Money and Me

When did you first feel the weight—and thrill—of managing your own money? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores the personal financial journeys that begin in university and National Service. Daphne Tan of CMC Markets shares her own early budgeting stories and hard-won lessons. What do today’s students need to know about saving, peer pressure, and planning for the future? Find out how digital tools could’ve transformed our financial starts—and how parents can help without hovering. This is essential listening for anyone stepping into financial independence for the first time.

Where are the world’s wealthiest parking their millions? Look no further than Dubai. Wealthy Asians are snapping up luxury properties in Dubai, now the world’s busiest market for homes over US$10 million. According to Knight Frank, 435 ultra-prime homes were sold in 2024, with another 111 in Q1 alone — nearly matching sales in London and New York combined. An estimated US$10.3 billion in private capital is poised to enter Dubai’s residential market, with growing interest from Singapore’s ultra-rich. From branded residences to land plots and lifestyle-led investing, what’s behind Dubai’s real estate magnetism? Find out in this episode hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research for MENA at Knight Frank.

What happens when courts override presidents and investors exhale? Michelle Martin unpacks how a U.S. court ruling striking down Trump’s 'reciprocal tariffs' may change the rules of market risk. Is China's AI stock rally a true Sputnik moment—or just another headline-fueled sugar high? Michelle and Arun Pai of Monk’s Hill Ventures dig into Gushengtang, Bairong, DeepSeek, and more. Plus, why Salesforce is making an $8 billion move on Informatica—and what it signals about the AI arms race. Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Arun Pai from Monk’s Hill Ventures.

What if the future of leadership is not full-time at all? Cassandra Ong turned the sting of a layoff into a new company banking on a new way to work. Now founder of OtterHalf, she’s helping brands scale smart with fractional CMOs. Find out why agile leadership is taking off in Asia, especially in tech and marketing. We break down how companies are trimming payrolls without trimming performance. Hosted by Michelle Martin, with guest Cassandra Ong of OtterHalf.

Are one- and two-bedders the new darlings of Singapore’s property scene? Sales at One Marina Gardens and Bloomsbury Residences hint at evolving investor appetites. Is Media Circle the next Buona Vista, and are expats and landlords already moving in? Plus, the ultra-rich flock to 21 Anderson—why this project is pulling in $23M buyers. Get the latest on buyer psychology, luxury demand, and market signals in the RCR. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer at ERA Singapore.

Is safety the new smart money strategy? With inflation lingering and volatility rising, dividend-paying defensive stocks are stepping into the spotlight. Michelle Martin breaks down the appeal of income-generating giants like Novo Nordisk, China Resources Beer, and Netlink Trust. What could a post-Buffett Berkshire Hathaway look like—and what stocks might dominate its future? From geopolitics to trade wars, find out how resilient stocks are navigating shifting global tides. Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Willie Keng, Founder of Dividend Titan (www.dividendtitan.com)

Are we out of the woods, or is recession still looming despite tariff relief? Moody’s downgrade puts US Treasuries under fresh scrutiny—should investors be worried? Retail investors are buying the dip—but is the strategy working? European defense ETFs gain ground amid rising global tensions. And in tech, from AI voices to AI arms races—is there anyway to decipher which companies are leading? Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Swapnil Mishra, author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious.

The tech titans' grip on markets may be loosening—what’s next for investors? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode welcomes Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, to unpack the underperformance of the 'Magnificent Seven' and whether a turning point is near. We explore smarter ETF diversification beyond the S&P 500, the strategic edge of global indices, and how to navigate softer T-bill rates. Plus, a close look at big bank earnings and why DBS might still have room to run. Is it time to rebalance your portfolio, trim tech, and lean into global growth? Companies featured: Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Alibaba, DBS, Berkshire Hathaway, Coinbase, Constellation Brands.  

$800 billion added in a single day—are we seeing the birth of a new tech era? Is the truce a market mirage or a reset for global capital flows? What signs do investors need to watch to navigate the next big market turns? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dissects the surprise US-China tariff truce that sent tech stocks skyrocketing. Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager at Phillip Securities, helps unpack what the 90-day pause means for investors, trade, and the Fed’s next moves. We explore how Nvidia overtook Apple, how Amazon could react. Then we discuss Coinbase's inclusion to the S&P 500.nd what this all signals for crypto's growing place in traditional finance.

Cash is no longer king — but where can discerning investors redeploy with confidence? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores Morningstar’s high-conviction fund strategies for a world pivoting to rate cuts. Germaine Share, Director of Manager Research, Asia, unpacks fixed income favorites like PineBridge Asia Pacific Investment Grade Bond Fund, global equity picks such as Fidelity Global Dividend Fund, and multi-asset income approaches. We explore how Morningstar evaluates these funds for resilience, growth, and income sustainability. Gain insights into asset allocation strategies that navigate volatility while staying ahead of global monetary shifts. If you seek to protect and grow your portfolio in an evolving rate environment, this episode is a must-listen. Hear more on the picks that include Multi-Asset Income Funds and Global Dividend Bonds Funds.