In this first interview of Season 3, Sarah Doyle reflects on her journey into the public sector and the insights she’s gained from working across government, as well as from her time at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and MaRS Discovery District.

We explore what mission-oriented government looks like beyond the theory: how public institutions build the capacity to work across silos, collaborate with actors outside government, and operate in fast-moving, interconnected environments.

Sarah shares concrete examples of where mission-oriented approaches have taken root, what’s helped them succeed, and what continues to get in the way.

The conversation also turns to storytelling as a core capability that shapes public understanding, influences what governments see as possible, and expands the range of policy and program options on the table.

New season, new intro! In this episode of the GovMaker podcast, hosts Nick Scott and Jason Pearman are joined by Pond Deshpande, Executive Director, Vanessa Paesani, to discuss the upcoming season and the 2025 GovMaker Conference in partnership with the Canadian Open Data Summit. The episode includes reflections on past seasons and a preview of what's to come in Season 3!

In this podcast episode, John McLaughlin, former president of the University of New Brunswick, shares his insights on the importance of network governance in solving complex societal challenges. McLaughlin emphasizes the need to connect people with different perspectives and expertise to collaborate and generate innovative solutions. He also discusses the challenges faced by government leaders in driving change and the need for a new generation of leaders to bring a different set of values to the table. McLaughlin reflects on the legacy of Andy Scott, and his unique ability to bring together different communities and motivate them to be something greater than they would be apart.

In this conversation, Nick Scott shares his experiences and insights on driving innovation and change within government. He discusses the importance of serendipity and how seemingly unrelated experiences and connections can come together to create opportunities. Nick also talks about the challenges he faced in changing the culture of government and the need for empathy and self-care in leadership roles. He highlights the value of building networks and creating spaces for experimentation and learning. Stay tuned for the release of the last episode of the season next Wednesday with a special guest!

In this episode of the GovMaker podcast, Jason Pearman and Nick engage with Marlie Kikiboom, who shares her journey from the Netherlands to Canada and her experiences in public service. Marlie discusses her work in ethnographic research, systemic design, and social innovation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and knowledge co-production. She introduces the concept of the 'Ministry of Unbounded Affairs' as a way to approach public service challenges without the constraints of traditional departmental boundaries. The conversation explores the idea of rewilding government, personal transformation, and the challenges faced in public service, culminating in rapid-fire questions that reveal Marlie's insights on government work and the importance of relationality in public service.

Join the conversation on the Pond-Deshpande Social media platforms and secure your spot today for GovMaker 2024 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠govmaker2024.eventbrite.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Our co-hosts Nick Scott and Jason Peerman are joined by Katie Davey, Executive Director of the Pond-Deshpande Centre, to discuss the central theme of this season's podcast, highlighting the need to transform public services and pave the way for the next generation of public servants.

Join the conversation on the Pond-Deshpande Social media platforms and secure your spot today for GovMaker 2024 at ⁠⁠⁠govmaker2024.eventbrite.ca⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, Judy Wagner, former Clerk of the Executive Council of Government of New Brunswick, shares her insights on evidence-based policy-making. She highlights the importance of engaging stakeholders, being iterative in policy development, and building relationships with academics to inform policy decisions. Wagner also emphasizes the need for funding for evaluation components within projects and programs. Finally, she pays tribute to the late Andy Scott and his passion for making New Brunswick a better place through evidence-based policy-making.

In this conversation, Jason Pearman interviews Lauren Hunter about her extensive experience in public sector innovation. They discuss her journey into government, the challenges of bureaucracy, and the establishment of the Innovation Hub at Natural Resources Canada. Lauren shares insights on key initiatives like the Free Agent Program and the ADAPT team, as well as her current projects focused on resilience and food security. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, the need for systemic change, and the role of behavioral nudges in improving public service outcomes.

Join the conversation on the Pond-Deshpande Social media platforms and secure your spot today for GovMaker 2024 at ⁠govmaker2024.eventbrite.ca⁠!