Reimagining Government
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
Episodes
What does it take to make our cities liveable in a world that is rapidly heating?
In this first episode of Reimagining Government's new season, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson speak with Eleni Myrivili, the UN's first Chief Heat Officer and former Deputy Mayor of Athens.
Eleni shares how extreme heat exposes deep inequalities, why climate action is inseparable from questions of power, and how centring justice ...
Season four of Reimagining Government is back on October 9th, 2025, and we ask a bold question: what if tackling climate change starts with rethinking who holds power?
Across six episodes, we spotlight women and gender-diverse leaders who aren’t just responding to climate change — they’re redesigning cities, challenging climate colonialism, defending the Amazon, mobilising global activism, and bringing youth voices into polit...
In every podcast episode, we meet people who work in government and public service. We’re always impressed by their passion and commitment. But what drew them to their work, what drives them and why do they keep doing such a tough job?
In this episode, we talk to real public servants about the joys and challenges of their work.
In this episode:
- Adrian Brown (host): Centre for Public Impact
- Pierre Berastain (host): Inter...
We all know games are fun, but what if they could help us tackle the very real challenges we face in government?
Our host Adrian Brown talks to Keshav Sahani about how games are being used to change behaviour, build community relationships and improve policies in Brazil and India.
- Host: Adrian Brown, Centre for Public Impact
- Co-host: Keshav Sahani, formerly of Centre for Public Impact
- Tais Costa, Fortaleza City Government,...
Regulation: a word that sends shivers down the spines of many public servants across the globe. But are we looking at it wrong? Can regulation be something that we embrace as a route to innovation in public service?
In this episode, we hear about practical examples of regulation being done differently to achieve real change.
Featured in this episode:
- Adrian Brown (host), Centre for Public Impact
- Carina Gormley (host), C...
Impact means different things to different people, depending on things like positions of power, units of measurement, and personal biases. So is impact really the thing we should be striving for, or is there something else we should be considering?
In this episode, we speak to two leaders who are reimagining impact evaluation systems to make them more meaningful and effective.
Featured in this episode:
- Adrian Brown (...
Anyone who works in social impact knows how important funding is. But what if we could do things differently? What if, instead of starting with what the funder needs, we put communities in control of how funding works?
Join us to explore two innovative examples of organisations reimagining funding, from supporting sex workers’ rights to tackling climate change.
In this episode:
- Adrian Brown (Host), Centre for Public ...
2024 is a historic year for elections with over 50 countries across the globe going to the polls. Elections shape our political landscape and are a chance for people to have their say. But what does this year of elections mean for democracy? Are there better ways for citizens to shape their cities and countries?
In this very special election year episode of Reimagining Government, we host a roundtable exploring the opportunit...
The Reimagining Government podcast will be back on September 4th, 2024! Our host, Adrian Brown, returns for season three to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing governments today.
Over six episodes, we're featuring insights from global thought leaders and changemakers, exploring topics like funding, impact, and the year of elections.
Listen to the latest episodes on your favourite streaming platform or visit o...
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 ...
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 P...
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 differe...
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:
...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) - Execu...
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 ...
It’s vital that governments think about and plan for the future, but often, our thinking can be limited.
The models we have in our minds about growth, success, and the environment shape how we imagine life and government in the long term.
This episode explores how governments can find new ways to frame our future, including degrowth and seven-generation thinking. Read the blog here.
Featured in this episode:
- Adrian B...
For a government to be legitimate, it must have its people's trust. But, many communities across the globe distrust their government.
This episode explores how governments can earn that trust and legitimacy. It is a gradual process that requires time and dedication. So, where do we start? Read the blog here.
Featured in this episode:
- Adrian Brown (Host) - Executive Director, Centre for Public Impact
- Naja Nelson (Host) - ...
What have we learned from the first six episodes of Reimagining Government? Javiera Godoy, Katie Rose, and our host Adrian Brown revisits highlights, delve into the topics covered, and shares updates from the changemakers of season one.
What might it look like to reimagine governance in global development where the Global South and Global North converge? In this episode, we shine a light on the people rethinking practices and challenging power dynamics in global development. Read the blog here.
Learn more about what it could look like to reimagine global development. If you're a public servant or government official, we want to hear your examples and experie...
What does it look like for national governments to adapt to the modern challenges we face today, and how can leaders share power with those best placed to act?
In this episode, we explore what it takes to rethink government at a national level, and speak to the changemakers who are spearheading efforts around the world. Read the blog here.
Learn more about what a reimagined government could look like. If you're a public serv...
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