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Tell You First

Mediacorp
Singapore
Mediacorp
World War II
Chinese Culture
Japanese Occupation
National Day Parade
Power Rangers
Fish Head Curry
Chope Culture
Wedding Gatecrashing
Deepavali
Death Houses
Orchard Towers
Lee Kuan Yew
Kopi
Singapore History
Singapore Independence
Comrade Bala
Khoo Wittaya
Singaporean Customs

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes90Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Tell You First

Latest Episodes

Singapore may have no oil, gas or natural resources to speak of, but there was one resource it could not afford to lose: water. For decades, much of Singapore's water supply came from Malaysia, making something as basic as turning on the tap part of ... more

Before TikTok dances and viral fitness challenges, Singapore was Making Workouts Great Again. The Great Singapore Workout campaign encouraged everyone to don bright yellow T-shirts to perform 15 moves in synchrony to a relentlessly catchy song and an... more

The Noose was Singapore’s first and only parody show that poked fun at public office holders, accents, condo names and even why noodle stalls only serve five fishballs. But not everything was fair game. In this episode, creator and head writer Prem A... more

YouTube

What happens when a Singapore megachurch decides to push its beloved pastor's wife to become an international pop star? In the 2000s, City Harvest Church backed Sun Ho's "Crossover Project", an ambitious endeavour that sent her across Asia to perform... more

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Recent Guests

Prem Anand
Executive Researcher at Mediacorp; creator and head writer of The Noose
Med iacorp
Episode: How The Noose Got Away with 10 Years of Mocking Singapore
Jasmine Ng
Filmmaker, writer, and co-writer/co-producer of The AWARE Saga podcast
Saga Podcast; filmmaker
Episode: The AWARE Saga: How We Didn't Shut Up and Sit Down (w Jasmine Ng)
Sonia Chew
Radio TV presenter
Radio/Television personality in Singapore
Episode: The Beyoncé Concert Malaysia Didn't Want You to See
Dick Lee
Singer, songwriter, playwright, film director, and creative director
Singaporean musician and cultural figure
Episode: The OG Singapore Idol Finally Reveals Why Singapore Idol Ended (w Dick Lee)
Ben Kheng
Singaporean musician (Not Alone, Sam Willows member, multi-hyphenate)
Singer-Songwriter / Actor
Episode: Should Only Singaporeans Write National Day Songs? (w Ben Kheng)
Wendy Cheng
Wendy Cheng, also known as Xiaxue, Singaporean blogger and online personality
Xiaxue online brand
Episode: Sarong Party Girls: “Ang Moh Better?” A History of the Stereotype
Joakim Gomez
MedIaCorp presenter, 13-time NDP host
Mediacorp
Episode: The Year Singapore Football Became A Joke
Kf Seetoh
Culturepreneur, founder of Makansutra
Makansutra
Episode: Hawker Culture: From Illegal to UNESCO Recognition
Lynn Wong
Founder and Director of Bridging Generations
Bridging Generations
Episode: Samsui Women: The Original Girlbosses Who Built Singapore

Hosts

Terence Chia
Host with partner Haresh Tilani; co-hosts topics ranging from culture and history to current affairs and media industry insights.
Haresh Tilani
Co-host pairing with Terence Chia; brings humor, cultural commentary, and guest-led conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 151 ratings
  • Where’s new episode

    Yo this podcast is kinda dead man pls update on new episodes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Britain xu
    Singapore6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback notes episodes can be infrequent, with requests for more timely releases.
Guests with insider perspectives are highly valued by listeners and can boost engagement.
The show's local focus and storytelling style are seen as unique advantages for audiences seeking cultural insight.
Listeners appreciate the mix of humor and deep context across topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#53
Singapore/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
Singapore/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How The Noose Got Away with 10 Years of Mocking Singapore
Q: What made the show resonate enough to earn an Emmy nomination and continue for nine seasons?
A combination of relatable characters, timely yet timeless humor, strong chemistry among cast members, a fast and improvisational production style, and a willingness to take risks while collaborating with censors and executives created a unique voice that connected with audiences and international judges, culminating in Emmy recognition and sustained Audience engagement.
How The Noose Got Away with 10 Years of Mocking Singapore
Q: What was the role of censorship and how did you navigate it?
We established a strong working relationship with in-house censors from the start, submitting scripts for review and negotiating edits when necessary, while standing firm on editorial choices when appropriate. This collaborative approach allowed provocative topics to be explored without compromising safety, and the crew stayed prepared to respond quickly to any complaints.
How The Noose Got Away with 10 Years of Mocking Singapore
Q: How did the idea for a parody news show come to life against initial skepticism?
It started from a departmental brainstorm, where the idea was pitched as a parody of the news with fake news segments and lampooned current affairs. The room initially rejected it, but a determined team persisted, pitched to the network, and the executive leadership saw potential, leading to a pilot and eventually a full series.
The Beyoncé Concert Malaysia Didn't Want You to See
Q: How does Singapore compare to Malaysia in terms of concert openness and regulatory approach?
They argue Singapore tends to be more open and organized, with clear processes that facilitate events, while still requiring compliance with cultural and religious sensitivities, creating a framework that supports international acts with fewer outright bans.
The Beyoncé Concert Malaysia Didn't Want You to See
Q: Do you think Malaysia's strict guidelines help or hinder artistic expression in the long run?
The panelists suggest it's a complex balance: guidelines protect cultural norms but can suppress certain performances; over time, better dialogue and adaptable staging allow artists to express themselves without outright bans, though some acts still face censorship.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tell You First

What is Tell You First about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Edutainment conversations spanning culture, history, politics, and technology anchored in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Across episodes, topics drift from music censorship and live performances to historic geopolitical moments, financial scandals, legal dramas, and tech origins, all through accessible host banter and deep-dive storytelling. Distinctive traits include a strong local focus, a knack for weaving personal anecdotes with broader context, and a balance of humor and rigor that helps complex subjects land for curious listeners. The show often features guest voices from music, media, culture, and tech, enriching conversations with insider perspectives while preserving a sharp, entertaining perspective for a broad audience.

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How many listeners does Tell You First get?

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How many subscribers and views does Tell You First have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Tell You First?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Tell You First:

1. Yah Lah But
2. The Daily Ketchup
3. Deep Dive
4. The Usual Place
5. Tech Brew Ride Home

How many episodes of Tell You First are there?

Tell You First launched 2 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Tell You First?

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What guests have appeared on Tell You First?

Recent guests on Tell You First include:

1. Prem Anand
2. Jasmine Ng
3. Sonia Chew
4. Dick Lee
5. Ben Kheng
6. Wendy Cheng
7. Joakim Gomez
8. Kf Seetoh

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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