Reasons Revisited

Hello! We hear a lot about the problems of the data economy. How can we take back control? Philosopher Carissa Veliz explains why governments need to step in to protect our privacy. Then Jack Hardinges from the Open Data Institute talks about exciting new ideas to help steward data for the common good. AND broadcasting royalty David Dimbleby is here to discuss ‘The Fault Line’ - his new podcast ab...

Hello! This year’s Black Lives Matter protests are thought to be the biggest in US history and across the world mass movements are on the rise. But how do these movements shift the national conversation? What works in driving political change? We chat to social movement experts Deva Woodly and Hahrie Han about language, organising and the strategies of success. Plus Twitter sensation Michael Spice...

Hello! Music streaming has made it easier than ever to listen to our favourite artists, but too many musicians earn next to nothing from it. We chat to Naomi Pohl from the Musicians’ Union and Tom Gray from the Broken Record campaign about fixing problems with the industry. But first, violinist Tasmin Little talks about why musicians need more support during the crisis. PLUS Blue Peter legend Konn...

Hello! This week we have two VERY inspiring conversations about US politics. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar - one of the ‘squad’ of young progressive Democrats -  talks about her life, her politics and how she approaches the crises facing America today. Then young activist Will Lawrence explains how the Sunrise Movement are shifting the conversation on climate and why a Green New Deal might be...

Hello! What’s the future of workplace organising? This week’s guests are full of ideas. Alex Marshall talks about organising couriers in the gig economy. Michelle Miller explains how Coworker is providing a platform for workers in the US. And New Zealand union supremo Richard Wagstaff talks us through their plan to rebalance power in low paid sectors. PLUS the super cheerful Bernadette Russell tal...

Hello! We often hear about the idea of meritocracy. But philosopher Michael Sandel thinks it isn’t such a good thing. His new book ’The Tyranny of Merit’ argues the rhetoric of meritocracy is fuelling polarisation and the rise of far right populism. We have a really thought-provoking chat with Michael about his argument and what it means for our attitudes to education, work and our fellow citizens...

Hello! How can we ensure essential workers are at the heart of policymaking? Here’s an idea that could change our way of doing things: it’s called the everyday or foundational economy. Care assistant Chika and GMB social care lead Kelly tell us what recent months have been like for those on the frontline. Prof Karel Williams explains what the 'foundational economy’ actually means. And Jo...

Hello! What if everyone was given a bit of wealth as they hit adulthood? That’s the idea behind Child Trust Funds - established back in the 2000s and coming to fruition for the first cohort of 18 year olds this month. Godfather of Child Trust Funds Gavin Kelly explains the story behind them and why we should resurrect something similar today. We ask Kerry McWalter what she plans to do with he...

Hello! We're back with a bang from our summer hols. Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard joins us from down under to chat about women in politics. She's co-written a fab new book looking at the experiences of women politicians from Jacinda Ardern to Theresa May. We speak about what they’ve found and how we can tackle barriers to equal representation. But first we ask Julia about THAT spe...

Hello! In our latest extended chat we’re speaking to Alastair Campbell about his new book ‘Living Better’. Alastair talks about his experience of depression, the impact it has had on his life and work, and how he has learned to survive with it. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email  jo@samaritans.org . International helplines can be found at  www.befriend...

Hello! Another summer conversation for you. It’s our extended chat with poet and writer Lemn Sissay about 'My Name is Why' - his powerful memoir about growing up in the care system. Lemn talks about his 30 year battle to access his records and why it was so important to write about his story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Here’s the second of our summer conversations. We speak to former tech insider turned critic Wendy Liu about her new book, Abolish Silicon Valley. Wendy chats about failing in love with tech as a teenager, her experience in the industry and the complex problems of Big Tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! We’re doing something a bit different over the next few weeks and giving you extended conversations with some fab guests. This week: comedian and writer Sara Pascoe on her book  Sex, Power, Money . Sara chats about the complexity around issues like sex work and porn, how her mind has changed, and why it’s so important to listen to people’s own experiences. PLUS the story of how she end...

Hello! We’ve done it! Reasons to be Cheerful has hit the big the 1-5-0. Reunited at a safe distance in Ed’s garden, we thought it was time for a bit of self-indulgence… We chat about what we’ve learned, pick out the memorable moments, and explore some themes that have come up again and again since that first episode nearly three years ago. PLUS a couple of birthday surprises! Hosted on Acast. See...

Hello! In the last few months towns and cities around the world have experimented with closing roads, expanding pavements and pop-up cycle lanes. Does this offer a vision of a better way of using space on our streets? Greater Manchester walking and cycling supremo Chris Boardman talks us through what’s happened in the region and their plans for the future. And former New York transport commissione...

Hello! It’s a story that brings together Mark Zuckerberg, Nick Clegg and the biggest civil rights groups in the US... This week we’re talking about the incredible success of the Stop Hate for Profit Facebook ad boycott. Jessica González, one of the leading figures in the campaign, explains how they’ve persuaded 1,000 advertisers to boycott Facebook over a lack of action on hate speech. Digital org...

Hello! In recent months, many working parents have had to juggle looking after kids at home with their usual jobs. Research shows this has had a disproportionate impact on working mothers. We talk to researcher Christine Berry and Lucie Stephens from the New Economics Foundation about our reliance on childcare, the crisis now facing the sector, and how to ensure it is truly valued in the coro...

Hello! Even before lockdown began, millions of people in the UK regularly struggled to afford to eat and the current crisis has only made this worse. This week we're talking about Britain’s hunger problem. Food bank manager Jon Taylor explains the huge rise in food poverty that he’s seen. Kath Dalmeny from Sustain talks solutions, including the case for a new 'right to food'. And we ask Unni Kjærn...

Hello! With 70% British theatres on the brink of collapse and hundreds of thousands of arts jobs at risk, we’re talking about the need to save our arts and culture sector. Playwright James Graham sets out the threat to theatres and what government needs to do. Our FDR expert David Woolner is back to explain the huge art programmes in the New Deal. Then Berlin-based journalist Kate Brown talks abou...

Hello! The recent Black Lives Matter protests have led to renewed calls to rethink our understanding of British history. We’re talking about how to address the widespread lack of knowledge of black British history, as well as how the legacies of slavery and Empire shape racism today. Lavinya Stennett talks about how the Black Curriculum is trying to transform how history is taught in schools....

Hello! How can we support workers in high carbon sectors as we transition to a net zero economy? Phil Asquith tells us about the legendary Lucas Plan in the 1970s, when Phil and his colleagues came up with alternative ideas for production when their jobs were at risk. Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera explains how their approach to the 'just transition’ is shaping Spain's recovery from c...

After George Floyd's murder, Black Lives Matter protests are again taking place around the world against police violence and systemic racism. We're asking what we can all do to make this a moment of real change. Barrister and former Deputy Mayor of London Matthew Ryder talks about the actions we can take on the specific issue of how black people are treated by the police. And we speak to Professor...

Bonus episode here! It’s a longer conversation with former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. We chat to John about life as Speaker, the evolution of his politics & what he’s planning to do next.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Over the last few months, we’ve been more reliant on the internet than ever to work, stay in touch with each other, and educate our kids. What impact will this have on the society we build coming out of the crisis? Anett Numa explains why Estonia was better prepared than most countries for living life online. Helen Milner from the Good Things Foundations talks about how lockdown has exposed...

Hello! More than a million young people could be unemployed in the wake of the current crisis. How can we create opportunities for young people to find work and contribute to tackling the climate crisis? Historian David Woolner talks through lessons from the Civilian Conservation Corps - established in the US in response to the Great Depression. Youth Futures Foundation’s Anna Smee and the Resolut...