S1E15: Bye-bye 5Cs. Hello, purpose: how we redefine success

The Straits Times Podcasts

Does living a meaningful, purpose-filled life trump materialistic goals and climbing the corporate ladder these days?

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues of the day, and finds out about what young people are talking about.

Talk about the new definition of success has been fronted this year by Singapore’s new prime minister Lawrence Wong, who has called for wider definitions of success.

But can it be done? In this episode, Natasha asks her three guests how possible it is to run on passion, and in redefining success, what does failure look like now? Also, what is one thing that young people need to do if they want to redefine what success looks like to them.

Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan, founder and executive director of Access Singapore Clarence Ching, and co-founder of River Valley Irregulars Sheila Manokaran speak about how they see the Singaporean dream moving beyond the 5Cs.

The question - or is it an existential crisis? - that millennials and Gen Zs grapple with is about how they can make an impact that counts, even in a 9-to-5 job.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:49 Why is it necessary for us to redefine success now?

9:52 The stumbling blocks on the paths to success

18:35 Can chasing passions put food on the table?
24:54 ”What is the government doing to ensure I have a job?”
33:20 What does failure look like in this new definition of success?

40:25 What we need for a mindset shift

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([e-mail])

Read Natasha's related story: https://str.sg/Mieu

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Edited by producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

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Capitole

1. Bye-bye 5Cs. Hello, purpose: how we redefine success (00:00:00)

2. Why is it necessary for us to redefine success (00:01:49)

3. The stumbling blocks on the paths to success (00:09:52)

4. Can chasing passions put food on the table? (00:18:35)

5. ”What's the Gov doing to ensure I have a job?" (00:24:54)

6. What does failure look like nowadays? (00:33:20)

7. What we need for a mindset shift (00:40:25)