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Theory of Change

Devex 1 Episodes Jun 30, 2026

Theory of Change is a podcast about the future of global development and the people trying to reshape it. Hosted by Devex Senior Reporter Michael Igoe, the show features candid conversations with leaders in philanthropy, foreign policy, technology, finance, media, and humanitarian aid. It explores the forces transforming how global change actually happens: power, politics, money, influence, and ideas. Episodes are published every Tuesday.

Episodes

Why Rachel Kyte doesn't listen to climate polls Jun 30, 2026 3446 Rachel Kyte has spent decades shaping global climate change policy — from the World Bank to the United Nations to the United Kingdom. More than a decade since the signing of the Paris climate agreement, Kyte — the U.K. special representative for climate — is both inspired by how much has been done to tackle the climate crisis, and clear-eyed about the fact that it is not enough."It's joyful, tinge

William Easterly still believes development is freedom Jun 23, 2026 3549 Development economist William Easterly famously does not mince words about the disappointments of anti-poverty megaprojects and far-fetched foreign aid plans.For much of his career, Easterly has taken aim at experts who export their visions onto other people’s countries and communities — drawing from his own experience as one of those very experts.In his latest book, “Violent Saviors: The West’s C

Gayle Smith on the next fight for foreign aid Jun 16, 2026 3973 U.S. foreign aid is undergoing one of the most tumultuous transformations in its history.The Department of Government Efficiency’s dismantling of USAID and transfer of its remaining programs to the State Department upended the U.S. global development industry. But it’s much more than a question of organizational charts and institutional responsibilities.At stake are fundamental questions about Ame

Seth Berkley has seen our pandemic future Jun 9, 2026 4729 Much of Seth Berkley's career has been an attempt to answer the question: How do you get vaccines to people who aren’t well-served by an inequitable global health system?When the COVID-19 outbreak exploded in early 2020, that question took on new urgency — along with a mind-spinning slew of political, economic, technological, and cultural complications.Berkley, then the CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Al

How Alexander Berger weighs the world’s biggest problems Jun 2, 2026 3989 Coefficient Giving, one of the world’s largest effective-giving funders, is about to go even bigger.On the heels of its biggest funding year ever in 2025 — in which it channeled over $1 billion to highest-impact causes — the organization formerly known as Open Philanthropy and funded by Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz and his wife Cari Tuna is eyeing annual growth upward of 50% and bringing on

Theory of Change

Episodes

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