Tell You First

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...

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 o...

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 Funn...

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...

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 Fir...

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 busine...

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 Minis...

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 Baghar...

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 Singapor...

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 dolla...

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...

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 prod...

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 (@ministryoff...

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 (@ministryoffu...

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 Mediac...

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:   Hos...

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 o...

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...

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 s...

// 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...

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...

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 ou...

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...

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...

// 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...