Hello! Parks and green spaces have been more important than ever over the last year but there are deep inequalities in who has access to them. We’re asking why that is and what we can do about it. Kate Ashbrook from the Open Spaces Society talks us through the history. Then Beth Collier from Wild in the City and Helen Griffiths from Fields in Trust discuss how we can ensure everyone can access to good quality green space.Plus radio host Stuart Maconie on ‘The Nanny State Made Me’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! In 1942 William Beveridge published the report that shaped Britain’s welfare state. We’re asking what lessons it offers us nearly 80 years on. Journalist Nicholas Timmins talks us through the history of the original report then LSE’s Tania Burchardt explains how to fix the holes in our welfare safety net today.And for World Book Day we’re chatting to author, vet and children’s TV presenter, Jess French. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode here! It’s our full conversation with Marc Stears about his new book, ‘Out of Ordinary’. We chat about the 1945 government, the dilemmas of big change and how politics can reflect our everyday lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! What happens when an economy rewards owning things rather than doing things? Author Brett Christophers argues it’s a recipe for soaring inequality and economic stagnation. We chat to Brett about Britain’s “rentier economy” and what to do about it. Then Pascale Robinson from We Own It explains how the problems play out in public sector outsourcing.AND here’s a taster of our chat with Ed’s former speechwriter Marc Stears about his new book “Out of the Ordinary”. Keep an eye out for the full interview later this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! What happened to the UK’s thriving tradition of adult education? How can we rebuild it for the 21st century? Union learning rep Sue Mann tells us about her experience and the importance of having opportunities to learn throughout life. Then friend of the pod Melissa Benn and adult education guru Sir Alan Tuckett talk us through their vision for adult education and how to make it a reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! We're talking about a BIG idea that's transforming how towns, cities and even schools are run across the world. It's called participatory budgeting (PB) and involves letting citizens decide how public money is spent. We ask Shari Davis what happened when Boston gave young people control of a $1 million budget. Brazilian political scientist Rebecca Abers explains how the city of Porto Alegre pioneered the idea back in 1989. And PB champion Jez Hall tells us why he's such a fan.PLUS legendary filmmaker Adam Curtis on his new series: ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with Oatly, Geoff and guest co-host Matt Forde dig into how what we eat and drink impacts the environment. Toni Vernelli from Veganuary sets out the link between our diet and the climate crisis, nursery owner Claire Taylor tells the story of what happened when she transformed her business to plant-based, and social psychologist Melanie Joy (author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows) explains what it takes to nudge people towards plant-based eating and drinking - especially men-of-a-certain age! (Oatly's research has found that older men are less likely to consider the environmental impact of what they eat and drink. Read more at http://www.oatly.com/helpdad ) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! We lead the world on offshore wind power, but not on offshore wind jobs. How can we make sure the green transition delivers good quality work in the UK? Union organiser Hazel Nolan explains the risks of getting things wrong. Thomas Sylvest from Danish Shipping tells us about Denmark’s thriving offshore wind sector. And Chaitanya Kumar from the New Economics Foundation talks us through lessons for the UK.PLUS period poverty campaigner Amika George on her new handbook for activists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! ‘Blue Zones’ are parts of the world where people live much longer and healthier than average. What’s their secret? We ask journalist Dan Buettner, who came up with the idea after researching longevity hotspots across the globe. Thea Parikos tells us about life in one of the original Blue Zones: the Greek island of Ikaria. And Mayor Betsy Price explains how Fort Worth in Texas has been trying to put the lessons from Blue Zones into practice.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! With President Trump now banned from many of the world’s largest tech platforms, we’re exploring who should decide what is acceptable online speech. Do tech CEOs have too much power over the public conversation? Yaël Eisenstat explains how her time working at Facebook left her convinced that we need more accountability of Big Tech. Then Professor Lorna Woods talks us through her proposal to regulate tech platforms like public spaces.Plus comedian Tom Allen on his fab new memoir, ‘No Shame’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.