It has been about six months since Jasmin Lau and Goh Hanyan stepped into politics after careers in the civil and public service. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Now they are both political office holders across several ministries, taking on new responsibilities and getting used to being in the public eye. They are also the co-chairs of the Committee on Technology and Innovation – one of five committees that are part of the Economic Strategy Review. In a nutshell, the review looks at how Singapore can stay economically relevant and competitive amid geopolitical tensions and tech disruptions. They will be dropping by The Usual Place podcast to chat about what the past couple of months have been like and the biggest adjustments they have had to make. We’ll also discuss the committee’s plans on how to accelerate artificial intelligence transformation across the economy and encourage enterprises to adopt AI, as well as feedback they have garnered from speaking with business owners. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:43 Reallocating time spent after landing political office positions  4:29 The most challenging portfolio  6:48 Switching between national and municipal issues  12:09 “Never a dull day, even for the family” - how their children are adjusting  20:58 Last-mover advantage in adapting AI - feedback from CEO closed door session  26:36 Don’t panic, the AI wave is not coming tomorrow for your jobs: Jasmin  35:29 How AI cannot replace the human touch  38:11 AI companions are scary Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dig deeper into why Singapore's food sustainability targets have changed. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. The original goal was for farms here to produce 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs, which include fish, eggs and vegetables. Now it's 20 per cent of Singapore's fibre and 30 per cent of protein needs by 2035. Natasha speaks with Ken Cheong, chief executive of the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation and Ray Poh, founder of Artisan Green, an indoor farm that grows pesticide-free crops – about what measures are needed to help local farms grow and why egg farmers are doing well. What will help every farm become a "good farm" and should we have CDC-type vouchers to get consumers to buy local produce? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:31 Why was the  initial goal so difficult to achieve? 4:37 Economies of scale lowers operational costs 7:55 Why transport is the biggest bugbear for local produce 21:56 Why local eggs are safe to be eaten half-boiled 28:52 Will CDC vouchers push more to buy local produce? Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptr  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This follows a debate over a school's alumni reaction to an ST report on a major scam operation. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. It was a crime report meant to highlight the suspects behind a major scam operation, but a nugget of information sparked an uproar over a school’s image. Last week, The Straits Times reported that two brothers and their cousin were the alleged masterminds running the operation from Phnom Penh. The group ran a government official impersonation scam that was allegedly responsible for 438 scam cases involving losses of at least $41 million. The 27 Singaporeans suspected of being members of the organised criminal group are now wanted by the Singapore police. But that was not what readers were talking about online. What drew attention was a detail in the Oct 30 report that one of the wanted men, Finan Siow, was said to be a former Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student who once played for the school’s rugby team. That information – featured in both the article and an infographic – didn’t sit well with the Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys’ Association, which said the school had been singled out. ST explained its editorial decision. But the furore around that piece of information, especially from the school’s alumni on social media platforms, was curious. In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak to two well-known social commentators – comedian Rishi Budhrani, and comedy writer and communication strategist Benjamin “Mr Miyagi” Lee – to find out why we are so fixated on brand-name schools? Highlights (click/tap above): 2:01 Mr Miyagi and Rishi disclose which school they used to attend 3:39 On the ACS Old Boys’ Association’s forum letter 6:56 Rishi and Benjamin on their own reaction to the ST report 8:34 Brand name schools: Baggage and expectations 13:50 Mr Miyagi on his son’s choice of schools 11:49 Judge on merits and achievements, not school links 16:29 School alumni networks have worth too 22:58 Different experiences of school life 30:14 Education is so valued in Singapore, hence such debates 30:48 Old boys: Making the news for wrong reasons Read more: ACS Old Boys’ Association’s forum letter and response from ST: https://str.sg/pG4E Read Natasha Ann Zachariah’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Khung would have turned 10 a few weeks ago, if she were still alive today. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Instead, five years after her death, the findings by a review panel detailed how, within a year, there were several lapses at various agencies that could have helped her. The panel’s report came after the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said in April it would conduct a review of Megan’s case. The girl died in 2020 after suffering physical and emotional abuse by her mother Foo Li Ping and her mother’s then-boyfriend Wong Shi Xiang. The report’s timeline detailed what happened from the time staff members at Megan’s pre-school found bruises on her body to when the couple were arrested for murder, highlighting gaps in communication among agencies, lags in escalating the matter and a lack of follow-ups. These agencies include Child Protective Service and the police. In this episode of The Usual Place, I will discuss what the panel’s findings and recommendations tell us about accountability in the system, the complexities of navigating child abuse cases, and how we can do better to protect the most vulnerable among us. I speak with ST’s senior social affairs correspondent Theresa Tan and director of clinical services at social service agency Pave Integrated Services Soh Siew Fong. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:26 When abuse is dealing with life and death 8:12 Did the many helping hands framework fail? 10:00 When child protection is more than just hiring social workers 10:47 Supervising case workers 17:40 Why do social workers hesitate to make police reports? 30:06 How to attract new case workers 33:42 When physical punishment becomes abuse 41:35 Keeping children safe goes beyond case work Read Natasha Ann Zachariah’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Pave Integrated Services: https://str.sg/fgUd National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH): https://str.sg/JPwNL Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people switch from smoking to vaping for different reasons. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. For Mr Muhammad Dandiar Rosli, he saw vaping as a cheaper alternative to smoking, so he decided to give it a try. But it nearly cost him his life. Just a month after he started vaping in 2020, he ended up in hospital after feeling breathless and coughing up thick, yellow phlegm. He thought he had contracted Covid-19, but a bronchoscopy revealed that he had pulmonary alveolar proteinosis – a rare lung disease where the air sacs are clogged with protein and fatty material, making breathing difficult. That marked the start of a long recovery that included two hospital stays and four procedures to “wash out” his lungs. What he underwent is called a lung lavage, where sterile saline is used to wash away the abnormal build-up of protein from the lungs.  Five years on, the memory of the treatment – and the hefty medical bill – still affects him today. Mr Dandiar, a private-hire driver, drops by The Usual Place podcast to talk about undergoing the lung lavage procedures and the difficulty of quitting vaping. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:08 The failed attempt to save money by vaping  9:08 “It was too painful, I had to shutdown,” Dandiar on being hospitalised with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.  10:29 The process of lung washing 16:07 Restarting to vape after his first hospitalisation 25:54 Why quitting is so difficult Read Natasha Ann Zachariah’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament convened in September, but a familiar face from the previous term wasn’t there. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Progress Singapore Party’s secretary-general Leong Mun Wai was a notable presence as a Non-Constituency MP during the 14th term of Parliament, sometimes having heated exchanges with ministers and PAP MPs. But he and fellow party member Hazel Poa did not retain their NCMP spots following the General Election in May. Their PSP team for West Coast-Jurong West GRC lost to the PAP slate, which won the five-man GRC with 59.99 per cent of the vote to PSP’s 40.01 per cent. In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with Mr Leong about steering the party in its next phase post-GE2025 and the challenges of not being in Parliament. How will PSP evolve its practices and policy communications without a Parliamentary presence, and remain relevant? Highlights (click/tap above): 4:06 Increasing online presence to explain party positions 6:05 Mr Leong on heated exchanges as NCMP 10:45 How PSP will explain its policy ideas to the public post-GE2025  19:19 What will PSP really stand for "after Dr Tan Cheng Bock"? 20:20 Wanting to lead national conversation on economy 22:55 How does PSP stand out differently from other parties? 25:00 Will PSP move beyond the electro west? 28:00 "I learnt a very hard lesson about the powerful PAP machinery": Mr Leong Read Natasha Ann Zachariah’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hybrid work arrangements were once widely seen as the future of work, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic upended the daily grind we were used to. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.Now, some businesses and employers appear to be changing course. Last week, the National University of Singapore raised eyebrows when it was reported that all full-time staff were required to work from the office five days a week, starting Oct 1. The move follows similar return-to-office mandates by big companies, both in Singapore and abroad, including Grab and Amazon. The discussion over where work should happen has been going on since the pandemic. However, if staff are pushing back on a full return, why do some employers still insist on moving ahead with these mandates? If returning to the office becomes a requirement, how should the workplace accommodate different work styles?In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with: Ives Tay, a learning and development consultant who has experience with adult education, training quality assurance and workforce development, and Nicole Chua, director in workplace consulting and People Strategy Lead in Asia-Pacific for global real estate services company JLL Highlights (click/tap above): 6:57 We can be productive in the office - and at home 9:12 WFH allows workers to break their day into focused blocks 13:52 Have the courage to speak with managers about policies 18:07 Are some ruining WFH for the rest? 19:45 Employees should be transparent about their movements 22:57 Government should address tensions over flexible work arrangements 29:31 Ensuring the WFH benefits remain 31:53 Is WFH short-changing fresh graduates? 35:27 Consequences for employers enforcing RTO measures Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A marathon Parliament session unfolded last week, as MPs debated the President’s Address over five days. A total of 81 MPs spoke in support of the motion, including the 32 newly elected members who delivered their maiden speeches. They raised issues ranging from job and wage anxieties to bridging the wealth inequality gap and the disruption caused by artificial intelligence (AI). In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with Workers’ Party MPs Fadli Fawzi and Kenneth Tiong about their Parliament debut. I chatted with both Aljunied GRC MPs about their speeches, and what life has been like after the 2025 General Election. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:25 Prepping for their Parliament debut 4:01 “It’s like the teacher calling your name.” 6:45 Social mobility is the true test of meritocracy: Fadli 9:24 Pitfalls of idealising meritocracy 12:03 An elderly woman and her pigeons 14:13 Leading the Meet-the-People sessions 16:11 Speaking in Parliament versus at GE2025 20:46 The supportive wives behind these MPs 22:46 Challenging the PAP-lite claims 27:20 A need for direct answers from the Government Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit have been catching some heat lately, following a spate of at least 15 instances of rail delays and interruptions since July. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.In the first three weeks of September, there were six incidents occurring due to train faults or signalling issues. Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority figures show the MRT network’s reliability over 12 months ending June 2025 fell to its lowest level since 2020. It’s understandable why commuters are frustrated.Upgrades have been made to refresh ageing MRT lines, and new lines have been added. Plus, MRT and bus fares for adults went up by 10 cents in December 2024. Yet, troubles persist. Earlier this week in Parliament, Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow answered a range of questions from MPs about the matter, and spoke about follow-ups that the operators and LTA were working on together. Was it an adequate response to the spate of disruptions, which have included hours-long disruptions on the East-West Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT system in August? What else can be done to restore commuters’ confidence in our public transport systems?In this episode of The Usual Place, I chatted with: Former ST senior transport correspondent Christopher Tan, who has covered Singapore’s transport scene since 1989, and Dr Samuel Chng, a research assistant professor who heads the Urban Psychology Lab in the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Highlights (click/tap above):  2:16 A review of Mr Siow’s parliament debut 5:36 New trains, refreshed lines, so why the disruptions? 11:16 Is it fair to say the incidents are unrelated? 17:56 Plan Bs and Cs when trains go down 20:19 Not an apple-to-apple comparison with other cities’ 25:13 What does MKBF mean for a commuter? 30:22 Expectations of the new rail reliability task force 35:28 With most trips running smoothly, is our frustration justified? 38:36 Mr Siow’s report card so far Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai, Natasha Liew and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pickleball has been a smash hit in Singapore over the past couple of years, but not everyone’s a fan. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. The game has attracted players of all ages looking to learn a new skill, keep active or meet fellow ‘picklers’. On the flip side, pickleball has sparked complaints from residents living near Housing Board courts, who say the games are too noisy and disrupt the peace. Last week, a Straits Times report looked into the tensions that have arisen amid pickleball’s growing popularity. Complaints have surfaced on online forums, while angry residents have aired their grievances on social media and written in to ST’s Forum page. MPs and town councils have stepped in with measures, though these vary across neighbourhoods. They include restricting playing times for games, switching off the lights at courts after a particular time, and even banning pickleball from badminton courts, thus reducing the opportunities for play. (Pickleball courts are nearly identical in size to badminton courts, but smaller than tennis courts.) The backlash against the game has been frustrating for players, who are competing to book spaces at ActiveSG facilities, as demand balloons. There are private courts, but they are a more expensive option. In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with: - Jeremy Soh, founder of pickleball club Performance Pickleball who picked up the sport less than two years ago; and - Assistant Professor Nurul Amillin Hussain, a social scientist from Nanyang Technological University. What made the game popular, and can pickleball players and residents find common ground? Also, why do tensions keep arising over sports in the heartlands? Highlights (click/tap above):  2:00 Is pickleball a real sport? 7:13 A good sport to repopulate urban spaces 10:03 How much does it cost to get started? 12:43 Facing complaints when playing in public courts 17:40 Are we more intolerant than before? 19:35 Silent balls can help, so why don’t players use them? 27:48 Is noise in the ear of the beholder? 29:41 Is pickleball just a fad? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai, Natasha Liew and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.