Reasons Revisited

Hello! This week we’re back to school and learning all about character education. But what is it and why is it relevant beyond the classroom too? One of the leading authorities on the topic (the Jubilee Centre) defines character education as all explicit and implicit educational activities that help young people to develop positive personal strengths or ‘virtues’. We explore what ‘good character’ means, the impact of adverse life experiences, and whether character is the key to a fairer and more compassionate society.We speak to Bec Tigue, Head of School at the University of Birmingham School; Alex Hanratty, co-founder of ReconnectEd; and author and podcaster Bruce Daisley, who questions our typical understanding of resilience.Plus: Has Ed finally outfoxed the fox?Our guestsBec Tigue, Head of School, University of Birmingham School (@UoBSCharacter)(@JubileeCentre1)Alex Hanratty, Co-founder, ReconnectEd (@ReconnectEduc)Bruce Daisley, Author and podcaster (@brucedaisley)The Jubilee Centre for Character and VirtuesLearn more about the Jubilee Centre’s Framework for Character Education in SchoolsAlex’s social enterprise ReconnectEd, helping young people at risk of exclusionTimpson Review of School Exclusion (2019)Buy Bruce’s book Fortitude: Unlocking the Secrets of Inner Strength Find out more about Bruce’s work at his website Eat Sleep Work Repeat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Normal service has resumed on Reasons to be Cheerful following our summer break, and this week we're talking all about the charity sector. But what the heck is it? Ed and Geoff try to find out by talking to Daniel King, Professor of Organisation Studies at Nottingham Trent University. We also talk to Mita Desai, CEO of the Young Trustees Movement about why the sector needs to be more diverse at board level, and to Sarah Woodcock, CEO and Founder of the Kids Network about her journey to set up a charity.Plus: Ed revives his Wordle obsession.Our guests:Professor Daniel KingMita DesaiSarah WoodcockLearn more about the Young Trustees MovementBecome a mentor volunteer at the Kids Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! For the final episode in our Existential Cheerful Summer series we’re talking to Oliver Burkeman: author, journalist and self-proclaimed ‘reformed productivity geek’ for the Guardian. We talk to him about his new book Four Thousand Weeks: Time and How to Use It which is all about why it’s empowering for us to confront our ‘finitude,’ i.e. the limited amount of time we are on this planet for. Why are we obsessed with getting everything done? Why is our modern ‘task-oriented’ relationship with time so unhelpful? And what can we learn from Rob Stewart’s love of model railways?Buy Four Thousand Weeks hereFollow Oliver on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week's summer episode is all about music and our powerful relationship to it. Ed is a latecomer to music's joys, but critic, journalist and interviewer Jude Rogers has been a life-long devotee. Jude's new memoir The Sound of Being Human: How Music Shapes Our Lives traces the pivotal moments of her life soundtracked by twelve songs. Along the way she asks psychologists, neuroscientists and sociologists why music has such an influence on our lives. Jude joined us to discuss why music activates memories, fuels self-expression and connects us to other people. Buy The Sound of Being HumanRead Jude's writing for the GuardianFollow Jude on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! In the second of our summer episodes we're talking to environmental activist, author and journalist George Monbiot. Farming is the most environmentally damaging industry in the whole world, and great swathes of the Earth's surface are given over to the production of our food, particularly through grazing and feeding livestock. In his new book Regenesis: Feeding the world without devouring our planet George explores how we can develop healthier, cheaper and less damaging versions of familiar and accepted foods through the 'counter-agricultural revolution.' What is the secret to delivering radical change? And why might a pancake hold the solution to our problems?Buy Regenesis hereRead George's columns for the Guardian here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! To kick off our season of Existential Cheerful Summer interviews we’re talking to Professor Brian Cox ahead of his UK tour ‘Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey’. Ed and Geoff chat to Brian about the big questions: black holes, how we came to be here, what it means to be human, and what we can become. What does the climate crisis mean if we’re the only civilisation in a galaxy of 400 billion stars? To bring things down to earth, Brian tells us about his music career, car parks and his pivotal role in soundtracking 1997.Buy tickets to Brian's Tour: Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're revisiting the issue of plastic pollution, something we explored for the first time in 2018. Plastic pollution affects everyone, but not equally. While progress is being made on the international stage with the recent agreement of a UN resolution to end plastic pollution, there's still a long way to go. We talk to Zaynab Sadan from WWF South Africa about how ambitious a future global treaty will be, to Jill Farrell from Zero Waste Scotland about their Deposit Return Scheme, and to Rachel Edwards from Surfers Against Sewage Port Talbot about how the issue is being tackled locally, and whether that's enough.Plus: We find out why Ed is moderately outraged after an encounter at a Sam Fender gig.WWF South AfricaLearn more about the UN's recent resolution to end plastic pollutionInformation on Scotland's Deposit Return SchemeSurfers against Sewage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! For the first time in over two years, Ed and Geoff are back together for a live show! It's been a quiet few weeks in British politics, so we thought we'd take the chance to think nostalgically about what chaos with Ed Miliband might look like. To dissect the current political situation, what's next for the Conservatives and how progressives should respond, we spoke to Rosie Carter, David Gauke, David Runciman and Faiza Shaheen. Ed and Geoff are also joined by special guest, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. He discusses collective city action on climate change, buses and of course, Luna, his canine sidekick.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're talking about the Climate Change Committee's recent progress report on the UK government's Net Zero targets. While they say the UK is doing well at setting targets, what about delivery? Where do we need to improve? And why are workers' rights, delivering zero carbon jobs and public engagement so crucial in our work to reduce emissions? We talk to Mike Thompson, director of analysis and chief economist at the Climate Change Committee, Mika Minio-Paluello, policy officer for industry and climate at the TUC, and Jacob Ainscough, senior research associate at Lancaster University.Plus: Enjoy Ed and Geoff's speculation about Boris Johnson’s fate, 24 hours before (spoilers!) he resigns.Buy tickets for Ed Miliband's Cabinet of ChaosThe full 619 page CCC report  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're talking about museums and the role they have in shaping social and political issues. Many in the museum community agree that our museums are not neutral, but what does that mean when it comes to addressing issues such as climate change, colonialism and corporate influence? We talk to Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, Professor Laura Van Broekhoven, Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum and Professor of Museum Studies, Ethics and Material Culture at the University of Oxford and Dr Chris Garrard, Co-Director of campaign group Culture Unstained.Plus: Geoff delves into the archives and quizzes Ed on 250 episodes of RTBC history. How well does he do?Show notes:Buy tickets to our live show hereNatural History MuseumBook a ticket to see DippyPitt Rivers MuseumCulture Unstained Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Fungi are everywhere, but most of us have never given them much of a second thought. From mushrooms to moulds, they may have the power to help with some of our trickiest problems. We talk to Merlin Sheldrake about why ignoring fungi is dangerous and what we can learn from them. Dr David Erritzoe from Imperial College discusses the potential therapeutic applications of psilocybin on depression and Fern Freud tells us about her passion for foraging for mushrooms on her doorstep. Plus: Life is too short to stuff a mushroom it seems, as Ed stuffs peppers instead.Buy tickets for our live show Merlin Sheldrake Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life: How fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures Check out the work of Imperial’s Centre for Psychedelic Research Go on a foraging walk with Foraged by Fern Fern’s Tik Tok pageWhat's Ed's mystery fungus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re talking about women in prison. Women make up a tiny proportion of the prison population - less than 5% - and yet their imprisonment can wreak lasting and far-reaching damage. Addressing the needs of this minority could have a significant positive impact, say Kate Paradine, CEO of Women in Prison, Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Engagement at the Prison Reform Trust and Mel Evans from No Births Behind Bars. Plus: Ed’s gearing up for a festival special. Buy tickets for our live show here on 17th July here Women in Prison Prison Reform Trust Paula’s podcast the Secret Life of Prisons No Births Behind Bars, sign the petition  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re revisiting a topic we’ve examined before: the role of the ultra-wealthy in our society. The Patriotic Millionaires movement recently lobbied in Davos for governments around the world to tax them more. We talk to Gemma McGough from Patriotic Millionaires about why it’s important for the rich to speak up, to Stephanie Brobbey about how wealthy people can become ‘good ancestors’, and to Derek Bardowell about taking funders and philanthropists on an educational journey to see the light about systemic change.Plus: Ed admits the real reason he likes cycling to work and Geoff’s personalised number plate secret is finally outed.Buy tickets for the live show on 17th July hereListen to our 2017 episode ‘Who wants to tax a millionaire’Listen to our 2019 episode ‘For richer, for super richer: taxing the ultra wealthy’Patriotic Millionaires UKThe Good Ancestor MovementTen Years’ TimeWhy Philanthropy Isn’t The Answer (with Anand Giridharadas), Pitchfork Economics Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, as part of Cheerful Book Club we're welcoming our first ever Pulitzer Prize winner onto the show. Andrea Elliott talks about her new book Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in New York City. Almost a decade in the making, the book follows a young girl, Dasani, as she grows up without a home in New York City. We talk to Andrea about what it's like to win a Pulitzer, the role of the journalist, Obama and her reasons for hope and optimism. Plus: Ed has crossed the pond and we hear about an improbable new sport for Geoff to turn his hand to. Buy tickets for our live show here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/reasons-to-be-cheerful-live/ Andrea's book, Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in New York City https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144/1447200/invisible-child/9781529151169.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re talking about the accessibility of public land and the Right to Roam campaign. Only 8% of land in England is accessible to the general public and one-third of land is still owned by the aristocracy. We talk to Nick Hayes about the history of this archaic system and the Right to Roam Campaign; Nadia Shaikh about barriers to accessing nature and the countryside for people of colour; and Jon Moses about how we get to a future where more of our land is accessible to all. Plus: Ed and Geoff bring kleptomaniac seagulls and fugitive flamingos to justice and why the aubergine revolution is now in motion Right to Roam Campaign: https://www.righttoroam.org.uk/Kinder in Colour: https://kinderincolour.land/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re talking about health inequalities. The evidence has long been clear that your life circumstances determine how long and how healthy your life will be. Over the last decade, life expectancy has stalled and the pandemic has amplified existing inequalities. In the face of this bleak prognosis, we look for optimism with the leading academic on the topic Professor. Sir Michael Marmot, who tells us about the social factors that determine health; Christina Gray, Member of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) and Director for Communities and Public Health for Bristol on the importance of community cohesion; and Chris Thomas, Principal Research Fellow at IPPR about the links between health and economic prosperity.Plus: Geoff talks Star Wars and Ed tells us about his run-in with the Chancellor.Show notes:Buy tickets for the live show on 17th July here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/reasons-to-be-cheerful-live/ Ed's speech in the Commons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtXbwi-2QgFair Society, Healthy Lives (The Marmot Review, 2010): https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/fair-society-healthy-lives-the-marmot-review Marmot Review 10 Years On (2020): https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/marmot-review-10-years-on Build Back Fairer: The COVID-19 Marmot Review (2021): https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review Ambition Lawrence Weston: https://www.ambitionlw.org/ IPPR: Introducing the Commission on Health and Prosperity (2022): https://www.ippr.org/research/publications/health-and-prosperity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re talking about dyslexia—how we need to improve its recognition in our society and understand the contribution people with dyslexia can make. At least 1 in 10 people in the UK are estimated to have dyslexia and are still facing barriers to inclusion in the classroom, the workplace and society more broadly. We speak to Andy Cook from the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, Kate Griggs from Made by Dyslexia and Rob Jennings from the Dyscalculia Network about the power of dyslexic thinking, celebrating neurodiversity and how it’s not just about facing challenges with spelling.Plus: Ed has been interacting with rogue birdlife again and we hear about Geoff’s time moonlighting as an estate agent.Links from the episodeThe Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity: https://www.helenarkell.org.uk/Dyscalculia Network: https://www.dyscalculianetwork.com/Made by Dyslexia: https://www.madebydyslexia.org/Kate's TEDx talk: The Creative Brilliance of Dyslexia | Kate Griggs | TEDxBrightonEmail your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re looking at the government's proposal to sell off broadcaster Channel 4. Started in the 80s with a remit to commission unique and original programming from independent production companies, Channel 4 has been informing and entertaining us for decades. To find out why the government would want to privatise Channel 4 now, and how it will impact both audiences and production companies, we’re joined by Guardian Media Editor, Jim Waterson, Former Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 and now President of Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, Dorothy Byrne, and founder of True Vision production company, Brian Woods. Plus, Geoff is home alone ...Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re looking at the huge cost of childcare, an often ignored part of the cost of living crisis. New research has found that almost two thirds of families are paying more, or the same, for their childcare as they do their rent or mortgage, with one in four parents saying they had to cut down on food, heat and clothing to afford childcare. To find out how this compares to other countries and discuss what can be done to help parents, we’re talking to friend of the pod and researcher Christine Berry, Dr Kate Hardy from the University of Leeds, and Joeli Brearly, who founded the charity Pregnant Then Screwed.Plus, Ed’s Make Your Own Sandwich shop gets a reinvention Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! America has seen a wave of recent union victories by Amazon and Starbucks workers, and this week we’re looking at why they’ve succeeded where many others have failed, and what UK unions can learn. We’re joined by Starbucks organiser Casey Moore, Director of CLASS, Ellie Mae O’Hagan and General Secretary of Prospect Union, Mike Clancy.Plus, Geoff celebrates his birthday! Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Easter! To celebrate, we have a special episode on the magic of the wildlife on our doorstep. 83% of us live in urban areas and are surrounded by myriad known and not-so-well known wildlife wonders including birds, insects, hedgehogs and yes, foxes and rats. But our furry and flying city-dwellers are vital to our ecosystems, and there are untold joys and benefits of paying more attention to them, so says author of Wild City, Florence Wilkinson and the one and only David Lindo, also known as the Urban Birder, who joined Ed and Geoff this week. Find out why foxes are causing Ed a headache and birds are staying away from Geoff’s garden. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Newsround, and finding out how the way our children get their news has changed over the years. To celebrate the milestone, we’re joined by Newsround Editor Lewis James, and to hear more about other ways kids access current affairs, we’re joined by Anna Bassi, Editorial Director of The Week Junior, and founder of Picture News, Kate Harrison. PLUS we have a very special dispatch from our local correspondent, Gene (Geoff’s son).Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re going behind the headlines on the so-called Great Resignation - which has seen record numbers of job vacancies advertised as people leave and move roles. Has Covid really revolutionised the world of work? And who is benefiting from the changes?To find out, we’re joined by Joe Fuller from Harvard Business School, David Zentler-Munro from the University of Essex, and Abigail Adams-Prassl from the University of Oxford. Plus Geoff is back (sat down) at a gig.Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re giving Ed another reason to talk about his swimming, and diving into our rivers. Rivers are such an important part of our landscape, ecosystems and communities. They provide two thirds of our water supplies and support a vast array of wildlife, but are in bad shape. Only 14% of our rivers pass the bar for ecological health, and farming, water industry and the climate crisis are all making things worse.To find out more and hear what’s being done to protect and preserve our rivers, we’re joined by Alastair Chisholm from the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Christine Colvin from the Rivers Trust and Alec Taylor from WWF.Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week Ed and Geoff are off to the pictures, as they find out how cinemas have survived covid, and why they’re still so important to our communities and culture. To usher them through the episode they’re joined by Phil Clapp, CEO of trade body the UK Cinema Association, Kevin Markwick, who runs 2 independent cinemas successfully, and star of stage and screen, Fiona Shaw.Plus Ed and Geoff share their earliest cinema memories. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re looking at energy storage, and the technologies being developed to improve how we store and use renewable energy. Clean energy storage is vital to decarbonising the economy, so to get to grips with it we have Jillian Ambrose, energy correspondent at the Guardian, Simon Skillings from E3G, and Nina Skorupska from The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean technologies.Plus, Ed’s been bothering people on public transport (again).Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re joined by podcasting royalty, as David Runciman, host of Talking Politics, joins Ed and Geoff for his victory lap. After 6 years, David and co-host Helen Thompson are hanging up their headphones on one of the smartest political podcast of our time. Ed and Geoff find out why they’re stopping in the middle of arguably one of the most important political moments of a generation, who David’s favourite interview was, and why his love for audio means this is far from the last we’ll hear from him. Plus, Geoff can’t get unstuck. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're looking at the legislation passing through parliament which would have British Sign Language recognised as an official language in the UK. Eighty-seven thousand people in the UK say BSL is their preferred language, but they are discriminated against in everyday life, from using essential services to speaking to doctors, their local council or at work. To find out how this Bill could help make the UK more accessible to BSL users, we're joined by David Buxton, Chair of the British Deaf Association, Ben Fletcher, who was the first deafblind candidate for MP, and Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.Plus Ed reveals his missed opportunity is Silicon Valley. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedInA full transcript of this episode is available on our website, and the interviews will be uploaded to our YouTube channel this week.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re talking about the crisis of fuel poverty as people are hit by rocketing energy bills.Torsten Bell from the Resolution Foundation sets the incoming energy bill rises in context, Adam Scorer from National Energy Action tells us how people are facing the crisis up and down the country, and Dr Elizabeth Blakelock shares some interesting solutions which have been trialled to help those most in need. Plus Geoff drops a Wordle brag on Ed. And here's the link to Gabrielle Shammash's article about UK Politics as breifly mentioned in the episode https://www.theindy.org/article/2578Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're discussing the impacts of the climate crisis on our mental health, and how we can support ourselves and each other in response. From the trauma of the effects of extreme weather events like floods and droughts, to worrying about climate change in our every day lives, there’s a growing body of evidence which shows more and more of us are struggling.To help us understand why we feel the way we do, and what we can do to help, we’re joined by Dr Emma Lawrence from Climate Cares, Imperial College London, who’s contributed toward research in this area, psychotherapist Steffi Bednarek, and Sacha Wright, from Force of Nature, who’s helping young people manage their wellbeing and create positive change.Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re looking at the role of Magistrates in our justice system. Little is widely known about the volunteer system which presides over 90% of criminal cases, and as the government launches a campaign to get 4,000 new magistrates to apply, we find out how what more can be done to raise awareness and increase diversity. We’re joined by chair of the Young Magistrates Network, Luke Rigg, criminal lawyer Raj Chada and Penelope Gibbs, founder of Transform Justice. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we're looking at the circular economy, a system that could transform our lives and contribute mightily towards reducing carbon emissions. In the UK, per person we produce the second highest amount of electronic waste by throwing away our unwanted phones and laptops.In a circular economy, we reduce usage of materials, reuse them and recycle. To help us understand the circular economy we're joined by Patrick Shroeder from Chatham House, Susan Evans from the Green Alliance, and Malena Sell from Sitra, the innovation company helping Finland towards its goal of eliminating waste by 2050. Plus, Ed's got a new thermometer and Geoff's becoming a social butterfly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we’re joined by the wonderful Jon Ronson for a special episode. The acclaimed journalist, documentary maker and author, talks to Ed and Geoff about his new podcast series ‘Things Fell Apart’, which explores the extraordinary human stories behind the origins of what have become known as the culture wars. Ed gets into the kitchen, and Geoff develops an unlikely crush. Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to [email protected] or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we continue our foray into all things Web 3.0 by taking on NFTs, or Non-Fungible-Tokens. If you’re lost already then don’t worry, so were we, until we spoke to our enlightened guests Anthony Cuthbertson from the Independent, Holly Jean Buck from Buffalo University, and Andrea Baronchelli, from City University and the Turing Institute. We uncover exactly what NFTs are, how they’re currently being used, and what potential they have for wider application across society. We discuss the environmental impact NFTs have, as well as what’s being done to mitigate this in the long run. Plus Geoff comes out of isolation and Ed needs a hobby - beyond cold water swimming of course.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! This week we head for the peatlands, get in the sea, and go in search of UK's lost rainforests to explore ecosystems beyond the trees. Could restoring these habitats play a significant part in achieving net-zero? And what else needs to be done to tackle the UK's nature crisis?Joining us are Kate Jennings (with a canine cameo), Guy Shrubsole and Richard Unsworth.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! To start 2022, Ed and Geoff talk to one of the UK’s most acclaimed and prolific scriptwriters, Jack Thorne (Help, Kiri, His Dark Materials, The End of History, This Is England.) Jack is a co-founder of Underlying Health Condition - a pressure group campaigning for proper inclusion and representation of disabled people in the entertainment industry. Jack talks about his own experience of disability, his career, his politics, and he gives Geoff a break from being Ed’s personal TV recommendation service. Read Underlying Health Condition’s report: https://underlyinghealthcondition.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/finalised-underlying-health-condition-report-tv.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Well, what a year 2021 has been... thank you for being with us throughout. Here are some of 2021's very best bits for your delectation. Best wishes from your friends at Reasons to be Cheerful HQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As last year's Christmas AMA was such a huge success *there were no major repercussions*, we thought we'd do it again. Ed and Geoff answer (and avoid) your questions, from sandwiches of choice in the make-your-own-sandwich shop to which cabinet member Ed would prefer to take on in a royal rumble. (Guess which of those Ed answered, and which he avoided... ) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the fourth and final episode about how progressive victories were won, we're taking a look at the introduction of the national minimum wage. It feels unthinkable now that there shouldn't be a minimum rate that workers are paid, but it wasn't too long ago that hourly rates of £1 or £1.50 were commonplace. The road to a national minimum wage was long and winding but campaigning, persuasive leadership, new academic thinking all helped to create something that's become part of the fabric of working life in the UK.To help us understand the history of the labour market, what pre-minimum wage Britain was like, and who the key players were in the fight we're joined by historian Sheila Blackburn, Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Liverpool. We're also honoured to be joined by Margaret Beckett MP who served as Secretary of State for Trade & Industry under Tony Blair from 1997 and also by Gavin Kelly, Chair of the Living Wage Commission who joins us to talk about where the minimum and living wage conversation goes from here.Plus, Geoff asks Ed for advice on some split loyalties between his wife, and the dry cleaner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of our series about progressive advances, we're taking a look at the history of the fight for race equality in the UK. It is one that goes back centuries but we want to explore what progress has really been made in modern times and what have been the drivers--the combination of activism, movements, law and cultural change both in the UK and abroad.This week's guests are historian and activist Patrick Vernon, Sunder Katwala director of the think tank British Future and Diane Abbott ---we hear her story of being the first black woman to be elected to Parliament. Plus, Ed and Geoff discuss hair salon etiquette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second of our episodes about how progressive victories were won, we're looking at gender equality and why the Nordic nations seem to be so far ahead of most of the world. What is it about the culture, society, and politics of the region? What role did women's movements play? And is there something in the water/snow, or can it inspire us to do better?To help us understand the history and policy of the region, we're joined by Mari Teigen - a research professor at the Institute for Social Research in Oslo. Kristín Ástgeirsdóttir, a former member of Parliament and member of the famous Red Stocking Movement joins us from Iceland, and we're joined by Dr Alison Parken lecturer at Cardiff University Business School and an independent research consultant to understand how the UK can learn from the Nordics—- and how Wales already is.Plus, Geoff quizzes Ed for some advice on a sensitive matter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're doing a little shimmy, into the past. In the first part of our mini-history series on how progressive victories were won, we're looking at the NHS. How did this complex institution, that's beloved in the UK and revered around the world, manage to even get off the ground? Who were the key players? How did they win over opposition (and why was some of that from doctors)? And what role did the crisis of world war play in shifting hearts and minds?To help us unpick the past we're joined by historians and experts on policy Sally Sheard from the University of Liverpool and Nick Timmins, author of The Five Giants, A biography of the Welfare State, then to help understand where the NHS goes from here is Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation.Plus, find out about Ed's latest sartorial swimming accessory as we welcome him back to earth from planet Cop and spare a thought for Geoff as he very publicly misjudges his choice of outfit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed's been in Glasgow again this week as COP26 comes to a close. He digs in to get the verdict. He speaks to young Kenyan activist Elizabth Wathuti, then friends of the pod, Pete Betts, multi-hatted climate wonk, and Farhana Yamin, adviser to vulnerable countries, for their takes on the outcome. Plus the revelation that RTBC has hit the big time, featured on a real, mainstream TV quiz show, and how even Ed can have enough of being recognised in public places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed’s spent the week in Glasgow at COP26. He brings you the voices of young activists demanding change, including Anna, a young Glasgow climate striker. Then he talks to Simon Stiel, Minister for Climate Resilience in Grenada and Pete Betts, former top UK civil servant on climate negotiations, now a leading voice on the state of the play. Plus Geoff pitches in with his impressions from the outside and Ed tells us what a ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom is and who he shared one with this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! As COP26 kicks off, we’re exploring how cities and towns are leading the way on tackling the climate crisis. Mark Watts from C40 Cities talks us through how some of the world’s largest cities — from Milan to Seoul — are taking urgent action to reduce emissions. Polly Billington from UK100 tells us what local leaders are up to in the UK. And deputy mayor of Paris Celia Blauel is back to tell us about the city’s ambitious climate plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Libraries are about far more than borrowing books. We’re exploring how libraries around the world serve their communities and are adapting to changing needs. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg explains why libraries help build social solidarity and should be a priority for government investment. Marie Østergård tells us about libraries in the Danish city of Aarhus, home of the world-renowned Dokk1. And Isobel Hunter from Library Connected gives us reasons to be cheerful from the UK, despite more than a decade of cuts.Plus poet Henry Normal on his new tour, The Escape Plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! We know the UK’s population is getting older, but what should that mean for our towns, villages and cities? We’re talking about ‘age-friendly communities’ — places where people of all ages can live healthy and active lives. Natalie Turner from the Centre for Ageing Better explains the idea. Paul McGarry from Greater Manchester Ageing Hub tells us how the city region has lead the way on putting it into practice. And Anne Berit Rafoss gives us the view from Norway. Featuring special guest co-host, Sara Barron! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Millions of homes across Britain need retrofitting with insulation and low carbon heating to meet our climate goals. We chat to Josh Emden from IPPR about the many benefits of a national retrofit programme and how government can make it happen. Then Aneaka Kellay from Carbon Coop explains how they’re piloting a people-powered approach to retrofitting homes in Manchester. AND we chat to writer and director Matt Woodhead about Who Cares — his fantastic play about young carers, currently on tour around the country.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! Sociologist Sam Friedman has spent years exploring how class shapes our society. He argues Britain faces a powerful ‘class ceiling’ that affects who can access certain jobs and then progress in them. We chat to Sam about why that is and what we can do about it. Then Isabel Farchy from the Creative Mentor Network tells us how her charity is working to widen access to careers in the creative industries.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! We’re chatting to incredibly prolific historian Adam Tooze about his new book ‘Shutdown: How Covid Shook the World’s Economy’. We talk to Adam about the response to Covid around the world and what it means for everything from the rise of China to the future of the Green New Deal. PLUS Fiona McIntyre on her mission to open up the wonders of dolphin spotting on the coast of Aberdeen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.