Reimagining Government

Hosted by Centre for Public Impact

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Oct 2026

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About the show

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

Listen to episodes

34 recent

October 28, 2026Episode 434 min

Why work in government? [Rerun]

Why do people choose to work in government — and what keeps them there when the work is difficult? In this rerun of Reimagining Government, host Nick Thompson revisits a conversation featuring Leina’ala Nakamura from the City and County of Honolulu and New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez. The episode explores the personal experiences that shape public servants’ “why”, the challenges of navigating complex systems, and the importance of keeping communities at the heart of government. Listen to discover what motivates public servants and what keeps them going.

September 30, 2026Episode 350 min

Failure in Government [Rerun]

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.

September 15, 2026Episode 237 min

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

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.

September 7, 2026Episode 11 min

A new chapter for Reimagining Government

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.

December 18, 2025Episode 61 hr 4 min

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

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.

December 4, 2025Episode 534 min

Dr Farhana Sultana: Unequal earth, unjust climate

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.

November 20, 2025Episode 436 min

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

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.

November 6, 2025Episode 341 min

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

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.

October 23, 2025Episode 238 min

Kumi Naidoo on activism, human rights, and climate justice

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.

October 9, 2025Episode 137 min

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

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.