Deep Dive

Episode

• 
  Buying food from livestreamers: Can you trust what sellers claim? 09.09.2026 28mnt

  A convincing livestreamer, thousands of reviews or professional-looking packaging may make an online food purchase feel safe to buy. But none of these can tell you whether the food itself is safe. With more of our shopping moving online, have we become better - or worse - at assessing the risks? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia speak with Dr Vinayak Ghate from the department of food science and technology at NUS and Dexter Tay, executive director at the Consumers Association of Singapore, about what consumers can and cannot tell from food labels, seller claims and customer reviews.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Roxy Square incident: Have the rules changed on patting a child's head? 02.09.2026 24mnt

  A pat on a child's head by an elderly man at Roxy Square, which led to a shoving incident, has ignited debate about how a gesture can be seen as friendly affection by one person but viewed as an unwanted touch by another. As social norms shift, how should adults respond when they feel that children's boundaries are crossed? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Tey Beng Huan, psychologist at Temasek Polytechnic Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences, and Kelly Tay, CEO of Juicy Parenting (@juicy.parenting), parent educator and author.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Will more childcare leave and cash move Singaporeans to have more kids? 25.08.2026 35mnt

  This year’s National Day Rally brought welcome news for parents. From additional childcare leave and lower childcare centre costs to increased financial support under the new Singapore Child Support Package, the measures signal a push by the Government to provide families with more sustained support. But will these measures be enough to persuade parents who are already juggling full-time jobs and family life to have another child? How can those with no children not feel left behind? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau and working parents Rachael Cheong and Yuvaraj Uthaman about their lived realities and whether the new initiatives can truly move the needle when it comes to family planning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Will AI replace musicians, artists and filmmakers? 19.08.2026 29mnt

  Two AI-generated local films released over the National Day weekend sparked an uproar, with viewers calling them "AI slop". But in the age of generative AI when music, films and images can be created in minutes, what happens to the creatives who have spent years perfecting their technical skills? Is AI democratising creativity or devaluing the creative craft? Are we hurtling towards a future where the audience expects infinite content made with little creative input from humans? In this week’s episode of Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with two people who are on the opposite ends of this creative process for a debate – Playbox Studios founder Basil Yeo who doesn’t use AI in his media agency's works and Matthew Lee, co-creator of Recess Remix, a TikTok account that used AI to remix school songs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Should we be rewarded for doing what's good for us? 13.08.2026 24mnt

  From getting Healthpoints for donating blood to being paid for reading, Singaporeans are increasingly being incentivised to do what's beneficial for themselves and society. But when the rewards stop, will the good behaviour stop too? And could all these incentives make us a more transactional society? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Dr Serene Koh from the Behavioural Insights Team and assistant professor Lawrence Jin from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on the intentions of putting incentives at work, when they backfire, and whether rewards produce long-term benefits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Why teenagers become self-radicalised - and the warning signs to look out for 05.08.2026 37mnt

  The recent arrests of three self-radicalised teenagers under the Internal Security Act (ISA) have sent shockwaves through Singapore, with attacks in schools planned in two cases. What makes young people vulnerable to extremist ideologies? And what more can parents, schools and friends do as the online world increasingly shapes their exposure and belief? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and Dr Mohamed Feisal Hassan, secretary and counsellor at the Religious Rehabilitation Group, to unpack the evolving threat of radicalisation, the warning signs to watch for, and what you should do if you suspect someone may be at risk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Why are Community Care Apartments struggling to attract older Singaporeans? 29.07.2026 26mnt

  The government has lowered the minimum age to apply for Community Care Apartments from 65 to 55 and cut the cost of the basic service package to encourage more take-up. But will these changes meet the needs of a fast ageing society that still want their freedom and independence? In this week’s Deep Dive, Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia sit down with associate professor Kelvin Tan from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Nicholas Mak, chief research officer from MOGUL.sg, to explore who these apartments are really designed for and whether they can sufficiently fill the gap to house an ageing nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation: How far should politicians be judged on their private conduct? 21.07.2026 31mnt

  The resignation of former Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said his interactions with a woman fell short of standards expected of a political office holder, shocked many Singaporeans. What do these standards look like in Singapore's political system? How do they shape expectations and what impact could this have on attracting the next generation of political leaders? Tiffany Ang speaks with Dr Norshahril Saat, principal fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute and Nicholas Fang, managing director of strategic consultancy Black Dot and former nominated member of parliament, on what the resignation reveals about political accountability and public trust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Can Singapore’s dialects survive or are they becoming history? 15.07.2026 24mnt

  The release of Chinese film Dear You has reignited the debate over dialects in Singapore after the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) approved limited screenings of its Teochew original version. Has the time come to rethink Singapore's approach to dialects, or are they destined to fade away in the next generation? In this week's Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with assistant professor Luke Lu from Nanyang Technological University and Hokkien content creator Ong Yi Ting (@yitinggoyt) to explore whether dialects are worth preserving or are they fast becoming relics of Singapore's past.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Beyond regular checks, should nursing home inspection results be made public? 08.07.2026 31mnt

  As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, more families are facing the difficult decisions about long-term care. But after two nursing homes had their licences revoked over serious lapses in resident safety and care, how can families know which homes to trust? Beyond regular spot checks and audits, should inspection results be publicised for greater transparency? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia unpack this issue with Dr Raymond Chua, Deputy Director-General of Health (Health Regulation) at the Ministry of Health, and gerontology expert Professor Andy Ho from NTU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Chan Chun Sing on keeping Singapore safe in an unstable world: 'We are not at war but neither are we at peace' 30.06.2026 44mnt

  Singapore's security is not just built on military spending and might. With the security landscape evolving and the nature of warfare changing, what does it take to strengthen the country's defence? How can the state deter potential threats without unnecessarily raising tensions? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in a wide-ranging interview on the role of defence diplomacy behind closed doors, the global arms race in military spending and how the Singapore Army is evolving to prepare soldiers for future conflicts.Are you an avid listener of the Deep Dive podcast? Share your thoughts on what you enjoy, how we can improve, what you would like to see in future episodes and stand to win a S$50 Grab voucher: https:channelnewsasia.com/cna-podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  What Pritam Singh’s re-election means for the Workers’ Party 30.06.2026 30mnt

  Pritam Singh has been re-elected as leader of the Workers' Party after surviving a resignation call at a special cadres conference and party elections on Sunday. While the results appear to draw a line under years of intense public scrutiny, does it also come with higher expectations of his leadership going forward? And what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the Workers' Party as it celebrates its 70th year in 2027? In this week’s Deep Dive, Tiffany Ang sits down with Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and independent political observer Dr Felix Tan to unpack what the latest developments mean for Mr Singh, the party and the future of opposition politics in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Is the stay-at-home dad becoming Singapore's new normal? 24.06.2026 29mnt

  More Singaporean fathers are leaving the workforce to become stay-at-home dads and take on more caregiving responsibilities. Amid concerns about lower household income, slower career progression and higher cost of living, is this a realistic choice for most families? How should couples decide who stays home and who goes to work? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Eugene Lim and Ryan Kong, two stay-at-home dads on the challenges and rewards of their decisions and what advice they would give to other dads who are thinking of making the switch. Are you an avid listener of the Deep Dive podcast? Share your thoughts on what you enjoy, how we can improve, what you would like to see in future episodes and stand to win a S$50 Grab voucher:  channelnewsasia.com/cna-podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  When street art meets public complaints: Who decides what's allowed? 17.06.2026 30mnt

  A complaint led to the removal of power washing artist Marcus Pang’s street artwork on a pavement outside Mountbatten MRT station, sparking a debate on who gets to decide how shared spaces should be used in Singapore. Why do Singaporeans prefer to turn to authorities to resolve disagreements instead of talking to one another first? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Pang, the street artist and assistant professor George Wong from the Singapore Management University on Singaporeans’ attitudes towards public spaces, social norms and navigating social differences. Are you an avid listener of the Deep Dive podcast? Share your thoughts on what you enjoy, how we can improve, what you would like to see in future episodes and stand to win a S$50 Grab voucher:  channelnewsasia.com/cna-podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Are educators, fresh graduates and employers aligned on AI? 10.06.2026 25mnt

  From 2027, all tertiary and ITE students will be taught AI skills relevant to their courses. But AI is already transforming classrooms and workplaces today, even as educators and employers scramble to keep pace. How can today's graduates stand out and prove they're AI-ready? Steven Chia speaks with Nanyang Technological University lecturer Ian Tan and university student Susan Khoo to discuss the gaps, expectations and opportunities in the AI era. Are you an avid listener of the Deep Dive podcast? Share your thoughts on what you enjoy, how we can improve, what you would like to see in future episodes and stand to win a S$50 Grab voucher:  channelnewsasia.com/cna-podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Singlish is thriving, but it's also changing. What does that mean for Singaporean identity? 03.06.2026 22mnt

  A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found a growing acceptance of Singlish among Singaporeans, with many viewing it as an important part of national identity that is worth preserving. But like any living language, Singlish is constantly evolving, shaped by new generations and changing ways of speaking. Does this signal a shift in what it means to be Singaporean? Steven Chia speaks with associate professor Tan Ying Ying from Nanyang Technological University and Dr Melvin Tay from the Institute of Policy Studies about how Singlish has changed over the years, and why change may not be something to fear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Flash sales and countdown timers keep you buying - can we outsmart these tactics? 27.05.2026 25mnt

  Three online retailers were recently flagged for using misleading marketing tactics known as “dark patterns” such as fake countdown timers or low-stock alerts designed to create a sense of urgency among shoppers. But when these nudges cross the line to become unethical or even fraudulent, how do we maintain a safe shopping environment? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Professor Sharon Ng from the Nanyang Business School and Liew Sai Ming from Behavioural Insights Team to discuss the psychology behind shopping habits and the challenges in outmaneuvering these rapidly evolving marketing tactics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Why some Singaporeans are saying no to having children 20.05.2026 28mnt

  Singapore's falling fertility rate is now framed as a national problem to solve. But for a growing number of couples, having children simply isn’t part of their plans. How have our attitudes towards parenthood changed and what does the rise of the "dual income, no kids" or DINK lifestyle say about the country's future? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Alisa Chopard, a 39-year-old who has chosen not to have children, and 31-year-old Alicia Lim, who hopes to start a family soon, to unpack the pressures surrounding couples in Singapore today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Singapore's 'red line' on Strait of Hormuz is about survival and sovereignty: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim 13.05.2026 27mnt

  As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, Singapore along with the rest of the world, is feeling the strain: rising oil prices, disrupted supply chains and deepening uncertainty. Singapore has long prided itself on being principled, following the rules of the global order. But in a changing new world, how long can a small nation hold that line? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim on why this issue poses an existential challenge for a maritime nation like Singapore and what’s being done to keep our waters open and running smoothly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  AI companions and chatbots: Friend or foe? 06.05.2026 29mnt

  Relationships are being redefined with AI chatbots on the rise. These digital companions are always available, always agreeable - but at what cost? And with the younger generation growing up as AI natives, how will this affect their ability to communicate and form relationships with another human? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Swapna Verma from the Institute of Mental Health and Associate Professor Jennifer Ang from the Singapore University of Social Sciences to unpack the pros and cons of forming close connections with our AI companions. WHERE TO SEEK HELP   If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.    Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello [at] youthline.sg (hello[at]youthline[dot]sg). Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.   Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat [at] sos.org.sg (pat[at]sos[dot]org[dot]sg). Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.   National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.