Curiosity That Matters

The Messy Middle with Climate KIC's Kirsten DunlopEpisode 10 features Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of Climate KIC, discussing the profound shifts needed for climate action and transformation through radical collaboration and place-based approaches.Kirsten emphasizes the importance of navigating the 'messy middle' — the gap between present realities and future climate goals — by fostering hope, courage, and systemic change. She highlights the role of unexpected partnerships and integrating art with science to drive human transformation and collective action.Kirsten emphasizes the need for radical collaboration between diverse stakeholders, overcoming fragmentation and competition to bridge the gap between climate commitments and implementation.She highlights the power of place-based solutions grounded in local meaning and agency and argues we must go beyond targets, exercising courage and imagination to remake systems and mindsets.A key theme is embracing uncertainty and complexity, making sense of constant change through action, reflection and human experience.Kirsten stresses the untapped potential of human connection and collective possibility when people engage each other with curiosity and generosity.Key themes:- Bridging gaps in implementation.- Fostering an ecosystem of change through “deep demonstrations.”- Constructing social infrastructure to tackle climate challenges.- Role of unexpected partnerships and integrating art with science.- Role of psychological and social dynamics for transformation.- Strategic directions for Climate-KIC from 2024-2030.Kirsten's LinkedIn PostClimate KIC's 2024-2030 StrategyNet Zero Cities project

Dan Hill, a renowned designer and director at the Melbourne School of Design, shares his insights on urbanism and systemic change. He explores the unseen 'dark matter' in design, emphasizing how policies influence urban planning. Hill discusses transformative 'Trojan Horse' projects like Helsinki’s Restaurant Day, highlighting grassroots innovation. He advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges and emphasizes the importance of culture in designing city spaces, all while promoting curiosity as a catalyst for sustainable development.

In this episode, host Nadim Choucair speaks with Bridget Gildea, a multidisciplinary consultant & behavioral scientist working at the intersection of applied learning, technology, behavioral insights, and public policy.We discuss the value of curiosity in policymaking and how to create the right conditions to foster productive curiosity.We explore the challenges in translating intention into action, highlighting strategies such as making desired behaviors more achievable, leveraging social norms, and fostering accountability.Bridget explains how curiosity can uncover the root causes behind policy challenges and lead to more effective solutions. However, bureaucracy and ingrained ways of working can unintentionally stifle curiosity. Bridget argues that modeling curious behaviors like asking thoughtful questions, approaching issues with "intellectual humility," and creating safe spaces for inquiry and reflection can shift mindsets. She also highlights the importance of translating insights into action, which she calls "productive curiosity."Bridget also discusses the role of reflective periods, collective intelligence, and methodologically sound convening in innovation within the for-good sector. She also touches on the influence of narrative and art in policy, the concept of 'social sculpture,' and the importance of addressing large existential threats like climate change.Overall, the conversation centers on cultivating curiosity to drive innovation in policymaking. It emphasizes curiosity's ability to challenge assumptions, spur collective problem-solving, and create meaningful change.Links:The Curiosity Incubatorhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/curiosity-incubator/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il9TN2HG0Y4The EAST Frameworkhttps://www.bi.team/publications/east-four-simple-ways-to-apply-behavioural-insights/

In Episode 7 of Curiosity That Matters, host Nadim Choucair engages with Sir Geoff Mulgan, a prominent author, thinker, and advocate for collective intelligence, social innovation, and public policy. Geoff shares insights from his multifaceted career spanning roles in the UK government and academia, reflecting on lessons learned from his political activism to his leadership at Nesta, the UK's innovation foundation. The conversation delves into Geoff’s latest book, Another World Is Possible, exploring the concept of collective imagination and its critical role in envisioning positive societal changes amidst challenges like climate change, technological advancement, and political inertia. Geoff’s stories range from his early days mobilizing musicians against Thatcher’s policies to modern efforts in reimagining future governance structures and societal support systems like mental health and climate action. This episode offers an in-depth conversation on the importance of collective imagination and innovation in addressing societal challenges, drawing on his vast experience in government, academia, and social innovation.More readings & content by Geoff:https://www.geoffmulgan.com/post/mesh-organisational-archicture-theoryhttps://www.geoffmulgan.com/post/imaginationhttps://creativebureaucracy.org/discover/videos/the-art-of-imagination/Geoff's interview with Boundaryless & New Statesment articlehttps://www.boundaryless.io/podcast/geoff-mulgan/https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2015/10/trotsky-blair-and-new-politicsAbout Geoff:https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/76510

In this episode I speak with Zahra Davidson, the outgoing CEO of Huddlecraft, about peer learning, collective imagination, and letting go. Zahra left her post as CEO at the end of March 2024Zahra explains how Huddlecraft facilitates huddles - small peer learning groups united by a shared curiosity. She discusses the importance of crafting a personal learning question, embracing emergence and giving up control, and making learning tangible. She reflects on stepping back from leading Huddlecraft after 7 years and shares her curiosity around enjoying life amidst challenge. She describes Huddlecraft's work around collective imagination, and talks about the role of writing in making sense of her curiosity and processing ideas. As she prepares to leave her CEO role, she looks ahead to having more space and an open mind about what is possible next, following her curiosities with less attachment to specific outcomes.Learn more about Zahra's journey through this substack:https://zahradavidson.substack.com/Check this post by Huddlecraft about Zahra's last day:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/huddlecraft_after-7-years-of-building-huddlecraft-from-activity-7181245879440297987-mPMo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

UCL Professor & IIPP Deputy Director Rainer Kattel discusses 'agile stability' in innovation, emphasizing the need for structure alongside nimbleness. He highlights designing public organizations for innovation, building capabilities, and the role of missions in focusing efforts. The conversation explores dynamic public organizations for an 'entrepreneurial state' and their importance in societal challenges.

Indy Johar discusses the need for a 'boring revolution' to transform current crises, reimagining profit as proof of value, investing in societal assets, reinventing bureaucracy, and designing new civic economies. Topics include invisible violence in systems, decentralizing organizing for learning, organizations of the future, and giving language to emergent realities.

Charles Landry is a renowned urbanist and author, and founder of the Berlin-based Creative Bureaucracy FestivalJoin us in this re-published episode to learn more  his concept of "creative bureaucracy" and the role of curiosity and imagination in public administration. Landry explains that creative bureaucracy is about fostering a culture within public organizations that is open to new ideas and solutions. He argues that many public servants are naturally creative and curious, but rigid hierarchies and risk-averse cultures often stifle this. Landry emphasizes the importance of cultivating imagination, as this allows people to envision alternative futures. He advocates for public servants to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset of experimentation and collaboration both within and outside of government. Overall, Landry makes the case that embracing creativity and curiosity results in more adaptive, human-centered public institutions capable of tackling complex issues. He views this as vital for shaping a better future.

EP2: NURTURE CAPITALwith Huria Obgamichael & Joshua Haynes from MasawaEpisode two is all about mental wellness with a particular focus on founder mental health and the role of capital in promoting mental wellbeing. Some notes for you:Huria, Joshua and myself all went to The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. Check out the school’s programs here: https://fletcher.tufts.edu/Joshua is founding partner, and Huria partner, at impact fund MASAWA. Masawa means. Masawa invests in European startups catalyzing mental health and wellness- To learn more about Masawa, check their website: https://masawa.fund/- to learn more about Nurture Capital, read this: https://masawa.fund/nurture-capital-thought-starter/ - Around 20:00 - we mention the Hexframe approach of Masawa, which is part of their Nurture Capital thought starters.Other relevant mentions:We mention the book Enterprise Design Patterns by Wolfgang Goebl, Milan Guenther, Bard Papegaaij from the Intersection Group, and Annika KlyverIn late 2022, I signed up for the School of System Change’s 33days systemic reflections - an invitation to start 2023 with 33 days of reflection guided by one question / prompt each day that the school shared. Thanks again for the Louise, Anna and Sean from the School for allowing me to use this. Stay tuned for version two probably coming late 2023, for a reflective start to 2024!There’s a shout out to a common connection between us - hello Gerjet & Natascha from Accelerate Health: https://acceleratehealth.de/Here’s a link to the Impact VC playbook that includes players from of course Masawa, but also Ananda Ventures, Partech, Atomico, Northzone, norrsken, Balderton, Bethnal Green Ventures and othersRead more about the Danish Design Center’s Imagine if we project on mental health for youthFor those interested, Techstars's toolkit includes founder mental health: https://toolkit.techstars.com/entrepreneurship-mental-health, and they talk about it in this podcast: https://www.techstars.com/blog/podcasts/mental-health-for-entrepreneurs

For the first episode of Curiosity That Matters, I travelled to Copenhagen, Denmark, to interview Christian Bason, CEO of the Danish Design Centre.In this episode, we delve deep into one of his latest books: Expand. Stretching the future by designWe talk about:The SIX expansions in the book, along with practical examplesChristian's influences and his career journeyWhat he's looking forward to, and what he thinks I should be curious aboutRelevant notes & links:Who is Christian Bason?What is the Danish Design Centre: Book related to episode: Expand - Stretching the Future by DesignOther books mentioned in episode: The Organization was set free, and the Leadership Had to be Rediscovered (Danish) - Christian's new book, published since the interviewZen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceCharles Eames InterviewDesign Q&A with Charles Eames / Read about it hereDDC's Work on youth & mental Health https://ddc.dk/mission-for-a-thriving-youth/https://ddc.dk/projects/imagine-if-we/Other work by the DDChttps://ddc.dk/all-innovation-projects/Mission Oriented InnovationLearn more about Mariana Mazzucato and Missions here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/public-purpose/research/mission-oriented-innovation- Some of what I read and listened to in preparation for this episode:https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/departments-and-centres/department-of-management-politics-and-philosophy/events/phd-defence-christian-bason-0https://medium.com/authority-magazine/authors-jens-martin-skibsted-and-christian-bason-of-expand-stretching-the-future-by-design-on-how-5d217bb59055https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-design-your-futurehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1R_9qbp92Ehttps://creativebureaucracy.org/discover/videos/expand-how-to-stretch-the-future-by-design/https://apolitical.co/solution-articles/en/why-expansive-thinking-is-the-new-creative-fuel-for-public-servantshttps://intotomorrow.com/highlighting-six-key-expansion-theories-critical-to-building-a-sustainable-future-with-christian-bason/Enjoy!