Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast

Debra Allcock Tyler and Peter Wanless
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated weekly

Welcome to Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast! Our hosts, Debra Allcock Tyler (CEO, Directory of Social Change) and Peter Wanless (CEO, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) have a lot in common. They’re both charity CEOs, they share their birthday (same day, month and year, but not related!) and now, they are teaming up for a weekly podcast! Tune in as they chat about different topics, from their experiences as charity sector leaders, to politics, cricket and more!

  1. 1 day ago

    New PM, Old Problems

    It's hot. Very hot. Hot enough for Peter to resurrect a potentially lethal fan from the garage and for Arthur the dog to rack up a £380 vet bill after an unfortunate encounter with a bee.But the real sting this week comes from Westminster.With the Prime Minister stepping down and Andy Burnham looking increasingly likely to take over, Debra and Peter discuss leadership, ambition, succession and what happens when someone moves from running one part of the system to running the whole thing. Is the top job really the prize people think it is, or is it just the biggest poisoned chalice of them all?They explore why some leaders seem able to attract public support while others struggle to connect, whether charisma is overrated, and what leadership looks like when difficult decisions have to be made.The conversation also turns to what a change of Prime Minister could mean for charities. What happens to the government's relationship with civil society? Will the work already started on the Covenant survive a change in leadership? And how much influence does one individual really have on the relationship between government and the sector?Finally, Debra and Peter compare political succession with leadership transitions inside charities. From outgoing chief executives and incoming leaders to interim appointments, trustee behaviour and the challenges of handing over responsibility, they reflect on what makes a transition successful and why so many organisations get it wrong.Plus: the King of the North, the missing King of the West Country, leadership war stories, dangerous desk fans, and proof that Arthur remains one of the most expensive dogs in the charity sector.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

    32 min

  2. 18 Jun

    Weeds, Leadership and Lived Experience

    This week begins in the garden, but it doesn't stay there for long.As Peter battles an endless supply of weeds and Debra reflects on the idea that a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place, the conversation quickly branches out into leadership, culture and the challenges facing charities today. Can underperformance sometimes be a sign that someone is simply in the wrong role? And is moving people on always a failure, or sometimes the kindest thing a leader can do?Fresh from speaking at the Mind Federation leadership conference, Debra explores the difference between being caring and being accountable. Together, she and Peter discuss psychological safety, safeguarding, difficult conversations and why healthy cultures require both compassion and clear expectations.The discussion then turns to Somerset Cricket's recent successes and the importance of learning from what goes right, not just what goes wrong. Why do organisations spend so much time analysing failure and so little time understanding success?And speaking of cricket, the pair tackle the controversy surrounding England captain Ben Stokes and the question at the heart of so many leadership debates: should leaders be held to a higher standard than everyone else? From accountability and role modelling to mental health and public expectations, it's a thoughtful conversation about what leadership really demands.Finally, they explore the increasingly complex role of lived experience in decision-making, following debate around the NSPCC's position on social media restrictions. How do organisations genuinely listen to the people they serve while still making difficult decisions? And why does disagreement so often get mistaken for not being heard?Plus: football fever, safeguarding lessons from cricket, leadership war stories, and proof that even weeds have something to teach us about people, performance and finding the right place to grow.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

    33 min

  3. 11 Jun

    Honesty, Fundraising and Local Impact

    Episode 71 begins with a shocking confession: Debra has accidentally become a criminal.After unknowingly leaving Waitrose with two unpaid peppers and a piece of ginger, she spends the weekend wrestling with her conscience and preparing to hand herself in at customer services. Will Waitrose show mercy? Tune in next week for the verdict.Meanwhile, Peter enjoys a rather more glamorous weekend, attending the Test Match at Lord's, rubbing shoulders with cricket legends, politicians, and even The Rest Is History co-host Tom Holland. Peter may have met a podcasting superstar, but thankfully he still found time for us.The conversation then turns to leadership, resilience and what to do when things aren't going your way, whether you're running a charity, leading a cricket team, or simply trying to navigate difficult times.Debra and Peter also dive into some of the big debates currently taking place in fundraising and communications. Do the images people dislike actually raise the most money? Should charities prioritise local identity or national consistency? And does presenting people with facts and evidence ever really change their minds?Along the way they discuss Childline, the National Lottery Community Fund's latest changes, the challenge of balancing local and national priorities, and why organisations sometimes spend far too much time worrying about critics who were never going to be convinced in the first place.Plus: why RNLI's communications strategy remains a masterclass in staying true to your values, regardless of who is shouting at you.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

    35 min

  4. 4 Jun

    The West Wing, Comms and Charity Brands

    Episode 70! Seventy episodes in, and somehow Debra and Peter still have plenty to talk about.This week, Peter's return to The West Wing sparks a fascinating conversation about leadership, integrity and the weight of public office. Is it simply one of the greatest TV dramas ever made, or does it remind us of a style of politics that feels increasingly rare?The conversation then turns to communications. From the Department for Education's Gemma Collins campaign to the challenge of promoting vocational education, Debra and Peter explore what makes a message land, who it's really aimed at, and why communications and policy need to work hand in hand.They also discuss the merger between The Felix Project and FareShare, using it as a springboard to explore charity brands, organisational identity and the balance between honouring the past and preparing for the future.Plus: why everyone seems to think they're a marketing expert, despite marketing and communications being professions that require actual qualifications and expertise. As Debra recalls from experience, few people can resist telling the comms team how to do their jobs. A timely reminder that José isn't just a pretty face, he also has a marketing degree.And finally, Bertie's unexpected rise through the ranks of Cameo stardom continues...If you've never watched The West Wing, this episode may convince you to give it a go.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

    34 min

  5. 28 May

    Social Media Safety and Leadership Favouritism

    After a short break, Debra and Peter are back and straight into some big conversations.Peter shares his experience attending a Downing Street discussion about banning under-16s from social media, and outlines his four-point plan for tackling online harms. From safety by design to stronger regulation and the idea of a UK eSafety Commissioner, they explore what meaningful action could actually look like, and why the issue affects adults just as much as children.The conversation then takes a more personal turn as they reflect on confidence, kindness and the extraordinary impact of appreciation. From leadership teams publicly recognising each other, to thanking supermarket staff and complimenting strangers on train platforms, Debra and Peter discuss why making people feel valued matters more than we often realise.And finally, they dive into governance, trust and leadership boundaries, sparked by the Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon story. How should organisations handle close personal relationships at the top? What happens when favouritism creeps into leadership teams? And why is fairness so important in organisational culture?Plus: Somerset cricket updates, Bertie’s unexpected social media fame, and a memorable story about Christmas drinks lists gone badly wrong.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

    33 min

  6. 7 May

    London Marathon, Protests and Human Complexity

    Episode 68! Debra and Peter are back with a slightly existential question: what exactly makes a podcast “proper”? Debra has been in a real studio, on a comfy sofa, being filmed properly, which of course raises absolutely no questions at all about the professionalism of this podcast.From there, they reflect on emotion, vulnerability and what it means to be seen, literally and figuratively, when you’re in a leadership role. There’s crying, self-image, human complexity, and a reminder that most people are simply trying their best.They also discuss the London Marathon and the huge sums raised for charity, while asking some thoughtful questions about participatory fundraising. Does it matter why people run, cycle, climb or sit in tubs of beans, as long as money is raised? And are big fundraising moments missing a chance to help the public better understand how charities really work?Finally, Debra and Peter return to Julia Unwin’s reflections on charities disagreeing respectfully. They explore protest, anti-semitism, contested causes, trans-inclusive charities, ideology, democracy and the difficult line between standing firmly for what you believe and staying open to those who think differently.All this, plus ducklings, jackdaws, Pantosaurus, cricket balls, abseiling and a very carefully managed ice bucket challenge.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk Podcast Producer: José Blazquez

    32 min

  7. 30 Apr

    Trustees, Philanthropy and Good Rizz

    Episode 67! Debra, Peter and their producer Justin (or should that be José 🤷‍♂️) are back after a couple of weeks away, after Debra briefly rebranded the show at the start, and there is plenty to catch up on.Peter shares the slightly surreal experience of watching his son Bertie become one of the faces of Channel 4’s Virgin Island, complete with bravery, honesty and, apparently, the need for good rizz.Then the conversation turns to philanthropy, privilege and big civil society gatherings, as Peter reflects on his time around the Skoll Conference and the Marmalade fringe events. Debra and Peter explore what these spaces can achieve, where their limits are, and why charity work often sits in that strange place between being proud of what people do and deeply ashamed that the work is needed at all.The main discussion dives into trustee recruitment, board diversity and who really gets invited into governance. Prompted by Dame Julia Unwin’s comments on how few trustees are recruited through open application, Debra and Peter unpack the habits, assumptions and practical challenges that shape charity boards. From tapping people on the shoulder to recruiting young trustees, refreshing boards without losing vital knowledge, and challenging assumptions about age, experience and expertise, this is a thoughtful conversation about what good governance really needs.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez (aka Justin from now on)

    33 min

  8. 9 Apr

    Four-Day Weeks, Switching Off and Leadership

    Episode 66, and Debra is on one about four-day weeks. Quite right too, because this is one of those topics she could probably keep going on about all week (see what I did there?). This time, Debra and Peter get stuck into a big conversation about four-day working weeks, productivity, public sector stereotypes, and whether politicians are actually paying attention to the evidence. Debra makes the case with plenty of passion, Peter pushes back in all the right places, and between them they explore what really makes organisations work well: trust, flexibility, investment, and better leadership.They also talk about switching off, or not switching off, when you are in a senior role. Can leaders ever really go on holiday without thinking about work? What happens when your phone stops ruling your life? And if good leadership means building other leaders, what does that say about the people who think everything falls apart the second they step away?There is also the usual dash of cricket at the start, including Somerset being described as a model county club, which Peter is naturally very calm and understated about.No episode next week, because José is off to Poland for a swanky AI conference. Lucky sod. Apparently this podcast cannot function without him, which is both unfair and, sadly, completely true.And if you urgently need Peter during the break, do write to his cricket president email account, which appears to be the only inbox he actually checks. We do not, however, know what that email address is, so this may not be a flawless system.YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk Podcast Producer: José Blazquez

    31 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast! Our hosts, Debra Allcock Tyler (CEO, Directory of Social Change) and Peter Wanless (CEO, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) have a lot in common. They’re both charity CEOs, they share their birthday (same day, month and year, but not related!) and now, they are teaming up for a weekly podcast! Tune in as they chat about different topics, from their experiences as charity sector leaders, to politics, cricket and more!

Information

  • Creator
    Debra Allcock Tyler and Peter Wanless
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Debra Allcock Tyler and Peter Wanless
  • Show Website
    Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast

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