When do you listen to podcasts? Some people like to walk and listen; others lie in bed and listen when they can’t sleep. Others are in denial about their eyesight (no names mentioned) and prefer to listen to podcasts rather than buy reading glasses! Whatever your reason, here are a couple of recommendations from the team.
Something Rhymes with Purple
This is a fascinating journey through the English language exploring idioms, expressions and the history of words. Lexicographer Susie Dent partners with Gyles Brandreth to explore a different topic each time. A recent episode covered the vocabulary pertaining to roads and travel; did you know that “pavement” comes from the Latin pavimentum meaning trodden-down floor? At the end of each podcast, Susie introduces a trio of her favourite words. This episode’s words hit a chord for me during the latest COVID restrictions: “hodophile”, meaning lover of journeys, “gadwaddick”, to go on a jaunt, and “trouvaille”, something lovely found by chance!
– Kate Woodbury
The Guardian’s Today in Focus | Spotify
This podcast has a lot of themes that interest me and I put it on after I’ve dropped off the girls at school to catch up on the news that shapes the world. Each episode goes behind the headlines to provide a deeper understanding of the news. An interesting subject covered recently was the Korean debt crisis that inspired Squid Game’s dark dystopia. It looked at how the Netflix series put the focus on increasing personal debt in South Korea. Give this a go – there are some great topics for everyone!
– Susan Knudsen-Pickles
Sarah-Mae Thomas The Legal Eagle Podcast
What’s your podcast about? The Legal Eagle Podcast is all about conversations and discussions with local and overseas experts about new ideas and developments in law. It gives listeners a different perspective and a broader directive on legal matters related to family law.
What inspired you to start it?
I’ve always enjoyed arts and performance and I wanted a new avenue to channel both my creativity and passion for family law. Podcasting was a different avenue to explore, and I was blessed to receive advice from seasoned podcasters who provided guidance with the entire set-up process. It’s been a great avenue for me to present important and interesting conversations for our listeners.
What do you hope listeners will take away from your episodes?
I hope listeners grasp legal concepts in the simplest way possible and have a better understanding of family law through the chats I have with other lawyers, as well as other specialised experts across other topics such as career and finance.
Can you give us a sneak peek into upcoming episodes?
We’re very excited to have launched a new podcast series called “Barrister to Barista” for the new year. Here, former lawyers share their stories of how they went from the legal industry to the F&B industry! Tune in for a new episode every first Tuesday of the month.
Subscribe via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major platforms, and find out more at thelegaleaglepodcast.com.
Mary Barrett A Cup of Tea with Mary B
How did your podcast come about?
I am addicted to podcasts and have listened to thousands of hours over the years! I’ve also been lucky to have attracted – both in my personal and professional life – so many “ordinary” people achieving extraordinary things that I wanted to share their stories. I wanted to hear about their self-belief, resilience and courage in making the changes they wanted in their lives, often starting from a dark and challenging place. Plus, I wanted to share to a wider audience my personal insights, learnings and motivational tips as a Master Mind Coach.
What’s the best part of being a podcast host?
I’m in my element when interviewing people! I love discovering what makes people do what they do and how they do it. As a very curious person, it’s easy for me to ask probing questions, and I’m a great active listener. People fascinate me!
What do you hope listeners take away from your podcasts?
Hope, courage, and inspiration! I specifically invite guests who have decided to step out of the norm and do something different, in almost every case to help others. Whether it’s around sustainability, interior design or immigration, the core message is individuals following their passion and finding ways to make it their livelihood. Listeners say that these true-life stories help them see that following dreams is accessible to everyone, not just the rich and famous.
What’s your day job?
I’ve been coaching for over three decades and feel grateful to be living my purpose by enabling others to “be the best version of themselves”. I’m an Australian Board NLP Master Trainer and Clinical Hypnotherapist; I work with the subconscious mind to make transformational and sustainable changes.
Find Mary’s podcast at marybarrett.global/podcast and the usual platforms
Audio Book
10 Reasons Why Singing Is Freedom | Corinne Gibbons
This muchneeded reminder to help us “find our voice” invites the listener to use the healing power of music in their own journey. The author talks about how serendipity has been part of her journey, in marrying her life’s purpose with her passion for music. Her new song “I believe” is also included in the book. An uplifting and cheery listen (singingisfreedom.com).
– Dee Khanduja
Music
We preview new songs by Singaporean-based artists; you can catch both of these on YouTube and Spotify
Haven, “Easy Girl Easy Boy” 1 8 – year – old Singaporean singer-songwriter Haven shares her soulful vocals on TikTok and Instagram, and has amassed over 230,000 followers – and her latest single “Easy Girl Easy Boy” doesn’t disappoint. The entrepreneurial singer is witnessing a rapid rise to fame, and is even launching a new fashion brand, Obsess, to prove she’s not just a pretty voice!
Caspar featuring Ines Lavigne, “Looking For You”
These two Singaporebased students – Caspar was born here but has Balinese and German roots; Ines is a student at Temasek Polytechnic – have released new single “Looking For You”, exploring feelings of separation, searching for happiness and finding someone new and better. It’s a catchy pop song with raw emotions.
– Dee Khanduja
Podcasts
The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast
This podcast covers talks with thought leaders, influencers and industry changers. Whether it’s wisdom from business entrepreneurs, daring nuanced conversations with socio-political commentators, or insights from spiritual teachers, it has something for everyone who loves to broaden their perspectives about the world.
– Yimin Huang
Just One Thing | Michael Mosley
Like most people, I’m always looking for ways to improve my health, but forever short on time. So when I came across TV presenter Michael Mosley’s new podcast series, Just One Thing, I tuned in.
Each episode runs for just 15 minutes and involves Michael investigating one thing that you could be doing to improve your health and wellbeing. From cold showers to squats and eating more fermented food, Michael delves into the science and delivers some surprisingly good tips – tips that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine. One episode is called “Standing On One Leg”; sounds easy enough, right? Now close your eyes and try it! I’m a few weeks into practicing this and while I’m still a bit wobbly, there’s certainly some improvement! Available on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
– Kate Woodbury
Brené with Simon Sinek on Developing an Infinite Mindset
A friend pinged this podcast to me with the words “must listen”. So I went for my run, ready to open my mind with Brené and Simon, two powerhouse influencers and authors. The podcast really made me contemplate. I found myself rewinding and repeating parts of it, to help it sink in. Simon simplified how those with an infinite mindset think and behave, and Brené in her usual style gave us the geeky version minus the sci-fi language. I found myself reflecting on what was said for days after; I’ve even listened to it again. A great podcast for questioning your own belief system and its limitations.
– Dee Khanduja
Free Your Self From Pain | Katie Byron with Russell Brand
Spiritual teacher and author Katie Byron joins Russell Brand on episode 78 of his Under the Skin podcast to weave spirituality and philosophy with practical tips. If you want to learn about your negative cycle of thoughts, or work through resentment or triggers, this podcast sets a great foundation to start doing “The Work” on yourself.
– Dee Khanduja
Top 10 Ways to Make 2021 Your Best Year Yet | Kristina Karlsson
The founder of stationery store Kikki K hosts inspiring podcasts around the topic of designing “Your Dream Life”. This particular episode (#57) is loaded with Kristina’s tips on how to begin the year with optimism, goals and energy. I particularly love that she includes heaps of resources and links in her podcast notes, so you can take action on implementing your ideas.
– Dee Khanduja
Postcards From Midlife with Trish and Lorraine
Trish Halpin and Lorraine Candy are ex-glossy London magazine editors (InStyle UK and Elle respectively) who are continuing to entertain the masses through their decidedly upbeat, fresh, real and insightful podcast. Between them, they have six children, two dogs, one cat and two husbands, and they’re dealing with all the issues that come with being midlife women. Tune in and listen to them gas about everything from moody teenagers to menopausal hot flushes to the minds of men. Just the tonic we need while we’re missing our girl gangs and a bit of a giggle more than ever.
– Jo Upcraft
Super Soul Sunday
I’m a big fan of Oprah Winfrey and her Super Soul Sunday podcast. These are episodes that nourish the mind, body and spirit while offering insights into living one’s best life. I love how Oprah mixes topics and guests together. One of my fave episodes is the one with Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, where he talks about going full circle with his life. He discusses alcohol and drug abuse, multiple failed marriages, his guilt and relationship with his kids, and about moving back to the town where he grew up and having beautiful grandchildren. Worth downloading and following!
– Susan Knudsen Pickles
Wind of Change
“Tsundoku” is a Japanese word that refers to the pile of unfinished books you have on your bedside table at home. Not everyone has a tsundoku; but I certainly do! I’m no better with TV shows. I’ll start a series and be completely enjoying it, only to get distracted by other things. The last Netflix series I actually finished was Making a Murderer. That was in 2016.
A month or so ago, I thought I’d try a podcast – to see if it might have more “stickability” for me. That podcast was Wind of Change. I was sucked in by the show’s awesome premise: could the chartbusting 1980s power ballad “Wind of Change”, by German rock band Scorpions, actually have been written by the CIA as propaganda aimed at destabilising the Soviet Union and bringing down the Iron Curtain?
All the elements were there for me to lap this up: music, history, espionage, pop culture. And, if you have a passing interest in any of those things, I absolutely recommend you give this a go. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. I’ve had this one paused at the 14th-minute mark of Episode 4 for three weeks. I’m sure I’ll finish it … one day.
– Shamus Sillar
Table Manners | Jessy and Lennie Ware
Jessy Ware is an English performing artist with a young family. She and her mum cohost a podcast where they ask a guest around for dinner (now virtual), and they chat about everything from sourdough to sex, their favourite cocktails to their most embarrassing moments. I don’t know half the people they have on the show – mainly British actors, musicians, chefs, activists and relatively unknown people, but most have done interesting things.
Jessy and her mum have a great conversational relationship and are very open about what they enjoy, their families, food they’ve cooked and what they’re missing doing this year. You feel like you’ve been at the table with them after each show. Oh, and you’ll be surprised which guests say they have good table manners – or not!
– Danielle Rossetti
The Shift: On Life after 40 | Sam Baker
The Shift is the brainchild of UK journalist and author Sam Baker (former editor-in-chief of Red magazine). It launched this autumn along with her book of the same name, which is currently being touted as a “menopause memoir”, but in a good way! The podcast is decidedly less biologically based, but it does address a demographic that gets largely ignored: females over 40.
Each week, guests including Marian Keyes, Sara Collins and Jo Whiley join Sam to create a new narrative on subjects such as body confidence, mental health, career reinvention and why they’re not sticking to the stereotypes of women in midlife. Far from offering doom, gloom and daunting stories about what’s ahead, it’s frank, funny, fresh and insightful – and, dare I say it, it makes you feel kind of cool about “growing up”.
– Jo Upcraft
The Michelle Obama Podcast (Spotify)
I love this series of relaxed, intimate interviews Michelle does with husband Barack and her friends and family. She discusses topics around family, community, Black Lives Matter, women’s health, marriage and even menopause! Yes, she wanted to throw Barack out of the window at one stage, and yes, she got irrationally cranky going through menopause, but she is unapologetic about it. Totally honest, thoughtful and funny conversations with a woman you would like to get to know better!
– Danielle Rossetti
Raising Daughters with Tim Jordan, MD
I always try to absorb information on how to be a better parent and how to raise good, levelheaded little individuals . This podcast provides information, awareness, practical tools and inspiration to parents and other adults who work with elementary, middle and high school girls. It’s worth a listen and there are a few gold nuggets to pick up along the way.
– Susan Knudsen-Pickles
The Left Right Game
So, I am a self-confessed audiobook addict. Podcasts normally frustrate me! Recently, a friend told me you could also get stories in the Podcast app. Who would have known? And that’s how I found The Left Right Game. And now I’m addicted and wait with bated breath for Mondays when the next one is released!
The story is told in two different time frames (the past and the present). In the present, we listen to a young man, Tom, who is recovering from a severe accident, but at the same time trying to find an old friend who has apparently disappeared. The past is based on audio diaries that have mysteriously appeared in his inbox of journalist, Alice Sharman, his friend who has vanished. The game that Alice is tracking is possibly paranormal, possibly staged, but possibly horrifyingly real. Cast members include W Earl Brown and Tessa Thompson, and the production (sponsored by Sonos) is as polished as a Hollywood blockbuster. I can’t get enough!
– Kel Flanders
Sidenote
Have you ever wondered about the science behind Tiger King, vaccines, or even which phone to buy? The Sidenote podcast, from the minds behind the ASAPScience YouTube channel, tackles all this and more. Complicated scientific concepts are broken down into digestible studies and anecdotes to keep you engaged the whole time.
– Natasha Lee
Kidnuz
If you want to get your kids interested in news, this is a great resource. The five-minute podcast of daily, age-appropriate news is voiced by an American living right here in Singapore. The podcast covers everything including current events, politics, sports, science, entertainment and more. Their mission is to engage the next generation with news that will inform without fear and educate without opinion. It’s made for an American audience and is popular in US schools. With the time zone difference, we get news that’s a day “old”, but no matter. My kids and I listen to it at breakfast to start the day off right. I think I enjoy it as much as they do! There’s a quiz about the news at the end to make sure the kids pay attention, which my kids actually love.
– Melinda Murphy
Looking for things to do in Singapore? See our What’s On section.
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