Reimagining Government
A podcast shining a light on government changemakers around the world
Governments are under increasing pressure to bring about the results people expect while remaining trusted and relevant. However, they are often not set up to respond to the complex challenges we face as a society.
This podcast explores radical new approaches to addressing global issues. By speaking with public servants and politicians at the heart of government, we’ll shine a light on how to reimagine government so it works for everyone.
Available on your favourite streaming platform. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcast, get in touch or leave us a voice note.
Special: Storytelling and government
Stories can change lives, communities, and systems.
In this episode, we explore how telling and listening to stories can help to reimagine government.
We’ll hear about how one man’s story of caring for his mother ignited a cultural shift in how stories are embedded in Scottish public services, and how a controversial fruit is helping to break down barriers between communities in Indonesia.
This special episode is part of the Digital Kick-off for the Creative Bureaucracy Festival 2024. #cbf24
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Rosie McIntosh (Host) - Global Director, Storytelling and Communications, Centre for Public Impact
Tommy Whitelaw, National Lead, Person Centred Voices, The Health and Social Care Alliance
Ima Abdulrahim, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Cerita Caravan
Season two wrap-up
What have we learned from season two of Reimagining Government?
Athena Hughes, Naja Nelson, and our host Adrian Brown revisit highlights and delve into the topics we covered. Join us to explore failure, imagination in government, and what on earth a paradigm shift is. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Athena Hughes (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public Impact
Naja Nelson (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public Impact
Dan Vogel - CEO, Flourish Fund
Dr. Oliver Escobar - Professor of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, The University of Edinburgh
Hannah McDowall - Co-Director, Canopy
Jaime Junior - Advocacy and Community Education Coordinator, Disability Network of Wayne County Detroit
Javiera Godoy - Programme Manager, Centre for Public Impact
Karen Lawson - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public Impact
Martin Begley and Lara Colraine - Inverclyde Early Help in Custody Service
Toby Lowe - Visiting Professor in Public Management, Centre for Public Impact
Season 2 episode 6: How do you have difficult conversations?
This episode mentions difficult subject matter, including suicide or suicidal thoughts.
Anyone working in government or public services knows that sometimes we must be vulnerable and have difficult conversations.
It can be daunting, but if we ignore challenges, things only get worse. Join us as we explore different ways of approaching these conversations courageously and hear examples of when they can help make a real difference to the people we serve. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Karen Lawson (Host) - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public Impact
Harriet Hunter (Host) - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public Impact
Gamal “G” Turawa - Founder and Managing Director, Purple Frog Connections
Martin Begley and Lara Colraine - Inverclyde Early Help in Custody Service
Season 2 episode 5: What does imagination have to do with government?
The way government currently operates doesn't support everybody. So what should we do differently?
Imagination is the secret ingredient in most of our best ideas. In this episode, we explore how social imagination could help us find new ways to approach complex challenges. Our guests share examples of imagination in practice, from improving healthcare to commissioning services. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Keira Lowther (Host) - Senior Manager, Centre for Public Impact
Cassie Robinson - Associate Director of Emerging Futures, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Hannah McDowall - Co-Director, Canopy
Season 2 episode 4: Failure in government
Everyone fails occasionally.
But when governments fail, it has an impact on real lives. It’s easy for public servants to shy away from talking about failure.
To learn from our mistakes, we must be open and honest and spend time reflecting on them. Join us to hear real stories about failure in government and some examples of how to move forward. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Athena Hughes (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public Impact
Carlos Zimbron - CEO, F**kup Nights
Dan Vogel - CEO, Flourish Fund
Kelly Sifford - Assistant County Manager, Cabarrus County
Season 2 episode 3: What on earth is a paradigm shift?
In this podcast, we talk a lot about change.
We don't just want to change policies or attitudes, but the whole paradigm.
But what on earth is a paradigm? Join us to explore what a paradigm is, hear practical examples of paradigm shifts, and try to solve the mystery of how we can shift paradigms in public service. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Toby Lowe (Host) - Visiting Professor in Public Management, Centre for Public Impact
Henk-Jan Dekker - Researcher, International Centre for Environmental Research and Development
Jessica Studdert - Deputy Chief Executive, New Local
Season 2 episode 2: Long-term thinking
It’s vital that governments think about and plan for the future, but often, our thinking can be limited.
The models we have in our minds about growth, success, and the environment shape how we imagine life and government in the long term.
This episode explores how governments can find new ways to frame our future, including degrowth and seven-generation thinking. Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Javiera Godoy (Host) - Programme Manager, Centre for Public Impact
Gabriela Cabaña - Co-founder, Degrowth London
Jayne Engle - Mission Co-holder, Dark Matter Labs
Season 2 episode 1: Earned legitimacy
For a government to be legitimate, it must have its people's trust. But, many communities across the globe distrust their government.
This episode explores how governments can earn that trust and legitimacy. It is a gradual process that requires time and dedication. So, where do we start? Read the blog here.
A full written episode transcript is available here.
Featured in this episode:
Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
Naja Nelson (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public Impact
Dr. Oliver Escobar - Professor of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, The University of Edinburgh
Jaime Junior - Advocacy and Community Education Coordinator, Disability Network of Wayne County Detroit
Cathie Christenson - Team Lead, City of Calgary
Season one
In season one, we lay out a new vision for government and explore radical new approaches to addressing global issues such as the climate crisis, equitable healthcare provision, and rebuilding trust with marginalised communities.
Episodes include:
A new vision for government
Climate action in cities
Health and social care
A more equitable government
National government 2.0
Global development
Listen on your favourite streaming platform
Reimagining Government explores radical new approaches to addressing global issues such as the climate crisis, equitable healthcare provision, and rebuilding trust with marginalised communities.
By speaking with public servants and politicians at the heart of government, we’ll shine a light on how to reimagine government so it works for everyone.