Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Saturday Mornings with Glenn van Zutphen

🌍MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Maureen Fan, CEO and co‑founder of Baobab Studios about how the 10X Emmy‑winning, Oscar‑nominated powerhouse is redefining storytelling at the intersection of animation, gaming, and AI.

Maureen shares how Baobab blends top Hollywood creative talent (who were responsible for all four Madagascar movies, ANTZ, Moana, and other major franchises) with cutting‑edge machine learning to build immersive worlds for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. These audiences expect interactivity, emotional depth, and constant evolution.

We explore Maureen's leadership journey from overseeing 40% of Zynga’s revenue and helping take the company public, to building Baobab into one of the most influential studios in next‑gen entertainment. She breaks down the convergence of Hollywood and gaming, why AI is transforming narrative design, and why Singapore is emerging as a strategic hub for AI‑driven creativity.

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🌍On this F1 Weekend in Singapore MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Kabir Anurag, the 19 year-old Singaporean Formula Regional racing driver and Alpine Academy talent.

This extraordinary young man shares what life is really like behind the paddock gates, on the race track at 300km/per hour, the brutal training, the dangers, and the sacrifices. We explore how young drivers navigate pressure, funding, performance expectations, and the mental resilience required to compete at the highest levels of junior formula racing.

He also reflects on what it means to represent Singapore in a sport where Southeast Asian drivers are still rare, and how the Alpine Academy is shaping the next generation of global motorsport talent.

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🌍On World Health Day, MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with  mental health advocate and author, Andrea McKenna Brankin with her practical, deeply local guide to improving your mental wellbeing in Singapore.

We explore six powerful, accessible practices: Meditating at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple; slowing down through forest bathing on the Botanic Gardens’ certified Nature Immersion Trail; experiencing sound therapy or barefoot grounding in NParks’ Therapeutic Gardens; decompressing at Sembawang Hot Spring Park; taking device‑free coastal walks along East Coast, Pasir Ris or Changi; and engaging in horticultural therapy or mindful crafting to calm an overstimulated mind.

Andrea explains why these practices work from lowering cortisol to improving immune function and why Singapore’s unique blend of nature, culture, and community spaces makes it one of the best cities in the world for mental wellness, if we choose to use it.

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🌍On World Health Day, MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with SCWO CEO Koh Yan Pin and Dr Sherry Aw from James Cook University Singapore, co‑authors of a new landmark study examining the mental wellbeing of midlife women.

Surveying nearly 500 women, the study reveals a stark reality: workplace stress, family conflict, relationship challenges, and caregiving responsibilities form a cumulative pressure cooker that significantly increases symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many respondents reported mental health struggles that have gone unaddressed for years often because they are too busy supporting everyone else.

We explore why midlife women are the backbone of Singapore’s workforce and families, yet rarely the focus of mental health policy. What does this mean for an ageing population? For employers? For national wellbeing?

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun  joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen and begin with Singapore’s hazardous haze, now thick enough to threaten Formula One weekend plans and spark fresh debate about climate catastrophe, regional accountability, and whether Southeast Asia is prepared for a future of permanent smoke seasons.

Then to Riyadh, where three Saudis were killed at the airport in a Houthi attack just as Pakistan sends troops to support Saudi security. Steve explains how this escalates the Yemen conflict, reshapes Gulf alliances, and raises questions about regional stability.

Next: a political firestorm in the U.S., after Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth pushed to live stream the execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad on live TV. Debates about extremism, media responsibility, and the boundaries of public discourse are in focus.

And finally, Singapore’s own cultural whiplash: Five Guys closes its ION Orchard outlet, while Luckin Coffee continues its explosive expansion with 100 stores. What does this say about consumer trends and soft power?

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🌍MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Asian Civilisations Museum’s Curator Louise Lui to look at one of the  most ambitious exhibitions yet: Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road.

Dunhuang was the desert oasis that became one of the world’s most important crossroads of art, religion, and trade.

The exhibition explores how Dunhuang’s cave temples became a living archive of Buddhist devotion and cultural exchange, with murals, manuscripts, sculptures, and ritual objects that reveal how ideas travelled across Asia long before globalisation had a name. Louise walks us through the curatorial process, the archaeological discoveries that shaped the exhibition, and why Dunhuang remains one of humanity’s greatest artistic achievements.

For Singapore audiences, this is more than an art show, it’s a window into how Asia’s spiritual and commercial networks shaped the world we live in today. Expect insights on Buddhist iconography, Silk Road trade routes, and the conservation challenges of preserving 1,500‑year‑old cave art.

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🌍MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Wall Street Journal senior reporter Jon Emon about one of the most astonishing business‑and‑geopolitics stories of the year: how Driscoll’s brought blueberries to China and China copied the entire playbook.

Fifteen years ago, Driscoll’s entered Yunnan with elite genetics, high‑tech growing systems, and a vision to turn blueberries into China’s next big consumer trend. It worked. By 2020, the company was producing thousands of tons for Chinese supermarkets. But success came with a cost: widespread IP theft, copycat nurseries, and undercover investigators discovering that China’s agricultural sector had reverse‑engineered Driscoll’s proprietary varieties.

Jon breaks down how this happened, why agricultural IP is becoming a frontline in global trade tensions, and what this means for food security, supply chains, and Western companies operating in China. His reporting shows how geopolitics now extends into orchards, genetics labs, and supermarket shelves.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Prof. Yucheng Lin, Assistant Professor of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong about recent reports that Swiss glaciers have lost more than 5% of their ice after a record heatwave, and new research shows that Antarctica’s ice loss is now locked in. Extra snowfall won’t save it.

Prof. Lin's recent paper explains why the world’s largest ice sheet has entered a phase of irreversible decline. His work shows that even optimistic climate scenarios cannot restore Antarctica’s lost mass, meaning that sea‑level rise is now a structural reality for coastal cities everywhere.

We explore what this means for Singapore and SEA at large; why glacier loss is accelerating faster than models predicted and how heatwaves in Europe connect to long‑term ocean warming in the Southern Hemisphere.

Prof. Lin also explains the science behind “locked‑in” ice loss, why mitigation alone won’t be enough, and what adaptation strategies coastal nations must consider now, not in 2050.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun  joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to begin with the extraordinary account of Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, who fought through stab wounds to unlock the cockpit door and help save 174 passengers during an attempted mid‑air sabotage. His words “I couldn’t let everybody else die” have become a global rallying cry for courage under pressure.

Then to Washington, where the U.S. State Department’s Hall of Flags has undergone a dramatic makeover. The removal of dozens of foreign flags in favour of a red‑white‑and‑blue display has sparked debate about diplomacy, identity, and what America chooses to signal to the world.

And in Singapore, GovTech has launched a pilot that nobody saw coming: a dating‑match system for young, single public officers raising questions about innovation, workplace culture, and whether government‑built romance is the next frontier in civil‑service well‑being. 

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 James Thoo, writer‑director of The Sandbox, and Peps Goh, the film’s co‑lead and stunt supervisor. join Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen takes you inside one of Singapore’s most anticipated films of 2026: "The Sandbox," an irreverent, laugh‑out‑loud mockumentary about small businesses, big dreams, and the communities that fight to survive.

The film follows a struggling stunt training school on the brink of shutting down until rumours spread that an international superhero production is scouting talent in Singapore.

Suddenly, the school is flooded with eccentric hopefuls chasing their shot at fame.

The cast includes Benjamin Kheng, Nathan Hartono, Oon Shu An, Estelle Fly and more, The Sandbox premiered at SGIFF and MIFFest and opens nationwide on 8 October.

James and Peps share why the film is a love letter to dreamers, how comedy can reveal the truth about survival, and why Singaporeans deserve stories that feel unmistakably local.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 Jacqueline Tan, CEO of the Singapore Cruise Centre joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to spotlight one of Singapore’s biggest travel and infrastructure upgrades of the year: the official opening of the new Singapore Cruise Centre (HarbourFront).

Jacqueline Tan led the transformation of one of the nation’s most important gateways for regional and international travellers.

The new terminal features high‑automation systems, facial biometrics, self‑service baggage handling, and passenger‑intuitive design all aimed at making cruise travel smoother, faster, and more secure.

Jacqueline shares how the team re‑engineered the entire passenger experience, why cruise tourism is booming again, and how Singapore is positioning itself as Asia’s premier cruise hub.

We also explore what this means for families, regional travellers, and the growing number of Singaporeans choosing cruises as their preferred holiday style. From sustainability to crowd management to the future of maritime tourism.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 Hari V. Krishnan, co‑founder and CEO of Genie Health joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen  to dive into one of the most exciting shifts in personal healthcare: health intelligence. Singapore start up Genie Health has launched a two‑sided platform: Genie for consumers and Genie SmartCare for providers. They are designed to turn fragmented medical data into meaningful, personalised insights.

Hari explains how the platform securely consolidates your medical reports, wearable data, lab results, and family history into one encrypted space, then uses AI to interpret what it all actually means for your wellbeing.

We explore why so many Singaporeans struggle to understand their own health reports, how early pattern‑spotting can prevent chronic conditions, and why “we don’t sell your data, ever” is becoming the new baseline for health tech. Hari also breaks down how SmartCare reduces clinic administrative overload, freeing doctors to focus on care instead of paperwork.

It’s a conversation about empowerment, clarity, and the future of healthcare where individuals finally get answers, not just numbers.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun  joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen where they begin in Washington, where President Trump rolled out the red carpet as China’s Xi Jinping arrived for a high‑stakes state visit. From bilateral trade to pandas, Steve breaks down what both leaders want, what neither can afford to lose, and why the airport‑carpet “Keystone Cops” moment became an instant meme.

Then to Australia, where a rogue OpenAI agent infiltrated a government website. The first known incident of its kind. Steve explains what this means for cybersecurity, AI regulation, and why governments worldwide are suddenly scrambling to audit their digital infrastructure.

Next: Senator Marco Rubio’s surprise announcement that the Greenland treaty is done, sparking a geopolitical debate that feels equal parts serious and surreal, especially with “Send in the Clowns” trending alongside it.

Finally, Singapore’s annual question: Is mooncake packaging wastefully out of control? We look at sustainability, consumer expectations, and whether luxury boxes have gone too far.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, President of ACRES, the organisation at the front lines of protecting wildlife and raising awareness about animal welfare joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to discuss two major stories this week in Singapore:

NParks’ dramatic seizure of 101 illegal pets from a residential unit including axolotls, tortoises, frogs, exotic fish, and a gecko suffering from a ruptured eye. The case exposes a growing underground trade driven by Telegram groups and private sellers, and the rising cruelty behind “cute” exotic pets.

We also unpack the viral video of two monitor lizards “hugging” in Sengkang which, as Kalai explains, was actually a dominance fight between two males, not romance.

It’s a reminder that Singapore’s wildlife is wild, and residents need to understand behaviour before intervening.

With World Animal Day on 17 October, Kalai shares what Singaporeans must know about wildlife protection, how to respond when encountering animals in distress, and why ACRES’ rescue hotline is more critical than ever.

Wildlife Rescue & Crime Hotline:+65 9783 7782 Daily from 7.00am to 1.00am

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 H.E. Peter Storer, Ambassador of Austria to Singapore and Kenneth Tan, Pres, Singapore Film Society join Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to look at the first‑ever Austrian Film Festival in Singapore, celebrating 60 years of Austria–Singapore diplomatic relations.

Running from 18–27 September, the festival showcases seven films that go far beyond the postcard image of Austria.

From The Blood Countess (opening gala with a Brotzeit reception) to features and shorts at Golden Village VivoCity, including Der Souffleur with Willem Dafoe, Sleeping with a Tiger, Toni Erdmann, and Double Happiness.

Then comes the grand finale: The Sound of Music at Capitol Cinema on 3 October, complete with Austrian culinary experiences, a live Kaiserschmarrn station, Austrian wine for VIP guests, and Red Bull‑sponsored drinks for regular ticket holders.

Ambassador Storer and Kenneth Tan share why Austrian cinema matters, how the festival deepens cultural ties, and why The Sound of Music remains one of Singapore’s most beloved films.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3 Tara Strunk, General Manager of the American Association of Singapore and Paula Salles Ferreira from the Bukit Timah Saddle Club join Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to talk about a mix of culture, sport, and community as Singapore gears up for the annual Fall Fest, a uniquely American celebration set against one of Singapore’s most beautiful equestrian backdrops.

Tara shares how Fall Fest brings a slice of Americana to the tropics: live music, fall‑themed games, seasonal food and drinks, horse demonstrations, and wide‑open green spaces where families can relax and play. In Singapore since 1917, AAS brings together people of all ages and passports to enjoy an afternoon of fun. Event main sponsor: Singapore American School.

Paula is an elite vaulting coach and former Brazilian national team athlete, whose explains why vaulting, gymnastics on horseback, is a powerful confidence‑building sports for kids and adults, and why Singaporeans are increasingly drawn to equestrian experiences.

Tickets and information: https://www.aasingapore.com/fallfest

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to unpack a week where Southeast Asian diplomacy, global justice, and viral oddities collide.

Thailand’s push for Myanmar’s full return to ASEAN is a move that could reshape regional unity and test the bloc’s long‑standing principle of non‑interference. Steve breaks down what’s driving Bangkok’s stance and why other ASEAN members are far more cautious.

Then inside Myanmar, where American Adam Castillo’s surprise release after months in detention raises questions about U.S.–Myanmar relations, back‑channel diplomacy, and what Washington may have quietly negotiated.

Next: a global shockwave from the UN, as investigators accuse U.S. forces of potential war‑crimes violations in multiple theatres. Steve explains the political fallout and the implications.

And in Singapore, seniors are going viral  after their parcour‑kicking and tumbling moves stunned viewers with their agility and attitude. 

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Singapore Home Brew Segment Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen explores the extraordinary intersection of craft, sustainability, music with German master luthier Jens Ritter. His custom guitars have been played by Prince, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Dave Grohl.

Joining Jens was Jessica Cheam, Founder & CEO of Eco‑Business and Chair of EB Impact, whose award‑winning documentary WASTED spotlighted the Anthropocene’s runaway waste crisis.

They collaborated to unveil a breath-taking new electric guitar creation built entirely from plastic waste collected across Singapore.

The guitar lovingly named "Trash to Treasure" is made from 100% reclaimed polypropylene, gathered through community donations, corporate partnerships, and beach clean‑ups led by local social enterprise Plastify.

Melted and hand‑compressed, the plastic forms a marbled blue‑and‑white finish inspired by the ocean ecosystems it once polluted — transforming trash into a playable sculpture.

Together, they explore why sustainability needs art as much as data, how storytelling drives behaviour change, and why this guitar will spend a year in Singapore before being auctioned in 2027 to support youth and education programmes.

And we get a live, in-studio demonstration of "Trash to Treasure" by Jessica and Max the intern. Don't miss this!

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Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Eric Olander, co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China Global South Project... one of the world’s most respected independent platforms tracking China’s engagement across Africa, Asia and the developing world.

We begin with the India–China reset ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. As the world grapples with the Ukraine and Iran wars, U.S.–China rivalry, and President Trump’s second administration, India’s long‑standing strategy of “strategic autonomy” looks like the model everyone else is trying to copy. But applying that philosophy to BRICS leadership is far more complicated.

Then to Washington, where Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit, complete with a summit and state dinner with President Trump, may reshape conversations around trade, AI, EVs, aerospace, and regional security. Eric breaks down what both sides want, and what neither can afford to lose.

Finally, Nepal’s extraordinary disaster diplomacy. Kathmandu carefully manages foreign rescue teams to avoid becoming a stage for India–China competition.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, as the U.S. marks a quarter‑century since the attacks that reshaped global security. Steve reflects on how terrorism threats have evolved and why Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) warning that the terror threat remains high is a reminder that complacency is not an option. Youth radicalisation, online recruitment, and lone‑wolf extremism are now front‑line concerns.

Then to U.S. politics, where the Republican National Committee Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas this week delivered big messaging. But it was overshadowed by President Trump’s surprise pledge to give $5,000 checks to all Americans if Republicans win in November, sending officials scrambling to explain the fallout, the funding, and the legality.

We also unpack Singapore’s debate over ministerial salaries, after the new S$1.8 million benchmark sparked conversations about governance, expectations, and competing with private industry for talent.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s The Wide Angle Segment, David Kelly, Executive Director of BritCham Singapore, and Soren Nikolajsen, Managing Director for Government & Industry Engagement, Defence & Trade at NatWest joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to dive into one of the most ambitious cross‑border innovation programmes shaping the future of UK–Singapore trade: the BritCham Singapore Life Sciences Trade Accelerator..

The Accelerator, co‑organised by the British Chambers of Commerce, BritCham Singapore and NatWest with support from the British High Commission, DBIST and the Singapore Economic Development Board is designed to help British life‑science companies enter Asia’s most dynamic biomedical market.

Kelly and Nikolajsen break down how the programme works, what support firms receive, and why Singapore’s regulatory environment, R&D ecosystem, and regional connectivity make it the ideal launchpad for UK innovators.

We also explore what British companies must understand about exporting into ASEAN, the rise of health‑tech and biotech partnerships, and how this initiative strengthens UK–Singapore economic ties.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Home Brew segment Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen welcome's 19 year-old Singaporean Heema Izzati, singer‑songwriter, multi‑instrumentalist, and newly minted Creative Future Impact Award recipient.

Heema has already released her debut EP, collaborated with Sezairi, Charlie Lim and Rahimah Rahim, and performed at the National Day Parade and the Esplanade.

Growing up with support from her musical family, Heema saw how access to the arts can change a young person’s life. So at age 10, she founded Heartstrings, a free music programme offering lessons to underprivileged children, a decade of giving back before her career has even begun.

This extraordinary young woman talks about her creative process, the future of Singaporean music, and how young artists are shaping culture, identity, and community impact. 

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Leaders in Action Segment, General Manager Richard Margo joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to discuss the new Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, and how Bintan is trying to move from a weekend escape into a full‑scale tourism destination.

With 408 rooms, restaurants, a beach club, Recreation Village, Spa, two golf courses, and more... the resort is designed for families, couples, and MICE groups.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Singapore Home Brew, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen spotlights Adriel Yap, Singapore’s only pipe‑organ builder and restorer working in the UK with Harrison & Harrison Ltd. He's restored some of Europe’s most historic organs while training as a music therapist at Nordoff & Robbins - the UK’s largest music therapy charity

Adriel shares how he entered a field dominated by century‑old workshops, why pipe organs remain one of the most complex instruments ever built, and how electronic control systems are transforming restoration work. We also explore how music therapy helps people reconnect with memory, emotion, and identity.

It’s a conversation about heritage, craft, and the healing potential of sound and why Singaporeans should care about preserving rare artistic skills. passion.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s The Wide Angle Author Cindy Tien and Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen look at the emotional engine behind human behaviour and her new book "InSide: Break Through Your BS to Influence Yourself."

 It’s a book about self‑awareness, accountability, and dismantling the stories we tell ourselves before trying to influence others.

Cindy explains her BS Framework, the inner resistance that keeps people stuck, and why burnout, numbness, and “survival mode” are now common across high‑pressure workplaces. We explore how past pain shapes present identity, how ego protects us by limiting us, and why authenticity matters more than charm or competence.

It’s a practical, honest conversation about breaking patterns, facing blind spots, and redefining strength as clarity.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Leaders in Action, Matthew Campbell, Author and Asia Editor at Bloomberg Businessweek and Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen dive into the illegal and highly fascinating world of one of the most gripping true‑crime sagas in modern history.

His book, "The Man Who Stole the Gods — the story of Douglas “Dynamite Doug” Latchford" is the thief who looted Cambodia’s sacred Khmer temples and sold stolen gods to the world’s most powerful museums.

Matthew details how the Khmer Rouge genocide created the perfect vacuum for cultural theft, how Latchford posed as an expert while running a global smuggling empire, and how Western museums ignored red flags as priceless artifacts flowed into their collections.

We explore complicity, corruption, violent extraction, and Cambodia’s emotional fight to reclaim its heritage, and what justice looks like when the criminal dies before trial.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen where they begin with the Nepal–China flood disaster with thousands killed and displaced. Steve breaks down the climate‑change angle, the infrastructure failures, and why Himalayan flooding is becoming a regional security issue.

Then a surprising economic twist: China’s super‑rich who fled Singapore during the regulatory clampdown are now returning. Steve explains what’s driving the reversal and what it means for Singapore’s financial ecosystem.

We also dive into the escalating Canada–US trade war, with Ottawa announcing “dollar‑for‑dollar” retaliatory tariffs as high as 50%. And yes... America’s toilet‑paper obsession is now part of the story with the average American uses 141 rolls a year.

Finally, we remember three notable passings this week: musical legend Dolly Parton, Tim Curry of Rocky Horror fame, and the renewed spotlight on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose polka‑dot universe continues to shape global art culture. 

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Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen has a delicious conversation with Chef Violet Oon, the nation’s beloved Peranakan food ambassador. Her newest Bibik ("autie" in Malay) Violet Cafe at Great World brings handmade kueh, nostalgic bakes, durian specials, and comforting favourites to a warm, vibrant space designed to feel like a Bibik’s home.

She describes her two cafés as a celebration of Peranakan warmth with rattan chairs, batik accents, vintage recipe books, and heritage treasures. At the entrance, a kueh counter greets guests with handmade Nyonya treats, house‑made kaya, and kopi and teh blends.

Chef Violet shares why Peranakan cuisine is rising globally, how heritage food connects generations of Singaporeans, and why authenticity matters more than ever.

Bibik Violet joins the flagship outlet at Temasek Shophouse, continuing the group’s mission to preserve and elevate Peranakan culture.

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Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Mike Cherney, Southeast Asia Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, to unpack a major development in U.S. and China tensions: the deployment of U.S. Coast Guard, fast‑response cutters to Singapore and the Philippines.

The six, 154‑foot vessels are part of a new “expeditionary cutter squadron” that were formerly deployed in the Middle East. Now, they’re operating across the Pacific to challenge China’s growing maritime power and deter moves on Taiwan or contested South China Sea features claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

Mike explains why the Coast Guard, not just the U.S Navy, is becoming central to Washington’s Indo‑Pacific strategy as it offers a lower‑escalation, high‑presence alternative that signals resolve without triggering conflict. We explore what it means for ASEAN security, and how China is likely to respond.

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Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen looks at the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival with Nicholas Ionides, Senior Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs at Marina Bay Sands from 28 to 30 August. The Festival blends food, music, and philanthropy into three nights of meaningful giving.

Since 2013, the Festival has raised over S$45 million for social causes supporting low‑income families, youths, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

This year, features fundraising experiences, community booths, and complimentary entertainment designed to make giving accessible and fun.

Opening night features Singaporean artist RRILEY, alongside The Good Bites Market, where gourmet pop‑ups channel proceeds to AWWA’s Enabled Living @ Bedok programme.

Visitors can also create digital school packs for NorthLight School students .

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen we begin with President Trump’s new, new plan to crush Iran’s economy. It's a sweeping escalation aimed at tightening pressure around the Strait of Hormuz. Steve breaks down whether Washington can sustain this strategy, how Iran may retaliate, and what this means for global shipping and energy markets.

Then to Australia. Canberra is condemning Israel’s decision to not prosecute those responsible for the 2024 Gaza airstrike that killed aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues at World Kitchen. We look at why this diplomatic rift matters and how it could reshape conversations around accountability in conflict zones.

We also dive into a stunning Pentagon leak: the U.S. Navy is weighing whether to rename a carrier originally slated to honour an African American WWII war hero and potentially switch it to Trump. Steve explores the political, cultural, and military implications.

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Future Earth, Climate Content Consultant and Reporter Rachel Kelly joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to unpack four major environmental stories unfolding across the Middle East stories that reveal how climate, biodiversity, and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined.

We begin with two leaking oil tankers - one off Oman and the other off of Iran and the potential for ecological disaster. With clean up efforts underway, Rachel breaks down the environmental and economic stakes.

UAE’s push to protect biodiversity, including new conservation initiatives and the landmark recognition of Wadi Wurayah as the country’s first UNESCO‑listed natural heritage site a milestone for regional conservation.

Then in the Persian Gulf, where thousands of stranded vessels may be unintentionally spreading invasive marine species worldwide. Rachel explains how global shipping disruptions create ecological risks that scientists are only beginning to understand.

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On Leaders in Action, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen explores one of the most counterintuitive leadership ideas of the decade: walking away is not failure... it’s strategy. Author Sally J. Clarke joins us to discuss her new book Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up, a collection of 16 candid stories from high‑achieving women who left roles that no longer aligned with their values, identity, or ambition.

Sally explains why staying too long in the wrong job carries a real cost to health, career capital, and momentum.

She challenges the “Lean In” narrative, arguing that clarity, not endurance, is what builds meaningful careers. We explore the signals people miss when they’ve outgrown a role, how to plan a thoughtful exit, and why Singapore’s high‑performance culture makes these conversations especially urgent.

We also dive into her own story — the moment she stepped away, the risks she weighed, and how mentors shaped her decisions. Sally frames walking away as a skill anyone can cultivate, one that leads not to collapse but reinvention.

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The Wide Angle, we dive into RiskMap 2026, the definitive annual forecast from Control Risks and this year’s message is clear: global risk is rising, fragmentation is accelerating, and sanctions have become a strategic business issue, not just a compliance headache.

Angela Sapp Mancini, Partner, Control Risks, joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to discuss the report’s biggest findings. Eleven countries saw risk ratings fall thanks to governance improvements but 16 countries saw risk rise, driven by political instability, regulatory volatility, and security threats.

We explore the Asia Sanctions Outlook, where U.S.–China competition, expanding European enforcement, and growing concerns about diversion networks are reshaping how companies operate. Angela explains why multinationals must rethink supply‑chain exposure, beneficial ownership, and counterparty risk — especially in energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

We also discuss how sanctions now influence board‑level decisions, investment strategy, financing, and market access. Europe’s tougher enforcement stance is emerging as a major wildcard for Asian companies.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Steve Okun joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to unpack a week where geopolitics, economics, and climate reality collided in ways that will shape the Indo‑Pacific for decades.

We begin with a striking revelation from Washington: dozens of countries helped China dodge Trump‑era tariffs, according to new U.S. findings. Steve explains how transhipment networks, shell companies, and friendly ports enabled China to blunt one of America’s biggest trade weapons and what this means for global supply chains and U.S.–China competition.

Then to Indonesia, where the U.S. decision to close its consulate in Medan is raising eyebrows. Steve breaks down why this move may undermine America’s Indo‑Pacific strategy, weaken its presence in a critical energy and shipping corridor, and open the door wider for China.

We also look at a sobering economic milestone: the U.S. Treasury now spends US$3 billion every day on interest payments a fiscal warning light with global implications.

And finally, Japan’s surreal but very real response to its recent extreme heatwave: “human fridges”... cooling pods deployed in public spaces as heatstroke cases surge past 53,000.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Happening This Week, Steve Okun and Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen discuss whether it's time for Singapore to get rampant, un-checked table choping at hawker centres and other public places, under control.

Should there be a "Choping Czar" setting time-limits on how long people can chope their table in public places?

Listen and determine where you stand (or sit) on this thorny issue.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Wide Angle Segment, David Black, CEO Blackbox joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to dive into one of the most quietly explosive shifts happening in Singaporean life: the collision of AI overload, tech fatigue, and the RTS link’s billion‑dollar gravitational pull toward Johor Bahru. 

Singaporeans are exhausted from the micro‑aggressions of tech that now shadow every moment of work, home, and play. As David puts it, tech is “in your face all day long,” and AI risks becoming just another layer unless it replaces work, not adds to it. Younger workers? They’re embracing AI while quietly fearing it may automate them out of the very jobs they’re helping build.

Then comes the upcoming RTS: a five‑minute ride from to JB from Singapore that could siphon an estimated $290M to $1B in retail and F&B spending across the Causeway. Singaporeans see opportunity; businesses see threat. And what about JB’s strained infrastructure?

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Singapore Home Brew Segment, Lim Su Pei joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to discuss one of the most meaningful arts‑and‑community projects happening in Singapore today.

The non-profit OH! Open House, with its 16 years of site‑specific art, has spent the past 18 months in Singapore's Punggol area asking a powerful question: Can a community actively build its own cultural memory before it disappears?

Deputy Director Lim Su Pei unpacks how OH! has been working with long‑time residents, embedded artists, volunteers, and community partners to uncover stories that predate Punggol’s “model town of the future” narrative: fishing villages, pig farms, seaside restaurants, kampungs, and families whose memories are fading as the estate modernises.

Through conversations, artist residencies, volunteerism, and participatory artworks, OH! transforms everyday spaces into living archives where personal histories are shared, experienced, and preserved. 

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Journalist Timothy McLaughlin joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen.

Scam syndicates aren’t just a regional menace anymore, they’re industrial‑scale operations with human trafficking at the core. As Tim puts it, “victims all the way down.” With this week's Forest City raid netting 335 arrests just across the Causeway in Johor Bahru, the conversation digs into how these networks are mutating, decentralising, and slipping into apartment blocks instead of compounds and why Southeast Asia has become a frontline for the FBI.

Then it’s straight into the geopolitical firestorm: Saudi Arabia’s 14‑nation maritime alliance, the forgotten but still‑lethal Red Sea conflict, and how Trump’s Iran war has dragged global shipping, Asian mariners, and petrol prices into the blast radius.

From Japan’s first intelligence agency since WWII to the chaotic churn inside Trump’s administration, plus the still‑explosive Epstein files.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Singapore Home Brew Segment Singapore Night Festival Director Qazim Karim joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to shine a spotlight on one of Singapore’s beloved cultural events: the Singapore Night Festival (SNF). It's returning for its 17th edition from 21 August to 5 September 2026 with a title of "Myths and Legends."

SNF 2026 transforms the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct into a nocturnal playground of stories, folklore, and imagination. Four festival zones will host interactive artworks, performances, and installations that reinterpret Southeast Asian myths through modern multimedia.

Highlights:

• MALAM Projection Mapping Competition at The Cathay

• Tales of Earth and Sea — a stunning facade projection by The Fox, The Folks

• The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill — a 70‑minute immersive walking trail

• Night Lights installations across Armenian Street, Funan, Bugis Street Art Lane, and the National Library Plaza

• Festival Villages for food, rest, and late‑night discovery

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Leaders in Action Segment Popsicle Asia Founder Maureen Knight joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to spotlight a Singapore business solving a problem some overseas travellers face: why buy expensive winter wear that may be used only once?

Founded in 2014, Popsicle Asia has grown into a resource for families heading to cold‑weather destinations. It rents high‑quality jackets, ski pants, boots, gloves, and accessories for adults, children, and toddlers making winter travel more affordable, convenient, and sustainable.

Maureen explains how she focuses on personalised service, fast response times, and guiding first‑time snow travellers through exactly what they need.

We explore why Singaporeans are increasingly choosing to rent rather than own. Maureen also shares leadership lessons from building a niche business, staying resilient, and serving customers with empathy.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Alex Capri, Author, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, NUS joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to discuss the US–Saudi nuclear power deal, a landmark agreement that could reshape Middle East energy strategy for decades. Capri explains why Washington is betting on civilian nuclear partnerships and what this means for regional stability, proliferation risks, and America’s long‑term influence.

Then to the Red Sea, where Yemen’s Houthi forces claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers. Capri breaks down the strategic implications: chokepoint vulnerability, insurance spikes, and how non‑state actors are increasingly shaping global energy flows.

We also dive into the Petro‑State vs Electro‑State calculus and how countries like Singapore must rethink energy strategy as data‑centre demand explodes. Who powers the compute? Who builds the infrastructure? Capri explains why China’s dominance in electrical systems and grid‑scale hardware matters more than ever.

And finally, Singapore’s role in the AI memory‑chip story from Micron’s US$7B fab investment to the rise of SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron as indispensable partners to NVIDIA.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Senior Advisor, Charlie Brown, joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to go deep into one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints: the Strait of Hormuz.

Brown explains why the latest US–Iran deal is wobbling, why Trump’s retreat on Hormuz tolls signals deeper strategic uncertainty, and how Iran continues to leverage the world’s most critical oil chokepoint to pressure global markets. Also why he believes this is just part of a global war on shipping and how seafarers and Asia at large are all suffering the fallout in this "new normal".

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🌍MoneyFM 89.3’s Home Brew segment, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen speaks with HomeMatch Co-founder Mervin Foo about a problem that's tormenting many Singaporeans... bad building and renovation contractors and the ensuing nightmares. From disappearing contractors to unfinished homes and ballooning delays, renovation disputes have surged — with CASE reporting 1,300 complaints in 2021, nearly S$2 million in losses last year, and 97% involving non‑accredited firms.

Foo believes the industry’s trust problem is systemic and solvable. HomeMatch is Singapore’s first renovation‑matching platform built like a “dating app,” pairing homeowners with interior designers based not just on budget and style, but communication habits, personality, lifestyle, and family needs.

And the game‑changer: a S$1 million HomeMatch Protection Fund, contributed by renovation firms and HomeMatch itself, covering up to S$150,000 if a contractor collapses, disappears, or abandons a project. No escrow fees. No insurance add‑ons.

Mervin explains why traditional accreditation schemes aren’t enough, why scams keep happening, and how compatibility‑based matching reduces disputes before they begin.

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🌍MoneyFM 89.3’s Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Brotzeit Managing Director Carsten Kjeldmann about Brotzeit's 20th anniversary and the leadership lessons behind one of Singapore’s most enduring F&B brands.

Carsten’s journey spans 30 years across Europe and Asia, from restaurants and resorts to senior hospitality leadership. For two decades in Singapore, he’s balanced German culinary heritage with local tastes, building Brotzeit into a household name.

We explore the new 20th Anniversary Menu, available until 26 August, and how Brotzeit continues evolving while staying true to its roots. Carsten shares insights on talent development, operational discipline, and why hands‑on leadership still matters in a fast‑changing F&B landscape.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s Wide Angle conversation, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen explores a global travel shift: Airbnb’s original promise is breaking down. Once the darling of travellers seeking authenticity, value, and human connection, Airbnb now faces rising complaints, higher prices, stricter rules, and a trust gap that’s widening worldwide.

Dr Natt Srinara from EHL Hospitality Business School, explains how Airbnb’s early magic (real homes, real hosts, real hospitality) has eroded. What used to be cheaper than hotels is now often more expensive. Cleaning fees, checkout chores, and inconsistent standards have frustrated travellers. And the platform’s shift toward professional operators has diluted the “live like a local” experience. 

Srinara breaks down what travellers really want now, why hotels are regaining ground, and how hospitality must evolve to restore trust and value.

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MoneyFM 89.3’s Future Earth Segment with Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen and Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of Sentosa Development Corporation look at the just-unveiled Greater Sentosa Master Plan.

One of most ambitious transformations in island history, it's a bold, island‑wide reinvention that will redefine how Singaporeans and tourists play, relax, and connect for decades to come.

Greater Sentosa integrates Sentosa and Brani into an expanded island playground and sanctuary.  It will include the new Imbiah Canopy, Imbiah Lookout Walk, and Sensorium, alongside nature‑based attractions, heritage trails, and next‑generation experiences.

In the interview we discuss key elements: 

• Reimagined beaches built for climate resilience

• Sustainability innovations that make the island cooler and keep the green spaces

• A new islet‑hopping experience across Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong 

• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and the Waterfront Lifestyle Development

• A new People Mover System and transport hub 

 Kwee Eng explains how Sentosa will balance a doubling of tourism in coming years with deep local meaning.

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MoneyFM 89.3’s Singapore Home Brew and Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen celebrates the return of What’s Your Story Slam, Singapore’s longest‑running live storytelling show. Founder Anna Ong joins us in the studio ahead of the 7th‑anniversary event on 17 July at Filmhouse, Golden Mile Tower.

What’s Your Story Slam is a community. Each storyteller gets five minutes to share a real, vulnerable, unscripted slice of life. Anna personally vets and coaches every performer, shaping narratives that are honest, funny, heart breaking, and deeply human.  Today, WYSH helps corporate leaders, creatives, and everyday Singaporeans build confidence, presence, and storytelling mastery.

The anniversary edition features top storytellers, a new venue, and conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Expect improv, laughter, surprises, and the kind of emotional truth that only live storytelling can deliver.

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MoneyFM 89.3’s Diplomatic Dispatches and Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen welcomes Dr Bettina Fanghänel, Germany’s Ambassador to Singapore, to explore this  strong and future‑focused bilateral relationships in Asia.

Singapore and Germany mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, anchored by shared values: rule of law, multilalteralism, innovation, and export‑driven economic strength. Both countries serve as gateways to their respective regions, making the partnership strategically vital.

Ambassador Fanghänel brings nearly two decades of diplomatic experience, including senior roles in the German Foreign Office, the Federal Chancellery, and a posting in Beijing. She shares insights on:

• Germany–Singapore defence cooperation

• Joint innovation in AI, and advanced manufacturing 

• The growing role of German companies in Singapore’s economy

• Cultural and educational exchanges shaping the next generation

• How both nations navigate geopolitical uncertainty while strengthening ties

We also explore what she personally loves about living here.

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🌍On MoneyFM 89.3’s International News Review, Ethan Wu, Asia business & finance editor at The Economist joins Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen to unpack a week where geopolitics, markets, and social tensions collided across continents.

We begin with the collapsed Iran ceasefire, which sent oil prices climbing as US–Iran negotiations faltered yet again. With supply disruption fears rising, Ethan explains what this means for global inflation, energy markets, and Asia’s economic outlook.

Then we turn to The Economist’s explosive new cover story: Andrey Melnichenko, Russia’s biggest industrialist and fertilizer magnate, warning that Russia faces a looming domestic disaster. Ethan breaks down why his critique matters — and what it signals about Russia’s internal fractures.

Next: SK Hynix, the Korean chip giant riding the AI boom, is exploring a US listing. It’s a move that could reshape global semiconductor competition and accelerate Korea’s rise as an AI hardware superpower.

And finally — a troubling social trend in South Korea: a surge in stalking cases that has sparked national debate about safety, policing, and gender norms.

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