One Question: Recent Episodes
One Question
A glimpse behind the scenes of One Question and the conversations with members and guests through the lens of a single question. From fashion brands to scriptwriters, photographers to economists, journalists to politicians, the One Question Podcast series explores different questions in a thoughtful, fast-paced and inspiring conversation designed for the curious with a desire to challenge the status quo. Series four launches in 2023 asking, can we rewrite the rules of leadership? Listen today via Itunes or Spotify
Sarah is joined by Richard Meddings CBE, Chairman of NHS England, and George Gordon, Communications and Corporate Affairs Director of TSB, to answer this One Question through the lens of society. Are we increasingly being asked to lead in service of something greater than ourselves, or has that always been the case? It is just that the context of leadership has changed.
Before joining the NHS, Richard Meddings was CFO of Standard Chartered Bank. He was integral to one of the most critical financial institutions and part of the UK recapitalisation plan, which remains a blueprint for global financial rescue policies.
In 2018, Richard joined TSB as Chair and, following the unfolding technology crisis, worked with George to establish what is now known as the TSB Fraud Refund Guarantee. This guarantee, a pledge to refund every single TSB customer who was an innocent victim of fraud, will be passed into law on Monday, October 7th, marking a significant step in leadership in service to society.
Sarah, George, and Richard discuss what being in service to society means, the importance of empowering others to lead and doing so courageously, the dotted line between humility and profitability, institutional leadership through the lens of the NHS following the recent Darzy report, and their advice for the next generation.
This is a timely, thoughtful, and honest conversation about what it means to lead in 2024 and whether what it means to lead today differs from yesterday.
This series is in partnership with Headland Consulting, a leading UK communication and reputation consultancy. Find out more
To find out more about Richard Meddings CBE
To find out more about George Gordon
Read Lord Darzi report on NHS England.
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Dan Smith, managing director of communication and reputation consultancy, Headland, and Dr Ben Shenoy, psychologist, author, and professor at the London School of Economics, join Sarah in answering this series question, "How do we lead today?"
Ben and Dan are authors of the Collaborative Report, research unveiling how a business that partners with peers and third parties can unlock financial, social and environmental value and how by tackling systemic challenges like the climate crisis, the rise of AI and social polarisation in partnership with others can lead to improved relationships, reputations and, ultimately, revenue. (You can download a copy of the report here)
Sarah invites Ben and Dan to discuss what it really means to lead today, especially at times of uncertainty, the tension of new models of leadership, the push and pull of short-term and long-term decisions, and finding meaning in our businesses and in our leadership.
An insightful and hopeful conversation for every kind of leader.
Series five of the One Question podcast is in partnership with Headland Consultancy.
To find out more about Dan Smith
To find out more about Ben Shenoy
To find out more about how Headland Consultancy can support your business
Host: Sarah Parsonage, founder of One Question
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"Hope is a renewable source. Fear is not. At a certain point, you run out of fear because it stops being real. Hope is a renewable resource. It is intended to be self-sustaining."
In episode one of series five, in partnership with Headland Communications Consultancy, Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, joins Sarah to explore this series' One Question: How do we lead today? What does leadership mean in the US right now, and is a new model of leadership enough for a democratic win on November 5th?
Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races to build sustainable power for Democrats across all fifty states.
- This conversation covers everything from the whiplash of American Politics the impact of Kamala Harris's campaign on the ground.
- Intergenerational leadership and the tension between new models of leadership that come with a new generation of leaders.and Amanda's new book coming Spring 2025.
- Sustaining democracy and funding value over volume.
- And hope as a renewable source.
Plus, so much more.
To find out more about Amanda and support Run for Something > https://runforsomething.net/
Host: Sarah Parsonage, founder of One Question
Instagram: @1.question
email: conversations@onequestion.live
Website: www.onequestion.live
Nick Hounsfield is an inspiration. Founder of The Wave, the first inland surfing destination in Bristol, and devout surfer, Nick is building a blueprint for business that prioritises people and the planet.
In episode 14, Nick joins Sarah to chat about his vision for The Wave and the impact of the surfing community as activists for the future, the undeniable link between purpose and profit, passion, determination, and so much more.
This conversation is truly one of hope for the future.
Find out more about Nick and The Wave below.
https://www.thewave.com/
Please be aware this conversation was recorded before the terrorist attack on Israel on the 7th of October.
Over the last twenty years, Naseem Khuri has worked as a trainer, consultant, mediator and facilitator specialising in negotiation, influence, and conflict management. He is a Senior Facilitator with Vantage Partners, a Principal with CMPartners, and a Senior Advisor with Dragonfly Partners. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
This week, Naseem and his colleague and co-author, Rob Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership at Harvard University, join Sarah in a conversation answering our One Question, can we rewrite the rules of leadership? If we better understand what it means to negotiate?
As well as a member of the faculty at Harvard University, Rob, like Naseem, helps organisations, non for profits and government institutions, deal with complex negotiation, leadership and management challenges. In this conversation, Rob, Sarah and Naseem explore whether a new form of leadership is dependent on our ability to communicate and negotiate.
Why do we avoid difficult conversations? How can we accept that conflict exists in the boardroom, in politics and in different cultures, but how do we navigate these conflicts? How can we learn to lead by understanding perspectives that differ from our own and lean into challenging conversations, not from a position of righteousness but from one of curiosity?
This is a provocative conversation that will give us all a glimmer of hope.
To find out more about Naseem Khuri and Rob Wilkinson, to find out more about One Question.
How to support Israel at this time.
The International Red Cross provides assistance during times of crisis and has pleaded for an end to the violence between Israel and Palestine.
Save The ChildrenDonate to an emergency fund. Donate to Israel's hospital, troops, survivors and more.
Sometimes, when something doesn't exist, you have to create it. Nick Stoop spent ten years at the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock before setting up Pangea in 2022. Having spent most of his career in Asia, when he returned to the UK and sought to reallocate his UK personal pension into positively impactful funds, there were few options, so he built one.
Founder of Pangea, a positive impact wealth management provider to individual clients in the UK, Nick joins Sarah to answer our One Question through the lens of asset management. A conversation that encompasses, profitability, policy and an emphasis on shifting society's mindset on how we save for our future and the future of the planet.
To find out more about Pangea
To find out more about One Question
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, to answer this series question from the perspective of leadership in the non-profit and charitable sector.
Spanning a 34-year career in mental health and criminal justice, Dr Hughes is a powerful voice on the importance of rewriting the rules of leadership and the economic model of charities and foundations in the UK.
At a time of turbulence and an opportunity for change and during an increasing mental health crisis, how can innovation in the industry force policy and better serve the needs of the country?
Sarah and Dr Hughes discuss the need for a different type of leadership, the role of females in senior roles, whether charities are fit for purpose and the need for a shift in policy and perception of the sector.
A conversation not to be missed.
To find out more about Dr Sarah Hughes and Mind.
As the title states, the Activist Leader is a new mindset for doing business. Co-author Lucy Parker has worked with companies all over the world and in all sectors to help them shape and deliver their social value strategies. Before setting up Brunswicks Business & Society practice, Lucy chaired the UK Prime Minister’s Taskforce for Talent and Enterprise for Gordon Brown, focused on high-value skills for a competitive edge in the global economy.
As well as co-authoring The Activist Leader and running Brunswicks practice alongside Lucy, Jon Miller is the founder of Open For Business, a coalition of 40 global companies campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights in countries hostile to LGBTQ+ people.
Jon and Lucy join Sarah in a lively conversation exploring how businesses are rewriting the rules of leadership - through a new methodology and numerous case studies, Jon and Lucy talk through what it means to be an activist leader today.
You can purchase your copy of The Activist Leader here
Find out more about Brunswick Group
Before joining TBWA, Larissa Vince was CEO of the independent agency NOW, a former Managing Director at Saatchi & Saatchi and a passionate advocate of the commercial value that difference can bring to teams and creativity.
Larissa joins Sarah to explore what leadership means in the advertising industry, from a lack of diversity to old economic models, do the rules of leadership need to be rewritten to reflect an ever-evolving society, and if so how?
An honest conversation on the highs and lows of an industry and what the future might look like, for better or worse.
Find out more about TBWA advertising agency.
Find out more about Larissa Vince.
A hard business’: UK’s illustrious ad industry tainted by burnout and inequality.
Find out more about WACL
Tina Ziegler is a torchbearer for the new contemporary art market, having successfully executed and produced over 300 exhibitions. Tina is currently the director of Moniker Art, Moniker Foundation and The Ziegler Academy, pushing the boundaries of art, fashion, and media.
Tina joins Sarah to explore leadership through the lens of the art industry. Arguably the art industry, encompassing the creative industries as a whole, has been rewriting the rules of leadership since time began, be it through Vivienne Westwood's punk fashion, the hip-hop movement or street art.
From artists as leaders through the lessons government and business can learn from the art community, this is a truly fascinating insight into a whole new definition of leadership.
To find out more about Tina Ziegler
To find out more about Sarah Parsonage
Natasha Whiting is the CEO and co-founder of Kollo Health. Her deep passion for improving lives led her to co-found Kollo Health in 2020, introducing their first product, the highly acclaimed and multi-award-winning Kollo Premium Liquid marine collagen. Natasha's leadership and dedication earned her recognition, including being honoured for her contributions as a team leader in tsunami relief efforts of 2004 at the age of 18.
Natasha joins Sarah in conversation answering our single question through the lens of female leadership, healthcare and education. A unique conversation that explores a different kind of leadership in 2023 and unpicks metrics of success.
Find out more about Kollo Health
Follow Natasha Whiting and Sarah Parsonage
Find out more about One Question
Dr Menaal Munshey joined the United Nations, Internation Immigration Organisation, Pakistan, in January 2023 following roles at the UN in Tokyo, Barcelona, Vienna and Beirut. A lawyer and criminologist, Menaal has worked on legal aid, criminal justice and prison reform in Pakistan and is leading Indus Relief 2022, a fundraising initiative for immediate flood relief in Sindh. More recently, Menaal joined the One Question Foundation as Ambassador.
Menaal joins Sarah to explore what leadership means in different countries, cultures and religions, through a lens of research, policy and humanity. What kind of leadership does the world need now? The importance of female leadership, and what leadership means to her as she splits her time between London and Pakistan.
Inspiration sits at the very heart of this conversation - essential listening to challenge our perspective and change the way we see the world.
Cody Keenan rose from a campaign intern in Chicago to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Today, Keenan is a partner at leading speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies and teaches a popular course on political speechwriting at his alma mater, Northwestern University. His first book, Grace, was published in October 2022 and became an instant New York Times bestseller.
Cody joins Sarah to talk about what it means to lead today, how you keep the faith in your country when its leadership is failing, the importance of realism and idealism, and Grace, Sarah's book of the year, recounting an emotional rollercoaster of ten days in the White House in 2015.
A conversation not to be missed, that gives us all that little bit of Hope.
Grace is not readily available in the UK, yet, but you can purchase the hardback edition on Amazon.
Aliyah is the founder of student-led movement, Pupil Power and a student of Education, Policy and International Development at the University of Cambridge.
Aliyah joined our annual conversation in September, to explore the role of education in the education system. How can businesses and society better understand the education system to equip the next generation as they navigate their careers? And perhaps, more importantly, what can businesses learn from generations to come on the values we need to build more sustainable businesses?
As a new member of One Question, Aliyah returns to join Sarah in a conversation on new definitions of leadership. How leaders today might have got leadership wrong, and how we can close the gap between generations to build better education systems, better businesses, and better societies.
An illuminating conversation that everyone should pay attention to.
It is perhaps somewhat unusual to invite the company Chairman, to the podcast to answer our question but, in true One Question style in this episode, Sarah chats to friend, chairman and founder of New Working Class, James Scroggs, to answer our single question, can we rewrite the rules of leadership?
How do we define leadership in 2023? What are the tenants of true leadership? What role do business, society and perhaps more importantly education play in developing leaders of today and of the future?
A thoughtful conversation challenging the way we think of leadership today.
James Scroggs joined One Question in 2018, building on our community of leaders from business and society to reimagine the world through conversation and consultation.
James is co-founder of New Working Class, a new college combining learning and working on the high street, as an engine for community regeneration. Widening participation in further and higher education, for those marginalised by the current education pathway.
Alongside One Question and NWC, James is Chairman of CALM - Campaigning Against Living Miserably, a charity taking a stand against suicide. Through provocative campaigns, life-saving servicing and community, CALM advocates for standing together to show life is always worth living and change the fact that 125 lives are lost to suicide every week.
Episode two of the brand new series invites Joe Twyman, the co-founder of independent public opinion consultancy, Delta Poll, to explore our one question, can we rewrite the rules of leadership?
One of Britain’s best-known political pollsters, Joe previously worked as Head of Political and Social Research at YouGov and was a director at the founding of the company back in 2000. Before leading the Political and Social Research Team
at YouGov, Joe held a variety of senior positions within the company and was responsible for building the company’s online research operations. He also spent two and a half years in Baghdad as a director of YouGov’s Iraq operation from 2007 to 2010. He has published several academic research papers, worked as project director for five British Election Studies and regularly provides expert analysis for TV, radio and newspapers both at home and abroad.
Joe joins Sarah in a conversation on what it means to be a political leader today. Can we maintain our faith in leadership when leaders who govern the country break the very laws they set? What does the future of democracy look like and so much more.
Series 4 of the One Question podcast returns, asking, can we rewrite the rules of leadership?
Episode one invites the Co-Founder of Word On The Curb, Ndu Uchea, to answer this series one question in conversation with Sarah.
Word on the Curb is a youth insight and communications consultancy that specialises in working with ambitious brands to engage with underrepresented Gen-Z and Millennials.
Ndu co-founded the organisation with business partner and friend, Hayel, when the two were studying at the University of Manchester in 2013. Born out of a passion and desire to accurately depict and explore the opinions of the diverse environment they found themselves in, the pair taught themselves how to create content through online tutorials, uploading videos targeted at exploring youth opinions to their Youtube channel. A decade later, the company offers end-to-end communications services, from insight to behaviour-changing creative campaigns, working with the likes of the NHS, adidas and Spotify.
Ndu joins Sarah in an insightful conversation exploring what it means to be a leader today. How have ideas of leadership shifted? And is the democratisation of leadership a good thing?
In the final episode of this series asking, can business make society better? Sarah is joined by Lucy Stephens, Headteacher of The New School, a new type of school on a mission to positively change the way we educate children in the UK, Sebastian Gray, Headteacher at Laurance Haines School in Watford and Karrelle Dixon, formerly heading up advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy in Portland, Karrelle is retraining to become a teacher.
An integral perspective of the 2020 question through the lens of education, the role business plays in education, and whether the education system as we know it is really fit for purpose.
In partnership with Bloomberg Media, Sarah is joined by CMO, Anne Kawalerski and Vice President of brand at Audi, Henrik Wenders, to answer our 2020 question, can business make society better? Through the lens of the marketing industry.
An illuminating conversation on the responsibility of marketers in balancing a strategy based on core values and commercial success. The call for new metrics of success and the importance of 'practising what we preach' in business and in marketing.
In Partnership with Bloomberg Media, Sarah is joined by Adeline Diab and Claire Bergkamp to discuss the responsibility the fashion industry has in making society better.
The fashion industry touches all of us, from high-end to the high street, but how great is the responsibility and is it fair? An honest conversation of the realities of fast fashion and a call to reframe consumerism.
In Partnership with Bloomberg Media, Sarah is joined by Maia Godemer Research Associate at BloombergNEF and Jane Ambachtsheer, Global Director of Sustainability at BNP Paribas Asset Management in the regulation perspective.
Jane and Maia discuss the impact of regulation on making society better, from the responsibility of business, the rise of ESG frameworks and the urgency of a climate in crisis.
This week, Sarah Parsonage interviews Deborah Al Sayed, One Question Member and Director of Transformation, NHS Bristol, Gregor Henderson, National Lead, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM (Campaigning against Living Miserably) Charity to ask our 2020 question through the perspective of healthcare, specifically mental health and the impact of living through a global health crisis and civil rights movement.
This week, Sarah chats to Dominic Bianchi, co-founder of Bianchi restaurant group in Bristol, including, Pasta Loca, Pasta Ripiena, Bianchi, La Sorella and Mark Buckle, co-founder of Level Crossing record store in West London in the community perspective.
An inspiring interview from the perspective of small businesses founded on the principles of quality product and community.
In partnership with Bloomberg Media, Sarah is joined by Lauren Kiel, General Manager of Bloomberg Green and Silvia Marcon, Head of Women4Climate to answer, can business make society better? In the environmental perspective.
Launched in 2020 Bloomberg Green is a global, multiplatform news brand focused on climate change. You can find out more by subscribing to their newsletter
Women4Climate empowers climate leaders to shape the future of the climate. Through the Women4Climate initiative, C40 aims to empower and inspire the next generation of climate leaders through a global mentorship programme dedicated to women in C40 cities. To find out more visit their website.
Barrister, Author, founder of Black Women In Law, Alexandra Wilson joins Sarah Parsonage to answer our 2020 question, can business make society better?
An honest interview the role the legal system has in making society better, starting with equality.
To purchase a copy of Alexandra's book, In Black and White visit https://www.waterstones.com/book/in-black-and-white/alexandra-wilson/9781913068288
If you enjoyed this episode please consider donating the The Stephen Lawrence Foundation in Alexandra's name.
Joel Bakan is an author, filmmaker and a professor of law at the University of British Columbia. Joel joins Sarah Parsonage in interview answering this year's one question, can business make society?
Author of The New Corporation: How good Corporation is bad for Democracy, the follow up to the original, The Corporation: The Pathological pursuit for Profit and Power published in 2004. A fascinating interview into the danger of business stepping in to fill the void if Government has lost the power to govern.
To purchase a copy of Joel's book or to watch the subsequent film visit https://bookshop.org/books/the-new-corporation-how-good-corporations-are-bad-for-democracy/9781984899729
Jess Phillips has served as MP for Birmingham Yardley since the 2015 general election and more recently served in Keir Starmer’s Opposition frontbench as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding since 2020.
Jess is author of Everywoman, One Woman's Truth About Speaking the Truth and more recently, Truth to Power: 7 Ways to Call Time on B.S. published last Autumn.
Writer and producer, Peter Ettedgui, joins Sarah Parsonage to answer this year's one question from the perspective of the Arts.
Peter is best known for his fashion documentary, McQueen and more recently, Netflix documentary celebrating the Paralympics, Rising Phoenix. This interview explores the role the Arts has both as a business and on society. A fascinating conversation not to be missed.
In the first episode of our two-part podcast series asking our 2020 question, can business make society better? Gail Gallie, Project Everyone and Kate Sandle, B-Corp UK join One Question Chairman, James Scroggs in the Business Perspective.
Ella Goldner, Co-Founder of Zinc VC answers this series one question, is short-termism killing industry?
Founder of SEO Moz and more recently Spark Toro, author of Lost and Founder, investor and entrepreneur, Rand Fishkin joins Sarah Parsonage to answer this series one question, is short-termism killing industry?
Investigative journalist and author James Ball, answers this series one question in an interview with One Question chairman, James Scroggs.
James is Global Editor at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a former journalist at The Guardian and author of The System, out this month.
David Fuller, Producer, Director and founder of Rebel Wisdom joins Sarah Parsonage to answer, one question, are journalists finally breaking the mould of journalism?
Formerly of the BBC and Channel Four David offers a unique perspective to this series one question.
Assistant Editor of the Financial Times, former Editor the Guardian US and Editor of Buzzfeed UK, Janine Gibson joins Sarah Parsonage to answer this series, One Question, are journalists finally breaking the mould of journalism?
Real insight into the journalist perspective.
Series One asks, are journalists finally breaking the mould of journalism?
Sarah Parsonage is joined by Dr Meredith Clark is a journalist and assistant professor in the department of media studies at Virginia University. Meredith's research focuses on the intersections of race, media, and power – covering everything from media processes like newsroom hiring and reporting practices to the digital narratives constructed by social media communities. Meredith is best known for her research into Black Twitter since 2010 and is currently working on a book about it.
@meredithdclark
One Question asks, are journalists finally breaking the mould of journalism?
Sarah Parsonage is joined by American Journalist and Professor Jeff Jarvis to answer this series One Question.
Jeff Jarvis is the Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation and director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. eff has advised many media companies, startups, and foundations including, The Guardian and NJcom. and is a public speaker. Until 2005, he was president and creative director of Advance.net, the online arm of Advance Publications. Prior to that, Jarvis was the creator and founding editor of Entertainment Weekly; Sunday editor and associate publisher of the New York Daily News; TV critic for TV Guide and People; a columnist on the San Francisco Examiner; and assistant city editor and reporter for the Chicago Tribune.