Reasons Revisited

Hello! This weekend was the final meeting of the UK’s Climate Assembly. As BIG fans of citizens’ assemblies, we explore how it went and what comes next. Assembly member Ibrahim talks about his experience. Climate expert Becky Willis explains how we can revolutionise democracy to tackle the climate crisis. And Shared Futures' Pete Bryant argues for local climate juries in towns and cities across th...

Hello! What would society look like if we started from the assumption that people are fundamentally decent? We speak to historian Rutger Bregman about ‘Humankind’ - his new book arguing for a positive view of human nature. Then we talk to COVID mutual aid volunteer Sam Maher about how our instinct in crises is often to help others. And to constructive journalism campaigner Jodie Jackson about why...

Hello! Thousands of rough sleepers have been given a place to stay during the lockdown. If we can do it in a pandemic, why not the rest of the time? We talk to Matt Downie from Crisis and Maggie Brunjes from Homeless Network Scotland about how we can build on the last few weeks to end rough sleeping for good. Then Danny Dorling discusses what this shows about our ability to tackle injustice and wh...

Hello! Some sectors are likely to need further support during this crisis. But should government attach conditions to corporate bailouts, or even seek an equity stake in bailed out companies? Danish MP Rune Lund explains why everyone’s talking about Denmark’s approach. Then Common Wealth’s Adrienne Buller and economist Mariana Mazzucato discuss the conditions they’d like to see over here. AND Form...

Hello! What determines whether crises lead to major social change? We talk to two historians about lessons from the past. Walter Scheidel explains his argument that economic inequality has only ever been significantly reduced by catastrophes and war. Then Theda Skocpol discusses the impact that ideas and social movements can have. Plus ParkRun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt on the story behind its phe...

Hello! We’re talking about the potential for a green stimulus to help power the economic recovery from coronavirus. Economist Michael Jacobs makes the case about why investment in green projects can boost the economy and drive the transition to net zero. Hannah Martin explains what Green New Deal UK are calling for as we emerge from the crisis. And LSE’s Nick Robins talks through lessons from gree...

Hello! The current crisis has demonstrated how interconnected our world is. So why are countries so divided in their response? We’re talking about the need for global cooperation on tackling coronavirus. Science journalist Laura Spinney explains how the 1918 flu sparked an international approach to public health. Jeremy Farrar from the Wellcome Trust tells us why this is needed now more than ever....

Hello! This week we're discussing how to support children and young people during the current crisis. We ask educational psychologist Dan O’Hare how to talk to children about Coronavirus and look out for their wellbeing. Headteacher Jayne Kennedy tells us about the amazing work schools are doing for pupils and their families. Then Becky Francis from the Education Endowment Foundation explains how...

Extra episode here. We’re following up on this week's chat about the economic response to coronavirus by asking what more government needs to do. The Resolution Foundation's Torsten Bell and journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan highlight the glaring omission of help for the self-employed and others, then discuss ideas for strengthening our social safety net. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Hello! We're in different places but will keep bringing you episodes during these strange and challenging times. This week we’re exploring the economic response to coronavirus. Former Obama adviser Jason Furman discusses the scale of the current crisis and his plan for universal cash payments in the US. Economist Birthe Larsen explains why Denmark moved so fast on supporting wages. Then Lord Stewa...

Hello! It’s our first live show of the year (and decade!), recorded last week at Kings Place’s Nature Unwrapped. We’re discussing food, sustainable farming and how changing the way we use land can help tackle the climate crisis. Featuring top guests Belinda Gordon from Green Alliance and Vicki Hird from Sustain.  Then the wonderful Robin Ince pitches his ideas on stargazing, newspaper front p...

Hello! Britain is one of the most centralised countries in the world. How can we ensure towns, cities and regions have real power over their areas? We talk to Bristol mayor Marvin Rees about what he could do with more powers. Sarah Longlands explains why IPPR North are calling for radical English devolution. Then Professor Sabine Kuhlmann discusses what we can learn from Germany (a champion of dec...

Hello! Why do our phones slow down with each new update? Why could it be cheaper for Geoff to replace his broken vacuum than get it fixed? We speak to Janet Gunter from the Restart Project and Duncan McCann from the New Economics Foundation about planned obsolescence, our electronics consumption and why we need a ‘right to repair’. Then Adele Chasson explains how French laws are being us...

Hello! What are society’s expectations of masculinity and how can we promote positive expressions of it? We chat to The Guardian’s Iman Amrani about her series on modern masculinity and Ben Hurst from the Good Lad Initiative about the workshops they run exploring these themes. Then Nathan Roberts explains the work his charity, A Band of Brothers, are doing with men involved in the criminal justice...

Hello! We love the four day week so much that - in a Reasons to be Cheerful first - we’re revisiting the idea. What are the lessons from how it went down in the election? And how we build a movement to make the four day week happen? Friend of the pod Andrew Barnes tells us why he’s travelling the world to promote it. Then Rachel Kay and Will Stronge discuss where we go next in the UK. AND we’re tr...

Hello! We’ve wrapped up warm and headed outside for a good old stroll... because this week we’re diving into the wonders of walking! We speak to neuroscientist and walking champion Shane O’Mara about why it’s so good for our body and mind. Then Joe Irvin from Living Streets and transport planner Susan Claris talk about how we can redesign our public spaces around people rather than cars. AND we ch...

Hello! Now we’ve left the EU, Britain will have an independent trade policy for the first time in decades. We ask Ruth Bergan from the Trade Justice Movement and Nicola Smith from the TUC what progressives should be calling for in future trade deals. Then Todd Tucker explains what we can learn from the trade debate amongst Democrats in the US. AND food writer and campaigner Jack Monroe chats about...

Hello! Can legal action help fight the climate crisis? In December, the Dutch Supreme Court became the first in the world to force a government to reduce carbon emissions - a major decision in a global wave of climate cases. We speak to Tessa Khan from the legal team behind the Dutch case and Tim Crosland, who’s brought similar action in the UK. Then Pat Parenteau explains how US cities are suing...

We’re launching a new podcast! The first episode of Cheerful Book Club is released today, featuring Rana Foroohar on big tech. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Search ‘Cheerful Book Club’ or go to  https://podfollow.com/cheerfulbookclub/ Follow Cheerful on Twitter Like Cheerful on Facebook Let us know what you think Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Ed got into a conversion with young campaigners on the tube and was so inspired that it’s sparked a whole episode. Turns out they were involved in Advocacy Academy, a training scheme for young activists in South London. We talk to Advocacy Academy graduates, Rochelle Meaden and Sima Mangal, plus founder Amelia Viney about how it works and the campaigns it’s motivated. Then we turn to Olivia...

Hello! The typical FTSE 100 CEO only had to work until 5pm last Monday (6th January) to earn as much as the average worker in the entire year. We chat to Deborah Hargreaves, director of the High Pay Centre, about rising executive pay and why she advocates including workers on company boards to tackle it. Then legal history whizz Ewan McGaughey explains what we can learn from the history of worker...

Hello! We’re kicking off the new year with this live recording of Ed in conversation with author and activist Naomi Klein. They talk about the global climate movement, building support for a Green New Deal and Naomi’s latest book ’On Fire’. Subscribe to the new  Cheerful Book Club feed ! Get tickets  for our Kings Place show on Thursday 12th March  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Happy New Year (nearly)! It’s that time of year again: we’re counting down our top ten episodes of 2019. What’s going up? What’s going down? And what’s a non-mover? With the traditional special guest introduction from Tony Blackburn! Listen to the full episodes: BACK TO THE FUTURE: representing the coming generations TREEDISTRIBUTION: shrubtastic reasons to plant A SOCIAL HOME REVOLUTION: the hist...

Hello! We all know the best way to spread Christmas cheer is playing your favourite podcast for all to hear… Ed and Geoff have each brought a friend along to this year’s Christmas party. Lord Stewart Wood and Paloma Faith join us for mince pies, crackers and a chat about their highlights of 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! There aren’t many reasons to be cheerful this week, but we thought we’d talk about what the election result means for the big ideas we’ve been discussing over the last couple of years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.