ST Podcast Picks
Podcast Picks: Discerning food reviews online, dangers of vaping among youth
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The topics of this week's podcast picks span careers and industries in Singapore, like the discussion of what makes a good food reviewer in ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah's latest episode of The Usual Place podcast.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
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After a long weekend, we hope our choice of ST’s latest four episodes will keep your hungry mind and ears satiated.
The Usual Place: Eat, shoot and post: What makes a good food reviewer?
In this digital age, a smartphone and the tap of a button is all it takes for us to share an opinion with the world. The danger with this in a foodie land like Singapore’s is that it seems almost anyone, with diverse palates, can now be a ‘food critic’.
While everyone is entitled to an opinion, how do we weed out credible reviews from casual opinions?
(From left) Second-generation hawker Melvin Chew, food and lifestyle content creator Chiara Ang, ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah and founder of marketing agency Futurx Creatives Then Zhi Wei, at ST studio.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
In the latest episode of The Usual Place Podcast, host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with three guests to discuss what makes a good food reviewer and how consumers can do their due diligence in discerning opinions.
Food and lifestyle content creator Chiara Ang, 31, shares that creators offering a holistic evaluation is paramount in providing viewers with clarity and objectivity.
Former home-based baker-turned-marketing entrepreneur Then Zhi Wei, 27, adds that viewers also have a responsibility in cross-checking reviews by other creators to avoid being prejudiced.
At the other end, second-generation hawker Melvin Chew, 46, stresses that one should always be prudent in observing the language and delivery of reviews, for some creators might skew negative, simply to stand out online.
Hard Tackle: Raising an Olympian in Singapore
“To see your kids progress and enjoy (their sport) - that in itself is a joy,” says Mr Valentin Maeder, father of 17-year-old Team Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder.
Parenting is tough, but how should parents nurture promising children all the way to the pinnacle that is the Olympics?
ST Podcast’s Hard Tackle host Deepanraj Ganesan (centre) with (from left) kayaker Stephenie Chen’s parents Michael Chen and Sarah Yvonne, and (right) kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder’s parents Hwee Keng and Valentin Maeder.
ST PHOTO: EDEN SOH
To talk more about the joys, woes and challenges of raising Olympians, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan speaks with the parents of Maximilian and 32-year-old Singapore kayaker Stephenie Chen.
As they rev up for their debut at the Paris Olympics (from July 26 till Aug 11), emotions can run high and the parents agree that it is vital that they are only supporting them from the sidelines; not policing their children’s lifestyle and training.
Proving that it takes a village to raise an athlete, they share about the individuals who have impacted the athletes’ lives and shaped them into the fighters they are today. They also talk about the little sacrifices they had to make along the way and respond to naysayers claiming that there is no future in Singapore sports.
Health Check: Did you know that vapes can expose you to toxic metals?
“We find that the tobacco industry is very creative… they’re doing a very good job of marketing this and we need to highlight to the youth that they are being used; that they’re being targeted,” says Professor Clive Tan, Public Health Specialist and Senior Consultant, Department of Preventive & Population Medicine.
Despite containing significantly less chemicals than tobacco cigarettes, one would still inhale approximately 5,000 to 6,000 chemicals into their bodies by vaping, adds Professor Puah Ser Hon, Head and Senior Consultant from the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.
Both speak out in senior health correspondent Joyce Teo’s latest episode of her Health Check Podcast.
“One agent itself that can cause cancer will ruin your life in the future,” Prof Puah says.
(From left) Adjunct Associate Professor Puah Ser Hon, Head and Senior Consultant from the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, host Joyce Teo and Adjunct Associate Professor Clive Tan, Public Health Specialist and Senior Consultant, Department of Preventive & Population Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
ST PHOTO: ZACHARY LIM
Despite it being illegal, vaping is on the rise in Singapore, with the purchase, use or ownership of an electronic vapouriser or vape, attracting fines of up to $2,000 per offence.
The purchase, use or possession of vapes jumped 58 per cent to about 7,900 cases in 2023, from about 5,000 cases in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
But help is available. Prof Puah and Prof Tan also discuss the help available to a vape user who wants to quit the habit, and what can be done about the vaping problem here.
Career Talk: Chip in to shape Singapore’s semiconductor ambitions
As we progress further in this digital economy, the semiconductor industry has proven to only be of increasing importance.
Venturing out into AI programming, skills analysis studies, data and sustainability, the industry has evolved tremendously, says Mr Ang Wee Seng, executive director, Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association and Ms Sim Cher Whee, Vice President of People Strategy, Technology, and Talent Acquisition, Micron Technology.
(From left) Mr Ang Wee Seng, executive director, Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association, Ms Sim Cher Whee, Vice President of People Strategy, Technology, and Talent Acquisition, Micron Technology and host Tay Hong Yi in the podcast studio.
ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM
In host Tay Hong Yi’s latest episode of his Career Talk Podcast, they explore the job demand in the semiconductor sector.
Ms Sim says the industry has expanded from just welcoming electrical and electronic engineers, to now material, chemical, mechanical and even silver engineers.
“The ability to learn, unlearn and relearn is really critical for that individual who (aspires) to really develop in this industry,” she adds.
Once again, do also check out our True Crimes of Asia podcast series, which clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra).
Discover our ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u
In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt
COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE
Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7
Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN
Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf
Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m
Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE
#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad
Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX
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ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
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Special edition series:
True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T
The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2
Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn
Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB
Singapore’s War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa
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