
RSA Conversations
The latest thinking from the world’s leading voices on topics ranging from education, design and creativity, to politics, philosophy and economics. Fresh ideas for better futures from the RSA.
Latest episodes

Dec 1, 2020 • 33min
Have 'smart' people become too powerful?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.David Goodhart is a public intellectual and the author of Head Hand Heart. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Nov 24, 2020 • 34min
Yanis Varoufakis
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Yanis Varoufakis is an economist and the author of Another Now. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Nov 17, 2020 • 53min
How do we find new ways to tackle historic problems?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Kirsty McNeill is an Executive Director at Save the Children. To find out more about their latest report, Covid's Kids: Repaying our Debt to the Covid Generation click here. Jane Davidson is Pro Vice-Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Wales, a former politician, and now author #futuregen. John Bird is an activist, social entrepreneur and co-founder of The Big Issue. He's is a member of the House of Lords. You can read more about the Well-being of Future Generations Act by clicking here. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Nov 10, 2020 • 30min
Should we turn the United Kingdom in to a German-style federation?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Andrew Adonis is a British Labour Party politician, Vice-Chair of the European Movement, and a columnist for The New European. His forthcoming book is: 'The Art of Winning: Why Tony Blair won and How Keir Starmer can’.A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Nov 3, 2020 • 29min
Is humanity standing at a precipice?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Toby Ord is a Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University and the author of The Precipice: existential risk and the future of humanity. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Oct 27, 2020 • 35min
Noam Chomsky and Robert Pollin
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Noam Chomsky and Robert Pollin's Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving the Planet is out now. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Oct 20, 2020 • 33min
Living Change
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. For over 250 years the RSA has been at the forefront of social impact. In this special edition of Bridges to the Future, Anthony Painter and Joanna Choukeir discuss a new and hopefully impactful initiative, the Living Change Approach.Anthony Painter is Chief Research and Impact Officer at the RSA. Joanna Choukeir is Director of Design and Innovation at the RSA. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA.In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Oct 13, 2020 • 32min
Prue Leith and Sarah Wootton
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Prue Leith is a chef, broadcaster and patron of Dignity in Dying. Sarah Wootton is Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying. Sarah is the author of Last Rights: The Case for Assisted Dying. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Oct 6, 2020 • 35min
How do we fix the UK's broken care system?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.Madeleine Bunting is the author of Labours of Love: The Crisis of Care. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

Sep 29, 2020 • 34min
Is Germany our best hope in an era of nationalism, anti-enlightenment and fear?
Global crises cause big changes and reveal deep structural weaknesses. In this special interview series from the RSA its chief executive, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for one big idea to help build effective bridges to our new future.John Kampfner is a commentator, cultural leader and author of Why the Germans Do It Better. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.