Live Well with Michelle

Epizody

• 
  Pain in the neck? When should you avoid massage or chiropractic treatment? 02.10.2026 18min

  Is a stiff neck simply muscle tension, or could it point to a more serious problem? Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Teo Ke Jia, Senior Consultant at Precision Neurosurgery Singapore, about the warning signs that should not be ignored, including numbness, weak grip and balance problems. They discuss when neck massage or chiropractic manipulation may be unsuitable, when an MRI is needed, and the treatment options for slipped discs, nerve compression and other cervical spine conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Is CPF LIFE enough for retirement in Singapore? 02.10.2026 14min

  Lance Alexander speaks with Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, about why CPF LIFE is a strong foundation for retirement income, and when it may not cover everything you need. How do you fund the years before CPF LIFE payouts begin at 65? What happens to household income when one spouse dies? And when might cash or a private annuity help? Christopher explains what to check before deciding whether to top up CPF or buy another retirement income plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Should Fresh Graduates Get a Job or Start a Business? 01.10.2026 21min

  With fresh graduates in Singapore facing a tougher job market, is entrepreneurship a realistic alternative - or a much bigger risk than it appears? Lance Alexander speaks with Adrian Yeo, Director & Co-Founder, Feel Fresh , about choosing entrepreneurship over a full-time job, starting a business with a secondary-school friend and building an oral-care brand without external funding. Adrian shares why he became an entrepreneur, the personal story behind Feel Fresh, the financial risks involved and the toughest lessons from running a business. Plus, what should students and fresh graduates test before taking the plunge, and how can they tell whether entrepreneurship is right for them?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Is the AI Sell-Off a Buying Opportunity Now? Plus Costco and Nike 01.10.2026 23min

  AI stocks have swung sharply between fear and excitement. Is the pullback in chipmakers a buying opportunity, or are investors still expecting too much? Lance Alexander speaks with Arun Pai, Partner at Monk’s Hill Ventures, about what is driving the volatility and which businesses could face a real threat from AI. They also examine Costco’s latest results and the price investors are paying for its shares. Plus, with Nike’s earnings due after the interview, what would show that its turnaround is making progress?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  What challenges do women face when returning to work after a career break? 30.09.2026 24min

  Lance Alexander speaks with Koh Yan Ping, CEO of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), about the challenges women in Singapore face when returning to work after a career break. Drawing on SCWO’s study, Women and Work Transitions, they examine why women leave the workforce, how employers view gaps in a CV, and why knowing about government support schemes does not always lead to a job. How do the challenges differ for new mothers and older women returning after years of caregiving? And what can employers and policymakers do to create more flexible and sustainable career paths for women?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Are you measuring your investment portfolio' success the right way? 30.09.2026 15min

  Lance Alexander speaks with Yee Shen Hao, Financial Services Manager and co-founder of The Wealth Stewards Group at PhillipCapital, about how investors should assess the performance of their investment portfolios. Is comparing your returns with the Straits Times Index or S&P 500 always useful? What should you measure beyond headline returns, and how can you tell the difference between normal underperformance and a strategy that needs to change? They also discuss choosing the right investment benchmark, accounting for risk, fees, inflation and currency movements, and whether your portfolio remains on track to meet your financial goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  On World Heart Day, we want to know, after a heart attack, what happens next? 29.09.2026 21min

  Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Tan Ru San, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), about the critical weeks after a heart attack and why leaving hospital does not mean the danger has passed. Why should LDL cholesterol be checked again within four to six weeks? How low should “bad” cholesterol go, and what happens if a patient is still not meeting the target? They also discuss the risk of a second heart attack, the role of medication and lifestyle changes, and what patients should do if they experience side effects or have concerns about their treatment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Rising interest rates - Should you buy T-Bills, REITs, Bank Stocks or Gold? 29.09.2026 21min

  Lance Alexander speaks with Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend, about the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike and where rates could be heading next. With Singapore T-bill yields rising, should investors be parking more cash in T-bills, what are the risks, and what other options are worth considering? They also examine what higher interest rates mean for Singapore REITs and the three local banks - DBS, OCBC and UOB. Should investors rethink their holdings? Plus, why has gold come under pressure despite persistent inflation, and does it still deserve a place in investors’ portfolios?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Market View: Nvidia on Sale? Novo vs Lilly, Microsoft’s Comeback and Tesla’s Semi Problem 28.09.2026 12min

  Is the recent market turbulence creating buying opportunities? Michelle Martin looks at Bank of America’s call on Nvidia and other stocks it believes are now attractively priced, as bond-market warning signals loom over a new trading week. Plus, the battle for the obesity-drug market intensifies as Novo Nordisk searches for its next growth chapter against Eli Lilly, while another pharma stock rockets on an injectables deal with the Wegovy maker. In Up or Down, why has Microsoft climbed back to its highest close of 2026, why did the launch of the long-awaited Tesla Semi fail to excite investors, and what are insider buying and a bigger share-buyback programme telling us about Singapore-listed Nam Cheong and Seatrium? And in the Last Word: Avengers: Endgame returns to cinemas - and seven years later, Earth's mightiest heroes are back on top at the box office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Diabetes in Singapore: Who Really Needs a Continuous Glucose Monitor? 28.09.2026 24min

  Singapore declared war on diabetes a decade ago, yet the condition still affects around one in eleven adults, while rising obesity adds to concerns about Type 2 diabetes. Michelle Martin speaks with Dr Anuradha Negi, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist at the Aspen Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic, about what everyone should understand about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, who is most at risk, and the practical steps that can help prevent or better manage the condition. They also examine the growing role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). How much more can a sensor reveal compared with a finger-prick test? Who benefits most from having glucose readings throughout the day? And with CGM currently subsidised in Singapore for eligible patients with Type 1 and certain rarer forms of diabetes, could some people with Type 2 diabetes benefit from wider access? Plus, Dr Negi explains the limitations of CGM, when traditional glucose testing may still be necessary, and what good diabetes management looks like beyond medication.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: CPF’s 4% Floor - Should You Top Up or Invest Your Spare Cash? 28.09.2026 21min

  CPF savings in the Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts will continue to enjoy a 4% interest rate floor until the end of 2027. But what does that mean for the money you have outside CPF? Michelle Martin speaks with Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager at Phillip Securities, about how investors should weigh CPF’s relatively attractive returns against liquidity and the potential for higher investment returns elsewhere. They discuss whether CPF should be viewed as part of your overall portfolio, whether having a secure CPF base gives you room to take more risk outside it, and why comparing CPF’s 4% directly with REIT, dividend-stock or bond yields can be misleading. Plus, when might investing your CPF savings make sense, how should the equation change as you approach 55, and who should think twice before locking more money away in CPF?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Market View: Shipping Beats Chips, Meta’s AI Hardware Blitz, Palantir’s Comeback & a StarHub-M1 Deal? 24.09.2026 12min

  Forget AI stocks for a moment — some of Asia’s biggest gains are coming from shipping, with TS Lines, SITC International and Mitsui OSK Lines surging as freight rates climb. Michelle Martin examines whether the rally has further to run. Also on Market View: Meta rolls out a new generation of AI devices as its Muse agent runs into resistance from Amazon; Wall Street retreats as bond yields bite; and it’s Up or Down on Palantir, McDonald’s and Keppel REIT. Plus, what could a potential StarHub-M1 deal mean for StarHub, Keppel and the future shape of Singapore’s telecom market?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Suddenly Wealthy - What Should You Do When a Fortune Lands in Your Hands? 24.09.2026 24min

  What happens when significant wealth arrives before you feel ready to manage it? Whether through an inheritance, divorce settlement, the death of a spouse or the sale of a business, suddenly taking responsibility for substantial assets can be as emotionally challenging as it is financially complex. Michelle Martin speaks with Stephen Davies, CEO and founder of Javelin Wealth Management, about why the first move may be to do nothing, what to prioritise in the first month, and the question he asks before talking investments: “What’s it all for?” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  What Drives You? Understanding Type 2s Through the Enneagram 24.09.2026 23min

  Why do we behave the way we do — and why do certain patterns keep showing up in our relationships, work and lives? The Enneagram describes nine personality types, each shaped by different motivations, fears and desires. Michelle Martin explores what the Enneagram can reveal about our blind spots, how we respond under stress, and whether understanding what drives us can help us grow beyond our habitual patterns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Market View: The Trillion-Dollar AI Spending Boom: Who Wins, Who Gets Disrupted? 24.09.2026 18min

  AI spending is exploding — and the money is moving across chips, data centres, banks and consumer technology. Michelle Martin looks at Alibaba’s sweeping AI ambitions, Jamie Dimon’s US$1 trillion hyperscaler spending forecast, UOB’s play on AI financing and Meta’s new AI agent. Plus, what’s moving Lennar, Peloton, Apple and India’s National Stock Exchange — and would you trust an AI agent to shop and spend your money?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  What should we start teaching our children in the age of AI? 23.09.2026 23min

  As artificial intelligence makes information instantly accessible, what should children actually be learning?  Michelle Martin speaks with Parvin Kaur, Center Director of Growing Up Gifted, about why academic knowledge alone may not be enough, what “higher-order thinking” looks like in a preschooler, and how teaching methods traditionally associated with gifted education can be used with children of different abilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Bond Yields Are Surging. Is It Time to Buy? 23.09.2026 21min

  Government bond yields are climbing, with the US 10-year Treasury recently crossing 5% — painful for existing bondholders, but potentially offering more attractive income for new investors. So are bonds becoming a better opportunity, or are higher yields warning of greater risks ahead? Michelle Martin speaks with Thu Ha Chow, Head of Fixed Income Asia at Robeco, about what is driving the bond sell-off, where she sees opportunities across fixed income, how to think about duration and currency risk, and whether investors should choose individual bonds, bond funds or ETFs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Market View: Buffett Bows Out, BOJ Hikes & the Yen Falls, ST Engineering’s 30% Upside? 21.09.2026 15min

  The end of an era at Berkshire Hathaway: Warren Buffett steps down as chairman after more than six decades, with his son Howard taking the chair. But could one of Buffett’s favourite trades — Japan’s five great trading houses — offer investors a way to continue following his playbook? Michelle Martin breaks down why the yen fell even after the Bank of Japan raised rates to a 31-year high, and reveals which major Asian economy now has even lower interest rates than Japan. Then it’s Up or Down: Kylian Mbappé leaves Nike for On, a Wendy’s franchisee files for bankruptcy protection, Disney appoints its first CTO, Google’s Gemini raises fresh AI security concerns, and Nestlé faces mounting risks in Russia. Plus, why Goldman Sachs sees close to 30% upside for ST Engineering — and how Resident Evil just scared up a franchise-record opening at the box office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Fit But Is Your Heart Healthy? What Every Runner and Hyrox Athlete Should Know 21.09.2026 22min

  Events like Hyrox are drawing a new generation into high-intensity competition. But being able to run fast, lift heavy or boast an impressive VO₂ max doesn’t necessarily mean your heart is healthy. So how do you know whether your heart is actually ready for strenuous exercise? Michelle Martin speaks with Dr Bharat Vashdev Khialani, Consultant Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, NHG Heart Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, about the difference between fitness and heart health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Money and Me: Treasuries at 5%: Time to Lock In? Plus Gold, AI Risk and the Yen Carry Trade 21.09.2026 24min

  US Treasury yields have crossed 5% — so is this finally the moment to lock in attractive bond income, or could yields still climb from here? Michelle Martin speaks with Swapnil Mishra, author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious, about where he sees opportunity across short and long-duration bonds, and why Singapore’s booming bond market is giving local investors more choices. They also unpack an unusual market puzzle: why are gold and the US dollar attracting investors at the same time? And after gold’s big run, are new buyers purchasing protection — or simply chasing performance? Plus, what should investors make of AI leaders themselves calling for greater caution?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.