In this episode of Next Gen Cast, Dr Nish Manek speaks with Paul Corrigan, one of the most influential figures in modern UK health policy.

From advising Tony Blair inside No.10 to shaping the NHS 10-Year Plan today, Paul brings rare institutional memory and sharp insight into leadership, reform, and why meaningful change in healthcare is so hard to deliver.

Together, we explore what leaders get wrong, why policy alone never works, how clinicians can step into system leadership, and why neighbourhoods, patient agency, and proactive care are central to the NHS’s future.

A candid, wide-ranging conversation for clinicians who want to understand - and shape - what comes next.

✨ Episode Show Notes

00:00 – From academia to No.10

05:00 – Inside Downing Street

08:30 – Do leaders understand the NHS?

12:00 – Clinicians as leaders

17:00 – Risk and standing still

22:30 – What makes a good Secretary of State

27:30 – Returning to DHSC at 75

32:30 – Why reform keeps failing

36:30 – Technology and patient agency

40:30 – “No money” myth

45:30 – Neighbourhood healthcare explained

52:00 – Advice to early-career clinicians

✨ Links/resources:

• Paul's book- Shakespeare on Management

✨ Stay in touch with Next Gen GP:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Monthly bulletin

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In this episode, we welcome back Hannah Miller — the only guest I’ve ever invited for a second conversation so far.

Hannah Miller is the Founding Director of Sidekick, a coaching and training company that helps individuals and leaders understand and use their strengths. She’s a certified CliftonStrengths coach, and the creator of The Purpose Pursuit, a programme designed to help people gain clarity and live with more intention. .

Hannah consistently receives some of the highest feedback scores in the entire Next Gen programme. Participants repeatedly describe her sessions as practical, energising, and transformative, often remembering and applying her insights years later. Hannah’s first episode (28) remains one of our most downloaded to date.

Together, we dive into the practical wisdom behind her brand new book The Purpose Pursuit, which is about to be published.

We explore how we reconnect with purpose, navigate life’s seasons, handle comparison and imposter feelings, and make small, everyday course-corrections that bring more meaning into our lives. This is a grounding, hopeful, and deeply useful conversation for anyone feeling a bit off-track, stretched thin, or ready for more intention in their day-to-day.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 01:00 — Hannah’s background and coaching journey
• 03:00 — Moving from strengths to purpose
• 06:00 — What people consistently underestimate about themselves
• 09:00 — Purpose in high-pressure, purpose-driven roles
• 11:00 — Why we drift off-course
• 14:00 — Everyday course-corrections
• 18:00 — Seasons of life explained
• 30:00 — Comparison and how to handle it
• 34:00 — Social media + scarcity patterns
• 40:00 — Imposter feelings and the four types
• 48:00 — The Four-Point Pursuit
• 54:00 — Hannah’s advice to her younger self

Links/resources:

• Hannah's first episode with us
• Hannah's new book- The Purpose Pursuit
• Her website and podcast

🎉 Giveaway! 🎉

Pre-order Hannah’s new book and you could win a one-hour coaching conversation with Hannah, valued at £150!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Pre-order or order the book.
2. Send your receipt to laura@hellosidekick.co.
3. You’ll be entered into a competition draw.

✨ The winning coaching session can be taken anytime until March 2026.

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In this episode, Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, shares his remarkable journey from a market town in Lincolnshire to the national stage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Known for his honesty, clarity, and trademark analogies, JVT reflects on his family’s extraordinary story, the challenges of breaking into medicine, and the pivotal choices that shaped his career in public health.

He talks candidly about stepping into leadership “by accident,” managing the pressure of being thrust into the spotlight, and navigating the uneasy intersection of science and politics. Along the way, he opens up about imposter syndrome, the personal costs of public service, and the lessons he hopes will inspire the next generation of leaders.

02:00 – Early Life & Family Influence

04:00 – Getting Into Medicine

06:00 – Path to Public Health & Pharma

12:00 – Becoming Deputy CMO

17:00 – Thrust Into the Spotlight

25:00 – Imposter Syndrome

32:00 – Science, Politics & Pressure

39:00 – The Power of Communication

49:00 – Work-Life Balance & Personal Cost

58:00 – Reflections & Legacy

57:00 – Quickfire Round

• Sign up to our monthly bulletin to hear about more programmes, podcasts, events and opportunities
• Follow Nish on Twitter/X and LinkedIn

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🎧 Re-release

As many of us take a well-earned pause over the summer, we’re revisiting one of our most popular and inspiring episodes: our conversation with the legendary Don Berwick. Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning to it with fresh ears, this episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and finding joy in work.

For the past 30 years, Donald Berwick has been one of the leading authorities and innovators of quality and improvement both in the U.S. healthcare system and in the NHS. A paediatrician by background, Don was for 19 years the founding CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

In 2010, he was appointed by President Barack Obama as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He has served on the faculties of the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, has written over 160 articles and 6 books, and has provided trailblazing leadership to improve the ways health care providers and institutions care

📝 Highlights:

• His leadership story to date (3 mins)
• Mentors (12 mins)
• Balancing clinical work with leadership and academia (16 mins)
• What it was like working for President Obama (19 mins)
• The job of a leader (24 mins)
• Coping with failure (27 mins)
• Handling criticism (33 mins)
• The future of the NHS (36 mins)
• Morale in primary care (41 mins)
• Finding joy in work (45 mins)
• Quick fire: including favourite books, his proudest moments, advice to his younger self, and top tips for new leaders (52 mins)

📚 Resources:

• A Promise to Learn, A Commitment to Act – Berwick Review (2013)
• IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work
• Book: Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

📱 Social Media:

• Follow @donberwick and @nishmanek

📬 Stay in the loop!

🔗 bit.ly/NGGPbulletin

🌐 nextgenerationgp.co.uk

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Jason Leitch on Leadership, Public Trust & Fixing the Hoover

In this powerful and personal episode, Professor Jason Leitch – former National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government – joins Dr. Nish Manek for an honest, insightful conversation on what it truly means to lead through crisis.

From storytelling and the imposter syndrome to the pressure of daily COVID briefings, Jason reflects on his remarkable career and the lessons that still resonate today.

Whether you're a healthcare leader, or simply curious about the human side of leadership – this one’s for you.

04:30 – Growing up in a working-class household: family, faith & humble roots

08:00 – The early influences that shaped Jason’s values and work ethic

09:30 – Being headhunted into government – and why he left surgery

10:30 – The fellowship at Harvard & IHI that changed everything

13:45 – Systems thinking, safety, and why fixing one jaw wasn’t enough

17:00 – Creating the Scottish Patient Safety Programme – and saving lives

20:00 – “Where are the clever people?” – the moment Jason realised he was in the room

23:00 – What most people misunderstand about civil servants and politicians

27:30 – Imposter syndrome in senior roles — and how to work with it

30:00 – From dentist to national spokesperson: leading communication during COVID

32:00 – Behind the scenes of daily press briefings with Nicola Sturgeon

36:00 – The Grinch moment: “I cancelled Christmas in October”

38:00 – Social media abuse, threats — and how he stayed grounded

42:00 – Running, audiobooks, and the daily 5K: mental health strategies

46:00 – Why being wrong publicly was part of the job

48:00 – The monkey and the golf ball: Jason’s dad and the story that stuck

51:00 – Full circle: why “fixing the Hoover” might be all the leadership advice you need

53:00 – Biggest career mistake? Waiting too long to step beyond dentistry

54:00 – Final reflections: don’t over-design your career. Build relationships. Fix the Hoover.

• Catch up with Episode 25 with Don Berwick, Jason's role model and mentor
• Sign up to our monthly bulletin to hear about more programmes, podcasts, events and opportunities
• Follow Nish on Twitter/X and LinkedIn

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In this landmark episode of the Next GenCast, Dr. Nish Manek sits down with Professor Sir Steve Powis, just weeks before he steps down as National Medical Director of the NHS in England after more than seven years in the role.

This is not just an interview — it's an unfiltered, powerful reflection on leadership under pressure, told by the man who stood at the helm of the NHS during one of its most turbulent chapters: the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a conversation recorded live at NHS Confed Expo in June 2025, Sir Steve opens up in a way few senior leaders ever do.

He talks honestly about the terror of those early pandemic days, what it really felt like to stand at the podium during Downing Street press conferences, and the emotional toll of knowing the NHS could collapse under his watch.

But this episode is about far more than crisis leadership. It’s a deeply personal insight into what makes a great leader — from the power of relationships and kindness to handling imposter syndrome at the very top. Sir Steve also shares the most important lessons he’s learned, what he hopes for the next generation of clinical leaders, and how he wants to be remembered.

**Highlights

• 03:00 – "I didn’t set out to be a leader"
• 06:00 – “I caught the bug” – enjoying policy and strategy
• 08:00 – Early mentors, first impressions, and learning to manage a unit
• 11:00 – Becoming a Medical Director and then National Medical Director
• 14:00 – The Simon Stevens sofa interview
• 16:00 – Imposter syndrome, confidence, and doubt
• 21:00 – Pandemic prep and the moment it became real
• 26:00 – Behind the scenes at Downing Street press briefings
• 30:00 – Media gaffe: “I didn’t hear the question…”
• 32:00 – Communicating in a crisis: “You’re never speaking to just one audience”
• 37:00 – The emotional toll and the moment that broke him
• 43:00 – Watching The Repair Shop in tears
• 48:00 – Working with politicians: “See the world through their eyes”
• 52:00 – Legacy and pride: Royal Free, North Middlesex, and the NHS model
• 59:00 – Quickfire round: cartography, Springsteen, and shoemaking
• 1:03:00 – Final leadership advice: “Kindness. Patience. Relationship

**Links and resources:

• Learn more about the Next Generation GP programme
• SIgn up to our monthly bulletin to hear about more programmes, podcasts, events and opportunities
• Follow Nish on Twitter/X and LinkedIn
• Share this episode with someone stepping into leadership
• Subscribe and leave us a review — it really helps others find the show

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For this episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by someone I've wanted to interview for a long time: Prof Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England.

Ever wondered about the man behind the podium—the calm, steady voice that guided the nation through one of its toughest times? Well, today, you get to hear his story.

There’s so much more to him than what you’ve seen on screen. What drives someone to take on such an immense responsibility? What keeps them up at night when millions are watching their every move?

In this conversation, we dive into his leadership journey— starting from his early days tackling public health issues broad, to facing unimaginable challenges on a global stage.

We talk about the moments that shaped him, the lessons he learned from global health, and what it really takes to lead under pressure. There are a few surprising revelations, some moments of unexpected humour, and leadership insights you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader, an aspiring one, or just curious about what it’s like to make decisions that impact millions, this episode is for you...

*Highlights:

• 2 mins - From Humble Beginnings: Early Career and Defining Moments
• 8 mins - Lessons from Around the World: Global Health Insights
• 15 mins - Leadership and Science: Navigating Complex Decisions
• 22 mins - Crisis Management Up Close: Behind the Scenes
• 29 mins - The Toughest Calls: Decisive Moments
• 35 mins - Handling Public Pressure: Staying Steady
• 42 mins - Owning Mistakes: Reflections and Learnings
• 49 mins - Wisdom for Future Leaders

*Links

• Follow the CMO on Twitter

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On today’s episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by my dear friend, Dr Becks Fisher. Becks is a GP and the Director of Research and Policy at the Nuffield Trust—a hugely respected voice in UK health policy.

Becks helped to co-found Next Gen GP nearly eight years ago, and she’s been a close friend and someone I’ve deeply admired ever since.

In this conversation, Becks shares her journey from being a clinical fellow to becoming a national leader in healthcare policy. We talk about her passion for health equity, her reflections on the future of general practice, and the pivotal moments that have shaped her career.

We also explore the role of mentorship, the challenges of balancing work and life, and some brilliant advice for GPs earlier in their careers.

She’s not only an inspiring leader—but truly, just a thoroughly brilliant human being. I’m so proud to call her a friend, and I can’t wait for you to hear this episode...

*Highlights:

• 01:00 – Becks's Role at Nuffield Trust
• 02:00 – Journey into the Think Tank World
• 05:00 – Influence and Impact of Think Tanks
• 08:00 – Challenges in Health Equity
• 15:00 – Personal Leadership Journey
• 19:00 – Advice for Aspiring Leaders
• 23:00 – The Value of Fellowships
• 26:00 – Building Networks and Mentorship
• 35:00 – The Role of Media in Healthcare
• 40:00 – Balancing Work and Life
• 46:00 – The Future of General Practice

*Links

• Follow Becks on Twitter
• Harkness Fellowship
• Beck's recent Nuffield Trust paper on the Future of the Partnership Model

*Recommendations:

• Book: Four Thousand Weeks
• Book: Dare to Lead
• Podcast episode: The Next GenCast Episode with Oliver Burkeman

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