The Usual Place
Join host and correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Produced by The Straits Times, SPH Media.
Episodes
S1E115: Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice over the haze?
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 d
S1E115: This man can order TikTok and Facebook to take posts down - Singapore's online safety commissioner
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
S1E114: Will LTA’s proposed changes fix the COE system?
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 hi
S1E113: Ex-RI teacher and sociologist unpack Singapore’s primary school race
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 par
S1E112: Something bigger will have to happen before people take AI safety seriously: AI safety researcher
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 bui
S1E111: True Fitness closure: Why most members will get $0 back
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 comm
S1E110: Singapore ministerial pay debate: Paying top talent competitive salaries is in the ‘soul of the PAP’
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 t
S1E109: Lifting of wait out period for private home owners could flood HDB market with cash-rich buyers
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 th
S1E108: Can cash, childcare leave and BTO priority get Singaporeans to have kids? | National Day Rally 2026
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 buy
S1E107: What the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks debate showed about policy making and consultation
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 th
S1E106: Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?
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
S1E105: 2 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why
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 showe
S1E104: JB-Singapore RTS Link: Singaporeans will spend $1bn more in JB
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
S1E103: Faishal Ibrahim’s exit: Are the PAP’s moral standards turning people away from politics?
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 cos
S1E102: 1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?
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
S1E101: Singapore lawyers are facing bullying and burnout, why hasn’t anything changed in 30 years?
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 ac
S1E100: Were unhappy WP veterans behind the challenge to Pritam Singh?
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
S1E99: Dear You debate: Is it time to relook rules on Chinese dialects?
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 Author
S1E98: Lure of traffic drives millions of Chinese content creators to target Singapore
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 sta
S1E97: Is modern dating in Singapore broken?
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,
S1E97: Hands-on dads look great because the bar is low: Singapore father on unfair parenting expectations
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 paren
S1E96: Singapore forensic psychologist explains why voyeurs and molesters commit crimes
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 committe
S1E95: Is caning an appropriate way to discipline school bullies?
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
S1E94: Sky high condo prices: are sales being funded by parents' retirement savings?
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 abou
S1E93: Are people not having children because of PSLE stress and the education arms race?
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 childr
S1E92: New signs on MRT trains spark debate on how to behave on public transport in Singapore
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
S1E91: What happens when single-sex schools go co-ed?
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 her
S1E90: Have we hit the panic button over the Iran war?
After US President Donald Trump walked back his threats to wipe Iran off the map, there’s now a two-week ceasefire in place. Hours before this kicked in, the Singapore Government announced in Parliament on April 7 support measures to help cushion the cost increases resulting from the Middle East conflict. These include disbursing $500 in CDC vouchers half a year early and a $2
S1E89: New IP rider rules just kicked in. Are you actually better or worse off?
If you have private medical insurance, April 1 would have been on your radar. Private health insurers have put out new Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders, which comply with requirements by the Ministry of Health (MOH) that were announced in November 2025. This move was aimed at curbing rising insurance premiums and private healthcare costs. The major effect on policyholders? They will now be
S1E88: How can recycling be sexy?
Will lucky draws, monetary rewards or ‘sticks’ work when it comes to getting Singapore residents to recycle? A new recycling initiative called the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) launches on April 1, but with household recycling rate in 2024 fell to a record low of 11 per cent, will this move the needle? Mr Heng Li Seng, founder and director of social enterprise Green Nudge, an
S1E87: Should the Government fund condo repairs?
More than 1,000 private residential developments in Singapore are hitting their 30s, and some are starting to show signs of wear and tear. But if residents have not been prudent in saving for these big-ticket items such as upgrading lifts and fixing spalling concrete, should the Government step in to help? Mr Andrew Lioe, president of the Association of Strata Managers, and Mr Daniel Chen, a lawye
S1E86: What does the war in Iran change for Singapore?
The way the Iran war began has reinforced the growing feeling that the rules-based international order, which Singapore stands by and bases its foreign policy on, is under serious strain. But could Singapore’s measured and consistent response actually be an asset in these volatile times? In this podcast episode, Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, founding director of Dialogue Centre, a non-profi
S1E85: Traffic deaths hit a 10-year high: What's happening on our roads?
A recent report card of our behaviour on the road has shown that we’ve become worse motorists.Traffic deaths have hit a 10-year high, the number of people injured in accidents has risen from 2024, and speeding violations jumped by 25.9% in a year. These figures were detailed in the annual road traffic statistics for 2025 by the Traffic Police, which were reported on Feb 26. We have smart car
S1E84: Is owning a car in Singapore now out of reach?
Will the recent changes to the preferential additional registration fee (PARF) rebate and the current COE prices turn away car buyers? Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his Budget speech on Feb 12 that the PARF rebate will be lowered by 45 percentage points. The maximum rebate a car owner can expect to receive will be halved from $60,000 to $30,000. If you're looking to buy a car, should y
S1E83: Budget 2026: Will AI lead to more inequality?
The conversation over the key announcement from Budget 2026 continues. On Feb 12, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a record $154.7 billion Budget, how the Government is doubling down on its AI push. For Singaporeans worried about the cost of living, there was household relief in the form of payouts and CDC vouchers. In this episode of the podcast, Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah di
S1E82: Budget 2026: Why is Singapore betting big on AI?
The strong push towards artificial intelligence and support for vulnerable groups such as lower-income families were two big themes that emerged at Budget 2026. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, just delivered his first Budget since the new government was elected last year. How will businesses be affected by these measures, and how will the Singapore workforce adapt?
S1E81: She became a plumber, he chose the woodworking life. What drew them to blue-collared work?
When it comes to charting their career paths, it’s likely most young Singaporeans would opt for white-collared jobs. Hands-on skilled trades? Not so much. Yet, The Straits Times reported in January that a growing number of younger people are choosing to go into traditional skilled trades such as plumbing and landscaping. In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with two millennials who ha
S1E80: Has Trump ‘ruptured’ the global order? What can Singapore do?
After the World Economic Forum in Davos, it’s clear that global diplomacy has grown more confrontational and transactional. So what’s the game plan for Singapore now? In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha speaks with ST opinion editor Lin Suling, who was in Davos last week, and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy dean Joseph Liow about how we can work with American president Don
S1E79: Are central kitchen meals coming to every Singapore school?
There has been a buffet of discussion as pre-packed food for students have been in the spotlight recently. Some schools have had to turn to prepared meals from centralised kitchens because of shrinking student numbers and a lack of canteen stallholders. But this has not been to everyone’s taste. Bento boxes from airline caterer SATS made the news after pictures of unappetising servings at Hw
S1E78: Pritam Singh no longer Leader of the Opposition, what next for WP?
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh has been removed as Leader of the Opposition by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, a day after Parliament debated his suitability for the role. PM Wong has invited the WP to nominate another elected MP. But the person put forth has to be an MP who has not been implicated in the earlier findings of the Committee of Privileges that looked into former MP Raeesah Kha
S1E77: New year, new job? What’s in store for job seekers in 2026?
Finding a new job may be on your resolution list this year, but will it be the right move in 2026?Much of the job market in 2025 was dominated by uncertainty and mixed signals.Fresh university graduates shared – and documented on social media – their struggles landing interviews and jobs, despite sending out multiple resumes. Retrenchments climbed in the third quarter of 2025 after dip
S1E74: Why are buyers willing to pay $900,000 for 3-room resale HDB flats?
At least four three-room resale Housing Board flats were sold for between $900,000 and $935,000 in the first 11 months of 2025. What’s driving these eye-watering prices for smaller units, and how does this affect buyers who see three-room units as an accessible way to own a first home? Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest
S1E76: SEA Games 2025: Athletes Kerstin Ong and Amanda Lim on chasing their sporting dreams despite struggles
It’s been about 10 days of excitement at the SEA Games, and Team Singapore has been going all out to make their mark. Hurdler Kerstin Ong and swimmer Amanda Lim have returned home after their events and will join The Usual Place podcast to talk about their experiences in Thailand. One is just getting started, and the other has bid farewell to the SEA Games
S1E75: Why are Singaporeans still falling prey to scams? An expert explains
Frequent police advisories, daily news stories, a repeated “Add, Check, Tell” mantra – Singaporeans should be better at recognising scams by now. Yet many continue to fall prey to scammers who keep adapting and refining their approach. So far in 2025, more than 31,200 cases of scams have been reported, with victims losing over $750.3 million. Last year, the amount lost to scams c
S1E73: Primary 1 registrations: Should kids be automatically assigned to schools?
How far would you go to get your child enrolled at a primary school of your choice? One woman repeatedly lied about her home address to get her daughter a spot at the primary school the mother wanted in 2023. But the school discovered the truth, and she was handed a one-week jail sentence in November for subverting the admissions process. While her sentence has raised eyebrows, she’s not the
S1E72: Will AI take our jobs? Jasmin Lau, Goh Hanyan say what they think
It has been about six months since Jasmin Lau and Goh Hanyan stepped into politics after careers in the civil and public service. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Now they are both political office holders across several ministries, taking on new responsibilities and getting used to being in the public eye
S1E71: How can we get Singapore consumers to buy locally farmed produce?
Dig deeper into why Singapore's food sustainability targets have changed. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. The original goal was for farms here to produce 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs, which include fish, eggs and vegetables. Now it's 20 per cent of Singapore's fibre and 30 per cent
S1E70: What’s with the fixation over brand-name schools?
This follows a debate over a school's alumni reaction to an ST report on a major scam operation. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. It was a crime report meant to highlight the suspects behind a major scam operation, but a nugget of information sparked an uproar over a school’s image. Last week, The St
S1E69: Megan Khung abuse case: How can we fix the system that failed her?
Megan Khung would have turned 10 a few weeks ago, if she were still alive today. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Instead, five years after her death, the findings by a review panel detailed how, within a year, there were several lapses at various agencies that could have helped her. The panel’s repo
S1E68: The ex-vaper who had to ‘wash’ his lungs multiple times: Here's his story
Many people switch from smoking to vaping for different reasons. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. For Mr Muhammad Dandiar Rosli, he saw vaping as a cheaper alternative to smoking, so he decided to give it a try. But it nearly cost him his life. Just a month after he started vaping in 2020, he ended up in h
S1E67: What's PSP chief Leong Mun Wai up to now that he’s no longer in Parliament
Parliament convened in September, but a familiar face from the previous term wasn’t there. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Progress Singapore Party’s secretary-general Leong Mun Wai was a notable presence as a Non-Constituency MP during the 14th term of Parliament, sometimes having heated exch
S1E66: WFH vs WFO: Why are more companies making employees return to office?
Hybrid work arrangements were once widely seen as the future of work, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic upended the daily grind we were used to. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.Now, some businesses and employers appear to be changing course. Last week, the National University of Singapore raised eyebr
S1E65: WP offers S’poreans distinct alternatives to the PAP, say the party’s new MPs
A marathon Parliament session unfolded last week, as MPs debated the President’s Address over five days. A total of 81 MPs spoke in support of the motion, including the 32 newly elected members who delivered their maiden speeches. They raised issues ranging from job and wage anxieties to bridging the wealth inequality gap and the disruption caused by artificial intelligence (AI). In this epi
S1E64: 15 disruptions in 3 months: Can a task force fix our MRT woes?
Public transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit have been catching some heat lately, following a spate of at least 15 instances of rail delays and interruptions since July. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.In the first three weeks of September, there were six incidents occurring due to train faults or signa
S1E63: The pickleball pickle: Loud nuisance or fun pastime?
Pickleball has been a smash hit in Singapore over the past couple of years, but not everyone’s a fan. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. The game has attracted players of all ages looking to learn a new skill, keep active or meet fellow ‘picklers’. On the flip side, pickleball has sparked c
S1E62: No alcohol, just vibes: How are Singapore’s Gen Zs partying differently?
Gen Zs are out here skipping the alcohol, but not the party. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. In daytime or earlier-evening parties, a growing number of young people in Singapore are heading to raves, cafes and clubs to vibe to sick beats – with matchas and coffees in hand. I’m not a clubber by
S1E61: Is it just a rent issue? What’s really killing Singapore’s F&B businesses?
As a nation of foodies, we watch the food and beverage (F&B) scene closely to see who comes and goes. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. In recent months, the headlines have been dominated by farewells as home-grown restaurants, bakeries, bars and even dining chains have called it a day. This week’
S1E60: ‘It makes me want to spam-apply’: Fresh grads tell Tan See Leng about tough job market
Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Headlines about the job prospects of fresh graduates haven’t been reassuring lately. And reports over the last year indicate that more graduates are struggling to land full-time roles, with more taking on freelance, part-time or temporary work. Some young pe
S1E59: PM Wong’s NDR speech lacks ‘bitter medicine’: Jeremy Tan
How Singapore can truly be a ‘we first’ society. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. “It’s not ‘I’ or ‘me’. It’s ‘we’. To keep Singapore going, we must be a ‘we first’ society.” This was Prime Minister Lawrence Wong&rsqu
S1E58: To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices?
The clock is ticking on the leases for older Housing Board flats, and an answer on what the Government plans to do about lease decay dropped earlier this week. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat updated on the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (Vers) in an interview that was p
S1E57: From texting to talking: Why Gen Zs are taking classes on yapping
Find out why some young people are taking social skills classes. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Some young adults are struggling with everyday conversations and other basic forms of social interaction.Whether it’s making small talk with strangers, holding eye contact, or just answering a phone call (just text me
S1E55: Astronomer executives’ Coldplay scandal: Why it went viral and the obsession with public shaming
If combining the words “kiss cam”, “Coldplay”, “Astronomer” and “affair” means nothing to you, you have managed to be blissfully unaware of the internet’s weekend meltdown over a very public spectacle. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Here’s the TL;DR recap: A c
S1E54: Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it’s time to raise the alarm
Kpods, a street term for drug-laced e-vaporisers, has been much-talked about this week. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Videos of vape users taken by the public have been surfacing online – in particular, of younger people – turning into “zombies” and behaving erratically after using etomid
S1E53: What’s next for PSP following its post-GE2025 leadership shake-up?
Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Two months after its dismal showing at the 2025 General Election, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has shaken up its leadership team. On July 5, it announced that its founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock, and vice-chair Hazel Poa had stepped down from their roles in the central executiv
S1E52: Is using Gen AI for schoolwork and tests cheating?
How should schools, educators and students adapt accordingly? Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. In June, three students at the Nanyang Technological University received zero marks for an assignment after they were found to have used generative artificial intelligence tools, or Gen AI, in their work. They were penalised for a
S1E51: Running clubs: Should you join one to improve your mindset and lifestyle?
Some see them as dating opportunities, while for others, it's a chance to learn more about themselves.Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.Becoming a runner has always lingered in Natasha's mind, especially now that it’s a 'thing' with young people. She sees others joining run clubs and signing up for marathons
S1E50: Chasing clout on LinkedIn: the fine line between being real and self-serving
Can we be real when it comes to celebrating professional milestones and branding ourselves? Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. A recent viral post on LinkedIn has cast the spotlight on how some users have pushed content about their jobs and professional endeavours into something more self-serving and performative.
S1E49: All in the family: What keeps these next-gen F&B owners cooking
For those running businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) scene, 2024 hit a record that wasn’t quite comforting. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. The F&B industry saw 3,047 closures – an almost-20-year record high. In spite of rising rental rates and food costs, many still want to give
S1E48: What PM Wong’s new Cabinet line-up signals for succession
The votes are in, the general election is over, and a new Parliament is taking shape. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. The last piece of the GE2025 chapter was unveiled on May 21: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Cabinet line-up, which had a few surprises including just one deputy prime minister (DPM) positio
S1E47: Online shaming, public blow-ups: Can we talk civilly without labels or rage?
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
S1E1: Landslide win: PAP gets 65.57% of votes in Singapore general election
Singapore's 2025 general election was held on May 3, and the ruling People's Action Party won 65.57 per cent of the national vote, a commanding swing up from its 61.24 per cent share in 2020. The ruling party won 87 seats out of the contested 97, securing a majority in Parliament. The opposition Workers' Party retained two GRCs in Aljunied and Sengkang, and one SMC in Hougang. This election gave P
S1E46: GE2025: Trailing candidates, squeezing into rallies - covering the campaign as young journalists
Christie Chiu, Wong Yang and Isabelle Kumar - young journalists with The Straits Times - reflect on their experiences and insights. Synopsis: Every noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - The Usual Place moves to a half-hour daily livestream - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hu
S1E45: GE2025: WP’s Sengkang team on going from new faces to first-term MPs
Newcomer Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik joins his experienced teammates on the couch. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young p
S1E44: GE2025: How did RDU go from contesting 1 constituency in 2020 to 4 this year?
RDU has the second-highest number of opposition candidates. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. Red
S1E43: GE2025: GST, tight contests - Analysts react to PAP’s Fullerton rally
Three seasoned political observers analyse and offer talking points. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
S1E42: GE2025: 3 PAP new faces on kinder politics and being their true selves
PAP’s new candidates on cost of living and groupthink Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. On the couch today are: Mr Shawn Loh, 38, part of the party’s Jalan Besar GRC team; Mr Foo Cexiang, 40, from the Tanjong Pagar GRC slate; and Ms Hazlina Abd
S1E41: GE2025: Is ‘abandonment’ the word of the campaign so far?
As the election campaign heats up with a week left to Polling Day on May 3, how is this General Election shaping up? Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host of the Political Prude podcast Joel Lim and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the NUS Departm
S1E40: GE2025: Talking Tampines with Workers’ Party
Three WP candidates, including party vice-chairman Faisal Manap, drop by The Usual Place. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Apart from Mr Faisal Manap, 50, also joining Natasha Ann Zachariah for the second live episode of The Usual Place are: Dr Ong Lue Pi
S1E39: GE2025: PAP's new candidates on Nomination Day whirlwind, handling online negativity
These new faces are from three GRC teams. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. But first up, on the living
S1E38: Partners in life and politics: PSP’s Hazel Poa and Tony Tan on GE2025
They touch on why young voters should speak up now at this stage in their lives. Synopsis: The Usual Place host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves. Progress Singa
