Glenn van Zutphen on Saturday Mornings with Neil Humphreys

This week, Steve Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors, joins Saturday Mornings Show”host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys in studio to unpack a diverse set of international stories shaping headlines. We begin with the latest Denmark–Greenland talks, where U.S. interest in the Arctic has reignited debates over sovereignty and strategic influence. Steve explains why Greenland’s position matters geopolitically and how small states navigate such pressures. We then turn to diplomatic etiquette, with reminders about what embassies should—and should not—do abroad. This leads into a discussion of the U.S. Embassy in Singapore’s call for sponsorships for its Fourth of July celebrations, a practice common across embassies and high commissions worldwide, though often misunderstood by the public. Finally, we lighten the mood with a quirky kicker from Malaysia. After the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur shared a satellite image highlighting oil reserves, Malaysians took to social media with humor, joking that their country has “no oil, only palm oil.” It’s a reminder that even serious geopolitical conversations can spark moments of levity and possible concern behind the laughs.

Saturday Mornings Show”host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys sit down with Nurdiana Rahmat—Diana—Artistic Director of Light to Night Singapore 2026, as the iconic festival celebrates its landmark 10th edition with its longest run ever, spanning four weekends across the Civic District. This year’s theme, “The Power in Us,” shines a spotlight on community, co‑creation, and the collective imagination that has shaped Light to Night into one of Singapore’s most beloved public art festivals. Diana shares how this milestone edition honours a decade of artistic experimentation while inviting audiences to play a more active role in shaping the experience. Festivalgoers can look forward to crowd‑favourite projection mappings, new in‑gallery experiences, guided tours, and the return of the vibrant Art x Social: Festival Village. A major highlight is SANTAI, a brand‑new series of interactive installations inspired by the Malay word for “to relax,” inviting visitors to gather, unwind, and encounter art across five key sites—from the Padang to Esplanade Park.

This week Saturday Mornings Show”host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys are joined by Barbara Kelemen, Head of Asia at Dragonfly, to unpack the Strategic Outlook 2026—a comprehensive intelligence assessment of the geopolitical and security risks shaping the year ahead. In a world where power is increasingly fragmented and spheres of influence overlap, Dragonfly describes 2026 as a “multisphere world,” one defined by fluid alliances, rising competition, and heightened uncertainty. Barbara walks us through the report’s headline forecasts, including record global defence spending, the rise of geoeconomic coercion, and the growing threat of adversarial AI. She also explains why climate inaction is accelerating cascading crises, and how contested space—literally—has become a new frontier for strategic rivalry. Region by region, we explore the flashpoints to watch: political polarization in the Americas, the volatile Taiwan Strait, Europe’s ongoing confrontation with Russia, persistent instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and the convergence of conflict and climate stress in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Singapore and other regional powers also feature in the report’s analysis of evolving defence postures.

This week Saturday Mornings Show”host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys are joined in studio by Lim Jia Hui, Senior Manager for Planning & Development at the National Library Board, to explore a heart-warming new initiative bringing books closer to everyday life. In partnership with seven malls and social enterprises, NLB has launched Sit‑n‑Read Nodes—cozy, self‑service reading spaces offering more than 3,000 pre‑loved books for adults and children across Singapore. Located at AMK Hub, Margaret Market, SAFRA Punggol,SAFRA Yishun, The Centrepoint, The Star Vista, and The Caffeine Experience at URA Centre, each Node features about 400 rotating titles spanning fiction, non‑fiction, and multilingual selections in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Visitors can simply pick up a book, read on the spot, or take it home—no borrowing required. They’re encouraged to return the books so others can enjoy them too. Many Nodes also offer eReads screens and MagNode displays, allowing patrons to access eBooks, eMagazines, and eNewspapers instantly via QR codes. With repurposed furnishings and inviting corners, these Nodes embody NLB’s LAB vision to weave reading into everyday spaces.

This week, Steve Okun of APAC Advisors, joins Saturday Mornings Show”host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys in studio us to unpack a dramatic series of geopolitical moves reshaping global stability. Nearly 20 major oil executives are meeting President Trump as the U.S. pushes to revive Venezuela’s shattered energy sector—a move that has triggered sharp reactions worldwide. Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that unilateral military intervention sets a dangerous precedent for small states, stressing that “if that is the way the world works, we have a problem”. Meanwhile, tensions escalate in the Arctic. Greenland and Denmark’s top diplomats met White House officials after renewed U.S. pressure to acquire the island, with Trump even suggesting military options remain on the table. European leaders have pushed back, insisting Greenland “belongs to its people.”

During our Saturday Mornings Sit-Down Conversation on the Saturday Mornings Show” host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys celebrate the artists shaping Singapore’s cultural identity as we welcome Cultural Medallion recipient Goh Boon Teck and Young Artist Award recipient Daryl Qilin Yam to the studio. Their achievements are part of a landmark moment: seven arts practitioners were honoured at the Istana in 2025, a fitting tribute in Singapore’s 60th year of independence. Goh Boon Teck, a visionary of Singapore’s bilingual theatre scene, has spent over three decades crafting bold, visually arresting productions. His iconic work Titoudao—staged globally and adapted for television—remains a defining example of how Singaporean stories can resonate across cultures and mediums. Joining him is writer and arts leader Daryl Qilin Yam, whose work at Sing Lit Station has strengthened the literary ecosystem through initiatives like “Book a Writer,” nurturing both emerging talent and future readers. Together, they reflect the deep roots and vibrant future of Singapore’s arts landscape.

The Wide World segment on the Saturday Mornings Show” host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys welcome Colin Goh,writer‑director of Singapore Dreaming and Talking Cock the Movie, for a sharp, funny, and deeply informed look at the state of cinema in 2026. After a sluggish 2025 box office, many are asking: is this the end of the big‑screen era, or the beginning of a creative revival? Colin dives into the pressures facing cinema chains worldwide—including Singapore—and what they must do to survive. We explore whether the “above‑the‑title movie star” is truly dead, why George Clooney might be right, and how the Warner Bros. takeover could reshape the industry. We also examine whether streaming platforms have plateaued, if YouTube is the real future of entertainment, and what all this means for Singapore’s own filmmaking ecosystem. And of course, Colin gives his bold predictions: the films to watch, the ones likely to flop, and whether Star Wars and Marvel can pull off their make‑or‑break 2026 releases. He also reveals his one must‑see movie of the year.

In our Singapore Home Brew segment... Saturday Mornings Show” host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys feature a homegrown creative voice bringing poetry back into everyday life. Our guest, Grace Siu Wei, Director and Poet behind Graceful Quills, shares how a forgotten typewriter sparked a movement rooted in empathy, storytelling, and the healing power of words. Founded in 2021, Graceful Quills began when Grace spent five days at an art event writing personalised typewritten poems for strangers—listening to their stories, witnessing their vulnerability, and crafting verses that moved many to tears. Today, Graceful Quills has grown into a full-fledged poetry studio offering live typewritten poetry booths, customised poems and gifts, and writing workshops designed to help people express, reflect, and heal. From poems for newborns and newlyweds to tributes for pets, single mothers, and those navigating grief, every piece is crafted with intention and sensitivity. Grace also collaborates with brands like Cartier, Dior, and Love Bonito, bringing poetry into spaces where connection and meaning matter.

This week Saturday Mornings Show” host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys welcome Steve Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors to break down three global trends that will shape 2026—a year already being called one of the most consequential in recent memory. First, we look at U.S. politics, where President Trump heads into a pivotal midterm year that will determine the balance of power in Washington and influence America’s global posture. From economic performance to foreign policy signals, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Next, Steve examines U.S.–China relations and what shifting dynamics mean for Southeast Asia—especially as regional economies navigate competition, supply chain realignments, and strategic pressure from both superpowers. We then zoom out to a historic election year: more than 40 countries, representing 1.6 billion people, will head to the polls in 2026. From Bangladesh and Thailand to Israel, Hungary, and the U.S. midterms, these outcomes will reshape alliances, markets, and geopolitical risk.

In this Saturday Sit-Down Conversation on MoneyFM 89.3, host Glenn van Zutphen continues his deep-dive with Dasho Lhatu, Executive Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan (GNHCB), as Bhutan marks 50 years of Gross National Happiness (GNH)—a development philosophy that has quietly influenced policymakers, educators, and business leaders around the world, including here in Singapore. Since taking the helm in April 2024, Dasho Lhatu has been tasked with both honoring GNH’s roots and future-proofing its relevance. In this conversation, he explains how GNH has shaped Bhutan’s policies across economic development, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and good governance—and why happiness, in Bhutanese terms, is collective, long-term, and deeply practical. We also tackle hard questions: youth migration, economic aspiration, and whether happiness and growth can truly coexist. Dasho Lhatu shares why Bhutan doesn’t claim to be “the happiest country,” how overseas Bhutanese are being encouraged to return, and how GNH is being adapted—not copied—in countries like Australia, Thailand, Europe, and increasingly, Southeast Asia.