Tell You First
Tell You First
Hosted by the dynamic duo behind Ministry of Funny and Yah Lah But... - Haresh Tilani & Terence Chia - "Tell You First" is an edutainment podcast that aims to dive into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know. And the fun doesn't stop there—sometimes, we bring in special guests to join the laughter! Tune in for a one-of-a-kind blend of comedy and knowledge, and uncover a w…Social links:
Follow the podcast:
Comrade Bala: The Monster Made in Singapore
We don’t talk about Comrade Bala, because he was a cult leader in South London who convinced women he had supernatural powers, and held them captive for decades while sexually assaulting them. Yet, what many probably don't know is that this enigmatic figure was actually once a Singaporean citizen, …
35:21
Deepavali: A Guide For the Rest of Us (w Rai Kannu)
How well do you know Deepavali? Haresh takes a deep dive into the origins of the Hindu festival with Class 95 radio DJ and musician Rai Kannu. Hear them test each other’s knowledge of the ancient texts and meaning behind the rituals. Learn how Deepavali is celebrated across the diverse regions and …
37:01
How Singapore Got Its Internet Groove
Today Singapore has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world, but it all had to start somewhere! Haresh and Terence take a good look at the nation’s browser history, reminiscing about what it felt like to access the Internet in its early days, before the dizzying advent of social …
37:19
Night Safari: Why Visit a Zoo at Night?
We uncover the fascinating story behind Singapore's world-famous Night Safari, the OG of night zoos in the world. Now in its 30th year of existence, we go deep into how this groundbreaking attraction came to life, and highlight the challenges, innovations, and vision that transformed a gimmicky ide…
34:08
Disappearing Genitals: The Koro Crisis of 1967
We explore the bizarre incident that is the Koro Crisis of 1967, when a widespread panic over shrinking genitals gripped Singapore. Delve into the psychological, cultural, and social factors that fueled this mass hysteria, turning an old wives’ tale into a national crisis. We’ll unpack the strange …
34:26
Why Singapore TV Peaked in the 90s (w Vernetta Lopez)
Was there a better time for English language Singapore TV than the 1990s? Masters of the Sea, Rollin’ Good Times, Happy Belly, The Ra-Ra Show, Pyramid Game and much more appeared on our screens all at once. We reminisce with radio deejay Vernetta Lopez, who was there when it all happened, playing D…
51:38
Brewing a Legend: The History of Beer in Singapore
We’re all familiar with Tiger Beer and other craft beers that were created here, but what do we really know about the history of beer brewing in Singapore? In this refreshing episode, we dive into the rich history of beer brewing in Singapore, and how the origin story of Tiger Beer is closely inter…
29:20
Why Singapore Hated Long Hair in the 1960s
Did you know that long hairstyles on men were banned for a brief period in Singapore? In this episode, we delve into the unique and controversial Long Hair Ban in Singapore from the 1960s. Discover why the government decided to target men with long hair, the social and cultural implications of the …
33:06
From Vatican to Lion City: The Pope’s First Visit to Singapore
The Pope is coming to Singapore! But did you know that the Pope already did visit SIngapore once, nearly 40 years ago? Join us in this enlightening episode as we recount the events of the first Papal by Pope John Paul II on 20 November 1986. Was there a buzz in the air? Who did he visit in his shor…
29:43
The Teenage Suicide Pact That Shocked Singapore
In this somber episode, we delve into the chilling story of the “Slayers” Suicide Pact that happened right here in Singapore in 2008. We go through the disturbing chain of events that led a group of young individuals to make a tragic pact, and examine the psychological, social, and cultural factors…
31:22