Talkback

A major study found that friendships across income groups boost social mobility, with low-income children in economically connected areas earning significantly more as adults. It also found that cross-class friendships are linked to greater happiness and trust, though as we know, financial differences can sometimes create tension. So we pose the question to you—when you choose a friend, do you con...

Ramadan bazaars are a cherished tradition, bringing together food, culture, and community in a vibrant, festive atmosphere. From traditional delights to creative fusion dishes, they offer something for everyone. But with rising costs, food safety concerns, and staggering food waste, are they losing their charm? We pose this question to you: What do you love most about Ramadan bazaars, what frustra...

Era FM’s recent controversy over a video that allegedly mocked a Thaipusam ritual has reignited conversations about cultural awareness and respect. While the DJs have apologized, the reaction underscores the importance of understanding traditions and cultures beyond surface-level perceptions. So we asked our listeners how much of other cultures have they explored and what culture would they like t...

KL Reads has turned silent reading into a social experience, drawing nearly 100 people to Perdana Botanical Gardens every Saturday. The movement, founded by public health professional Navina in 2023, has been running for over 90 consecutive weeks. While participants remain silent, many say it helps them focus, rekindle their love for books, and even form friendships—particularly among introverts....

Uncle Kentang sparked debate after calling out restaurants for sidelining seniors who struggle with digital ordering. Some say printed menus should always be an option, while others argue it's time to adapt. So we ask listeners: Are QR code menus a smart convenience or an unnecessary hassle? And beyond menus, what else has technology made worse? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listen...

A UN-commissioned study highlights a growing youth mental health crisis in six English-speaking countries: the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This crisis disrupts the traditional U-shaped happiness curve, with young people now reporting lower happiness than older generations. So this got us thinking about the the trajectory of our happiness, so we ask our listeners: What age...

Now, the argument against transitioning from a car-centric nation often centers on the lack of first and last mile connectivity affecting our public transport systems. But imagine a Malaysia where our public transport is highly efficient and accessible. Would it be enough to persuade people to stop driving? We find out, with our listeners. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Perak is projected to reach ageing status by the year 2030, which will make it the first state to do so. This means Perak needs to step up its game in terms of policies that support the elderly. Amidst these conversations are also questions about the idea of ageing, and whether that is something to look forward to or be afraid of. We explore this question with our listeners. Image Credit: Shutters...

To mark the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, we explore the mother tongues spoken by our listeners, and their relationship with languages. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A trend about meeting one's younger self for coffee has taken the online world by storm, with over 16 million posts of people sharing what their advice to their younger version. Many spoke about healing their past self, reflecting on topics like body image, career planning and relationships. The popularity of this trend is attributed to the idea that it's easier to practice self-love when speaking...

The Education Ministry has clarified that only headmasters or authorised teachers can cane students for bullying—parents or guardians of victims are not allowed to do so. But is caning an effective form of punishment, or does it do more harm than good? We get into it. Image credits: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night was the Pai Ti Kong celebrations, also known as the Jade Emperor's Birthday, a major event for the Hokkien Chinese community in Malaysia, especially in Penang. This occasion is marked by grand offerings, prayer ceremonies and the extensive use of fireworks and firecrackers. But not everyone is a fan of these explosive festivities. We explore. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudi...

Karla Sofía Gascón, a trans actress known for the controversial film Emilia Perez (nominated for 13 Oscars, including Best Actress for Gascón), has recently faced backlash over her past racist and Islamophobic social media posts, now deleted. With these issues resurfacing, it raises the question: Should people be held accountable for their past statements, and can people change? Image Credit: shut...

Donald Trump is back in the White House. For some, his presidency represents a much-needed continuation of his bold policies and America-first approach; for others, it’s a looming specter of division and uncertainty. We explore the complex emotions and polarizing reactions to Trump 2.0—from what excites his supporters, what concerns his critics, and what lies ahead. Image Credit: shutterstock.com...

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. It's a time for families to reunite, but also when generational tension can reach its peak from uncomfortable questions and disagreements, to, of course, the ever-present expectation to "respect your elders." So, we figured it’s the perfect time to dive into the big question: Should respect be given automatically, or is it something that should be earned...

Does your appearance impact your chances of getting hired? Some employers expect a photo on resumes, while others say it’s unnecessary. In a job market where first impressions matter, does your look give you an edge or is it all about skills? We asked our listeners how much appearance plays a role in hiring and workplace success. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

TasteAtlas has released a list of the 100 worst foods from around the world. With placings of foods like Cookie Salad from the US at 100th place and the Philippines’s Balut at 48th place, we’re reminded of the food we absolutely loathe! So we ask our listeners what the worst thing they ate was. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man on Facebook is offering a service for men to appear "heroic" in front of their partners. For RM100, he lets them beat him up after he pretends to disturb their partners at a public place. This got us thinking about the idea of masculinity so we delve into this with our listeners, asking them how they think about masculinity, and whether the ideas they were raised with has evolved as they gro...

Research by UK's High Pay Centre found that chief executives in FTSE 100 companies will have made more money by midday than the average worker in a year. So we broached this topic with our listeners and ask them: Should there be a cap on how much bosses earn? And, do you believe in pay transparency? Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju bagged the title of world’s youngest chess champion at the World Chess Championship in Singapore, sharing that his victory was made possible due to his parents’ sacrifices. Gukesh's father quit his job as a surgeon to accompany him to games, while his mother worked to support them financially. This got us thinking about what it means to be a parent and sacrifice for yo...

We kick off the first Talkback of 2025 by talking about resolutions! Some argue there is a pointlessness to new year's resolutions while others are excited by the promise of a fresh start. So we ask listeners, what are their resolutions for 2025? And, how do they plan for the year ahead? Image Credit: Boontoom Sae-Kor, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last edition of Talkback of 2024, we're looking back on this rollercoaster of a year and thinking about what stood out to us the most. Whether it be travelling, new additions to family or adopting a new healthy habit, we thought that we'd ask our listeners: What was your favourite thing to come out of this year? Image Credit: seamind224, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The government's campaign to control the country's sugar intake involves, among others, a call for higher sugar tax. However, experts are saying that this alone is not enough and that we should include education about nutrition through food labelling regulations. This got us thinking about the act of changing for the better, whether it involves sugar or other habits we have. Since it's the end of...

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has finally spoken out on his failed declaration of martial law, saying that he will not step down and continue to fight till the end, regardless if he is impeached or investigated. This got us thinking about the act of admitting when one is in the wrong, so we explore this with our listeners. Image Credit: imtmphoto, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Every year, the Pantone Colour Institute decides on a Colour of The Year, based on criterias that reflect people's current moods and influential trends throughout the year. Mocha Mousse has bagged this title for the year 2025, chosen for its comforting feeling, and the way it presents 'relaxed elegance'. Social media has apparently inspired this decision as well, with self-care culture being seen...