The Public Affairs in Practice Podcast

Interview with Zoe Cohen, board level director, Master Coach and Activist

In an interview episode, I talk to Zoe Cohen, a highly experienced board-level director and Master Coach.
We talk about the importance of taking action to save the planet, climate communications, her activism and work with Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil.
This episode was recorded before the recent UK General Election and *WARNING* it does contain some swearing.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.
Zoe has kindly provided some links and reading materials for us as well.
Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) and support – it’s really important for those of who feel this deeply to not be on our own with it, and to seek support, see https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/index.php/find-support
 
Planetary Boundaries – I described how 6 of the 9 ‘planetary boundaries’ have been identified as broken/passed – here is the framework behind that, developed by Professor Johan Rockstrom and colleagues -https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html (there’s a Netflix movie on it too, with David Attenborough if people prefer, but of course it’s less blunt than it needs to be)
 
The ‘Humanity Project’ - https://humanityproject.uk/ - I talked about the project here in the UK to upgrade democracy, through local community assemblies, and a new grass roots national people’s assembly – by the people for the people 
 
And just to add – deliberative democracy and citizens assemblies can be global as well as local and national. A Global Assembly was run in 2021  https://globalassembly.org/ with 100 ordinary people from all over the world. Now a coalition of organizations, individuals and governments are working to establish a permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly, to address humanity’s greatest challenges, and try to place citizens at the heart of global governance. See  https://www.gcacoalition.org/
 
‘Breaking Together’ – I recommend this book by Professor Jem Bendell. It is a critical and multidisciplinary in-depth view of our current predicament, and some of the potential responses to it. Jem’s blog is here and includes a page on the book with a free e-read version - https://jembendell.com/2023/04/08/breaking-together-a-freedom-loving-response-to-collapse/
 
The ’Great Simplification’ -  If people aren't already familiar with it, this as Nate Hagen’s podcast and YouTube series -https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/ - also a good source of multidisciplinary, big picture perspectives on our human predicament, whilst I don’t necessarily agree with all the perspectives represented, it’s still a good source.
 
‘Defend Our Juries’ - https://defendourjuries.org/ this is an important campaign which began last year to defend all UK citizens rights to a fair jury trial. Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience – but this is under attack in multiple ways and must be defended.
 
‘This is Rigged’ - https://www.thisisrigged.org/ - This is a great youth-led, campaign in Scotland, which is taking nonviolent action to pressure the government on food justice to ensure everyone can eat and no one goes hungry

Interview with John Harrington, Editor, PR Week UK

In an interview episode, I talk to John Harrington, Editor, PR Week UK. 
We talk about his work at PR Week, stories that he is particularly proud of, the main challenges facing the public affairs, and how it may evolve in the coming years.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Risk Appetite in Communications: A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth

All organisations need to manage risk. Some do it better than others. Some make basic mistakes; others try to drive out all aspects of risk. But the reality is that some risk needs to be maintained, not least in communications, otherwise innovation can die.
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Five Challenges All Election Candidates Must Be Prepared For

Originally written for LabourList, and with Scott Goodstein, this episode outlines five crucial challenges for which every candidate should be prepared in creating their own winning election scenario.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Monitoring

In a different type of episode, we hear from five of the leading monitoring companies.
Delivering public affairs training, I am often asked about who can monitoring services. So, I asked leading monitoring companies to tell us more about what they do.
A huge thank you to all those who took part.
To learn more about the companies took part (in alphabetical order):
DeHavilland
Dods
PolicyMogul - with a special offer of 10% off your first year's subscription
PoliMonitor - use the code STUARTSENTME for 13 months for the price of 12 if you trial and sign up
Vuelio - or email sam.webber@vuelio.com
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Interview with Craig Jones MBE, Fighting With Pride

In an interview episode, I talk to Craig Jones MBE, Executive Director of Fighting With Pride  that supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+Veterans, service personnel and their families.
We talk about his background in the Royal Navy; the lifting of the ‘gay ban’ in the armed forces and the challenges he, and many others, faced; his varied career when he left the Royal Navy; how Fighting With Pride started, its achievements in influencing government and the challenges that remain.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Interview with Paul Gerrard, Co-op

In an interview episode, I talk to Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs & Board Secretariat Director at the Co-op Group.
We talk about his background in the civil service, the skills he learned and how he has applied them to public affairs and the fantastic campaign he has led tackling violence against shop workers. It is a case study that everyone should learn from.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Interview with Kirsty McHugh, Carers Trust

In an interview episode, I talk to Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust.
We talk about her impressive career, how it all started, and the benefits of serving of a local councillor.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Interview with Vallath Kavitha Krishnan

In an interview episode, I talk to Vallath Kavitha Krishnan, a Team Leader in the Scottish Government's Justice Transformation Policy Team.
We talk about her background in public affairs and its benefits in her latest policy-focused role.
All views expressed in the podcast are Vallath's own.
Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications
Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Interview with Paul Addison, Arup

In an interview episode, I talk to Paul Addison, an Associate Director at Arup who leads their public affairs strategy and delivery.
We talk about his work in infrastructure, the changing face of public affairs and the increasing role of devolution.
Thanks to my editor Callums World.