MONEY FM 89.3 - Workday Afternoon with Claressa Monteiro

As banks explore the potential of permissionless blockchains, questions around risk, compliance and accountability remain. Project Pigeon, a new APAC industry working group, aims to develop a common framework to help financial institutions navigate these challenges. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to June Lau, APAC Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Elliptic, about what’s holding banks back, whether these risks can be managed, and what wider adoption of permissionless blockchains could mean for the future of financial services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a school receives a bomb threat, those responsible for keeping students safe have to act before they know whether the danger is real. How do they decide what level of response is proportionate? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with Associate Professor Razwana Begum, Head of the Graduate Programme in Global Security and Strategy at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, about how threats are assessed, why an evacuation does not necessarily mean a threat is considered credible, and how schools can prepare for security incidents without creating unnecessary fear or complacency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had a song pop into your head and then refuse to leave? Why do some tunes become earworms while others don't — and why can a single hook or chorus keep playing on repeat? On Is It Just Me?, Lynlee Foo and producer Alexandra Parada find out what makes a song stick with Dr Tim Byron, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Wollongong. They look at the role of repetition, listening habits and musical familiarity, and some surprisingly unusual ways to get an unwanted earworm out of your head.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much social media is too much for a teenager? James Breeze argues that the number of hours only tells part of the story. On Viewpoint, the CEO of Research Network and co-author of a 2025 Nanyang Technological University report on young people’s social media use joins Lynlee Foo to discuss what parents should be looking at beyond time spent, why platform design can make it difficult to stop scrolling, and why understanding what teens are actually doing online matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is becoming more human-like, and for some, it’s becoming more than just a tool. As China tightens rules around AI companion apps, Lynlee Foo explores a bigger question: can AI ever be a real companion or is there a line between technology and human connection that we shouldn’t cross?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A National Day banner mistake sparked headlines, but it also raised a deeper question: as AI becomes part of everyday life, how is it changing us? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo and her guest Usha Chandradas, Adjunct Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University and Consultant at international law firm Withers KhattarWong LLP, explore why the conversation isn't just about the technology itself, but about our habits of thinking, learning and exercising judgement in an AI-powered world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motherhood is often discussed through the lens of childcare, schools and work-life balance. But what about the emotional realities? On this special episode of Reset, Lynlee Foo speaks with The Straits Times transport correspondent and The Mother Load host Vanessa Chelvan about guilt, identity, the mental load, and why these conversations deserve to be heard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is changing more than the way consumers shop—it could soon change the way retailers compete. As AI becomes part of product discovery and purchasing, what happens when businesses have to appeal not just to people, but to AI agents acting on their behalf? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Ben Wong, Country Manager for Singapore and Hong Kong at global fintech business platform Adyen, about how AI is reshaping commerce, why retailers need to rethink their data strategy, and what it takes to stay competitive in the next era of retail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PropertyGuru's The Moving Out Show drew more than 3.3 million organic views as a viral nine-part Gen Z microdrama on TikTok and Instagram. Many viewers only realised at the end that it was a marketing campaign. Was it simply a clever campaign, or does it reflect a bigger shift in how brands earn attention? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Professor Amitava Chattopadhyay, Professor of Marketing at INSEAD, about why storytelling matters, how consumer behaviour is reshaping marketing, and why the fundamentals of building a strong brand haven't changed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A groom delivers heartfelt wedding vows but there's a twist. They weren't written by him. They were written by AI. As AI-generated National Day banners spark debate, Lynlee Foo explores a bigger question: should we let AI create our most meaningful moments?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab is taking another step towards driverless transport with an on-demand autonomous vehicle service in Punggol. But is Singapore ready? On Viewpoint, host Lynlee Foo and transport economist Walter Theseira, at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, discuss the economics behind autonomous vehicles, why commercial viability matters as much as technology, and how AVs could change the way we move around the city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searching for information is no longer just about keywords. AI is changing the way students and researchers discover, connect and make sense of knowledge. As NUS launches AI Sense Maker, Southeast Asia's first conversational AI platform for academic research, Lynlee Foo speaks with Associate Professor Natalie Pang, University Librarian at the National University of Singapore, about what AI means for research, critical thinking and the future of learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a $900 million support package to help businesses cope with higher energy costs and ongoing global uncertainty. As external shocks become more frequent, how should policymakers balance short-term relief with building long-term business resilience? Song Seng Wun, an Economic Advisor at SDAX, speaks to Lynlee Foo on Viewpoint about whether government support has become part of Singapore's economic playbook and what it means for businesses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From helping create jobs and improve access to medicines to opening the door to the space economy, Lynette Tan has built a career around creating opportunities for others. On Suite Talk, Lynlee Foo sat down with the CEO of Singapore-based space technology company Space Faculty reflects on leading through change, staying true to her values, and why the best leaders never stop learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows the companies designing AI chips. Far fewer know about the businesses building the infrastructure that allows those chips to work at scale. As AI demand grows, what does it take to power the next generation of data centres, and how is that reshaping manufacturing, supply chains and Southeast Asia's role in the global AI ecosystem? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Felix Teng, CEO and Co-Founder of BizLink Holding, a global technology company specialising in connectivity and power solutions for AI data centres and semiconductor equipment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest property announcements were not just about cooling measures or en bloc redevelopment, they offered a glimpse into where Singapore's housing market may be heading. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer at Mogul.sg, about what recent policy changes reveal about the way Singaporeans are buying, selling and living in their homes. From right-sizing and an ageing population to en bloc redevelopment and the challenges of renewing older estates, they explore why housing policy is becoming more targeted, and what it could mean for homeowners over the next decade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is beginning to do more than answer questions, it can increasingly act on our behalf. Inspired by recent developments involving OpenAI and Malaysia's PMX.AI, Lynlee Foo explores where we draw the line. Would you let AI book appointments, reply to emails, make phone calls or even speak in your name? As AI becomes more capable, how much of ourselves are we willing to hand over?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore is tightening cybersecurity rules to better defend critical services against AI-powered cyber threats. But this conversation goes beyond the headlines. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo sits down with Teo Xiang Zheng, Vice President, Advisory at Singapore-headquartered global cybersecurity firm Ensign InfoSecurity, to explore why cyber resilience is no longer just an IT issue, how AI is changing the economics of cyber attacks, and what business leaders and employees alike need to understand in a world where the machine doesn't sleep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI can explain financial jargon, summarise market news and even recommend what to buy or sell. But does that make it a good financial adviser? On AI & Me, Lynlee Foo speaks with Polka Mishra, Partner at Javelin Wealth Management, about where AI genuinely adds value, where it falls short, and why human judgement remains essential when making investment decisions. They also explore confirmation bias, data privacy, and why AI should be the engine and not the driver, of your financial journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro's closure may have sparked the conversation, but the bigger story is how we've changed as shoppers. Why do we still enjoy wandering through stores when almost everything can be bought online? What keeps us coming back to physical retail, and what does the future of shopping look like? Lynlee Foo speaks with Leonard Lee, Professor of Marketing, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore about consumer decision-making, retail therapy, AI recommendations, and why shopping is about far more than simply buying things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Innovation isn't just about having great ideas, it's about knowing how to turn them into lasting value. For more than two decades, Audrey Yap has worked at the intersection of law, business and innovation, helping companies protect, commercialise and grow their ideas while witnessing Singapore's innovation journey first-hand. From advising founders and business leaders to championing Singapore's manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, Audrey has built a career around enabling the success of others. On Suite Talk, Lynlee Foo speaks to Audrey Yap, Chairman of the SMF Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Award (SIMEA), about the career choices that shaped her journey, the lessons she's learnt from decades of working alongside innovators, and how her perspectives on leadership, success and innovation have evolved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has emerged as one of this year's standout investment destinations, attracting growing interest from global investors. But beyond the headlines, what's fueling this momentum? And are the qualities investors look for in a market beginning to change? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kunhee Park, ETF Equities Investment Strategist at State Street Investment Management, about why capital is flowing into Singapore, what investors are prioritising today, and what this says about the evolving global investment landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bots are no longer just buying up concert tickets. Powered by AI, they're becoming faster, harder to detect and capable of launching sophisticated attacks at unprecedented speed. As organisations race to keep up, cybersecurity is evolving beyond protecting systems to establishing trust in every digital interaction. What does this mean for businesses, consumers and the future of online security? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Daniel Toh, Chief Solution Architect, APJ at Thales, a global technology company with businesses spanning aerospace, defence, cybersecurity and digital identity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you rather have an AI assistant answer instantly and solve your problem in under a minute, or wait to speak to a human? As AI transforms customer service, Lynlee Foo explores what people value most when they need help, and whether speed is becoming more important than human interaction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI race is no longer just about who builds the smartest models. It may increasingly be about who gets the world to use them. China is pushing to expand the global reach of its AI models, but what is it really trying to achieve? Lynlee Foo speaks with Gary Ng, Hong Kong-based Senior Economist for Asia Pacific at global financial group Natixis, about why AI has become an economic and geopolitical strategy, how China's approach differs from that of the US, and what it could mean for Singapore and businesses navigating two emerging AI ecosystems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more seniors choose to age at home, families are turning to AI to help them stay connected and informed without compromising their loved ones' independence. But can AI detect subtle changes in daily routines before they become emergencies, and what are the trade-offs when it comes to privacy, accuracy and human oversight? On AI & Me: Eye on AI, Lynlee Foo speaks to Ivan Mun, Founder of Hello Ello, about how AI is transforming eldercare and what it could mean for families caring for ageing loved ones at home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From politics to investment and trade, what do this week's biggest headlines reveal about where Malaysia is heading? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with The Straits Times' Malaysia Bureau Chief Shannon Teoh about the Johor election, the Forest City controversy and Malaysia's growing durian trade with China, and why these developments matter to Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oxford. Harvard. Investment banking. It sounds like the blueprint for a conventional corporate career. But Kevin Tan, CEO of Tri-Sector Associates, had other ideas. On Suite Talk, Lynlee Foo speaks with Kevin about redefining success, leading across the public, private and social sectors, and why he believes the highest calling is to become a "public entrepreneur" - someone who builds institutions that create lasting impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medical breakthroughs often make headlines, but turning a scientific discovery into a medicine is a journey that can take years, and most never make it. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo sits down with Dr Alan Russell, Vice President of Research, global biotechnology company Amgen, to explore how the business of biotech has evolved. From the rise of startups and AI-driven drug discovery to the economics of developing new medicines and Singapore's growing biotech ecosystem, they discuss what it really takes to bring life-changing treatments to patients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses have long focused on making supply chains faster, leaner and cheaper. But after years of global disruption, many are now willing to pay more to make sure they can keep operating when the unexpected happens. Lynlee Foo speaks with Chris Hampden, Senior Vice President at Proxima, the global procurement and supply chain consultancy that is part of Bain & Company, about why supply chain resilience has become a boardroom priority, how companies are balancing cost against risk, whether consumers will eventually pay the price, and why AI is both strengthening and complicating global supply chains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore wants to build healthcare AI models trained on local patient data, with the aim of improving the early detection and treatment of chronic diseases. But better AI depends on better data. Would you be comfortable letting AI learn from medical data from people like you if it could lead to better healthcare? Lynlee Foo explores the trade-off between medical progress, privacy and trust in today's AI Dilemma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent nursing home cases have raised concerns about care standards, but they also point to a much bigger question. As Singapore becomes one of the world's fastest-ageing societies, what should our eldercare system actually look like? On Viewpoint, Public health specialist and author of Myth Or Magic – The Singapore Healthcare System, Dr Jeremy Lim joins Lynlee Foo to discuss ageing in the community, supporting families, improving quality of life and why the future of eldercare is about much more than nursing homes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AImay live in the cloud, but the race to lead the AI economy is unfolding in very real places. As cities around the world compete to attract AI talent, investment and innovation, what sets the leading hubs apart? What is Singapore getting right and could its next phase of growth increasingly depend on the strength of its regional ecosystem? On AI & Me: Eye on AI, Lynlee Foo speaks to Paul Tostevin, Director of Savills World Research, as they explore how AI is reshaping the geography of innovation and what this means for Singapore and the wider Southeast Asian region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency presents: Sailing Through Transformation — New Horizons. You may not have heard of Tong Seng, but chances are you've eaten rice that has come through this homegrown business. From sourcing rice from around the world to supplying Asian pantry staples across Singapore, Tong Seng Produce has grown into a trusted name over the past three decades. As the business enters its next chapter, its focus is on balancing tradition with innovation. We explore the leadership behind that journey, from earning the trust of long-serving employees to embracing digitalisation and AI, while staying true to the values that have shaped the company from the very beginning. On Suite Talk, Lynlee Foo speaks to Max Ng, Executive Director of Tong Seng Produce, about what it really means to take over the family business, earn your own credibility, and prepare it for the next generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telecom companies are increasingly bundling premium artificial intelligence tools with mobile plans, marking a shift in how they compete for customers beyond price, data and network coverage. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Nikhil Batra, Senior Research Director, IDC, about what's driving this trend, whether AI is becoming the next key differentiator for telcos, and what it could mean for consumers and the future of the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies spend billions trying to keep hackers out. But what happens when one gets in? As attacks move faster and digital systems become more complex, the cybersecurity industry is shifting its focus towards resilience and containment; stopping a breach from spreading before it becomes a crisis. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Raghu Nandakumara, Vice President of Industry Strategy at Illumio, about why effective cyber defence may now depend as much on limiting the damage as preventing the attack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is getting better at more and more of what we do. So if you had five hours a week to invest in yourself, would you spend them getting better at AI, or getting better at being human? On AI Dilemma, Lynlee Foo asks what happens to judgment, empathy and leadership when AI takes over more of the grunt work - and how we develop those skills if the grunt work disappears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore and Southeast Asia face a heightened risk of severe transboundary haze in the second half of 2026, driven by the return of El Niño, drier weather and mounting economic pressures that could increase forest and peatland fires. The warning comes ahead of the 27th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Bali, where regional leaders will discuss efforts to prevent another major haze episode. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Evelyn Tan, Assistant Director, Policy Programmes at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), about what the meeting hopes to achieve, whether Southeast Asia is better prepared for a high-risk haze season, and what stronger regional cooperation will take to tackle the problem at its source.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searching the internet used to mean typing keywords into a search engine. Today, more people are turning to AI assistants for quick, conversational answers instead. As generative AI changes the way we search for information, what determines which businesses, brands and sources appear in those answers? And what does this shift mean for companies trying to stay visible online? On AI & Me, Lynlee Foo explores how AI is reshaping search, online discovery and digital communications with Jeff Hicks, Chief Product & Technology Officer at PR Newswire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long commutes remain a reality for many Singapore residents, with people living in towns such as Sembawang, Bukit Panjang and Punggol spending the most time travelling to work, while those in central areas enjoy significantly shorter journeys. As new data highlights where commuters are most affected, it also raises broader questions about how we define accessibility beyond just travel time. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Terence Fan, Assistant Professor Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship, Singapore Management University, about what these findings reveal about the daily commuting experience in Singapore and whether being a "10-minute walk" from an MRT station means the same thing for everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many people, self-care isn't difficult because they don't have time for it and it's difficult because they feel guilty for putting themselves first. Whether it's saying no, taking a break, or setting boundaries, why do so many of us struggle to prioritise ourselves? And how can we let go of the guilt and embrace self-care as an essential part of a healthier, more balanced life? On Is It Just Me?, Lynlee Foo and producer Alexandra Parada unpack why prioritising ourselves can feel so uncomfortable, where that guilt comes from, and how healthy boundaries can help us care for ourselves without letting others down. Featuring insights from Concetta, Psychologist and Psychotherapist at Alliance Counselling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency presents: Sailing Through Transformation — New Horizons. AI is changing the way businesses operate but does growth still have to mean hiring more people? And how can workers stay relevant as technology reshapes the workplace? Raine Goh, founder and CEO of IT solutions provider Business Buddy, shares how her company is helping SMEs embrace AI and digital transformation by automating repetitive work and improving productivity. She explains why her team chose to reskill employees instead of replacing them, how content writers became prompt writers, and why businesses should see AI as a tool for transformation rather than a threat. The conversation also explores why curiosity and continuous learning are becoming essential in an AI-driven workplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.