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Comedy has always been a major part of Singapore's culture. But beyond entertainment, comedy may be serving a much bigger purpose. At a time when conversations about generational divides are becoming more common — whether it's over technology, workplace expectations or social values — humour appears to be creating moments of connection between young and old. In some cases, comedy can even help us navigate sensitive topics, challenge stereotypes and better understand perspectives that differ from our own. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Singapore's veteran comedian, Kumar, to learn how local have humour evolved over the years, and how is comedy is one of Singapore's most effective tools for bridging the generational gap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No topic is off-limits... well, almost. In this special Ask Kumar segment, Singapore's beloved comedian and entertainer Kumar takes on questions from listeners, offering his unique blend of wit, wisdom and unfiltered observations. From life's biggest dilemmas to the most random curiosities, expect plenty of laughs, surprising insights and classic Kumar honesty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wait is over — the 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. But as fans turn their attention to the action on the field, a different contest is already playing out off it.Visa restrictions, diplomatic disputes and geopolitical tensions have all cast a shadow over football's biggest tournament, raising questions about whether the World Cup can still be considered a truly global event. As the United States, Mexico and Canada welcome the world, we ask: Has the World Cup become a stage for global politics as much as sport? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Simon Chadwick, Professor of AfroEurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School in Lyon, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and guest host Kumar, dives headfirst into the World Cup hype as it officially kicked off today. In spirit of the highly anticipated sports tournament in history, the duo gets quizzed on the football slangs used across the world. But beyond that, Kumar also shares his prediction for who will win the World Cup 2026 tournament So who is ultimately better at speaking football slangs? And will Kumar's pick for the World Cup 2026 winner end up becoming the real champions? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A historic win, a debut to remember, and a new coach leading the charge. The Singapore Women's National Team clearly are undergoing a renaissance of sorts - and Sports Minutes has all the details, in converstion with Danelle Tan and Yuvika Suresh.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1.38 million Singaporean households are receiving $500 in CDC vouchers from today, with this latest tranche brought forward by six months from January 2027 to June 2026. The Government says this reflects ongoing concerns about cost of living pressures, even as inflation has eased slightly in recent months. But with global uncertainties still in play, from geopolitical tensions to potential energy and supply chain pressures, the outlook remains fluid, and questions remain about how much relief these measures actually provide on the ground for households. So how meaningful is 500 dollars in today’s context? And how should households be thinking about using them, amid further uncertainty? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Assistant Professor Yeow Hwee Chua, Division of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to work, younger generations are often accused of wanting too much, too soon. This expectation has led the Gen Z and millennials to be frequently labelled as impatient or unrealistic.But are they really? A new Jobstreet by SEEK report called the Salary Pulse: Singapore 2026 report showed that workers who change jobs are far more likely to receive significant pay increases than those who stay loyal to their employers. And when salary expectations aren't met, younger workers are much more likely to start looking elsewhere. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mark Ng, Marketing Manager from Jobstreet by SEEK to find out whether younger workers become too focused on salary, or are they simply responding to the realities of today's job market and changing workplace expectations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in four decades, Yakult Singapore will be removing its orange flavour from its Yakult culture drink lineup here. And coming soon to replace it, will be the peach flavour. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the story and how the netizens have reacted. Throughout the discussion, they shared what their favourite flavours are, and even how it might be different now that a new flavour is being introduced.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI salaries in Singapore are rising up to five times faster than the overall wage growth. Within the past year, pay for AI roles has climbed by about 15 to 25 per cent, with fresh hires typically starting from between $70,000 and $90,000 a year. That compares with overall wage growth of 4.9 per cent in 2025, down from 5.6 per cent the year before. Yet at the same time, major tech firms and global banks are restructuring and cutting jobs, often citing AI as a key reason. So what's really driving this surge in AI salaries? Could it start reshaping wage expectations across the wider workforce? And does the promise of AI justify the growing number of layoffs we're seeing? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rahul Chawla, Partner and Head of Talent Solutions for Southeast Asia at Aon to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassandra spent more than 12 years building her career at companies including FoodPanda, Chope and TripAdvisor before being retrenched in 2023. Instead of returning to corporate life, she founded OtterHalf, an award-winning fractional marketing agency. What makes her story stand out is how Gen Z has influenced her leadership style. Rather than imposing traditional career expectations, she built a workplace centred on flexibility, purpose and continuous learning, shaped directly by her team's values and feedback. As a mother of two young daughters, Cassandra has also begun reflecting on a bigger question: what attitudes towards work, success and ambition are today's leaders modelling for the next generation? On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Cassandra Ong, Founder of OtterHalf, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into a heartwarming social media post where a father uploaded a video of his kids playing in a drainage canal, as if they were at a 'water park'. Netizens online reacted by saying that it reminded them of simpler kampung times back in their childhood days. From playing capteh to hopscotch games, the trio also discusses some of their favourite childhood games to play while they were growing up in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s fertility rate has fallen to a historic low, and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has signalled that there are no plans to introduce a new population target or revise the figures set out in past population planning discussions.Instead, the focus is on maintaining stability and avoiding population decline in an increasingly uncertain demographic landscape.As birth rates continue to fall around the world and immigration remains carefully managed, what does a sustainable population look like for Singapore? Can policy measures meaningfully reverse the trend, or is the country entering a new era where success is measured by more than just population growth?On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow in the Governance and Economy department at the Institute of Policy Studies, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many people, career success is often seen as something that peaks in midlife — a journey of climbing the ladder, reaching milestones, and eventually winding down towards retirement. But what if your most meaningful work is still ahead of you?As people live longer, work longer, and rethink traditional ideas of success, more are discovering new passions, purpose, and even entirely new careers later in life. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryo Leong and Poh Wah Lee, two individuals who have taken very different paths to finding fulfilment beyond the conventional career timeline. From embracing reinvention as a portfolio professional to discovering purpose through serving others, they share how their experiences have reshaped their understanding of work, success, and what it means to make a meaningful contribution at any age.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to turn adversity into ambition? Team Singapore’s Gemma Rose Foo joins Sports Minutes to share her remarkable story - from surviving against the odds as a premature baby diagnosed with cerebral palsy, to becoming one of our country's leading para-equestrian athletes - representing the nation on the world stage at multiple Paralympic Games.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into one of the internet’s latest dream jobs: getting paid US$50,000 to watch every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Is watching all 104 matches and more than 200 hours of football a dream come true or a recipe for burnout? Nadiah Koh also puts the team's World Cup knowledge to the test in a special trivia, from the first-ever champions and the priciest teams to watch, to Curaçao’s historic qualification, and viral footballer Tim Payne’s sudden rise to internet fame. After a tightly contested battle that came down to a penalty-shootout-style tiebreaker, who emerged victorious and claimed the title of What’s Trending World Cup Trivia Champion?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s labour market has remained relatively resilient, with unemployment staying low in recent years. But beneath that stability, concerns are growing among professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) about job security, restructuring, and the impact of AI on white-collar work. Last year, NTUC handled more than 3,900 PME retrenchment and termination cases — a 5% increase from the year before — with many linked to offshoring, restructuring, and technological disruption. So today, we explore why more PMEs are turning to unions for support, and whether professionals are becoming more vulnerable in an evolving economy. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC and Elected Member of Parliament, Pioneer SMC, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about ageing, the focus is often on visible changes like mobility, retirement, or healthcare. But one of the most common yet overlooked challenges older adults face is hearing loss. It doesn’t just affect hearing, it can quietly reshape conversations, relationships, confidence and even a person's sense of identity. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong explores what it means for a father and daughter to navigate hearing loss together across two generations, and two very different perspectives on vulnerability, independence, and asking for help. Joining the conversation are Mohamed Shah, an Oticon Zeal user who has lived with hearing loss for years, and his daughter, Sadrina Shah, a Senior Clinical Audiologist at Oticon Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into financial literacy and how students in the United States are going through quizzes to test each others' financial knowledge. From the Magnificent Seven to how dividends are being paid, the trio decide to attempt a quiz on their own, with Hongbin testing Nadiah and Naz to see whether they are more financially literate than a bunch of high schoolers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you to a sleepy pocket of Japan’s countryside called Myoko. Located about a three-hour train ride from Tokyo, Myoko was said to be one of the oldest ski areas in Japan, where it once saw young skiers streaming along its neon-lit streets. That was, of course, during the economic boom back in the 1980s and 1990s, before ski-lovers swapped Myoko for other popular destinations like Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano. But one Singaporean company is hoping to inject life back into the area by buying up ski resorts in Myoko and the nearby Madarao, and building an integrated township out of them. And that company is called Patience Capital Group. Founded in 2019 by the former head of Japan at Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Ken Chan, Patience Capital Group manages assets on behalf of institutional and private investors worldwide. The firm says it currently manages two close-ended funds. The first is a hospitality fund focused on unlocking value in the Japanese tourism sector, and that’s where the ski resorts come in. The fund, in particular, was said to have raised 39 billion yen from institutional investors ranging from sovereign wealth funds to a university endowment fund. The other close-ended fund, meanwhile, is a residential fund investing in mid-market residential assets located in the Greater Tokyo Area. Beyond that, the firm also has a lifestyle vertical that aims to create a suite of consumer experiences and businesses to complement its portfolio and encourage placemaking in its destinations. But how will the various business operations under Patience Capital Group come together to create viable recreational townships in Japan? Meanwhile, the firm says it is tapping into the Japanese tourism and residential markets given a rise in investors’ interest in the country amid relatively low cost of capital. But how much money is in the Myoko and Madarao areas exactly and what are the risks of pulling off a transformation project of this size? How sustainable is the tourism boom in Japan for long-term infrastructure projects in both the recreational and residential space? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ken Chan, CEO, Patience Capital Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The June holidays have begun and many parents are likely going through a familiar challenge — managing their children's screen time. But for Gen Alpha, the digital world isn't just a place to pass the time. It's where they learn, play, socialise and increasingly, shape their understanding of the world. Today's children are navigating an online landscape that is vastly different from anything previous generations experienced. However, the use of technology also comes with plenty of risks. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Pamela Ong, Country Manager, Singapore and Asia at ESET to learn how parents can protect their children from the online dangers, And whether is it still only about limiting our children’s screen time in today’s setting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States is proposing a new 12.5 percent tariff on imports linked to so-called “forced labour goods”, under Section 301 of its Trade Act. This significant measure could affect approximately one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US. While Singapore has reiterated that it does not condone forced labour and finds no evidence of such practices within its supply chains, the nation continues to engage with the US on this developing matter. So what exactly does this tariff mean in practice? And what could this mean for businesses and trade ties between Singapore and the US moving forward? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past week, the news report was full of rat sightings. From MRTs to F&B outlets, these rodents have caused an uproar and even raises questions about the hygiene and state of things around our beloved Singapore. But at last, the rat problem is finally under control. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into how Singapore is stepping up to contain the situation and what they would do if they ever spotted a rat in the studio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global K-pop supergroup BTS is finally returning to Singapore for the first time in seven years, taking over the National Stadium this December for a massive four-night run as part of their BTS World Tour ‘Arirang’. As fans across the region scramble for tickets, many are wondering if “BTSonomics” could become Singapore’s next big tourism and spending boom, much like the impact Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had in 2024, with packed hotels, soaring flight demand and increased tourism spending. So what could BTS’ return mean for Singapore’s economy and reputation as Asia’s entertainment hub? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Kevin Cheong, Lecturer in Business at the University of Newcastle Australia, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way creative industries work today. From generating artwork and editing videos to building logos and marketing campaigns in seconds, AI tools are rapidly changing what creativity looks like in the modern workplace. As companies increasingly adopt AI to streamline tasks and reduce manual work, many Gen Z creatives are wondering what this means for careers built on originality, human ideas and artistic expression. So should young Singaporeans be worried about AI replacing creative jobs? Or is this simply the next evolution of work, one that requires adaptation rather than fear? Joining us right here today to discuss this are two creatives themselves: Celeste Seah, designer of Rememo and Reynard Seah, designer of Noda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global K-pop supergroup BTS is finally returning to Singapore after seven years, and the ticketing chaos has officially begun. From endless online queues and crashing pages to fans camping out with multiple devices, the battle for seats to the group’s four-night National Stadium run has turned into a full-blown survival mission for ARMYs across the region. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Azrar break down the madness behind the BTS ticketing war. Plus, after finally managing to score her own ticket, Hongbin hints that one lucky listener might just stand a chance to win it. The question is… would she actually give it away?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A powerful tropical storm is sweeping across Japan, bringing widespread disruption — from Okinawa to Kyushu — with reports of injuries, mass flight cancellations, power outages, and evacuation advisories affecting more than 800,000 people. Now tracking toward Tokyo, Tropical Storm Jangmi raises growing concerns over flooding, transport breakdowns, and possible school closures in one of the world’s busiest cities. How does Jangmi compare to past storms Japan has faced, and are extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe globally? And what safety measures should you take if you ever find yourself caught in a typhoon? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Wang Jingy, Assistant Professor, Humanities & Social Studies Education, National Institute of Education, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gen Zs often get labelled as the generation of impulse buys, online shopping hauls and spending on experiences. But surprisingly, many young people here in Singapore are actually taking money matters seriously — practising mindful spending, tracking expenses and actively trying to save whenever they can. Still, saving today looks very different from previous generations. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong and Daisy Mitchell, Founder of ANGMore Media discuss whether Gen Zs are truly becoming smarter with money, or are they simply navigating a different financial reality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Azrar unpack a bizarre but true story from Singapore, where a family discovered a perfectly spherical egg in a regular NTUC carton bought for just S$3.75. What started as an ordinary grocery run quickly turned into a viral-worthy moment when they realized the egg could be an extremely rare, potentially valuable find. They also dive into how rare food oddities have fetched surprising prices at auctions around the world... If something like this turned up in your kitchen, would you eat it, sell it, or guard it like treasure?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workers’ Party is facing one of its most consequential moments in recent years. On June 28, cadres will gather for a special conference where secretary-general Pritam Singh is expected to address members over his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee. If he does not step down, cadres could vote by secret ballot on whether he should remain leader of Singapore’s largest opposition party. With the party’s leadership elections happening later that same day, what does this say about the state of the WP today? Is this about accountability, or does it point to bigger questions about leadership and the future of Singapore’s opposition politics? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at SMU's Yong Pung How School of Law, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When parents think about building wealth, the focus is often on providing the best possible future for their children. But when it comes to passing that wealth down, the conversation can become a lot more complicated — especially in families with more than one child. Today, wealth can come in a diverse portfolio, and with that comes the bigger question: How can parents divide assets fairly? On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jack Prickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Syfe to learn more about how to create a fair inheritance plan, and how parents can ensure that what they leave behind creates security instead of future conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh discuss a heartwarming viral story about a man in Tampines who recently hosted a free soup gathering at his HDB void deck for neighbours to connect. The heartwarming event has sparked a bigger conversation online: Have we become too disconnected from our neighbours? And are void decks some of Singapore’s most underused community spaces? From movie nights to potlucks and pop-ups, could simple ground-up events help bring back a little more kampung spirit to modern Singapore?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a night when Hariss Harun hit a landmark 148th appearance for Singapore to become the most-capped player in history, we wonder if the Lions' skipper is the GREATEST ever to represent the nation? Plus, all change at Tanjong Pagar United. Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times, has the details on Sports Minutes. READ MORE:https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/tanjong-pagar-united-set-for-a-new-era-with-change-in-chairman-and-club-management Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New numbers from the Ministry of Manpower show that real wages grew by 4% in 2025, meaning workers are, in theory, seeing their spending power improve as inflation eases. But beneath the headline, the story is far more mixed. Some industries are seeing stronger salary growth, others are slowing down. Fewer companies are giving raises despite stronger profits, and many Singaporeans still say the cost of living feels high. So are workers genuinely better off right now? Which sectors are winning the wage race, and which ones may be falling behind? And as global uncertainty continues, can Singaporeans expect salary growth to continue into the years ahead? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Terence Ho, Executive Director, Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), to break down the numbers and what they really mean for workers, businesses and job seekers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many young Singaporeans, buying a home used to feel like a clear life milestone, you graduate, get a stable job, apply for a BTO, settle down. But today, with rising property prices, higher cost of living, delayed marriages, and changing priorities among Gen Zs and millennials… the path doesn’t seem so straightforward anymore. So when should you actually start thinking about buying your first home? And is the traditional BTO route still the only sensible option? On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer, MOGUL.sg to find out when would be a good time to start thinking about purchasing your first home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to the Singapore National Team we often hear the Fandi brothers mentioned. But what about the Stewart brothers? Arguably less heralded, but most certainly just as important to the Lions - Ryhan & Harhys Stewart sit down with Sports Minutes to talk about club, country and much more.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the latest announcement by Meta where they will soon be rolling out subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp. From better analytics to premium stickers to use in private conversations, the trio discusses whether these new perks offered in the 'plus' versions of the apps are worth paying for, and why people might still go ahead and pay for these.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, careers don’t always follow a straight line. More people are leaving industries they’ve spent years building a career in — whether it’s to chase a passion, find better work-life balance, or simply start fresh. But making a mid-career switch into a completely different field can feel like a huge leap, because you’re essentially walking away from experience, stability, and maybe even a comfortable paycheck, for something unfamiliar. And the risks grow even greater when it comes to an older individual. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jeremiah Lee, General Manager, HMI Instituteto learn whether pivoting this late in one’s career, is seen as a bold move or a risky gamble?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has just wrapped up a rare visit to North Korea, his first since the historic Trump-Kim summit in Singapore back in 2018. This time, the stakes feel very different. The visit comes amid fresh missile tests by Pyongyang, rising tensions on the Korean peninsula, and growing uncertainty across the world stage. So why now? What was discussed behind closed doors? And could Singapore once again find itself playing a bigger diplomatic role between North Korea and the rest of the world? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Oh Ei Sun, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nazirul Asrar dive into Annette Lee's recent announcement on social media where she will give out refunds for disappointed viewers who watched her new film, "Dream Stall", during its opening week. On the back of this, the duo discusses the state of our local Singaporean movie scene right now, and whether we each have felt that a refund was needed after a disappointing movie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s Chief Justice, Sundaresh Menon, recently warned about the rise of “truth decay,” where it’s becoming harder to distinguish fact from opinion, especially in the age of AI and social media. At the same time, the judiciary is also figuring out how AI can safely be incorporated into the legal system, while preserving trust in the courts. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Hannah Yee-Fen Lim, from the Nanyang Business School, NTU Singapore, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weddings are supposed to be one of the happiest milestones in life — a celebration of love, family and new beginnings. But increasingly, they’re also becoming a major financial undertaking, because saying “I do” today can come with a price tag that leaves many couples stressed long before they walk down the aisle. On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nicole Liel to find out whether weddings these days have become less about romance, and more about budgets and spreadsheets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nazirul Asrar dives into the rise of Singlish in everyday conversations, and even in professional settings. From office meetings to casual workplace chats, is Singlish becoming more accepted as part of Singapore’s identity? The duo explores whether Singlish is no longer just a way of speaking, but a way of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.