Plan B

Think NTUC is just a supermarket? Think again. It’s also a trade union - and we got the Secretary-General himself, Ng Chee Meng, to answer some tough questions. Like how he nearly ‘bang table’ by calling for a strike. Plus, are young workers really just fragile “strawberries,” or are they setting the bar for fair workplaces? (01:05) Background of unions in Singapore (04:55) Is NTUC’s ties to PAP a...

fter local YouTube channel Wah! Banana's Lev Panfilov was convicted of rape, another controversy quickly followed when the ex-VP of Law Society Chia Boon Teck was publicly called out by the Law Minister for his commentary on the case. He asked if she was "awake throughout the marathon" and described her as "not exactly a babe in the woods", widely seen as victim-blaming. We...

Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng likes to comment about Singaporean affairs online, but this week his controversial post offering to buy airplane tickets to send pro-Palestine activists to Gaza crossed the line for many people. But that's not all - the post was liked by the accounts of Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. Bo...

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has a new philosophy: the "best" school depends on the individual child. But is this practical or just wishful thinking when Singapore is such a competitive place? We also talk about social media vigilantism and viral videos spotlighting high- profile bully cases - are we part of the problem? (01:10) Welcome Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing! (03:55)...

2 sisters got the entire community talking when they were caught on video confronting Minister Shanmugam at his Meet-the-People session (MPS). They wanted to talk about POFMA, but ended up showing the middle finger after being told to wait. The viral image turned the entire saga into a discussion about their manners, but the question remains: where can someone go to address concerns like theirs? (...

It's common knowledge that lawyers work in high-pressure environments, but has it come to a breaking point? We sit down with Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) to talk about toxic work cultures, ever more stringent industry standards, and what may be a mental health crisis in the industry. But it's not all doom and gloom, as Shafiq explains - there are increasing efforts t...

We know nutritionists but what about functional nutritionists? Jieun Wrigley joins us to reveal what sets them apart, debunk diet myths, and tackle hot topics like supplements, inflammation, and the age-old question: Is MSG really bad for you? (02:25) Say hello to Jieun, a Functional Nutritionist! (06:20) How would Jieun respond to those nutritional theories? (10:00) Dzar’s diet is revealed (18:45...

Era FM is one of Malaysia's biggest radio stations, so what happens when their DJs come under fire for mocking Hinduism? Back home in Singapore, electoral boundaries are up - and many have raised eyebrows. What's going on? (00:30) GE2025’s Electoral map is out! (08:15) Is Roti John from Malaysia? (14:45) Era FM’s DJs’ mocking the Hindu religion (27:20) More on Singapore’s religious harmony...

This week, we’re back to talking about ChatGPT - who’s actually paying for it when Deepseek is free? Plus, the Trump-Zelensky showdown everyone’s buzzing about and why JD Vance’s NATO speech is shaking up global politics. And… could our year-end retreat take us to China? Tune in to find out! (00:55) Paying for ChatGPT?! (04:45) Trump and Zelensky’s showdown in the White House (13:35) JD Vance’s NA...

As GE2025 nears, many new faces have been spotted at party walkabouts across the country. Sani Ismail is one of them, being spotted in Chua Chu Kang GRC with PSP and being featured on their Facebook pages. Why did he choose to join opposition politics? And why is the issue of transnational marriage important to him? (01:45) Introducing Mr Sani Ismail, the new face seen on PSP walkabouts (08:40) Wh...

Imagine being forced to stand all day at a stall - while pregnant. That’s exactly what Noorman Mubarak’s wife faced after the NEA gave them a warning for not being physically present at their Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang stall. In a viral complaint, Noorman called out the unfair regulations that require hawkers to be on-site no matter the circumstances. But is the system punishing hawkers, or are thes...

Who said politics in Singapore is boring? This week’s biggest news all came straight from Parliament - from the Leader of the Opposition’s guilty verdict for lying under oath, to 2 Nominated Members of Parliament resignations that got rumours spreading, to the unveiling of Budget 2025, what is going on? And what does viagra have to do with any of this? Tune in to find out! (03:45) Rahman's hell we...

When Jeremiah Lim decided to support his friend who worked at Studio Kalasan, he never expected to lose $130,000. After making police reports and engaging lawyers to see justice served, he decided to go public with his story. Were there red flags in the company's transactions? Jeremiah and Syahiran, an industry veteran, join us to discuss and share some valuable insights (00:35) Backstory of t...

Is a morning shower truly essential? And why is the US setting its sights on Singapore over the Deepseek-Nvidia chips? Last week was eventful, including our visit to Hui Hui Cultural Association's CNY event, and we're here to talk all about it. Plus, there might be a surprise potential addition to our podcast team. Don’t miss it by tuning in to find out! (0:40) Our visit to Hui Hui's CNY event (03...

Pregnancy can be tough. From choosing the right foods to keeping your body healthy and strong, there are plenty of questions and misconceptions about what pregnant women and new mothers should do to maintain their well-being. That's where Nevena, the personal trainer behind @fitmum.sg, comes in by offering pregnancy-focused fitness programs, expert tips, and even nutrition recommendations. Tun...

From Donald Trump's inauguration and the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to Singapore's upcoming elections, we've got this week’s top stories covered, plus a bit of lo hei to celebrate the upcoming CNY. Don’t forget to join us for our Open House on 9 Feb—snap some pics in our new office and meet the Plan B family! (01:00) Elon Musk's Nazi salute (09:35) Donald Trump's Inauguration (11:3...

In today’s globalized world, more people are pursuing their dreams beyond their home countries. And there’s no greater expert on expat life than Max Chernov, the YouTuber who has garnered over 288,000 subscribers by connecting with expats worldwide. We explore how Max built his life in Singapore and how he’s making the expat experience easier for everyone. (01:15) Introducing Max Chernov (02:18) H...

There was a time when Singapore aspired to achieve the "Swiss standard of living", but decades later the tables seem to be turning between Asia and Europe. We speak with Marion Müller, a Swiss native famous for her content about sunny Singapore. Why does she seem to love Singapore so much when so many Singaporeans seem to want out so badly? (03:42) We welcome Marion to the studio! (03:58) Why Mari...

It's the first episode of 2025! We capped off 2024 with some amazing interviews, but the last month of the year was filled with other dramatic events. From an NRIC saga to plane crashes, we bid farewell to a crazy year and welcome 2025 with bigger and better things to come. (01:00) The New Year’s Anthem, Auld Lang Syne (02:48) Parents’ emotions when sending primary school kids on their first day (...

Why does Malaysia still have race-based policies in 2024? We speak with Ibrahim Sani, CEO of Yayasan Peneraju, a federal agency that empowers Bumiputera talents in Malaysia. Why are Bumiputera policies still relevant in Malaysia in 2024? How did he bounce back and rise to become CEO? Should more Singaporeans find opportunities in Malaysia? Tune in to find out. (01:30) Introduction to Ibrahim Sani...

We had the privilege to host Mr. Lawrence Wong, Singapore's Prime Minister, for his first podcast interview. We discussed a range of topics, from redefining success in today’s world, the unique challenges faced by minorities, to Singapore's contributions to Palestinian statehood. Are younger Singaporeans really becoming less hardworking? Are Singaporeans really better off going overseas to find op...

Also known as KJ, we had a great interview with the distinguished Malaysian politician who also served as a Minister for almost a decade. As Minister of Health during the early post-Covid era, he played a role in the reopening of borders between Singapore and Malaysia. From Malaysia's so-called "Green Wave", to the evolving role of new media in politics, to Singaporeans' "sharp elbows", KJ shares...

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol shocked his country and the world when he suddenly declared martial law, then was forced to reverse it hours later. What is martial law? Could it also happen elsewhere in the world? (01:03) A recent accident involving a 12-year-old Quran reciter (02:20) We have moved to a new studio! (03:55) Rahman’s flight to Krabi (08:28) A reminder about our KL meet-and-gree...

His kunafas catapulted the craze for the dessert in Singapore, but his journey to viral success was not always sweet. Mangobossku talks to us about family, the challenges of the business, and the recent debate about education and capability. (00:48) We are moving to a new studio (02:21) Rudy Marican’s viral post (06:07) Mangobossku’s thoughts on the post (11:40) How content creators are changing m...

The recent stabbing of a Catholic priest during mass in Singapore has shocked the nation and prompted the police to step up security in places of worship. The police were quick to make clear that the assailant is Christian, a move that raised many eyebrows. Should we be worried about Singapore’s safety and stability? (01:10) Dzar’s return from hiking Mount Rinjani (03:42) Preparing for the hike (0...