In Difference

Introducing In Difference - the podcast series that uncovers how people create progress. Join me for conversations with experts at the top of their field as we chat about how they figure out what to focus on, if their approach is working, and what insights they've discovered along the way.

We all know that it can be difficult to deal with new challenges, but what do you do when the problem impacts the health of people around the world? In this episode, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove shares incredible insights from responses to global health emergencies such as SARS, MERS and COVID-19. Maria is a specialist in infectious disease epidemiology and the technical lead for COVID-19 at the World Health Organization (WHO). Maria shares lessons that go well beyond healthcare and offers huge hope for responding to a range of major events in the future.

How do you understand the needs of a city? And how do begin to solve some of the biggest challenges faced by the people that live there? In this episode, I'm joined by Bill Aulet and Corina Hanrahan. Bill is professor of entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management and author of Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Start Up. Corina is project manager at Limerick City and County Council and the appointed expert on the URBACT project 'Smart Cities and Communities' on climate change. Our conversation covers what the innovation process looks like and the need for entrepreneurial skills across all of society - not just in start ups.

What do cities need to consider when creating innovation districts? In this episode, Dr Carla Kayanan shares lessons on how city planners can balance the needs of local communities with the desire to compete in the global economy. Almost every city has allocated an area to replicate the success of Silicon Valley. In the pursuit of progress some important lessons have been learned. Our conversation uncovers how these insights are shaping urban planning and city life for decades to come.

How do countries make progress when it comes to building affordable homes? All over the world, cities are tackling the fact that owning a house is increasingly beyond the means of most people. In this episode, Lorcan Sirr from Technological University Dublin shares insights from three decades of analysing housing and rental policy. Our conversation shines a light on the impact our houses have on our life, the factors driving house prices, and how to best shape policy in the future.

It can be hard to get ideas up and running. So how can people access funds for projects that can really make a difference? In this episode, Morgan Deane (CEO Baader Helvea and Angel Investor) shares his insights on how companies are using blockchain to build better business models around people who really care about what they're offering. Our conversation gets past the noise of cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin, looking at why and how Generation Z are moving to circular token economies. We uncover some of the drivers behind all of this and how now is the time for underrepresented entrepreneurs to lead responses to our biggest challenges.

How do communities set the political agenda? And how do they make sure that local actions feed bigger global movements? On this episode of In Difference, I'm joined by Prof Inés Pousadela from CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. Inés shares insights on how creating progress often begins with reframing situations and avoiding camouflage strategies by confronting issues head on. We also discuss the role of information and social media in supporting people to exchange their experiences and unite to address urgent local needs. Our conversations uncovers how social movements shape our society and ultimately change our perspective on what's possible.

How are educators developing the mindset and skills needed for innovation? How about when we consider the unknown challenges that today's students will face far in the future? On this episode of In Difference, I have a conversation with Alan Morgan from the Innovation Academy at University College Dublin. Alan is an educational specialist and director of a program on creativity and innovation for educators. We discuss the growing calls for entrepreneurial education and the need for students to set their own learning agenda. Our conversation shines a light on the need for society to value project based learning and to reimagine what our education systems are all about.