How past healthcare roles shape manpower focus

An update on the tripartite unpaid wage crisis

Why ground-level officers missed earlier cases

NGO recommendations and their true feasibility

Regulating recruitment debt and high fees paid

Foreign worker levies: Objective achieved yet?

Singapore's manpower landscape twenty years on

Social integration acting as a two-way street.

Dinesh Vasu Dash and Tan Dawn Wei discuss migrant workers - the unpaid wage saga and their role in our economy.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

The Straits Times columnist Tan Dawn Wei sits down with Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash to discuss his transition to the Cabinet and how his background in healthcare for vulnerable groups shapes his approach to labour policy.

The conversation tackles a major wage crisis where over 400 migrant workers went unpaid, sparking a debate on whether Singapore’s system is adequate in picking up early warning signs. 

The Minister of State also outlines a future with fewer but better paid migrant workers and better living conditions, concluding with a call for stronger social integration and mutual empathy between Singaporeans and migrant workers.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

1:38 Transitioning to the manpower portfolio: Dinesh Vasu Dash discusses how his previous role in integrated healthcare shaped his focus on safeguarding low-wage and vulnerable workers.

10:06 The unpaid wage crisis: An update on the tripartite intervention that recovered salaries for the workers left stranded.

17:37 Why ground-level officers didn't pick up the unpaid wage case earlier.

26:43 NGO recommendations and their feasibility.

28:45 Regulating recruitment debt: Examining the high upfront fees workers pay in source countries.

35:13 Foreign worker levies: Has it achieved its objective?

39:04 What will Singapore’s manpower landscape look like in 20 years?

45:26 Social integration as a two-way street.

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Tan Dawn Wei (dawntan@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV

---

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

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

---

#inyouropinion

Dinesh Vasu Dash and Tan Dawn Wei discuss migrant workers - the unpaid wage saga and their role in our economy.
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
The Straits Times columnist Tan Dawn Wei sits down with Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash to discuss his transition to the Cabinet and how his background in healthcare for vulnerable groups shapes his approach to labour policy.
The conversation tackles a major wage crisis where over 400 migrant workers went unpaid, sparking a debate on whether Singapore&rsquo;s system is adequate in picking up early warning signs.&nbsp;
The Minister of State also outlines a future with fewer but better paid migrant workers and better living conditions, concluding with a call for stronger social integration and mutual empathy between Singaporeans and migrant workers.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
1:38 Transitioning to the manpower portfolio: Dinesh Vasu Dash discusses how his previous role in integrated healthcare shaped his focus on safeguarding low-wage and vulnerable workers.
10:06 The unpaid wage crisis: An update on the tripartite intervention that recovered salaries for the workers left stranded. 17:37 Why ground-level officers didn't pick up the unpaid wage case earlier.
26:43 NGO recommendations and their feasibility.
28:45 Regulating recruitment debt: Examining the high upfront fees workers pay in source countries. 35:13 Foreign worker levies: Has it achieved its objective?
39:04 What will Singapore&rsquo;s manpower landscape look like in 20 years?
45:26 Social integration as a two-way street.
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Tan Dawn Wei (<a href="mailto:dawntan@sph.com.sg">dawntan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/HnaV">https://str.sg/HnaV</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
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---
#inyouropinion

Unpaid wages and recruitment debt: Can Singapore fix the gaps facing its migrant workers?

Busting the one month severance pay rules

Cooling off periods for severance offers

Practical changes to workplace fairness.

Weaponising mental health at workplaces.

Claim limits and lawyer bans in new laws

Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims & the Workplace Fairness Act: How S’pore’s new law rewrites the rules.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes?

In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah & Tann. 

They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and Goliath battle against corporate HR. 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

8:46 Myth busted: The '1 month per year' severance rule

20:41 Should Singapore introduce a mandatory cooling-off period for severance offers?

25:30 What is the most practical change from the Workplace Fairness Act?

32:44 Genuine struggles vs weaponising mental health against employers

39:06 The $250,000 claim limit and the ban on lawyers under the new law

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV

---

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

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

---

#inyouropinion

Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims &amp; the Workplace Fairness Act: How S&rsquo;pore&rsquo;s new law rewrites the rules.
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes?
In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah &amp; Tann.&nbsp;
They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and Goliath battle against corporate HR.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
8:46 Myth busted: The '1 month per year' severance rule
20:41 Should Singapore introduce a mandatory cooling-off period for severance offers?
25:30 What is the most practical change from the Workplace Fairness Act?
32:44 Genuine struggles vs weaponising mental health against employers
39:06 The $250,000 claim limit and the ban on lawyers under the new law
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v"> https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg)</a>&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/HnaV">https://str.sg/HnaV</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
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---
#inyouropinion

Inside disguised retrenchments: An employment lawyer on how companies force workers out

Why ordinary behaviour stops in cars.

Phone ban: did public education fail?

Outsourcing daily conflict to state.

Will complaint cultures erode trust?

When should we report bad behaviour?

Are we kinder, or just obeying laws?

How to safely call out bad behaviour

Can Singapore be a high trust nation

While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules.

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities?

Opinion Editor Lin Suling speaks with sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about whether Singapore is becoming a nation that relies too heavily on rules, complaints and punishment — and what it would take to build a genuinely high-trust, "We First" society.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

3:35 Why does seemingly ordinary, considerate behaviour disappear once people get behind the wheel?

5:40 Does criminalising phone use while driving mean public education has failed?

12:25 Have we outsourced everyday conflict resolution to the state instead of correcting bad behaviour ourselves?

13:55 Is Singapore's complaint culture undermining trust and creating online vigilantism?

16:46 When is reporting someone the right thing to do? When should it be the last resort?

19:52 Thirty years after the Singapore Kindness Movement, have we become kinder or simply better at enforcing rules?

21:28 How can Singapore encourage people to speak up against antisocial behaviour without leaving them to stand alone?

23:11 Can Singapore realistically become a 'We First' society? What would a genuinely high-trust society look like?

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/hiLQ

Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV

---

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

---

#inyouropinion

While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules.
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities?
Opinion Editor Lin Suling speaks with sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, about whether Singapore is becoming a nation that relies too heavily on rules, complaints and punishment &mdash; and what it would take to build a genuinely high-trust, "We First" society.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
3:35 Why does seemingly ordinary, considerate behaviour disappear once people get behind the wheel?
5:40 Does criminalising phone use while driving mean public education has failed?
12:25 Have we outsourced everyday conflict resolution to the state instead of correcting bad behaviour ourselves?
13:55 Is Singapore's complaint culture undermining trust and creating online vigilantism?
16:46&nbsp;When is reporting someone the right thing to do? When should it be the last resort?
19:52&nbsp;Thirty years after the Singapore Kindness Movement, have we become kinder or simply better at enforcing rules?
21:28 How can Singapore encourage people to speak up against antisocial behaviour without leaving them to stand alone?
23:11 Can Singapore realistically become a 'We First' society? What would a genuinely high-trust society look like?
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/hiLQ"> https://str.sg/hiLQ</a>
Host: Lin Suling (<a href="mailto:linsuling@sph.com.sg">linsuling@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/HnaV">https://str.sg/HnaV</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

The surprising reason Singaporeans complain but don’t correct bad public behaviour

Why able-bodied commuters are using PMAs.

Cars take up more space but ferry fewer.

Why fewer cars will not slow the economy

More car space induces traffic jams here

Micro-mobility saves commute time, money

Weather is fine for first and last miles

Shifting mindsets: roads as public space

While more car lanes induce congestion, reclaiming road space for micro-mobility would make for a highly efficient transport.

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

New rules for Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) kicked in on June 1, slashing speeds to 6 km/h and requiring medical certificates to crack down on able-bodied riders.

But as pedestrians, e-bikes, and gig workers continue to squeeze onto narrow pavements, are we fighting over the wrong patch of concrete as Singapore embarks on a car-lite journey?

In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with associate professor Yap Fook Fah from Transport Research Centre@NTU. They discuss why it is unsafe for micro-mobility devices to travel on Singapore’s roads, and his argument for allocating more space to transport modes that take up less room but have the capacity to ferry more people.

Yap also discusses why regulations alone won't fix our active mobility woes, the illusion of induced demand for cars, and how aggressively reclaiming car lanes might be the ultimate, sweat-free solution to Singapore’s last-mile commute and congested feeder buses.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

6:27 The mobility gap: why able-bodied commuters are using PMAs 

14:07 Cars take up more space but ferry fewer people

16:30 Why fewer cars would not slow the economy 

17:57 How allocating more space for cars would induce traffic congestion 

26:22 How integrating micro-mobility transport could save hundreds of millions of dollars in commute time

29:42 The weather isn’t hot for the first and last mile commute

34:19 Shifting the mindsets to view roads as public space instead of car space

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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

---

#inyouropinion

While more car lanes induce congestion, reclaiming road space for micro-mobility would make for a highly efficient transport.
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
New rules for Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) kicked in on June 1, slashing speeds to 6 km/h and requiring medical certificates to crack down on able-bodied riders.
But as pedestrians, e-bikes, and gig workers continue to squeeze onto narrow pavements, are we fighting over the wrong patch of concrete as Singapore embarks on a car-lite journey?
In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with associate professor Yap Fook Fah from Transport Research Centre@NTU. They discuss why it is unsafe for micro-mobility devices to travel on Singapore&rsquo;s roads, and his argument for allocating more space to transport modes that take up less room but have the capacity to ferry more people.
Yap also discusses why regulations alone won't fix our active mobility woes, the illusion of induced demand for cars, and how aggressively reclaiming car lanes might be the ultimate, sweat-free solution to Singapore&rsquo;s last-mile commute and congested feeder buses.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
6:27 The mobility gap: why able-bodied commuters are using PMAs&nbsp;
14:07 Cars take up more space but ferry fewer people
16:30 Why fewer cars would not slow the economy&nbsp;
17:57 How allocating more space for cars would induce traffic congestion&nbsp;
26:22 How integrating micro-mobility transport could save hundreds of millions of dollars in commute time
29:42 The weather isn&rsquo;t hot for the first and last mile commute
34:19 Shifting the mindsets to view roads as public space instead of car space
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v">https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-stringify-link="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-sk="tooltip_parent">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>&nbsp;
---
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---
#inyouropinion

Singapore footpath wars: Why reclaiming car space could solve the PMD and PMA problem

Lessons from South Korea & Brazil vs Japan

Gavin Lee on fatherhood & coaching

Should kids pursue football in Singapore?

Is football still a social leveller?

Gavin's ASEAN Championship priorities

Singapore's goal: 2034 World Cup

Has Gavin Lee reached his coaching peak?

Do local coaches need overseas exposure?

Can the Lions unleash the roar in World Cup 2034?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

With the World Cup frenzy gripping nations, the performances of Asian powerhouses and small-population underdogs have sparked a familiar question: What will it take for Singapore to get there?

For the first time in a long time, the conversation around Singapore football feels less about what we lack, and more about what we might yet achieve. Following a historic qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Finals, the Lions have given a football-crazed nation a renewed sense of optimism. But is this a genuine turning point, or are expectations running ahead of reality?

In this episode, deputy opinion editor Mubin Saadat sits down with Lions’ head coach Gavin Lee. They kick off by extracting lessons from the global stage, analysing how countries with tiny populations are making World Cup history, and what that means for Singapore’s Goal 2034 ambitions. 

They also discuss Gavin’s rapid career rise, balancing brand-new fatherhood with national expectations, and his immediate priorities for the upcoming ASEAN Championship. Finally, Gavin dismantles the ultimate Singaporean dilemma, proving exactly why our youth do not have to choose between academic success and a career in professional sports.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:19 World Cup 2026: What Singapore can learn from South Korea & Brazil vs Japan  

10:38 Coach Gavin Lee on fatherhood & national team duties

17:44 Should parents let their children pick football as a career in Singapore? 

19:45 With DSA, is football still a social leveller in Singapore?

26:18 Gavin’s immediate priorities for Asean Championship on 24 Jul 2026 

30:44 The goal for Singapore to qualify for 2034 World Cup 

32:07 At 35, has Gavin reached the peak of his coaching career? 

33:58 Do local football coaches need overseas exposure?

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Mubin Saadat (mubin@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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

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

---

#inyouropinion

Can the Lions unleash the roar in World Cup 2034?
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
With the World Cup frenzy gripping nations, the performances of Asian powerhouses and small-population underdogs have sparked a familiar question: What will it take for Singapore to get there?
For the first time in a long time, the conversation around Singapore football feels less about what we lack, and more about what we might yet achieve. Following a historic qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Finals, the Lions have given a football-crazed nation a renewed sense of optimism. But is this a genuine turning point, or are expectations running ahead of reality?
In this episode, deputy opinion editor Mubin Saadat sits down with Lions&rsquo; head coach Gavin Lee. They kick off by extracting lessons from the global stage, analysing how countries with tiny populations are making World Cup history, and what that means for Singapore&rsquo;s Goal 2034 ambitions.&nbsp;
They also discuss Gavin&rsquo;s rapid career rise, balancing brand-new fatherhood with national expectations, and his immediate priorities for the upcoming ASEAN Championship. Finally, Gavin dismantles the ultimate Singaporean dilemma, proving exactly why our youth do not have to choose between academic success and a career in professional sports.
Highlights (click/tap above):
00:19 World Cup 2026: What Singapore can learn from South Korea &amp; Brazil vs Japan&nbsp;&nbsp;
10:38 Coach Gavin Lee on fatherhood &amp; national team duties
17:44 Should parents let their children pick football as a career in Singapore?&nbsp;
19:45 With DSA, is football still a social leveller in Singapore?
26:18 Gavin&rsquo;s immediate priorities for Asean Championship on 24 Jul 2026&nbsp;
30:44 The goal for Singapore to qualify for 2034 World Cup&nbsp;
32:07 At 35, has Gavin reached the peak of his coaching career?&nbsp;
33:58 Do local football coaches need overseas exposure?
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Mubin Saadat (<a href="mailto:mubin@sph.com.sg">mubin@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Eden Soh &amp; Natasha Liew
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
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#inyouropinion

Can the Lions deliver? SG football’s future, World Cup ambitions & career pathways

Scams make seniors keep doors closed

Why youth social loneliness develops

How seniors benefit from using GenAI

Why personal passions improve ageing

How social isolation worsens in time

Seniors are increasingly feeling lonely. Learn why preventing elderly loneliness starts in your 20s. 

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

The shift from open kampungs to closed-door HDB flats has left many Singaporean seniors socially isolated—often feeling invisible even while living with their own families. This chronic loneliness takes a severe toll on psychological well-being, acting as a major risk factor for cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.

How can our seniors age with dignity, connection, and purpose?

In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong speaks with Karen Wee, executive director of Lions Befrienders. The social service agency leverages both high-touch human interventions and innovative technology, like Gen AI, to rebuild the kampung spirit in its transformative, relationship-centred approach to eldercare.

Crucially, Karen emphasises that preparing for a healthy old age cannot wait until retirement; it must begin decades earlier through the social habits and personal passions we develop in our 20s and 30s. This requires a societal shift away from purely economic achievements, toward teaching the younger generation how to form deep human relationships that will give them purpose long after they leave the workforce.

Highlights (click/tap above):

13:00 Scams are one reason why seniors refuse to open their doors

18:14 Why social loneliness develops from a young age

21:48 How seniors are benefiting from talking to Gen AI

42:04 Why pursuit of personal passions improves ageing

45:58 How social isolation progresses and worsens over time

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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---

#inyouropinion

Seniors are increasingly feeling lonely. Learn why preventing elderly loneliness starts in your 20s.&nbsp;
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
The shift from open kampungs to closed-door HDB flats has left many Singaporean seniors socially isolated&mdash;often feeling invisible even while living with their own families. This chronic loneliness takes a severe toll on psychological well-being, acting as a major risk factor for cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.
How can our seniors age with dignity, connection, and purpose?
In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong speaks with Karen Wee, executive director of Lions Befrienders. The social service agency leverages both high-touch human interventions and innovative technology, like Gen AI, to rebuild the kampung spirit in its transformative, relationship-centred approach to eldercare.
Crucially, Karen emphasises that preparing for a healthy old age cannot wait until retirement; it must begin decades earlier through the social habits and personal passions we develop in our 20s and 30s. This requires a societal shift away from purely economic achievements, toward teaching the younger generation how to form deep human relationships that will give them purpose long after they leave the workforce.
Highlights (click/tap above):
13:00 Scams are one reason why seniors refuse to open their doors
18:14 Why social loneliness develops from a young age
21:48 How seniors are benefiting from talking to Gen AI
42:04 Why pursuit of personal passions improves ageing
45:58 How social isolation progresses and worsens over time
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v">https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
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Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-stringify-link="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-sk="tooltip_parent">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>&nbsp;
---
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---
#inyouropinion

Singapore's lonely seniors: Why the super-aged feel isolated even when living with family

Why focus on one-child families?

Building a Child-Raising Community

The value of child-raising to society 

Single income family with 3 kids: Why?

Youth prioritising education, NS and BTO

Targeting one-child couples for a second child is lower-hanging fruit than pushing for a third under the Large Families Scheme, says a researcher. 

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Stopping at one or two children is such a norm in Singapore that a 'large family' now means having three or more children. 

This definition comes after the government launched the large families scheme in 2025, in a bid to encourage Singaporeans to expand their households. 

In its first year alone, the scheme has already stepped in to help about 5,000 Singaporean children. Each of them received up to $16,000 in additional grants to ease the financial load of multi-child parenting.  

But can money alone shift a couple’s mindsets to having more children? 

Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Kalpana Vignehsa joins assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong to discuss the modern realities, anxieties, and choices of raising children in Singapore.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

7:27 Why focus on one-child family instead of two-child families under Large Families Scheme

25:48 BTO Co-Living: Building a Child-Raising Community with 12 Families

28:16 $300,000? $500,000? The value of child-raising to society 

36:04 Why a family with 3 kids is usually on a single income

50:14 Youth prioritising education, NS and BTO, leaving no room for marriage, let alone babies

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

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

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

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---

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---

#inyouropinion

Targeting one-child couples for a second child is lower-hanging fruit than pushing for a third under the Large Families Scheme, says a researcher.&nbsp;
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Stopping at one or two children is such a norm in Singapore that a 'large family' now means having three or more children.&nbsp;
This definition comes after the government launched the large families scheme in 2025, in a bid to encourage Singaporeans to expand their households.&nbsp;
In its first year alone, the scheme has already stepped in to help about 5,000 Singaporean children. Each of them received up to $16,000 in additional grants to ease the financial load of multi-child parenting.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But can money alone shift a couple&rsquo;s mindsets to having more children?&nbsp;
Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Kalpana Vignehsa joins assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong to discuss the modern realities, anxieties, and choices of raising children in Singapore.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
7:27 Why focus on one-child family instead of two-child families under Large Families Scheme
25:48 BTO Co-Living: Building a Child-Raising Community with 12 Families
28:16 $300,000? $500,000? The value of child-raising to society&nbsp;
36:04 Why a family with 3 kids is usually on a single income
50:14 Youth prioritising education, NS and BTO, leaving no room for marriage, let alone babies
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v">https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-stringify-link="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-sk="tooltip_parent">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>&nbsp;
---
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---
#inyouropinion

A focus on one-child couples is an easier baby booster than large families 

Her experience surviving a deepfake attack

Getting harmful content taken down quicker

What does the new OSC mean for victims?

Youths selling their intimate photos for $50 

 The urgent need for age assurance technology 

Singapore's new Online Safety Commission (OSC) rolls out to combat cyberbullying, deepfakes, and online harms. But will this law protect victims, or will trolls simply hide in darker corners?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Imagine discovering that your face and voice have been hijacked, manipulated into a deepfake, and broadcast across the internet. It is a chilling violation of privacy, and it proves a terrifying point: no one is immune to online harms.

As digital abuse, cyberbullying, and image-based violence become increasingly normalised, the rules of engagement are also shifting. Enter the Online Safety Commission (OSC) that Singapore is officially rolling out in June 2026.

This new regulatory watchdog is designed to force tech giants to take down harmful content and give victims some respite from the harassment and bullying. But will this new law actually have the teeth to protect us? Or will trolls quickly invent new ways to circumvent it?

In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with legal expert and founder of SG Her Empowerment (SHE) Stefanie Yuen Thio. Yuen Thio shares her personal ordeal as a deepfake victim and uncovers the severe realities of digital abuse facing youths in Singapore today – including the alarming normalisation of teenagers selling intimate photos for $50.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

3:14 Her personal experience surviving a deepfake attack

7:43 How "trusted flaggers" like SHE get harmful content taken down faster than standard reporting 

9:57 What the new Online Safety Commission (OSC) actually means for victims of cyberbullying 

24:36 The disturbing reality of youths commodifying their bodies and selling intimate photos for $50 

27:22 Beyond the law: The urgent need for age assurance technology and bystander intervention

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

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

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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

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

---

#inyouropinion

Singapore's new Online Safety Commission (OSC) rolls out to combat cyberbullying, deepfakes, and online harms. But will this law protect victims, or will trolls simply hide in darker corners?
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Imagine discovering that your face and voice have been hijacked, manipulated into a deepfake, and broadcast across the internet. It is a chilling violation of privacy, and it proves a terrifying point: no one is immune to online harms.
As digital abuse, cyberbullying, and image-based violence become increasingly normalised, the rules of engagement are also shifting. Enter the Online Safety Commission (OSC) that Singapore is officially rolling out in June 2026.
This new regulatory watchdog is designed to force tech giants to take down harmful content and give victims some respite from the harassment and bullying. But will this new law actually have the teeth to protect us? Or will trolls quickly invent new ways to circumvent it?
In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with legal expert and founder of SG Her Empowerment (SHE) Stefanie Yuen Thio. Yuen Thio shares her personal ordeal as a deepfake victim and uncovers the severe realities of digital abuse facing youths in Singapore today &ndash; including the alarming normalisation of teenagers selling intimate photos for $50.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
3:14 Her personal experience surviving a deepfake attack
7:43 How "trusted flaggers" like SHE get harmful content taken down faster than standard reporting&nbsp;
9:57 What the new Online Safety Commission (OSC) actually means for victims of cyberbullying&nbsp;
24:36 The disturbing reality of youths commodifying their bodies and selling intimate photos for $50&nbsp;
27:22 Beyond the law: The urgent need for age assurance technology and bystander intervention
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v">https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
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All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-stringify-link="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-sk="tooltip_parent">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>&nbsp;
---
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---
#inyouropinion

Deepfakes, $50 intimate photos amid OSC launch

Did parent volunteer scheme hit goals

Is volunteering a transaction scheme?

How the P1 volunteering became a race

Can we really place blame on parents

Can scheme return to true intention?

Scrap volunteering scheme or commit?

The scheme was meant to build closer ties between parents and schools. Has it achieved its intended purpose, or outlived its usefulness? 

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Would you volunteer your time and effort to get your child into a primary school of your choice? For many parents, it’s a no-brainer - even if it involves a huge commitment. 

Parent volunteering was introduced as part of the P1 registration system as a way to encourage parents to be more involved in their child’s education and build closer ties between parents and the school. Schools also benefitted from the extra help in their programmes and events. 

In 1998, it was announced that parent volunteers would have to complete at least 40 hours of service to the school to register their child in an earlier phase of P1 registration. 

But the scheme’s immense popularity among parents has caused it to become increasingly competitive. Some parents ballot to have a chance to volunteer. Others prepare detailed curriculums or send CVs to schools. Some schools no longer accept parent volunteers. 

It’s raised questions: Given that volunteering requires time, effort and skills, does the scheme really only benefit parents who have resources? 

And isn’t volunteering meant to be something done out of a genuine desire to do good, rather than expecting something in return? 

How did the parent volunteer scheme turn into an arms race? Has it outlived its usefulness? Is it time to scrap the scheme entirely? 

In this episode of In Your Opinion, Assistant Opinion Editor Lianne Chia speaks with Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education to understand the original intentions of the scheme, what happened along the way - and why choosing a child’s primary school has become such a high-stakes, high anxiety exercise. 

Highlights (click/tap above):  

4:20 Has the parent volunteer scheme achieved its initial purpose? 

5:59 Does the scheme turn volunteering into a transaction? 

9:33 How did the P1 volunteering scheme become an arms race? 

16:22 Can we really blame parents? 

23:59 Is there a way we can return the scheme to its original intention? 

27:32 Should we scrap the volunteering scheme - or double down on it?  

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lianne Chia (liannechia@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim 

Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong 

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

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

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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

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---

#inyouropinion

The scheme was meant to build closer ties between parents and schools. Has it achieved its intended purpose, or outlived its usefulness?&nbsp;
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Would you volunteer your time and effort to get your child into a primary school of your choice? For many parents, it&rsquo;s a no-brainer - even if it involves a huge commitment.&nbsp;
Parent volunteering was introduced as part of the P1 registration system as a way to encourage parents to be more involved in their child&rsquo;s education and build closer ties between parents and the school. Schools also benefitted from the extra help in their programmes and events.&nbsp;
In 1998, it was announced that parent volunteers would have to complete at least 40 hours of service to the school to register their child in an earlier phase of P1 registration.&nbsp;
But the scheme&rsquo;s immense popularity among parents has caused it to become increasingly competitive. Some parents ballot to have a chance to volunteer. Others prepare detailed curriculums or send CVs to schools. Some schools no longer accept parent volunteers.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s raised questions: Given that volunteering requires time, effort and skills, does the scheme really only benefit parents who have resources?&nbsp;
And isn&rsquo;t volunteering meant to be something done out of a genuine desire to do good, rather than expecting something in return?&nbsp;
How did the parent volunteer scheme turn into an arms race? Has it outlived its usefulness? Is it time to scrap the scheme entirely?&nbsp;
In this episode of In Your Opinion, Assistant Opinion Editor Lianne Chia speaks with Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education to understand the original intentions of the scheme, what happened along the way - and why choosing a child&rsquo;s primary school has become such a high-stakes, high anxiety exercise.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;&nbsp;
4:20 Has the parent volunteer scheme achieved its initial purpose?&nbsp;
5:59 Does the scheme turn volunteering into a transaction?&nbsp;
9:33 How did the P1 volunteering scheme become an arms race?&nbsp;
16:22 Can we really blame parents?&nbsp;
23:59 Is there a way we can return the scheme to its original intention?&nbsp;
27:32 Should we scrap the volunteering scheme - or double down on it?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Lianne Chia (<a href="mailto:liannechia@sph.com.sg">liannechia@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim&nbsp;
Executive producers: Danson Cheong &amp; Lynda Hong&nbsp;
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast"> https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>&nbsp;
---
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---
#inyouropinion

P1 registration: How did the parent volunteer scheme become an arms race? 

Should people be more curious in life

Keeping a sense of wonder in our life

Are there alien lifeforms out there?

There are things I do not truly know

Kepler, Galileo, Einstein at a table

Why two weeks spent in space is best

Why world leaders should visit space

Are there mysteries that must remain

What you should see in the night sky

Can you see the planets in Singapore

Is an uncurious individual a failure

Brian Cox's top musical highlight is

The AI revolution and social changes

In an age where information is readily available and where we're fed an unending stream of content, have we lost our sense of wonder?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

We live in a time where technology has made information more readily available than ever. Curiosity has been the main driver of human discovery since the beginning of time but when faced with a barrage of information, have we stopped wanting to know more? 

In this episode of In Your Opinion, senior columnist Rohit Brijnath speaks with celebrated physicist, educator and rock star Brian Cox. Currently on a world tour with his live show, Emergence, he takes us on a journey across the cosmos, civilisation and human curiosity all while attempting to answer the question: how do we find wonder?

Emergence will be in Singapore on June 10. 

Highlights (click/tap above):  

4:46 Should people be more curious? 

8:51 Keeping a sense of wonder through life

10:36 Are there aliens out there? 

15:38 There are things I don't actually know

19:55 Kepler, Galileo and Einstein around a table

29:13 Two weeks in space is ideal

32:46 Why world leaders should go to space

36:11 Are there mysteries that should remain? 

38:29 What to look for in the night sky

41:31 Can you see planets in Singapore?

42:06 Is an uncurious person a failure?

47:21 Brian Cox's top musical highlight

55:06 The AI revolution and social change

Books Brian Cox recommended:
The Six-Cornered Snowflake by Johannes Kepler 
The Invention of Science: A New History of the Scientific Revolution by David Wootton 
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle In The Dark 

Read Rohit’s columns:https://str.sg/wFu2

Host: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Elizabeth Law and Danson Cheong 

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

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

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---

#inyouropinion

In an age where information is readily available and where we're fed an unending stream of content, have we lost our sense of wonder?
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
We live in a time where technology has made information more readily available than ever. Curiosity has been the main driver of human discovery since the beginning of time but when faced with a barrage of information, have we stopped wanting to know more?&nbsp;
In this episode of In Your Opinion, senior columnist Rohit Brijnath speaks with celebrated physicist, educator and rock star Brian Cox. Currently on a world tour with his live show, Emergence, he takes us on a journey across the cosmos, civilisation and human curiosity all while attempting to answer the question: how do we find wonder?
Emergence will be in Singapore on June 10.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;&nbsp;
4:46 Should people be more curious?&nbsp;
8:51 Keeping a sense of wonder through life
10:36 Are there aliens out there?&nbsp;
15:38 There are things I don't actually know
19:55 Kepler, Galileo and Einstein around a table
29:13 Two weeks in space is ideal
32:46 Why world leaders should go to space
36:11 Are there mysteries that should remain?&nbsp;
38:29 What to look for in the night sky
41:31 Can you see planets in Singapore?
42:06 Is an uncurious person a failure?
47:21 Brian Cox's top musical highlight
55:06 The AI revolution and social change
Books Brian Cox recommended:
<ul>
<li>The Six-Cornered Snowflake by Johannes Kepler&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Invention of Science: A New History of the Scientific Revolution by David Wootton&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle In The Dark&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Read Rohit&rsquo;s columns:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> </a><a href="https://str.sg/wFu2">https://str.sg/wFu2</a>
Host: Rohit Brijnath (<a href="mailto:rohitb@sph.com.sg">rohitb@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Elizabeth Law and Danson Cheong&nbsp;
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
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#inyouropinion

‘The more you know, the more wonderful it becomes’: Brian Cox on science and awe 

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

In Your Opinion

A hard look at the social issues of the month in Singapore. Join ST journalists and other guests as they discuss with Lydia Wong.

In Your Opinion

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