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The Social Change Pod

The Social Change Pod

By: The Social Change Pod
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Explore the world of social change with The Social Change Pod, a platform for conversations that matter. From grassroots activism to innovative funding models, each episode delves into the trends, ideas, and stories shaping the future of community-driven movements.

Join thought leaders, change-makers, and community builders as they share practical advice, discuss the latest in participatory grantmaking, and reflect on the power of collective action. Whether you're leading a social movement, working in the nonprofit sector, or just passionate about making a difference, this podcast offers inspiration and actionable insights.

Podcast produced by The Social Change Nest and The Social Change Agency.
Previously published under the name 'SCA Podcast'.
Copyright The Social Change Pod Economics Management Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 034: Rethinking Funding: Why Put Your Trust in Place-Based Groups

    034: Rethinking Funding: Why Put Your Trust in Place-Based Groups
    May 19 2026
    Join The Social Change Nest's Rufaro Mudavanho together with Elijah Williams from Brent Giving and Andy Crosbie and Rich Gibbons from Gateshead Community Bridgebuilders, on the latest episode of The Social Change Pod as they explore the power of place-based community work, highlighting how organisations like Gateshead Community Bridge Builders and Brent Giving empower local voices through participatory decision-making and funding.

    Together, they unpack what community-led decision-making looks like in practice, why funding needs to support capacity and relationships as well as projects, and how the ripple effects of place-based work can reach far beyond what is easy to measure.

    This episode is packed with honest reflections, practical insight, and big questions for funders, community groups, and anyone interested in how change really happens on the ground.

    Want to learn more about Gateshead Community Bridge Builders and Brent Giving, or explore how The Social Change Nest can support place-based work? Get in touch to find out how we can help.

    If you'd like to join the discussion on place-based work and what's going on in our communities, join us at our Wild Times un-conference on the 15th of September. You can find more information by visiting www.wildtimesuk.org.

    Host: Rufaro Mudavanhu, The Social Change Nest
    Guests: Elijah Williams, Brent Giving, Andy Crosbie, Gateshead Community Bridgebuilders, Rich Gibbons, Gateshead Community Bridgebuilders

    Theme music by Loyalty Freak Music
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    48 mins
  • 033: Paying People Fairly: Building Trust and Equity

    033: Paying People Fairly: Building Trust and Equity
    Nov 13 2025
    Join The Social Change Nest's CEO, Esther Foreman and Rachel Smith, Creative Director of Make/Shift, on the latest episode of The Social Change Pod as they unpack what it really looks like to pay people fairly for their time, energy, and expertise, exploring how Payment for Involvement works in practice when you’re navigating the “messy middle” between big institutions and grassroots communities. They also dive into how tools like Open Collective can bridge that gap by making funding more transparent.

    This episode is packed with practical insights, honest reflections, and advice. So if you’re looking to make your approach to community involvement fairer and more accessible, you won’t want to miss it.

    Want help designing a fair and equitable payment for involvement policy for your organisation? Are you interested in learning more about Open Collective? Get in touch to find out how we can help.

    Hosts: Esther Foreman, The Social Change Nest
    Guests: Rachel Smith from Make/Shift

    Theme music by Loyalty Freak Music
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    34 mins
  • 032: Fair Pay for Lived Experience: Lessons from Bristol City Council

    032: Fair Pay for Lived Experience: Lessons from Bristol City Council
    Oct 8 2024
    Today we are talking about the mammoth topic of Payment for Involvement, part of our Payment for Involvement podcast series that we’ve been running over the past couple of months since the launch of the payment for Involvement playbook.

    In the previous episode, we explored why it’s so important for organisations to recognise and value lived experience and to pay people for their involvement.

    In this episode we’re joined by three, absolutely brilliant guests from Bristol City Council.

    They share their journey of creating and implementing a payment for involvement policy in a local authority and discuss the practicalities of how you actually pay people as well.This episode is really jam packed with insightful learnings from their first hand experience. So whether you’re from a local authority, a nonprofit, or really just any organisation that’s looking to engage more equitably and fairly with the communities that you’re serving, you won’t want to miss it.


    Want help designing a fair and equitable payment for involvement policy for your organisation? Get in touch to find out how we can help.




    Hosts: Saoirse Barry, The Social Change Nest
    Guests: Robyn Taylor, Megan Belcher and Ellie Stevens from Bristol City Council

    Theme music by Loyalty Freak Music
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    24 mins
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