Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast

Episode 56 of Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast dives into some of the most pressing and personal topics yet. They begin with an ode to the great outdoors, tree surgery, and mental health. From Perennial: the charity supporting horticultural workers, to Debra's confession about disliking winter walks, they explore how nature and mental wellbeing intersect, both personally and professionally....

Episode 55 kicks off the new year, and Debra and Peter are back after a Christmas break, reflecting on what it means to return to work with energy, realism and hope. They start by talking about leadership at the start of the year, acknowledging just how tough the past twelve months have been for many charities. Survival, Debra argues, is not a failure but a success, and hope only really matters wh...

In the final episode of the year, Debra and Peter wrap up 2025 with a thoughtful conversation about the less-discussed dynamics within the charity sector: toxic teams. They dig into the difficult issue of workplace toxicity and explore how pockets of negativity can undermine even the most values-driven organisations. How do you deal with staff groups who resist change, weaponise internal values, o...

Kicking off with blazing rows, basset hounds and a night out with Jacinda Ardern, they explore what compassionate leadership really looks like when everything is going wrong. From Christchurch to COVID, what can charity leaders learn from a prime minister who talked openly about fear, worry and the emotional cost of big decisions. That sets the scene for the main conversation of the week. How do b...

Episode 52! Over 50 conversations in and Debra and Peter are still taking on the most uncomfortable corners of charity life. This week they dig into a troubling new report on harassment of fundraisers by donors. With most frontline fundraisers being women, and many meetings happening over dinners, drinks and in donors' homes, the power imbalance is stark. Debra shares her own experience of ser...

From village welcome drinks to national data debates, Peter and Debra explore what happens when good causes meet strict rules and unexpected generosity. This week they look at the ICO’s proposal to loosen restrictions on how charities contact supporters and reflect on the long shadow of the post-GDPR years. Debra argues that charities shouldn’t feel guilty for asking, while Peter recalls the fine...

Golden jacket? Check. A heartfelt poem? Absolutely. It’s episode 50 of Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast, and we're marking the milestone in proper style. Debra and Peter open the episode with a nod to nostalgia: the John Lewis Christmas advert gets Peter all misty-eyed, and soon they're trading stories about childhood music, treasured books, and films that shaped their sense of self. (S...

In this episode, Debra chats with the only man who insists on being called ‘Sir’ even by his Gmail account: Sir Peter Wanless himself. What starts as a bit of banter about names quickly turns into a deep (and surprisingly funny) dive into one of the toughest balancing acts in the charity world: how to pay your staff fairly while keeping your beneficiaries front and centre. Debra and Peter unpack t...

In this week’s episode, Debra and Peter dive into some big conversations with their signature mix of honesty, humour and candour. Debra shares why bad board paperwork is her ultimate bugbear – and how her new speed read booklet is here to help charities do better. From baffling acronyms to unhelpful agendas, she explains why it’s not about paperwork, it’s about information. Then Peter brings news...

Peter and Debra kick off with a reality check on London-centric assumptions in the charity world. From senior rail cards to £100 peak trains and the admin faff of claiming expenses, they dig into how travel costs and unpaid expectations quietly exclude voices we need at the table. If you’re outside the M25 or balancing freelance income with volunteering, this one will resonate. Then it’s leadershi...

Episode 46! Debra and Peter wade into the thorny territory of when, how and whether charity leaders should speak publicly. From the right to protest and the importance of timing, to the realities of social media and the messenger effect, they explore how good intentions can collide with legal limits, organisational duty and a very online world. Curious about where you stand? Here are some of the q...

One year of episodes! Number 45 finds Debra and Peter in full flow, fresh from twin birthdays and a Swiss mountain of sourdough. This week they tackle a big one for the sector: the new idea tying immigration status to volunteering. Debra argues it tramples the spirit of volunteering and risks turning a gift into a threat. Peter tests the counter case to see if there is any value in encouraging con...

Episode 44... and Debra and Peter’s 44th birthday, right? 🎂 (well, not quite, but close enough 😉).This week’s conversation covers three big themes in the charity world:First up, party political conferences. Are they really worth the time and money for charities, or just expensive networking sessions filled with bad white wine? Debra and Peter share why these events can feel unwelcoming, tribal,...

Episode 43! Debra and Peter dive into some of the toughest issues facing the UK charity sector and wider society. They begin with Peter’s joy at Somerset’s cricket triumph before quickly turning to more serious matters: the protests around Donald Trump’s state visit, the disturbing rise of racism and anti-immigration sentiment, and how politicians and the media fuel unfounded fears. Debra argues s...

Episode 42 takes us from Somerset cricket glory to some of the sector’s toughest debates. Peter kicks off with tales of nail-biting wins and rubbing shoulders with cricket legends at a South African charity event. But the conversation soon widens to Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams and the unseen, everyday role of charities in keeping society ticking. From there, Debra and Peter tackle flags and...

In Episode 41, Debra and Peter start with a surprise escape story featuring Peter’s cat Hetti, but quickly turn to a much bigger theme: trust. From mischievous pets to newly promoted staff, they reflect on how leaders know when to let go and how to find the right balance between support and autonomy. Debra shares why she prefers hiring for potential rather than experience, and why the 50th anniver...

Episode 40! Debra and Peter return with a packed conversation that moves from the cricket ground to the boardroom and into the heart of the refugee sector. They reflect on what good trusteeship really means, and why it’s not just down to the chair to keep everyone informed. Boards work best when responsibility is shared, and when every trustee knows they are fully accountable. The discussion then...

Leadership comes first. When a chair walks into a staff away day, the power in the room shifts. Debra and Peter explore how to be present without taking over. Set expectations clearly, invite staff to shape the work, listen with intent, and keep your own opinions light so the team can do its best work. Then, what you wear and why. Clothes send signals whether we like it or not. From suits and ties...

Episode 38 finds Peter settling into life in Somerset after a house move that involved three cats, upside-down beds, and a crash course in rural fruit-picking. But between the rhubarb and the plums, there’s been time for big conversations. Debra’s recent viral LinkedIn post on why leaders should never criticise their predecessors kicks off a deep dive into leadership transitions, respecting the pa...

Debra and Peter are back, with plums, pears and punchy opinions. Peter shares what it’s like to chair a global board for the first time (hint: annual accounts are involved), while Debra unveils a secret weapon for apple harvesting. But most of this week’s chat tackles the big stuff:Child online safety: With Ofcom’s new Online Safety powers kicking in, Peter reflects on years of advocacy for strong...

Episode 36 dives deep into last week’s hush‑hush unveiling of the Government and Civil Society Covenant – complete with a last‑minute venue reveal, ministers packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder in the Science Museum, and a buffet so petite even Debra’s good humour wavered. Debra and Peter unpack the Covenant’s four headline principles, from independence and campaigning rights to data transparency, then ta...

❤️ This episode is dedicated to Jenny (2018 to 2025), Peter's beloved tabby. She will be deeply missed. Episode 35 is all about interviews – from both sides of the table. First up: preparing as a candidate. Debra shares straight-talking tips on researching the organisation, framing savvy questions and owning your nerves so they work for you instead of against you. Then: designing the interview...

Episode 34! Debra and Peter take on two huge questions: why are a million UK children still living in destitution, and what can today’s charities learn from Live Aid’s 40‑year legacy? First, they unpack the latest numbers on child poverty and destitution, asking whether family‑hub plans and the long‑debated two‑child cap are really tackling the root causes, or just papering over widening cracks. T...

This week Debra and Peter touch upon looking after your pets in a heatwave as well as hearing from beloved family members via old cassette tapes. They also discuss leadership challenges in-depth, including the power of the spoken word, how the words we use make such a powerful difference, government “U-turns” and alien visitors. They also discuss organisational consultations, engaging with staff a...

Debra recounts her journey (literally and metaphorically) to Leeds, where she gave a keynote to Yorkshire Funders. She dives into why funders must speak up more often, not to demand money but to influence change. Peter reflects on his own time at the Lottery and reinforces how insights from grantmakers can shape public policy in ways that quietly transform lives. The conversation then unpacks the...