As someone noted, the topic asks what "before" the singularity, which implies there was time before the start of time as we measure now, it is like talk of a division by zero.
Let someone understand this topic himself. I do not believe it is possible to explain it to others, without include the math. Or audience should understand the math, and so already know what you talk about.
Explaining it is a matter of make examples, to compare with something already in the mind of reader. For example a concert in that place at that time to explain x,y,z + time = 4D. Now, let explain 6D or 11D (actually our universe got that), there is no any way to explain this by example. As well as explain quantum stuff. In fact, these behave different from anything anyone could have experience or expect. Must forget experience and common sense, and apply the math.
Said this, I only believe in reading the actual talk between scientists - anything else give a false sense of understanding. Let's say it is like read real ICQ chats between site owners, so the plain truth in bro language, versus an article or press release, so the fake propaganda in easy English.
The real science texts it can somewhat understood by googling each term you don't understand, then you find a wikipedia or else resource about it - there you may find more terms you don't know and google it back and so on, like expanding a puzzle.
I do have science background but not enough to have a salary for just write about this stuff, unlike academics. Much like others who posted here, I fund my science via pussy pimping.
Let me post a few selected texts about the topic, pre and post big-bang, what was before and how we pass from before and after it:
Need to think in terms of string theory and branes:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1305.2809v2.pdf
Do not forget Dark Energy and Dark Matter:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1309/1309.5707.pdf
Loop quantum cosmology string theory pre and post big bang:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.2385v1.pdf
Another nice one on loop quantum cosmology:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1305.2344v1.pdf
big-bang as the collision of two parallel branes (I second that):
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1306.6582v2.pdf
Description of the Big Crunch-Big Bang transition:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1209.1068v2.pdf
But there's several theories, no one won consensus yet:
big crunch <-> big bang transition as a bounce:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.0739v1.pdf
quantum big crunch to big bang transition:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1209.5222v1.pdf
Holographic Origin of the Big Bang from 5D space-time:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1309.1487v2.pdf
Another guy thinks our universe came from a collapsed 5D:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1211.6326v4.pdf
Double Field Theory Cosmology (pre and post big bang):
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1307.0159v3.pdf
Theory of universe not originating from big bang singularity:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1311.4051v1.pdf
Have a good read, even just understanding 3% of above texts it may give more insight than any propaganda video documentary or gossip magazine article.