What happens when honesty backfires? In this episode of Deep Dive, we unpack a provocative idea from new research: that being transparent about science and policy doesn’t always strengthen trust—it can sometimes weaken it. We explore the “transparency paradox,” why the public often expects perfection from science, and how uncomfortable truths can erode confidence in experts. Is the answer deception, education, or a new way of thinking about trust?
In this Deep Dive episode, we explore The Hidden Threats Shaping Our Planet’s Future through insights from the United Nations Environment Programme’s Frontiers 2025 report. From ancient microbes reawakened by melting ice, to rivers being restored by tearing down dams, to the challenges of protecting ageing populations and the dangers of toxic pollutants stirred up by floods — the report reveals emerging risks that could redefine the way we live on a warming planet. Paul Adepoju unpacks these findings, highlighting why they matter not just for policymakers and scientists, but for all of us navigating an uncertain environmental future.
England’s dementia pathway is buckling — from the scrapping of the national diagnosis-rate target in January 2025 to growing waits that leave families in limbo. We unpack what removing the 66.7% benchmark has meant for accountability and access, and why early identification keeps slipping down the agenda.
Drawing on new findings, we explore a stark picture: nearly one in three people wait over a year for a formal diagnosis, with memory-clinic waits stretching far beyond that in some areas — the very definition of a postcode lottery. We also hear how 72% weren’t signposted to any support while they waited, and why only around a quarter found post-diagnosis help truly useful.
Frontline care workers are propping up a strained system — 82% report helping residents secure a diagnosis — yet workforce support and consistent pathways remain patchy. We examine practical fixes, from a national, standardised diagnostic route to “Waiting Well” models that provide wrap-around support from referral to care planning.
Listen for clear recommendations — and for the voices of people living with dementia, families, and carers — on how to cut delays and rebuild trust in England’s dementia care.
In this episode of Deep Dive, we unpack the latest findings from the Global Findex 2025 report to explore how mobile phones are transforming access to financial services worldwide. From mobile money platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa to the surge of digital payments in Latin America, we examine the data behind a decade-long shift that’s bringing banking to billions.
We also discuss the gender and income gaps that remain, the risks of digital scams, and what it will take to connect the 1.3 billion people still excluded from the financial system. Whether you’re a policymaker, fintech innovator or curious listener, this episode offers an inside look at the intersection of connectivity, technology and financial inclusion.
Join us on this week’s Deep Dive as we unravel the Post Office Horizon IT scandal—a story of “phantom shortfalls” that ruined thousands of lives. We’ll trace Horizon’s rollout, hear from former postmasters who faced wrongful convictions and financial ruin, and explore how a supposedly infallible system became a weapon of injustice.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Horizon’s bugs and design flaws led to phantom accounting errors that postmasters were forced to explain or repay.
The human cost: from shattered businesses and bankruptcies to tragic suicides and lifelong trauma.
The Inquiry’s findings and its 19 recommendations for “full and fair” redress—including legal support, transparent compensation, and oversight to prevent future abuses.
Tune in as we expose the lessons of Horizon, examine the intersection of technology and accountability, and ask: how do we rebuild trust when the system fails us?
In a rare moment of cross-party unity, Parliament is fast-tracking legislation that could transform care for thousands of cancer patients left behind by the system. This week on Deep Dive, we investigate the surprising political story behind the Rare Cancers Bill – and why MPs who can’t agree on Brexit or budgets are suddenly aligned on this issue.
We’ll unpack:
The shocking math behind so-called "rare" cancers (spoiler: they cause 55% of UK cancer deaths)
How a grieving sister’s bake sale sparked a clinical trial – and changed the political calculus
Why pharmaceutical giants avoid these treatments – and what the bill does to change that
The quiet NHS data revolution that could put UK patients at the front of the queue for breakthrough therapies
What happens when a long-overlooked condition meets one of life’s most vulnerable moments? In this episode, we unpack the World Health Organization’s groundbreaking new recommendations on managing sickle-cell disease during pregnancy, childbirth, and the interpregnancy period. From pain management to fetal monitoring, this conversation explores how global health experts are rethinking care to reduce risks and reimagine outcomes for women with sickle cell. Tune in as we break down the science, the stakes, and the global call to action.
In this episode, we explore the stark new data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland’s landmark report on Tobacco-Related Cancers in Ireland (1994–2022). Despite decades of progress in reducing smoking, tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of cancer — and the report finds that nearly 15% of invasive cancer cases in 2022 were still caused by smoking.
We dig into the trends in incidence, mortality, and survival, the impact of socioeconomic inequality, and what Ireland’s failure to meet its 2025 “tobacco endgame” target means for public health. Plus, we examine the real-world implications for policymakers, clinicians, and cancer prevention advocates.
🎧 Tune in to find out what the data reveals — and what must happen next.
In this episode, we dive into the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025, marking 20 years since the launch of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The report reveals how far the world has come—and how far we still have to go—in the fight against tobacco, which remains one of the leading causes of preventable death globally.
We explore:
The rise and global spread of graphic health warnings and plain packaging
Why mass media campaigns are powerful but underutilized tools
How countries are resisting the tobacco industry's evolving tactics, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
What it will really take to achieve a tobacco-free generation
With insights from global public health leaders, this episode unpacks the wins, setbacks, and the urgency behind building a world where tobacco no longer threatens public health.
As traditional news media continues to lose ground, where are people really getting their information — and can they trust it?
In this episode, we dive into the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025, the most comprehensive global analysis of how news consumption is evolving. From the decline of TV and print to the dominance of TikTok, YouTube, and influencers as news sources, the report paints a stark picture of shifting habits — and rising challenges.
We explore:
Why younger audiences are abandoning mainstream outlets
How social platforms and personalities are shaping public opinion
The rise of misinformation and distrust in online spaces
What newsrooms are doing to stay alive — and relevant — in the algorithm age
Global perspectives on AI-generated news, payment models, and trust
Whether you're a journalist, media exec, or just trying to make sense of the news you scroll through every day, this conversation is essential listening.
In this episode, we unpack the alarming resurgence of cholera sweeping across 26 countries, as detailed in the latest World Health Organization situation report. Despite fewer reported cases compared to last year, the death toll has more than doubled—raising urgent questions about access to clean water, vaccine shortages, and the impact of conflict and climate change.
From South Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we explore why health systems are struggling, what’s being done on the ground, and how the global response is falling short. Tune in as we break down the numbers, the narratives, and the urgent need for long-term solutions to a crisis that shouldn’t still be claiming lives in 2025.
In this episode, we dive into the latest FAO–WFP early warning report that reveals a stark reality: millions of people across 13 countries are at risk of acute food insecurity between June and October 2025. From the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria to famine-like conditions in Sudan and Gaza, we explore the key drivers—conflict, economic collapse, climate extremes—and the global failure to act fast enough.
Why are humanitarian funds drying up just as needs hit record highs? What does this mean for the world’s most vulnerable? Join us as we unpack the data, the stories behind the numbers, and what needs to happen now to prevent catastrophe.
In this episode, we dive into the changing landscape of global vaccine financing. As traditional donor support declines, countries like Nigeria are navigating new paths to fund immunisation systems—partnering with multilateral development banks like the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and others. These institutions, more often associated with roads and infrastructure, are now helping build the financial backbone of public health.
We explore how Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is blending grants with concessional loans to help countries take ownership of their vaccine programmes, invest in long-term health systems, and prepare for the next pandemic.
From Indonesia’s transition into a donor to new financing models in Africa, this episode unpacks what happens when vaccines meet the world of big finance.
In this episode, we unpack the latest Child Labour: Global Estimates 2024 report by the ILO and UNICEF, which reveals that 138 million children are still engaged in child labour globally — with 87 million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Why, despite decades of progress, are so many children still denied their right to childhood, education, and safety?
We explore the data, trends, and human stories behind the numbers — from Nigeria’s growing burden to the fragile gains in Asia and Latin America. Tune in for insights, expert analysis, and what needs to happen next to meet the world’s long-missed promises.
Will 2025 be the year Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy finds its rhythm—or slide further off-beat under debt, drought, and distrust? In this Deep Dive, we unpack the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse—Spring 2025, a candid look at the region’s near-term outlook and the governance fixes that could turn fragile momentum into inclusive prosperity.
Listen in as we:
Decode the growth map—why nimble mid-sized economies are outpacing giants like Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola, and what that means for the continent’s headline numbers.
Confront the triple threat of conflict, climate shocks, and food-price spikes that keep millions at risk of hunger and stall recovery.
Dissect the debt dilemma—who owes what, how rising rates squeeze budgets, and where innovative restructuring or domestic-revenue boosts could offer breathing room.
Re-examine the “fiscal contract.” From fairer tax systems to transparent public spending, discover how stronger governance can rebuild trust between states and citizens.
Spotlight the private-sector playbook. Hear how clear, competition-friendly rules—and less red tape—can draw investment into energy, logistics, and digital services.
Chart a path forward with actionable levers: carbon-risk budgeting, regional trade corridors, climate-smart agriculture, and bold just-transition financing.
Whether you’re a policymaker, investor, or global-development watcher, this episode delivers the data, the voices, and the straight talk you need to understand—and shape—Africa’s economic future.
Water powers everything—from the food on our plates to the chips in our phones—yet we still treat it like an infinite freebie. In this Deep Dive, we explore a sweeping new blueprint that reframes H₂O as the world’s most undervalued economic asset and lays out five bold missions to secure a truly circular water future.
Listen in as we:
Trace the hidden economics of water and reveal why pricing signals, subsidies, and market incentives keep pushing scarcity to the breaking point.
Unpack the report’s five missions: building a circular water economy, transforming water-hungry agriculture and ecosystems, guaranteeing safe drinking water for all, slashing water intensity in clean-energy and AI supply chains, and forging a global governance pact.
Hear from hydrologists, farmers, finance experts, and policy architects about the real-world hurdles—and unexpected breakthroughs—behind each mission.
Explore cutting-edge solutions: satellite-driven water-accounting, nature-based catchment restoration, just-water partnerships that put frontline communities first, and the push for a Global Water Pact.
Cut through the doom-scroll: discover practical levers—from tiered tariffs to performance-based green bonds—that can flip water management from reactive crisis control to proactive market-shaping.
If you care about climate resilience, food security, or the AI boom’s hidden footprint, this episode dives deep into why the next big economic revolution flows through the world’s oldest commodity—and how re-valuing every drop could unlock a more equitable, sustainable future.
Can swapping steaks for lentils or ditching a short-haul flight really move the climate needle? In this Deep Dive, we unpack a sweeping new working paper that measures the true emissions-cutting power of personal behaviour changes—then tests those numbers against real-world psychology.
Tune in as we:
Break down the study’s “Priority Shifts,” from slashing gas-car mileage and home fossil-fuel use to trimming air travel and animal-product consumption.
Examine which behavioural nudges—price signals, social norms, default settings, smart tech—actually stick, and why.
Explore the yawning gap between theoretical emissions savings and what individuals can realistically deliver without systemic back-up.
Ask policy makers, behavioural scientists, and green-tech entrepreneurs how governments and industries can super-size these personal efforts.
Leave you with pragmatic, high-impact lifestyle tweaks that matter today—and a candid look at where personal responsibility ends and structural change must begin.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your meat-free Monday or bike-to-work streak is more than a drop in the (warming) ocean, this episode delivers the data, the context, and the honest answers.
On this installment of Deep Dive, we plunge into a groundbreaking report that charts the fast-evolving landscape of artificial-intelligence and data-science governance across Africa’s health sector. From Lagos to Lusaka and Cairo to Cape Town, policy frameworks are emerging—but awareness is low, institutions are overstretched, and critical voices (especially women) are still fighting for a seat at the table.
Join our conversation as we:
Map the current patchwork of AI and data-governance policies in Southern, Eastern, Central, Northern, and Western Africa, spotlighting both bright spots and blind spots.
Hear first-hand insights from public-health innovators, regulators, and civil-society advocates working to align cutting-edge tech with patient safety and public trust.
Unpack the report’s key findings—limited institutional capacity, glaring skills gaps, and the urgent need for continent-wide collaboration.
Explore why gender equity and wider inclusion aren’t optional extras but foundational to ethical, effective AI roll-outs.
Lay out actionable, Africa-centric recommendations—from regional knowledge hubs to gender-responsive standards—that could turn lofty principles into everyday safeguards.
Whether you’re a data scientist, policymaker, or simply curious about tech’s role in transforming (or jeopardizing) healthcare, this Deep Dive will equip you with a clear, nuanced view of what’s at stake—and what’s next—for AI governance in Africa’s health future.
In this illuminating episode, we dive into the transformative shifts reshaping America's electricity landscape in 2024. For the first time ever, wind and solar power have overtaken coal generation, marking a critical turning point toward renewable energy dominance. We explore how surging electricity demand has driven unprecedented growth in solar power, outpacing even natural gas expansion. Battery storage emerges as a key player, powering solar's rapid ascent and shaping the future of a cleaner, smarter grid. Join us as we unpack the implications for emissions, electrification trends, and the innovations setting the stage for America's next energy chapter.
In this episode, we unpack Ember's latest report, "EU's Russian Gas Phase-Out: The Final Push," which critically evaluates Europe's ambitious goal of eliminating Russian gas imports by 2027. Despite strong political pledges, Russian gas imports unexpectedly rose in 2024 amid soaring prices and unstable suppliers. The EU's current strategy—massively expanding gas infrastructure—might lead to costly underused assets and hinder genuine energy independence. Join us as we explore the report’s urgent recommendations: setting legally binding targets, slashing gas demand, and optimizing existing infrastructure. Is the EU prepared to take decisive action, or will it remain vulnerable to energy instability? Tune in for an essential conversation about the EU’s energy future.