Best CNA Digital News Podcasts (2025)

1
GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with? 21:01

4d ago21:01

21:01

For the first time in 53 years, an independent candidate received more than 35 per cent of vote share, performing better than some smaller opposition parties. Jeremy Tan, who ran in Mountbatten SMC, and Darryl Lo who contested in Radin Mas SMC, join Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards to talk about lessons learnt from their campaigning and their future …

1
What's holding investors back from green projects? 17:20

5d ago17:20

17:20

Angrier planet, messier times. What's keeping green investors cautious, and how can countries brace better? Jack Board and Liling Tan find answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
Passports for sale: Climate-vulnerable nations take unconventional steps for survival 13:03

13d ago13:03

13:03

Island nations battling extreme weather and rising seas are offering citizenship in exchange for climate financing. They get money to relocate, reinforce and redevelop, while investors get visa-free passports. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss survival and sovereignty in the face of global warming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio…

1
GE2025 results: A closer look at the strong PAP mandate and the opposition strategy 23:22

14d ago23:22

23:22

Voters gave the People's Action Party and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate in GE2025. What accounted for the result and why couldn't the opposition parties make good on gains from the last election? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and Dr Reuben Ng from the L…

1
WP's Jasper Kuan on the 3-hour chat with former chief Low Thia Khiang that convinced him to run for GE2025 20:09

20d ago20:09

20:09

East Coast GRC candidate for the Workers’ Party Jasper Kuan admits this may not be the right “season” for him to jump into politics because of his three young children. But he tells Steven Chia how a three-hour conversation with Low Thia Khiang changed his mind and why as a former Gifted Education Programme teacher, he believes the education system…

1
GE2025: PAP’s Elysa Chen on being 'kicked into politics' and overcoming imposter syndrome 18:12

21d ago18:12

18:12

Politics was never part of Elysa Chen’s plan, who used to think of the PAP as “paternalistic” and “out of touch”. But one tea session with the PAP led to another, and now, the party’s new face is standing in GE2025. She tells Steven Chia on the Deep Dive podcast why contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC feels like a “homecoming”. See omnystudio.com/li…

1
GE2025: PSP's Stephanie Tan on making the leap from homemaker to political candidate 17:25

22d ago17:25

17:25

After years of being a lawyer, Stephanie Tan became a stay-at-home mum to care for her two daughters. She has used her experience in law to help the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) with their parliamentary work over the last two years. Now a first-time candidate contesting Pioneer SMC, Stephanie tells Otelli Edwards how party chairman Dr Tan Cheng B…

1
GE2025: PAP's Jasmin Lau on saying 'yes' to politics but staying true to herself 20:44

23d ago20:44

20:44

PAP new face Jasmin Lau, who is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, went from government scholar to rising up the ranks in the civil service. She tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast how she copes with self-doubt and why she said yes to entering politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
GE2025: WP's Ong Lue Ping on stepping down from senior leadership at work to join the opposition 20:10

26d ago20:10

20:10

When he decided to be actively involved as a Workers’ Party candidate, Dr Ong Lue Ping, a senior principal child psychologist, decided to move out of a director position at the Institute of Mental Health. The WP candidate for Tampines GRC tells Steven Chia why staying could present a conflict of interest and what prompted him to join the opposition…

1
GE2025: PAP's Dinesh Vasu Dash on how a pivotal turning point in his career led him to politics 20:02

27d ago20:02

20:02

He took a significant pay cut and declined a private sector job to join the Health Ministry to fight the pandemic. Now Dinesh Vasu Dash is running on the PAP ticket as the new face contesting in East Coast GRC in what he describes as a journey with "too many points of twists and turns". He tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Div…

1
GE2025: Breaking down Nomination Day and its surprises 23:22

27d ago23:22

23:22

A last minute move to a brand new GRC, a rare walkover and a four-cornered fight. Steven Chia speaks to SMU Law professor Eugene Tan and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to get some perspective on the state of play of GE2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Green hydrogen: Future game changer or false hope? 26:16

1M ago26:16

26:16

Green hydrogen has been touted as a promising solution to cleaning up transport, shipping and aviation. But this clean technology has run into multiple hurdles. Jack Board and Lilling Tan chat with Alex Tancock, the CEO of InterContinental Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
The dangers of victim-blaming in sexual assault cases 23:33

1M ago23:33

23:33

The former vice-president of the Law Society Chia Boon Teck resigned after he was heavily criticised for his comments about a rape victim. Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Mark Yeo, director at Fortress Law Corporation and Sugidha Nithiananthan, director of advocacy and research at AWARE, about the dangers of victim-blaming. See omnystudio.c…

1
The ‘White Lotus’ effect is redefining the way we travel, but is it sustainable? 14:02

1M ago14:02

14:02

Ever fallen in love with a film's location set and booked a holiday there? You're in good company. "Set-jetting" travel is on the rise, thanks in part to the White Lotus effect that saw bookings surge for destinations featured in the popular HBO series. This week on Climate Conversations, Jack Board and Liling Tan weigh the economic gains of set-je…

1
How will Trump’s tariffs affect jobs, wages and prices in Singapore? 33:00

1M ago33:00

33:00

The sweeping Trump tariffs are a signal that a new world order is taking shape and one that may affect wages and jobs in Singapore. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing tells Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards what the government plans to do and why he doesn't lose sleep over things he cannot control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Tackling inequality is not just down to more government aid: Masagos Zulkifli 39:20

2M ago39:20

39:20

There are still families stuck in an intergenerational cycle of poverty and while the government can provide essential safety nets, real sustained change can only happen when society pitches in too, says Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. Mr Masagos and senior social worker at Care Corner, Flora Tan, join Crispina Robert f…

1
Fast fashion vs sustainable threads 20:55

2M ago20:55

20:55

The global apparel industry remains a major contributor to pollution and waste. But there are ways to still look good without feeling bad. Ahead of International Day of Zero Waste, Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with Michael Sadowski from the Circulate Initiative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Singapore's hawker culture can thrive but we need to embrace that it is evolving, says Grace Fu 21:44

2M ago21:44

21:44

With S$1 billion set aside for upgrades and new hawker centres over the coming decades, the Singapore government is tackling issues ranging from infrastructure and hygiene to keep the trade alive. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu tells Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why she's optimistic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…

1
Sustainable aviation fuels were meant to take off. What’s gone wrong? 16:00

2M ago16:00

16:00

A few years ago, airlines were pushing hard on developing green jet fuels. But adoption rates are slow. Jack Board and Liling Tan unpack the future of clean flying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
Changes to JC admission not meant to increase competition or stress: Chan Chun Sing 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

From 2028, students who want to go to a junior college will only need a total of five subjects instead of six. The change is meant to ease academic load but whether it reduces stress for students and parents remains to be seen. Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to unpack the changes. See om…

1
Dirty skies: Why almost no one is breathing safe air in Southeast Asia 14:58

2M ago14:58

14:58

A new report tracks air pollution levels right across the world. The good news? Air quality is slightly improving in Southeast Asia. But as Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss, there are lingering health concerns for all of us breathing in dirty air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Can Singapore cinemas survive the onslaught of streaming services? 24:47

2M ago24:47

24:47

Some cinemas which have existed for decades have shut as some people prefer to watch films at home. Can the experience of watching a movie on the big screen be saved? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss with Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector and Ben Slater, senior lecturer at NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media. See omnystudio.com/listen…

1
How nuclear may be a larger factor in the clean energy equation 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

They're smaller, safer, scalable, and they could bring nuclear power to places never thought possible. Small modular reactors are the next big thing in the nuclear power race, but Dr Alvin Chew from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies tells Liling Tan safety trumps tech every time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Cli-Fi? Finding climate themes in popular film and TV 24:22

3M ago24:22

24:22

Climate themes in science fiction are everywhere. Some of our favourite shows are telling important stories about our life on Earth. Sci-fi expert Jamie Uy joins Jack Board and Liling Tan to discuss environmental calamity, the end of the world, wars over resources and fantastic technological innovations in some of their favourites. See omnystudio.c…

1
Budget 2025 help for larger families is neither reward nor incentive: Indranee Rajah 24:09

3M ago24:09

24:09

The government is providing more resources in this year’s Budget for parents who choose to have three or more children. Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to talk about families, jobs and what ideal ageing looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Countries are neglecting to hand in their climate homework 14:01

3M ago14:01

14:01

Every five years, countries are expected to give new climate change action targets. A shockingly small number of them met the deadline this month. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss why and which single nation in Southeast Asia got a pass mark. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
Budget 2025 is more than just an election budget 24:40

3M ago24:40

24:40

A bigger tranche of vouchers, more generous rebates and more investments in the local workforce were some of the hallmarks of Budget 2025. Professor Emeritus of Finance at Singapore Management University Annie Koh and Assistant Professor Chua Yeow Hwee from Nanyang Technological University tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why the “budget goodie…

1
Budget 2025 wishlist: Tackling cost of living, jobs and family is a delicate balancing act 26:45

3M ago26:45

26:45

It’s an SG60 Budget in an election year with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set to lay some priorities for this year. What could be on the list? Business owner Pulse Tan, parent of two and elderly caregiver Serene Chew, and labour economist Walter Theseira give their take in a conversation with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert. See omnystudio.com/list…

1
How do microplastics end up in human brains? 14:07

3M ago14:07

14:07

The emergence of microplastics across the planet is leading to new health challenges. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss some new research and the ways we could contend with tiny particles causing a huge problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
DeepSeek: What difference will cheaper AI make? 26:26

3M ago26:26

26:26

An AI model developed by a little-known Chinese hedge fund that reportedly rivals OpenAI's ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost has triggered a deep “freak out” among the global tech industry. Why was there a big reaction to DeepSeek and what are the implications for Singapore? Dr Leslie Teo, senior director of AI products at AI Singapore and Jian…

1
Roaring back to life: Tigers rebounding in Thailand 19:45

3M ago19:45

19:45

The tiger is alive in the forests of Thailand. The iconic species is enjoying a boom period of population growth, thanks to conservation efforts. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss how it’s been done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
Why is animal cruelty on the rise in Singapore? 18:55

4M ago18:55

18:55

In the latest SPCA data, the number of confirmed animal cruelty and welfare cases in Singapore reached its highest point in 2024. What’s driving these numbers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert find out from Samantha Chia, owner of ChubbyBuddy Cats and Sabrina Ng, communications and advocacy manager at SPCA Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for …

1
Trump 2.0: Red lines through green policies 19:48

4M ago19:48

19:48

US President Donald Trump announced his return to the White House with a flurry of executive orders, including many impacting climate and energy policy. Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with HuffPost’s Alexander Kaufman to understand what it means for the US and the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Will the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone be a success? 20:34

4M ago20:34

20:34

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will sit on an area four times the size of Singapore, with nine zones covering everything from manufacturing to financial services. What are the opportunities and challenges of this ambitious agreement? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of research in Singapore and regiona…

1
The coolest technology shaking up clean energy in 2025 19:11

4M ago19:11

19:11

Innovation in clean energy is moving fast. As the world marks International Day of Clean Energy, Jack Board and Liling Tan pick out some of the technologies to watch in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
If banning social media for teens under 16 won't work, what else will? 26:05

4M ago26:05

26:05

Australia passed a law last year banning children under 16 from accessing social media, a move seen as challenging to implement. Singapore is also considering ways to protect children from harms of excessive use on social media platforms. But how realistic is this? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Nikki Yeo, a Gen Z and CNA TODAY journalist…

1
Wildfires out of control: How natural disasters are made worse by climate change 22:24

4M ago22:24

22:24

California is struggling with wildfires as people evacuate their homes which are burning to the ground. What’s in store for 2025 when it comes to natural disasters here and around the world as climate impacts intensify? Jack Board and Liling Tan speak to Ira Spitzer who is reporting from Los Angeles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

1
Are whistleblowers protected in Singapore? 27:36

4M ago27:36

27:36

In December 2024, SingPost dismissed three top executives for mishandling internal investigations into a whistleblower report. What protections do whistleblowers have, and how can companies provide transparency and independence in investigating complaints? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert break it down with NUS Professor Mak Yuen Teen and Celeste An…

1
Will Southeast Asia’s digital rush come at a climate cost? 17:08

4M ago17:08

17:08

Southeast Asia is one of the hottest markets for setting up new digital infrastructure. But this modern-day gold rush of building data centres poses a huge climate challenge - dealing with the enormous carbon footprint. Jack Board and Liling Tan give a ringside report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Best of: What's behind bullying in schools? 29:51

5M ago29:51

29:51

In a recent viral video, a Qihua primary school student was seen being repeatedly attacked. Is bullying getting worse in Singapore? What are the causes and why are perpetrators filming their deeds? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Cheung Hoi Shan, assistant professor at the National Institute of Education, MOE master school counsellor Se…

1
Best of: Why are extinct species coming back in Singapore? 17:45

5M ago17:45

17:45

In the final installment of our top five episodes of the year, Liling Tan speaks to Yeo Suay Hwee and Tan Gim Cheong from the Nature Society about certain native species that were once uprooted are now are coming back, and those that are lost forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Best of: Mobile Guardian breach - Who is responsible for backups? 23:57

5M ago23:57

23:57

A global cybersecurity breach involving the Mobile Guardian app affected about 13,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Singapore in August, with devices being wiped remotely by the hacker. How are IT vendors assessed and who is responsible for ensuring backups are done? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with May Chng, chief operating office…

1
Best of: Migrant workers bear the brunt of heat stress 23:56

5M ago23:56

23:56

In the fourth of our top five episodes from the archives, Liling Tan asks Associate Professor Jason Lee, Director of the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in NUS about the risks migrant workers face and what other innovative solutions can employers look at to improve the situation. See omnystudio.com/list…

1
Best of: Are our bad driving habits causing fatal traffic accidents? 22:09

5M ago22:09

22:09

The recent accident in Tampines which killed two people has raised questions about Singapore's driving culture. Speeding, beating red lights and drink driving are still stubborn issues. Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council and Julian Kho, general manager at Sgcarmart tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert what needs to change. S…

1
Best of: Can AI better predict the weather? 19:05

5M ago19:05

19:05

In the third of our top five episodes of the year, Jack Board and Liling Tan explore how the use of AI is changing industries in unimaginable ways, especially in the climate change and sustainability space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By CNA

1
What are the implications of unmasking NRIC numbers? 25:45

5M ago25:45

25:45

After privacy concerns were raised over ACRA's new Bizfile portal showing full NRIC numbers in search results, the Singapore government announced it intends to stop masking the numbers. How will this change the way such information is used and how can people and organisations continue to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks? Crispina Rober…

1
Best of: Why do employers still need MCs as proof of illness? 24:44

5M ago24:44

24:44

The Ministry of Health is looking to curb the "excessive issuance" of medical certificates (MCs), especially by telemedicine doctors, following feedback from employers and government agencies. But is there a deeper issue with an outdated system of needing proof of illness? Would a system of trust work better? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat wi…

1
Best of: Must climate communication be so dense? 25:03

5M ago25:03

25:03

In the second of our top five episodes of the year, Liling Tan and Jack Board speak with climate academics Prof Winston Chow and Assoc Prof Terry van Gevelt from Singapore Management University to find out why explaining climate change can get tricky when jargon gets in the way. This podcast episode is in partnership with the inaugural Ideas Festiv…

1
Best of: When flights run into trouble, how much money should you get? 25:28

6M ago25:28

25:28

Some passengers of SQ321 were given cash advances in light of injuries when the aircraft experienced severe turbulence. Are all airlines obliged to compensate? How are amounts decided and could you later sue for more? Lawyers Paul Ng, head of aviation at Rajah and Tann Singapore LLP, and Chooi Jing Yen from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP are guests. See o…

1
Best of: How else can an air-con nation keep cool in a heatwave? 17:59

6M ago17:59

17:59

In the first of our top five episodes from the archives this year, we roll back the clock to the first episode of Climate Conversations where hosts Jack Board and Liling Tan tell you why the heatwave will create bigger problems in future than just wilting plants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

CNA Digital News Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen