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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

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Check latest episodes from Reimagining Government podcast

Failure in Government [Rerun]

2026/09/30

What happens when governments are too afraid to talk about failure? In this rerun of Reimagining Government, host Nick Thompson revisits a conversation about why governments need to create more space for honesty, experimentation, and learning when things go wrong. Guests Carlos Zimbron, Dan Vogel, and Kelly Sifford discuss why public institutions struggle to acknowledge failure and how openness about mistakes can rebuild trust and improve how governments work. From the response to Hurricane Katrina to practical examples of governments adapting, they consider what it takes to move beyond blame and create cultures where public servants can learn, experiment, and improve. Listen to discover why learning from failure is essential to better government.

Eleni Myrivili's Vision for Climate-Resilient Cities [Rerun]

2026/09/15

How can cities become healthier, safer, and more resilient in a rapidly warming world? In this rerun of Reimagining Government, host Nick Thompson revisits a conversation with Eleni Myrivili, the United Nations’ Global Chief Heat Officer, about the growing challenge of extreme heat. As communities around the world face record temperatures, wildfires, and worsening air quality, Eleni shares practical examples of how governments can prepare for extreme heat and build more climate-resilient cities. Listen in as we revisit this timely discussion and explore what it takes for cities to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.

A new chapter for Reimagining Government

2026/09/07

What if governments could meet this moment—and help shape a better future? In this special episode of Reimagining Government, new host Nick Thompson, CEO of the Centre for Public Impact, introduces himself and shares what’s ahead for the podcast. As we look ahead to a brand-new season in 2027, Nick reflects on why reimagining government matters now more than ever and introduces a selection of past conversations we’ll be revisiting in the meantime. Listen in as we revisit timely conversations and look ahead to what’s next for Reimagining Government.

Why the future belongs to young leaders: Elizabeth Wathuti and Fina Girard on courage and climate action

2025/12/18

What happens when young voices refuse to be sidelined in the fight against climate change? In this season finale of Reimagining Government, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson speak with Elizabeth Wathuti, O.G.W, Kenyan climate activist and Founder of the Green Generation Initiative, and Fina Girard, Member of the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt. Together, they reflect on their journeys from grassroots activism to shaping global and local policy, the barriers young leaders face, and why youth perspectives are essential to building just and sustainable futures. Their stories close the season with a call for courage, collaboration, and reimagined leadership.

Dr Farhana Sultana: Unequal earth, unjust climate

2025/12/04

What does justice look like in the face of a global climate crisis shaped by colonialism and inequality? In this episode of Reimagining Government, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson talk with Dr. Farhana Sultana, leading scholar of climate justice and Professor of Geography at Syracuse University. Farhana unpacks how climate coloniality continues to shape policies and outcomes, why Global South voices are sidelined, and how centring equity and care can transform global climate governance. Her insights challenge us to reckon with history, rebalance power, and reimagine climate action through the lens of justice.

Defending the rainforest: Daniela Orofino Poubel's fight for the Amazon and its peoples

2025/11/20

What does it take to defend the Amazon, and why does it matter for the whole world? In this episode of Reimagining Government, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson speak with Daniela Orofino Poubel, Director at Amazônia de Pé, a Brazilian grassroots movement uniting over 300 organisations to protect the rainforest and its peoples. Daniela shares her journey from organising on the ground to building national coalitions, the challenges and power of collective action, and why optimism is as vital as urgency in the climate fight. This conversation reveals lessons for governments everywhere on listening to grassroots voices, learning from Indigenous knowledge, and rethinking who holds power as the world responds to a changing climate.

How the City of Oslo plans to cut emissions by 95% with Heidi Sørensen

2025/11/06

What does it take for a city to cut nearly all of its emissions in just a few years? In this episode of Reimagining Government, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson speak with Heidi Sørensen, Director of Oslo’s Climate Agency. Heidi explains how the city’s groundbreaking Climate Budget is turning bold targets into real progress, why public buy-in is just as important as policy, and how optimism can unlock faster action. With lessons for cities everywhere, this conversation reveals how local leadership and long-term vision can turn climate ambition into real change.

Kumi Naidoo on activism, human rights, and climate justice

2025/10/23

How do we shift power to confront climate change head-on? In this episode of Reimagining Government, hosts Gabrielle Beran and Kandice Louis-Wilson sit down with Kumi Naidoo, lifelong activist and former head of Greenpeace and Amnesty International. Kumi reflects on lessons from decades of campaigning for climate justice and human rights, the risks of staying silent in the face of crisis, and the urgent need to put marginalised voices at the centre of decision-making. This powerful conversation highlights why reimagining leadership is essential for building a more just and sustainable future.

From heatwaves to city hall: Eleni Myrivili’s vision for climate-resilient cities

2025/10/09

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 and care can transform how we design and govern our cities. This conversation sets the stage for a season spotlighting women and gender-diverse leaders reimagining climate governance from the ground up.

Season Four Trailer

2025/10/02

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 politics and policy. Share, subscribe, and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Why work in government?

2024/11/13

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 ImpactPierre Berastain (host): Interim Executive Director, Centre for Public ImpactLeina’ala Nakamura, Administrator at City and County of Honolulu, HawaiiCouncil Woman Pierina Sanchez, 14th Council District, New York

Games and government

2024/10/30

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 ImpactCo-host: Keshav Sahani, formerly of Centre for Public ImpactTais Costa, Fortaleza City Government, BrazilTrina Talukdar, Fields of View, Bangalore, India

Does regulation really matter?

2024/10/16

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 ImpactCarina Gormley (host), Centre for Public ImpactConnie Binkowitz, Director for Development of Public Policy, Center for Transforming Communities in Memphis, TennesseeThomas Johnson, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Head of Reform Strategy and Policy

Reimagining impact

2024/10/02

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 (Host), Centre for Public ImpactPravallika Valiveti (Co-host), Centre for Public ImpactZazie Tolmer, Evaluation Practitioner & Director at CoIntent ApSAndera Delfyna, Learning & Innovation Expert at Light for the World

Reimagining funding

2024/09/18

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 ImpactSaumya Shruti (Co-host), Centre for Public ImpactAnkit Gupta, Red Umbrella Fund and Global Fund for WomenWill Wade, Climate-KICTom Pruunsild, Climate-KIC

Podcast reviews

Read Reimagining Government podcast reviews

5 out of 5

9 reviews

★★★★★

Community optimist 2022/11/09

From Finland to Chillicothe

This podcast brings together such a wide range of experts who’ve been involved in communities and government at a real, practical level. From Finland ...

★★★★★

GovOptimist 2022/10/18

Inspiring!

This is just the kind of optimism needed in government these days. Thanks for sharing these stories!

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