Live Well with Michelle

Singapore is planning to introduce bone density and muscle health tests for women through Healthier SG, following an announcement by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung. But what can these screenings reveal, particularly for women going through menopause? A Singapore study found that nearly one in five women aged 45 to 69 had sarcopenia, a condition involving the loss of muscle mass and strength. Lance Al...

What makes a trading card valuable - and can you sell it for a profit? Lance Alexander speaks with Roy Raftery, Head of Pop Culture at Stanley Gibbons , about Singapore’s trading card community and its role in Asia’s collectibles market. They explore what drives Pokémon card prices, how grading, fees and resale demand affect profits. Plus, the risks of hype, counterfeits and poo...

Do your eyes keep watering even when you're not crying? Persistent watery eyes could be caused by dry eyes, allergies or blocked tear ducts. But how can you tell the difference, and when should you see a doctor? As NUH marks 40 years of eye care, Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Maryanne Chew Romero, Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital to expl...

How much can you afford to give your ageing parents without putting your own retirement at risk? Lance Alexander speaks with Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities about budgeting for parents’ expenses, preparing for eldercare costs, sharing responsibilities among siblings and weighing the financial impact of leaving work to become a caregiver. See omnystudio.com/l...

When a stroke strikes, every minute counts. Singapore has made significant progress in stroke treatment, with mortality rates falling sharply since the 1990s. Yet a new regional report highlights a worrying gap: many people still fail to recognise the warning signs of a stroke. What are the early symptoms beyond FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)? What should you do if someone suffers a stroke, and h...

The Straits Times Index (STI) suffered a sharp correction in October, while AI stocks faced renewed selling pressure. Are these declines creating buying opportunities or signalling more trouble ahead? Lance Alexander speaks with Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend to examine whether Singapore stocks are attractively valued, which stocks deserve a closer look, and what the latest AI sel...

Snoring may be more than just an annoying sound keeping your partner awake. It could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition linked to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Lance Alexander speaks with  Dr Pinakin V Parekh,  Founder + Medical Director, Senior Consultant, Preventive, General & Interventional Ca...

A winning stock tip doesn’t always mean the source can be trusted. Lance Alexander speaks with Shanon Tang, Investment Specialist at PhillipCapital to explore how retail investors can spot pump-and-dump scams, verify online investment recommendations and assess whether a stock fits their portfolio. What should you check before acting - and what should you do if you’ve already bought a...

your investments at risk? As the IMF warns of growing threats to global financial stability, Lance Alexander speaks with Swapnil Mishra, Author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious  about how cyberattacks, soaring government borrowing costs and volatility in bond markets could affect stocks, banks and investment portfolios. What should retail investors do to protect the...

As UK landlords sell amid rising costs and changing rules, does rental property still make sense for retirement income? Lance Alexander speaks with property investor, Daniel Sim, Founder, Golden Goose Properties, about investing in the UK versus Singapore, assessing returns after costs, checking tenant demand and knowing when to walk away. Plus, how does property compare with equities for funding...

Can the scent of pandan, the touch of a leaf or the sound of flowing water help hospital patients recover? Changi General Hospital has introduced Singapore’s first nature-based therapy programme integrated into inpatient care at an acute hospital. Lance Alexander speaks with Adj A/Prof Lim Si Ching, Senior Consultant, Department of Geriatric Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Nature-...

Can Singapore stocks sustain their gains, and where should retail investors look next? Lance Alexander speaks with Robert St Clair, Head of Investment Strategy at Fullerton Fund Management , about earnings, valuations and opportunities beyond the STI’s biggest companies. They also examine Singapore’s stock market reforms, shareholder returns and how to distinguish a bargain from a stoc...

Heading to Japan, South Korea or Europe for a year-end ski holiday? Skiing injuries involving the knees, shoulders and ankles can turn a dream getaway into a painful experience, especially for Singaporeans who aren't used to winter sports. Lance Alexander speaks with  Dr Lester Tan Teong Jin, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Oxford Orthopaedics , about common skiing injuries, how to p...

When company directors buy shares, institutional investors increase their stakes or companies buy back their own stock, is that a signal for retail investors to follow? Lance Alexander speaks with Alvin Chow, Co-founder, Dr Wealth , to examine buying activity in three Singapore-listed companies - Centurion Corporation, UMS Integration and Geo Energy Resources. They discuss what these buying signal...

What do you say to someone who is grieving, and how do you explain death to a child? Lance Alexander speaks with Audrey Perera, Director, Passion & Purpose Asia & Producer, Rites of Us Festival  & Darren Cheng, CEO, Direct Funeral Services , about supporting families through loss. They also explore how Singapore’s Rites of Us festival uses theatre, music and conversations to...

One child wants to stay in the family home. Another wants their share in cash. Could leaving your property equally to your children create a costly dispute? Lance Alexander speaks to Clive Chng, Associate Director of Redbrick Mortgage Advisory to explore the financial and family costs of not having a property succession plan in Singapore, and how homeowners can prepare a fair inheritance while pro...

When do recurring digestive problems need medical attention? Lance Alexander speaks with  Dr Christopher Chia, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and co-lead of the Digestive Health Centre, Woodlands Hospital to discuss common digestive conditions in Singapore, warning signs, fatty liver disease and when to start colorectal cancer screening. They also look at how Woodlands Hospital&rsq...

Supporting ageing parents, raising your own family while planning for your own retirement? Lance Alexander speaks with Gabriel Chen, Senior Deputy Director, Retirement Savings Department at CPF Board to explore how Singapore’s sandwich generation can use CPF to balance family needs, prepare for healthcare expenses and manage housing commitments while protecting their retirement savings. See...

What can grip strength tell us about heart health? Lance Alexander speaks with  Assoc Prof Angela Koh, Director, Cardiovascular Ageing and Longevity (CRANE) Programme, National Heart Centre Singapore to explore Singapore research linking weaker muscle strength to changes in the ageing heart, and whether a simple handgrip test could help identify seniors who need further checks. Learn what a w...

Could the proposed COE changes affect your decision to buy a car in Singapore? Lance Alexander speaks with Ayush Goyal, Managing Director of SingSaver about what buyers should weigh before buying now or waiting, and how to calculate the full cost of ownership - from car loans and motor insurance to maintenance and depreciation. They also explore COE renewal versus replacing an older car, and alter...

Caring for a loved one but unsure where to find help? Lance Alexander speaks with  Christina Tiong, Chief Executive Officer, Home Nursing Foundation & Teo Ying Ying, Head of Social Welfare, Home Nursing Foundation  about Carers Hub, a digital platform bringing together caregiving resources, well-being tools, peer support and a caregiver marketplace. They discuss recognising when you...

If you suddenly lose the ability to manage your finances, can your spouse or children automatically take over? What happens to your bank accounts, investments and ongoing financial commitments? Lance Alexander speaks with Claudia Tan, Financial Services Director at PhillipCapital , about the differences between a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), CPF nomination and will, the gaps that even well-pre...

Does arthritis mean giving up exercise or facing joint replacement? Lance Alexander speaks with  Dr James Siow, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford Orthopaedics , about common types of arthritis in Singapore, misconceptions about ageing and practical ways to care for your joints. Marking World Arthritis Day, they explore the role of family history, whether arthritis can be reversed,...

How could CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, or CICT, Sheng Siong and Micro-Mechanics fit into an investment portfolio? Lance Alexander speaks with  Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor  to examine the case for CICT as a core holding, Sheng Siong for growth and Micro-Mechanics as a speculative pick. Discover the business prospects, key risks and valuation checks retail inv...

Why can rare cancers be difficult to diagnose, and what treatment options are available? Lance Alexander speaks with  Dr Kevin Tay, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at OncoCare Cancer Centre , about rare cancers such as sarcoma, the importance of an accurate diagnosis, and when to seek a second opinion. They also discuss specialist care, clinical trials and where patients and families in...