Hello! Welcome to the first episode of Reasons to be Cheerful. In this edition, we'll explore Universal Basic Income (UBI) with Scott Santens. Find out about Ed's exercise humiliation, a near-visit to the Oval Office, and why Geoff's toilet is causing such a stir. AND We're joined by comedian Gráinne Maguire, who brings her ideas to make the world a better place. Think cows in hats, shame by search history and explaining the "joke".

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Hello! We've made our New Year's resolutions, donned the trainers and tracksuits and joined the hundreds of thousands of people who do parkrun to find out what all the hype is about. Can we start our New Year as runners? The Finsbury Park parkrunners (Geoff's local) tell us what it's all about, and give us encouragement, then we're joined by Nick Pearson, Chief Executive of ParkRun who tells us about why the project is about more than running. Then Bella Mackie, author of new book Jog On shares her journey to better mental health through running.

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Hello! This week, with the release of the report from Shelter's cross-party commission (which included Ed) we're looking at the provision of social housing and the need for a transformation in how much we build and who it is for. Historian John Boughton, author of recent book Municipal Dreams, guides us from the past to the future, then we speak to members of the Commission, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, former Conservative Chair, and Lord Jim O'Neill to tell us how the recommendations in the report can transform the fabric of the country.

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Hello! When Ed makes a promise, he makes a promise! It might take 6 years to deliver, but now we get to share the discussion with you. What does that all mean? Well, Ed met Architect Christophe Egret while on holiday and needed to finish the conversation they had about the transformative power of public space. He joins us, as does author and academic, Anna Minton, and CEO for the Project for Public Spaces in the US, Phil Myrick, to warn of the dangerous creep of pseudo-public space and what a really well thought out urban space can do to bring together a community.

AND

Comedian Heidi Regan rewards reading of tedious important governmental documents, unifying all accents to either Southern Belle or Scottish and monochrome tunics for all.

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Hello! Around 7% of the population is educated in private schools but they are disproportionately represented at top universities and in society's most coveted professions. What is the impact of private schools on our overall education system and our society and what, if anything could or should be done about it? David Kynaston, author of new book "Engines of Privilege: Britain’s Private School Problem" and Melissa Benn, author of 'Life Lessons' join us. Plus we hear from renowned educationalist Pasi Sahlberg on how Finland dealt with its private school issues and succeeded in achieving both greater equality and educational excellence.