Political Prude: The Podcast makes Singapore politics and current affairs less intimidating and more easy to consume for young adults.
With sit-down interviews and discussions with politicians, policymakers, experts and commentators, listeners can gain valuable insights into the complex world of politics and stay informed about the issues that are relevant to them. Presenting a diverse range of voices, the podcast provides a comprehensive and well-rounded view of the political landscape.
Hosted by Joel Lim (@limxjoel). Independently produced by Zodapop by ZYRUP Media.
Tommy Koh's Political Lessons: Principles, "Makan Diplomacy", and Singapore's First-Gen Leaders
Welcome to Season 4 of Political Prude: The Podcast! We begin our season with a sit-down conversation with Professor Tommy Koh, exploring Singapore’s political landscape through one of the most unique vantage points possible. As a diplomat, lawyer and public servant who worked closely with Singapore’s First-Generation leaders, Professor Koh offers reflections that help us understand our nation’s political development in a far more textured and human way.
In this conversation, we unpack the principles that shaped his approach to public service, what he learnt from leaders such as Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee and S. Rajaratnam, and why relationship-building, or what he calls “makan diplomacy”, remains essential in politics today. Drawing from stories in his new memoir, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, we also hear about the defining moments he witnessed and the values he hopes younger Singaporeans will carry forward.
If you're interested in partnerships, have general enquiries, or want to launch a podcast, reach out to us at zodapop@zyrupmedia.com (mailto:zodapop@zyrupmedia.com)!
Follow on Instagram:
Joel Lim – @limxjoel
ZYRUP Media – @zyrupmedia
Zodapop by ZYRUP Media – @zodapopsg
Chapters:
00:00 Start of Episode
02:54 Why Call Prof. Tommy Calls Himself an "Ordinary Man"
05:12 Memories of Pre-War Singapore
09:00 Predicting Singapore's Survival as an Independent Nation
11:02 Challenging Lee Kuan Yew
13:03 Navigating Difficult Situations
13:55 Being Genuine and Speaking Up
15:22 Influence of Parents & Love for the Arts
17:29 Working with Singapore’s Founding Fathers
19:02 The Private Side of Lee Kuan Yew
20:30 Singapore’s Culture of Excellence
21:07 Dr. Goh Keng Swee Singapore’s Most Valuable Player
25:19 Lessons from S. Rajaratnam
28:05 Key Lessons from Working in Early Singapore
28:22 Pioneering Singapore’s Foreign Service at the UN
31:03 How to Navigate Delicate Situations & Professionalism
35:56 Makan Diplomacy
39:01 Three Critical Lessons and Reflections
41:02 Not Taking Singapore’s Independence for Granted
42:12 Not Taking Racial Harmony For Granted
43:10 Importance of Social Equity
44:02 Tommy Koh on Sustaining Optimism
45:18 Closing Remarks
46:49 End of Episode
22 May 2025
GE2025 | EP 13: GE2025 Results Analysis with Professor Tommy Koh
Professor Tommy Koh analyzes the GE2025 results, exploring the reasons behind the PAP's increased support and the implications for Singapore's political future in this interview.
22 May 2025
GE2025 | Ep 12: The GE2025 Prude Awards: Post-Election Award Show
Joel Lim, Fauzi Aziz, Daisy Mitchell, and Megan Chia present the PRUDE Awards, recognizing the most memorable moments from Singapore's General Election 2025, including vocal performances and viral social media moments.
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5.0 / 5
338 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
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Quality
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YouTube
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Engagement
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