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The Usual Place

The Straits Times
Singapore
Mental Health
Workers' Party
Cost Of Living
General Election 2025
Social Media
People's Action Party
Covid-19
Ge2025
Budget 2026
General Election
Singlish
Singapore Business Federation
General Elections
Singapore Management University
Lawrence Wong
Community Engagement
CDC Vouchers
Electoral Boundaries Review Committee
Scams

Synopsis: Join host and correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah every Thursday, as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

Podcaster: Natasha Ann Zachariah

Executive producer: Danson Cheong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes114Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

If you’ve been thinking about having kids, last night’s National Day Rally might have given you something to rally about.

Parents - and those who are considering having children - were the focus of PM Wong’s address on August 23.

In a nutshell, p... more

What kind of involvement do Singaporeans want in policymaking?

The Maju Forest-Gillman Barracks issue has seen Singaporeans making their voices heard, offering counter-proposals, and demanding more transparency from the Government.

This isn’t the... more

YouTube

Would you read regularly if you were paid to do so?

The National Library Board (NLB) is hoping that people will develop a consistent reading habit by giving readers virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash. They need to spend at leas... more

Millennials are the generation that changed the conversation around mental health. They normalised mental health talk, encouraged self-care and made going to therapy less taboo.

So what caused the 50 per cent jump in suicide deaths among adults in ... more

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Recent Guests

George Wong
Assistant Professor of Sociology, Urban Political Sociologist and Ethnographer
Singapore Management University
Episode: S1E107: What the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks debate showed about policy making and consultation
Jonathan Ng
Independent Consultant with experience in policy, advocacy and regulation; former Civil Servant
Former MFA/PMO; private sector roles
Episode: S1E107: What the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks debate showed about policy making and consultation
Loh Chin Ee
Associate Professor researching reading habits, NIE
NIE (National Institute of Education)
Episode: S1E106: Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?
Chris Koh
Program director of the National Reading Movement
National Reading Movement / ReadSG
Episode: S1E106: Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?
Dr. Jared Ng
Psychiatrist and medical director at Connections MindHealth; former military psychiatrist; co-lead for Project Hayat
Connections MindHealth; Project Hayat
Episode: S1E105: 2 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why
Anthea Ong
Founder of SG Mental Health Matters; co-lead for Project Hayat; former nominated MP
SG Mental Health Matters; Project Hayat
Episode: S1E105: 2 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why
Ang Yuit
President of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
Episode: S1E104: JB-Singapore RTS Link: Singaporeans will spend $1bn more in JB
Felix Tan
Independent political observer
Independent
Episode: S1E103: Faishal Ibrahim’s exit: Are the PAP’s moral standards turning people away from politics?
Seth Ng
Fresh graduate from NUS with sociology degree, pursuing contract and permanent roles
Independent job seeker
Episode: S1E102: 1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?

Host

Natasha Ann Zachariah
Host of The Usual Place with The Straits Times; executive producer: Danson Cheong

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#6
Singapore/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#14
Philippines/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#48
Singapore/News
Apple Podcasts
#127
Hong Kong/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#127
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#208
Belgium/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#222
South Korea/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S1E106: Will the new National Library Board campaign get more people to read books?
Q: Chris, can you tell us how ReadSG was conceptualized and what it's trying to achieve?
ReadSG aims to form long-term reading habits by promoting long-form reading and creating an environment where people can see tangible benefits in focus, cognition, and well-being; it builds on past reading initiatives and uses gamification and a rewards model to attract non-readers.
S1E105: 2 out of 3 suicide deaths are men, a psychiatrist explains why
Q: Why do men account for nearly two-thirds of suicide deaths, and how do biology and socialization play a role?
Biology and socialization contribute to higher impulsivity and risk-taking in men, as well as underdeveloped emotional language pathways; cultural norms discourage help-seeking, which can delay treatment until crises occur.
S1E102: 1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?
Q: Can contract gigs still provide benefits like CPF and health insurance?
Yes, at larger firms or with multi-client arrangements, contract workers can receive comparable protections, while gig-style contracts may lack traditional benefits and require proactive financial planning.
S1E102: 1 in 3 employers are hiring contract workers. Are contract jobs the new norm for Singapore grads?
Q: Why are more companies turning to contract workers in Singapore?
The panel notes three drivers: instability prompting cautious hiring, rapid technology-driven skill shifts, and a cultural shift among younger workers who see value in building a diverse skill portfolio through short-term gigs.
S1E94: Sky high condo prices: are sales being funded by parents' retirement savings?
Q: Is there a risk that parents financing their children's purchases could jeopardize their own retirement?
Yes, pulling retirement funds or CPF for down payments can reduce future retirement income and liquidity, creating a potential risk if property markets downturn or if living costs rise, highlighting the need for financial buffers and diversified planning.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Usual Place

What is The Usual Place about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, policy-leaning current affairs show that routinely brings in experts from law, politics, business, education, healthcare, and social services to unpack Singapore's evolving landscape. Episodes frequently analyze governance decisions, labor market shifts, education pressures, public safety, and social cohesion, pairing data-driven insights with practical implications for individuals, businesses, and policymakers. Listeners can expect candid discussions about reform, regulatory changes, and the real-world impact of national strategies, often accompanied by personal anecdotes that illuminate how policies play out in families and workplaces. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex issues—from cabinet reshuffles to inter-... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Usual Place?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Usual Place:

1. The Daily Ketchup
2. Yah Lah But
3. Deep Dive
4. Headstart On Record
5. No Stupid Questions

How many episodes of The Usual Place are there?

The Usual Place launched 2 years ago and published 114 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Usual Place?

Recent guests on The Usual Place include:

1. George Wong
2. Jonathan Ng
3. Loh Chin Ee
4. Chris Koh
5. Dr. Jared Ng
6. Anthea Ong
7. Ang Yuit
8. Felix Tan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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