Ben Yeoh Chats

How do you put a price tag on a human life?
It sounds like a cold question, but for grant makers, it is the necessary calculus of doing good. In this episode, Ben sits down with Deena Mousa (Open Philanthropy, Coefficient Giving) to discuss the difficult frameworks used to allocate finite resources.
"Every time you choose whether to take a more dangerous job at a higher wage... you are implicitly putting a price on how much you value a year of your life."
We dive into the "Coefficient Dollar," the complexities of measuring pain, and why government procurement might be the world's most underrated problem.

WE COVER:
The Calculus of Altruism: Using "revealed preference" to value a year of life

The Pain Paradox: Why health models struggle to measure suffering

AI for Good: "AI washing" vs. actual capacity building

Systemic Bottlenecks: Why boring process fixes beat flashy policies

Life Advice: Why you should ignore advice that resonates too much

"Often, the people listening to a piece of general advice are exactly the group of people that should be doing the opposite."

Contents:
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Valuing Life and Health
05:46 Challenges in Measuring Pain and Health Outcomes
13:32 Creative Process and Research Methodology
18:38 Journey and Early Experiences
22:23 Debate on International Aid and USAID
29:20 Impact of AI in Global Health and Development
36:25 Overrated or Underrated
44:59 Exciting Projects and AI for Good
46:14 Balancing Cause Areas and Funding Decisions
58:31 Advice for Aspiring Philanthropists and Innovators

Hannah Ritchie — one of the most lucid and data-driven voices in climate and sustainability — returns to talk about her new book Clearing the Air: 50 Questions and Answers about Climate.
Ben and Hannah explore why honesty builds trust in climate science, why the 1.5 °C target is likely out of reach (and why that’s not the end of hope), and China’s paradoxical role as both the world’s largest emitter and clean-tech powerhouse.
They dig into how abundance, not austerity, could define the next phase of climate progress; how to manage renewable energy variability and mineral demand; and why “net zero” may need a more realistic framing.
Hannah also shares personal reflections — what she’d tell her 16-year-old self, how she balances optimism with realism, and the daily coastal runs that keep her creative and grounded. The conversation closes with a look at smart philanthropy, innovative climate projects, and the habits that sustain hope and curiosity.
An hour of evidence, insight, and grounded optimism — a conversation about how to think clearly, act practically, and stay inspired in a warming world.

Transcript and notes: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/10/25/clearing-the-air-hannah-ritchie-on-climate-honesty-hope-and-the-future

Retired police officer Robert Beckley reflects on 40 years of service — from Brixton to Hillsborough and beyond. We discuss crisis response, institutional change, community policing, and why public service and volunteering still matter today.

We explore:
The misunderstood role of policing: “Policing is about being there in a crisis — when someone needs action, and needs it now.”

Rob’s early career in Brixton and how his experiences in Sudan shaped his views on culture and policing.

Honest reflections on institutional racism and sexism: “Institutional racism isn’t about bad people — it’s about systems and processes that have disproportionate impacts.”

Hillsborough: what really went wrong, the persistence of false narratives, and why “we can never afford complacency in disaster preparedness.”

The evolution of crime, the importance of community policing: “Community policing works because people trust officers who know their area and take ownership of local problems.”

Rob’s year as High Sheriff of Somerset, his advocacy for volunteering, and the civic glue that holds communities together.

Advice for aspiring public servants: “In public service, you may never know the lives you’ve touched — but the impact is real.”

This episode provides deep insights into policing, society, and civic responsibility — offering lessons not only for those in public service but for anyone interested in how communities can thrive.

Find more episodes, transcripts, and writing at https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/9/14/rob-beckley-insights-from-a-policing-career-hillsborough-amp-civic-service-lessons-podcast

Episode highlights:
00:32 – Misunderstandings in Policing
01:57 – Early Career in Brixton
05:18 – Sudan and Cultural Insights
08:51 – Institutional Racism and Sexism
18:14 – Hillsborough Disaster
33:30 – The Evolution of Crime
37:20 – Community Policing
51:05 – The Role of High Sheriff
54:06 – Volunteering and Civic Society
58:16 – Advice for Aspiring Public Servants

Samuel Hughes, editor at Works in Progress, joins me to talk architecture, planning, and how we think about beauty in our cities.
“Most buildings in Tokyo are ugly, but the streets are beautiful—urban form matters more than facades.”
In this episode we explore:
Can we still mass-produce beautiful buildings?

Japanese urban design and zoning lessons

How long buildings should last: UK vs Japan

Rent control and housing history in Berlin

Rethinking the greenbelt in Britain

Dresden’s reconstruction and underrated cities

Future solutions for housing supply

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Full Contents
01:02 Mass Producing Beautiful Buildings
01:43 The Decline of Ornament in Architecture
04:37 Tokyo’s Urban Design and Zoning
10:05 How Long Should Buildings Last? UK vs Japan
16:13 Philosophy, Beauty, and Emotions
25:53 Public Policy Trade-offs in Practice
31:41 Berlin: Rent Control and Urban Planning
36:32 Housing in Europe: A Historical Context
38:02 Modern Housing Markets and Trends
41:50 Rethinking the Greenbelt
44:40 Planning Authorities and Their Role
50:40 Overrated and Underrated Urban Ideas
1:02:03 Dresden: Lessons in Urban Reconstruction
1:05:03 The Future of Britain’s Housing Supply
1:08:40 Career Advice on Policy and Design

Full transcript, video and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/8/20/samuel-hughes-architecture-beauty-and-the-future-of-cities-podcast

Tim Mak moved to Ukraine in 2022, a day before war broke out. Tim, a former US investigative correspondent, decided to stay and start up his own reporting at Counter Offensive. He now reports from Kyiv. 
 
On the podcast, Tim discusses the day-to-day life in war-torn Kyiv, focusing on the chronic stress rather than immediate physical danger residents face. He recounts his critical role in documenting human stories from the war front and shares his personal journey, having moved to Ukraine right as the war began. We  touch on the operational challenges and ethical considerations in war reporting, the importance of human interest stories, and how new technology like AI affects journalism. Tim talks about the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict and his hopes for the future of independent journalism.

Transcript and link to site: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/7/31/tim-mak-war-reporting-journey-in-ukraine-podcast

Contents
00:25 Life in Kiev During Wartime
03:10 Tim's Arrival and Early Experiences in Ukraine
04:57 Launching The Counter Offensive
05:24 Human Interest Stories and Subscriber Growth
09:50 Challenges and Ethics in War Reporting
14:14 The Power of Individual Narratives
25:42 Independent Journalism and Future Prospects
34:55 Geopolitical Reflections and Ukraine's Needs
44:34 Final Thoughts and Advice