Old enough to know better. Still going to say it.

Welcome to The CB Show. Before you raise an eyebrow, the C and B stand for veteran journalists Clement Mesenas and PN Balji. What were you thinking?

Joined by hosts David Ngiau and Lina Lewis, they bring decades of stories, strong opinions and a sense of humour to conversations about life in Singapore. From sex and scams to race, retirement and the things we wish we’d known earlier, there’s plenty to discuss — and little reason to be coy.

Pull up a chair. You don’t have to agree, and you certainly don’t have to be old.

The CB Show. Making light of ageing.

LATEST EPISODE

BCRS: All this hassle for 10 cents?

We want to recycle, but why does getting 10 cents back feel like so much work?

From recycling machines to banking apps and self-checkout counters, the conversation gets personal about keeping up with a digital Singapore — and having patience with those who struggle.

If you want us to recycle, make it easier.

9 October 2026

IMPORTANT

The views and opinions expressed in The CB Show are those of the hosts and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organisation. Any content provided by our hosts or guests is of an opinionated nature and intended only for informational and entertainment purposes — it should not be considered professional, legal, tax or medical advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for your specific situation. We assume no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from the use of this content. All materials, content and intellectual property belong to The CB Show and are protected by copyright laws. Unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this work, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

PAST EPISODES

How kaypoh should Singaporeans be?

"Mind your own business" sounds simple — until someone might need your help.

When does being kaypoh become caring? When does recording bad behaviour become public shaming? And before we reach for our phones, could we do something that actually helps?

💬 Have you ever stepped in and made a difference — or wish you'd minded your own business?

2 October 2026

You hire a helper. Do you expect a nurse, cleaner and caregiver, too?

K Jayaprema from the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) joins us for a frank conversation about domestic work, elder care and what we expect of the people looking after our families.

💬 Where should a helper’s duties end — and the family’s responsibilities begin?

22 September 2026

Racial harmony — until someone opens their mouth

🇸🇬 We pledge “regardless of race”. But what do we say when we think nobody will mind? “They all look very dirty.” A shocking remark about Indians kicks off a candid conversation on The CB Show about racism in Singapore—from casual slurs to being left out of conversations, and why respecting another culture is still considered “inconvenient”. Then comes an uncomfortable question: do the racial labels meant to represent us also keep us apart?

13 September 2026

What Is Home, Truly?

Singapore was built by migrants — but as immigration increases, are Singaporeans becoming more xenophobic or are their concerns rooted in something deeper? We examine the tensions surrounding immigration, foreign talent, the CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) Singapore signed with India in 2005, and the perception that wealthy newcomers are self-entitled and changing Singapore’s way of life.

6 September 2026

Where Is The Love?

We break down PM Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally 2026 family package — nearly S$70,000 in support per child, an overhauled childcare leave scheme, and cheaper preschool fees — and ask the harder question underneath it: Can policy actually make people want children, or does it just lower the cost for those who already do?

26 August 2026

How To Keep The Fire Burning

Sex therapist Dian Handayani (founder of Nambani) joins The CB Show to help us understand desire, intimacy and connection in the second half of life — from the real science behind why men and women get turned on differently, to redefining what "sex" even means once bodies change with age, to the surprisingly modern question of whether AI companions can fill a very old, very human need.

24 August 2026

Of Grumpy Women (And Men)

Why are women in the late-40s grumpy? As urogynaecologist Christopher Chong explains, menopause comes with uncomfortable symptoms before, during and after.

Dr Chong helps demystify the often-misunderstood world of menopause and its male counterpart, andropause, why the "baby-making factory" closes, the physical and emotional toll on both partners, and the modern treatments available.

17 August 2026

Wham, Bam, It's A Scam

In this episode of The CB Show, we dive deep into the world of romance scams and the psychology those who fall for them (especially seniors in Singapore).

From a widow who lost S$3 million (US$2.34 million) to "princes" on Facebook, we explore why these scams are effective and how to spot the red flags before it’s too late.

10 August 2026

The Right To Die

We start the series with the end, asking why death is the one conversation we avoid until it’s too late and how we can better prepare ourselves for the inevitable end.

From planning funeral playlists to facing a terminal diagnosis, we explore what it means to die on our own terms in a "super-aged" society like Singapore while stripping away the taboos of mortality and ageing.

3 August 2026

THE TEAM

Clement Mesenas

The lead singer

Clement is the author of The Last Great Strike — an account of the 1971 journalists strike he co-led, which ended SPH’s colonial ownership — and Dissident Voices.

Over a 45-year career, Clement covered three wars in the Middle East (including Iraq's invasion of Kuwait) before returning to Singapore to serve as Night Editor at Today.

PN Balji

The songwriter

In his 36 years as a journalist, Balji was Deputy Editor of The Straits Times and steered The New Paper to its peak during his decade at the helm. He then launched Mediacorp’s Today in 2000 as its founding editor.

His career is documented in two books: His own Reluctant Editor (2019), and CNA founder Woon Tai Ho’s Transition: The Story Of PN Balji (2022).

Lina Lewis

The studio genius

After over a decade as a sub-editor in The New Paper, The Business Times and Tabla, Lina was a creative team editor at Sweet, a digital-first division within SPH Marketing. She then returned to TNP as assistant digital editor.

She now produces The CB Show end-to-end — editing every episode despite only having picked up video-editing in July 2026.

David Ngiau

"Fletch"

In 2000, David became the first non-print film journalist to sit on the Singapore International Film Festival critics' jury, and joined Today at its launch. After 14 years there, serving as Deputy Night Editor in later years, he left to lecture at Temasek Polytechnic.

Now working on two books, he has recent bylines in CNA, The Independent SG and The Star.

CONTACT US

We welcome your opinion on any topic related to ageing in Singapore. You can drop us an email and even attach a video of yourself voicing out your thoughts. Let us know if you'd like to appear on our show. Don't be shy!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse