Deep Dive

US comedian Sammy Obeid says his show in Singapore was cancelled because of censorship. Authorities say it was because of a late licence application. How does arts entertainment licensing really work, especially for unscripted formats like stand-up comedy? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with local veteran entertainer Kumar and Heazry Salim, co-founder of The Comedy Club Asia, about the rules, the risks and how much freedom performers actually have on stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With authorities cracking down on vaping and drug-laced Kpods, parents are struggling to have conversations with children who may think that vaping is not a big deal. How can families navigate this when young people are coping with message fatigue and peer pressure? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards get insights from Cherie Tseng, a mother of three, and Alvin Seng, a counsellor from We Care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, dives into the complexities of parenting in a screen-saturated world. She discusses the government's role in promoting online safety and the importance of critical thinking for kids navigating digital spaces. Teo emphasizes the need for boundaries and trust between parents and children while encouraging play-based experiences. The conversation also highlights the challenges of content regulation and age assurance, offering strategies for fostering healthy digital interactions.

BlueSG’s abrupt decision to suspend its car-sharing service has surprised both customers and industry experts. What does this mean for Singapore’s car-lite ambitions? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with GetGo co-founder Toh Ting Feng and Dr Samuel Chng from the Singapore University of Technology and Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With extended liquor hours and plans to allow new nightlife venues, authorities are trying to inject more life into the city’s after-dark scene around the Boat Quay, Upper Circular Road and Clarke Quay areas. But with rising costs and customers who want experiences and not just alcoholic drinks on their nights out, will these initiatives be enough to bring back the crowds? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Danny Loong, president of the Singapore Nightlife Business Association, and Mogan Vithilingam, co-founder of the Singapore Pub Crawl.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent Internal Security Department report warns of an increasing risk in extremist ideologies in Singapore, with AI now as a powerful enabler. How is AI changing the radicalisation process and what can be done to combat this? Steven Chia sits down with Kenneth Yeo from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Associate Professor Razwana Begum from the Singapore University of Social Sciences to unpack this troubling issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singaporeans lost a record S$1.1 billion to scams in 2024 - with a majority of victims under the age of 50. As scammers get smarter and more sophisticated, can technology keep up or will it always be one step behind? In this week’s Deep Dive, Li Hongyi and Hygin Prasad Fernandez from Open Government Products talk to Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards about whether it’s possible at all to outsmart scammers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When footage of a woman and her car plunging into a sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road went viral, it raised questions on whether Singapore is susceptible to more sinkholes. With underground construction expanding and climate change reshaping our environment, what are engineers doing to keep our ground stable? Otelli Edwards speaks to David Ng at the Institution of Engineers Singapore and Dr Stephen Chua from the Earth Observatory of Singapore at NTU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and former chief of emergency and crisis care, dives into the alarming rise of male suicide rates in Singapore, particularly among those aged 30 to 39. He discusses the societal pressures that contribute to this crisis, including job stability and relationship challenges. The importance of recognizing warning signs and establishing robust support systems is emphasized. Dr. Ng also highlights the shift in men's attitudes toward mental health, advocating for more open discussions and community-driven support initiatives.

The number of elderly Singaporeans living alone has doubled in the past decade. With Singapore on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged” society, the numbers will only climb further. While support systems exist, are they enough when an elderly person needs urgent medical help or even just someone to talk to? Steven Chia speaks with Karen Wee, executive director of Lions Befrienders, and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.