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 @deniseardenise

See 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 @deniseardenise

See 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 @deniseardenise

See 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 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.

Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

See 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 @deniseardenise

See 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 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.

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 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.

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 Koordi

If 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 @deniseardenise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.