Episode 64! A slightly later release than usual as José may or may not have fallen asleep at the publishing wheel, but we are here. This week, Debra and Peter cover everything from leadership philosophy to celebrity status, with a brief but memorable detour into Peter’s unfolding duck saga.They begin with conference season reflections, including Debra’s trip to ACEVO and a closing keynote in Wimbledon that ended, rather unexpectedly, with requests for selfies. A true celebrity moment, even if one audience member’s verdict of "very entertaining" sparked a wider conversation about feedback, intent and the stories we tell ourselves about what people mean.From there, they get stuck into a big question for the charity sector: can someone who has led a smaller charity successfully lead a much larger one? Using comments made by Chris Sherwood as a springboard, Debra and Peter unpack the assumptions boards make about scale, turnover, staff teams and what leadership experience really counts. They reflect on what smaller charities do brilliantly, from swift decision-making to sheer resourcefulness, and why the sector still has a habit of undervaluing that experience.The conversation then widens into a broader challenge: how do we stop thinking in terms of big charities versus small charities and focus instead on common cause? There is a thoughtful discussion about collaboration, competition, hope and the danger of talking ourselves into scarcity. If charities are meant to be purveyors of hope, what happens when the sector starts losing faith in itself?They also explore visible and invisible leadership, asking whether charity leaders can become so self-effacing that they disappear from debates where their voice is needed most. Debra reflects candidly on being seen as someone who "takes up space", while Peter argues that visibility is not about ego, but about impact. As ever, the conclusion is pleasingly untidy: good leadership depends on the moment, the mission and the people in front of you.Also featured: potatoes, onions, ducks in emotional disarray, and the start of the cricket season.Send your questions to jblazquez@dsc.org.uk or comment below for the next episode.YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk Podcast Producer: José BlazquezQuestion for listeners: inspired by Debra’s leadership wisdom, what is the correct outfit for listening to this episode? Would you wear a bikini to a funeral or a suit to the beach, or something more podcast appropriate?

Episode 63! Peter is back from Panama and, thankfully, more or less back in the right time zone. Debra, meanwhile, shares her tried and tested approach to interrupted sleep: get up, stop worrying, and let a bit of K-drama do the heavy lifting.From there, the conversation moves swiftly from sleep habits to the very real reasons charity leaders can find themselves awake at 3am. Debra and Peter dig into the stress caused by late local authority funding decisions, short-term contracts, and the constant uncertainty that comes with trying to plan services when the money may or may not arrive at the very last minute.They also take a hard look at trust and foundation funding. Are some funders making life harder than it needs to be with slow processes, inflexible deadlines and systems that work better for themselves than for the charities applying? It is a frank discussion about burnout, redundancy risk and the human cost of poor funding practice.The conversation then turns to the covenant council and what it can realistically do for the sector. Debra and Peter reflect on representation, influence and why the covenant matters most when charities actually use it, rather than waiting for someone else to solve the problem for them.There is plenty of encouragement too. This episode is a reminder that persistence matters, that charities achieve more than they sometimes give themselves credit for, and that change really can happen when people keep pushing.Also featured: a guest appearance on Martin Drake’s podcast, Peter’s ongoing duckling watch, and Debra’s honest confession that she does not really listen to podcasts. Whether she reads these episode descriptions is, at this stage, entirely unconfirmed.Comment below or email us with your thoughts.YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk Podcast Producer: José Blazquez

After two weeks away, Debra and Peter are back with plenty to catch up on.

First, an important update for listeners who have been following the saga of Arthur the Basset Hound. Good news: Arthur has finally been discharged from the vet, the collar is off, and he is now charging around the house like an overexcited puppy again.

Meanwhile in Peter's garden, the wildlife population is growing. What started as one pair of ducks, George and Mildred, has turned into two pairs wandering up and down the garden, plus an unexpectedly glamorous pheasant couple making regular appearances. Name suggestions for the second pair of ducks are very welcome.

Once the animal updates are complete, the conversation turns to the charity sector. Debra shares her thoughts after reading Doughnut Economics and raises a big question: why do charities measure success by growth and size rather than by the impact they actually make?

Debra and Peter explore whether income and expansion really tell us anything meaningful about success, or whether charities should focus much more clearly on the difference they make. They also discuss the government's emerging language around the "impact economy" and whether the term is actually helpful or simply confusing.

The discussion then turns to the challenges facing small charities, prompted by news about changes to the small charities team at NCVO. If small charities are so vital to the sector, why is it so difficult to fund the organisations that support them? And what happens when the collective voice of small charities disappears?

Finally, Peter reflects on the Channel 4 documentary Dirty Business and the wider debate about water companies, regulation and accountability. Who should be responsible for essential utilities and how should the public hold them to account?

Plenty of big questions this week, alongside ducks, pheasants and a very energetic basset hound.

YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnline

More Debra Allcock Tyler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/

More Peter Wanless LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/

Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk

Podcast Producer: José Blazquez