Episode notes
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…
Podcast
Headstart On Record
The Straits Times · Business · English
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.
More from Headstart On Record All episodes →
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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