Shows / A Pair of Dads
A Pair of Dads
Raising kids, strengthening relationships, and finding joy in the everyday—A Pair of Dads is where fathers come together to talk about it all. Hosted by Benny Lai, this podcast invites fellow dads and others to share their joy, insights, and experiences in parenting and life. Sometimes, we step back to observe the world around us, but at its core, this is a podcast about fatherhood, family, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
Episodes
A Pair of DadsBoxing, Battles, and Teenage Sons: Navigating High-Stakes Sports as Dads
Roel shares the edge-of-your-seat anxiety of watching his 19-year-old son step into the ring for the Golden Gloves boxing tournament in Malaysia to face…
A Pair of DadsWhen Mom's Nervous System is on Fire: Dysregulation, Apologies & "School of Yapping"
Young mother and content creator Deborah (@celestiamuse)—known for candidly sharing the raw, unvarnished realities of her parenting journey online—joins Benny…
A Pair of DadsToughen Up: Stop Barking Orders and Start Failing in Front of Your Kids
Are parents farming out their children's education while doomscrolling on the sidelines? Author, entrepreneur, and HYROX athlete Alex Nicholas calls out modern…
A Pair of DadsFrom Clean Wages to Dirty Races
Are Singapore’s ministers worth top private-sector salaries, or is the "clean wage" model flawed? The crew tackles hard-hitting political compensation…
A Pair of Dads"I Explained Sex to My Kids in Primary 3!" – Benny’s Unconventional Parenting Strategy
While Ian insists he could never discuss his personal life with his family, Benny shares his tactic of using needle-and-injection analogies to explain human…
A Pair of DadsIs Touching Someone’s Child Ever OK? Ian & Arisya Debate "Kampong Spirit" vs. Red Flags
After a simple head-pat turns into a physical brawl, the panel debates where to draw the line between friendly community warmth and stranger danger. Ian shares…
A Pair of Dads"20-Year-Old Guys Are Getting Botox?!" – Ian, Arisya & Geber Argue Modern Masculinity
Are rough, rugged men officially out of style? Host Benny gets a massive reality check from guests Ian, Arisya, and Geber as they dissect how K-pop idols…
A Pair of DadsIs ‘Happy Wife, Happy Life’ Destroying Your Marriage? – Parenting expert exposes the Queen vs. Mama Bear Trap
Think deferring to your wife keeps the peace? Think again. Dr. Binyamin Rothstein breaks down ancient soul powers—Mama Bear vs. Queen energy—and reveals how…
A Pair of DadsAre Singapore Men Stupid?
Ian holds nothing back, calling out young Singaporean men for falling for online flex culture and dropshipping gurus on YouTube. Together with Geber, Den and…
A Pair of DadsWhy Nobody Wants Kids Anymore (And Why Social Media Is Making It Worse)
Is Singapore's plunging TFR just about high costs, or are we doom-scrolling our way out of parenthood? We tackle the media's obsession with parenting…
A Pair of DadsNo Kids, No Car, More Pets: The Gen Z Trade-Off
Why buy a car when there’s Grab, and why have kids when you can be a fur parent? Benny challenges Daryl on why Gen Z views basic milestones—like a driving…
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Escaping the Rat Race or Just Escaping Judgment?
When Singaporeans move to Canada or Australia for "better opportunities," are they actually finding more jobs, or just a place where being a plumber or…
A Pair of DadsInternational Women’s Day: Is it Still Relevant in Singapore?
We’re going there. The dads discuss whether gender-specific celebrations like International Women's Day still hold weight in a society that claims to be equal…
A Pair of DadsSurvival of the Social: Why "People Skills" are the Ultimate AI-Proof Career
If AI can do the math, the marketing, and the code, what’s left for us? Christopher Magendran is an IT consultant that designs IT solutions for his clients. He…
A Pair of DadsThe "DINK" Lifestyle: Why "Selfishness" is the New Survival Strategy
"Dual Income, No Kids" isn't just a trend; it's a survival tactic. GenZs; Ian, Geber and Teris share why government grants aren't enough to solve a…
A Pair of DadsRaising the "Entitled" Child: How to Be an Authority Without Being a Tyrant
There is a fine line between a child-centered home and a child-run home. Dr. Kristen Cook, a pediatrician based in Chicago, Illinois shares the "Parenting…
A Pair of DadsThe Myth of the "Typical Singaporean"
Who gave that influencer the right to speak for you? Benny and Roel kick off the episode by calling out the "marketing gimmicks" of online…
A Pair of Dads(BCM) Pillars, Parents, and Pedagogy: Navigating Today’s Relationship Minefields
In this episode, the dads question the internet’s "dump him" culture as they discuss a viral Reddit post where a sexual quirk threatens an otherwise…
A Pair of DadsA World of Abundance: Utopia or a Nightmare?
Imagine a future where AI and robots do all the work, healthcare is free, and money is obsolete. While Benny sees a world of abundance where we are free to…
A Pair of Dads100km Challenges & Inflamed Knees: Pushing Limits in Your 40s
After seeing a TikToker walk 100km in 24 hours, Benny and CK debate the line between being "inspiring" and just plain "demoralizing." From…
A Pair of DadsThe Illusion of Control: Lessons from the Corporate World
Does believing you control every outcome lead to better performance or just more stress? Benny introduces a perspective that challenges the standard corporate…
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Fatherhood and the "Safe" Bet: Parenting from a Distance
Even on a guys' trip in Vietnam, the "Dad Brain" never truly shuts off. Between navigating traffic and historical sites, the conversation inevitably…
A Pair of DadsThe Weight of Being There: Why Museums Matter
Is it better to read about history in a book or stand where it actually happened? Benny and Roel contrast their prior knowledge of the Vietnam War with the…
A Pair of DadsLost in HCMC: Maps, Motorcycles, and Memories
Join Benny and Roel as they dodge construction smoke and motorcycles on a 27-minute trek to the War Remnants Museum. Between debating whether Google Maps…
A Pair of DadsFrom Yale PhD to Autism Advocate: Finding the Root Cause & Path to Independence | Dr. Theresa Lyons
We're thrilled to welcome our first guest from the US, Dr. Theresa Lyons, a computational chemist from Yale, for a game-changing discussion on autism. Dr…
A Pair of DadsFrom K-Pop Stalkers to AI Spouses: The Rise of Parasocial Relationships
What happens when the line between fan and friend disappears? In this episode, Benny and his Gen Z guest, Ian, dive deep into the world of "parasocial…
A Pair of DadsDefying the Odds: A 36-Year-Old Grandmother's Unapologetic Life Story
In this special Christmas episode, join Benny as he sat down with the remarkable Shirli Ling, an entrepreneur, content creator, and actress who became a…
A Pair of DadsFinding Emotional Foundations in a Mechanical Dating World
Ching and Rick, the passionate founders of Until 11:11, discuss why dating has become "very mechanical" and transactional. They open up about their…
A Pair of Dads(GTD Series) Fur Babies vs. Real Babies: Why Are We Judging the Next Generation?
In this second part of the 2-part GTD in Sentosa series, hosts Benny and Roel dive into the controversial trend of Gen Y and Gen Z choosing pets over children…
A Pair of Dads(GTD Series) Bare Ass and Big Tech: The Mortifying Truth of the 32km March
This episode has everything: old war history, the future of work, and a painful National Service story. While exploring Sentosa’s hidden trails, Benny recounts…
A Pair of DadsIs Being Single the Ultimate 'Flex' for Gen Z?
In a world that tells you to find 'The One,' why are so many Gen Zs in Singapore choosing to go solo? Ian and Sarah share their perspectives on whether the…
A Pair of DadsReal Life Is a Distraction: The Young's Battle with Gaming's New Business Model
For some, games aren't a hobby—they're the priority. Join us as we dissect the exorbitant cost of modern gaming, from $100 titles to endless subscriptions…
A Pair of DadsStop Probing: The Manager's Guide to Setting Boundaries and Saving Your Sanity
Are you carrying your employees’ emotional baggage? Our hosts tackle the evolution of their management styles. Roel explains why he consciously shifted away…
A Pair of DadsThe 10-Year Itch: Escaping Your Hewlett-Packard Moment and The Challenge of Friend-Colleagues
After a long career at one place, you start to feel it: The 10-Year Itch. CK experienced it at HP, and now he's feeling the stagnation in his current…
A Pair of Dads(GTD Series) Appearance vs. Ethics: The Night Hike That Went Deep
In a new series, Go-The-Distance, GTD, Benny and CK took the conversations outdoors! In this first episode, what started as a conversation "about…
A Pair of Dads"More Conversations, Less Wokeism": Chermaine Kumar on Bridging the Divide
Actress Chermaine Kumar argues that while diversity efforts are important, "wokeism works against itself" by focusing too heavily on what divides us…
A Pair of Dads"Don't Be a Burden!": Roel's Simple Advice for Guiding Your Children’s Big Choices
In one of the most insightful moments of the episode, both dads discuss their differing parenting stance: when your kids face major life decisions (like career…
A Pair of DadsThe Big Question: Why Do We Want to Leave Singapore?
Benny sits down with his guests to discuss the future. In a wide-ranging discussion, they share their honest thoughts about why staying in Singapore "just…
A Pair of DadsHas City Life Made Us Soft? A Conversation with Michelle Wee
Is our modern, city-based lifestyle hindering our children’s development? We speak with Parenting coach Michelle Wee about the concept of “unnatural” city…
A Pair of DadsIs Your Purpose Your Paycheck?
Is purpose a monetary thing, or is it something more? Roel and I challenge the notion of "flat pay" and explore whether employees can find purpose when…
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Can We Learn to Love? The Case for Relationship Courses
Is the secret to a healthy relationship something you can learn in a class? While Benny believes structured courses are the key to preventing infidelity, CK…
A Pair of DadsFrom Outfield to Forest School: A Father's Leap of Faith
From a happy-go-lucky outfield warrior in the army to a founder of a forest school, Jenson shares his personal journey and the leap of faith he took to start…
A Pair of DadsConfessions of a Former Bully
In a segment that will have you on the edge of your seat, one of the podcast hosts makes a stunning confession: he was a bully in primary school. He shares a…
A Pair of DadsMaslow's Modern Crisis: Is the Pursuit of Self-Achievement Making Us Unhappy?
In a world of constant connection, why do we feel more isolated than ever? Join Benny and father-of-two, Roel, on a powerful episode of "A Pair of…
A Pair of DadsFrom Self-Harm to Self-Love: A Journey Through Youth Mental Health
In a powerful "A Pair of Dads" session, Benny, explored the profound challenges facing youth mental health with his guests. Featuring a poignant…
A Pair of DadsBeyond the Screen: Navigating Intelligence, Dependency, and the Human Edge in a Digital Age
What defines 'smart' in a world where technology does so much for us? Benny, CK, and Jermyn of "A Pair of Dads" engage in a lively debate about the…
A Pair of DadsFrom Catwalk to Critical Thinking: A Gen Z Model's Take on Career & Society
How does a young model's journey in Singapore’s dynamic industry offer a unique lens on broader societal shifts? "A Pair of Dads" welcomes Ian to…
A Pair of DadsThe Crossroads of Legacy: Career Choices, Cost of Living, and Cultivating Resilience in the Next Gen
How do modern career paths intertwine with the surging cost of living, and what does this mean for raising resilient, independent children? In this episode…
A Pair of Dads"Excuses, Reasons & Roadworks: A Dad’s Journey from Johor to Fukuoka"
What starts as a hilarious tangle of late arrivals and traffic lights quickly dives into deeper discussions—from the logistics of road trips in Japan to how we…
A Pair of DadsNot a Victim: One's Challenge to Those Who Whine Louder Than They Try
She doesn’t want your pity. She wants you to think. In this episode, Benny's guest calls out the culture of victimhood and entitlement she sees around her—and…
A Pair of DadsTalent, Tests & Tech: Raising Kids in a Confusing World
Can doing three things make you talented? Should PSLE still decide a child’s fate? And is critical thinking just code for questioning everything? Benny, CK…
A Pair of DadsShaping Young Minds: Can Educators Navigate a Polarized World Without Bias?
As Singapore pulses with election fervor, host Benny and educator Chee Keong confront a burning question: Should teachers tackle politics in the classroom, or…
A Pair of DadsElections, Youth, and the Vanishing Kampung Spirit
Why are so many young people today turning away from hard work and community values? Are we losing the very spirit that built our societies? In this lively and…
A Pair of DadsFrom Little Red Dot to Big Bold Future
Buckle up for a mind-blowing chat as host Benny teams up with visionary Calvin Soh to crack open the future! Inspired by his book The Big Red Dot, Calvin…
A Pair of DadsFrom Courtroom to Stage: A Father’s Story of Love and Art
I sat down with Jay, a passionate performing artist and father, to explore how he’s navigated the highs and lows of parenting through divorce. Jay shares his…
A Pair of DadsThe Magic of Motherhood & Business: Amanda’s Secret to a Joyful Life
Can running a business and raising three boys be a joyful adventure instead of a constant struggle? Amanda, a thriving entrepreneur and dedicated mom, reveals…
A Pair of DadsPassion, Purpose, or Just Survival? Rethinking What We Work For
Do we work for money, fulfillment, or something more? Roel and I break down the evolving relationship between work and identity, the challenge of finding…
A Pair of DadsMasculinity, Marriage & Modern Fatherhood: Are Gender Roles Changing?
Are men still expected to be the providers and protectors, or is fatherhood evolving? In this episode, Eric and I unpack traditional vs. modern gender roles in…
A Pair of DadsBeyond Success: What Really Makes a Child Great?
We push our kids to excel—good grades, prestigious schools, high-paying jobs. But is that enough? In this episode, I sit down with Li Woon to discuss what…
A Pair of DadsKeeping the Bond: How to Stay Connected with Your Growing Child
As children grow into teenagers, staying connected becomes more challenging than ever. In this episode, Marcus and I explore the delicate balance between…