Plan B

24-year-old NTU student Sufi believes underprivileged students deserve equal access to education. That belief led him to found BrightGuides, a free tuition programme in partnership with the Muslimin Trust Fund Association for lower-income students. But beyond teaching, the work comes with challenges, from securing government grants to helping children whose parents may not have the bandwidth to fo...

Singapore recently saw a record turnout at the Labour Day rally at Hong Lim Park, with more than 1,500 people in attendance. Among those present was Derek Wong, best known as the lawyer who represented the trio fined over the Istana procession. Beyond the courtroom, however, Derek is also part of anti-death penalty group Transformative Justice Collective. While some causes attract widespread publi...

Law is one of Singapore’s most prestigious professions, so walking away to launch a start-up is bound to turn heads, especially when it’s the country’s first olive oil brand. That’s the path Alia Ballout took, drawing on her Lebanese roots to bring her family’s olive oil to Singapore. But with her family farm affected by the Middle East conflict, rising costs and supply challenges are now part of...

Remember when Logan Paul made headlines selling a Pikachu card for US$16.5 million? It put the spotlight on the booming world of Pokémon card collecting, and now, Singapore has its own player in the game: Syamil from @Konbiniripz. We got a close-up of his collection, with some cards valued at $20K–$30K. But after the rise and fall of trends like Labubu and Bearbrick, will Pokémon cards last? Syami...

Everyone wants a flexible lifestyle with big financial upside, and trading is often seen as the shortcut. But from the outside, it can sometimes feel uncomfortably close to gambling without the right discipline. That’s why Zhar and Hairul from the trading education agency Top Tier Institute stress responsible trading, starting with not buying into flashy lifestyles online. They explain why in this...

With ministers warning of rising living costs amid the Middle East conflict, many are bracing to tighten their spending. But what if there’s another approach? Enter Lily Khai, a ‘Wealth Architect’ who’s gone viral for her money mindset teachings. Instead of focusing on cutting back, she advocates for an abundance mindset: growing your income, building multiple streams, and thinking bigger. But in...

Processed vs natural foods have long been debated, but is eating healthy really realistic today? We spoke to Dr Siva, better known by his IG handle @meditherapie, a strong advocate for healing through better nutrition. His views, however, sparked pushback from Darren, who argues that such practices aren’t practical in modern society. In response, Dr Siva says change should start from the ground up...

Fuel prices are rising and supply is tightening across the region, with governments in Thailand introducing energy-saving measures and the Philippines declaring an energy emergency, fuelling concerns of a deeper crisis. While Dzar warns this could signal another spike in the cost of living, Darren argues Singaporeans should just deal with it, saying we’re still in a better position and well-prepar...

Oil prices keep climbing, and it’s hitting wallets hard. In fact, Rahman says his petrol jumped from $2.60 to $3.40 per litre, which works out to nearly a $100 increase per tank. The surge comes amid the ongoing US–Israel conflict with Iran, with Tehran tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. Some believe things may stabilise after the US midterm elections in November...

Some avoid legacy planning because they do not see the urgency. But the cost of not planning is high. Minister of State for Social and Family Development Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim says failing to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can leave families facing lengthy court processes and paying thousands of dollars to appoint a deputy. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Applications using LPA Form 1 is...

Many people notice high prices and smaller portions at Ramadan bazaars, but there’s more to the story. Syafiq from Ashes Burnnit, known for its charcoal buns, explains that it’s not just rental costs, vendors may also need to pay double or triple wages during Ramadan to get workers willing to stand in the heat all day. Add to that the uncertainty of not knowing which stalls will be next to them, a...

The strikes on Iran may be driven by politics, but many people are asking if religion is also shaping the conflict. Some Sunni Muslims have even debated whether they should support Iran, and many say the answer is yes. Whether this comes from anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment or a sense of Muslim solidarity, it raises a bigger question: could distant wars deepen divisions in multicultural societie...

Ramadan Kareem! Breaking fast at the bazaar is a beloved tradition but if you’ve taken a walk lately, you might notice thinner crowds and stalls spaced further apart. Even as spending power in the Malay-Muslim community has grown, rising food prices are pushing some to look across the border or to Indonesia for more affordable baju and bites. It may feel like the bazaar scene is fading but maybe t...

Description: Everyone talks about upskilling, but is it really as scary as it sounds? Skills Ambassador Dr. Ramesh explains why staying comfortable in your job is actually a trap. He also shares the harsh truth: Upskilling isn't a magic pill that gets you a promotion overnight. It’s like going to the gym. You won’t get a six-pack instantly, but you have to start somewhere to see results. --- S...

With modern skyscrapers dominating Singapore’s skyline, some question whether the city lacks cultural depth but heritage activist and historian Sarafian Salleh says that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just look at Kampong Glam, once known as Seduyong by the indigenous Orang Laut, meaning mermaid. And no, that’s not some wild conspiracy theory. In this ep, he joins us to debunk myths and prove...

With F&B outlets shutting down left and right, starting a food business sounds risky, especially if you’re only 20 and still in school. Yet that’s exactly what the founders of Berjaya Western did. And perhaps it’s no surprise, considering they first ventured into entrepreneurship at just 16. In this episode, they share how they balance studies with running a business, and unpack the harsh real...

Every other week, another beloved local business shuts its doors, and the reason is almost always the same: rising rents. As closures mount, some say the vacuum is being filled by foreign players, particularly from China. To understand what’s really happening, we speak to the founders of popular halal Chinese eatery Deanna’s Kitchen about their fears for the future, and to Vernon Lim of the Associ...

It's this week's biggest political story: Pritam Singh is no longer Leader of the Opposition. With so many twists and turns, the latest question on everyone's minds is: should the LO role be constitutionalized? The Darren Aadam Mak show asked this question. We read out the comments (00:33) Darren’s Show (05:45) Should the LO role be given a framework? (07:55) Reading comments (21:15) What should o...

As local businesses in Singapore get squeezed by rising rents, many are shutting their doors, and increasingly, what replaces them are Chinese-owned businesses. In neighbourhoods like Kampong Glam, the surge has sparked concerns over the erosion of local heritage and culture. If this trend continues unchecked, are we looking at an economic takeover similar to what’s happened in places like Jeju an...

Just days into 2026, global headlines have been dominated by the US’ capture of Venezuela’s then-president, Nicolás Maduro. As Singapore said it is “gravely concerned” by the situation, the episode has raised uneasy questions closer to home. In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, are small states like Singapore more vulnerable than we think? (00:50) Dzar’s holiday (05:27) US’ intervention...

What better way to wrap up the year than with something sweet? In this episode, we sit down with Darren, co-founder of Sugar Mama Lah, the halal tiramisu brand that went from a home-based hustle to a full-fledged storefront. Darren opens up about the “thick skin” mindset behind his success, from live streaming to unconventional marketing, and drops a surprising truth: many kunafa desserts in Singa...

A viral TikTok shows LTA and Traffic Police cracking down on a car meet at Decathlon Kallang, and while many cheered the enforcement, others say it’s exactly why Singapore’s car culture is dying. Compared to places like Japan, where modified cars are celebrated, Singapore feels far more conservative. But as the city pushes towards a car-lite future, is this scene inevitably fading away? And is tha...

A devastating tragedy struck Bondi Beach in Sydney when two gunmen killed at least 15 people during a Jewish celebration. While many netizens expressed sympathy and grief, the aftermath quickly spiralled into controversy. From antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric to claims of a ‘false flag’ attack, the tragedy has been swept into a fierce online information war. (00:55) Darren’s Bar Exams (04:25)...

Everyone’s travelling this year-end, especially to Japan, where the yen has plunged to about ¥120 for S$1. But while Singaporeans are chasing cheap flights and exchange rates, PM Wong is on the move for a different reason. His recent trip to South Africa and the announcement of Singapore’s 1st East African embassy in Ethiopia may seem unexpected but they hint at something bigger: Singapore is quie...

When influencer Simonboy launched the Forever Megan Charity in honour of his late daughter, some called it heartfelt while others called it clout. And leading the charge was the OG uncancellable content creator herself, Xiaxue. Her takedown earned her a cease and desist letter, and she’s firing back. In this case, do you think Xiaxue has a point, or do you feel sympathy for Simonboy? (01:25) Feud...