Yah Lah But Podcast
Hosted by Yah Lah But
Two Singaporean hosts debate local news, politics, and culture, often disagreeing on the path to a nuanced take.
A hybrid news and interview podcast firmly rooted in the Singaporean context. Episodes alternate between two formats: shorter (30-60 min) discussions where the two hosts dissect recent headlines, and long-form (90+ min) interviews with guests who have a unique perspective on Singaporean society. The show's identity is built on the hosts' argumentative but good-natured rapport, aiming to unpack complexity rather than deliver a single verdict.
“The central premise, embodied by the "Yah Lah, But..." name, is its key differentiator. Unlike monolithic commentary shows, its engine is the visible, often unresolved, disagreement between its two hosts, which they use as a tool to explore nuance in contentious local topics.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by comedians and entrepreneurs Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia, Yah Lah But is a thrice-weekly podcast covering conversations Singaporeans are having, but perhaps not out loud. The show mixes timely commentary on news headlines with long-form interviews featuring notable figures in Singaporean arts, activism, and public life. The name, a Singlish phrase meaning "Yes, but...", reflects the show's core dynamic of considering every side and never quite agreeing.
Credentials & credits
- Co-founder, Ministry of Funny (Comedy Production)
- Co-founder, Folklory (Personal Podcasting Service)
- Host, Yah Lah But Podcast
- Comedian & Content Creator (Haresh Tilani)
- Writer & Producer (Terence Chia)
Other ventures
- Ministry of Funny
- Folklory
What kind of podcast
When new episodes drop
- 01Non S’poreans BANNED From Participating in Pink Dot?Jun 28, 2026 · 47s
- 02From High-Flying Civil Servant to Wheelchair-Bound on a Ventilator | #832Jun 24, 2026 · 1h 36m
- 03
- 04London Mayor Inspired by S’pore’s HDB & SM Lee Receives MBS Bomb Hoax | #830Jun 19, 2026 · 36 min
- 05
- 06Gulf States Turning On Iran? | LKY School DeanJun 16, 2026 · 5 min
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01From High-Flying Civil Servant to Wheelchair-Bound on a Ventilator | #832
A deeply personal and emotional interview with Yeo Wee Jim about his journey from the 'Singapore Dream' to a terminal ALS diagnosis, covering loss, legacy, and the meaning of a good life.
- 02Boo Junfeng - From Pink Dot to Directing NDP | #831
Explores the fascinating duality of filmmaker Boo Junfeng, who serves as creative director for both Singapore's patriotic National Day Parade and its largest LGBTQ+ rally, Pink Dot.
- 03London Mayor Inspired by S’pore’s HDB & SM Lee Receives MBS Bomb Hoax | #830
A representative example of the show's news commentary format, where the hosts debate the affordability of Singapore's public housing and discuss other quirky local headlines.
What you'll be asked on this show
Haresh and Terence begin interviews by establishing a warm, personal rapport, often referencing a guest's recent work or a prior connection. They frequently use a chronological framework to guide guests through their life stories, asking broad opening questions that cede the floor for extended narration. The two hosts trade off questions, with one often building on the other's inquiry or gently playing devil's advocate to explore a different facet. They are highly empathetic, especially with sensitive personal topics, but are not afraid to probe into apparent contradictions, such as a guest's involvement in both state-sanctioned and counter-cultural projects. Their style is recognizable for its patient, long-form approach that prioritizes the guest's narrative over rapid-fire questioning.
The show is a two-host video podcast with a mix of formats. News commentary episodes are free-flowing conversations, while interviews are more structured. The hosts, Haresh and Terence, have an established, brotherly rapport that allows for both deep empathy and pointed debate. A recurring "but but but but but" sound effect punctuates their discussions, reinforcing the show's theme.
Questions Yah Lah But keeps coming back to
13 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Yah Lah But reaches for it.
origin
3- Q.01
“Tell us about your life when you were on the 'Singapore Dream' path.”
This question establishes the guest's 'before' picture, setting up a later transformation.
- Q.02
“How did you get the call to work on [a major project]?”
Used to uncover the origin story behind a guest's signature achievement or role.
- Q.03
“Was there fear when you first started [a controversial venture]?”
This question probes the emotional stakes and risks at the beginning of a project.
mindset
2- Q.01
“How did it feel to take a detour from the expected, linear path?”
Explores the emotional impact of a significant life change or career pivot.
- Q.02
“How did it feel to shift from dealing with others' loss to your own impending one?”
A highly specific question that forces a deep comparison between different life experiences.
process
2- Q.01
“Was your creative approach to just push your vision, or was it more calibrated?”
This question differentiates between a guest's personal vision and their collaborative process.
- Q.02
“How did you cope with those difficult feelings?”
A follow-up that seeks to understand the guest's resilience and coping mechanisms.
personal
3- Q.01
“Did you ever feel resentment or bitterness about what happened?”
A direct but empathetic probe into the darker, less-discussed emotions of a difficult experience.
- Q.02
“What was it like the day after the big project was over?”
This question explores the emotional aftermath and comedown from an intense, large-scale endeavor.
- Q.03
“Do you blame people for not understanding grief?”
This question moves from the personal experience to a broader societal observation.
advice
1- Q.01
“What was the epiphany that made you want to speak publicly about this?”
Seeks the specific turning point that transformed a private struggle into a public mission.
future
1- Q.01
“Are people becoming more open about these topics now?”
Asks the guest to comment on societal change and progress over time.
craft
1- Q.01
“Is doing [intense work activity] your ideal way to spend your time?”
This question playfully probes the alignment between a guest's demanding work and their personal passion.
Signature segments
- · Intro: "What's up everybody, welcome to another episode of Yah Lah But..."
- · Tagline: "...your thrice-weekly podcast where we talk about the hottest news with a touch of good old humor."
- · Sound effect: "but but but but but"
- · The hosts' argumentative "Yah Lah, But..." dynamic
- · Direct-to-camera appeals for YouTube subscriptions
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically Singaporean public figures, authors, artists, or activists at the center of a significant national conversation. The show books people with a compelling personal story that illuminates a broader societal issue, from filmmakers navigating cultural divides to former civil servants facing profound life changes.
- Yeo Wee Jimon From High-Flying Civil Servant to Wheelchair-Bound on a Ventilator | #832
- Boo Junfengon Boo Junfeng - From Pink Dot to Directing NDP & Why 377A’s Repeal Is Not The End | #831
- Professor Joseph Liowon Gulf States Turning On Iran? | LKY School Dean
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Sponsorship is primarily from Folklory, a personal podcasting service co-founded by the hosts themselves. The host-read ads are presented as a way to create a meaningful, lasting gift by capturing the stories of loved ones, an angle that aligns with the show's occasional focus on legacy and personal history.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Yah Lah But
People also ask
- What are the hosts' real names?
- The hosts are Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia, co-founders of the comedy production company Ministry of Funny.
- What does 'Yah Lah But' mean?
- It's a popular Singlish (Singaporean English) phrase that translates to "Yes, but...". It reflects the show's format of debating issues from multiple, often conflicting, perspectives.
- What is the show's format?
- The show has two main formats: shorter news commentary episodes with just the two hosts, and longer, in-depth interviews with notable Singaporean guests.
- How often are new episodes released?
- The podcast publishes new episodes three times a week.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, it is an active podcast releasing multiple episodes per week.
- Where can I watch or listen?
- Full video episodes are available on the Yah Lah But YouTube channel. The show is also available on major audio podcast platforms.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
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