Something Private: Recent Episodes
WII.FM
Something Private is a podcast about everything related to the vagina. From sex, to health, and the society. Hosted by Nicole, we’re gonna have three am sleepover conversations about love, life, and why you have that wart on your vagina. Featuring stories from gynaecologists, experts, and your everyday girl, it’s about time we had these conversations out loud. Produced by WII.FM, reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
It’s been a while since our last episode, but that’s because WE’VE BEEN READING! That’s right, if you’ve come across bookstagram, booktube and now booktok, you’d know that reading is IN now. On this episode, we chat with Amanda Chong, lawyer, poet, and co-founder of ReadAble, to discuss some essential feminist reads - except they aren’t the usual picks you’d expect. From deliberating our existence to the link between feminism and contemporary Singapore, the selection of books discussed will inspire greater inspection of the self, and how we relate to others. Here’s to big brains!
In collaboration with the National Reading Movement. Download the free NLB Mobile app at https://go.gov.sg/nlbmobile-app.
Borrow the titles discussed on our episode today!
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (https://www.nlb.gov.sg/biblio/13604701)
- How to Date Men when you Hate Men by Blythe Roberson (https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/3994785)
- All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks (https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/3707748)
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/2763946)
- Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino (https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/4571723)
- This is What Inequality Looks Like by Teo Yeo Yann (https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5300567)
WE KNOW YOU... endlessly scrolling TikTok before bed every night! Social media is a form of entertainment, escapism, and relaxation for many of us, but we all know consuming too much of it is bad. Depression, anxiety, self-absorption, not to mention feeling overwhelmed from the sheer amount of content, are effects that many of us are learning to grapple with.
LADY BOSSES, and Mother of Twos Charmaine Seah-Ong and Aarika Lee, tell us how they manage burnout as content creators, what it’s like bringing their children up in this pandemic digital age, and how we can take care of ourselves. TIP: PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN!
This episode was made in collaboration with IMDA, as part of their Digital for Life movement. With digital as a new way of life, how do we take care of our online safety and wellness? Find out more at http://go.gov.sg/digitalwellness.
It usually starts off with a simple "Hello, you're cute", but can quickly escalate to a sexually explicit message. In a generation of tech-savvy individuals, it's hard to imagine that any of us will fall victim to online grooming, and yet two out of three secondary school students in Singapore received unwanted sexual content online, according to Microsoft's Digital Civility Survey conducted in 2019. Between looking out for big age gaps, grand gestures of love, how do we know if it's a case of being groomed?
This episode was made in collaboration with IMDA, as part of their Digital for Life movement. With digital as a new way of life, how do we take care of our online safety and wellness? Find out more at http://go.gov.sg/digitalwellness.
CONTENT WARNING: Death threats
"You're FAT!" and "You should kill yourself" are just some of the many nasty comments that Christabel Chua and Mathilda Huang receive on the daily. Cyberbullying and online harassment are real; chances are, you've probably been a target of a nasty comment, an unsolicited picture, or maybe had your information shared without your permission. So how can we fight back, and how can we keep ourselves safe?
This episode was made in collaboration with IMDA, as part of their Digital for Life movement. With digital as a new way of life, how do we take care of our online safety and wellness? Find out more at http://go.gov.sg/digitalwellness.
Body positivity started out as a global movement against the oppressive societal standard that small and skinny equals beautiful. These days, brands and influencers alike claim it as a means to market their clothes to women of all sizes, but Beckie Liu from Haikini wants to challenge that. To her, changing your mindset from thinking about what your body looks like, to what it can do for you, is key. The 26-year-old entrepreneur who’s living in Bali today shares with us her journey from struggling with how she looks, to starting her business.
Voyage to the Vulva-verse is a 5 part series in collaboration with TWO L(I)PS and Strip, as we embark on a journey as vulva-owners to understand ourselves a little better. This is the last episode of this mini-series, to listen to the previous episodes, check out our library!
A trip to the doctor's to get birth control can be an embarrassing and time-consuming activity for some of us, so the team at Ease Healthcare came up with a solution. Discreet, affordable, and convenient access to birth control, from the comfort of your home and delivered under 4 hours? GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE! We chat with Guada from Ease, about birth control options and side effects, why access to birth control is a basic right, and the importance of taking ownership over our own sexual health.
Voyage to the Vulva-verse is a 5 part series in collaboration with TWO L(I)PS and Strip, as we embark on a journey as vulva-owners to understand ourselves a little better. New episodes every last Wednesday of the month!
It’s 2021… I don’t know about you, but we’re rejecting outdated notions of beauty society has imposed on us! We take what makes us feel good on the inside, and leave behind what doesn’t! Take it from Kate Low, who grew up in the era of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows (push up bras, flat tummies, long slender legs). She’s since built a lingerie brand, Perk by Kate, which puts the comfort and needs of women at the forefront. How do modern brands and consumers work together to take back power in our own hands?
Voyage to the Vulva-verse is a 5 part series in collaboration with TWO L(I)PS and Strip, as we embark on a journey as vulva-owners to understand ourselves a little better. New episodes every last Wednesday of the month!
We live in the age of social media, which means, it’s hard not to compare every aspect of our lives, our bodies, with others, including how our genitals look. Although many of us feel shame in talking about our genitals, when we’re asked to think about what a “normal” vulva looks like, we have an image in our minds: small, pink, hairless, tucked in... In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. So why is there so much shame we experience in talking about our genitals, and how do we battle the need to have “normal” looking parts?
IT’S THE FINAL EPISODE OF OUR SEASON! And we have a special one, featuring Singapore’s youngest female minority MP, Raeesah Khan. It’s been a year since one of Singapore’s most iconic general elections, and incidentally also a year since Raeesah was investigated for alleged online comments about race. We speak with her about her journey in politics one year on, her thoughts about racism in Singapore, tackling important social issues and being a voice for minorities.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Narelle Kheng needs no introduction. She’s one of the most iconic millennials of Southeast Asia, having made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List in 2019. But beyond her luxurious music career and glamorous persona, Narelle is just like any one of us. The outspoken advocate for mental health struggles with everyday adulting problems, like managing relationships, feeling lonely, making mistakes, learning how to take care of ourselves, the list goes on. In this episode, we dig into a more vulnerable side of Narelle, and get a peek into a side of her life we don’t usually get to see.
This episode was made in collaboration with It’s Your Life, an educational campaign around HPV prevention and awareness by MSD Singapore. For more information, head over to http://itsyourlife.sg.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
It’s curious to note the amount of resources we spend on skin care, but only for the skin on our face. Much like our face, our vulvas go through A LOT of change in our lifetime, but are often neglected; some of us even go through our lives never knowing what things look like down there! But why is it important to care about these changes, if well, nobody’s going to see them? From puberty to menopause, we examine what happens to your vulva as you age.
Voyage to the Vulva-verse is a 5 part series in collaboration with TWO L(I)PS and Strip, as we embark on a journey as vulva-owners to understand ourselves a little better. New episodes every last Wednesday of the month!
DATING IS HARD… For people like Michelle who was diagnosed with Aspergers at age two, dating is EVEN harder. At first glance, you'll never guess that someone like her has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), because of preconceived notions our society has towards people living on the spectrum. One of which is that they are incapable of having romantic relationships. But Michelle maintains that for individuals with autism, they crave love and intimacy, as much as anyone of us.
“Eh don’t pussy la bro, don’t be a SIMP.”
When the director of AWARE, Corinna Lim, called for a “review of national service to weed out toxic masculinity”, the internet retaliated. From comments like “NOT ALL MEN”, to “Women should do NS too” and even “What about toxic femininity?”, the conversation around toxic masculinity was thrown back into the spotlight. On our latest episode of the Nic Kim column, we speak with a fellow feminist, Kristian Marc James Paul, on how anyone can perpetuate toxic masculinity, and how we can collectively work towards helping men learn healthy behaviors and develop stronger communities.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
What does it take to start a family? For same-sex couples in Singapore, the reality is expensive and illegal. But for Brenda and Pearlyn, who have been together for 17 years, they knew from the moment they met each other, that having a child was a priority. Despite naysayers who accuse them of being “selfish” for subjecting a child to a same-sex parenthood, and four failed attempts in getting pregnant through a donor sperm, the two delivered baby Velda early last year, and share that they count their blessings everyday. This Pride Month, we’re celebrating the right to love equally, with Brenda, Pearlyn and Velda’s story.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Two years ago, an Indonesian woman was handed a six-month jail term after reporting evidence against her harasser, highlighting how women in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation struggles with legal recourse when sexually harassed. Harassment is rife all around the world, Indonesia, a country ranked the most dangerous for women to live in across Southeast Asia, sees an average of three to 400,000 sexual violence cases reported each year. In this episode, Citra Benazir, co-director of Hollaback Jakarta, talks about the highly debated sexual violence bill, how religion, politics, and social justice intersect, and what activists are pushing for in their journey towards equality in Indonesia.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Have you ever been stared at by a stranger in public for too long? Or been told a sexual joke by a friend which made you uncomfortable?
A study by the UN revealed that 97 percent of women in the U.K. aged 18 to 24 have experienced some form of harassment in public, but over 70 percent endure it. In this episode, Nicole and Kim discuss the difficulties of navigating boundaries in school and a new workplace, how to speak up when we are uncomfortable, and what allies can do to make the world a safer place for all of us.
Have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch on Instagram @somethingprivatepod, or at nicole@somethingprivate.fm. New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm.
Did you know, broken heart syndrome is a thing? AND, women are more prone to it. No, this doesn’t make us weaker, just that men and women are biologically different. But the differences in heart health between the genders don’t just stop there. Enter Dr Low and Dr Laureen, two cardiologists running one of Singapore’s first gender-tailored healthcare program (yes, for women!) In this episode, we discuss the need for women to pay attention to cardiovascular diseases, the number 1 killer of women globally, and how we can look out for symptoms, and keep ourselves healthy and safe.
For more information about heart health, visit www.nuhcs.com.sg, or follow the National University Heart Centre, Singapore @NUHCS on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. Or schedule an appointment with your doctor today!
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Malaysian celebrity chef Ili Sulaiman is not shy to share about living with three types of hormonal disorders - polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and thyroid deficiency - conditions that affect at least 1 in 10 women globally.
Since opening up about her endometriosis surgery to 127K followers on Instagram last October, she’s become the confidant for many women struggling with reproductive and sexual health. In Malaysia, where pre-marital sex is considered immoral, Ili shares that many resist seeking help for their pains and problems, in fear of judgement.
This episode explores PCOS, endometriosis, and the silent suffering women endure while on their periods.
New episodes biweekly on Thursdays, 8pm GMT+8. Visit our website http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Egg freezing is the future of women’s reproductive freedom and rights. Around the world, companies like Facebook and Apple pay for their employees to freeze their eggs, but in Asia, some governments have made social egg freezing illegal in fear of promoting late motherhood, while others have chosen to leave it unregulated.
Enter Juhee An, founder of Freedom Edge, a social business helping Asian women travel to South Korea to freeze their eggs (pre-COVID of course). In this episode, we discuss the science behind the technology, why some governments are not behind it and some considerations to think about if you’re looking to immortalise your eggs.
Welcome back season four of Something Private! New episodes will be out biweekly on Thursdays, 8 pm GMT+8. Visit our website, http://somethingprivate.fm, or email us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
❗️WARNING: This episode includes recounts of suicide attempts.❗️
It’s the last week of what has been a really difficult year, so we want to share a story of hope. In 1994, 24-year-old Tan Kok Liang had everything set out for him - a prestigious job, a loving girlfriend, and had a series of accomplishments to his name. But a tragic accident one day, caused Kok Liang to lose his memory, half his brain, and all his reason to live. Today, Kok Liang goes by the name Takalah. As a motivational speaker and brain injury survivor advocate, his story has touched the hearts of many. This is the story of Takalah Tan.
If you, or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, help is available at pat@sos.org.sg, or at their 24-hour hotline at 1800-221 4444. Have a thought you’d like to share? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm
2020 has been a difficult year, but through adversity comes some of the greatest stories. On this episode, Nicole and Wenqi from popular storytelling platform, Our Grandfather Story, take a hike and reflect on some of their best interviews. From speaking with COVID-19 patients and front line workers, volunteers with lower income groups across Singapore, to healthcare professionals and psychiatric patients. The two share their takeaway as content creators, in this year of reflection.
For more resources around mental health in Singapore: Visit mindline.sg for wellness resources, tips and self-help tools, have a CHAT with someone https://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg/, hear from experts at Calm Collective’s virtual talks (https://www.calmcollective.asia/) and connect with all things youthful on Youthopia (https://youthopia.sg/)
This episode does not, and is not intended to, contain medical advice in any form. If you are looking for support or help, please approach a licensed medical health professional.
This episode was made with our friends at Our Grandfather Story, and created in collaboration with YouTube Singapore.
Have a thought? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm
We’re sure you’ve heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV); or at least, you might’ve heard that you should get protected against it, because it can help prevent cancer and other diseases in both men and women. Uh-oh, the mums are quaking in the corner now… because to her, why do you need to think about HPV prevention, if you’re not sexually active yet? Awkward!
On this episode, Nicole takes one for the team by bringing her mum and long time friend of the podcast, Dr Liana Koe, together to chat about HPV. We break down how to approach this prickly conversation with your female boomer, what you can expect if it’s your first consultation, why there’s a stigma to HPV prevention – and other questions you’d have. It’s FACTS vs STIGMA!
This episode was made in collaboration with It's Your Life, an educational campaign around HPV prevention and awareness by MSD Singapore. For more information about HPV prevention, head over to http://itsyourlife.sg Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Correction:
In Singapore, 52 and 58 are the 3rd and 5th most common HPV types. In addition, the HPV types which cause skin warts are different from HPV types that infect the genital area. Speak to your doctor if you have more enquiries!
Boys... we love them... and that's why we're dedicating an episode to them, for them and about them! We can't really call ourselves feminists, if we don't address the inequalities our boys face, because feminism is about equality of the sexes. On our 50th episode (yay!) we speak with Sean and Darren from Noah, a discreet men’s telehealth clinic, about common health issues like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and hair loss, and how highly stigmatised conversation around it is, compared to the tone of empowerment the women’s health community has.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
We’ve spoken to experts and strong women across 40 episodes now, but what about ordinary everyday women like you and I? After three seasons, Nicole is finally inviting a co-host on board. Meet Kimberly, and welcome to the Nic Kim column! On this episode, we discuss what being a 20-something Southeast Asian woman navigating society is like. From modern dating, to the importance of self love, and the value of having role models in our lives, Nicole and Kimberly share the most intimate and funny parts of their experiences.
Can relate? Tell us your story at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
There are few things as intimate as listening to a podcast, reading is one of them.
On this episode, we speak with Singaporean novelist, Balli Kaur Jaswal, about the role stories play in helping us explore and intimate side of ourselves, in a culture and society that’s modern and yet conservative all the same. Balli’s international debut novel, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has attracted the likes of international book clubs, including Reese Witherspoon’s!
This episode was presented as part of Night Spin 182.7 FM, a programme curated by The Arts House, commissioned by Singapore Writers Festival and organised by National Arts Council. Listen to the full episode on www.swfspin.live now!
In early September, Singapore announced plans for a White Paper on gender equality to be published by 2021. To us at Something Private we say: It’s about time! But what does this white paper entail, how can we get involved, and most importantly, how does it address the mindset problem our country faces? We speak with Minister of State, Sun Xueling, about recent reports on family violence, sexual harassment, and workplace discrimination, to find out more.
Interested in getting involved? Register your interest at go.gov.sg/sgwomen. Or reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Noorindah enjoyed a candid and open relationship with her mother; they often joked about sex. So when her mother was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, Noorindah felt angry, hurt, and disappointed that she was kept in the dark. It’s been a year since Noorindah’s mother passed, four days after her diagnosis. On this episode, Noorindah shares her heartbreak and painful lessons on her new platform, www.shyandcurious.com.
Something Private reminds you to do your routine breast self examination every month, in light of breast cancer awareness month this October.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
This World Mental Health Day, we want to know, how are you doing, really?
Belle, a healthcare professional, felt anxious and depressed having just moved back to Singapore for work, but ignored the signs. After all, health professionals shouldn’t struggle with mental health issues, right? But when she couldn’t get out of bed one day, it struck her that she needed to seek help.
In this episode, Belle shares her experience living in a psychiatric ward for two weeks, how to come to terms with having mental health issues in your mid twenties, and how to help those around you who may be struggling.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Marylyn Tan made history as the first woman to win the Singapore Literature book prize earlier this month, with her debut collection, GAZE BACK. But her achievement stemmed from a violence done to her almost a decade ago, when she was videotaped against her will doing a homosexual sexual act in school. Young Marylyn was prosecuted harshly, while her perpetrator was let off scot-free. Society’s rejection of her, was just the beginning source of her inspiration.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
A common trait of an emotionally abusive relationship is when the abuser is compassionate in public but cruel in private. Jenny lived through years of verbal insults and suicide threats from her ex-husband, but the final straw came when her three year old son had to “protect” her from a fight that nearly broke out. Today, Jenny is safer, but reflects on her loneliness as a single mother, and the challenges of co-parenting with her ex-abuser.
Shout-out to Chapter Zero, a social enterprise in Singapore advocating for raising children mindfully and respectfully. FB @ Chapter Zero, IG @ChapterZeroSG.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
*names have been changed to protect profile’s identity
Meet 23-year-old Rea kami. She’s one of Singapore’s most popular cosplayers, with a combined following of 50K on Instagram and Facebook, over 7K followers on TikTok, and thousands of views Twitter and Twitch. She’s also, a feminist LGBTQ+ activist, who speaks up about issues like racism and inequality to her global audience. How does a feminist thrive in a community that is inherently built on sexist stereotypes?
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
❗️WARNING: This episode contains content that might be disturbing to some❗️
When home is not a safe place, where do individuals living in an expensive, population dense city seek refuge? Deborah shares her story as a survivor of domestic violence, and how her new found independence has allowed her space to reflect on how to make amends with her family.
This episode was recorded in June during circuit breaker in Singapore, where cases of domestic abuse increased worldwide, and was described as a “shadow pandemic” by the UN.
Know someone who needs help? CALL COMCARE @ 1800-222-0000, AWARE @ 1800-777-5555, or PAVE @ 65550390.
Have thoughts you’d like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm
There’s a misconception that disabled persons can’t have sex, or have no sexual desires. Truth is, they’re just like any of us, with the same intimacy wants and needs.
Zohra and Liang Le spent most of their lives able-bodied, until a car accident and spine condition led them to becoming wheelchair users. While most 20-something year olds grapple with finding themselves and looking for independence, Zohra and Liang Le's quest looks slightly different. On this episode, they share about navigating life on a wheelchair, prejudices they've faced from able-bodied persons, and their experience with love and intimacy. (Yes, they can have sex!)
'Can Ask Meh' by OGS is premiering an episode on persons living with disabilities in mid-September, and shoutout to inclusive fashion label Will and Well http://willandwell/pages/bethedifference.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
WE INTERRUPT YOUR DAY WITH AN IMPORTANT EPISODE ON CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
Singaporeans are really exceptional planners, except when it comes to the topic of harassment, rape or abuse. When a loved one, a friend, or perhaps even you, face abuse, do you know what next steps you can take to protect yourself?
Many were outraged at the outcomes of several court rulings of cases related to sexual harassment and abuse in the past years in Singapore, and yet, not many of us know what we can do, in the aftermath of these atrocities. We speak to lawyer Priscilla Chia, to understand why Dr Wee Tong Boon was cleared of all charges, why Terence Siow Kai Yuan's sentence was relooked, and what individuals like you and I can do to protect ourselves, and those we love. (Hint: it starts with getting educated!)
Ah! The elusive female orgasm… shrouded in MYSTERY. For the longest time, no one knew if it really was a thing, simply because it had no effect on reproduction. But our conservative Asian society is slowly growing more open to talking about sex and exploring pleasure! According to vibrator company Smile Makers, the sale of vibrators DOUBLED this quarantine! As we begin to explore terms like “The G Spot” and “squirting”, it’s good to pause and evaluate, what exactly counts as an orgasm?
We’re joined by sexperts Dr Jessherin Sidhu of InSync Medical, and Cecile Gasnault from Smile Makers, to learn about the female anatomy, better understand our society’s perception of sex, and peek at common intimacy struggles couples AND singles face.
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Alternative menstrual products are HOT these days... everyone be talking about how the menstrual cup "changed their life"! Really? Stuffing a silicon cup up a bloody gateway sounds more terrifying than life changing! But every girl is different, so how do you figure out what suits you the best? Olivia Cotes-James, founder of LUÜNA Naturals, a sustainable menstrual health company from Hong Kong, breaks it down for us. From spelling out the four stages of the cycle, to the importance of tracking it, and tips on how to use a cup.
This August, LUÜNA Naturals is hosting the Vagina Dialogues, ASIA'S FIRST ONLINE FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO US AND OUR VAGINA. Head over to https://www.facebook.com/luuna.naturals/ to sign up now!
Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
COVID-19 isn’t just a health crisis, mental health professionals warn of a looming mental health crisis following prolonged periods of isolation and bad news. But this might actually be... GOOD? Putting mental health in the spotlight, may destigmatize getting help for it. We're joined by psychiatrist Dr Kamini Rajaratnam, who dishes out the science behind these feelings, and how we can cope on our own. Turns out, even the foods we eat play a huge role in building psychological resilience.
💖 Big thank you to our partners talkyourheartout.com for working with us on this episode! 💖 Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Preeti Nair, better known as Preetipls, makes the tongue-in-cheek claim to be “Singapore's top influencer”. Behind her satirical approach to her content, Preeti is wellknown to be outspoken on issues like racial justice. Who can forget the brownface saga of 2019 that left her in a messy situation with the law minister? 😳
On the second part of this two-part episode, Preeti shares about her experience being investigated, making her comeback, and how the entire event has made her more optimistic about the future of racial justice. Have thoughts you'd like to discuss? Reach us at nicole@somethingprivate.fm.
Preeti Nair, better known as Preetipls, makes the tongue-in-cheek claim to be “Singapore's top influencer”. Behind her satirical approach to her content, Preeti is known to be outspoken on issues like racial justice. Who can forget the brownface saga of 2019 that left her in a messy situation with the law minister? 😳 When COVID-19 hit, a wave of anti-celebrity/influencer sentiments followed, but Preetipls stood out. She started Utopia.sg, a campaign that raised almost $200K for the migrant worker community most badly hit by the virus in Singapore, followed by "Miss Education", a video series on social issues back home.
On the first part of this two-part episode, Preeti candidly opens up about her life, using her influence for good, and if she truly is the “controversial queen” that some have affectionately (or not so affectionately) named her.
We are BACK! WITH A BRAND NEW SEASON!! And just in time to celebrate pride month! 🌈💖💖
At Something Private, we’ve always been about filling silence with conversation, and it’s been a privilege to do that for 2 seasons and counting. This season, we want to share our space with our allies, because the fight for equality is done through solidarity. But what does it mean to be an ally, and for that matter, a GOOD one? Raja, my 25-year-old cousin, schools me on this. Assigned female at birth, Raja knew from a young age that something about them felt wrong, and it took them almost two decades to finally find their footing in the world. Today, Raja identifies as queer, and on this episode, they share with me their journey, and we discuss the meaning and role of allyship, in a largely conservative Southeast Asian city-state.
60,000 women and minors are estimated by UNICEF to be victims of sex trafficking in the Philippines, with some as young as 7 years old. Rebecca Eu is on a mission to stop this.
Rebecca, who has been volunteering in the Philippines since she was 20, has heard one too many stories of girls forced into this sex trade to help lift their families out of poverty. Today, her social enterprise Mei’s Own, is putting survivors of sex trafficking in the Philippines to school, by working with local artisans to make homeware. And meanwhile… WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THE AGE OF 26? 😜😜😜
Eu as in…. Eu Yan Sang? Like the TCM shop that sells bird's nest? 🥵🥵As the youngest daughter of one of the wealthiest Singaporean families, Rebecca grew up different from most of us. When you have 140 years of family history in the making, it’s almost impossible to ignore the familial pressure and generational trauma that will be passed down. Growing up different meant getting bullied, being dubbed as “ginseng girl” her whole life, and struggling with mental health since as long as she can remember. In this episode, Rebecca Eu shares how living with one of the most well-known family names in Southeast Asia is both a blessing and a curse, and how she’s finally learnt to embrace her own path today. P.S. Nobody call her “ginseng girl”!!! She’s sensitive 😜😜😜
Hello, how are you coping, this COVID-19? It’s been a confusing and unsettling couple of weeks for many of us (hang in there sweetie!!) but amidst global panic are some instances of society being inherently good.
From having online dinner parties, to first dates over zoom, society is getting CREATIVE in a bid to stay connected. We're seeing the world turn into a kinder, more harmonious space to live in (literally), as we tune in to symphonies via livestream services, and pool together supplies for our frontline workers, and those who are in need.
Tune in to listen to how we are battling this pandemic together. With love from Something Private, reminding you guys to #stayhomestaysafe!!! ❤️❤️
Girls, ever been afraid to hit the gym alone? 🥵Maybe you’re afraid of getting judged, or being the only woman in the room… well, WE 💯 RELATE. But together, we are stronger! At least, that’s the philosophy of fitness influencer Megan Yit when she first created the Telegurrrs group chat. What started out as a platform to find workout buddies, very quickly turned into a community of friends who share about the most intimate parts of their lives, including looking out for each other during these COVID-19 times. 💪✊️️️Today, the community is almost 200 girls strong, with over 20 sub-interest groups; because girls who sweat together stay together. 💖💖💖
Megan Yit was in a three year long fitness spiral, and nobody knew. Better known as @_hiccuppieeyelashiejellie on Instagram, she was one of Singapore’s first and youngest Instagram fitness influencers, with 40,000 followers at her peak back in 2015. With a strict exercise routine and diet, she was a #fitspo for many with a body many would kill to have. ⛹️♀️🏋️♀️🤸♀️But it came at a cost. Her lifestyle was punishing, and the environment she was in was toxic. Eventually her body crashed. Today, Megan shares about how she pulled herself out of the rabbit hole she had created for herself, the importance of listening to your body and finding a routine that works well for you. In 2020, we want to take care of our bodies, both physically, and mentally. 💆♀️💆♀️Tune in now!
Love in the 21st century might be synonymous with dating apps, and can be quite painful. When you judge a potential partner entirely based on their height and whether they have a chiseled jawline, it’s no wonder romance can quickly fizzle out. Enter a dating agency’s modern solution - relationship profiling and compatibility matching. GaiGai has a team of certified relationship managers that are what you can consider to be little cupids of modern dating in Singapore. In just a 90 minute dating personality review, you’ll understand yourself and what you want out of a relationship. But the best part of it all? GaiGai works on finding someone compatible for you, based on their pool of eligible singles. On this episode, we follow the journey of two singles who try out relationship profiling. All SP listeners are entitled to a free relationship profiling experience with GaiGai, sign up at: http://bit.ly/findlovewithgaigai
'In Her Words' is a sub-series from Something Private — a space for women to share deeply personal stories of unspeakable pains and triumph, faith and strength. In this third episode, we hear from a Malay-Muslim female who has undergone female circumcision, or sunat perempuan, in Singapore. She shares that growing up, sunat was very much a norm for her community and was not a practice she questioned until exposed to liberal schools of thought. What is the type of circumcision practiced back home? Is it the same as those in African states? Are there any health benefits, and how does it affect one’s sex life?
voices have been augmented to protect profile's identity
👏GIRLS🤝HELPING🤝GIRLS🤝HELPING🤝GIRLS👏
Heather, Yunrong, Danelia and Dawn are four young women at the frontlines of fighting campus sexual harassment in Singapore. Their campaign, Girl, Talk, could not come at a better time. What does #MeToo look like in a country that ranks high on the global index for gender equality? The answer lies in the hands of these four modern heroines. We get intimate - as they share their personal experiences with sexual harassment, and how to keep the conversation alive. Tune in now!
👏GIRLS🤝HELPING🤝GIRLS🤝HELPING🤝GIRLS👏
Last May was a turning point for student activism against campus sexual harassment in Singapore, with Monica Baey at the forefront leading young women to stand up to their perpetrators. But not every girl is like Monica, many still don’t come to terms with signs of harassment, or don’t know how to respond. That is, until four young undergraduates, Heather, Yunrong, Danelia and Dawn, took it upon themselves to tell every girl exactly what they can do should they face harassment. Their campaign, Girl, Talk, believes that If you have the privilege to talk about it, you shouldn’t stay silent. Tune in to their story now.
It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow! ❣️LOVE IS IN THE AIR❣️
We hear from Jojo, a 25-year-old lawyer who has been in a polyamorous relationship for almost five years now. Jojo shares about how polyamory might not be suitable for everyone, and how it’s important to recognise this. Her advice? Polyamory is definitely not a solution for couples that have experienced infidelity, and reminds us all to know our self-love this V Day. This season, we want to feature unique stories about love. Know someone with an interesting love story? Reach out to us on Instagram @somethingprivatepod.
Jojo has been in a relationship with Amos for seven years, but she’s also been together with Kevin for four. While her polyamorous lifestyle is not unheard of, its often thought of as sexually promiscuous, or lacking respect for the sanctity of a monogamous love. Because how can we love more than one person at a time? But in reality, Jojo shares that this modern take on love has taught her emotional maturity, good communication, and the capacity to love like never before. This season, we want to feature unique stories about love. We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with Jojo’s story on how polyamory changed her life for the better.
*names have been changed to protect identity
Last December, there was an uproar over a commentary piece titled “What Growing Up Privileged Taught Me About Being Malay”. The internet had A LOT to say, mainly about what they deemed was internalised racial and elitist undertones of the piece. But the guys at Randomly Relatable SG are a lot more forgiving, they acknowledge that the author might have been too young and eager. I’ve always deeply admired the kampung spirit of the Malay community, it’s something we’re trying to achieve at Something Private too! But what this incident demonstrates is our society’s need to unlearn and relearn the way we view race, class and privilege (duh!) We discuss! On part two of our podcast collaboration, Something Relatable. Let us know your comments, thoughts, opinions!!! 😜😜😜
It’s a COLLAB between 2 of the best podcasts in Singapore!!! (have we no shame 🤮) Jan 2020 was long and really dramatic… but luckily the first month of the year is a trial month, right? 😛
We’re kicking off the rEAL 2020 with an episode featuring our pals at Randomly Relatable SG - Singapore’s top youth podcast. Uwais, Shuraim, Sabrina and I discuss dating in Singapore, and how much they know about women’s health. (turns out, they know quite a lot! aww)
🧧🧨HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR🧨🧧
Huatzzup!!! We’re back with the second part of our conversation about body image with Singaporean poet, Jollin Tan. Just in time for the Lunar New Year! Our conversation this time extends to what are the factors that perpetuate our unhealthy perception that skinny = beautiful, not to mention the role of brands, personalities, and the individual in all this. We want to remind you guys to LOVE YOURSELF! You are beautiful!!!! No matter what your Aunty Siew Leng says… 😗😗😗
🧧🧨XNKL GXFC WSRY🧨🧧
Chinese New Year is here and we love it! But the season of festivities, family, good food and conversations, can be a stressful time for many of us. Cues unwarranted comment from distant relative about your weight gain (what? I thought I LOST weight). We’re joined by Jollin Tan, a Singaporean poet as she shares about her collection of poems on dealing with body image issues, and how unforgiving society can be when you’re fat. Pro-tip? Learn to take these comments with a pinch of salt, you’ll only see them once a year. 😗😗😗
☯️Yin Yang Gang! ☯️Western astrology implies the existence of Chinese astrology, or is it the other way round? What’s the difference? Is Chinese astrology the same as fortune telling? Feng Shui? Is it a scam? This is part two of our series on astrology; we’re familiar with Western horoscopic astrology, but BAZI? What? We speak to THE Master Sean Chan, a Chinese metaphysics consultant (what does this even mean?!) based in Singapore. Turns out, Chinese astrology is increasingly popular among millennials these days…. (he’s REALLY accurate)
Good afternoon, @millennial. Your day at a glance. As we usher in the new decade in this season of Capricorn, it’s important for you to act on things you’ve been hesitant to start previously. You might feel uncertain in the beginning, but that’s Mercury preparing for retrograde. Don’t be fazed, listen to episode 16 ‘The Millennial Obsession with Astrology’ for guidance and direction by a professional astrologer, May Sim. You’ll feel power in your tenth house, ready and recharged to use astrology to empower your life. Believe.
Happy New Year!! On the latest episode, we're doing a 2019 round up with Trishna Goklani, or better known as Trishna Rawr. 😛🙈🙈🙈
Trishna, who is one of Singapore's first few Instagram influencers, talks about her rise to instagram fame and the challenges of being an Indian influencer in Singapore (like can you name anyone else?) She also shares about her struggles on dating as a minority, microaggressions, the Brownface saga, as well as her hopes (and Nicole's!!!) for the upcoming year.
2019 has been an AMAZING year from all of us on the team at Something Private, and we wish all of you the HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS AS WE USHER IN 2020!!!
Workplace harassment is tricky - everyone’s talking about it, but nobody’s taking it to HR. Could it be due to a lack of knowledge of employee rights? Or fear of professional repercussions? 🥵🥵Singapore is a top nation in gender equality, but our workplace harassment laws are sorely lacking. At present, there is no proper definition of what constitutes harassment in the workplace, and no nation-wide guideline that companies are legally required to implement. But workplace harassment has been around since FOREVER; and we’ve only begun to recognise it.
This is the second part of our two part series on workplace harassment. In this episode, I speak with a gender-equality advocacy group in Singapore, to discuss some precautions if you are new to the workforce or joining a new company, and how to manage a situation where you think you might have been harassed.
Workplace harassment is tricky - everyone’s talking about it, but nobody is taking it to HR. Many cases go unreported and swept under the rug because often, such instances of harassment are verbal and too subtle that it could be brushed off as accidental. Where do we draw the boundaries? How do we establish consent? How do we know it won’t have professional consequences?
This is the first part of our two part series on workplace harassment. In this episode, I speak with two good friends who share about unwarranted “flattery” about their attire from superiors, and overheard sexualised comments about their figures.
Whatever it is: YOUR DISCOMFORT AND RECOUNT OF THE STORY IS VALID, but after then, what happens?
“In sickness and in health” holds another layer of meaning for Marcel and Caitlin. He’s HIV-positive, and she’s not. But medical advancements have allowed them to have an active and safe sex life. Their greatest concern? An unwanted pregnancy. Caitlin shares with us how they navigate through the challenges of everyday couples, from maintaining a long-distance romance and dating across their own cultures.
This season, we want to feature unique stories about love. December is HIV Awareness Month, and we hear the story of Caitlin and Marcel, a mixed status couple on how they’re breaking the stigma on people living with HIV.
And we’re back with season 2! ✌️
Before we dive deep into the first episode, just wanna do a quick mental health check in - how have you guys been? Globally, there is a push to break mental health stigma and for better mental healthcare services. Back home, we’re progressing!
With influencers coming forward to share their story, and campaigns to destigmatize mental illnesses. But on an institutional level, we’re still SOOOOOOOO SLOW. We just saw our first ever mental health insurance policy rolled out THIS YEAR.
On this episode, I speak with Abigail, a listener of the podcast, on her 4 year long struggle with a mental health misdiagnosis, her experience going through 6 rounds of electroconvulsive therapy, and breaking the stigma. We’re back with new episodes every Monday! SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW AND SHARE!!!
When the verdict for the NUS molester case was published in late September, many were outraged at what they felt was only a “slap on the wrist” for Terence Siow, who was given 21 months of supervised probation.
The online outcry and onslaught of memes ridiculing the rationale of a “potential to excel in life” for a punishment seen as lenient... WE WEREN’T PREPARED FOR IT!!!
In the midst of partial outrage and partial amusement (at the memes), I found a Facebook post from the victim herself with 7 short pointers on her thoughts about the verdict, alongside a change in her profile picture to Terence’s face.
'THIS BAD ASS!' I thought to myself, and so we spoke on this episode - NOT ABOUT THE CASE, but about everything else. From her favorite meme that surfaced, to a need for a reformation in our sex education, and the future of Singapore society from here on.
Episode 10 marks the end of season 1 of Something Private. We’ll be right back. :)
🎀BREAST CANCER CAN SUCK IT!!!🎀
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), AND WE’RE NOT HAVING ANY OF ITS SHIT!!! Breast cancer might be the most common cancer among women worldwide, but it’s also one of the most highly treatable types of cancer today. Years of health advocacy has led to early detection of the cancer, which is associated with higher survival rates, and better funding for finding cures. On this episode, I speak with Dr Chia Hui Ling, a breast reconstruction surgeon and co-founder of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Singapore (BRAS), about life after breast cancer, and the significance of reconstruction and support from family and friends. In light of BCAM, Something Private wants to remind you to do your routine monthly breast self-examination. Breasticle chesticle!
🗣Your vulva has a voice and she wants to be heard!🗣
First, she and your vagina are not the same. If you're shaving or waxing or lasering off your pubes, you best be moisturising and exfoliating her afterwards. Whatever your reason is for shaving, remember that as long as it makes you feel good and safe, it is okay to do it.
I have two lovely guests with me on this episode! Dr Jessherin Sidhu, a cosmestic gynaecologist from InSync Medical, and CEO of SPA Esprit Group, Cynthia Chua. We explore how we can better take care of our vulva skin and hair, and if there's anything wrong with removing hair for ourselves, or our partners.
'In Her Words' is a sub-series of Something Private — a space for women to share deeply personal stories of unspeakable pains and triumph, faith and strength.
Anyone else love 😍Tiong Bahru Bakery? 😍On this second episode, we hear from Cynthia Chua, CEO and founder of SPA Esprit Group, first of her name, Queen of Lifestyle Establishments, Khaleesi of the Well Groomed Lawn, Breaker of Gender Stereotypes and Mother of Croissants! Cynthia sits down with me (honoured!) to share about her success behind 19 brands, almost 20 years later. We also check out her natal charts to see what kind of qualities and traits successful people have. Turns out, most of it boils down to having a positive mindset. Bon bon!
Condoms alone as a type of birth control are kinda lame. 85% effectiveness? Buck up sis… Meanwhile, the pill been DELIVERING at 99% - it also lightens periods, reduce menstrual cramps, clears acne and even helps boobs grow. But while it can work for some, it may potentially mess others up because we all have differing level of hormones.
On this episode, two precious friends of mine share their opposing experiences with the pill; while one swears by it, the other has had a series of misfortunes with this hormonal contraceptive. Tune in to understand how the pill works, what you should look out for, and some (better) alternatives that are growing in popularity. (IUD, IUD, IUD!)
Update: New episodes air every 🌞MONDAY🌞 from now on! Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts to get notified.
AND WE’VE REACHED MID-SEASON! Episode 5 is a ~COLLAB~ with some really cool guys from shy.sg, a platform dishing out information about sex health for the MILLENNIALS. 🤪
After polling for questions about 2 weeks ago, they chalked up nearly 100 responses and realised that most people ask the same questions about sex! (I mean… just look at NUSWhispers 🤪🤪🤪)
We all have the same curiosity about contraceptives, STIs, sex drives, and orgasms - except we may not express them so vocally. BUT IS ALL G - we’re here to give you guys the rundown, PLUS some really interesting (and not to mention very VALUABLE) facts that we’ve learnt along the way. Y’all gonna finish this episode feeling really SMORT! 🤘
HELLO SISTERS, IT’S 2019, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO BE IGNORANT ABOUT OUR SEXUAL HEALTH ANY LONGER! But of course, in an Asian society where any kind of sex talk is taboo, it’s no surprise that there’s still a huge stigma around STIs.
But contracting STIs is incredibly common and keeping silent can be very harmful, not to mention passé! Staying INFORMED, ENGAGED and SUPPORTIVE? We stan.
On this episode, Dr Liana Koe, an OB-GYN from STO+G at Thomson Medical blesses us with her extensive knowledge on the subject. She clarifies common misconceptions and dishes out tips on how to stay protected and how you can help others. This episode also features 3 short stories from 3 brave women who are pushing for a change in the way we view STIs and how we talk about them. QUEENS!
❗️WARNING: This episode contains content that may be disturbing to some listeners.❗️
'In Her Words' is a sub-series of Something Private — a space for women to share deeply personal stories of unspeakable pains and triumph, faith and strength. In the first episode, we follow the story of a sexual assault survivor who shares her journey towards recovery, five years after she was raped. If you think her story might provide comfort to someone you know, share this with them. And if you just need someone to listen, drop me a DM on Instagram at @somethingprivatepod.
Otherwise, there’s great help here:
AWARE provides counselling for women and their hotline is 6779 0282 or you can email them at sacc@aware.org.sg. Oogachaga works with the LGBTQ+ community and their hotline is 6226 2002, WhatsApp 8592 0609 and email CARE@oogachaga.com.
🤙BRING ON THE GOOD VIBRATIONS 🤙 Have you ever masturbated? We know men do it…. We know women do it too, except we don’t talk openly about it. Why? Are we ashamed to admit that we have sexual desires? On this second episode of Something Private, Dr Angela Tan, a certified sexpert joins me to talk about why some women feel ashamed for masturbating and why that needs to change! Beyond just achieving simple orgasmic pleasure, we discuss how masturbating can have mental and physical benefits too.
Shoutout to my sisters who are lying in bed, crouched in a fetal position - menstrual cramps are the worst and if you feel like death whenever it's 'that time of the month’, I feel you and I want you to know that there are ways to remedy it besides eating painkillers. Let me and my co-host Hanli Hoefer share our bloody personal stories of menstruation with you. We’ll also sprinkle some ~ SCIENCE ~ behind why we have cramps, ways to relieve it and when it’s necessary to visit the doctor. Grab some wine and cheese, and tune in.
FINALLY, a podcast about vaginas just for the people with vaginas.
On the first season of Something Private, we’re going to touch on a few pressure points in the crazy complex world of female health today. From the pains of menstruation to masturbation, and to birth control pills, all with the help of a couple of really smart and beautiful women.
Something Private? It’s about time we had these conversations out loud. Coming soon this August, stay peachy!