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