16 episodes

Governments are under increasing pressure to bring about the results people expect, while remaining trusted and relevant. And yet, the systems, structures, and processes of government today are often not set up to respond to the complex challenges we face as a society. In recent years, wicked problems such as the global pandemic, climate crisis, persistent racial and economic inequity, as well as a rise in misinformation have brought into sharp focus the need for government to work differently.


From the Centre for Public Impact, this podcast explores radical new approaches to addressing the most pressing issues of our time by speaking with public servants and politicians at the heart of government around the world.


Learn more about this emerging vision for better government at centreforpublicimpact.org

Reimagining Government Centre for Public Impact

    • Government
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

Governments are under increasing pressure to bring about the results people expect, while remaining trusted and relevant. And yet, the systems, structures, and processes of government today are often not set up to respond to the complex challenges we face as a society. In recent years, wicked problems such as the global pandemic, climate crisis, persistent racial and economic inequity, as well as a rise in misinformation have brought into sharp focus the need for government to work differently.


From the Centre for Public Impact, this podcast explores radical new approaches to addressing the most pressing issues of our time by speaking with public servants and politicians at the heart of government around the world.


Learn more about this emerging vision for better government at centreforpublicimpact.org

    Storytelling and government

    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. #cbf2024






    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactRosie McIntosh (Host) - Global Director, Storytelling and Communications, Centre for Public ImpactTommy Whitelaw, National Lead, Person Centred Voices, The Health and Social Care AllianceIma Abdulrahim, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Cerita Caravan

    • 44 min
    Season two wrap-up

    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.






    Read the full written episode transcript here.






    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactAthena Hughes (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public ImpactNaja Nelson (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public ImpactDan Vogel - CEO, Flourish FundDr. Oliver Escobar - Professor of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, The University of EdinburghHannah McDowall - Co-Director, CanopyJaime Junior - Advocacy and Community Education Coordinator, Disability Network of Wayne County DetroitJaviera Godoy - Programme Manager, Centre for Public ImpactKaren Lawson - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public ImpactMartin Begley and Lara Colraine - Inverclyde Early Help in Custody ServiceToby Lowe - Visiting Professor in Public Management, Centre for Public Impact

    • 42 min
    How do you have difficult conversations?

    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.


    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactKaren Lawson (Host) - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public ImpactHarriet Hunter (Host) - Interim Co-Director for Europe, Centre for Public ImpactGamal “G” Turawa - Founder and Managing Director, Purple Frog ConnectionsMartin Begley and Lara Colraine - Inverclyde Early Help in Custody Service

    • 40 min
    What does imagination have to do with government?

    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.


    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactKeira Lowther (Host) - Senior Manager, Centre for Public ImpactCassie Robinson - Associate Director of Emerging Futures, Joseph Rowntree FoundationHannah McDowall - Co-Director, Canopy

    • 44 min
    Failure in government

    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.


    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactAthena Hughes (Host) - Senior Associate, Centre for Public ImpactCarlos Zimbron - CEO, F**kup NightsDan Vogel - CEO, Flourish Fund Kelly Sifford - Assistant County Manager, Cabarrus County

    • 49 min
    What on earth is a paradigm shift?

    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.


    Featured in this episode:


    Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactToby Lowe (Host) - Visiting Professor in Public Management, Centre for Public ImpactHenk-Jan Dekker - Researcher, International Centre for Environmental Research and DevelopmentJessica Studdert - Deputy Chief Executive, New Local

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

Community optimist ,

From Finland to Chillicothe

This podcast brings together such a wide range of experts who’ve been involved in communities and government at a real, practical level. From Finland to Chillicothe!

GovOptimist ,

Inspiring!

This is just the kind of optimism needed in government these days. Thanks for sharing these stories!

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