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Theory of Change

Devex
Climate Finance
USAID
Paris Agreement
Carbon Markets
Philanthropy
Ethiopian Famine
Human Rights
Global Development
Trade
Self-Determination

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 about the forces transforming how global change actually happens: power, politics, money, influence, and ideas.No... more

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Latest Episodes

Global health is entering a period of profound upheaval. As governments reassess foreign aid, donors rethink decades-old models, and African leaders push for greater ownership of their health systems, one question looms over the sector: Who should ho... more

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 cl... more

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 ot... more

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 developme... more

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Recent Guests

Rachel Kyte
United Kingdom's Special Representative for Climate
UK government
Episode: Why Rachel Kyte doesn't listen to climate polls
Bill Easterly
Economist and author
New York University (NYU)
Episode: William Easterly still believes development is freedom
Gayle Smith
Former senior director on the National Security Council; former USAID administrator; former head of the ONE Campaign
ONE Campaign / USAID / NSC
Episode: Gayle Smith on the next fight for foreign aid
Seth Berkley
Head of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; author and global health leader
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Episode: Seth Berkley has seen our pandemic future
Alexander Berger
CEO of Coefficient Giving (formerly Open Philanthropy)
Coefficient Giving
Episode: How Alexander Berger weighs the world’s biggest problems

Host

Michael Igoe
Host of Theory of Change

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Seth Berkley has seen our pandemic future
Q: How do you balance rapid scientific advancement with the need for safety and public trust, especially in the face of misinformation and disinformation?
Rely on science as the foundation, communicate uncertainties transparently, and avoid demonizing those with different views. Provide timely, accurate data, pursue safe and approved research paths, and create clear guidelines that can adapt as knowledge evolves, while building public trust through consistent, honest communication.
Seth Berkley has seen our pandemic future
Q: What do you see as the most critical improvements needed in national and global health governance to prevent a repeat of the inequities observed during COVID-19?
We need stronger norms and institutional cooperation, better funding for global health, a functioning pandemic accord, and robust supply chains with ready vaccine manufacturing capacity globally. National leadership must align with global best practices, and there must be durable commitment to equity, not just rhetoric in moments of crisis.
Seth Berkley has seen our pandemic future
Q: You mentioned a global inequity in vaccine access from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and how Covax was designed to address similar issues this time—could you walk through how those lessons informed Covax's architecture?
The key idea was to recognize that high-income countries will naturally secure a large share of limited vaccine supply, leaving lower-income countries at risk. Covax was designed to pool demand, incentivize manufacturers to allocate doses globally, and prioritize protection for healthcare workers and high-risk groups worldwide, aiming to get 20% coverage in the first phase so the most vulnerable aren't left behind.
Gayle Smith on the next fight for foreign aid
Q: What would you want to see as the core focus of future development policy to ensure it remains effective and values-driven?
Invest in capacity-building, humanitarian responsiveness, and leveraging tools like trade and finance to create sustainable growth, while maintaining a development-centric voice at the decision-making table.
Gayle Smith on the next fight for foreign aid
Q: For you, was there a shift in how development is viewed within foreign policy during your time in government vs. your early journalism days?
There was a growing recognition that development isn't just a charitable add-on but a strategic instrument, though the appetite and prioritization varied by administration and department politics.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Theory of Change

What is Theory of Change about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, policy-forward show that brings together leading voices from philanthropy, foreign policy, global health, climate finance, and development to discuss how power, money, and ideas shape global change. Episodes frequently explore large-scale concerns—climate finance, vaccine equity, development aid, and governance—through candid conversations with high-profile practitioners and scholars. Notable for its willingness to challenge conventional approaches and surface practical insights for making global systems more effective, resilient, and equitable. This mix of macro risk analysis and on-the-ground experience can be especially valuable for listeners who work in policy, philanthropy, or international development and are seeking str... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Theory of Change:

1. Past Present Future
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Ones and Tooze
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. This Week in Global Development

How many episodes of Theory of Change are there?

Theory of Change launched 2 months ago and published 6 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Theory of Change?

Recent guests on Theory of Change include:

1. Rachel Kyte
2. Bill Easterly
3. Gayle Smith
4. Seth Berkley
5. Alexander Berger

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