We don’t appreciate our local content enough and for good reason *coughs* Mediacorp *coughs*. One medium in particular has been blossoming with a diversity of content that we shouldn’t be sleeping on –– Podcasts. Think radio shows but less music with much more curated and niche content catered to specific audiences. Podcasts are a good way to take your eyes off the screen and indulge in other forms of storytelling, education, news updates, TEA, you name it. And the best part, they’re readily available (unless you’re waiting for the next episode, that is).
I’m not talking about the kind of podcast your distant friend Jia Hui decided to start with her bff on a whim just so they can talk about their love lives (but if you’re into that, by all means). I’m talking about those that are unafraid to venture into taboo territory with hosts that have invested a significant amount of time researching and preparing content in order to bring fresh hot takes to the table. Independent local podcasts in particular have been pretty damn revolutionary in their content –– I’m talking controversial, nuanced and really just down right entertaining with little censorship (POFMA haunts us all). I can’t remember the last time I felt this way about local media “entertainment”.
Especially in a society where critical voices are often drowned out by politically correct narratives, it’s important to start paying attention to this medium that offers us so much more to learn from, appreciate, and be loving critics about.
There are so many podcasts out there, how does one start? Fret not, here’s seven local podcasts that have become staples in my life.
The category is…
Oi, wake up your idea!
1. Chai me, Bitch with Preetipls
Resident (self proclaimed) TOP podcaster, Preetipls talks about life in Singapore, tackling anything and everything from societal issues to horrible dates to getting a tarot card reading. True to Preeti’s style, her channel guarantees laughs but also delivers realness… I mean it’s Preetipls, she always approaches tricky topics with such finesse and humour. Her perspectives and little reflections truly makes it feel like you’re having a conversation with your bff.
And if that isn’t enough, there’s even a video version of the podcast on her Youtube channel. Watch her pour different flavors of Chai at the start of every podcast and smash her sound effects panel everytime something deserves a “fuck it up sis!” (for real, she has a button that says that).
Favourite episode: (Ep 10) Pet Peeves & Irrational ANGER things
2. SG boys (or Super Gay boys as they would say to international audience)
“Let’s do the podcast that we wish we had growing up”
Three gay Singaporean best friends make space for important voices in the LGBTQ+ community through conversations about their lived experiences, pop culture, life and love in Singapore. Already interested? Joshua Simon (Radio SJ), Sam Jo and Kennede Sng expand the boundaries of love and identity with great vulnerability, joy and sass. These conversations are of course not exclusive to them, their channel features various members of the LGBTQ+ community, notable ones include Heckin Unicorn, Becca D’Bus and Conan Gray. The channel touches on themes that range from body image issues to throuples to legal safeguards for the LGBTQ+ community.
They’ve built such a precious and inclusive safe space to educate, hold important conversations, and to really just have fun and thrive.
Favourite episode: Mother Has Arrived!| Special Guest: Vanda Miss Joaquim
3. T42 (read: Tea For Two)
Kishen and Joel, a science educator and a playwright –– also two older gay men –– put interesting perspectives into aspects of Singapore that are good, bad, ugly, and borderline absurd. The channel cover photo of the two hosts holding up Teh C and Teh O at a coffee shop with the podcast microphone in front of them is just iconic. They’re truly serving uncles ruminating passionately about current affairs in the coffee shop vibes. The unique dynamic duo deep dive into random trends in Singapore, and unpack them with brutal honesty and sass. They really know how to serve some good tea.
Plus points include creative transitions like “bird squawking noises” between different segments of the show.
Favourite Episode: Ep 36 | The Culture wars, Awkward situations and ASMR
Let’s Talk About Sex(ual health) Baby ~
4. Something Private
A podcast focused on much needed conversations about sexual health, the body, and everything else that isn’t talked about enough (or at all) in our society. Hosted by the ever-so introspective and charismatic Nicole, Something Private Pod invites people and professionals of all walks of life with a story to tell. What started as a podcast to talk about anything and everything about the vagina has traversed more intersectional grounds that spotlights and humanises minority communities; and holds space for difficult conversations such as pornography and genital shame, sexual violence, and mental health. I’ve learned so much about my body from orgasms to birth control and menstrual health here.
The channel also features its fair share of beautiful stories that normalise same-sex parents, falling in love as someone with Autism, and having a partner who’s diagnosed with HIV. All in all, this is a podcast with a wonderful premise and so much to offer!
Favourite episode: Ep 44 | In Her Words – I Rose Above Being Publicly Humiliated and Made History
Speak now (not the Taylor Swift album): Breaking the silence
5. New Naratif’s Political Agenda
The title says it all, this podcast hosted by PJ Thum and Wake Up Singapore’s Editor-in-Chief, Sean Francis Han, joined by a diversity of guests, discuss different aspects of Singapore politics and prevalent issues. There’s really no other podcast like this that spotlights so many important conversations with prominent activists and Singaporeans who are doing important work on the ground to build a more equitable society through work that inspires solidarity and empathy. The channel features guests from vastly different fields who care deeply and passionately about the causes they champion. These topics range from prison abolition, running as a political candidate, activism through rap, mutual aid initiatives and more.
New Naratif has challenged and expanded my conception of activism and what it means to “give back” as an individual and as a member of the community.
Fav ep: Imagining Other Futures with guest speaker, Kokila Annamalai
All you need is love
6. The Shades of love
This podcast fills me with such warmth because it comes from a deep place of care and love as its name suggests. Hosted by Anthea Ong, The Shades of Love is really about growth, learning, and of course, love. Anthea’s life thus far is the kind you hear of in stories. She left an illustrious career in banking to pursue a more active role in civil society to serve the people –– and she did as a non-elected member of parliament (NMP) known for fearlessly raising issues surrounding mental health, migrant workers and other marginalised communities. Now, she is a social entrepreneur behind various important initiatives including Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully (WINGS) and Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT). As her works have shown, she’s dedicated her life to one of service, this is a woman who’s done A LOT and she is fascinating to listen to.
I think it’s one of the most refreshing podcasts I’ve listened to lately because it expands and reflects on the plurality of love and its nuances in various aspects of life –– not to mention the stellar slate of guests i.e. Worker’s Party member of parliament, Raeesah Khan and local playwright Alfian Sa’at.
Favourite episode: APPROVE with Raeesah Khan
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
7. SAGA: A 12-part podcast by AWARE
Note: AWARE is Singapore’s leading women’s rights and gender equality advocacy group that have substantially impacted generations of women’s lives since 1985.
This podcast is scintillating labour of love detailing a pivotal point of feminist activism in Singapore: the AWARE Saga in 2009. Produced over the course of 2-years, this is a well-researched and incredibly textured podcast presented like a documentary-series, and let me just say I was hooked!
SAGA centers on a coup of AWARE’s leadership during its annual elections by a group of conservative Christians who opposed AWARE’s liberal brand of feminism and planned to re-instill “conservative” values i.e. pushing for abstinence-based sex education as opposed to comprehensive sex education programs for schools. This series details the old guard’s fight for the requisition of their organisation and the restoration of the feminist values it stands for. It is truly the comeback story I never knew I needed –– don’t say Singapore has no feminist new wave!
Notable moment: The OG AWARE president, Constance Singam impassionately thundering the words “WHERE WERE YOU?!” in the face of the ill-experienced conservative Christians who had no business claiming credit for the strides in gender equality the organisation had made.
Favourite episode: Honestly, the entire series because all the episodes are connected and equally important to the storytelling.
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It’s always great to hear about narratives that are so familiar to us through different perspectives –– it’s like our thoughts are engaging in a silent conversation with the Podcast hosts. All these podcasts reflect on different aspects of Singapore society, and I highly recommend everyone who’s Singaporean or interested in learning about life in Singapore to start exploring these channels! It’s due time to #supportlocal.