Live Well with Michelle

Heading to Japan, South Korea or Europe for a year-end ski holiday? Skiing injuries involving the knees, shoulders and ankles can turn a dream getaway into a painful experience, especially for Singaporeans who aren't used to winter sports. Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Lester Tan Teong Jin, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Oxford Orthopaedics, about common skiing injuries, how to prepare your body before hitting the slopes, mistakes to avoid and warning signs you shouldn't ignore after a fall. Plus, can an untreated skiing injury cause long-term joint damage?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you say to someone who is grieving, and how do you explain death to a child? Lance Alexander speaks with Audrey Perera, Director, Passion & Purpose Asia & Producer, Rites of Us Festival  & Darren Cheng, CEO, Direct Funeral Services, about supporting families through loss. They also explore how Singapore’s Rites of Us festival uses theatre, music and conversations to help people understand grief and different mourning traditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When do recurring digestive problems need medical attention? Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Christopher Chia, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and co-lead of the Digestive Health Centre, Woodlands Hospital to discuss common digestive conditions in Singapore, warning signs, fatty liver disease and when to start colorectal cancer screening. They also look at how Woodlands Hospital’s new Digestive Health Centre brings care together, and practical habits to support better digestive health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can grip strength tell us about heart health? Lance Alexander speaks with Assoc Prof Angela Koh, Director, Cardiovascular Ageing and Longevity (CRANE) Programme, National Heart Centre Singapore to explore Singapore research linking weaker muscle strength to changes in the ageing heart, and whether a simple handgrip test could help identify seniors who need further checks. Learn what a weak result means, the test’s limits, and how exercise and diet can help maintain muscle strength as we age.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caring for a loved one but unsure where to find help? Lance Alexander speaks with Christina Tiong, Chief Executive Officer, Home Nursing Foundation & Teo Ying Ying, Head of Social Welfare, Home Nursing Foundation about Carers Hub, a digital platform bringing together caregiving resources, well-being tools, peer support and a caregiver marketplace. They discuss recognising when you need more support, overcoming guilt about asking for help, and finding practical assistance in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does arthritis mean giving up exercise or facing joint replacement? Lance Alexander speaks with Dr James Siow, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford Orthopaedics, about common types of arthritis in Singapore, misconceptions about ageing and practical ways to care for your joints. Marking World Arthritis Day, they explore the role of family history, whether arthritis can be reversed, how footwear and walking habits affect joint health, and when joint pain needs medical attention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why can rare cancers be difficult to diagnose, and what treatment options are available? Lance Alexander speaks with Dr Kevin Tay, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at OncoCare Cancer Centre, about rare cancers such as sarcoma, the importance of an accurate diagnosis, and when to seek a second opinion. They also discuss specialist care, clinical trials and where patients and families in Singapore can find reliable information and support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One stock or around 500 companies? Lance Alexander speaks with Willie Keng, Founder, Dividend Titan, compares Berkshire Hathaway with an S&P 500 ETF, examining historical returns, diversification and risk. Find out what Berkshire shareholders actually own, how Class A and Class B shares differ, and what to consider with S$30,000 to invest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why can a high salary still leave you worried about money? Lance Alexander speaks with Grace Tay, Associate Director, Finexis Advisory about Singapore’s HENRYs - high earners, not rich yet - and why earning well does not automatically mean financial security. They explore how mortgages, lifestyle costs and wealth tied up in property can leave little available for emergencies or retirement. Through client examples, Grace discusses common investing mistakes, how to build a financial buffer, and when professional advice may be worthwhile. Whether you earn a high income or aspire to, how can you turn your pay into lasting wealth?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lance Alexander speaks with James Ong, Group Head of Asset Management at CGS International, about what has driven the rally in Singapore’s small and mid-cap stocks - and where value may remain after the gains. From chip industry suppliers AEM and UMS to engineering firm CSE Global and investment platform iFAST, they examine earnings growth, valuations and opportunities beyond the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index. Plus, how can retail investors assess this part of the SGX market, and where might the CGS Fullgoal Singapore Next 50 Active ETF (Q50) fit alongside an STI ETF?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lance Alexander speaks with Tim Phillips, Founder, TimTalksMoney about ETF overlap and whether owning several funds really spreads your investment risk. Using VOO and QQQ as examples, they explore how to check shared holdings, calculate your exposure to individual companies and review your portfolio. They also compare dividend ETFs and covered-call ETFs, explaining how these funds generate income, the trade-offs behind their payouts and why investors need to look beyond distribution yields to total returns. Plus, what should Singapore investors check about fees, withholding taxes and currency risk when choosing ETFs for income or retirement?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lance Alexander speaks with Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, about why CPF LIFE is a strong foundation for retirement income, and when it may not cover everything you need. How do you fund the years before CPF LIFE payouts begin at 65? What happens to household income when one spouse dies? And when might cash or a private annuity help? Christopher explains what to check before deciding whether to top up CPF or buy another retirement income plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI stocks have swung sharply between fear and excitement. Is the pullback in chipmakers a buying opportunity, or are investors still expecting too much? Lance Alexander speaks with Arun Pai, Partner at Monk’s Hill Ventures, about what is driving the volatility and which businesses could face a real threat from AI. They also examine Costco’s latest results and the price investors are paying for its shares. Plus, with Nike’s earnings due after the interview, what would show that its turnaround is making progress?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.