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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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
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