Who exactly is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s fourth prime minister? How did he rise to become the city-state’s first leader from a so-called “neighbourhood school” (rather than an elite one)? And what are the challenges Singapore and he will face in the coming years? Host Jean Hew seeks answers to these questions through interviews with his schoolmates, colleagues, and political competitors, as well as other Singaporeans.
The Neighbourhood Boy is a four-episode series, premiering 7 August 2026, with a new episode every Friday. Presented by Jom, a weekly magazine about Singapore (https://jom.media/?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
What does the General Election 2025 tell us about Lawrence the politician, and Lawrence, the leader? And what do the results mean for the future of the PAP, and Singapore?
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Annotated transcript available here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy/e04-akan-datang).
If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success (https://www.jom.media/ge-2025/lawrences-stunning-success?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast)”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work (https://www.jom.media/membership?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast). It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022.
Do tag and follow us today on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JomMedia.mag), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jom.media/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/jom-media-mag/posts/?feedView=all), Telegram (https://t.me/jomontelegram), and/or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jom.media?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc).
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00:00 Introduction
04:01 What political rallies feel like
08:01 The mood ahead of the vote
12:47 Lawrence’s stunning success
18:53 Lawrence’s political capital and agenda
27:34 What’s next for Lawrence and Singaporeans?
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“The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar.
Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
21 Aug 2026
3. Growth at what cost?
Singapore’s remarkable economic success masks deep inequalities in what’s sometimes called a “first-world country with a third-world wage structure”. Related issues that Lawrence Wong will have to contend with are the public housing conundrum, as well as low fertility and high immigration.
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Annotated transcript available here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy/e03-growth-at-what-cost).
If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success (https://www.jom.media/ge-2025/lawrences-stunning-success?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast)”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work (https://www.jom.media/membership?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast). It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022.
Do tag and follow us today on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JomMedia.mag), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jom.media/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/jom-media-mag/posts/?feedView=all), Telegram (https://t.me/jomontelegram), and/or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jom.media?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc).
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00:00 The Singapore “miracle”
05:04 First-world country; third-world wage structure
10:58 Donald Low and Gillian Koh on addressing inequality
17:23 The great HDB conundrum
22:59 The 5 Cs, fertility, and immigration
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“The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar.
Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
14 Aug 2026
2. Party games
Ten years ago, many other men were ahead of Lawrence Wong in the race to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister. How did he pip them?
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Annotated transcript available here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy/e02-party-games).
If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success (https://www.jom.media/ge-2025/lawrences-stunning-success?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast)”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work (https://www.jom.media/membership?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast). It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022.
Do tag and follow us today on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JomMedia.mag), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jom.media/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/jom-media-mag/posts/?feedView=all), Telegram (https://t.me/jomontelegram), and/or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jom.media?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc).
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00:00 Introduction
02:12 Tharman and Heng Swee Keat
09:28 Chan Chun Sing and Ong Ye Kung
16:59 A pandemic star is born
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“The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar.
Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
4 Aug 2026
1. Ah boy to man
Who exactly is Lawrence Wong? A schoolmate, grad school friend, colleague, political opponent, and subordinate help give us a sense of the man. Their stories depict his progress from “neighbourhood” school to ministerial office.
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Annotated transcript available here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy/e01-ah-boy-to-man).
If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success (https://www.jom.media/ge-2025/lawrences-stunning-success?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast)”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work (https://www.jom.media/membership?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast). It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022.
Do tag and follow us today on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JomMedia.mag), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jom.media/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/jom-media-mag/posts/?feedView=all), Telegram (https://t.me/jomontelegram), and/or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jom.media?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc).
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00:00 Introduction
05:43 Lawrence’s “neighbourhood” school days
12:46 Entering government, and the Asian Financial Crisis
18:56 Lawrence in politics
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“The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar.
Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here (https://www.jom.media/podcasts/the-neighbourhood-boy?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
4 Aug 2026
Jom presents: The Neighbourhood Boy — Trailer
Who exactly is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s fourth prime minister? How did he rise to become the city-state’s first leader from a so-called “neighbourhood school” (rather than an elite one)? And what are the challenges Singapore and he will face in the coming years? Host Jean Hew seeks answers to these questions through interviews with his schoolmates, colleagues, and political competitors, as well as other Singaporeans.
The Neighbourhood Boy is a four-episode series, premiering 7 August 2026, with a new episode every Friday. Presented by Jom, a weekly magazine about Singapore (https://jom.media/?utm_source=the-neighbourhood-boy&utm_medium=podcast).
Reach and audience
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Spotify
4.6 / 5
18 ratings
Contact Jom presents: The Neighbourhood Boy
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