Episodes
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East coast plan. People fainting. Pritam’s mic drop. Previous election rallies have given us memes, drama, and moments we’ll never forget — and GE2025 looks set to deliver more. But beyond the hype, what really matters to you this time? Is it your kids’ future? Bread-and-butter issues? Or deeper systemic change? Plus, we’re having a watch party in our studio, so register before it’s full!
(00.30) Thank you for 30K!
(01:50) Parliament is finally dissolved
(05:45) Will you attend a rally?
(10:20) Looking forward to more politicians coming out
(20:20) How to convince the swing voters
(30:15) The atmosphere of rallies
(38:30) Register for our GE2025 watch party!
https://tinyurl.com/PlanBGEWatchParty2025
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What would you do if someone claiming to be from the police ordered you to transfer $100,000 to stay silent? In a moment of fear, you might just do it. Or maybe you’ve been tempted by a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme promising quick money. Scams like these are on the rise in Singapore but what’s actually being done to stop them? We take your concerns straight to the source: Minister of State Sun Xueling.
(02:25) Say hello to Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs!
(14:20) Common types of scams
(20:25) Can I file a police report on behalf of someone I suspect is being scammed?
(27:35) A possibility to prevent yourself from getting scammed?
(33:00) The surge in fake concert tickets and how to protect yourself from scams
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Episodes manquant?
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From viral headlines to public controversy, Wake Up Singapore has become one of the most prominent alternative media voices in the country - fearless in tackling taboo and under-reported issues. We sit down with founder Ariffin to unpack how it all began, whether Palestine-related posts are really being shadowbanned, and what the future holds for the platform.
(01:40) Say hi to Wake Up Singapore!
(04:40) How Wake Up Singapore was born
(12:30) The motivation to keep going
(16:10) Is social media silencing posts about Palestine?
(26:10) Where does Wake Up Singapore sees itself?
(34:40) Risk of echo chambers in GE2025
(42:50) The future of Wake Up Singapore
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10 years ago, 6 Singaporeans supported one elderly person. By 2024, that number has dropped to just 3.2 - and if foreign workers are kept out of the workforce, it could fall to 2 by 2030. That’s the stark warning from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng as he addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing Singapore’s workforce. From fears of AI replacing jobs to frustrations over low pay, no topic is off-limits in this heated episode.
(01:25) Say hello to Manpower Minister Tan See Leng
(07:30) Policies that were important yet unpopular
(14:20) Dr Tan’s solutions to job security
(20:40) The Ministry of Manpower’s response to common workforce problems in Singapore
(32:45) Why can’t Singapore be self-reliant?
(45:00) The case of levies and foreign workers in Singapore
(54:30) Is UAE’s employment approach an answer to our problems?
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With more people turning to gig work and freelancing, are unions truly stepping up for them? And with CPF contributions now in play, are they feeling the squeeze? We also dive into how NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng's military background influences his approach to union work - strategizing beyond traditional boundaries to protect workers' interests.
(02:20) Platform workers’ discontent with CPF contributions
(09:50) How NTUC handles cases of workplace bullying
(12:00) Mr Ng’s journey from military leader to Labour Chief of NTUC
(19:35) How do platform workers and freelancers respond to unions?
(25:25) Why Mr Ng is optimistic about the future of unions in Singapore
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Think NTUC is just a supermarket? Think again. It’s also a trade union - and we got the Secretary-General himself, Ng Chee Meng, to answer some tough questions. Like how he nearly ‘bang table’ by calling for a strike. Plus, are young workers really just fragile “strawberries,” or are they setting the bar for fair workplaces?
(01:05) Background of unions in Singapore
(04:55) Is NTUC’s ties to PAP a conflict of interest?
(09:00) The impact of rising foreign workforce on job security
(11:15) Are young workers too quick to complain about work?
(17:50) How SkillsFuture can help shape careers
(23:20) Does the pressure to upskill trap us in a never-ending rat race?
(28:20) NTUC almost calling for a strike?
(32:30) Why winning without war is the best strategy
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Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng likes to comment about Singaporean affairs online, but this week his controversial post offering to buy airplane tickets to send pro-Palestine activists to Gaza crossed the line for many people. But that's not all - the post was liked by the accounts of Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. Both have tried explaining it away, but the mess keeps getting worse with police reports and defamation lawsuits filed left right and centre. The power of a Facebook post.
(0:35) Who exactly is Calvin Cheng?!
(05:00) Controversy erupts as 2 PAP ministers caught “liking” the post
(09:45) How Cheng’s post became Islamophobic
(12:15) Is a boycott coming for an event allegedly hosted by Cheng?
(15:45) Jufrie Mahmood’s police report
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fter local YouTube channel Wah!Banana's Lev Panfilov was convicted of rape, another controversy quickly followed when the ex-VP of Law Society Chia Boon Teck was publicly called out by the Law Minister for his commentary on the case. He asked if she was "awake throughout the marathon" and described her as "not exactly a babe in the woods", widely seen as victim-blaming. We speak with Rebecca, someone who was subject to that kind of thinking herself, and find out how she reacted when she read those comments plastered across national news.
(02:25) Background of the controversy by Chia Boon Teck, former Vice-President of the Law Society of Singapore
(06:45) Rebecca’s personal experiences and thoughts on Chia’s comments
(13:35) The normalization of victim-blaming sentiments
(18:30) Parents’ responses if this happened to their child
(20:10) Should more resources be put to help sexual assault victims?
(30:20) Share with us your thoughts!
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Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has a new philosophy: the "best" school depends on the individual child. But is this practical or just wishful thinking when Singapore is such a competitive place? We also talk about social media vigilantism and viral videos spotlighting high- profile bully cases - are we part of the problem?
(01:10) Welcome Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing!
(03:55) Why expelling students won't solve the school bullying problem
(21:00) Should children be caught in the stress and hustle of the rat race?
(35:20) 'Elite' vs 'everyday' students
(45:25) The importance of upskilling and having experiences beyond classrooms
(1:00:15) How Singapore can navigate a more fragmented world
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2 sisters got the entire community talking when they were caught on video confronting Minister Shanmugam at his Meet-the-People session (MPS). They wanted to talk about POFMA, but ended up showing the middle finger after being told to wait. The viral image turned the entire saga into a discussion about their manners, but the question remains: where can someone go to address concerns like theirs?
(01:00) Background of the 2 sisters who took on Shanmugam in a heated debate
(04:25) Split opinions from civil society
(08:00) Was the incident staged?
(11:35) Finding the right space for activism
(15:30) Critiquing the sisters’ clarification letter
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It's common knowledge that lawyers work in high-pressure environments, but has it come to a breaking point? We sit down with Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) to talk about toxic work cultures, ever more stringent industry standards, and what may be a mental health crisis in the industry. But it's not all doom and gloom, as Shafiq explains - there are increasing efforts to make a change, but will it be enough?
(01:43) Say hello to Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law!
(04:05) The harsh realities of starting a career in law
(08:33) In-house vs private practice
(11:00) Are Singaporeans increasingly mentally exhausted?
(18:30) Will bosses step up to create healthier work environments?
(24:35) The state of law schools and the legal industry today
(32:00) Why the legal industry’s future looks bright
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We know nutritionists but what about functional nutritionists? Jieun Wrigley joins us to reveal what sets them apart, debunk diet myths, and tackle hot topics like supplements, inflammation, and the age-old question: Is MSG really bad for you?
(02:25) Say hello to Jieun, a Functional Nutritionist!
(06:20) How would Jieun respond to those nutritional theories?
(10:00) Dzar’s diet is revealed
(18:45) Jieun’s view on supplements
(21:30) Is Singapore’s food unhealthy?
(28:40) More about inflammation in our bodies
(34:45) Jieun’s view on MSG
(37:30) Follow Jieun on socials!
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Era FM is one of Malaysia's biggest radio stations, so what happens when their DJs come under fire for mocking Hinduism? Back home in Singapore, electoral boundaries are up - and many have raised eyebrows. What's going on?
(00:30) GE2025’s Electoral map is out!
(08:15) Is Roti John from Malaysia?
(14:45) Era FM’s DJs’ mocking the Hindu religion
(27:20) More on Singapore’s religious harmony laws
(37:30) Case of Sarah Yasmine and her alleged relationship with Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz
(49:40) Remember Singapore’s tabloid scene?
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This week, we’re back to talking about ChatGPT - who’s actually paying for it when Deepseek is free? Plus, the Trump-Zelensky showdown everyone’s buzzing about and why JD Vance’s NATO speech is shaking up global politics. And… could our year-end retreat take us to China? Tune in to find out!
(00:55) Paying for ChatGPT?!
(04:45) Trump and Zelensky’s showdown in the White House
(13:35) JD Vance’s NATO speech
(21:55) Growing crisis of modern slavery?
(26:15) Rahman’s theory on online propaganda, specifically in China
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As GE2025 nears, many new faces have been spotted at party walkabouts across the country. Sani Ismail is one of them, being spotted in Chua Chu Kang GRC with PSP and being featured on their Facebook pages. Why did he choose to join opposition politics? And why is the issue of transnational marriage important to him?
(01:45) Introducing Mr Sani Ismail, the new face seen on PSP walkabouts
(08:40) Why politics?
(11:20) How Mr Sani stays connected to Singapore despite studying abroad
(18:25) Reasons why Ismail joins PSP
(21:45) The growing presence of foreigners in Singapore
(31:10) Ismail’s thoughts on PSP’s future
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Imagine being forced to stand all day at a stall - while pregnant. That’s exactly what Noorman Mubarak’s wife faced after the NEA gave them a warning for not being physically present at their Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang stall. In a viral complaint, Noorman called out the unfair regulations that require hawkers to be on-site no matter the circumstances. But is the system punishing hawkers, or are these regulations necessary?
(01:08) Background of case
(03:40) Welcome Noorman Mubarak, Co-founder of Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang
(07:20) NEA's reasonings
(19:38) Mr Noorman's response to Reddit comments
(29:45) Are there meetings between hawkers and hawker centers?
(31:55) What needs to change
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Who said politics in Singapore is boring? This week’s biggest news all came straight from Parliament - from the Leader of the Opposition’s guilty verdict for lying under oath, to 2 Nominated Members of Parliament resignations that got rumours spreading, to the unveiling of Budget 2025, what is going on? And what does viagra have to do with any of this? Tune in to find out!
(03:45) Rahman's hell week
(10:20) Pritam Singh's verdict
(19:30) Is the East Coast plan real?
(22:00) Key issues that could be addressed in the upcoming GE
(25:50) Kids or no kids?
(35:30) The resignation of the 2 NMPs
(41:35) Similarities between Viagra and NMPs?!
(50:30) Budget 2025
(1:02:25) Do you care about the Budget? Vote on our Tele!
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When Jeremiah Lim decided to support his friend who worked at Studio Kalasan, he never expected to lose $130,000. After making police reports and engaging lawyers to see justice served, he decided to go public with his story. Were there red flags in the company's transactions? Jeremiah and Syahiran, an industry veteran, join us to discuss and share some valuable insights
(00:35) Backstory of this interior design scam case
(06:25) We talk to Jeremiah Lim, the victim behind the viral post
(10:00) Have the police taken action?
(12:24) Lawyer Rahman's explanation
(16:39) Say hello to Syahiran, Assistant Honorary Secretary of the Renovation Contractor Material Suppliers Association (RCMA)
(21:54) Auda's experience working in the interior design firm
(26:30) The payments in total
(29:45) What's next for Jeremiah and Auda?
(35:30) Update on Jeremiah's housing situation
(36:05) Jeremiah's and Syahiran's parting messages
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Is a morning shower truly essential? And why is the US setting its sights on Singapore over the Deepseek-Nvidia chips? Last week was eventful, including our visit to Hui Hui Cultural Association's CNY event, and we're here to talk all about it. Plus, there might be a surprise potential addition to our podcast team. Don’t miss it by tuning in to find out!
(0:40) Our visit to Hui Hui's CNY event
(03:35) See you at our Open House on 9 Feb!
(07:25) A 4th podcaster?
(08:30) Shower or not to shower in the morning?
(18:35) Singapore's alleged involvement in the purchase of Deepseek-Nvidia chips
(31:55) We talk to ChatGPT in various languages
(45:35) 111 Singaporeans deported from the US
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Pregnancy can be tough. From choosing the right foods to keeping your body healthy and strong, there are plenty of questions and misconceptions about what pregnant women and new mothers should do to maintain their well-being. That's where Nevena, the personal trainer behind @fitmum.sg, comes in by offering pregnancy-focused fitness programs, expert tips, and even nutrition recommendations. Tune in to this week's podcast for some valuable insights!
(0:40) Stop by our new office during CNY!
(2:50) Say hi to Nevena, the founder of @fitmum.sg
(3:35) The reason Nevena focuses on expectant mothers
(4:25) The differences between fitness programs for moms and fitness enthusiasts
(5:30) The fitness routine Nevena had and how that changed when she's pregnant
(6:55) Ways to take care of yourself during pregnancy
(9:55) Nevena's experiences with dietary supplements
(11:00) What Nevena eats on a daily basis
(17:25) How men can support their partners during pregnancy
(19:30) What to look for before hiring a personal trainer
(24:25) Are PTs expensive?
(26:40) What's the first step expectant mothers can take to be active
(27:57) Follow Nevena on socials!
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