Podcast · Business

Headstart On Record

by The Straits Times · English · Business

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan & See Kai Wen Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Elizabeth Law A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 32 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 24 minNew

S2E54: 'Spotify can just take it down': A Gen Z collector on why his peers are going analogue, buying CDs

Wired earphones and film cameras: Is retro tech back, or another performative trend? In this episode, we look at how retro analogue items such as wired earphones, film cameras, and Walkmans are making a comeback. Is this here to stay or is it just another performative trend? Join hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann as they chat with Gen Z business owner and CD collector Cody Tong about the psychology behind the analogue revival and the benefits of unplugging. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction 2:32 Why physical formats are making a comeback 5:52 Tech trends, aesthetics, and nostalgia 8:33…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S2 · E53 · 5 Oct 2026 · 36 min
S2E53: How much cash is 'enough' and how to invest the rest? An investment expert breaks it down
Invest but keep enough liquidity to help you sleep at night. In this episode, we look into the concept of liquidity. Everyone tells us to invest, but how much is enough and how much should we leave behind for a rainy day? What about saving for BTO and other commitments? Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann speak to guest Bryan Low, Managing Director and Head of International Wealth Management for Singapore at KGI about what liquidity really means, types of investments and how liquid they are, and if you should just keep all your money in savings accounts for fear of that rainy day. Highlights…
S2 · E52 · 28 Sep 2026 · 19 min
S2E52: They decide your pay, promotion and performance: Should your boss be on your socials?
What are the repercussions of adding your boss and colleagues on social media? In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss the nuances of adding your colleagues and supervisor on social media. While there are benefits to sharing your personal life with them on these platforms, should we also be wary that they might use the information against us? Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction and personal experiences with bosses on socials 3:00 Power dynamics of social media 6:08 Online public vs private personas 8:56 Are there any pros to adding your boss on social media? 9:58 What do…
S2 · E51 · 21 Sep 2026 · 42 min
S2E51: High anxiety, spiking cortisol: it's tough making friends as an adult, is it worth the trouble?
Our friend circles shrink as we get older. How do we deal with it? In this episode, therapist Cao Zhikai shares how we can deal with losing friends as we enter adulthood, and what we can do to combat that feeling of loss. She also shares about the grief of friendship breakups, which don’t often get given enough attention in a society that prioritises romantic relationships. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why it’s nerve-wrecking making friends as adults, yet having the payoff of a purposeful adult connection is worth it. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction 0:32…
S2 · E50 · 14 Sep 2026 · 20 min
S2E50: Why travelling with friends can lead to meltdowns and broken friendships
Is travelling with friends worth the risk when all hell breaks loose? From disagreements over budget to one person wanting to “travelmax” while another wants to wake up at noon, a trip can become a horror story. In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss whether you should travel with friends and the red flags that can spell disaster instead of a fun holiday. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00: Intro 2:10 Compromising on travel choices 4:50 Walking red flags on holiday 8:11 Relaxing vs travelmaxxing 12:00 Breakups on holiday 14:05 Picking travel companions 15:57 Pre-trip…
S2 · E49 · 7 Sep 2026 · 35 min
S2E49: Singapore stocks have just had their best run in years, are you missing out?
The US market is exciting, but it can also be dangerous for young investors. The US market has been on a tear, but it is also littered with pitfalls for unsuspecting new investors. Should we stock pick or just buy the S&P 500? And what about new IPOs like Space X? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to explore the US market without getting burnt. Her guests are Sheryl Choong, Head of Client Advisory Singapore at Endowus and Afdhal Rahman, OCBC executive director of wealth advisory. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:12 Should I just invest in the S&P 500? 7:13…
S2 · E48 · 17 Aug 2026 · 31 min
S2E48: Pay transparency: what to do after finding out a colleague’s salary is higher than yours
Would you reveal your salary to your colleagues? What to do if you are underpaid? In this episode, ST’s own manpower correspondent Sharon Salim talks about navigating conversations around salary transparency and how being too transparent can affect workplace dynamics. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss transparency being crucial to benchmarking against peers in the same industry, and whether firms discourage employees from salary transparency to maintain an advantage in salary negotiations. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00: Intro 3:55 Utilising salary guides & public sector disparity…
S2 · E47 · 3 Aug 2026 · 35 min
S2E47: Invest in stocks and ETFs because your friend says so? Why friends and finances don’t always mix
Talking to friends about money can be sensitive, here’s how to navigate it. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Friendships may be priceless, but money talk often crops up among friends - who owes who money, choosing dinner locations, trying to budget for travel together. But how can we talk openly about money without breaking friendships? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan and See Kai Wen talk about how to navigate this issue. Their guest is Vivienne Ong from…
S2 · E46 · 20 Jul 2026 · 37 min
S2E46: 7 jobs in 14 years: A comms director explains why job hopping isn't always bad
Job hopping: Career suicide or a way to learn what works for you? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, Annabel Lim, Business & Reputation Director at communications firm We. Communications shares how she built her career by cycling through 7 full-time jobs. She talks about how each change gave her a different perspective or skill that cumulated in her current role, and why “job-hopping” isn't necessarily a red flag in CVs. Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann, who have worked…
S2 · E45 · 6 Jul 2026 · 31 min
S2E45: Investing amid volatility: is it all about managing emotions and impulses?
Does buy low, sell high work in today’s volatile market? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Everybody wants to be a Warren Buffett - to buy when the market dips and sell when it soars again. But is this a good investment strategy for everyone? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at whether to go all in when the market dips. Her guests are Arpit Agal from Syfe and Chua Inn Chong from PhillipCapital. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:20 Why did the market dip in…
S2 · E44 · 15 Jun 2026 · 45 min
S2E44: ‘Comedy equals truth and pain’: a clown on taking life less seriously
Are Singaporeans too rigid to be funny? How to take ourselves less seriously to overcome stress. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, theatrical clown and actor Shanice Stanislaus shares with host See Kai Wen about how thinking and acting like a clown can help navigate high-pressure environments. The “Clown Mentality” includes having the audacity to dream and try, never afraid of failing and finding ways to add whimsy into your life. We all have a little clown in…
S2 · E43 · 1 Jun 2026 · 37 min
S2E43: Will the AI bubble burst? We break down if tech is still worth investing in
Tech still holds long-term promise but choose companies carefully based on their fundamentals. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Talk of an AI bubble has been brewing for some time, with many asking when it will burst. But young investors still want to get in on the tech wave and buy into a sector that has great growth potential. In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at which tech stocks show promise in a mature AI era. Her guests are DBS Bank head of equity and fixed…
S2 · E42 · 18 May 2026 · 36 min
S2E42: Feel like you are not good enough? Here’s what you can do
Feel like you are not enough? Learn how to become your ideal self by acting as if you already are. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, Singapore theatre actor and musician Andrew Marko shares with host See Kai Wen about how the “Act As If” theory relates to his self-growth. “Act As If” is a three-part technique that requires people to act as if they are already the ideal version of themselves, even when they are not there yet. The process includes…
S2 · E41 · 3 May 2026 · 32 min
S2E41: Singapore's Les Miserables star Nathania Ong on what it cost to chase her dreams
Surviving on vibes and hard work? What it's like working as a freelance artist overseas. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. How does a Singaporean make her way onto London’s glittering West End? Nathania Ong made her mark by playing well-loved characters like Eponine in Les Miserables and Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton, putting Singapore on the world theatre map. But how did it happen and what does the life of a freelance artist overseas look like? In this episode, ST business correspondent…
S2 · E40 · 19 Apr 2026 · 38 min
S2E40: Sing Song Social Club founder Aarika Lee on the magic of community
Get a peek into the workings of the viral community choir and unpack the importance of finding your tribe. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, Singaporean musician Aarika Lee tells host See Kai Wen her inspiration and journey in starting the viral community choir Sing Song Social Club. Through the choir’s inclusivity, people from all walks of life and ages - ranging from four to 90 years of age - come to sing together. No auditions are needed to join the sessions, which…
S2 · E39 · 5 Apr 2026 · 25 min
S2E39: Should I buy silver?
Is silver a safe haven for investors like gold and will its price rise due to war? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Silver has had some exciting days, especially when the price of silver skyrocketed in 2025. However, there has been a pullback in early 2026. So how does silver compare to gold and is it worth investing in for the long run? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at silver as a long-term investment and if it works for you. Her guests are CMC Markets expert…
S1 · E38 · 15 Mar 2026 · 42 min
S1E38: Quah Ting Wen on her infinite mindset and when she’ll stop competing
Veteran national swimmer Quah Ting Wen discusses finding her own joy in swimming. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. In this episode, ST video journalist See Kai Wen hosts national swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who tells him how American figure skating Olympic champion Alysa Liu’s infinite mindset inspires her as an athlete. The infinite mindset belongs to people who emphasise enjoying the game, rather than having their focus on winning it. With 65 medals under her swim cap, Ting Wen is the…
S2 · E37 · 1 Mar 2026 · 32 min
S2E37: Are you overinsured? Here's how to review your policies
How much coverage is too much? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. The question people always have when buying insurance is: how much? And not just how much it costs, but how much is enough? How can you tell if you have too much insurance? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what being overinsured means and how to review your policies. Her guest is Life Insurance Association’s executive director Chan Wai Kit. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:36 What are riders…
S2 · E36 · 22 Feb 2026 · 30 min
S2E36: Top 3 things in Budget 2026 for young people
This year's Budget spotlights more ways to invest your CPF and how to deal with AI. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Another year and another Budget speech, with goodies given out by PM Lawrence Wong. But is the Budget just about CDC vouchers and subsidies? What exactly is in it for young people? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what matters for young people in Singapore's Budget 2026. Her guests are DBS financial literacy expert Shawn Lee and OCBC executive…
S2 · E35 · 1 Feb 2026 · 29 min
S2E35: Investing in stocks or stuff?
Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. Logan Paul’s Pokemon card has gone for over US$1 million. But do physical items and collections really help your money to grow? How do Pokemon cards, Labubus and Marvel figurines measure alongside traditional stocks as investments? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at the stocks versus the 'stuff'. Her guests are avid collector Ian Cheng and eToro market analyst Zavier…
S2 · E33 · 30 Jan 2026 · 37 min
S2E33: How to invest in 2026
Tech stocks still shine, but beware the bubble. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. 2025 has been a turbulent year, and 2026 will also be marked by uncertainty. So amid such global turmoil, what should we invest in? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to grow your money in 2026. Her guests are Gen Z investor Kass Phai, who is also a family wealth consultant at Unicorn, and veteran market watcher Ven Sreenivasan. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:26 Where are the markets…
S2 · E34 · 18 Jan 2026 · 21 min
S2E34: Being kinder to yourself during job changes
Learn how to better reconcile the mixed feelings that come with work transitions. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. It seems like one of life’s cruel ironies. Do well, and go far together in a bonded team, and yet further progression may require you to move on elsewhere. If this is a familiar scenario to you, fear not. ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi hosts Mr Aneel Singh Gill, a psychologist with Talk Your Heart Out, an online and face-to-face therapy platform. He helps clients navigate…
S2 · E31 · 31 Dec 2025 · 27 min
S2E31: Should you buy gold now?
Gold prices have soared in 2025 but here are things to consider before buying your first gold bar. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Gold has never looked shinier, especially as a safe haven in a volatile world. It reached highs when things were the most volatile, with Trump’s tariffs and then the federal government shutdown. But should you buy gold, how do you go about it and what are the considerations to be taken first? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to…
S2 · E32 · 14 Dec 2025 · 21 min
S2E32: How a young entrepreneur’s own business helped her discover new career
She shares why and how she is moving on from a student business she co-founded. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Imagine starting a business after finishing your A-level exams, and then growing that business from strength to strength with two outlets in the heart of town within five years alongside your undergraduate studies. Now imagine making the tough decision to take all that one has learned into a new adventure: the first job, one that was never on the radar previously. That is the journey of…
S2 · E30 · 16 Nov 2025 · 30 min
S2E30: Budgeting for three holidays in 2026
More holidays a year sounds great but ensure they stay within budget by using these hacks. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Instead of saving for a home, young people are now saving for travel and leisure. Over half of young workers said saving for trips is among their top financial goals, a survey showed. So travel is clearly a top of mind issue for Singaporeans. But how do we budget for three trips a year? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to achieve your…
S2 · E29 · 2 Nov 2025 · 35 min
S2E29: Will AI steal your lunch? What Singapore workers need to know
Find out how to choose the right employers, training and career paths to ride the wave. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. We are in the thick of it. Artificial intelligence (AI) has already taken root in our personal and professional lives, and is set to reshape society even more. How best to set ourselves up for success for the years to come? What is the support at hand to help us make better career choices? In this episode, host and ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi chats with Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash,…
S2 · E28 · 19 Oct 2025 · 23 min
S2E28: How platform work can support young talent
Platform work can expand employment options and opportunities, but only with careful regulation. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Digital platform work has become a fixture of Singapore society, with a contingent of almost 70,000 plying their trade, mostly in ride-hailing or food delivery. In a special episode of Headstart On Record, co-host Tay Hong Yi moderates a fireside chat with four panellists across the platform work ecosystem at the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work on Sept 29. Hear…
S2 · E27 · 5 Oct 2025 · 25 min
S2E27: Should you invest your CPF?
Investing your CPF might be exciting, but ensure you have enough too for housing and retirement. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Retirement seems like ages away for a young person, and the CPF that accumulates can feel like money just sitting in a fund. But what can we use CPF for? And should we all invest our CPF? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to use your CPF, whether for investment or housing needs. Her guests are Angeline Teo from CPF Board and Gen Z…
S2 · E26 · 14 Sep 2025 · 30 min
S2E26: How to tell if your employer's leave practices are progressive
Find out how to discern the hallmarks of employers who do well. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Host and ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi chats with Mr Richard Cooper, business leader for benefits for Mercer Marsh Benefits in Singapore. Mr Cooper advises organisations on how to design healthcare benefits, insurance, flexi-benefits and related processes. The ability to take leave from work for medical and personal reasons is a cornerstone of modern work. However, it might not always be clear what a…
S2 · E25 · 31 Aug 2025 · 35 min
S2E25: Good investing: Don't time the market, play the long game
Investing should not be about timing the market, but growing money over the long term. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Day trading is exciting - all the watching of stock movements and trying to buy low, sell high. But experts often say, hold for the long term, and use the benefit of compounding. What does that mean? How long exactly is the long haul and what does holding for the long term mean? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at investing for the long-term future,…

About Headstart On Record

Headstart On Record is a English business podcast from The Straits Times. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The Straits Times
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 32 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1629594930
Rights: 2026 The Straits Times

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English business

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.