Hannah Ritchie — one of the most lucid and data-driven voices in climate and sustainability — returns to talk about her new book Clearing the Air: 50 Questions and Answers about Climate.

Ben and Hannah explore why honesty builds trust in climate science, why the 1.5 °C target is likely out of reach (and why that’s not the end of hope), and China’s paradoxical role as both the world’s largest emitter and clean-tech powerhouse.

They dig into how abundance, not austerity, could define the next phase of climate progress; how to manage renewable energy variability and mineral demand; and why “net zero” may need a more realistic framing.

Hannah also shares personal reflections — what she’d tell her 16-year-old self, how she balances optimism with realism, and the daily coastal runs that keep her creative and grounded. The conversation closes with a look at smart philanthropy, innovative climate projects, and the habits that sustain hope and curiosity.

An hour of evidence, insight, and grounded optimism — a conversation about how to think clearly, act practically, and stay inspired in a warming world.

Transcript and notes: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/10/25/clearing-the-air-hannah-ritchie-on-climate-honesty-hope-and-the-future

Retired police officer Robert Beckley reflects on 40 years of service — from Brixton to Hillsborough and beyond. We discuss crisis response, institutional change, community policing, and why public service and volunteering still matter today.

We explore:

• The misunderstood role of policing: “Policing is about being there in a crisis — when someone needs action, and needs it now.”

• Rob’s early career in Brixton and how his experiences in Sudan shaped his views on culture and policing.

• Honest reflections on institutional racism and sexism: “Institutional racism isn’t about bad people — it’s about systems and processes that have disproportionate impacts.”

• Hillsborough: what really went wrong, the persistence of false narratives, and why “we can never afford complacency in disaster preparedness.”

• The evolution of crime, the importance of community policing: “Community policing works because people trust officers who know their area and take ownership of local problems.”

• Rob’s year as High Sheriff of Somerset, his advocacy for volunteering, and the civic glue that holds communities together.

• Advice for aspiring public servants: “In public service, you may never know the lives you’ve touched — but the impact is real.”

This episode provides deep insights into policing, society, and civic responsibility — offering lessons not only for those in public service but for anyone interested in how communities can thrive.

Find more episodes, transcripts, and writing at https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/9/14/rob-beckley-insights-from-a-policing-career-hillsborough-amp-civic-service-lessons-podcast

Episode highlights:
00:32 – Misunderstandings in Policing
01:57 – Early Career in Brixton
05:18 – Sudan and Cultural Insights
08:51 – Institutional Racism and Sexism
18:14 – Hillsborough Disaster
33:30 – The Evolution of Crime
37:20 – Community Policing
51:05 – The Role of High Sheriff
54:06 – Volunteering and Civic Society
58:16 – Advice for Aspiring Public Servants

Samuel Hughes, editor at Works in Progress, joins me to talk architecture, planning, and how we think about beauty in our cities.

“Most buildings in Tokyo are ugly, but the streets are beautiful—urban form matters more than facades.”

In this episode we explore:

• Can we still mass-produce beautiful buildings?

• Japanese urban design and zoning lessons

• How long buildings should last: UK vs Japan

• Rent control and housing history in Berlin

• Rethinking the greenbelt in Britain

• Dresden’s reconstruction and underrated cities

• Future solutions for housing supply

–––

Full Contents
01:02 Mass Producing Beautiful Buildings
01:43 The Decline of Ornament in Architecture
04:37 Tokyo’s Urban Design and Zoning
10:05 How Long Should Buildings Last? UK vs Japan
16:13 Philosophy, Beauty, and Emotions
25:53 Public Policy Trade-offs in Practice
31:41 Berlin: Rent Control and Urban Planning
36:32 Housing in Europe: A Historical Context
38:02 Modern Housing Markets and Trends
41:50 Rethinking the Greenbelt
44:40 Planning Authorities and Their Role
50:40 Overrated and Underrated Urban Ideas
1:02:03 Dresden: Lessons in Urban Reconstruction
1:05:03 The Future of Britain’s Housing Supply
1:08:40 Career Advice on Policy and Design

Full transcript, video and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/8/20/samuel-hughes-architecture-beauty-and-the-future-of-cities-podcast

Tim Mak moved to Ukraine in 2022, a day before war broke out. Tim, a former US investigative correspondent, decided to stay and start up his own reporting at Counter Offensive. He now reports from Kyiv. 

On the podcast, Tim discusses the day-to-day life in war-torn Kyiv, focusing on the chronic stress rather than immediate physical danger residents face. He recounts his critical role in documenting human stories from the war front and shares his personal journey, having moved to Ukraine right as the war began. We  touch on the operational challenges and ethical considerations in war reporting, the importance of human interest stories, and how new technology like AI affects journalism. Tim talks about the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict and his hopes for the future of independent journalism.

Transcript and link to site: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/7/31/tim-mak-war-reporting-journey-in-ukraine-podcast

Contents

• 00:25 Life in Kiev During Wartime
• 03:10 Tim's Arrival and Early Experiences in Ukraine
• 04:57 Launching The Counter Offensive
• 05:24 Human Interest Stories and Subscriber Growth
• 09:50 Challenges and Ethics in War Reporting
• 14:14 The Power of Individual Narratives
• 25:42 Independent Journalism and Future Prospects
• 34:55 Geopolitical Reflections and Ukraine's Needs
• 44:34 Final Thoughts and Advice

Françoise Girard is an activist and founder of Feminism Makes Us Smarter. We discuss Francois' journey from studying law in Montreal to becoming a feminist activist in New York. Francois shares experiences from her work with the Open Society Institute and the International Women's Health Coalition, elaborating on the critical role of grassroots feminist movements in effecting societal change. 

“Taking a feminist, intersectional lens helps us understand the world better. You can see trends before the regular commentators do.”

The conversation touches on misconceptions about feminism, the interconnected nature of various justice movements, and the importance of long-term, flexible support from philanthropists. 

“If you want to track the health of a democracy, look at what’s happening to women’s rights. They’re the early warning system.”

Francois also highlights the power of storytelling in activism and reveals her creative process behind her writing. 

“When we walk out of a play, we’re more in touch with our feelings. That’s how movements grow — through stories and emotion, not just policy.”

“Each of us won’t solve it all, but if we all do something — even something small — that’s how things move. That’s what gives me hope.”

The discussion concludes with insights into successful campaigns, including the decriminalization of abortion in Ireland, and practical advice for individual contributions to social change.

Links and

• 00:18 Francois' Journey to Activism

• 01:50 Working with International Organizations
• 03:39 Founding Feminism Makes Us Smarter
• 04:54 Understanding Modern Feminism
• 05:41 Intersectionality and Feminism
• 10:35 Theories of Change in Activism
• 22:54 Challenges and Learnings in Feminist Movements
• 31:45 The Role of Art and Opera in Life
• 32:17 The Power of Storytelling
• 36:14 Creative Processes and Writing
• 41:51 Successful Movements and Campaigns
• 49:41 Current Projects and Future Plans
• 54:38 Final Thoughts and Advice

Sumit discusses how his wife dying  reshaped his views on optimism, differentiating between pragmatic optimism and blind faith. He explores how having an optimistic outlook, although seemingly against his scientific training, aligns with good mental health. 

"Believing in a better tomorrow is not the same as saying that today is great."

We touch on the evolutionary logic behind optimism, the impact of agency on perception, and how alternate histories can inform future thinking. Sumit also reflects on the role of optimism during personal grief and provides insights into his writing process and the broader importance of the arts and humanities. The conversation closes with advice for optimism in younger generations and an emphasis on appreciating everyday human interactions.

"Postcards from your future self can be more helpful than New Year’s resolutions."

Transcript and links: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/5/30/sumit-paul-choudhury-optimism-navigating-lifes-challenges-and-uncertainties-podcast

Contents:

• 00:19 The Moment That Changed Everything

• 01:08 Embracing Optimism

• 02:58 The Psychology of Optimism

• 04:42 Rational Optimism vs. Pessimism

• 09:39 Alternate Histories and Humility

• 13:20 Leadership and Optimism

• 16:03 Techniques for Optimism

• 20:45 Optimism in the Face of Grief

• 23:40 Teaching Optimism to the Younger Generation

• 26:03 Understanding the Climate Problem

• 28:41 Victorian Sewer Systems: An Underrated Marvel

• 29:41 Debating De-growth Ideas

• 32:07 The Importance of Arts and Humanities

• 34:36 Moonshot Ideas

• 38:33 Existential Risks

• 40:21 Personal Creativity and Writing Process

• 45:58 Current Projects and Life Advice

Samir Varma is a physicist, investor, and author of the book: The Science of Free Will, How Determinism Affects Everything from the Future of AI to Traffic to God to Bees.' We discuss AI consciousness, the theoretical versus practical aspects of free will, and how determinism informs our understanding of human behaviour, moral philosophy, and even financial markets. 

“Even though there is no free will in theory, because the laws of physics are deterministic… we don’t know what we’re going to do until we’ve done it.” 

“The only way to find out how your life will end is to live it.”

Varma delves into the physics of free will, his insights on the applicability of chaos theory, and why certain financial and societal structures might need reevaluation. 

The conversation touches on the evolution and mechanics of intellectual property, the intricacies of cricket, and the profound layers that make Pink Floyd's music a unique listening experience. Varma also shares his varied projects, including innovations in solar energy and traffic management. 

The discussion culminates with practical life advice focused on pursuing meaningful and passionate work.

Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2025/4/11/samir-varma-free-will-physics-traffic-bees-emotions-chaos-theory-cricket-finance-podcast

Contents

• 00:23 Will AI Gain Consciousness?

• 02:11 The Concept of Free Will in Theory and Practice

• 04:19 Quantum Theory and Determinism

• 18:58 Chaos Theory and Free Will

• 23:20 Death and the Reorganization of Atoms

• 25:37 Animal Consciousness and Communication

• 30:23 Implications for Society and Justice

• 37:48 Emotions and Rationality

• 41:08 Misunderstandings in Finance

• 44:39 Debunking Market Value Myths

• 47:43 The Momentum Factor Explained

• 57:14 The Unique Appeal of Pink Floyd

• 01:02:40 Understanding Cricket's Complexity

• 01:09:58 Overrated or Underrated?

• 01:19:28 Insights on Writing and Creativity

• 01:23:11 Final Thoughts and Life Advice

Mary-Ann Ochota is a broadcaster, anthropologist, and writer known for her work on Time Team and books on archaeology and the British landscape. 

“Archaeology is ultimately about people – the stories of people in the past and how they lived their lives.”

Mary-Ann discusses her visits to Chernobyl, British henges and the Australian Simpson Desert; exploring themes of resilience and environmental recovery. 

“One of the big misconceptions is that archaeology is just about digging things up.”

She shares insights on ancient British sites and the broader implications of sustainable development and access to nature. We discuss her role as president of the Countryside Charity and her thoughts on the future of rural development are highlighted, along with her creative writing process and advice for connecting with nature.

“We’re all living on top of layers of history, whether we realise it or not.”

Transcript and links: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/4/4/mary-ann-ochota-adventure-resilience-unveiling-hidden-histories-archeology-and-the-ancient-world-podcast

Summary Contents:

• 00:31 Exploring Chernobyl's Impact

• 04:59 The Resilience of Nature

• 05:55 Adventures in the Simpson Desert

• 13:56 Ancient Sites in the UK

• 17:10 Access to Nature and Social Barriers

• 31:56 The Ridgeway National Trail

• 38:33 Exploring the Purpose of Henges

• 39:29 Ancient Feasts and Food Waste

• 40:15 Reevaluating Ancient Civilizations

• 44:32 Imagination and Environmental Crisis

• 47:53 Balancing Hope and Realism

• 50:06 Writing Process and Creative Challenges

• 01:04:24 Sustainable Development and Land Use

• 01:11:32  Life Advice 

Political philosopher Rebecca Lowe discusses her views on freedom, equality, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Currently writing a book titled 'Freedom in Utopia,' Rebecca delves into philosophical debates concerning obligations to extinct animals, the ethics of eating meat, and the future potential of lab-grown meat. 

On questioning norms and making choices:
“Think hard about what the norms are that you follow unthinkingly. There are many ways to live a good life, and it’s for you to work that out for yourself, because you’re the only person who can have any systemic access to that.”

On fiction and its philosophical role:
“I feel quite strongly that people who don’t spend time reading fiction are really missing out on one of the great things about being human—the capacity to separate out from your daily life, think about other worlds, imagine.”

She also touches on the moral considerations surrounding artificial wombs, the possible role of ChatGPT as a tool for philosophical inquiry, and her disillusioning experience running for political office. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of decentralization, freedom, and respect in society while also sharing her creative process and insights into leading a fulfilling life.

Transcript and video available here.

Contents

• 00:22 Reviving Extinct Animals

• 02:29 Moral Implications of Eating Meat

• 07:47 Future Moral Consensus

• 11:25 Consequentialism in Healthcare

• 19:21 ChatGPT as a Philosopher

• 25:28 Artificial Wombs and Ethical Questions

• 30:33 Rebecca's Political Journey

• 34:43 Creative Process and Philosophy

• 37:50 The Importance of Reading Fiction

• 41:03 Imagining the Best Possible Society

• 42:19 The Role of Prisons in Utopia

• 46:01 Education in an Ideal Society

• 49:05 Cultural Goods and Utopia

• 52:18 Healthcare and Resource Allocation

• 55:11 Under rated / Over rated

• 58:55 Final Thoughts and Advice

Daisy Christodoulou is an acclaimed author in the field of education. Daisy has also written a book on video assisted refereeing (VAR) in football.

We discuss being a football fan, VAR's impact on the sport, and the controversial decision-making processes involved. We speak about how VAR might have improved other sports but has mixed results in football. We suggest what technology should spring to football and sport.  We debate on how this potentially reflects the limits of rationality in human endeavours. 

"We need to get away from the search for perfection. Whether in education or VAR, it’s about striking the right balance between accuracy, simplicity, and consistency to avoid ending up with the worst of both worlds."

"When you apply a very precise, letter-of-the-law system, it sometimes tramples over the qualities that make the game what it is. VAR has unintentionally highlighted the limits of rationalism."

Transitioning to education, Daisy shares insights from her research and books on the importance of knowledge-rich curriculums, cognitive science, and the challenges of modern educational systems. The conversation delves into the history of self-education, the role of physical school environments, and strategies to enhance learning outcomes. We touch upon the relevance of English literature, fiction reading, and Daisy's innovative projects at No More Marking, utilizing AI for better educational assessments.

“A written sentence is an incredibly efficient way of communicating information. It can do things that video, audio, or computer code cannot. That utility alone makes reading irreplaceable."

Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/1/12/daisy-christodoulou-a-deep-dive-into-var-football-education-and-the-art-of-learning-podcast

Contents:

• The Joys and Struggles of Supporting West Ham

• Controversial VAR Decisions

• Problems with VAR in Football

• Objective vs Subjective Decisions in VAR

• Comparing VAR Across Different Sports

• Proposed Solutions for VAR Issues

• Historical Context and Evolution of Football Rules

• Impact of VAR on the Spirit of the Game

• In-Game Experience and Fan Reactions to VAR

• Broader Implications of VAR and Rationalism

• Potential Reforms in Education

• Path Dependency in Education Systems

• Emphasis on Knowledge in Education

• The Myth of 'Just Look It Up'

• Cognitive Science and Learning Techniques

• The Importance of School Buildings

• Historical Perspectives on Self-Education

• Balancing Educational Trade-offs

• The Decline of English Literature Studies

• Final Thoughts and Life Advice

Peter Gray is a psychologist and author of Free to Learn. For many years, he has been studying the importance of play.

Gray discusses his perspective on the ideal education system, which he believes should be a bottom-up movement rather than a top-down imposition. He emphasizes the importance of self-directed education where children have the freedom to follow their curiosity and interests. Gray explains how traditional schooling stifles curiosity and playfulness, and traces the historical roots of the current education system. He also highlights the sociopolitical factors that have contributed to the decline of children's mental health, arguing against the popular notion that social media is the primary cause. Additionally, the conversation touches on the impact of economic inequality on parenting styles and child freedom. Gray shares his current projects, including initiatives aimed at encouraging more free play in schools and educating pediatricians on the importance of play, while offering practical advice for parents to support their children's independence and curiosity.

Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/11/1/peter-gray-transforming-education-play-self-directed-learning-parenting-podcast

"If offered the opportunity to redesign the entire educational system as a top-down thing, me being the czar of education and telling everybody else what they should do, I would decline the offer...it really has to emerge from the bottom up."

"Education works best when the people being educated are in charge of it... Children are biologically designed to learn through exploration, through play."

"Our school system suppresses curiosity and playfulness...the two primary biological educative drives in children."

"Ask your child: 'What would you like to do that you haven’t done before that might be a little bit frightening but that you’d really like to try?' It’s how children build courage and how parents build trust."

Contents

• 00:19 Redesigning the Education System

• 01:41 The Role of Curiosity and Play in Learning

• 05:55 Historical Context of Traditional Schooling

• 08:26 Children's Rights and Freedom Over Time

• 12:11 Cultural Shifts and Parental Concerns

• 15:28 Impact of Economic Inequality on Parenting

• 18:53 Rise of Stranger Danger and Overprotectiveness

• 28:14 Common Core and the Mental Health Crisis

• 38:28 The Evolution of Reading and Technology

• 41:17 Balancing Screen Time and Real Life

• 43:12 Reflections on 'Free to Learn'

• 45:07 Evolutionary Psychology and Its Impact

• 50:28 Advice for a Fulfilling Retirement

• 01:00:04 Creative Processes and Inspirations

• 01:05:45 Current Projects and Parenting Advice