Podcast · News

In Your Opinion

by The Straits Times · English · News

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong A podcast

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 38 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 36 minNew

S1E94: Households without wealth can get ‘completely disabled’ by disruption, job loss: IPS’ Mathew Mathews

IPS' Mathew Mathews unpacks why a high salary can't protect you like a wealth buffer can. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The average wealth held by the top 20% of households stands at $5.3 million. That is 18 times more than the bottom 20%, whose average wealth sits at $293,000, according to an occasional paper titled Income Growth, Inequality, and Social Mobility Trends in Singapore published by the Ministry of Finance (MOF)…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E93 · 7 Oct 2026 · 52 min
S1E93: ADHD is not an attention deficit problem: clinical psychologist Ong Mian Li
Classic ADHD stereotypes, like physical hyperactivity, can cause many to be overlooked and turn to maladaptive coping. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Despite the boom in online conversation about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in recent years, the neurodevelopmental condition is still largely misunderstood due to its name. Experts say those with ADHD don’t lack attention, as much as they lack the…
S1 · E92 · 23 Sep 2026 · 57 min
S1E92: Singapore writer Gwee Li Sui talks Culture Pass credits and what it’ll take to get people to read
Why do Singaporean kids write about winter? Gwee Li Sui on AI, Singlish & why culture cannot be rushed. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. A year after the launch of our Culture Pass credits, take-up rates sit at just 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Singapore’s new national reading movement, ReadSG, now aims to pay people to try building a consistent reading habit. What does this say about us as a people? Is it such a bad thing if…
S1 · E91 · 16 Sep 2026 · 51 min
S1E91: $1b venture capitalist Hian Goh on how Singapore can grow a firm like Apple
It takes a bold mindset to imagine innovations like Creative’s sound card and the iPhone, says a venture capitalist. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Following a recent parliamentary debate on growing Fortune Global 500 companies in Singapore, we ask if Singapore can ever grow a homegrown startup into a global tech giant like Apple or Nvidia? Or do our cultural attitudes toward risk and failure limit this potential? To…
S1 · E90 · 9 Sep 2026 · 43 min
S1E90: A non-profit chief on why caregivers refuse the rest they need and end up hitting a wall
As Singapore ages, the number of family caregivers is rising, making caregiver respite a key focus. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The rising number of dementia patients is just the tip of the iceberg. An ageing population, chronic illnesses that leave loved ones bedridden, and more awareness of mental health conditions have cast a spotlight on the importance of caregiver respite. On this episode of In Your Opinion, we look…
S1 · E89 · 2 Sep 2026 · 57 min
S1E89: My son has autism, he changed how I think about success and significance | MP Denise Phua
Denise Phua raised an autistic son and spent decades championing greater inclusion. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The Straits Times Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat sits with Member of Parliament and President of Autism Resource Centre Denise Phua to discuss her personal journey raising a son with autism and the lessons it has taught her about inclusion. The podcast explores the “post-18 cliff” faced by many…
S1 · E88 · 26 Aug 2026 · 57 min
S1E88: Sleep earlier: NUS scientist Dean Ho on the top thing people can do to live longer
An NUS scientist reversed his own biological age after stress-testing his diet, sleep and exercise in a longevity study Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Strict bedtimes, daily exercise and cutbacks to fat and sugar intake are usually gleaned from big data as standard advice for better health. But what if you could effectively tailor these rules for your own body? To find out more about how an individual’s biological…
S1 · E87 · 19 Aug 2026 · 55 min
S1E87: Lee Kuan Yew arrowed me to face JB Jeyaretnam: Ex-SM S Jayakumar on being in LKY’s Cabinet
The former senior minister unveils the robust Cabinet debates over three defining institutions published in a new book. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. Governing Singapore today is a tough task, made more difficult by frequent comparisons with the immediate post-independence decades - a period dominated by the towering figure of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Yet was Lee more open to persuasion than we realise? Was…
S1 · E86 · 12 Aug 2026 · 51 min
S1E86: Dinesh Vasu Dash on Singapore’s dependence on migrant workers
Migrant workers - we discuss the unpaid wage saga and their role in our economy. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. The Straits Times columnist Tan Dawn Wei sits down with Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash to discuss his transition to the Cabinet and how his background in healthcare for vulnerable groups shapes his approach to labour policy. The conversation tackles a major wage crisis where over 400 migrant workers…
S1 · E85 · 5 Aug 2026 · 44 min
S1E85: Inside disguised retrenchments: An employment lawyer on how companies force workers out
Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims & the Workplace Fairness Act: How S’pore’s new law rewrites the rules. Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes? In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST…
S1 · E84 · 21 Jul 2026 · 25 min
S1E84: The surprising reason Singaporeans complain but don’t correct bad public behaviour
While strict laws enforce behaviour, building a gracious society requires mutual trust rather than constant rules. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Singapore seems to be introducing more laws to police everyday behaviour - from tray returns to using mobile phones while driving. But can legislation really make people more gracious, or does it simply expose a deeper trust deficit in society? And when should citizens confront bad behaviour themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities? Opinion Editor Lin…
S1 · E83 · 14 Jul 2026 · 43 min
S1E83: Singapore footpath wars: Why reclaiming car space could solve the PMD and PMA problem
While more car lanes induce congestion, reclaiming road space for micro-mobility would make for a highly efficient transport. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. New rules for Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) kicked in on June 1, slashing speeds to 6 km/h and requiring medical certificates to crack down on able-bodied riders. But as pedestrians, e-bikes, and gig workers continue to squeeze onto narrow pavements, are we fighting over the wrong patch of concrete as Singapore embarks on a car-lite journey? In this…
S1 · E82 · 7 Jul 2026 · 38 min
S1E82: Can the Lions deliver? SG football’s future, World Cup ambitions & career pathways
Can the Lions unleash the roar in World Cup 2034? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. With the World Cup frenzy gripping nations, the performances of Asian powerhouses and small-population underdogs have sparked a familiar question: What will it take for Singapore to get there? For the first time in a long time, the conversation around Singapore football feels less about what we lack, and more about what we might yet achieve. Following a historic qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Finals, the Lions have given…
S1 · E81 · 30 Jun 2026 · 49 min
S1E81: Singapore's lonely seniors: Why the super-aged feel isolated even when living with family
Seniors are increasingly feeling lonely. Learn why preventing elderly loneliness starts in your 20s. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The shift from open kampungs to closed-door HDB flats has left many Singaporean seniors socially isolated—often feeling invisible even while living with their own families. This chronic loneliness takes a severe toll on psychological well-being, acting as a major risk factor for cognitive decline and conditions like dementia. How can our seniors age with dignity, connection,…
S1 · E80 · 23 Jun 2026 · 57 min
S1E80: A focus on one-child couples is an easier baby booster than large families
Targeting one-child couples for a second child is lower-hanging fruit than pushing for a third under the Large Families Scheme, says a researcher. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Stopping at one or two children is such a norm in Singapore that a 'large family' now means having three or more children. This definition comes after the government launched the large families scheme in 2025, in a bid to encourage Singaporeans to expand their households. In its first year alone, the scheme has already stepped in to…
S1 · E79 · 16 Jun 2026 · 32 min
S1E79: Deepfakes, $50 intimate photos amid OSC launch
Singapore's new Online Safety Commission (OSC) rolls out to combat cyberbullying, deepfakes, and online harms. But will this law protect victims, or will trolls simply hide in darker corners? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Imagine discovering that your face and voice have been hijacked, manipulated into a deepfake, and broadcast across the internet. It is a chilling violation of privacy, and it proves a terrifying point: no one is immune to online harms. As digital abuse, cyberbullying, and image-based…
S1 · E78 · 9 Jun 2026 · 38 min
S1E78: P1 registration: How did the parent volunteer scheme become an arms race?
The scheme was meant to build closer ties between parents and schools. Has it achieved its intended purpose, or outlived its usefulness? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Would you volunteer your time and effort to get your child into a primary school of your choice? For many parents, it’s a no-brainer - even if it involves a huge commitment. Parent volunteering was introduced as part of the P1 registration system as a way to encourage parents to be more involved in their child’s education and build…
S1 · E77 · 2 Jun 2026 · 1 hr
S1E77: ‘The more you know, the more wonderful it becomes’: Brian Cox on science and awe
In an age where information is readily available and where we're fed an unending stream of content, have we lost our sense of wonder? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. We live in a time where technology has made information more readily available than ever. Curiosity has been the main driver of human discovery since the beginning of time but when faced with a barrage of information, have we stopped wanting to know more? In this episode of In Your Opinion, senior columnist Rohit Brijnath speaks with celebrated…
S1 · E76 · 26 May 2026 · 34 min
S1E76: Think you're safe from cyber crooks? Why 99% of companies are exposed
As AI supercharges cyber threats, how can the "missing 99%" of small and medium enterprises protect themselves? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Cybersecurity is undergoing a fundamental shift. For a long time, it was treated as a dark art – a deeply technical problem left to IT teams and discussed in jargon few others understood. But as the threat landscape has evolved, major breaches are forcing the conversation into the boardroom, turning cyber risk into a critical matter of corporate governance and…
S1 · E75 · 19 May 2026 · 31 min
S1E75: Autonomous Vehicles in SG: Are we ready to surrender the wheel to AI?
In an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) crash, should AI save the young instead of the elderly? Germany banned this, but a pragmatist asks: why not let algorithms choose based on age? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Traffic accidents in Singapore have hit a 10-year high. Every day, motorists are caught speeding, running red lights, and looking at their phones. The proposed solution is radical: take the steering wheel away from humans and hand it entirely to Artificial Intelligence. But as Singapore drafts the legal…
S1 · E74 · 13 May 2026 · 21 min
S1E74: 12-year-olds in therapy - the silent rise in youth porn addiction
The dopamine trap: Is Asia’s conservative culture driving a porn addiction crisis? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Asia holds the highest rate of problematic pornography use in the world at nearly one in five people, according to a study which researchers term 'Asian Paradox'. While casual viewing can be healthy for adults in some instances, this taboo weaponises the dopamine hit for tech-savvy youths. In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with Dr Peter Chew, Associate Professor…
S1 · E73 · 5 May 2026 · 37 min
S1E73: What's the property agent's role in this age of AI?
As AI changes everything, can the property agents’ most valuable asset - trust - keep them relevant? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at key issues of the day with newsmakers. Singapore's property market has transformed over the last few decades. From an opaque, relationship-driven industry, it has evolved into one reshaped by online listings, price transparency, and regulatory tightening. Yet the ethical tensions have endured, with commission conflicts, trust gaps, information asymmetry still persisting. And as property prices have climbed, so have agent…
S1 · E72 · 21 Apr 2026 · 26 min
S1E72: Is chilli the most important ingredient in Singapore cuisine?
Is “not spicy enough” a legitimate criticism of a dish? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at key issues of the day with newsmakers. Across Singapore’s diverse culinary landscape, chilli is a common accompaniment to almost any meal — think sambal belachan, chilli paste mixed with garlic and ginger or freshly cut chilli padi. The unique chilli condiment paired with a meal can sometimes make or break a dish. Do we judge a dish by its chilli — and rightly or wrongly so? Do we wear our tolerance toward spiciness as an undeserved badge of…
S1 · E71 · 14 Apr 2026 · 33 min
S1E71: Fewer babies, slower boom? The future of Singapore’s real estate market
Why Singapore’s low fertility rate last year could really redefine real estate from 2050. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with newsmakers. Singapore is producing fewer babies. Its birth rate, measured by the total fertility rate (TFR), plunged to a record low of 0.87 in 2025, continuing the downtrend of 0.97 in 2023. The citizen population may start to shrink by the early 2040s. In February 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong stressed the need to therefore have a “carefully managed immigration flow to…
S1 · E70 · 7 Apr 2026 · 35 min
S1E70: Why your electricity bill is going up when fuel reserves are full
If Singapore has fuel reserves, why are electricity tariffs surging? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with newsmakers. From April to June 2026, electricity and household tariffs will be higher. And we’ve been warned to brace for even higher utility bills after this quarter, as the ongoing war in the Middle East squeezes global fuel supplies. But this always leads to a very common question from Singaporeans. To counter these exact types of supply shocks, does Singapore actually have enough national fuel reserves to last…
S1 · E69 · 31 Mar 2026 · 33 min
S1E69: Does a degree still guarantee a good full-time job?
The first woman to lead a university in Singapore discusses how SMU is adapting to AI and different forms of employment. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with newsmakers. Facing a softer job market, fresh challenges wrought by artificial intelligence (AI) and growing scrutiny over the industry relevance of degrees, universities are coming under pressure to show degrees lead to good jobs, not just academic credentials. That requires stronger career services, more industry-linked learning and closer alignment between education…
S1 · E68 · 24 Mar 2026 · 38 min
S1E68: Trading cards: Childhood hobby, investment asset or a gateway to gambling?
Are these cards really that bad? Could playing with them lead to gambling? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Pokemon. One Piece. Magic: The Gathering. These trading card games bring back nostalgic childhood memories. But the government's plans to regulate them raise questions. In this episode, assistant opinion editor Lianne Chia speaks to psychiatrist Lim Boon Leng from Gleneagles Medical Centre, and Chew Zhan Lun, co-founder of card marketplace CTRL Collectibles, who recently made headlines for rejecting a $1.3…
S1 · E67 · 10 Mar 2026 · 27 min
S1E67: Gen AI won't take your job away. Here's why
Why older workers with deep domain expertise have a unique advantage in the AI era, how companies can fix the "broken rung" for fresh graduates. Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Ten years ago, the message to the workforce was: "Learn to code." Today, the mandate has shifted to learning AI and prompting chatbots. But as the goalposts move again toward autonomous AI agents that can take over complex workflows, is the Singaporean workforce ready? In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong explores the…
S1 · E66 · 24 Feb 2026 · 44 min
S1E66: Who says Singapore is hot, boring and expensive?
Booming arrivals, stubborn humidity – but dull and overpriced? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Singapore’s tourism pitch is not just about selling its picture-perfect skyline; it’s also about showcasing its rich multiculturalism, leaning into its talent in hosting world-class events, and taking visitors on a journey to discover how a young nation is defining its own identity. In this episode, senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei speaks with Ms Jean Ng, assistant chief executive of Experience…
S1 · E65 · 10 Feb 2026 · 27 min
S1E65: Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers
Government support measures such as CDC vouchers were meant to cushion soaring inflation. But are they fiscally sustainable? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Temporary government handouts like the CDC vouchers were meant to cushion the impact of Covid-19 and soaring inflation due to supply shocks that were caused by global events like the war in Ukraine. But with inflation cooling to trend levels, can Singaporeans wean off the ‘free money’ reliance from CDC vouchers that were meant to be temporary?…

About In Your Opinion

In Your Opinion is a English news 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: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 38 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1619028360
Rights: 2026 The Straits Times

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