.

   We also chat about other possible ways to penalise haze-causing companies and how consumers can put pressure on such firms.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:57 What’s unique about the THPA?

   7:24 Is the THPA ‘toothless’?

   12:48 The “Asean way” of handling the haze

   15:52 Getting banks to stop financing polluters

   18:50 Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice?

   23:25 The Government’s response: now vs 2015

   29:03 Does the soft diplomatic approach work?

   31:46 Addressing the root cause: peatlands and cash crops

   33:39 Will climate change make the haze worse?

   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://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

   #tup #tuptr

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (10)

   1. 0:00Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice over the haze?
   2. 1:57What’s unique about the THPA?
   3. 7:24Is the THPA ‘toothless’?
   4. 12:48The “Asean way” of handling the haze
   5. 15:52Getting banks to stop financing polluters
   6. 18:50Can S'pore take Indonesia to the ICJ?
   7. 23:25The Government’s response: now vs 2015
   8. 29:03Does the soft diplomatic approach work?
   9. 31:46The root cause: peatlands and cash crops
   10. 33:39Will climate change make the haze worse?

5. S1E115: This man can order TikTok and Facebook to take posts down - Singapore's online safety commissioner

   October 15, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 115Play next

   In the first two months after the Online Safety Commission (OSC) started operations, the agency handled more than 500 reports of online harms. Doxing and online harassment made up the bulk of eligible reports …

   Show notes

   In the first two months after the Online Safety Commission (OSC) started operations, the agency handled more than 500 reports of online harms. Doxing and online harassment made up the bulk of eligible reports.

   The OSC is a new avenue - it launched on June 29 - that helps victims by compelling platforms and group administrators to remove harmful content quickly.

   Can the OSC make the internet a safe space for users in Singapore?

   Singapore’s Commissioner of Online Safety Francis Ng drops in on The Usual Place to talk about how the OSC has the power to tackle online harms, and why removing harmful content can give victims relief.

   Also, if Ng could personally ban one harmful online behaviour, what would it be?

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:30 What does the Online Safety Commission do?

   4:30 500+ cases, some of the material “very, very disturbing”

   7:02 The AI sextortion case that stayed with Ng

   9:54 Is there too much onus on social media platforms?

   13:40 Is it always clear-cut that harm has been caused?

   21:43 The “eat slipper rice” case: when context matters

   23:52 Can you report content that’s already disappeared?

   31:47 Why is “justice” important for victims?

   35:01 The one online habit we would each ban

   If you are a victim of intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse, doxing, online harassment and online stalking, you can make a report directly on OSC’s website at www.osc.gov.sg.

   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://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

   #tup #tuptr

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (10)

   1. 0:00This man can order TikTok and Facebook to take posts down - Singapore's online safety commissioner
   2. 1:30What does the Online Safety Commission do?
   3. 4:30Some of the cases are “very, very disturbing”
   4. 7:02The AI sextortion case that stayed with Ng
   5. 9:54Too much onus on social media platforms?
   6. 13:40Is it always obvious when harm was caused?
   7. 21:43"eat slipper rice” case: when context matters
   8. 23:52Can you report disappeared content?
   9. 31:47Why is “justice” important for victims?
   10. 35:01The one online habit we would each ban

6. S1E114: Will LTA’s proposed changes fix the COE system?

   October 8, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 114Play next

   Will COE prices for cars fall if there is just one COE category for cars, with a tiered surcharge or rebate depending on the vehicle’s open market value? These are some changes that the Land Transport Authority …

   Show notes

   Will COE prices for cars fall if there is just one COE category for cars, with a tiered surcharge or rebate depending on the vehicle’s open market value?

   These are some changes that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) proposed on Oct 8, as part of a review of the COE system.

   This comes as the gap between Category A and B premiums has narrowed, making the distinction between mass-market and higher-end cars less clear.

   In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks to ST’s senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe and NUS associate professor Timothy Wong, who researches transportation and urban economics.

   How will the proposed changes affect the market? Will car dealers game the system?

   And if you’re in the market for a new car, should you buy now or wait until proposed changes kick in? Watch or listen to the podcast to find out.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:20 What is LTA is proposing and why?

   5:21 Will COE prices come down?

   7:13 How would a rebate and surcharge system work?

   12:07 Can dealers game the system to get into lower OMV tiers?

   17:03 More ‘feebate’ bands could ensure greater fairness

   25:24 Will LTA ever tackle high COE prices?

   29:24 Should private hire cars get a surcharge?

   35:31 Is owning a car now a luxury?

   If you would like to give feedback on LTA’s proposal, go to: https://go.gov.sg/coe-pcd-feedback

   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://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast 

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

   #tup #tuptr #stwi

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (9)

   1. 0:00Will LTA’s proposed changes fix the COE system?
   2. 1:20What is LTA is proposing and why?
   3. 5:21Will COE prices come down?
   4. 7:13How would a rebate and surcharge system work?
   5. 12:07Can dealers game the system?
   6. 17:03More ‘feebate’ bands could ensure fairness
   7. 25:24Will LTA ever tackle high COE prices?
   8. 29:24Should private hire cars get a surcharge?
   9. 35:31Is owning a car now a luxury?

7. S1E113: Ex-RI teacher and sociologist unpack Singapore’s primary school race

   October 1, 202654 minSeason 1 · Episode 113Play next

   Parents have long complained that the education system in Singapore is too stressful for children. To address their concerns, the Ministry of Education has made policy changes over the years, including …

   Show notes

   Parents have long complained that the education system in Singapore is too stressful for children.

   To address their concerns, the Ministry of Education has made policy changes over the years, including scrapping PSLE T-scores and removing weighted assessments and examinations at certain levels.

   But have these measures worked?

   A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) showed that parents are more stressed than 10 years ago, and they are spending more on tuition and enrichment classes.

   The Straits Times also reported that some property agents now explicitly market themselves as Primary 1 strategists or consultants, and advise their clients to plan ahead so their children can get into the school of their choice.

   If the system has been easing up, what’s driving parents to continue taking part in the education “arms race”? And are the tuition and property industries capitalising on their anxiety?

   In this episode, Natasha chats with:

   • Jacqueline Ho, assistant professor of sociology at the Singapore Management University, who researches the Singaporean education system, and

   • Prab Nathan, a property agent and former school teacher, and a father of two. His eldest daughter will be in Primary One next year.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   3:46 Are property agents feeding parents’ anxiety?

   9:18 Is it smart to move for a school?

   11:45 School status should not be a priority: Prab

   25:42 Why parents get FOMO over extra tuition

   28:30 Are parents who send their kids for tuition really kiasu?

   34:00 Is being a “relaxed parent” a luxury?

   43:39 What’s wrong with having a shadow education system?

   49:50 Parents strategise to cope with inequality

   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

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

   #tup #tuptr

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (9)

   1. 0:00Ex-RI teacher and sociologist unpack Singapore’s primary school race
   2. 3:46Are property agents feeding parents’ anxiety?
   3. 9:18Is it smart to move for a school?
   4. 11:45School status should not be a priority: Prab
   5. 25:42Why parents get FOMO over extra tuition
   6. 28:30Parents who send their kids for tuition kiasu?
   7. 34:00Is being a “relaxed parent” a luxury?
   8. 43:39What’s wrong with shadow education system?
   9. 49:50Parents strategise to cope with inequality

8. S1E112: Something bigger will have to happen before people take AI safety seriously: AI safety researcher

   September 24, 202648 minSeason 1 · Episode 112Play next

   Will AI eventually be able to kill us, or are AI doomsayers being alarmist? Recently, employees at AI frontier companies like Anthropic and OpenAI have voiced serious concerns - and made doomsday predictions …

   Show notes

   Will AI eventually be able to kill us, or are AI doomsayers being alarmist?

   Recently, employees at AI frontier companies like Anthropic and OpenAI have voiced serious concerns - and made doomsday predictions - about the technology getting out of control.

   What made people pay attention: Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon publicly quit the AI giant in September, writing on X that “the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade”.

   His warning comes after the high-profile OpenAI-Hugging Face incident: OpenAI models broke out of an isolated testing sandbox and hacked into Hugging Face, an AI model repository.

   In this episode, Natasha speaks with Clement Neo, a research advisor at SASH, a non-profit organisation that looks at policy-relevant governance work.

   He also founded Neo Research, an independent AI safety evaluation lab, and was previously a research engineer with the Singapore AI Safety Institute under NTU Digital Trust Centre, which looks at AI models and figures out how to reduce the risks they pose.

   We talk about why AI models are being trained to be relentlessly “persistent”, if we should stop assigning human-like qualities to a software programme, and what’s the worst that could happen?

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   1:36 How Clement got into AI safety research

   6:34 AI feels helpful, so how is it dangerous?

   10:14 How could AI kill us?

   11:48 Why it’s difficult to rein in the AI agents

   16:23 Why not limit the models’ capabilities to avoid risk?

   22:12 Why the OpenAI-Hugging Face incident rattled the industry

   25:36 What does ‘aligning’ the AI models mean?

   29:40 Does projecting human intent onto AI make the issue worse?

   33:57 Are we close to recursive self-improvement?

   39:10 What would it take for an industry-wide AI slowdown?

   45:28 Are AI companies being self-serving about the AI risks?

   Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Amirul Karim

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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]

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

   --

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   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (12)

   1. 0:00Something bigger will have to happen before people take AI safety seriously: AI safety researcher
   2. 1:36Clement getting into AI safety research
   3. 6:34How is AI dangerous?
   4. 10:14How could AI kill us?
   5. 11:48Why it’s difficult to rein in the AI agents
   6. 16:23Why not limit models to reduce risk?
   7. 22:12OpenAI-Hugging Face incident
   8. 25:36What does ‘aligning’ the AI models mean?
   9. 29:40Projecting human intent onto AI
   10. 33:57Are we close to recursive self-improvement?
   11. 39:10What would it take for an AI slowdown?
   12. 45:28AI firms self-serving about the risks?

9. S1E111: True Fitness closure: Why most members will get $0 back

   September 17, 202638 minSeason 1 · Episode 111Play next

   If you’re a customer with a pre-paid package with a business and it closes, will you ever get your money back? True Fitness and True Yoga customers and employees were left in the lurch last week after the …

   Show notes

   If you’re a customer with a pre-paid package with a business and it closes, will you ever get your money back?

   True Fitness and True Yoga customers and employees were left in the lurch last week after the businesses shuttered. Many have unused memberships, packages and services, and members have reported losses of more than $609,000.

   And it’s not just gyms. Prepayment packages are common at nail salons, spas, interior design and renovation firms, and bridal studios.

   When these businesses close, what happens to consumers’ money, and are there ways consumers can be better protected?

   In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha chats with:

   • Jeremy Ko, a fitness entrepreneur who has opened 25 fitness gyms and three climbing gyms, and had to close three of them, and

   • Debby Lim, a senior partner in Dentons Rodyk’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She was also affected by the recent closure of True Fitness, having been a member since June 2025.

   Highlights (click/tap above):

   2:08 What’s happening with the fitness industry?

   6:44 Red flags that customers could possibly look out for

   10:17 Is this the end of the “mega-gym” concept?

   14:11 Why are True Fitness and True Yoga under “provisional liquidation”?

   18:25 Why Jeremy’s gyms don’t offer prepayment packages

   21:15 The hard-selling vs just saying no

   26:08 Law reform needed to “save us from ourselves”?

   30:10 Why aren’t more businesses signing up for CaseTrust accreditation?

   34:39 Is consumer protection anti-business?

   Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

   Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

   Filmed by: Studio+65

   Edited by: Eden Soh & Hadyu Rahim

   Executive producer: Danson Cheong

   Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

   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]

   ---

   Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

   ---

   Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

   Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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   #tup #tuptrf

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Chapters (10)

   1. 0:00True Fitness closure: Why most members will get $0 back
   2. 2:08What’s happening in the fitness industry?
   3. 6:44Red flags gym customers should look out for
   4. 10:17Is this the end of the “mega-gym” concept?
   5. 14:11Why under “provisional liquidation”?
   6. 18:25Why Jeremy’s gyms don’t offer prepaid packages
   7. 21:15The hard-selling vs just saying no
   8. 26:08Law reform needed to “save us from ourselves”?
   9. 30:10Why aren’t businesses CaseTrust accredited?
   10. 34:39Is consumer protection anti-business?

10. S1E110: Singapore ministerial pay debate: Paying top talent competitive salaries is in the ‘soul of the PAP’

    September 11, 202651 minSeason 1 · Episode 110Play next

    Will the increase in ministerial salaries cost the People’s Action Party (PAP) votes at the next General Election? On Sept 8, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that political office-holders will get a …

    Show notes

    Will the increase in ministerial salaries cost the People’s Action Party (PAP) votes at the next General Election?

    On Sept 8, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that political office-holders will get a one-off pay increase of up to 9 per cent.

    This will take effect from Oct 15 - an entry-level grade MR4 minister getting the full adjustment will see his annual pay rise from $1.1 million to $1.2 million.

    The changes to salaries come after the Government accepted the recommendations of a committee convened to review political salaries. One of its recommendations is that the MR4 benchmark will also be updated from $1.1 million to $1.8 million.

    Existing ministers’ salaries will continue to be adjusted based on performance, and PM Wong expects most MR4 ministers to earn about $1.35 million – the lower end of the new salary range – by the end of this term of government.

    In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks with Straits Times’ senior columnist Bhavan Jaipragas, and Rebecca Grace Tan, a senior lecturer in Political Science at the National University of Singapore.

    We discuss whether there is the “right” formula to calculating ministers’ salaries, and whether alternative performance reviews of ministers’ and MPs work is now necessary to account to the public for the pay raises.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:24 How did PM Wong fare in explaining the salary increases?

    5:38 Was the debate “subdued” as compared to 2012?

    8:44 Have S’poreans come to accept the million-dollar salaries?

    13:45 Why didn’t the Workers’ Party oppose more strongly?

    18:00 Growing divide between political elites and the rest of us?

    21:09 Is the top 1,000 earners benchmark still fair?

    26:20 Money, motive and minimising opportunity costs

    32:15 How can we assess ministers’ performance?

    41:44 Has public office become unattractive?

    47:22 Is S’pore just another corporation?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Teo Tong Kai

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:00Singapore ministerial pay debate: Paying top talent competitive salaries is in the ‘soul of the PAP’
    2. 1:24How did PM Wong explain the salary increases?
    3. 5:38Was the debate “subdued” compared to 2012?
    4. 8:44S’poreans accepted million-dollar salaries?
    5. 13:45Why didn’t Workers’ Party oppose more?
    6. 18:00Growing gap between political elites and us?
    7. 21:09Is the top 1,000 earners benchmark still fair?
    8. 26:20Money, motive and minimising opportunity costs
    9. 32:15How can we assess ministers’ performance?
    10. 41:44Has public office become unattractive?
    11. 47:22Is S’pore just another corporation?

11. S1E109: Lifting of wait out period for private home owners could flood HDB market with cash-rich buyers

    September 3, 202651 minSeason 1 · Episode 109Play next

    If you own a private condominium unit and are looking to downgrade, or a family considering buying a BTO flat, the two recent housing policy changes would have brought some relief. In July, the 15-month …

    Show notes

    If you own a private condominium unit and are looking to downgrade, or a family considering buying a BTO flat, the two recent housing policy changes would have brought some relief.

    In July, the 15-month wait-out period for private residential property owners who want to buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat was lifted.

    In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the income ceiling for BTO flats and new executive condominiums will be raised, and more ballot chances for first-timers with children.

    How will these moves affect housing prices, and will there be more million-dollar flats as demand goes up? Also, with more people qualifying for a BTO, will it be harder to get a flat?

    Chief researcher and strategist at Realion (Orange Tee & ETC) Group Christine Sun, and chief research officer at Mogul.sg Nicholas Mak, share their views on what moves we could possibly see in the property market.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:55 Three groups who will benefit

    6:40 Will BTO application rates surge?

    9:00 Why million-dollar flats still sell

    12:55 Did the income ceiling for ECs need to be raised?

    17:14 Should the Govt claw back EC subsidies?

    25:48 Will BTOs get more expensive?

    30:35 Why Nicholas doesn’t see the singles eligibility age dropping

    37:36 Will there be an oversupply in ‘ulu’ areas?

    41:32 Why so many 2-room flats?

    44:53 No 3-room flats is ‘a bit too extreme’: Nicholas

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:00Lifting of wait out period for private home owners could flood HDB market with cash-rich buyers
    2. 1:55Three groups who will benefit
    3. 6:40Will BTO application rates surge?
    4. 9:00Why million-dollar flats still sell
    5. 12:55Should EC income ceilings be raised?
    6. 17:14Should Govt claw back EC subsidies?
    7. 25:48Will BTOs get more expensive?
    8. 30:35Why Nicholas sees no drop in singles age
    9. 37:36Will ‘ulu’ areas see an oversupply?
    10. 41:32Why are there so many 2-room flats?
    11. 44:53No 3-room flats is ‘a bit extreme’: Nicholas

12. S1E108: Can cash, childcare leave and BTO priority get Singaporeans to have kids? | National Day Rally 2026

    August 24, 202646 minSeason 1 · Episode 108Play next

    If you’ve been thinking about having kids, last night’s National Day Rally might have given you something to rally about. Parents - and those who are considering having children - were the focus of PM Wong’s …

    Show notes

    If you’ve been thinking about having kids, last night’s National Day Rally might have given you something to rally about.

    Parents - and those who are considering having children - were the focus of PM Wong’s address on August 23.

    In a nutshell, parents will get more help: more childcare leave and financial support, along with lower pre-school fees and more ballot chances when buying their first BTO flat.

    But will this move the needle on our Total Fertility Rate, which now stands at 0.87?

    Natasha asks Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh Hanyan from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth why the Government shifted its stance to consider every child equally.

    Dr Reuben Ng, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a father of four, shared his thoughts on when the Government needs to roll out more measures for this reset to count.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:17 Were the parenthood measures good enough?

    6:56 Why tackle the cost concerns first?

    12:15 Should mothers get medals for having more kids?

    17:24 Why not taking leave is sometimes seen as a “badge of honour”

    20:41 Hanyan’s experience juggling political office and being a mother-of-three

    25:14 What about colleagues who cover parents on leave?

    28:20 Are singles getting the short end of the stick?

    33:41 Politically risky to invest so much public funds into parenting?

    38:21 How fast does the Government need to roll out the measures?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (10)

    1. 0:00Can cash, childcare leave and BTO priority get Singaporeans to have kids? | National Day Rally 2026
    2. 2:17Were parenthood measures good enough?
    3. 6:56Why tackle cost concerns first?
    4. 12:15Should mothers get medals for more kids?
    5. 17:24Why is not taking leave a “badge of honour”?
    6. 20:41Hanyan on juggling politics and motherhood
    7. 25:14Colleagues covering parents on leave
    8. 28:20Singles getting the short end of the stick?
    9. 33:41Politically risky to invest so much?
    10. 38:21How fast should the measures be rolled out?

13. S1E107: What the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks debate showed about policy making and consultation

    August 20, 202643 minSeason 1 · Episode 107Play next

    What kind of involvement do Singaporeans want in policymaking? The Maju Forest-Gillman Barracks issue has seen Singaporeans making their voices heard, offering counter-proposals, and demanding more transparency …

    Show notes

    What kind of involvement do Singaporeans want in policymaking?

    The Maju Forest-Gillman Barracks issue has seen Singaporeans making their voices heard, offering counter-proposals, and demanding more transparency from the Government.

    This isn’t the first time Singaporeans have made their views known - remember issues including the Dear You bilingual policy debate, the SimplyGo roll out, and the scrapped NTUC Income-Allianz deal.

    Are we in a new era of civic participation, and does the way the Government engages Singaporeans need to change? Also, would too much consultation hamper policymaking?

    In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with:

    • Assistant Professor of Sociology George Wong, who researches grassroots organisations in urban governance and politics in Asia at Singapore Management University, and
    • Jonathan Ng, an independent consultant with more than 20 years of experience in policy advocacy and regulation, and a former civil servant. He also creates social media content about how government and businesses work.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:17 Reactions to S’poreans speaking up about Maju Forest

    6:33 Has the Government responded well?

    9:38 Citizens must trust that their voices matter: Jonathan

    11:00 S’poreans want to “see how the sausage is being made”: George

    13:54 Should policies satisfy every stakeholder?

    16:18 Presenting trade-offs without being defensive

    18:54 No more “Trust me bro!”

    24:09 How does the Government choose whom to listen to?

    28:18 Is active citizenry fuelled by social media?

    31:43 Do name-calling, political labels hurt engagement?

    34:34 Can S’poreans disagree agreeably?

    36:19 Is another iteration of Our Singapore Conversation needed?

    39:46 Why you shouldn’t scream to be heard

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (14)

    1. 0:00What the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks debate showed about policy making and consultation
    2. 2:17S’poreans speak up about Maju Forest
    3. 6:33Has the Government responded well?
    4. 9:38Why citizens must trust their voices matter
    5. 11:00S’poreans want to “see how it’s made”
    6. 13:54Should policies satisfy every stakeholder?
    7. 16:18Presenting trade-offs without being defensive
    8. 18:54No more “Trust me bro!”
    9. 24:09How does the Government choose whom to hear?
    10. 28:18Is active citizenry fuelled by social media?
    11. 31:43Do political labels hurt civic engagement?
    12. 34:34Can S’poreans disagree agreeably?
    13. 36:19Is another Our Singapore Conversation needed?
    14. 39:46Why you shouldn’t scream to be heard

14. S1E106: Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?

    August 13, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 106Play next

    Would you read regularly if you were paid to do so? The National Library Board (NLB) is hoping that people will develop a consistent reading habit by giving readers virtual coins that can eventually be …

    Show notes

    Would you read regularly if you were paid to do so?

    The National Library Board (NLB) is hoping that people will develop a consistent reading habit by giving readers virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash. They need to spend at least 15 minutes on the activity each day.

    But why does the library have to incentivise us to read for fun? What do we lose when we no longer read, especially if we’re choosing to doomscroll instead?

    In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with:

    • Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee from the National Institute of Education, who researches people’s reading habits, and

    • Chris Koh, the programme director of the National Reading Movement

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:47 How was ReadSG conceptualised

    3:41 Why do we have to be paid to read?

    7:41 Is reading for 15 mins actually realistic?

    10:45 Does reading daily create a habit?

    19:16 Why we should stop calling kids “non-readers”

    21:10 Will book clubs get people reading?

    27:39 What do we lose when we don’t read?

    32:19 S’pore’s most borrowed library book?

    33:34 Book recommendations from Chris, Chin Ee and Natasha

    Books recommended in this episode:

    • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

    • The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

    • Bang My Car by Ann Ang

    • Ministry of Moral Panic by Amanda Lee Koe

    • Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Hadyu Rahim

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (10)

    1. 0:00Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?
    2. 1:47How exactly was ReadSG conceptualised
    3. 3:41Why do we have to be paid to read now
    4. 7:41Is fifteen minutes reading realistic?
    5. 10:45Does daily reading create the habit?
    6. 19:16Stop calling children "non-readers".
    7. 21:10Will a book club get people reading?
    8. 27:39What do we lose when we do not read?
    9. 32:19The most borrowed book in Singapore.
    10. 33:34Book recommendations by the speakers

15. S1E105: 2 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why

    August 6, 202643 minSeason 1 · Episode 105Play next

    Millennials are the generation that changed the conversation around mental health. They normalised mental health talk, encouraged self-care and made going to therapy less taboo. So what caused the 50 per cent …

    Show notes

    Millennials are the generation that changed the conversation around mental health. They normalised mental health talk, encouraged self-care and made going to therapy less taboo.

    So what caused the 50 per cent jump in suicide deaths among adults in their 30s in 2024?

    Recently released data from the annual report on registration of births and deaths by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority showed there were 441 suicide deaths in Singapore in 2024.

    Suicide among adults aged between 30 and 39 increased from 66 cases in 2023 to 99 in 2024.

    In this episode, Natasha speaks with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and medical director at Connections MindHealth, and Anthea Ong, co-lead for a white paper for national suicide prevention strategy Project Hayat, about what’s affecting this group.

    We also talk about why men are still reluctant to seek help, and whether AI chatbots are valid sources of mental health support.

    Watch the previous TUP episode on how to help someone having suicidal thoughts: https://str.sg/3KHRV

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:28 Why did millennial suicide deaths spike by 50 per cent in a year?

    6:14 “I failed at something.” vs “I’m a failure.”

    11:08 The challenges of living in a pressure-cooker society

    13:23 The “treatment gap” problem

    16:48 Do you feel safe in your workplace?

    20:38 Why staff don’t trust Employee Assistance Programmes

    25:13 The gender paradox about suicide

    29:53 Why do men stay suicidal

    34:32 Where AI chatbots can help, and where they don’t

    39:57 Struggling isn’t the same as being suicidal

    41:30 Not all helpline callers are in distress

    Helplines

    Mental well-being:

    National Mindline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp)

    Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)

    Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

    Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928

    Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1

    Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

    The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm)

    Tinkle Friend (for primary school-age children): 1800-2744-788

    Mindfull Community HQ (for caregivers, families and persons in recovery): 6460-4400 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm)

    Counselling:

    Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252

    Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555

    Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

    We Care Community Services: 3165-8017

    Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293

    Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990

    Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180

    Online resources:

    mindline.sg/fsmh

    eC2.sg

    chat.mentalhealth.sg

    carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)

    limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (12)

    1. 0:002 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why
    2. 2:28Why millennial suicide deaths rose 50%
    3. 6:14"I failed" vs "I'm a failure"
    4. 11:08Living in a pressure-cooker society
    5. 13:23The mental health "treatment gap"
    6. 16:48Do you feel safe at work?
    7. 20:38Why staff don't trust EAPs
    8. 25:13The gender paradox of suicide
    9. 29:53Why men stay suicidal
    10. 34:32Where AI chatbots can help
    11. 39:57Struggling isn't being suicidal
    12. 41:30Not every helpline caller is in crisis

16. S1E104: JB-Singapore RTS Link: Singaporeans will spend $1bn more in JB

    July 30, 202644 minSeason 1 · Episode 104Play next

    Will the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link sound the death knell for smaller, home-grown businesses when it opens in a few months? A new study, which was released on July 16, highlighted how …

    Show notes

    Will the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link sound the death knell for smaller, home-grown businesses when it opens in a few months?

    A new study, which was released on July 16, highlighted how Singaporeans are slated to spend $1.05 billion more across the Causeway in 2027. But visitors from the other side aren’t expected to send as much business our way. JB visitors are projected to spend about $756 million more.

    The Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Restaurant Association of Singapore and the Singapore Retailers Association jointly commissioned the study to look at how the RTS Link could reshape consumer spending, tourism flows and business competitiveness in Singapore’s retail and food and beverage sectors.

    Can local retail and F&B businesses, which are already struggling with rent and manpower costs, cope with the added pressure?

    In this episode, I speak with:

    • Musa Fazal, the chief policy and operating officer at the SBF, and

    • Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, who moved to JB 18 months ago.

    We discuss whether expanding the eligibility and amount of the CDC Vouchers Scheme is just a Band-Aid, and if the Government will step in to control rents.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:35 Are SG businesses excited about the RTS Link?

    6:28 How will S’pore’s consumer spending change?

    10:34 Is it too late for retail, F&B?

    17:24 You can’t risk making a mistake here: Yuit

    19:42 CDC vouchers: A band-aid but still useful

    23:15 Topline statistics might not give us the actual picture

    27:05 Can we move events to the heartlands?

    28:41 Why hasn’t the west built its own Katong?

    32:43 Why we need spaces for businesses to try - and fail cheaply

    39:53 Why S’pore needs a “nighttime mayor”

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:00JB-Singapore RTS Link: Singaporeans will spend $1bn more in JB
    2. 2:35Are SG businesses excited about RTS Link?
    3. 6:28How will S'pore's spending habits change?
    4. 10:34Is it too late for retail and F&B?
    5. 17:24"You can't risk mistakes here": Yuit
    6. 19:42CDC vouchers: A band-aid, but still useful
    7. 23:15Do topline stats reflect the real picture?
    8. 27:05Can more events move to the heartlands?
    9. 28:41Why hasn't the west built its own Katong?
    10. 32:43Why businesses need cheap spaces to fail
    11. 39:53Why S'pore needs a "nighttime mayor"

17. S1E103: Faishal Ibrahim’s exit: Are the PAP’s moral standards turning people away from politics?

    July 23, 202649 minSeason 1 · Episode 103Play next

    It has been quite a week in Singapore politics, with adjustments to the Cabinet line-up and the surprise resignation of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. In this episode, Natasha …

    Show notes

    It has been quite a week in Singapore politics, with adjustments to the Cabinet line-up and the surprise resignation of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.

    In this episode, Natasha takes a deep dive into the implications of blooding younger politicians such as Jasmin Lau into the Cabinet and junior ministerial roles now, and if the PAP’s high moral standards will cost them future talent.

    Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan and independent political observer Dr Felix Tan weigh in on the diversity of the new Cabinet and why politics is not priesthood.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:26 Was the new Cabinet line-up surprising?

    5:45 Newbie politician Jasmin Lau’s fast rise

    9:00 Is the 5G leadership team taking shape?

    13:05 Does politics need politicians with private-sector experience?

    16:38 Know how to communicate ideas, says Felix

    19:16 Is Ng Chee Meng out of the “political wilderness”?

    23:39 What’s the public “obsession” over Ng Chee Meng?

    28:25 Who will eventually succeed Shanmugam at MHA?

    32:30 Does having different generations in the Cabinet matter?

    35:26 Should the Government reveal more about Faishal Ibrahim’s exit?

    39:37 Why do conduct breaches keep happening despite the code?

    45:47 “Politics is not priesthood.”: Eugene

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (13)

    1. 0:00Faishal Ibrahim’s exit: Are the PAP’s moral standards turning people away from politics?
    2. 1:26New Cabinet: Were there any surprises?
    3. 5:45Jasmin Lau's rapid rise in politics
    4. 9:00Is the 5G leadership team taking shape?
    5. 13:05Do politicians need private-sector experience?
    6. 16:38Felix: Politicians must communicate ideas
    7. 19:16Ng Chee Meng out of the political wilderness?
    8. 23:39Why the obsession over Ng Chee Meng?
    9. 28:25Who will succeed Shanmugam at MHA?
    10. 32:30Does a multigenerational Cabinet matter?
    11. 35:26Should more be said about Faishal's exit?
    12. 39:37Why do conduct breaches keep happening?
    13. 45:47"Politics is not priesthood": Eugene

18. S1E102: 1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?

    July 16, 202641 minSeason 1 · Episode 102Play next

    Should young job seekers start their careers with contract roles? With stiff competition for full-time roles, a tight job market and employers being more selective about new permanent hires, perhaps contract …

    Show notes

    Should young job seekers start their careers with contract roles?

    With stiff competition for full-time roles, a tight job market and employers being more selective about new permanent hires, perhaps contract roles shouldn’t be off the table.

    In Singapore, such roles have become more common over the past few years. What can young people do to build their careers? Also, is contract work truly the ‘lesser cousin’ of permanent work?

    In this episode, I speak with:

    • Francois Lancon, the regional president of Asia Pacific and Middle East for ManpowerGroup, a global expert on labour market and employment trends,

    • Tyrina Toh, a contract content creator for businesses, who left a full time position to work only contract and freelance jobs

    •Seth Ng, a fresh university graduate who is currently looking for a job.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:34 Should the GovTech retrenchments be a cause for concern?

    3:43 Why the surge in contract roles?

    6:42 Tyrina’s first contract role at 16

    10:26 Is contract work financially feasible?

    12:01 Contract work a “launchpad” to full-time role: Seth

    15:56 Do contract roles make you look like a job hopper?

    19:10 Taking charge of your professional growth

    23:26 Is contract work exploitative?

    29:01 What happens when a contract role gets cut unexpectedly?

    33:12 Should you do many internships to land a permanent role?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:001 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?
    2. 2:34Should GovTech layoffs worry Singaporeans?
    3. 3:43Why are contract roles on the rise?
    4. 6:42Tyrina's first contract job at 16
    5. 10:26Is contract work financially viable?
    6. 12:01Contract work as a full-time launchpad
    7. 15:56Do contract jobs make you a job hopper?
    8. 19:10Taking charge of your career growth
    9. 23:26Is contract work exploitative?
    10. 29:01When your contract role ends unexpectedly
    11. 33:12Do more internships boost job prospects?

19. S1E101: Singapore lawyers are facing bullying and burnout, why hasn’t anything changed in 30 years?

    July 9, 202646 minSeason 1 · Episode 101Play next

    Are Singapore’s lawyers doing ok? The Legal Profession Sustainability Study, which was released on June 23, suggests that lawyers were leaving the profession because of toxic bosses, inflexible court timelines …

    Show notes

    Are Singapore’s lawyers doing ok?

    The Legal Profession Sustainability Study, which was released on June 23, suggests that lawyers were leaving the profession because of toxic bosses, inflexible court timelines, punishing deadlines and the constant need to be available 24/7.

    These are just some of the grievances aired in the study, which had 31 in-depth interviews with former judges, legal academics and lawyers from diverse types of firms. There was also a survey done with 855 practising and former lawyers.

    What is the cost of becoming a lawyer in Singapore, and is it worth it any more? If these issues have been raised for more than 30 years, will this study change anything?

    In this episode, I speak with:

    • Zhang Yu Fu, a junior lawyer at Dentons Rodyk, who was called to the bar in April 2026 and took part in the study, and

    • Wong Yi, the General Counsel for construction company Lum Chang Holdings, and previously worked for one of Singapore’s Big Four law firms. He was also the chairman of the Young Lawyers Committee for The Law Society of Singapore from 2014 to 2019.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:23 A decades-old problem that hasn’t changed

    4:50 “What’s so wrong with being a strawberry?”: Yu Fu

    10:28 Trained through “sheer obedience”

    15:08 How young lawyers navigate bad bosses

    17:06 Any incentive for senior lawyers to change?

    21:13 Generational gap between older and younger lawyers

    28:34 Judge wants lawyers to drink from a straw

    32:55 “Role models” for working through childbirth

    34:44 No real consequences for workplace bullying

    37:18 Why lawyers leaving the profession matters

    40:40 “Why can’t we do better?”: Yu Fu

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (12)

    1. 0:00Singapore lawyers are facing bullying and burnout, why hasn’t anything changed in 30 years?
    2. 2:23Decades-old problem, still unresolved
    3. 4:50"What's wrong with being a strawberry?"
    4. 10:28Trained through "sheer obedience"
    5. 15:08Young lawyers navigate bad bosses
    6. 17:06Incentives for senior lawyers to change?
    7. 21:13Older vs younger lawyers
    8. 28:34Judge wants lawyers to drink from a straw
    9. 32:55Working through childbirth as "role models"
    10. 34:44No consequences for workplace bullying
    11. 37:18Why lawyers leaving matters
    12. 40:40"Why can't we do better?": Yu Fu

20. S1E100: Were unhappy WP veterans behind the challenge to Pritam Singh?

    June 30, 202626 minSeason 1 · Episode 100Play next

    Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh fobbed off talk that he would face a challenge to his position at the party’s proceedings on June 28. The results from the party’s internal meetings showed that most party …

    Show notes

    Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh fobbed off talk that he would face a challenge to his position at the party’s proceedings on June 28.

    The results from the party’s internal meetings showed that most party members are still very much behind him.

    What does this mean for the WP, and has the party turned the page on the saga involving Raeesah Khan?

    In this episode, I chat with Tham Yuen-C, senior political correspondent at The Straits Times who has covered WP for about a decade, and Dr Teo Kay Key, a senior research fellow at IPS Social Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies, who studies public opinion, and political and social attitudes.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:54 Is Pritam Singh invincible?

    5:50 Who are the unhappy cadres?

    8:27 What the “supermajority” vote says

    10:46 Cult of personality around Pritam Singh?

    16:10 Party stability comes first

    20:15 “Pretty much business as usual.”

    23:57 End of Raeesah-gate?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (8)

    1. 0:00Were unhappy WP veterans behind the challenge to Pritam Singh?
    2. 1:54Is Pritam Singh invincible?
    3. 5:50Who are the unhappy cadres?
    4. 8:27What the “supermajority” vote says
    5. 10:46Cult of personality around Pritam Singh?
    6. 16:10Party stability comes first
    7. 20:15“Pretty much business as usual.”
    8. 23:57End of Raeesah-gate?

21. S1E99: Dear You debate: Is it time to relook rules on Chinese dialects?

    June 25, 202644 minSeason 1 · Episode 99Play next

    The Chinese film Dear You, shot almost entirely in Teochew, is not only a box office hit - it has ignited intense debate among Chinese Singaporeans. From film-makers to politicians, many people have weighed in …

    Show notes

    The Chinese film Dear You, shot almost entirely in Teochew, is not only a box office hit - it has ignited intense debate among Chinese Singaporeans.

    From film-makers to politicians, many people have weighed in on the authorities’ decision to limit screenings of the Teochew version, and instead have a wider general release for the Mandarin-dubbed version.

    The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said that this move supports the bilingual policy which aims to promote Mandarin as the main language among Chinese Singaporeans.

    But the strict policing of dialects, when other foreign language films have been allowed to be screened, has the local audience asking: is it time to relook how we treat dialects?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:08 Why strong reaction to limited Teochew screenings?

    6:22 Is it a film that touches only Teochews?

    9:27 What's lost in dubbed movies?

    13:11 Is the outrage fair?

    15:27 Time to relook policy on dialects in film?

    20:40 Has the Speak Mandarin Campaign been too successful?

    23:48 Can Chinese dialects and Mandarin coexist?

    29:08 “We’re not comparing like for like.”

    31:34 Are dialects less valuable than Mandarin?

    35:45 Who’s learning dialects now?

    38:17 Beyond the uproar, what happens next?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (12)

    1. 0:00Dear You debate: Is it time to relook rules on Chinese dialects?
    2. 2:08Why the backlash over limited Teochew shows?
    3. 6:22Is this film only for Teochew audiences?
    4. 9:27What's lost when films are dubbed?
    5. 13:11Is the outrage justified?
    6. 15:27Rethinking dialect policies in films?
    7. 20:40Has Mandarin's success sidelined dialects?
    8. 23:48Can dialects and Mandarin coexist?
    9. 29:08“We’re not comparing like for like.”
    10. 31:34Are dialects valued less than Mandarin?
    11. 35:45Who is learning dialects today?
    12. 38:17Beyond the uproar: what comes next?

22. S1E98: Lure of traffic drives millions of Chinese content creators to target Singapore

    June 18, 202629 minSeason 1 · Episode 98Play next

    Independent content creators in China are making online posts disparaging Singapore, its politicians and minorities.The latter, in particular, has made the authorities here concerned enough to block access to …

    Show notes

    Independent content creators in China are making online posts disparaging Singapore, its politicians and minorities.
    
    The latter, in particular, has made the authorities here concerned enough to block access to 14 online posts earlier in June, which targeted the Indian community and contained inflammatory narratives about Singapore’s cultural diversity.

    If the content isn’t state-sanctioned, what’s driving Chinese content creators to make such posts, and why did it find an audience here?

    In this episode, I chat with:

    • Benjamin Ang, the head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security, Future Issues and Technology at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He researches cybersecurity, digital security and disinformation, and

    • Straits Times senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei, who writes about China and its relations with the rest of the world. She was in Beijing for seven years from 2018 as ST’s China bureau chief, covering all aspects of the country, from its domestic politics to its economy.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:58 Difference between state-directed vs organic disinformation

    3:56 Clicks for “outrageous” content

    9:05 All about the clicks

    10:23 "We just happen to be a hot topic.”

    13:06 Why did the content focus on race?

    18:05 Does the racist content reflect how some Singaporeans think?

    21:21 How polarisation can happen

    26:10 Why doesn’t the Chinese government take down such content?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (9)

    1. 0:00Lure of traffic drives millions of Chinese content creators to target Singapore
    2. 1:58State-directed vs organic disinformation
    3. 3:56Why outrage drives clicks and engagement
    4. 9:05The internet runs on clicks
    5. 10:23“We just happen to be a hot topic”
    6. 13:06Why race became the focus of content
    7. 18:05Do racist posts reflect Singaporeans?
    8. 21:21How online polarisation takes hold
    9. 26:10Why China leaves such content online

23. S1E97: Is modern dating in Singapore broken?

    June 4, 202648 minSeason 1 · Episode 97Play next

    A recent Straits Times survey of 1,000 unmarried people explained why the dating scene is so bleak: it’s hard to meet new people, dating can be expensive and there are unrealistic expectations of love and …

    Show notes

    A recent Straits Times survey of 1,000 unmarried people explained why the dating scene is so bleak: it’s hard to meet new people, dating can be expensive and there are unrealistic expectations of love and relationships.

    In this episode, Natasha chats with:

    • Liu Zhiqun, co-founder of Kopi Date, a dating platform that curates one-on-one coffee dates, and

    • Dr Kenneth Tan, an assistant professor of psychology at Singapore Management University, who studies relationships from end-to-end - that is from singlehood to why relationships end.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:53 Has dating become harder?

    5:29 21 years old, no dating experience

    10:10 The ‘perfect partner’ problem

    11:33 Has social media warped our idea of romance

    14:21 Dating 101: teaching rejection in schools?

    18:29 Why people don’t bring their best self on dates

    21:46 “Why do I have to work for love as well?”

    27:15 Is school the best place to look for love?

    31:20 Fear of being alone leads to settling

    32:34 Red flags, icks: are they just excuses?

    36:25 Old-school gender rules in a modern dating world

    41:52 Can the Government fix our love lives?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (13)

    1. 0:00Is modern dating in Singapore broken?
    2. 1:53Has dating become harder today?
    3. 5:2921 and never been on a date
    4. 10:10The perfect partner problem
    5. 11:33Has social media ruined romance?
    6. 14:21Should schools teach dating & rejection?
    7. 18:29Why we don't show our best on dates
    8. 21:46Why must love feel like more work?
    9. 27:15Is school the best place to find love?
    10. 31:20Settling because you're afraid of being alone
    11. 32:34Red flags & icks: excuses or reality?
    12. 36:25Old dating rules in a modern world
    13. 41:52Can the Government fix our love lives?

24. S1E97: Hands-on dads look great because the bar is low: Singapore father on unfair parenting expectations

    May 28, 202643 minSeason 1 · Episode 97Play next

    Do fathers in Singapore get a bad reputation for being hands-off? Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who chairs the new Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, drew some flak for speaking …

    Show notes

    Do fathers in Singapore get a bad reputation for being hands-off?

    Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who chairs the new Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, drew some flak for speaking about career “detours” as something that should be normalised for mothers - with little mention of a fathers’ role in the parenting journey.

    Why do we frame the parenting experience as mainly a woman’s role?

    In this episode of the podcast, I put that question to two fathers: new stay-at-home dad Jeggan Rajendram and Kevin Goh, the Group Head of engagement and programmes at the Centre for Fathering.

    We discuss who dads benchmark themselves to and whether mothers are preventing fathers from being more hands on.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:05 Are fathers missing from the parenting conversation?

    3:30 “Regret minimisation”: Jeggan’s decision to be a stay-at-home dad

    7:10 “People still look at me like I was crazy.”

    11:27 Mums get a ‘head start’ on parenting

    15:08 What’s holding fathers back from being more hands-on?

    17:20 Mums, please involve dads, and let go

    21:20 Whose standard is the right one?

    24:05 The loss of identity as a stay-at-home parent

    30:30 Being the stay-at-home parent doesn’t have to be forever

    33:27 Encouraging dads to be more active parents

    37:11 When dad’s your personal hairstylist

    40:08 Will we have more babies if dads and mums are equals?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Hadyu Rahim

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    Assistant producer: Stacey Ngiam

    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]

    ---

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    Chapters (13)

    1. 0:00Hands-on dads look great because the bar is low: Singapore father on unfair parenting expectations
    2. 2:05Are dads left out of parenting talks?
    3. 3:30Why Jeggan became a stay-home dad
    4. 7:10“People thought I was crazy.”
    5. 11:27Why mums get a parenting head start
    6. 15:08What’s stopping dads from helping more?
    7. 17:20Mums, involve dads and let go
    8. 21:20Whose parenting standard matters?
    9. 24:05Losing your identity as a parent
    10. 30:30Stay-home parenting isn’t forever
    11. 33:27Encouraging dads to be active parents
    12. 37:11When dad becomes your hairstylist
    13. 40:08Will equal parenting boost birth rates?

25. S1E96: Singapore forensic psychologist explains why voyeurs and molesters commit crimes

    May 21, 202633 minSeason 1 · Episode 96Play next

    Will a new bystander campaign by the police get more people to speak up for victims for molest and voyeurism? In this episode of The Usual Place, I chat with Ms Lim Shoon Yin, the executive director of …

    Show notes

    Will a new bystander campaign by the police get more people to speak up for victims for molest and voyeurism?

    In this episode of The Usual Place, I chat with Ms Lim Shoon Yin, the executive director of Singapore women’s rights group Aware, about what holds bystanders back and what they can do.

    Also on the podcast is Dr Julia Lam, a forensic psychologist, who assesses people who have committed offences like sexual crimes. She studies impulse control disorder and behavioural addiction, among other areas.

    She explains why perpetrators cross the line and act on urges, despite knowing it’s a crime.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:51 Are more people reporting sexual assault?

    4:20 Why do bystanders freeze?

    6:01 Could you become a molester or voyeur?

    9:15 Why perpetrators choose to cross the line

    10:36 Why take the risk of getting caught in public?

    13:42 How bystanders can safely intervene, if unsure

    17:33 Perpetrators not deterred by warning announcements, posters

    20:22 Do conservative societal attitudes contribute to such behaviour?

    26:02 What victims need when they report harassment

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    Assistant producer: Stacey Ngiam

    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]

    ---

    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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    Chapters (10)

    1. 0:00Singapore forensic psychologist explains why voyeurs and molesters commit crimes
    2. 1:51Rise in sexual assault reports?
    3. 4:20Why do bystanders freeze up?
    4. 6:01Could anyone become a predator?
    5. 9:15Why perpetrators cross the line
    6. 10:36Why risk getting caught in public?
    7. 13:42How bystanders can intervene safely
    8. 17:33Why warnings don’t stop offenders
    9. 20:22Do conservative attitudes play a role?
    10. 26:02What victims need after reporting

26. S1E95: Is caning an appropriate way to discipline school bullies?

    May 14, 202634 minSeason 1 · Episode 95Play next

    By 2027, every school will have to follow standard disciplinary measures such as detention and conduct grade adjustment for different types of misbehaviour. But the measure that divided parents, teachers and …

    Show notes

    By 2027, every school will have to follow standard disciplinary measures such as detention and conduct grade adjustment for different types of misbehaviour.

    But the measure that divided parents, teachers and parliamentarians was that bullies can get up to three strokes of the cane.

    Caning in schools is not new, so why were so many people upset that school bullies will be caned?

    In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with ST education correspondent and former secondary school teacher Elisha Tushara, and chief executive officer of the Singapore Children’s Society Ang Boon Min, about what caused the scrutiny over caning for bullies.

    At a time when bullying cases are increasing - albeit by a small number - will caning change behaviour among recalcitrant students? Also, if parents step in to take on their child’s bullies, will it make things worse?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:35 Does caning students work?

    4:55 Do children learn from being caned?

    8:22 Creative ways students try to escape caning

    11:20 How do children become bullies?

    13:34 Reframe the language around bullying

    16:35 Most children don’t want their bully punished

    19:11 Natural for parents to “feel an ache”

    20:42 What is restorative justice?

    22:35 Will teachers be stretched further?

    26:45 How to help bullied children feel safe?

    29:35 Parents involvement can be “unproductive”

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    Assistant producer: Stacey Ngiam

    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]

    ---

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

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    --

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    Chapters (12)

    1. 0:00Is caning an appropriate way to discipline school bullies?
    2. 1:35Does caning students work?
    3. 4:55Do kids learn from caning?
    4. 8:22Students’ creative escape plans
    5. 11:20How do children become bullies?
    6. 13:34Rethinking how we talk about bullying
    7. 16:35Kids may not want bullies punished
    8. 19:11Why parents naturally “feel an ache”
    9. 20:42What is restorative justice?
    10. 22:35Will teachers be stretched thinner?
    11. 26:45Helping bullied children feel safe
    12. 29:35When parents make things worse

27. S1E94: Sky high condo prices: are sales being funded by parents' retirement savings?

    May 7, 202655 minSeason 1 · Episode 94Play next

    Never mind that it’s way out west - Tengah’s first private condominium development sold out almost all its units over its launch weekend at the end of April. At an average price of $2,120 per sq ft and a …

    Show notes

    Never mind that it’s way out west - Tengah’s first private condominium development sold out almost all its units over its launch weekend at the end of April.

    At an average price of $2,120 per sq ft and a location that’s under the Outside Central Region (OCR) classification, the affordable suburban condominium is starting to feel more expensive.

    But despite all our complaints about high property prices and the uncertain global outlook, these sales show that Singaporeans are still willing to fork out serious money for new, unsubsidised private residential properties.

    Is this the new normal buyers have to get used to?

    In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks with veteran property analyst and chief research officer at MOGUL.sg Nicholas Mak, and CEO and Chief Investment Officer at financial advisory firm MoneyOwl Chuin Ting Weber.

    We chat about who are the buyers driving the sales of these properties, and what’s driving these record new launch condo prices?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:20 What's driving up condo prices?

    4:55 FOMO in buyers driven by agents

    7:25 HDB upgraders not main condo buyers

    9:56 Who's renting if everyone's buying?

    15:28 The myth of constantly rising prices

    19:28 Making compromises to make mortgage

    31:40 Good debt and what you can afford

    37:22 Parents digging into retirement funds for kids

    48:00 Why isn't the government stepping in more?

    51:36 The similarities between healthcare and property

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh, Fa’izah Sani & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:00Sky high condo prices: are sales being funded by parents' retirement savings?
    2. 1:20Why are condo prices soaring?
    3. 4:55Are agents fuelling buyer FOMO?
    4. 7:25Are HDB upgraders really buying condos?
    5. 9:56If everyone's buying, who's renting?
    6. 15:28The myth of ever-rising prices
    7. 19:28Compromises to pay the mortgage
    8. 31:40Good debt and knowing your limit
    9. 37:22Parents using retirement funds for kids
    10. 48:00Why isn't govt stepping in more?
    11. 51:36How healthcare mirrors property

28. S1E93: Are people not having children because of PSLE stress and the education arms race?

    April 30, 202655 minSeason 1 · Episode 93Play next

    Would changes to Singapore’s education system fix our low fertility rate? A new work group, comprising political office holders from various ministries, has been set up to encourage Singaporeans to marry and …

    Show notes

    Would changes to Singapore’s education system fix our low fertility rate?

    A new work group, comprising political office holders from various ministries, has been set up to encourage Singaporeans to marry and have children, with broader support from society.

    In this podcast episode, I chat with Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau and stay-at-home mother Vivien Lim, who has three children.

    We discuss the “education arms race” and whether the Primary School Leaving Examination really needs to be a such high-stakes exam for 12-year-olds.

    With the big question looming - whether we can get the total fertility rate back up - Jasmin and Vivien talk about steering children on the best pathways, the pressures of juggling careers and motherhood, and finding joy in parenting.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:53 Will this new work group change anything?

    5:45 Jasmin on the education arms race

    9:04 Preschool: the “honeymoon’ years

    14:33 Stressful education system or anxious parents?

    17:53 “This is not something to look forward to.”

    23:12 PSLE reflects on everyone from children to teachers

    27:02 What’s the point of the PSLE if it doesn’t test real-world skills?

    34:05 The PSLE parent: why some women leave their jobs

    36:10 Jasmin would leave her role if her kids aren’t doing well

    43:07 Are we raising kids for the future?

    47:40 Will changing the education system encourage couples to have kids?

    50:46 What’s stopping couples from having kids?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong

    Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah and Elizabeth Law

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (13)

    1. 0:00Are people not having children because of PSLE stress and the education arms race?
    2. 1:53Will this work group change anything?
    3. 5:45Jasmin on the education arms race
    4. 9:04Preschool: the “honeymoon” years
    5. 14:33Stressful system or anxious parents?
    6. 17:53“This isn’t something to look forward to.”
    7. 23:12PSLE impacts kids, parents, teachers
    8. 27:02What’s the point of PSLE today?
    9. 34:05PSLE parents: why some mums quit jobs
    10. 36:10Jasmin would quit if kids don’t do well
    11. 43:07Are we raising kids for the future?
    12. 47:40Will changes encourage couples to have kids?
    13. 50:46What’s stopping couples from having kids?

29. S1E92: New signs on MRT trains spark debate on how to behave on public transport in Singapore

    April 23, 202631 minSeason 1 · Episode 92Play next

    An ongoing SMRT campaign, meant to inspire a gracious commute culture, has laid down the law on what’s acceptable, or not, on the train. Two bubble-like characters – named “Dotties” by SMRT – are accompanied by …

    Show notes

    An ongoing SMRT campaign, meant to inspire a gracious commute culture, has laid down the law on what’s acceptable, or not, on the train.

    Two bubble-like characters – named “Dotties” by SMRT – are accompanied by the caption, “Don’t groom in public”. One is shown clipping their toenails and the other, applying make-up.

    It got the internet talking about the boundaries of personal grooming in public.

    But after decades of public etiquette and courtesy campaigns across Singapore, why is there still a need for this conversation? And if Singapore is a first-world city, why don’t we have a handle on what’s acceptable and what isn’t in public?

    In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Elysia Tan, a clinical psychologist, and Shila Naidu, a trauma therapist, to work through how to behave on public transport?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    4:08 Why have we not learnt from decades of courtesy campaigns?

    9:54 Why don’t people realise they are irritating others?

    14:29 Are these behaviours a reflection of a stressed society?

    18:08 How did we become a “shame-based” society?

    21:59 Commuters with mental health issues

    24:41 Should we confront people on the train?

    28:24 No PDA, no nose picking and distance please!

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh, Amirul Karim & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong 

    Editorial producer: Elizabeth Law

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (8)

    1. 0:00New signs on MRT trains spark debate on how to behave on public transport in Singapore
    2. 4:08Why haven’t we learnt from courtesy campaigns?
    3. 9:54Why don’t people realise they’re annoying?
    4. 14:29Are these signs of a stressed society?
    5. 18:08How did we become a “shame-based” society?
    6. 21:59Commuters with mental health issues
    7. 24:41Should we confront people on trains?
    8. 28:24No PDA, no nose picking, keep distance

30. S1E91: What happens when single-sex schools go co-ed?

    April 16, 202639 minSeason 1 · Episode 91Play next

    Over the last couple of years, several of Singapore’s well-known boys’ schools have opened their doors to girls. The latest to join the list is Montfort Junior School. In March, it was announced that the …

    Show notes

    Over the last couple of years, several of Singapore’s well-known boys’ schools have opened their doors to girls.

    The latest to join the list is Montfort Junior School. In March, it was announced that the primary school will become co-ed from 2028, while Montfort Secondary School will follow suit by 2034 or earlier.

    As such announcements often do, it got people talking – about heritage, cultural identity, and what may be lost when single-sex schools go co-ed.

    In this episode, I speak with a former deputy principal at Raffles Girls’ School, an academic from the National Institute of Education, and a mother of three boys who sits on two school boards and an alumni board.

    With shrinking student numbers and competing demands for space, is there still a case for teaching boys and girls separately?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:20 Why do alumni get upset when their schools go co-ed?

    6:59 “It didn’t feel like it was mine anymore.”

    10:05 How girls flourish in the single-sex school environment

    15:56 Why a school’s history is powerful

    17:57 Do single-sex schools reinforce gender stereotypes?

    22:00 Finding balance in the school experience

    24:00 Less prepared for the real world?

    27:22 “Eh bro, that’s really toxic.”

    31:34 Focus on quality curriculum

    33:07 Shut down single-sex schools with falling enrolment?

    Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected])

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

    Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT

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

    Filmed by: Studio+65

    Edited by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Natasha Liew

    Executive producer: Danson Cheong 

    Editorial producer: Elizabeth Law

    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]

    ---

    Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    ---

    Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    --

    #tup #tuptrf

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapters (11)

    1. 0:00What happens when single-sex schools go co-ed?
    2. 2:20Why alumni resist co-ed schools
    3. 6:59“It didn’t feel like mine anymore”
    4. 10:05Do girls thrive in single-sex schools?
    5. 15:56Why school history still matters
    6. 17:57Do single-sex schools reinforce bias?
    7. 22:00Finding balance in school life
    8. 24:00Less prepared for real life?
    9. 27:22“Eh bro, that’s really toxic”
    10. 31:34Focus on curriculum quality
    11. 33:07Close single-sex schools with low enrolment?

These are the latest 40 of 125 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.