Fed up with bad news story after bad news story? So, now what? is the podcast from Gates Cambridge, a cutting-edge scholarship programme for international postgraduates at the University of Cambridge. The podcast is for anyone looking for ideas, vision and optimism about how we can practically tackle some of the world's most complex and challenging problems. Scholars from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines will share the actions they are taking to change the world for the better.
Discover how Gates Cambridge scholars Usama Mirza and Ana Rojo Fierro redefine hope in today's world. Learn actionable strategies for fostering hope amidst adversity. In a world that often feels overwhelmed by challenges—environmentally, socially, politically, and financially—how do we maintain hope? This question is at the heart of discussions among thought leaders and scholars dedicated to making a difference. In this episode, we delve into insights shared by Gates Cambridge scholars Usama Mirza and Ana Rojo Fierro, who explore the essence of hope as a survival trait and its crucial role in social action. As we navigate these trying times, the insights from Usama and Ana remind us that hope is not just a passive feeling but an active practice that requires engagement and commitment. By fostering hope—through education, personal responsibility, and collective action—we can create a better future even in the face of adversity.
Key Takeaways
- Hope is essential for social action and change.
- Balancing personal responsibilities with global awareness is critical for sustainable hope.
- Education and representation can empower individuals and communities, fostering a sense of agency and optimism.
-Hope as a survival trait and its importance in challenging times
-The role of community and collective action in fostering hope
-Personal stories of resilience and hope from Gaza, Mexico, and Pakistan
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hope in Trying Times
01:54 Personal Journeys: Balancing Family and Global Issues
05:32 The Case for Hope: A Foundation for Action
10:53 Cultural Perspectives on Hope and Responsibility
14:31 Hope in Community Actions: Lessons from Mexico
19:14 Navigating Personal Limits in Activism
23:58 The Palestine Educational Opportunity Initiative: A Collective Effort
27:39 Mentorship and Human Connection: Building Hope
30:26 The Cost of Hope: Embracing Vulnerability
34:23 Common Threads in Collective Action Across Cultures
40:37 Closing Thoughts: Small Actions, Big Impact
28 Apr 2026
How to lead in a 24/7 media environment?
This episode features scholars Stephen Lezak and Ben Weissenbach discussing their work on climate change storytelling, the evolving media landscape, and how to effectively communicate environmental issues. They explore long-form journalism, the importance of trust and moral authority in media, and practices to reconnect with nature amidst a fast-changing world.
Key topics
The role of storytelling in climate change communication
Challenges and opportunities in long-form journalism
The importance of trust and moral authority in media
Practices for reconnecting with nature and grounding stories
The impact of media environment on climate storytelling
Chapters
00:00
Navigating the Modern Media Landscape
02:49
Personal Stories and Climate Change
05:57
The Shift in Storytelling
08:53
The Need for Diverse Narratives
11:59
Challenges in Long-Form Journalism
15:14
The Role of Technology in Storytelling
17:54
Finding Authenticity in Media
21:07
Reconnecting with Nature
24:11
The Importance of Craft in Storytelling
26:54
The Future of Journalism
30:06
Voices of Trust in Media
33:01
Ground Truth and Connection
36:13
Celebrating Beauty in Storytelling
31 Mar 2026
How do you lead a bunch of leaders?
Exploring diverse leadership styles, the importance of empathy, and how leaders can balance strength with compassion in today's complex world. Featuring insights from political scientist Jennifer Piscopo and historian Justin Wei, this episode challenges traditional notions of leadership and offers fresh perspectives on leading with steadiness and care.
Key topics
Different leadership styles and their impact
The role of empathy and moral clarity in leadership
Historical examples of community-led leadership and activism
Redefining Leadership: From Dominance to Empathy
The Power of Steadiness and Care in Leadership
"Leadership is also about letting go."
"You can't lead everywhere all the time."
"Assume good faith in those who lead."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Alternative Leadership Styles
06:39 Leading Diverse Groups of Leaders
12:38 The Role of Care in Leadership
15:30 Navigating Power Dynamics in Policy
19:00 The Disconnect Between Leadership and Public Desire
21:41 Lessons from Historical Leadership Movements
26:03 Gendered Leadership Dynamics
32:29 Grassroots Leadership and Community Organizing
35:01 The Importance of Knowing When to Step Back
41:35 Concluding Thoughts on Compassionate Leadership
Resources
Jennifer Piscopo's Book: The Women's Rights Era (https://politybooks.com/)
Claudia Scheinbaum's Leadership Style Analysis (https://www.example.com/claudia-scheinbaum)
Hamnet Movie by Chloe Zhao (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10366206/)
Justin Wei's PhD Research on Black and Asian Solidarity (https://www.cambridge.org/doctoral-theses/Justin-Way)
Who has been a guest on So, now what?
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Julie Pham
Chris Tooley
Robin Scott
Paulo Savaget Nascimento
Sandile Mtetwa
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
515,058
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
3.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
13
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
32
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