Gethin’s early life included time spent in care, and years spent going in and out of prison. Now in his forties, he runs his own successful business. For the RSA, Rachel O’Brien talked to him about his journey, and to Bruce, the first person to give Gethin a full-time job knowing his past. “Volunteering got me to the stage where I was able to go into that interview and demonstrate my skills, rather than just my rap sheet.” – Gethin
Mar 06, 2018•27 min•Ep. 12
Hardly a day goes by without headlines reminding us of the huge challenges facing the UK’s prison service. The system depends on having the right staffing and the right resources in place. But it also depends on prisoners being able to develop – and sustain – positive relationships. In this series for the RSA, Rachel O’Brien explores some of the connections that have helped people rebuild their lives. Paul was released from prison a couple of years ago and is now working. Rachel O’Brien talked t...
Mar 06, 2018•23 min•Ep. 11
The accelerating pace of political and economic change can be disorienting – but, for some, change isn’t happening fast enough. Matthew Taylor is joined by the journalist Andy Beckett and the philosophers Benjamin Noys and Nina Power to find out about ‘Accelerationism’ a philosophy with both Left and Right variants - bubbling into the mainstream - that embraces speed and disruption as the only route to progress. Produced by Ben Irvine and Samuel Shelton Robinson Reading Andy Beckett, ‘Accelerati...
Jul 05, 2017•29 min•Ep. 10
When economies stop growing they go into crisis, but it seems impossible for them to grow forever without causing ecological catastrophe. Matthew Taylor talks to Tim Jackson about the big dilemma in sustainability and the updated and expanded second edition of ‘Prosperity without Growth’ (2017). Can we safely stabilize the size of the economy? What’s behind our insatiable demand for new things? What revolutions are required in the nature of enterprise, policy and values to create prosperity with...
Jun 02, 2017•32 min•Ep. 9
Matthew Taylor talks to Kate Pickett co-author of ‘The Spirit Level’ (2009) which argued inequality is bad for everyone (even the rich) citing evidence that the overall of burden health and social problems was worse in more unequal countries. Can simply knowing that people have a lot more or less than you do be bad for your health? Both sides of the political spectrum now seem to agree inequality is a problem but action to remedy it is thin on the ground. Produced by Ben Irvine, Michael Umney an...
Jun 02, 2017•32 min•Ep. 8
Matthew Taylor talks to Geoff Mulgan about his book ‘Connexity’ (1997). Shortly after its publication Geoff became an advisor to Tony Blair’s newly formed New Labour government. The book described how the growth in global connectedness had ushered in a new age of interdependence which was at odds with our focus on individual freedom and demanded an evolution in government, institutions and our mentalities. Are governments running on an out of date operating system? Have we underestimated the abi...
Jun 02, 2017•35 min•Ep. 7
Can ideas change the world? Matthew Taylor talks to David Willetts about intergenerational inequality and his book ‘The Pinch: How the baby boomers stole their children’s future and why they should give it back’ (2010). Since its publication, inequality between the generations has only gotten worse. Why is it so difficult to turn peoples concern for their own children into policy which improves the prospects for the next generation as a whole? Can appeals to the welfare of future generations bri...
Jun 02, 2017•40 min•Ep. 6
At its best work can provide more than an income but meaning, purpose and community. In the final episode in our Work Shift series Matthew Taylor explores the characteristics of Good Work, how this compares with peoples’ working lives today and whether we could make all work Good Work in the 21st century. He’s joined by: the sociologist Richard Sennett, author of ‘The Craftsman’ (2008), Joanna Biggs, editor at the London Review of Books and author of ‘All Day Long: a portrait of Britain at work’...
May 05, 2017•30 min•Ep. 5
Login, complete gigs, get paid. The “gig economy” promises to deliver flexible working, efficiency and consumer convenience but some platforms may be dodging their responsibilities as employers. How should they be regulated? And can their benefits be combined with fair and decent work? Anthony Painter is joined by Trebor Scholz, a leading advocate of platform co-operativism and an Associate Professor for Culture & Media at The New School in New York, Olivia Sibony, Co-Founder of the sharing ...
Apr 28, 2017•29 min•Ep. 4
A number of forces are combining to make work less stable and predictable. We’re switching jobs and retraining much more frequently. The job for life era appears to be history - is a universal basic income the right response? In episode two of ‘Work Shift’ Anthony Painter - Director of The RSA’s Action Research Centre - explores the different rationales and philosophies behind support for a basic income and how defining this policy idea has become a key terrain of political struggle. He’s joined...
Apr 21, 2017•29 min•Ep. 3
Could advances in technology like big data, machine learning and robotics replace jobs faster than new ones can be created? How should we understand the impact of automation on the labour market? And how should government and society respond? In the first episode in our 'Work Shift' series exploring the big debates in the changing nature of work, Matthew Taylor discusses the impact of automation with: Michael A. Osborne of Oxford University, who has estimated 47% of US jobs could be automated, R...
Apr 13, 2017•30 min•Ep. 2
We are anxious to succeed but terrified of failing. Matthew Taylor interviews RSA fellow Moses Sangobiyi about his single minded attempts to break into professional American Football, what he learnt from falling short and why he’s on a mission to let people know that it’s ok to fail. Music: Lobo Loco - Mountain Creek
Mar 10, 2017•22 min•Ep. 1
