• Inside the Mind of the Minister

  • By: Tom Brown
  • Podcast

Inside the Mind of the Minister

By: Tom Brown
  • Summary

  • Ever wondered what really goes on behind closed doors between civil servants and ministers? Inside the Mind of the Minister takes you on an exclusive journey into Tom Brown’s new book, The Mind of the Minister.

    Hosted by Tom Brown, a veteran in policy-making and communication, this podcast reveals the inner workings of government relationships. Is it really reminiscent of the dynamics seen in Yes, Minister and The Thick of It? Through this exploration, Tom aims to restore trust and transparency in the civil servant-minister relationship.

    Dive deep into the themes of Tom’s book as each episode uncovers the lifespan of this critical relationship. Learn what it truly means to be a civil servant and a minister, the history of their interaction, and the media’s portrayal of this dynamic.

    With over a decade of experience collaborating with UN agencies, EU institutions, and governments in more than forty countries, Tom shares invaluable advice on improving these essential relationships. Whether you’re a policy enthusiast or simply curious about public administration, this podcast provides fascinating insights into political leadership and civil service.

    Join us for expert analysis and a closer look at the forces shaping our governments, all through the unique perspective of Tom Brown’s new book.

    The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants is available online and in all good bookshops.

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Episodes
  • What is a civil servant?
    Nov 25 2024

    Ever wondered what a civil servant truly does?

    Editor of Civil Service World Suzannah Brecknell joins Tom Brown to unpack the role of civil servants and their crucial function in advising ministers.

    They cover key challenges and changes facing the civil service, especially with a new government in power – is a change in government a relief or just more uncertainty?

    And then how does the British administrative system compare to the US?

    You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    21 mins
  • Behind the scenes of writing The Mind of the Minister
    Nov 21 2024

    Curious about the title, The Mind of the Minister? Discover the inspiration behind it and the books that served as Tom’s muses throughout his writing journey.

    In this episode, Tom also shares candid reflections on some of his most memorable interviews with key figures like Philip Rutnam and Simon Macdonald and reflects on the logistical hurdles of scheduling international interviews with Rory Stewart.

    You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    9 mins
  • The lifespan of the civil servant–minister relationship
    Nov 18 2024

    Tony Benn once said, “New ministers come in with very little knowledge and a great deal of energy – and leave with a great deal of knowledge and very little energy”.

    ***

    What happens when the permanence of civil servants meets the fleeting tenure of ministers?

    Join Tom Brown as he explores the stages of this relationship; the stability of the British civil service versus the transient nature of ministerial roles; the energetic beginnings, challenging middle phase, and often abrupt end of a minister’s career; and stories about Harriet Harman, Caroline Flint, and Rory Stewart that bring these dynamics to life.

    You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    10 mins

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