Best Charmian Tan Podcasts (2025)

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Season 5 Review 31:21

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3y ago31:21

31:21

We can't believe we're finally here but 21 episodes later and it's time to wrap up Season 5 of SGExplained. This is a full banter episode as Charmian, Elliot and Rovik look back on their favourite episodes of the season and discuss some of the fresher elements in the show, including our new co-host Mian. We also look forward to what the series' fut…

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Peranakan Culture 46:32

3y ago46:32

46:32

You can't talk about Singapore without talking about the Peranakans - a sub-community with a heritage associated with being Straits-born amidst a time of heavy immigration. Elliot, a Peranakan himself, shares his stories of growing up with some exposure to the culture and how he stays in touch with it. In this episode, you can look forward to: Lear…

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People with Intellectual Disabilities in Singapore 46:47

3y ago46:47

46:47

In partnership with MINDS MYG, this episode introduces the important People with Intellectual Disabilities (PWID) community in Singapore. We hear from Jessica (not her real name), a caregiver and volunteer about her experience directly, and as you can imagine from previous SGExplained episodes, this gets inspirational very quickly. In this episode,…

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Singapore's Stance on Drugs 45:12

3y ago45:12

45:12

There has been a slew of news announcements lately on Singapore's stance on drugs, especially as some of our neighbours choose to liberalise their policies on substances such as marijuana. We take a look at why Singapore has been insistent on its position on drugs and how we have enacted laws to dissuade offenders. In this episode, you can look for…

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100th Episode Special: Our Shared Values 52:37

3y ago52:37

52:37

Thank you for being on this amazing journey with us to reach 100 episodes on SGExplained!! It's a big deal for us, and if you are a Day One listener, please let us know so that we can reach out to you and invite you to our show for a chat! For this episode, we go back to the origins of why the show was even started: to explore the Singapore identit…

1
The Singapore Zoo 33:27

3y ago33:27

33:27

We may have memories of the Singapore Zoo when we were children, but did you know that the overall Mandai Wildlife Group has been staying relevant through its sustainability and conservation efforts? Join us this episode as we: Explore the history of the Zoo, including some of its unfortunate accidents Trace the various unique exhibits in the main …

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The MRT System 40:48

3y ago40:48

40:48

Getting from place to place in Singapore is convenient only because of our great public transportation, including our beloved MRT system! In this episode, the crew share laughs and develop an appreciation for our subway system, with tons of factoids in between. Look forward to: Tracing the story of the subway-that-almost-never-was Learning about so…

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Visiting Johor Bahru 41:44

3+ y ago41:44

41:44

Now that borders have reopened, Singaporeans have been flocking to Malaysia, specifically to Johor Bahru across the border. In this episode, we reflect on the relationship these two cities share! Look forward to: Learning how many people cross the border each day Unpacking the economic features of the Singapore-Johor Bahru relationship Adding to yo…

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Planning for Death 41:45

3+ y ago41:45

41:45

We're looking at the full life cycle this season, and so it only makes sense that we look at what happens in Singapore when you die! Zach Leung, Associate Director at PFPA, comes onto our show to shine some light on what happens after we pass on, especially to our assets and our loved ones. In this episode, you will: Learn about the difference betw…

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Taxi Drivers 34:22

3+ y ago34:22

34:22

Who can deny that taxi drivers are Singapore's master storytellers? We get the extremely cool opportunity to talk to Uncle Ben, the father of a close friend of Rovik's, who also happens to be a night-shift taxi driver about his storied life on the roads. In this episode, you will: Learn about how many taxi and private hire drivers there are actuall…

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The Orang Laut 35:57

3+ y ago35:57

35:57

The Orang Laut are thought to be one of the first inhabitants of the islands that now make up Singapore, but why do so few people know about them? We chat with Firdaus Sani, founder of Orang Laut SG which is a community sustaining the stories of this lineage, to get the real scoop. In this episode, you can look forward to: Learning about how the Or…

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Special Episode: SingLit 28:44

3+ y ago28:44

28:44

This episode is brought to you by National Library Board’s One Story, which is a National Reading Movement initiative to make Singapore short stories – originally written in Tamil, Malay, Chinese, or English – available in other languages. The project aims to bring these stories to more readers beyond the language communities that they were origina…

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Ah Bengs & Ah Lians 31:39

4y ago31:39

31:39

The Australians have their bogans, the British have their chavs and here in Singapore, we have the Ah Bengs and Ah Lians. What makes up this oft caricatured subculture? We chat with content creator Jeremiah Chen from Tropic Monsters TV about what inspires his hilarious sketches on these characters and learn more about how it adds to our Singaporean…

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Heritage Food - Ingredients and Dishes 48:38

4y ago48:38

48:38

Pamelia Chia from Singapore Noodles comes onto our show this episode to discuss Heritage Food with us. It is a topic that is novel and complicated only because Singapore is an immigrant nation and we are starting to see a new wave of food evolution with influences from Japanese and European styles. In this lively conversation, we: Discuss what exac…

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Sikhism in Singapore 1:03:50

4y ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Sikhs are known as a minority within a minority in Singapore, and yet they have an outsized influence on our identity in Singapore. Join us as we chat with Shaun Sarabjeet Singh, President of the Young Sikh Association, to learn about the history of the Sikh community in Singapore as well as how it integrates into the wider community. In this episo…

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The Merlion - From Logo to National Symbol 37:42

4y ago37:42

37:42

Singaporeans have a mixed set of feelings when it comes to the Merlion - on one hand, it is an increasingly globally recognised icon and a major tourist attraction, and on the other hand, it is a reminder that one of Singapore's biggest symbols comes not from a mythos but from a logo design. Join us this episode as Elliot and Rovik spend this short…

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The Financial Hub Story 1:07:01

4y ago1:07:01

1:07:01

What's going on at Marina Bay Financial Centre and why is Singapore home to so many "Finance Bros and Brodettes"? In this episode, we're excited to have Reggie Koh from The Financial Coconut Podcast as a guest to chat with us about what really makes Singapore a Finance Hub! We make the jargon simplified so you don't have to wonder what asset manage…

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Nasi Lemak - Parcel Delight 41:33

4y ago41:33

41:33

You can identify the iconic Nasi Lemak, both by its aromatic coconut scent as well as its unique pyramid-shaped banana leaf packaging. Just coconut rice, sambal chilli and ikan bilis in a parcel, this delightful dish is a big part of Singapore food culture! Join us in this episode as we: Learn about the hilarious alleged origin story of the name Na…

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Operation Tiderace & The Japanese Surrender 35:59

4y ago35:59

35:59

World War 2 was a dark chapter in Singapore's history and so when the Japanese eventually surrendered, spirits were high amongst the residents. But did you know that there was a probability that the Japanese in Singapore would refuse to surrender despite the Emperor's announcement? Operation Tiderace was the Allied Forces' plan to secure Singapore …

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The Foster System 38:14

4y ago38:14

38:14

Did you know that there's a community of foster parents in Singapore who contribute as a labour of love to provide safe and nurturing homes for vulnerable children? Frankly, Elliot and Rovik were not very aware before this recording of this incredibly coordinated and involved ecosystem of social workers, policy planners, and families who go the dis…

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Snakes of Singapore 41:10

4y ago41:10

41:10

Biodiversity is important to any country, and in Singapore, we need to talk about our snakes. We're not talking about those folks who gossip behind our backs - this is about the reptiles that are hidden in our parks and wetlands, and are surprisingly not out to harm you! In this episode, we're privileged to have Sankar from the Herpetological Socie…

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The Chewing Gum Ban 25:56

4+ y ago25:56

25:56

Singapore is known internationally for a couple of things and the Chewing Gum ban is high on the list. In this short episode, Elliot and Rovik follow the rather hilarious journey of how chewing gum got banned in Singapore as well as how a certain US company managed to get some gum back on the books. You may get stuck on this one (pun intended!) Thi…

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The Tattoo Scene - Fringe or Mainstream? 36:29

4+ y ago36:29

36:29

We always enjoy the episodes where we look at the "fringe" of Singapore culture, but are tattoos too mainstream here to even be fringe anymore? We chat with Tattoo Artist Beverly Ann Koh (bev.bot on IG) about her experience in the industry and how Singapore has moved to be more inclusive of tattoos. We explore the history of tattoos with gangs, rec…

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An Outlook on Ageing 39:52

4+ y ago39:52

39:52

Ageing is a scary topic but it has shaped much of Singapore's landscape in the last few decades. We're privileged to have an advocate and opinion leader, Dr Farhan Alami, come into the virtual studio to share her insights on how ageing and dementia affect not just the elderly but also their families and loved ones. Learn about the statistics surrou…

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Singtel & Our Early Telecom Days 36:49

4+ y ago36:49

36:49

If you're reading this, you're probably doing so on the internet and maybe even on your phone. The fact that we have access to telecom and mobile services in Singapore has a lot to owe to Singtel's past, as once our national telecom provider and the largest contributor of infrastructure. Journey with us as we trace how Singtel survived the removal …

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POSB - The Community Bank 27:51

4+ y ago27:51

27:51

What's the Post Office part of the POSB? Why is it in every neighborhood? And perhaps most importantly, is the Postmaster General really the Chief Mailman of Singapore? We answer all these questions and more in this lighthearted look at the institution of community banking in Singapore and where our habit of saving earnestly came from! Do let us kn…

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The Women's Charter 32:08

4+ y ago32:08

32:08

With the government's announcement that a review on women’s issues in Singapore will be conducted to look more closely at how gender equality can be more deeply ingrained in Singapore society, we thought to explore the evolution of gender issues in Singapore. The Women's Charter provides a central lens for such an exploration, tracing its origins t…

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Campus Sexual Misconduct 46:20

5y ago46:20

46:20

We've heard of the spree of sexual misconduct and harassment cases in the news and the question must be asked, what does this say about who we are as a Singaporean society, and why are we having such a difficult time talking about this topic? Elliot and Rovik try their best, within their constraints, to have a conversation around the cases that hav…

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The National Library 41:36

5y ago41:36

41:36

We've all had our own personal stories with the Singapore library system before and I'm sure we can all attest it's one of the best of Singapore's public resources. Join us as we dive into the evolution of the library system including the digitalization of the library, the story of how it survived the Japanese Occupation (hint: there are some retur…

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Katong, Peranakan Escape 22:33

5y ago22:33

22:33

If you want to find old Peranakan houses or have some tasty kueh, you've probably made your way to Katong. Elliot himself is a proud homeboy of the area. But did you know that Katong pre-land reclamation was home to one of Singapore's better-known kampongs that made its living from the sea? Or maybe you're interested to find out why there's a Chine…

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Merchants of Singapore 37:40

5y ago37:40

37:40

They're all over Singapore - Ann Siang Hill, Fraser Street, Aljunied among others. Who were these people and why are there so important to the Singapore story? We take a look at the mercantile story of Singapore - the stalwarts of community and enterprise that shaped so much of our identity today. Hear under-told stories like how Ngee Ann Kongsi (b…

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Singapore Botanic Gardens 23:49

5y ago23:49

23:49

One of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites that is a garden and Singapore's sole representative on the list, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is simultaneously one of the most under-rated and yet culturally significant parts of Singapore. Hear about the history of the Gardens, including its lesser-known episode during the Japanese Occupation, as well as…

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The Influencer Scene 40:16

5y ago40:16

40:16

Welcome back to Season 3 of SGExplained! We're so pumped to be back on this and we started off with a bang, bringing on Althea Lim from Gushcloud to talk about the Influencer Scene in Singapore. Not much is known about it but it shapes so much of Singapore's social media consumption as well as our pop culture. In this episode, we find out what driv…

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Esports - Singapore's Unsung Hero 33:33

5y ago33:33

33:33

We have to look beyond Joseph Schooling to bring back the Gold medals for Singapore, and we may have found hope in Esports! Naturally not as well known as the traditional sports, given that it's new and gaming has usually had an affiliation with low productivity, but Esports is actually creating a way for Singaporeans to thrive on the global scene.…

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The Poetry Scene 37:37

5y ago37:37

37:37

With special guest Ajay Govinda, Slam Poetry Enthusiast, we explore the understated world of Singapore Poetry. From understanding our Poetic Roots to appreciating the Singapore-originating Twin Cinema format, we rhyme and vibe our way throughout the poems that have followed our narrative. Hear us actually recite some of the poems as well - our firs…

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Farming the Singaporean Way 30:02

5+ y ago30:02

30:02

Bet you didn't know that Singapore has a long-held farming heritage! Not only that, we're about to double down on farming the Singaporean way, with the 30 by 30 initiative to secure Singapore's food safety by 2030. It's useful to get to know how our farming culture is evolving here, including a new breed of hipster and innovative farmers. Learn mor…

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Hawker Culture 41:22

5+ y ago41:22

41:22

Let's be real - what's more Singaporean than our hawker centers? Who runs them, how did they start and what's the future looking like with the young hawker-preneurs waiting to take over the reins? Join us as we explore this delicious topic and when you reach the end, you get to hear our favorite hawkers also! Continue to provide suggestions for our…

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Singapore Airlines 34:45

5+ y ago34:45

34:45

Our national carrier has been in the news before, but this time, the reasons aren't great. We look back at why Singapore Airlines is so intertwined with our national identity, revisiting its founding as well as its major episodes, including the A380 launch and the "Longest Flight in the World". Join us as we learn more about some of its subsidiarie…

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2013 Little India Riots 37:19

5+ y ago37:19

37:19

As a modern cosmopolitan city, Singapore tries its best to avoid riots. Yet in 2013, out of nowhere and sparked by an unfortunate accident, a street in Little India erupts into flames as migrant workers mob up. This episode we dive into the timeline of events and analyze the aftermath, including the Liquor Control Act and the pushing of migrant wor…

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SARS 2003 Epidemic 41:07

5+ y ago41:07

41:07

If you're listening to this in 2020, you're likely just like us - overwhelmed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. You've also probably heard that it's not our first rodeo. Rather than try to explain a phenomenon still unraveling, Elliott and I take a journey back to 2003 to see how Singapore dealt with the SARS crisis and how things have changed since then. …

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Chicken Rice Wars 40:51

6y ago40:51

40:51

How could a dish that looks so simple become one of Singapore's national dishes? Does Hainanese chicken rice even come from Hainan? And why can you get both a $2.50 and $27 version within the same 100m radius. Chicken Rice is what this episode is all about as we explore the history and tradition of this iconic Singaporean dish. You'll be hungry by …

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Talking about Racism 1:05:24

6y ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Asking if Singaporeans are racist seems like a line not many are willing to cross. But maybe that's not the right question. When race is a salient topic in the country, racism is bound to be present and so we just need to be willing to talk about it - from events like the E-Pay Saga to institutions like SAP Schools. It's difficult but worth it in a…

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Soccer in Singapore 47:42

6y ago47:42

47:42

Our national sport could probably do a lot better but how do we reconcile the passion of our players with the lack of growth in the sport? We bring in special guest Justin Hui from Hougang United FC to talk to us about his journey and views on soccer in Singapore, including dealing with the difficult issues of career development and overseas teams.…

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Gifted Education Program 1:01:11

6+ y ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Gifted vs Non-Gifted - what's the distinction? How is this controversial legacy of the hyper-meritocratic age functioning and what are its implications on the lives of citizens? All this and more in this episode!By Rovik & Willie

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Public Order Act 1:01:54

6+ y ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Can you protest outside of Speaker's Corner? What does the Public Order Act actually aim to achieve? Will we get called up because we sat together and discussed the juicy material around protesting in Singapore? All of this and more in our latest episode!By Rovik & Willie

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Multi-Religious Harmony 1:02:12

6+ y ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Watain, a black metal band, got banned in Singapore and the debate on the role of religion in Singapore re-emerged. We took a look at one of the foundations of religious harmony in Singapore - the Multi-Religious Harmony Act, and we found out some really interesting historical tidbits. If you like what we do, please do leave us a review and share o…

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Rethinking Hiring 43:08

6+ y ago43:08

43:08

With special guest Martin Tan from The Majurity Trust, this week we explore hiring and recruitment in Singapore. Is it really fair and is it effective in finding the best person for the job? We tackle sacred cows such as meritocracy and we explore sticky issues like unconscious bias. Enjoy!By Rovik & Willie

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Water 1:07:45

6+ y ago1:07:45

1:07:45

If you grew up Singaporean, you're probably familiar with the adage cautioning you against wasting water. Water security is a big deal in Singapore and in our attempt to make sure we have it, we've also created one of our best innovations: NEWater. Join us as we dive into all the wet and wonderful knowledge in this episode!…

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Singapore-Malaysia Border 52:27

7y ago52:27

52:27

If you've paid attention to the recent news, you would have noticed the commotion over Singapore and Malaysia's maritime borders! Sticking to our promise of slowing down the news, we took a step back and examined the history of our borders and where some of these ambiguities come from. There's a lot of new knowledge here, even for Rovik and Willie!…

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Dating in Singapore 52:20

7y ago52:20

52:20

Is love lost in Singapore or is there a chance that dating is easier than it seems? We dig into the data and try to figure out what Singapore's dating scene is like - exploring everything from online dating to marriage rates. Who knows - you may learn how to maximize your chances from finding a partner as well.…