Episode 52! Over 50 conversations in and Debra and Peter are still taking on the most uncomfortable corners of charity life.This week they dig into a troubling new report on harassment of fundraisers by donors. With most frontline fundraisers being women, and many meetings happening over dinners, drinks and in donors' homes, the power imbalance is stark. Debra shares her own experience of serious harassment, and they talk honestly about the unspoken rules, the pressure to land a big gift, and the moral knot of turning down money when beneficiaries desperately need support. Is it finally time for a clear donor code of conduct, and for charities to be uncompromising in backing their staff when lines are crossed?From there, they turn to corporate partnerships, data and transparency, using a current campaign as an example: a tech giant offering donations to a well known men's health charity in exchange for people uploading photos. What looks like generosity is also a way to gather valuable data, and Debra and Peter ask what charities and companies owe supporters in terms of openness, consent and honesty. Along the way they grumble about oversized novelty cheques, celebrity fundraising, and whether TV formats like Celebrity Traitors miss a huge opportunity by barely mentioning the charities involved.Finally, prompted by a listener, they wade into the murky waters of tax and the charity sector. From payroll giving and inheritance tax incentives to the way government seems to overlook the economic value of charities and volunteers, they explore how policy decisions can quietly shape what charities can do, and who pays the price when the sector is ignored.Send your questions to [email protected] or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnline More Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/ More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.uk Podcast Producer: José Blazquez

From village welcome drinks to national data debates, Peter and Debra explore what happens when good causes meet strict rules and unexpected generosity. This week they look at the ICO’s proposal to loosen restrictions on how charities contact supporters and reflect on the long shadow of the post-GDPR years.Debra argues that charities shouldn’t feel guilty for asking, while Peter recalls the fine line between smart targeting and privacy overreach. They also discuss the Molly Rose Foundation’s dramatic leap in income and the tricky ethics of anonymous donations.All that plus a new party in Peter’s honour, a mysterious sister-in-law in the annex and the perils of small-village gossip.YouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

Golden jacket? Check. A heartfelt poem? Absolutely. It’s episode 50 of Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast, and we're marking the milestone in proper style.Debra and Peter open the episode with a nod to nostalgia: the John Lewis Christmas advert gets Peter all misty-eyed, and soon they're trading stories about childhood music, treasured books, and films that shaped their sense of self. (Spoiler: there are Hollywood musicals and Springsteen tributes involved.)But it’s not all memory lane. They also turn to the future of the charity sector with news that Julia Unwin is set to be the next Chair of the Charity Commission. Both hosts are cautiously optimistic, reflecting on her previous experience and the powerful potential of leadership teams that actually work together.From there, the mood shifts to concern: a new SORP is out, and Debra has thoughts. Are trustees being asked to do too much with too little? Is impact reporting realistic for small charities already stretched thin? And what ever happened to the Charity Sector Covenant that promised better relationships between government and the sector?It’s a packed episode full of personal warmth and professional insight. Plus: a silver cowboy boot makes an appearance.YouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

In this episode, Debra chats with the only man who insists on being called ‘Sir’ even by his Gmail account: Sir Peter Wanless himself.What starts as a bit of banter about names quickly turns into a deep (and surprisingly funny) dive into one of the toughest balancing acts in the charity world: how to pay your staff fairly while keeping your beneficiaries front and centre.Debra and Peter unpack the recent SSPCA strike, the challenge of justifying salaries in the sector, and why transparency and trust are everything when times are tight. They also explore the eternal charity dilemma — “efficiency” versus “effectiveness” — and Debra makes a strong case for ditching words like overheads in favour of essential resources.Plus, there’s chat about restricted funding, fundraising with purpose, and how not to accidentally turn your charity into a bad high street shop. And if that’s not enough, Peter rounds things off with a podcast recommendation from the Institute for Fiscal Studies: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Money, meaning, and a dash of Sir ‘Pete’ flair. It’s all here in Episode 49 of Debra and Peter are doing a Podcast.YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/ More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social ChangePodcast Producer: José Blázquez

In this week’s episode, Debra and Peter dive into some big conversations with their signature mix of honesty, humour and candour.Debra shares why bad board paperwork is her ultimate bugbear – and how her new speed read booklet is here to help charities do better. From baffling acronyms to unhelpful agendas, she explains why it’s not about paperwork, it’s about information.Then Peter brings news from the NSPCC’s annual council meeting and a powerful story from the Soldiering On Awards. The duo also reflect on the latest Third Sector podcast with Laura Kerby from Prostate Cancer UK, whose charity faced backlash for a campaign targeting Black men – despite the evidence supporting it. Debra and Peter unpack the ethics of corporate partnerships, public reactions, and standing firm when it matters.Finally, inspired by Polly Neate’s reflections on men interrupting women, Debra and Peter turn the mic on themselves to ask: do we do this too? What does it mean to be an ally, and how can leaders use their power better?All that, plus chutney, jelly, and a few leadership confessions.🔗 Resources and Mentions:Debra’s new book: Speed Read: Board Paperworkhttps://www.dsc.org.uk/publication/speed-read-board-paperwork/Third Sector Podcast: “How Prostate Cancer UK is dealing with political and ethical concerns” featuring Laura Kerbyhttps://shows.acast.com/third-sector/episodes/how-prostate-cancer-uk-is-dealing-with-political-and-ethicalYouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler:https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

Peter and Debra kick off with a reality check on London-centric assumptions in the charity world. From senior rail cards to £100 peak trains and the admin faff of claiming expenses, they dig into how travel costs and unpaid expectations quietly exclude voices we need at the table. If you’re outside the M25 or balancing freelance income with volunteering, this one will resonate.Then it’s leadership without the hero cape. Do leaders build success or just claim it? Using the week’s headlines as a springboard, Debra questions credit-taking in public life and in charities, while Peter reflects on sharing credit, taking responsibility and the messy reality when multiple crises land at once. Culture, policies and consistency take centre stage: brief them, model them, repeat them.There’s also a warm moment as Peter heads to an annual council meeting to receive honorary recognition, plus a wry note on how big speeches get reduced to a single line in the minutes. We round off with practical tips: why you should re-brief key HR policies, the value of acting-in-absence, Christmas party conduct reminders, and why senior leaders should show their face at socials but not stay too long.In this episode: • London-centric habits, travel costs and inclusion • Should trustees and speakers always have expenses covered • Credit, responsibility and the real job of leaders: culture, culture, culture • Policy briefings that prevent tribunals • Acting-in-absence and what really reaches the top • Socials etiquette for leaders: attend, then leave • Recognition, legacy and that one-line-in-the-minutes feelingTell us what you think or share your own experiences in the comments. If you’ve got a question for Debra and Peter, pop it below and we’ll pick it up in future episodes.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

Episode 46! Debra and Peter wade into the thorny territory of when, how and whether charity leaders should speak publicly. From the right to protest and the importance of timing, to the realities of social media and the messenger effect, they explore how good intentions can collide with legal limits, organisational duty and a very online world.Curious about where you stand? Here are some of the questions we wrestle with:• Are charity leaders more constrained than business leaders when speaking out?• When should a chief executive speak as an individual and when as the organisation?• Does timing around sensitive anniversaries change what responsible protest looks like?• Why does the same idea land differently depending on who says it?• Is LinkedIn getting harsher for sector debate or just louder?• What does the law actually stop charities from doing at election time?Along the way: a few stories about recognition, memory and how social media shapes familiarity, plus a reminder that two things can be true at once — and that nuance still matters.Send your questions to [email protected] or comment below for the next episode!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blázquez

One year of episodes! Number 45 finds Debra and Peter in full flow, fresh from twin birthdays and a Swiss mountain of sourdough.This week they tackle a big one for the sector: the new idea tying immigration status to volunteering. Debra argues it tramples the spirit of volunteering and risks turning a gift into a threat. Peter tests the counter case to see if there is any value in encouraging connection and community understanding, before both land on what really matters for civil society.That opens up a wider conversation about how we make up our minds. Hearts or data. Speed of thought or depth of thought. Why cut through is useful, but only if it points to the right things. There are shout‑outs to smart thinking, poor framing, and the danger of letting slogans do the heavy lifting.Finally, they look at the NHS going more digital. Online bookings and video consults can be brilliant, provided no one is left out. Debra shares practical wins and frustrations, Peter recounts an epic rearranging saga, and they both weigh up convenience against the risk of missing the human cues that keep people safe.Have a listen, then tell us what you think in the comments. If you’ve binged all 22 and a half hours since episode one, we salute you and gently suggest a cup of tea.Links mentioned:• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinking,_Fast_and_Slow • Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast conversation with Richard Osman - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/richard-osman/id1704806594?i=1000716764317 • Joanne Lockwood’s article on personal benefit bias - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jolockwood_most-people-on-linkedin-wont-click-through-activity-7378677611574538240-pZ7U?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAXFFmEBuE48r931JfDxY9By6LgWGDUJkvU• NHS plans to expand online access and appointments - https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/09/new-nhs-online-hospital-to-give-patients-more-control-over-their-care/Send your questions to [email protected] 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 Blázquez

Episode 44... and Debra and Peter’s 44th birthday, right? 🎂 (well, not quite, but close enough 😉).This week’s conversation covers three big themes in the charity world:First up, party political conferences. Are they really worth the time and money for charities, or just expensive networking sessions filled with bad white wine? Debra and Peter share why these events can feel unwelcoming, tribal, and sometimes downright pointless.Next, they explore a bold move: five funders teaming up on a £15 million initiative to tackle child poverty. Is this the future of grantmaking or just a well-meaning experiment with some inevitable hiccups? Peter reflects on lessons from his Lottery days, and Debra unpacks the risks and rewards of genuine co-funding.Finally, the spotlight turns to the power and responsibility of funders. From local grant officers who truly know their communities, to the tension between AI automation and the irreplaceable human touch, they discuss how funders can use their voice and infrastructure to make lasting change.It’s a mix of sharp insights, humour, and a reminder that sometimes the best birthday treat is just a pizza in front of the telly.YouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez

Episode 43! Debra and Peter dive into some of the toughest issues facing the UK charity sector and wider society.They begin with Peter’s joy at Somerset’s cricket triumph before quickly turning to more serious matters: the protests around Donald Trump’s state visit, the disturbing rise of racism and anti-immigration sentiment, and how politicians and the media fuel unfounded fears. Debra argues strongly against framing prejudice as ‘legitimate concerns’, and both hosts reflect on the stark contrast between attitudes to Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers from elsewhere.The conversation then shifts to leadership. How long should a chief executive stay in post? What’s the difference between a tough job and one that makes you miserable? Debra shares frank stories about her early years at DSC, including staff hostility, and gives practical advice on tackling bullying—whether from above, below or sideways.Plus: some sharp words on government reshuffles, and why constant ministerial change makes life harder for charities.What do you think: are immigration fears being mishandled, and how long is too long in a leadership role? Let us know in the comments.YouTube Subscribe: https://YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/More Peter Wanless: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blazquez