Reimagining Government

Hosted by Centre for Public Impact

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Dec 2025

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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

30 recent

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.

October 2, 20251 min

Season Four Trailer

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.

November 13, 2024Episode 633 min

Why work in government?

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

October 30, 2024Episode 529 min

Games and government

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

October 16, 2024Episode 435 min

Does regulation really matter?

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