Fearless Diversity

Our Scottish special got people talking. So, we thought we'd keep the conversation going.

Our conversation with Joanna Cherry KC and Alison Payne left us with plenty to chew over. Not least why the SNP has seemingly avoided paying what Alison called the 'wages of government', despite the decline in Scotland's public services. And whether any of the political parties are offering a vision for Scotland's future rather than simply promising to manage things a bit better.

But what really got us talking was the lasting division left by the independence referendum. More than a decade on, the fault lines are still there. And that's where this conversation moves beyond Scottish politics and into the very heart of Fearless Diversity. How do we lead, work, and live alongside people with whom we fundamentally disagree? What does it take to repair relationships after a rupture? And why does how we treat one another matter just as much as what we believe?

From political tribalism to fractured leadership teams, Rachel and Simon explore what it takes to work across profound disagreement, why impartiality is different from sitting on the fence, and the importance of rupture and repair. Because whether you're leading a country, a community, or an organisation, avoiding the difficult stuff doesn't make it disappear.

There's also some homesickness for Edinburgh, a spirited disagreement about Scottish vocabulary and a rather unfortunate mangling of the First Minister's name.

Fearless Diversity. Honest conversations about the things that divide us, and what it takes to work together despite them.

Listen now and join the conversation.
For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fearless Diversity, Rachel Cashman and Simon Fanshawe are joined by former SNP MP and KC Joanna Cherry and Alison Payne, Research Director at the independent Scottish Think Tank Enlighten, for a big conversation about Scotland, power, identity and what happens next.Why has support for Scottish independence barely shifted since the seismic referendum of 2014? Why has the SNP been unable to deliver it? What does tactical voting tell us about what voters really think rather than what political parties think they think?We get into devolution, nationalism, the SNP, Scottish Conservatives, the new Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, recent international data on drug deaths and educational outcomes, gender identity politics, and why disagreement so easily becomes disloyalty.But this is also a conversation about something much bigger than Scotland.Can you believe passionately in a cause and still challenge your own side? And how do we escape “bucket politics” where believing one thing apparently requires you to believe another six things too?And finally, beyond division and constitutional wrangling: what is the opportunity for Scotland now?A conversation about disagreement, belonging, power and the possibility of a better politics.For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The interview might be over, but the conversation certainly isn’t.
In our first After the Conversation episode, we sit down without a guest to reflect on what has been buzzing in each of our minds after their live recording with Nazir Afzal OBE.
What surprised us? Which moments challenged our own thinking? What did we learn about trust, accountability, and leadership? What are we kicking ourselves for not asking?
These short episodes are a chance to step back from the headlines and make sense of the ideas that emerge through Fearless Diversity. Sometimes the most valuable insights arrive after the microphones have been switched off.
Expect honest reflection, a few points of disagreement, plenty of curiosity, and connections back to the bigger questions at the heart of this podcast: how we navigate difference, build trust, reduce polarisation and create the conditions for better conversations.
Understanding doesn’t end when the interview finishes, often that’s where it begins.
For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearless Diversity | Live from Manchester with Nazir Afzal OBE

First in our new format of meeting, greeting, and interviewing some of the most interesting leaders and exploring what Fearless Diversity means for them.

On the day one of the men prosecuted for the Rochdale child sexual exploitation scandal was released from prison, Fearless Diversity recorded a live conversation with Nazir Afzal OBE at the REG Connect Race Equality Conference in Manchester.

The timing could hardly have been more significant. Nazir reflects on violence against women and girls, the enduring impact of child sexual exploitation, why accountability matters more than ever, and what happens when institutions stop asking difficult questions. He also explains why he has moved away from describing organisations as "institutionally racist", arguing instead that Britain's deeper challenge is a widening deficit of trust and accountability and what leaders can do to rebuild both.

This episode is about much more than policy. It is about Manchester. What is Manchesterism? Why has this city produced generations of people prepared to challenge power, confront injustice, and build communities that refuse to look away? What makes Manchester different and what can the rest of the country learn from it?

Rachel Cashman and Simon Fanshawe explore these questions with one of the city's most influential public figures. Along the way, Nazir shares reflections on leadership, public service, moral courage, and his experience of advising the man, Andy Burnham MP, who now leads the country, offering a rare insight into the values and relationships that have shaped modern Manchester politics.

This is a conversation about more than race. It is about place. About leadership. About accountability. And about how we begin repairing trust at a time when so many people feel our institutions have lost their way.

Between each interview, we will be recording a reflection on the discussion and exploring what we wished we had asked and what we might follow up with. So, if you enjoyed this episode, let us know what you would like to ask Nazir. He has offered to join us again. Advance notice we have secured an interview with Alan Milbun who is due to launch his much-anticipated review of young people not in education or employment. Diversity of opportunity for young people and the fearless approach that Government and employers may have to face up to. Let us know what you would like to ask Alan Milburn.

Please do listen, like and share.
For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Christmas. It’s almost the end of the year and it’s the latest episode of Fearless Diversity.

Rachel and Simon polish off the twelve days of Christmas with their final six key issues of 2025.

In place of geese, swans, maids, ladies, lords, pipers and drummers, they surprised themselves to discover nuance, ethical dilemmas, previously unthought thoughts and a continuation of their honest examinations rather than ideological assumptions.

Looking back over the issues that have touched people’s lives and lit our passions this year we explore assisted dying, academic freedom, data and privacy, impartiality and shifting media ownership and why we prefer politicians to be frank and straight-talking whatever party they come from.

Exploring our uncertainties as much as our convictions, we continue to have the conversations you want to have.

So, “Happy Christmas” to everyone who listens and we’ll see you in 2026.

UK Government Data (Use and Access) Bill 2025:
Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

House of Lords debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill):
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2cbcf49e-9d0e-491d-a7e3-177077d403a0

Shabana Mahmood Speech and Question from the House of Commons on Asylum (minute 18:12 for the section referred to in Fearless Diversity)
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/78fe5a1e-493e-41a0-aa45-72036ba8434c?in=18:12:55

Kemi Badenoch Budget Response:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/bd93fcba-e4f0-4175-b6ef-701621a2d6c2

‘I dared to question gender theory at Cambridge. Students carved Terf into my door’
https://archive.ph/mLJV3

Michelle Shipworth
UCL professor in academic freedom row speaks out on China
https://tinyurl.com/v6tj95as

Ofcom statement in response to High Court Judgment: GB News v Ofcom
https://tinyurl.com/3hsccp8a

Data Use & Access Act - Commentary by Pinsent Mason law firm
https://tinyurl.com/mryynhpn

GB News’ Martin Daubney salutes Trump’s cavalcade
https://tinyurl.com/hvn6rtwk

Saimo Chahal – Bindmans solicitor in a number of assisted dying cases –
Info on the case of Omid
https://tinyurl.com/2tucfs9e
Transcript of Evidence from Jane Nicklinson and Saimo Chahal, on Behalf of Tony Nicklinson to the Commission on Assisted Dying – Canada - dated December 14,2010
https://tinyurl.com/3ntjcepr
For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.