Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Imagine experiencing climate change effects first-hand right under the hole in the ozone layer.  That's something that most people would not be able to fathom, but celebrated British polar explorer Robert Swan, the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles unassisted, experienced just that.   On his very first expedition to the South Pole in the 1980s, the prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light during parts of the trip which were directly under that ozone layer hole - permanently altered his eye colour from dark blue to light blue. Some years on, his team nearly drowned at the North Pole due to the premature melting of glaciers in the Arctic. Robert later founded the 2041 Foundation, an initiative dedicated to the preservation of Antarctica. Fast forward decades later, Robert's son, Barney Swan is following in his father's footsteps. In 2017, Barney became the first person to walk the South Pole powered only by renewable energy. Today, Barney himself is on a mission to combat climate change through his non-profit, ClimateForce, with a seven-year mission to reduce 360 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2025. On this episode of Climate Connections, Barney Swan, CEO of ClimateForce shares his personal insights walking on this green journey with his father. Robert Swan was a speaker at Ecosperity Week 2024, aimed at being a metaphoric springboard to accelerate climate and nature-positive action, seeking to deepen the collective ownership and commitment needed across all stakeholders, with a focus on radical yet regenerative solutions, to restore the one planet we call home. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: Barney & Robert Swan Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors Special thanks to Temasek for making this possible.

Are you a good listener?  On World Listening Day, Emaad puts Ryan and Audrey's listening skills to the test with a fun, but revealing exercise. Tune in to find out how they fared and to learn what makes a good active listener, including simple steps you can follow. Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek  Produced and Edited by Emaad Akhtar Music and photo credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors 

Louisa Fok, China Equity Strategist, Bank of Singapore discusses how investors should approach Chinese markets, as President Xi Jinping gets ready to lay out his vision for the economy post-Plenum. Following a rise of 4% in the MSCI China in 1H2024, she outlines some of the supportive factors for some sectors, especially Internet and platform companies. We also examine how much of headwinds trade tensions and tariffs may pose in the coming months. Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, Carson Group shares his insights on the momentum of the tech rally, what's happening with the spending segment of the market, and whether the complications with the US Presidential Elections would have any implications on potential rate cuts this year. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: AP Photo/Gene J Puskar // Mario Tama/Getty Images

Singapore commemorates Racial Harmony on 21st July every year.  It’s a day to remind ourselves that everyone has a role to play to build a harmonious multi-racial society, and that our diversity can be a source of strength for the common good. But why does it matter in today’s context and how is the digital landscape shaping the discourse around racial harmony?   On this episode of Morning Shot, Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of IPS Social Lab at the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy shares his insights. Presented by: Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: SG101.gov.sg

All eyes around the world are on the US Presidential Election, slated to take place in November. And already, it’s working out to be one filled with many trials and tribulations for both candidates. Just days ago, former President Donald Trump survived what has been touted as an assassination attempt.  Current incumbent Joe Biden on the other hand has been battling public debate among Democrats over whether he should quit the race because of a lacklustre performance in the first Presidential Debate with Trump. How will all of that pan out in the coming weeks, and how consequential is this Presidential Election to senate control and the ability to enact significant policy reforms in the coming years? On this episode of Breakfast Special, Rick Mullaney, Director of the Public Policy Institute at Jacksonville University shares his analysis. Presented by: Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: Mario Tama/Getty Images// Charles Rex Arbogast/AP 

What is a boutique condo? Why and how does it appeal to homebuyers or investors? A boutique style condominiumtypically comes in a mid-rise building, and they offer fewer condo units, roughly 100 units or so, than most other developments. While they might offer a unique investment opportunity, what is their appreciation value and are there potential drawbacks? Well, we find out more from Eugene Lim, KEO, ERA Singapore. Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Health-tech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

Ever since the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, the former president's re-election odds have surged. And if Trump 2.0 does indeed materialize, what might this mean for global markets? Daphne Tan, Director of Business Development, CMC Markets Singapore weighs in on this topic and also discusses Trump's latest tariffs proposal; how weakening Chinese consumer sentiment is affecting luxury brands sales; key takeaways from U.S. bank earnings from Q2; and the chances of potential Fed rate cuts come September. Produced and Presented by Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar Edited by Emaad Akhtar

US President Joe Biden is in the spotlight, and his age has long been known to be one of his biggest weaknesses in his re-election campaign.  What people tend to overlook is that ageing takes place in multiple ways: You can look physically fit but experience cognitive decline; or the reverse where you have the sharpest mind, but your body won’t cooperate with you.  Audrey, Ryan and Emaad focus on our ageing brains. When was the last time you thought about improving your brain health? Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar Edited and Produced by Audrey Siek Music and photo credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors 

Ever wondered where factory wastewater ends up? Often, it pollutes our rivers and oceans. A Singaporean company is developing a new method to treat this wastewater using a technology that gives wastewater a second life, extracting clean water and valuable resources. This not only benefits the environment, but also saves companies money. Mark Perry, Co-Founder, Sidestroem shares more on this innovation has the potential to be a game-changer for future water security.  Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Health-tech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.