Best Underground Infrastructure Podcasts (2025)

1
AI and terrorism: What safeguards should be in place to stop self-radicalised youths? 24:58

2d ago24:58

24:58

A recent Ministry of Home Affairs report warns of an increasing risk in extremist ideologies in Singapore, with AI now as a powerful enabler. How is AI changing the radicalisation process and what can be done to combat this? Steven Chia sits down with Kenneth Yeo from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Associate Professor Razwana …

1
As scammers adapt and evolve, how can technology keep up? 30:36

9d ago30:36

30:36

Singaporeans lost a record S$1.1 billion to scams in 2024 - with a majority of victims under the age of 50. As scammers get smarter and more sophisticated, can technology keep up or will it always be one step behind? In this week’s Deep Dive, Li Hongyi and Hygin Prasad Fernandez from Open Government Products talk to Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards a…

1
Will going underground and climate change cause more sinkholes? 19:08

11d ago19:08

19:08

When footage of a woman and her car plunging into a sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road went viral, it raised questions on whether Singapore is susceptible to more sinkholes. With underground construction expanding and climate change reshaping our environment, what are engineers doing to keep our ground stable? Otelli Edwards speaks to David Ng at the …

1
Silent expectations and fatal outcomes: The suicide risk men face 21:03

18d ago21:03

21:03

Singapore reported 314 suicides in 2024, with the sharpest increase among adults aged 30 to 39. Nearly two-thirds were men. What pressures do these groups face? And what are the warning signs? Otelli Edwards and Steven Chia speak with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and the former chief of emergency and crisis care at the Institute of Mental Health, an…

1
More elderly Singaporeans are living alone – should we be concerned? 26:00

23d ago26:00

26:00

The number of elderly Singaporeans living alone has doubled in the past decade. With Singapore on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged” society, the numbers will only climb further. While support systems exist, are they enough when an elderly person needs urgent medical help or even just someone to talk to? Steven Chia speaks with Karen Wee, executiv…

1
Underground Construction Engineering Leadership Insights That Drive Purpose and Impact – Ep 293 28:56

24d ago28:56

28:56

In this episode, I talk with Everett Litton, P.E., Vice President at WSP in the U.S., about what powers major underground construction engineering projects across North America and beyond, from early career moments that shaped his leadership to the role of mentorship in driving the industry forward. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Question…

1
Certis sick leave policy raises tough questions on employer-employee trust 20:16

30d ago20:16

20:16

Certis came under scrutiny recently for a controversial policy requiring officers on medical leave to share their “live” location if they were not at home. While the company has since rolled back the mandate, the debate over workplace sick leave policies continues. How far should companies go to prevent abuse of the system and where does trust fit …

1
Students using AI: Cheating or smarter learning? 29:18

1M ago29:18

29:18

The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) recently accused three students of academic fraud, saying that they used generative AI tools in their assignments. What are the limitations around AI use, when does it cross the line and is it time to rethink the way assignments are designed and assessed? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Associate…

1
Climate Resilient Infrastructure Solutions for Civil Engineering Projects – Ep 292 43:48

1M ago43:48

43:48

In this episode, I talk with Matt Huddleston, PE, Principal Consultant of Climate Resilience Strategy at Resilient Analytics, a Stanley Consultants Company, about how civil engineers can translate climate model projections into actionable strategies that lead to climate-resilient infrastructure. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I …

1
Great Eastern suspends Mount Elizabeth pre-authorisation - time to relook how health insurance is managed? 25:24

1M ago25:24

25:24

When insurer Great Eastern suspended pre-authorisation for admission to Mount Elizabeth hospitals, it raised questions about the way health insurance is managed in Singapore. With increased medical bills and insurance premiums, who is paying for what and where are the gaps? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Associate Professor Jeremy Lim of…

1
Jetstar Asia closure: Are the days of cheap fares over? 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

Jetstar Asia will cease operations on Jul 31, a move unsurprising to experts because the low-cost carrier was struggling to turn a profit in a tough aviation market. Otelli Edwards speaks to Shukor Yusof from aviation consultancy Endau Analytics and Dr Nitin Pangarkar from NUS Business School to find out what the future holds. See omnystudio.com/li…

1
Innovating Demolition and Environmental Services to Build a Stronger Workforce – Ep 291 25:41

2M ago25:41

25:41

In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Todd, MLS, president of LMS General Contractors and founder of A Greener Tomorrow, about demolition and environmental services, specifically how innovation and workforce development are transforming these sectors into more sustainable, inclusive, and opportunity-rich fields. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of…

1
Is Singapore's electric vehicle infrastructure catching up with demand? 24:33

2M ago24:33

24:33

Electric vehicle sales hit a new high in the first three months of 2025, accounting for 40 per cent of total car registrations. Yet concerns about charging networks and capacity remain. Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with transport economist Walter Theseira and Stephanie Tan, CEO of EV-Electric Charging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac…

1
Calling 995? You may be rerouted to the NurseFirst helpline instead – here’s how it works 17:33

2M ago17:33

17:33

Non-life-threatening 995 calls will be directed to NurseFirst, a triage helpline, under a six-month nationwide trial aimed at easing the burden on emergency services. How exactly does it work, and will the public adapt? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards find out from Col Dr David Pflug, chief medical officer of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Dr…

1
How to Manage Construction Project Risks to Survive Economic Shifts – Ep 290 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

In this episode, I talk with Josh Levy, co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch, about how ongoing economic shifts are disrupting the construction industry and why managing construction project risks with contract clauses and technology is essential. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the …

1
Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point? 25:10

2M ago25:10

25:10

Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap recently announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work? Steven Chia …

1
Successful project execution: Tunneling under a mountain to lay a wastewater line, a discussion with HardRock Infrastructure 15:38

2M ago15:38

15:38

Underground Infrastructure sat down with Cory Baker, Chief Operating Officer, HardRock Infrastructure, for an in-depth discussion on the company's 1,740-ft tunneling project for El Paso Water, which involved running a wastewater line underneath a mountain. The discussion includes challenges and the solutions that were used to successful complete th…

1
Cabinet reshuffle: No big surprises but key moves to align the ministries under PM Wong’s 4G team 19:36

3M ago19:36

19:36

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his Cabinet and one surprise was the lack of a second deputy prime minister. Instead, the new Cabinet includes three coordinating ministers. What does that signal? And will there be more changes to come? Steven Chia speaks to independent political observer Dr Felix Tan and Dr Elvin Ong of the National Universit…

1
Better Innovation in Energy Begins With STEM Education for Engineers – Ep 289 46:43

3M ago46:43

46:43

In this episode, I talk with Scyller Borglum, PhD, vice president of underground storage in energy at WSP in the U.S., about what it really takes to thrive in STEM education for engineers, why underground storage is transforming the future of energy infrastructure, and how engineers can develop powerful habits that fuel long-term engineering career…

1
GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with? 21:01

3M ago21:01

21:01

For the first time in 53 years, an independent candidate received more than 35 per cent of vote share, performing better than some smaller opposition parties. Jeremy Tan, who ran in Mountbatten SMC, and Darryl Lo who contested in Radin Mas SMC, join Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards to talk about lessons learnt from their campaigning and their future …

1
How Field Assignments In Civil Engineering Shape Careers Better – Ep 288 30:07

3M ago30:07

30:07

In this episode, I talk with Mariah Schroeder, P.E., senior civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell, about how field assignments in civil engineering give professionals the hands-on experience and design insight needed to grow faster and lead stronger in infrastructure and water projects. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engi…

1
GE2025 results: A closer look at the strong PAP mandate and the opposition strategy 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

Voters gave the People's Action Party and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate in GE2025. What accounted for the result and why couldn't the opposition parties make good on gains from the last election? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and Dr Reuben Ng from the L…

1
WP's Jasper Kuan on the 3-hour chat with former chief Low Thia Khiang that convinced him to run for GE2025 20:09

3M ago20:09

20:09

East Coast GRC candidate for the Workers’ Party Jasper Kuan admits this may not be the right “season” for him to jump into politics because of his three young children. But he tells Steven Chia how a three-hour conversation with Low Thia Khiang changed his mind and why as a former Gifted Education Programme teacher, he believes the education system…

1
GE2025: PAP’s Elysa Chen on being 'kicked into politics' and overcoming imposter syndrome 18:12

3M ago18:12

18:12

Politics was never part of Elysa Chen’s plan, who used to think of the PAP as “paternalistic” and “out of touch”. But one tea session with the PAP led to another, and now, the party’s new face is standing in GE2025. She tells Steven Chia on the Deep Dive podcast why contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC feels like a “homecoming”. See omnystudio.com/li…

1
Live at UIC: Advanced coatings for enhanced safety and reliability, a discussion with OBIC 4:27

3M ago4:27

4:27

Underground Infrastructure speaks with Mike Hoffmaster, Vice President of Business Development, OBIC, regarding his organization's advanced coating technologies for holding systems, treatment facilities, manholes, vaults and other structures susceptible to damage from infiltration or corrosive chemicals.…

1
GE2025: PSP's Stephanie Tan on making the leap from homemaker to political candidate 17:25

3M ago17:25

17:25

After years of being a lawyer, Stephanie Tan became a stay-at-home mum to care for her two daughters. She has used her experience in law to help the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) with their parliamentary work over the last two years. Now a first-time candidate contesting Pioneer SMC, Stephanie tells Otelli Edwards how party chairman Dr Tan Cheng B…

1
GE2025: PAP's Jasmin Lau on saying 'yes' to politics but staying true to herself 20:44

3M ago20:44

20:44

PAP new face Jasmin Lau, who is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, went from government scholar to rising up the ranks in the civil service. She tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast how she copes with self-doubt and why she said yes to entering politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
GE2025: WP's Ong Lue Ping on stepping down from senior leadership at work to join the opposition 20:10

4M ago20:10

20:10

When he decided to be actively involved as a Workers’ Party candidate, Dr Ong Lue Ping, a senior principal child psychologist, decided to move out of a director position at the Institute of Mental Health. The WP candidate for Tampines GRC tells Steven Chia why staying could present a conflict of interest and what prompted him to join the opposition…

1
GE2025: PAP's Dinesh Vasu Dash on how a pivotal turning point in his career led him to politics 20:02

4M ago20:02

20:02

He took a significant pay cut and declined a private sector job to join the Health Ministry to fight the pandemic. Now Dinesh Vasu Dash is running on the PAP ticket as the new face contesting in East Coast GRC in what he describes as a journey with "too many points of twists and turns". He tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Div…

1
GE2025: Breaking down Nomination Day and its surprises 23:22

4M ago23:22

23:22

A last minute move to a brand new GRC, a rare walkover and a four-cornered fight. Steven Chia speaks to SMU Law professor Eugene Tan and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to get some perspective on the state of play of GE2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
PFAS Treatment Technologies: A Practical Guide for Engineers – Ep 287 54:00

4M ago54:00

54:00

In this episode, I talk with Patrick Haney, PE, MBA, water and civil technical lead, and Daniel Stockard, PE, water, and wastewater process engineer from Stanley Consultants, about the latest PFAS treatment technologies, cutting-edge innovations in water purification, and the complex financial and technical hurdles utilities face in tackling these …

1
Live at UIC: The evolution of microtunneling, a discussion with Troy Stokes of Akkerman 18:09

4M ago18:09

18:09

On this episode, Troy Stokes, Sales Manager, Akkerman, discusses his time in the underground infrastructure industry, focusing on the evolution of operations and technologies in microtunneling activities.

1
The dangers of victim-blaming in sexual assault cases 23:33

4M ago23:33

23:33

The former vice-president of the Law Society Chia Boon Teck resigned after he was heavily criticised for his comments about a rape victim. Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Mark Yeo, director at Fortress Law Corporation and Sugidha Nithiananthan, director of advocacy and research at AWARE, about the dangers of victim-blaming. See omnystudio.c…

1
Live at UIC: Growing a technology/service portfolio, a discussion with PURIS' CCO Rylan Ardoin 4:05

4M ago4:05

4:05

Underground Infrastructure takes a deep dive with Rylan Ardoin, Chief Commercial Officer, PURIS, on his company's growth over the past several years, including the innovations and technologies under the PURIS umbrella of companies, including end-to-end water infrastructure renewal solutions and specializing in environmentally sustainable trenchless…

1
Powerful Engineering Team Management Insights You Need to Know – Ep 286 42:18

4M ago42:18

42:18

In this episode, I talk with Haider Ali, lead civil, municipal infrastructure, and water resources engineer at Tetra Tech, about what it takes to lead high-performing engineering teams. We explore key aspects of engineering team management, from overcoming project challenges and tight deadlines to mentoring talent and shaping the future of civil in…

1
How will Trump’s tariffs affect jobs, wages and prices in Singapore? 33:00

4M ago33:00

33:00

The sweeping Trump tariffs are a signal that a new world order is taking shape and one that may affect wages and jobs in Singapore. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing tells Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards what the government plans to do and why he doesn't lose sleep over things he cannot control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Live at UIC: Utilizing software to mitigate risks in underground operations 4:06

4M ago4:06

4:06

On this showcase episode, Underground Infrastructure speaks with Karen Gunderson and Lydia Passolt of KorTerra to learn how their organization helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software cloud and mobile platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulator…

1
Live at UIC: The evolution of confined space training operations 5:34

4M ago5:34

5:34

Underground Infrastructure speaks with Dennis Pivin, Director Health, Safety and Environmental, NASSCO, on the showroom floor at the Underground Infrastructure Conference. Dennis speaks about new confined space training techniques available for underground infrastructure professionals.

1
Tackling inequality is not just down to more government aid: Masagos Zulkifli 39:20

4M ago39:20

39:20

There are still families stuck in an intergenerational cycle of poverty and while the government can provide essential safety nets, real sustained change can only happen when society pitches in too, says Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. Mr Masagos and senior social worker at Care Corner, Flora Tan, join Crispina Robert f…

1
Hydro excavation: Uses, challenges and value in the underground infrastructure market 20:21

5M ago20:21

20:21

Underground Infrastructure sat down with Dustin Rhodes, Product Manager, TRUVAC, to discuss the latest advancements in hydro excavation, including how it is used and what value it brings to the underground infrastructure market.

1
The Truth About Disaster Recovery and Its Powerful Impact – Ep 285 41:11

5M ago41:11

41:11

In this episode, I talk with Len Wright, Ph.D., P.E., D. WRE, subject-matter expert at Witt O’Brien’s, and founder of Bluestream Innovations, LLC, about how civil engineers turn disaster recovery into opportunity, balancing immediate response with long-term resilience to build lasting, sustainable infrastructure. ***The video version of this episod…

1
Singapore's hawker culture can thrive but we need to embrace that it is evolving, says Grace Fu 21:44

5M ago21:44

21:44

With S$1 billion set aside for upgrades and new hawker centres over the coming decades, the Singapore government is tackling issues ranging from infrastructure and hygiene to keep the trade alive. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu tells Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why she's optimistic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…

1
Evolution of the trenchless market: A discussion with Brian Kenkel of Hammerhead Trenchless 16:54

5M ago16:54

16:54

On this episode, Underground Infrastructure speaks with Brian Kenkel, Director of Market Development, Hammerhead Trenchless, on his company's recent acquisition of ProKASRO Services, lining technologies, the current and future state of the trenchless marketplace and much more.

1
Changes to JC admission not meant to increase competition or stress: Chan Chun Sing 34:04

5M ago34:04

34:04

From 2028, students who want to go to a junior college will only need a total of five subjects instead of six. The change is meant to ease academic load but whether it reduces stress for students and parents remains to be seen. Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to unpack the changes. See om…

1
Renewable Energy Projects Can Unlock Hidden Value for Businesses – Ep 284 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

In this episode, I talk with Tyler Marshall, PE, ENV SP, principal environmental engineer & environmental discipline technical lead at Stanley Consultants, and Melissa Edsill Tiedemann TEE-DUH-MEN, AICP, business development manager & senior environmental planner at Stanley Consultants, about the hidden impacts of renewable energy projects, the cru…

1
Can Singapore cinemas survive the onslaught of streaming services? 24:47

5M ago24:47

24:47

Some cinemas which have existed for decades have shut as some people prefer to watch films at home. Can the experience of watching a movie on the big screen be saved? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss with Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector and Ben Slater, senior lecturer at NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media. See omnystudio.com/listen…

1
How To Improve Workforce Development in Civil Engineering With Surprising Results – Ep 283 48:01

5M ago48:01

48:01

In this episode, I talk with Andrew Kenyon, PE, Project Manager at BGE, Inc. and Executive Director of the Florida Civil Educators Foundation (FCEF), about engineering strategies to attract and retain top civil engineering talent, promote workforce diversity, and bridge the civil engineering skills gap. He discusses the biggest challenge preventing…

1
How long will the money flow? 15:04

6M ago15:04

15:04

In this episode, Underground Infrastructure provides its forecast and market analysis of the U.S. municipal sewer/water infrastructure sector. This survey polls U.S. municipalities about their top concerns and issues, 2025 infrastructure spending plans and much more.

1
Budget 2025 help for larger families is neither reward nor incentive: Indranee Rajah 24:09

6M ago24:09

24:09

The government is providing more resources in this year’s Budget for parents who choose to have three or more children. Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to talk about families, jobs and what ideal ageing looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Budget 2025 is more than just an election budget 24:40

6M ago24:40

24:40

A bigger tranche of vouchers, more generous rebates and more investments in the local workforce were some of the hallmarks of Budget 2025. Professor Emeritus of Finance at Singapore Management University Annie Koh and Assistant Professor Chua Yeow Hwee from Nanyang Technological University tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why the “budget goodie…

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