Are Singaporeans an angry bunch?

Why people drop rude comments?

What do unkind comments reveal?

Discussions about racial issues get heated?

Shutting conversations with labels like "woke"

Opening to perspectives that they disagree to

When it comes to hard conversations, are we quick to shame, label others or lash out? 

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

In this episode, we explore why it’s so hard to unpack difficult topics without getting angry, rude, or shutting down.

Whether it’s inconsiderate commuters, vaccine debates, or matters about race, we now have to navigate more difficult conversations. And more people seem on edge – both online and offline.

So how can we have a discussion about issues that matter without blowing up or checking out?

Natasha sits down with Ms Audrey Low, founder of leadership consultancy Designing Trust, and Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, cultural change strategist and founder of Common Ground Civic Centre and Consultancy, to unpack Singaporeans’ seemingly short fuses, public shaming and mob justice, and explore how we can respond more constructively.

They also talk about why labelling people as “woke” or “social justice warriors” can shut down discussions even before they start.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:14 Are Singaporeans an angry bunch?

6:50 The psyche of trolls and why people drop rude comments

10:09 What do cavalier, unkind comments say those who post them?

18:33 Why discussions about racial issues get heated?

24:50 Using labels like “woke” and “social justice warrior” can shut down conversations

37:38 How to be open to perspectives that they don’t agree with

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

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

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

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

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

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

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

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

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

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

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

---

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

When it comes to hard conversations, are we quick to shame, label others or lash out?&nbsp;
Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
In this episode, we explore why it&rsquo;s so hard to unpack difficult topics without getting angry, rude, or shutting down.
Whether it&rsquo;s inconsiderate commuters, vaccine debates, or matters about race, we now have to navigate more difficult conversations. And more people seem on edge &ndash; both online and offline.
So how can we have a discussion about issues that matter without blowing up or checking out?
Natasha sits down with Ms Audrey Low, founder of leadership consultancy Designing Trust, and Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, cultural change strategist and founder of Common Ground Civic Centre and Consultancy, to unpack Singaporeans&rsquo; seemingly short fuses, public shaming and mob justice, and explore how we can respond more constructively.
They also talk about why labelling people as &ldquo;woke&rdquo; or &ldquo;social justice warriors&rdquo; can shut down discussions even before they start.
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:14 Are Singaporeans an angry bunch?
6:50 The psyche of trolls and why people drop rude comments
10:09 What do cavalier, unkind comments say those who post them?
18:33 Why discussions about racial issues get heated?
24:50 Using labels like &ldquo;woke&rdquo; and &ldquo;social justice warrior&rdquo; can shut down conversations
37:38 How to be open to perspectives that they don&rsquo;t agree with
Host: Natasha Zachariah (<a href="mailto:natashaz@sph.com.sg">natashaz@sph.com.sg</a>)
Read Natasha&rsquo;s articles: <a href="https://str.sg/iSXm">https://str.sg/iSXm</a>
Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/8Wav">https://str.sg/8Wav</a>
Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/v6DN">https://str.sg/v6DN</a>
Filmed by: Studio+65&nbsp;
ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai &amp; Eden Soh
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/5nfm">https://str.sg/5nfm</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/9ijX">https://str.sg/9ijX</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/cd2P">https://str.sg/cd2P</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/wEr7u">https://str.sg/wEr7u</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>
ST Podcasts website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</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>
#tup #tuptr

Natasha unpacks the latest current affairs every Thursday.

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.
Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai &amp; Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

The Usual Place

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. 

Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday live at noon, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.&nbsp;
Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai &amp; Eden Soh
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media

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