In 2019, Brandon Ho asked God an earnest question: “What more can I do for You, Lord?”
The former TV host and content creator felt the Lord say, “Use your gifts and talents for Me. Speak for Me.”
At that moment, it clicked for Brandon. “Why wasn’t I using my gift of speaking to share the love and light of Jesus Christ with the masses?” he pondered.
He quickly identified the perfect format: a vodcast—a blend of his talents, passions, and available resources.
With a team of volunteers and his wife, Phoebe Heng, Brandon launched Let’s Get Real in 2020 — the first Christian vodcast (podcast show also available in video format) in Malaysia.
With 38 episodes and over 420,000 views so far, Let’s Get Real is in its sixth year in the Malaysian media landscape.
Brandon has hosted guests from diverse backgrounds, including actors, politicians, pastors, educators, musicians, and entrepreneurs.
Through the sharing of testimonies and stories of faith, he hopes that both believers and seekers will come to realise that God is truly real.
From humble beginnings to household name
At 31, Brandon shot to fame a decade ago as one of the hosts of 8TV Quickie, a variety talk show that aired on Malaysian national television.
His sharp wit, boyish charm, and relatable humour quickly captivated young Malaysians, leading to a flourishing career in entertainment and media.
To outsiders, it may have seemed that Brandon had the best of life handed to him on a silver platter, but nothing could be further from the truth.
He grew up in extreme poverty, experiencing sushi for the first time at 18, and worked various odd jobs during his teenage years, from hanging banners on street lamps to washing claypot rice dishes.
“There were literally dark days when our power supply would be cut off because we couldn’t keep up with the bills. I remember tossing and turning, unable to sleep because of the sweltering heat,” he recalled.
However, his humble beginnings provided a strong foundation for his faith in God, who shielded him from worldly temptations amid the sudden influx of money and fame.
Changed by God’s pure, genuine love
“I’m a second-generation Christian, and went through the motions of growing up in church. However, Jesus was really more of my parents’ God than mine,” he said.
His relationship with God began in the pit of despair when he was 18.
Brandon had just broken up, his family was struggling financially and he was finding little joy in his studies.
“One night, I was studying for exams but couldn’t concentrate. The Holy Spirit nudged me (not the first time) to come back to God, and somehow, I relented to the still small voice.
That was the night my parents’ God became mine. I told God that whatever I do in the future, it will be for Him and His Kingdom,” he said.
This deep awareness of God’s mercy in his life, combined with the guidance of his prayerful and discerning wife, empowered Brandon years later to heed the Lord’s prompting for Let’s Get Real.
An undeniable calling
When Brandon first conceived the idea for Let’s Get Real, he had no equipment, no studio and no team.
For several months, the idea lingered until Phoebe jolted him out of his procrastination and urged him to act in faith.
“I went to Jin aka Jinnyboy (my boss and an established Malaysian influencer) and told him of my desire to start a Christian podcast show. He’s not a Christian, but he graciously let us use the studio and equipment without cost for our first season,” Brandon shared.
Slowly but surely, Let’s Get Real began to take shape as volunteers-turned-friends rallied around Brandon and Phoebe to help kickstart the show.
It was also a matter of divine timing that the first episode launched in June 2020, just as the pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown in Malaysia.
“Essentially,” Brandon said with a laugh, “God gave us a captive audience.”
Every number is an actual soul
“The podcast, or in our case the vodcast, is one of the best ways to share stories, especially to Gen Z,” Brandon revealed.
A year after the show launched in 2020, the team realised they needed to manage the increasing engagement and create a space for viewers seeking community and meaningful conversation.
“It started with the question, ‘What about the people?’ Every number and every view represents an actual soul. How do we reach out and connect?” he pondered.
As the social platform Discord was gaining traction, they decided to start a server in 2021.
This platform has become invaluable for Let’s Get Real, funnelling listeners into an encouraging community of over 750 believers and providing a space for people to submit prayer requests, questions, or needs.
We can only give of what we have received
Like all start-ups, the journey has not been without its challenges.
In the digital space, it’s easy to measure success by the number of views or engagements. When an episode underperforms, it can be demoralising.
For Brandon, the key has been perseverance—pushing through the overwhelming desire to give up. This resolve applies not just to him but to the entire team.
Phoebe, who plays a crucial role in prayer and team welfare, shared that before each new season, the couple gathers the team to pray and seek guidance together.
“My heart is always for the team first, to have breakthroughs in their own spiritual life even before getting the reach or numbers. If our team is not well-fed spiritually, we cannot truly bring any impact,” she said.
By prioritising their own walk with God before their work with others, the team has seen spiritual fruit.
They have received hundreds of messages from believers and seekers alike, all looking for answers to their questions about God and Christianity.
“That’s our desire: for every person to know God personally. My first prayer and hope is for God to reveal His faithfulness to them,” Brandon added.
Dreaming big for 2025 and beyond
In closing Season 5 last year, Brandon felt led to wrap up with a personal reflection on how far God has brought Let’s Get Real.
What started as a borrowed space has now evolved into its own studio, complete with equipment and a dedicated set.
“I truly believe 2024 was our breakthrough year. It feels almost like a farmer who planted a seed a long time ago, and now the fruit is starting to come forth,” he said, adding that the team is dreaming big for this year.
Interestingly, 70% of their contributions so far have come from individuals rather than major donors, with the remaining 30% coming from churches.
“God has been so, so real. It just proves this: Let’s Get Real does not belong to Brandon Ho. It’s not a Brandon Ho ministry, it’s a people ministry,” the show’s host said without missing a beat.
The team now aims to explore regional markets and transition from a volunteer-run initiative to a full-fledged Christian organisation.
“I really want to be able to pay my team,” Brandon shared. Since its inception, the Let’s Get Real team has been made up entirely of volunteers, with no one receiving a salary.
Looking ahead, Brandon and Phoebe may not know exactly what the future holds, but they trust that God will continue to use Let’s Get Real for His glory.
“Wherever He calls us to go, we will go,” he affirmed. “Our prayer is simply for God to shine brighter.”
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This article was first published on Salt&Light.
