Tell You First

In 1992, Singapore was relegated to Division 2 of the Malaysian football, and publicly humiliated. The Kallang Roar was fading as fans stopped showing up, and the once-dominant team looked finished. Then came brutal training sessions, shock resignations, a match-fixing scandal, and an eight month season that could have collapsed at any moment. Instead, 1994 ended up being the year that saved Singaporean football.In this episode, 987FM DJ and lifelong football fan Joakim Gomez joins us to trace the story of how the “Dream Team” clawed their way from rock bottom back to the top of Malaysian football, and cemented themselves as Singaporean football legends. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Joakim Gomez (@joakimgomez)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might know Bugis Street today as a tourist hotspot selling anything and everything, from souvenirs to clothes and jewelry. But before all that, Bugis Street was known for its midnight drag shows, gang activity, and a notorious dance that involved sticking flaming torches up certain holes. This episode traces how Bugis Street became Singapore’s most popular tourist attraction, why authorities tolerated it for decades, and how it has since been wiped off the map both literally and figuratively.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s food story did not begin in air-conditioned malls. It began beside open drains, on pushcarts, and in smoky back alleys where migrant workers needed cheap meals fast. In this episode, we’re joined by food critic, street food crusader, and Makansutra founder Kf Seetoh, to trace how street hawkers were once labelled a public nuisance, then forcibly resettled into concrete centres, before being awarded Michelin stars and even recognised by UNESCO. We unpack how survival food became national identity, and why the people cooking it are still struggling to survive.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Kf Seetoh (@kfseetoh)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They carried bricks, cleared rubble and helped build modern Singapore, yet most people barely know anything about them. Samsui women arrived on our shores as poor immigrants and worked brutal jobs in construction until the 80s, while living on the margins of the city they helped construct. In this episode, Lynn Wong, founder of Bridging Generations, joins us to trace the history of Samsui women, why they chose this life, and how an entire generation of builders will fade from public memory unless we preserve and pass down their stories.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Lynn Wong (@_bridginggenerations_)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s land reclamation story is not a smooth tale of engineering triumph. It began with failed seawalls, ten year delays and costs that multiplied sixfold, before evolving into a strategy that has reshaped the landscape. In this episode,  we trace how Singapore has spent the past two centuries pushing the coastline outwards, and why the same methods are now hampered by rising costs, environmental damage and political limits. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the mouth of the Singapore River once stood a massive inscribed stone that may have been the oldest written record ever found here. No one could decipher its inscriptions, but its historical significance was never in doubt. This episode tells the baffling story of how the colonial British administration blew up the fabled Singapore Stone in 1843 to make way for a fort. We cover how that single decision erased 500 years of our early history, but also contributed to the  aura of one of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological mysteries. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a moment when YouTube felt like the most exciting place in Singapore. YouTube channels creating slapstick listicles became media conglomerates overnight, cross-genre collaborations were everywhere, and videos on the Trending tab were the talk of the town.   So why did this ecosystem crash and burn as quickly as it came to prominence? In this episode, OG YouTuber Noah Yap joins us to revisit that short-lived golden age of YouTube, unpack how it inspired (and excluded) a generation of Singaporean creators, and why the same magic would be impossible to recreate today.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)   Guest - Noah Yap (@onlynoah)   Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)   Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a quiet Tuesday night in 1991, the routine Singapore Airlines shuttle flight SQ117 from Kuala Lumpur to Changi Airport turned into a nine-hour hostage nightmare. As hijackers flung crew out of the plane, issued ultimatums and set fires in the cockpit, authorities in Singapore made a call that would cement its place in counterterrorism operations history. In this thrilling episode, we walk through the events leading up to when elite SAF commandos stormed SQ117, ending the crisis in just 30 seconds without losing a single hostage. We also highlight some of the lesser known civilian heroes of the story who were instrumental in the safe and sudden end to the crisis. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Orchard Towers opened in the 1970s with food competitions judged by Lee Kuan Yew’s mother and dreams of clean modern retail. Over time, bars, massage parlours, and underground economies moved in. We explore how this transformation happened, the crimes that cemented its reputation, and why its past refuses to disappear even as the building has rebranded.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yellow boots, a giant mole, and broken English. Phua Chu Kang has cemented his place as a household name across Singapore, JB, and some say Batam. But the story behind how the sitcom came to be is far less known. From rehearsing in storerooms with no sponsors, to sweeping major Asian television awards and becoming a regional phenomenon, Gurmit Singh joins us to unpack how Phua Chu Kang was created and why the show almost did not make it past its first season. Along the way, he shares some of the creative risks and struggles that transformed the show into one of the most memorable TV series of its time.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Gurmit Singh (@gurmit.65)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1980s, Singapore was openly labelled the world’s leading producer of pirated tapes, exporting millions of counterfeit cassettes across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In this episode, we trace how piracy became a full-blown industry with factories, retail shops, and global supply chains, and how Singapore shed its past to become global intellectual property hub.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That reinforced room within your HDB flat is not just for luggage and old fans. It’s a blast resistant capsule meant to keep you alive through bomb shocks, debris and even chemical attacks. From British era tunnels to modern HDB shelters stacked like a concrete spine through every block, we explore how Singapore turned everyday homes and MRT stations into a nationwide survival system.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surrounded by modern estates and valued at over a hundred million dollars on paper, residents here still pay rent in the tens of dollars and leave their doors open to neighbours. Behind it all stands one woman and her resistance to commercialisation. This episode explores why Kampong Lorong Buangkok still exists, how the kampong spirit endures, and why some residents refuse to trade for a flat.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has never banned alcohol outright, but after the Little India riot it built a maze of rules that changed Singapore’s drinking culture and stopped people from buying rum raisin ice cream after 1030pm. We explore the incident that sparked the law, the backlash from businesses and residents, the absurd enforcement stories, and whether the crackdown actually fixed the problem or simply moved it out of sight.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before Chinatown became known for its historic temples and colourful shophouses, its streets were controlled by secret societies fighting over turf, vice money, and influence. What began as migrant aid networks slowly morphed into violent gangs, stretching their reach from Chinatown’s back alleys to European drug routes. In this episode, we explore how Singapore’s underworld grew deeper and more organised than most people realise, the rise of infamous figures like Lim Ban Lim and “Mr Big,” and the brutal turf wars of the 1970s and 80s before sweeping new laws finally pushed the scene underground.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began as a celebrity Muay Thai match featuring Steven Lim spiralled into one of Singapore’s darkest sporting moments when bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian collapsed after stepping in as a last minute replacement. Together with Julian Wong from Rice Media, author of Steven Lim: One Last Shot at Fame, we uncover the rushed decisions, the missing safeguards and the tragic chain of events that transformed a publicity stunt into a national tragedy.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Julian Wong Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Katong had cafes and condos, it had a cattle baron who built a seaside palace complete with a tower, fountains and a private football field. Step inside the strangest building in Katong and discover how a teenage money changer became Singapore’s Cattle King, and the scandals that turned his mansion into a site of glamour and crime.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few know that Christmas Island was once run from Singapore, complete with Singaporean schools, homes, and food. But in 1958, a $20 million deal was struck with Australia to transfer ownership of the island. In this episode, we tell the story of the island’s colonial tug-of-war, the politics behind its “sale,” and why visiting today feels like stepping into a 1960s version of home. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know Singapore’s most famous creature wasn’t born from myth, but a government-led marketing effort? Over the years, it’s been loved, mocked, and endlessly reimagined, but it remains as one of Singapore’s national icons. In this episode, we uncover the story behind the creature that was engineered to sell Singapore and accidentally became its soul. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A packet of tissues on a table means one thing in Singapore: it’s reserved. But how did this strange system of trust and order evolve in a city obsessed with efficiency? We explore how “chope culture” has stirred debates about kindness and convenience… and even becoming avant-garde artwork in Paris??Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).Credits:Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Denise Tan (@dizzie_t)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny KoordiIf you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also watch this episode first on the meLISTEN app, or on YouTube one week later through the Mediacorp Entertainment channel.   https://www.melisten.sg/podcast/playlist/Tell-You-First-2577946 Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a quiet corner of Toa Payoh lies a dragon that has seen presidents, queens and generations of children. Once a symbol of modern design and national pride, it now guards memories of sand-filled adventures and scraped knees. We awaken the legend of how this mosaic creature came to define an era of Singaporean imagination and what its survival says about our nation’s playfulness. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From banning Playboy and pinball to cutting the hair of foreign pop stars, Singapore once waged a full-blown crusade on what it called “yellow culture.” This episode dives into the secret morality purge that started with tabloid scandals in the 1950s and spiralled into raids, bans, and a nationwide obsession with purity and control.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legally recognised under British colonial rule, polygamy was rife in the early days of Singapore. Many men chose not to register their marriages, using this loophole to avoid financial or legal responsibility. In this episode, we discover how Singapore’s first generation of women activists set out to rewrite the law, and improve the rights of women in Singapore.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It started in April 2004 with a newspaper article about a bathroom tap. By the time it ended, the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) CEO was in jail, its board resigned, and the majority of Singaporeans had cancelled their donations to NKF. In this episode we break down the scandal that stunned Singapore.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Originally Singapore’s first coal-fired power station, St James has been many things, a warehouse, a nightclub, and now Dyson’s global headquarters. We follow its 100-year journey from fuelling the island’s first lights to powering late-night discos and high-tech innovation, and how it became a symbol of Singapore’s evolution from industrial grit to modern cool.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a few dollars, you could rent a bed beside coffins and wait for death. This was life on Sago Lane, once known as the “street of the dead.” In this episode, we trace the dark history of these death houses, from their origins in 19th-century Chinatown to their eventual ban in 1961, and ask what they tell us about Singapore’s changing relationship with death.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many know Haw Par Villa for its surreal statues portraying themes from Chinese folklore, or maybe even its water splash ride taking visitors through the 10 Courts of Hell. But few know the loss and misfortune that the park and its Hong Kong counterpart share. In this episode, we take you beyond the spectacle to the story of the Aw brothers, the Tiger Balm magnates whose family tragedies and business downfall echoes the fate of the parks themselves.     Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).     Credits:     Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi     If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.     Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has more than a hundred mapped haunted sites, a best-selling ghost book series, and a ghost festival that turns entire streets into altars. But our spirits are more than superstition. In this episode, we explore how Singapore’s ghost stories carry hidden histories of migration, trauma, and maybe even love?   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At over 200 acres, Bukit Brown was once the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China, home to the graves of more than 100,000 people including pioneers like Ong Sam Leong, Chew Boon Lay and the ancestors of Lee Kuan Yew. When plans for an eight-lane highway threatened to cut through it, activists and historians rallied to defend a site rich in heritage and biodiversity. Together with Munah Bagharib, we uncover the history beneath the headstones, the legacies of those buried here, and what is truly at stake when the dead meet the needs of the living. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny). Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Munah Bagharib (@munahbagharib)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi If you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also watch this episode first on the meLISTEN app, or on YouTube one week later through the Mediacorp Entertainment channel.   https://www.melisten.sg/podcast/playlist/Tell-You-First-2577946Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has no space agency, rockets or astronauts, yet it is quietly carving out its role in the global space race. From quantum satellites and blockchain in orbit to students sending experiments to the International Space Station, Singapore has become a hub for space innovation. In this episode, we uncover how startups in Jurong are building satellite engines, why the UN is looking to Singapore for governance, and how despite its size Singapore is punching far above its weight in outer space.    Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are Chinese people burning paper Teslas, Netflix subscriptions and even COVID vaccines for their ancestors? In this episode, we dive into the bizarre and booming afterlife economy, where temples now accept QR code offerings, and lawyers step in to prevent copyright infringements! Follow us as we explore how a centuries-old ritual has morphed into an industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars that mirrors the desires of the living.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, Singaporeans queued with ration cards as dry spells crippled water supply. Fast forward to today, and the island has transformed its biggest vulnerability into one of its proudest triumphs. Join us as we dive into the many ways Singapore's reservoirs help to protect the nation from floods, sustain daily life, and teach the world how to thrive under water stress.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dengue cases were once at an all time high, but now a new ally has emerged: Wolbachia mosquitoes. Released by the millions, these insects use biology to stop their wild cousins from reproducing. In this episode, we’re joined by science educator Biogirl MJ as we explore the science, safety, and real-world impact of this groundbreaking project.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)  Guest - Biogirl MJ (@justkeepthinkingsg)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore once crowned beauty queens with national pride. Then came Ris Low, whose reign stirred controversy, conversation, and a cultural shift. From mental health to media pressure, this episode examines how her experience exposed the cracks in the pageant system and left the industry forever changed. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may be smaller than a football field, but Pedra Branca has been the subject of colonial confusion, a fierce legal battle, and tense standoffs at sea. In this episode, we unpack how one lonely granite island became the focus of a decades-long sovereignty dispute between Singapore and Malaysia.   Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in the ’90s, speaking Singlish in the media wasn’t the norm, but this track broke all the records and the rules. We sit down with musician and Mediacorp Class 95 radio DJ Rai Kannu to revisit the hilarious lyrics, the story behind its creation, and how "Why U So Like Dat?" helped kickstart a wave of Singlish-inspired comedy. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).Credits:Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Guest - Rai Kannu (@rai.kannu)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny KoordiIf you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.You can also watch this episode first on the meLISTEN app, or on YouTube one week later through the Mediacorp Entertainment channel.Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a Studio Ghibli forest, James Cameron’s Avatar and the SuperTrees of Gardens By The Bay have in common? We trace the fantastical inspirations behind the Supertree Grove, from ancient cedar forests to futuristic designs that won global awards.    Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1994, former Solicitor-General Francis Seow published "To Catch A Tartar", a memoir that sparked widespread debate. In this episode, we explore the story behind one of Singapore’s most banned books: why it was written, what it says about the political climate of the time, and why it still gets people talking today. Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).Credits:Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny KoordiIf you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 25th May 1961, a devastating fire wiped out an entire kampong, leaving 15,000 homeless—but was it just a tragic accident or a hidden turning point for Singapore? Discover how the Bukit Ho Swee fire sparked a housing revolution, birthed the HDB, and transformed the nation overnight. From conspiracy theories to political miracles, this is the untold story of the fire that changed Singapore forever!Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).Credits:Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny KoordiIf you're a fan of our work, you can follow the podcast on the meLISTEN app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we discover how ancient Feng Shui principles shape Singapore’s modern skyline - from Marina Bay Sands’ asymmetrical curves to Suntec City’s wealth-retaining "hand-shaped" towers. We learn why the Singapore Flyer spins clockwise for luck, how Boat Quay’s peculiar shape attracts prosperity, and the urban legend of the "dragon vein" beneath Singapore’s surface. And what did the ever-pragmatic Lee Kuan Yew think about the cultural influence of Feng Shui in Singapore?Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).Credits:Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)Commissioning Editor - Danny KoordiIf you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also watch selected video episodes of the podcast on YouTube at the Mediacorp Entertainment channel.Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

// Thank you for supporting and listening to this first season of Tell You First. If you've enjoyed the podcast, please leave a comment to let us know which episodes you liked the most, the most interesting thing you’ve learnt from us, or what topics we should cover in the future. We hope to share more with you again soon! // We’ve all seen the headlines and history books, but what was daily life really like in Singapore during the Japanese Occupation? In this episode, we take you beyond the dates and events to reveal the gritty reality faced by ordinary people under Japanese rule. How did they make ends meet under a harsh regime? What hidden struggles did they endure? Were people treated differently depending on their race? We dive into the scars and lasting lessons this period left on a generation of Singaporeans. Join us on this journey into one of the darkest yet most defining chapters in Singapore’s history.   Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This festive season, as you gather to toss Yusheng high in the air, have you ever wondered: where did this beloved CNY dish really come from? In this episode, we dive into the tangled, messy origins of Lo Hei/Yusheng—a delicacy that sparks both unbridled joy and fierce debate among Singaporeans and Malaysians. Join us as we trace the history behind each symbolic ingredient, and get a taste of the bold, Gen Z twists that are shaking up this age-old tradition. Get ready to see Yusheng in a whole new light!   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone celebrates Chinese New Year, but how many truly understand the ancient Lunar Calendar that shapes its traditions? In this episode, we uncover the fascinating origins of the Lunar Calendar and try to answer why people still follow it today — aligning weddings, business deals, and even travel plans with its auspicious dates. Why does this thousands-year-old system still hold such sway in our modern life? Join us on this deep dive into the secrets of this UNESCO-recognized cultural treasure and the influence it has in billions of lives worldwide.   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many may know about Singapore's difficult period during the Japanese Occupation, but how much do you know about the Sook Ching Massacre? And about how close Lee Kuan Yew was to being captured? Join us as we delve into this forgotten chapter, where a single act of courage from a humble rickshaw puller saved Lee Kuan Yew, and altered Singapore’s destiny forever.   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you get a ticket for any of Taylor Swift’s six Singapore concerts in 2024? While we normally focus on historical trivia and nostalgia here on Tell You First, we’re confident that Tay Tay’s record-breaking run in Singapore will be remembered and talked about for years to come. We relive the mania of that week in March with 987 DJ Ann Nicole and look at Swift’s impact on the economy, the social activities organised around the concerts, and the artistry of the shows themselves. Did we manage to get through the episode without using any Swift puns? Tune in and find out!   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Guest - Ann Nicole (@annnicoleng__) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

// Thank you for tuning in to Tell You First. We will be taking a couple weeks' break to recharge and will be releasing episodes again in the new year. Until then, have a Merry Christmas and happy new year! // Singapore’s time doesn’t actually make sense! Officially GMT+8, our sunrise and sunset differ from other Southeast Asian cities on the same longitude. In this episode, we travel through time, to see how time itself has been set and standardised across the world. You may be surprised that the story of Singapore’s unusual time zone is less a question of science, and more a question of politics and economics! And then there’s the impact of all this on our sleep cycles…  who’s to blame for this time-bending mess?   Credits: Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1994, Singapore went toe-to-toe with the United States… and didn’t lose. American teenager Michael Fay was apprehended for vandalising several cars and properties here, and sentenced to six strokes of the cane. Then-President Bill Clinton himself even got involved, personally reaching out to Singapore’s leaders to appeal the decision. A massive backlash from American media erupted, painting Singapore as a cruel and barbaric country, but we stood our ground. We discuss the severity of Fay’s offences, how both countries navigated the aftermath, and in the ensuing 30 years, how the event shaped the public perception of Singapore.   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You think you know your local kopi, but not like this! We go beyond the usual configurations of kopi-O, kopi-C and kopi siu dai to bring you an in-depth look into the origins of Singapore’s staple beverage. Where did it originate, and how did it become localised? We look at the art of brewing kopi, from the kind of beans used, and the giant sock filter–and how it differs greatly from western coffee at every step. After learning all this, your next sip of kopi is going to hit different!   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How well do you know your fish head curry? It isn’t Singapore’s national dish, but after this episode, you may wonder why it isn’t! With 987 DJ Gerald Koh, we discuss its preparation, variations, and how we basically attack the whole thing, eyes, cheeks and all. We trace its origins to a Sophia Road stall in colonial Singapore, and its enigmatic creator because yes, unlike many other local dishes, this one can be traced back to one guy! It’s a spicy, lip-smacking chat.    Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Guest - Gerald Koh (@geraldkoh987) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say we’re all the same deep inside. In this episode, we put that to the test! We look at the nature of DNA, how it’s passed down through generations, and how much the racial groups of Singapore have in common with each other, according to science. What studies have been done on Singapore’s gene pool, and what do they say about us? Follow us on this investigation that goes back tens of thousands of years, and as far as… Iceland?   Credits:   Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Project Manager - Dominique Lee Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi   If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.   Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardeniseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.