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PODCAST

Plan B

Join us every Friday as we recap the week in news in hard conversations. Follow us on facebook, instagram, twitter and telegram. Read us on www.planb.sg

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All Episodes

00:22:29

#818 So, when will Singapore recognise Palestine?

Plan B ·

2025/09/25

UK, Canada, Portugal have recognised Palestine. But what about Singapore? In Parliament this week, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan finally set out our position — and it comes with strings attached. But here’s the real question: even if Singapore does recognise Palestine, will it matter at all, when international law is already being trampled on everywhere?(02:10) What’s happening in Parliament?(09:30) Will the recognition of Palestine change anything?(12:00) Palestine shouldn’t be a Malay-Muslim

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00:18:43

#817: “Charlie Kirk Assassinated: Could It Happen in...

Plan B ·

2025/09/18

Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights how political discourse in the US has turned increasingly intolerant. Could Singapore face a similar future? Unlikely — not because we’re more accepting of extremism but because our laws swiftly curb such speech. Still, as the world grows darker, one question remains: what future are we heading toward?(00:30) Charlie Kirk’s assassination(02:50) Different forms of radicalisation(07:54) “Free speech” in Singapore(11:05) World’s response to

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00:16:53

#816 "Expats need to respect Singaporean culture...

Plan B ·

2025/09/11

Singapore’s Parliament has just opened with President Tharman pushing a bold “We First” agenda. But what does this mean for a society already known for its competitive edge? On this episode, we question whether systems like PSLE and university admissions clash with the spirit of collective progress, to debating viral flashpoints like the GoJek driver blasting music. We dive deep into the tensions between locals and migrants, the struggles of service workers trying to keep their dignity, and what it

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00:28:39

#815 “We’re going to be the laughing stock of the world”

Plan B ·

2025/09/04

Recently, Singapore grabbed international headlines — but not for the right reasons. What began as the cancellation of American comedian Sammy Obeid’s show quickly escalated into a messy clash with the Singapore government, culminating in a POFMA order. Was Obeid simply chasing attention, or did the government make things worse by doubling down and fanning the flames?(02:57) Heartwarming efforts to search for 11-year-old boy(09:15) Indonesian riots(13:15) Southeast Asians sending food and aid via

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00:21:34

#814 “70-80% of bullying behaviour come from the home...

Plan B ·

2025/08/28

Shocking recordings of Primary 3 students threatening “I might dissect her into pieces” and “kill you and your husband” have rattled Singapore, raising fears about bullying among children. We get to the heart of the problem with Senior Clinical Psychologist Muhammad Haikal, who says bullying can affect anyone, but a child’s home environment is often the biggest contributor to such behaviour.(01:50) Say hello to Muhammad Haikal, Senior Clinical Psychologist! (05:10) Why do children become

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00:27:09

#813 “If you piss off a Singaporean, you’re pissing...

Plan B ·

2025/08/25

Syed Saddiq has closer ties to Singapore than many realise. A brief stint at NUS’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy gave him a deep respect for Singapore’s founding father - especially regarding Malaysia-Singapore relations. With the RTS line set to strengthen connections, Saddiq sees plenty of ways the two countries can complement each other… but what exactly are they?(02:00) Say hello to Syed Saddiq!(04:44) Grit to continue being a politician(14:25) Saddiq’s plan to change Malaysia’s

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00:24:24

#812 “AI is the next asatizah”

Plan B ·

2025/08/21

Many found this year’s National Day Rally a little boring — but two announcements stood out: the new Singapore College of Islamic Studies and the looming threat of AI on jobs. PM Lawrence Wong insists Singaporeans will remain the priority. But can they really, when it seems AI might even replace our asatizah in the future?(00:30) National Day Rally 2025(08:18) Treat of AI for jobs(09:55) Vaping crackdown(14:30) Plans for Northern Singapore(20:20) ‘We First’ mindset

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00:30:29

#811 “If it happens to someone who doesn’t make it...

Plan B ·

2025/08/14

Mr Liang Siah went viral after complaining about being wrongly charged by GetGo for car damage he didn’t cause. While GetGo eventually settled the case and offered compensation, the question lingers: Was it only because the video went viral? In today’s ep, we put Deyao Ang, GetGo’s Chief Community Officer, in the hot seat alongside Liang Siah to discuss the controversy—and most importantly, will Mr Liang continue using GetGo?(02:10) The viral GetGo video by Mr Liang Siah(05:00) GetGo’s

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00:29:17

#810 Is it time to declassify bees as pest?

Plan B ·

2025/08/07

They sting and look scary so it’s no wonder bees get labelled as pests in Singapore. But according to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner Bee Rescue, the real problem isn’t the bees — it’s how we deal with them. Shockingly, only 3 Town Councils had taken active steps to protect them. With most Singaporeans still unsure of how to handle bee encounters, the question is: where can we do better, and what does responsible bee care really look like?(02:37) Say hello to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner

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00:23:12

#809 Is patriotism still alive in Singapore?

Plan B ·

2025/08/07

As Singapore turns 60, national pride seems to be fading. It looks like fewer households are flying the flag, and many younger Singaporeans seem to feel little connection to the idea of patriotism. Is it just apathy or is something deeper at play? With rising costs of living, a tough job market, and growing uncertainty about the future, this generation is grappling with issues that may be reshaping what pride in one’s country even means.(01:35) Are Singaporeans less patriotic these days?(07:50) The

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00:31:28

#808 "Being able to make my father happy and work...

Plan B ·

2025/07/31

You might remember him as the brooding heartthrob from Channel 5’s hit show Growing Up — or more recently, as the former actor who made headlines for becoming an auxiliary police officer. Andrew Seow once stole hearts on screen but these days, he cringes watching his old scenes. We sit down with him to find out how he stays this effortlessly sharp in his 50s — and the real reason behind his dramatic career switch.(02:00) Say hello to Andrew Seow!(06:15) Seow’s journey from showbiz to the

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00:26:54

#807 Zombies on the streets?!

Plan B ·

2025/07/24

ou’ve probably seen those viral clips — teens wobbling around like zombies on the streets. That’s what happens when vapes get mixed with the drug etomidate — aka “K-pod.” To be fair, the government’s been quick to act. But we can’t help but wonder: should we just regulate vapes in Singapore or ban them completely? What do you think?(00:28) Let’s talk about “K-pods”(03:40) Reclassification to a Class C drug(08:30) What’s stopping the government from regulating vapes?(14:15) Case of Jane Lee, owner of

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00:28:52

#806 When there is conflict regarding life and death,...

Plan B ·

2025/07/23

When a father is critically ill and his children can’t agree on what decisions to make, conflict, confusion, and heartbreak often follow - but it doesn’t have to be this way. Advance Care Planning (ACP) and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help ensure that someone trusted and specifically chosen is empowered to make decisions on their behalf. As Dr Sanjeev shares from experience, these conversations matter - and having them early can make all the difference. If you are generally healthy and

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00:28:13

#805 Guess who’s handling snakes?!

Plan B ·

2025/07/17

Today, we come face to face with Singapore’s legendary snake charmer — Yusof Ular. Known as the snake king, Yusof opens up about why he’s considering hanging up his pythons for good — thanks to unpaid gigs and the all-too-familiar ‘kiasi’ mindset of Singaporeans. And yes, meeting him means we have to handle snakes. The real question is… will we get bitten?(00:32) New content on Plan B?(02:10) Welcome Yusof Ular!(05:50) Motivation to pursue this career path(12:20) Where do the snakes go after

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00:28:31

#804 “She’s my arms and legs, and I’m her eyes”

Plan B ·

2025/07/10

Today, we’re stepping out of our usual studio and into Temasek Launchpad to meet the dynamic duo behind Rebirth Ensemble — Singapore’s first disability-led fine arts studio. Shalom and Amanda aren’t just business partners; they’re a “differently abled power couple” redefining love, art, and resilience. In a time when relationships often feel fragile, we sat down to ask: how did they find each other, and what keeps them strong.(01:03) Welcome Shalom and Amanda!(07:08) How did their paths first

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00:11:45

#803: We wouldn’t know what’s going to happen to us...

Plan B ·

2025/07/09

When Mr Song’s father was diagnosed with end-stage cancer, he faced tough decisions about treatment and costs. Now, he encourages others to make plans early - with Advance Care Planning (ACP) and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) - to ease the burden of loved ones when it matters most. To learn more about ACP, LPA, and other legacy tools including CPF Nominations and Wills, Head down to Heartbeat @ Bedok this 19–20 July, 10am-6pm or check out go.gov.sg/mylegacyplan-event and follow @mylegacysg on IG

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00:38:13

#802 TikTok’s viral SG French Tutor taught us opera?!

Plan B ·

2025/07/03

Who would’ve guessed Dzar was once a choir kid? Safe to say he’s got some pipes. But Rahman and Darren? That’s a different story. Today, all three take a shot at opera - guided by the viral SG French Tutor from TikTok, whose videos have caught the eye of stars like Laufey and even YouTube. Let the vocal chaos begin!(03:05) Welcome SG French Tutor!(09:37) Learning opera techniques(15:35) We sing opera!(20:40) Secrets to aging gracefully(24:25) Our thoughts on SG French Tutor(26:10) Pritam Singh’s

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00:20:35

#801 Having a family doesn’t guarantee a voice for...

Plan B ·

2025/07/02

An accident and sudden loss of mental capacity might feel far off, until it isn't. If you lose the ability to decide for yourself, who will? Many assume family can step in, but without legal authority, even your closest loved ones may be powerless. That’s why LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney) and ACP (Advance Care Planning) matter. In this episode, lawyer Nureliza Syahidain Binte Effendy breaks down how these legacy planning tools protect your wishes when it counts. Want to take control of your

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00:37:35

#800 “Where is the mention of international law right...

Plan B ·

2025/06/26

With global conflicts flaring—from Israel’s actions in Gaza and Iran to Russia’s war on Ukraine—the word “illegal” seems to have vanished from the headlines. Why does international law get ignored by mainstream media? It’s been a whirlwind week, so we’re breaking down what’s really happening: the shaky Iran-Israel truce, and how Singapore may finally be back in China’s good graces. (02:00) The whole Iran-Israel conflict(12:18) Algorithm vary across countries?(13:22) Mainstream media’s coverage on

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00:29:26

#799 “If the clouds can cry, why not men?”

Plan B ·

2025/06/25

“Be a man, do the right thing.” It’s a phrase many men hear when struggling with depression or emotional pain—often pushing them to stay silent. But with June marking Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Dean Ideris is breaking that silence. He opens up about how the collapse of his marriage impacted his mental health—and how he’s now helping other men speak up and heal.(04:23) Welcome Dean!(10:35) Why the breakdown of a marriage can lead to depression?(16:40) Financial abuse(22:38) Loneliness and

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749 results

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