Caroline co-founded A Better Way and runs a think tank called the Civil Exchange, after a career full of learning, famously being the first female Private Secretary to the first female PM – Margaret Thatcher. In the final episode of the first series, Polly and Roger talk to her about…   …How Caroline first saw that a better way was so desperately needed. …Lessons from working for two Prime Ministers and Gordon Brown when he was Chancellor. …What happens when you’re introducing systems that aren’t working. …Hopes for better government, stronger democracy, and a more positive narrative. …And much more   Caroline can be reached via: [email protected]   Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/    Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites:   http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

John is a systems thinker at Impro. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to him about… …What even is systems thinking? …What led public services into meltdown. …How can we rebuild in the best way for citizens? …Lessons from The Netherlands who now have empty places in prisons. …Let’s not jump to digital solutions (“We need an app for that”). …And more   You can contact John here.. https://www.improconsult.co.uk/systemic-design-portfolio.html [email protected]    Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/  Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

Clare Wightman is CEO of Grapevine - Coventry and Warwickshire. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …Strengthening people by putting love, hope, intimacy and connectedness first. …Building power to challenge for system change. …Creating a culture that thrives and endures through stories. …Why one of the hottest risks of striving to collaborate is to our individual psychological safety.  …And a lot more!   Clare can be reached via:  [email protected] @grapevineceo https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/   Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/    Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

David is the founder of the Relationships Project and Community Links and one of the founders of A Better Way. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to him about…   …How David’s life’s work led to the movement for A Better Way …How relationships have suffered as the public sector has changed …Why 9.75 miilion pandemic volunteers are not “an army” …What it takes to raise our sights and shift the soul of the system …Learning from places where things are done in A Better Way    David can be reached on [email protected] And via:  https://relationshipsproject.org   Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/    Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites:   http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

Khatija is the CEO of Ideal for All, a charity and social enterprise based in Sandwell. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …Being truly user-led. …How a one-stop-shop delivers better outcomes at less cost. …Standing with people to claim what’s rightfully theirs …The value of local partnerships and the threats posed by large and national organisations. Khatija can be reached via:  https://www.idealforall.co.uk/ Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/  Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

Kathy is the CEO of Children England and one of the founders of A Better Way. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …How competition and contracting have wasted energy and money and undermined trust, collaboration and purpose …Who should be the catalysts for change and how we need to listen …Lessons to be learned from local, decentralised successes …Kathy’s journey from practitioner to policy influencer and changemaker Kathy can be reached via:  https://www.childrenengland.org.uk Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/  Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

Cate is the CEO of Surrey Youth Focus. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …Being a positive insurgent or “disrupter in chief,” challenging but valued by many different players in the system around children and young people …How Cate’s experience as a parent provided the insight that led her to activism. …How confidence and trust to change things is built in a different kind of conversation, that matters more than organisational structures  …The power of principles, not targets, when creating action on the frontline   …And a lot more! Cate can be reached via:  www.surreyyouthfocus.org.uk www.time4kids.org www.humanlearning.systems Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/  Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: http://www.shelter.org.uk http://www.rogermartin.me

Amanda is a Trustee for The Lankelly Trust Foundation. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …What happened when women who had survived lifetime trauma took their city council to court …Making sure you get your seat at the table …What makes organisations good at drawing on lived experience to redesign services …And other topics Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/ Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: www.shelter.org.uk www.rogermartin.me

Karin is the Chief Executive of Cambridge House. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to her about… …Expertise in change making …Whether charities do their masters’ bidding …Radical listening’s implications for leadership, trust and disagreements …And other topics Karin can be reached via: www.ch1889.org [email protected] Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/ Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: www.shelter.org.uk www.rogermartin.me

Paul is the Founder Of eCulture Solutions. In this episode, Polly and Roger talk to him about… …The power of virtual cooperation to help make our places thrive …Recognising who does the caring in our communities and coming together virtually and IRL to enable them …Whether designing services in partnership with people who use them can reduce “institutional nervousness” …And other topics Paul can be reached on: www.eculturesolutions.com [email protected] Get more from A Better Way Network at https://www.betterway.network/ Podcast hosts, Polly Neate and Roger Martin, can be reached via this email [email protected], or their respective websites: www.shelter.org.uk www.rogermartin.me