The World We Want: Podcast Review

What kind of world could we create if leadership, innovation, and collective responsibility were guided by the well-being of people and the planet? In The World We Want, a podcast from RELX’s SDG Resource Centre hosted by Dr. Márcia Balisciano, influential thinkers and changemakers explore how meaningful collaboration can turn the vision of a more sustainable and equitable future into practical action.

What is the Podcast About?

The World We Want is an insightful podcast exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping global sustainable development. Produced by RELX through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Resource Centre, the series examines how leadership, innovation, and the involvement of younger generations can accelerate progress toward the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These goals address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, education, public health, and environmental protection. Hosted by Dr. Márcia Balisciano, a senior corporate responsibility and sustainability leader at RELX, the podcast features conversations with influential figures from business, government, academia, civil society, and international organizations. Rather than treating sustainability as an abstract ambition, the show explores how people and institutions can translate shared global commitments into meaningful decisions. Through informed discussions and practical examples, listeners discover how responsible leadership, scientific advancement, and cooperation across sectors can contribute to a world that is more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

Each episode approaches sustainable development through a different lens, revealing the interconnected nature of global challenges and the importance of finding solutions that work across disciplines. Conversations with figures such as Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, explore the relationship between climate justice, human rights, and leadership. Other episodes examine the energy transition, responsible business practices, technological innovation, climate-resilient cities, biodiversity conservation, and the role of education in creating lasting change. Discussions with experts in science, law, finance, and industry demonstrate how sustainable development depends on more than good intentions. It requires evidence, investment, accountability, and cooperation among people with different expertise and responsibilities. The podcast also considers how emerging technologies, from clean energy systems to artificial intelligence, can support sustainable solutions when developed and applied responsibly. By connecting large global ambitions with the experiences of individuals and organizations working toward them, The World We Want makes the complex world of sustainable development more understandable, relevant, and inspiring.

Podcast Details

Category: Non-Profit
Frequency: Varies
Starting Year: 2020
Language: English

Podcast Creator

Core Theme

At the heart of The World We Want is the belief that creating a sustainable future requires a fundamental shift in how individuals, institutions, and societies understand progress. Economic growth, technological advancement, and organizational success cannot be considered independently of their consequences for people and the environment. Through conversations about climate change, social justice, responsible business, and global cooperation, the podcast explores how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for thinking about these interconnected responsibilities. One recurring argument is that sustainability must become an integral part of decision-making rather than a separate initiative addressed only when convenient. Discussions with business leaders and sustainability experts examine how organizations can incorporate environmental and social considerations into strategy, governance, investment, and innovation. At the same time, conversations with advocates and policymakers highlight the importance of fairness, inclusion, and accountability. The show suggests that meaningful progress depends on recognizing the connections between global challenges and developing solutions that address their underlying causes rather than merely treating their visible symptoms.

Another central theme is the transformative potential of leadership and innovation when supported by collaboration. The podcast presents leadership not simply as the ability to influence others, but as the responsibility to make informed decisions that consider long-term consequences. Episodes examining energy systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, environmental technologies, and sustainable finance demonstrate how scientific knowledge and technological creativity can contribute to global development goals. Yet the discussions also acknowledge that innovation alone is insufficient. New technologies require supportive policies, responsible investment, public trust, and cooperation among governments, businesses, researchers, and communities. Conversations about biodiversity and climate adaptation further emphasize that environmental protection cannot be separated from human well-being, particularly for communities whose livelihoods depend directly on natural resources. Across these topics, the podcast advances a consistent philosophy: the world we want will not emerge from isolated achievements or declarations of intent. It must be built through shared responsibility, thoughtful leadership, and the willingness to turn knowledge into coordinated action.

Podcast Takeaways

Some key lessons from the Podcast:

• Sustainable development requires an interconnected approach: Climate change, poverty, education, public health, inequality, and economic opportunity influence one another. Addressing these challenges effectively requires understanding their relationships rather than pursuing isolated solutions.
• Responsible leadership means thinking beyond immediate results: Effective leaders consider how their decisions affect future generations, communities, and the environment. Long-term responsibility, ethical judgment, and accountability are essential to building organizations and societies that can thrive sustainably.
• Innovation becomes valuable when it serves meaningful human needs: Advances in clean energy, infrastructure, digital technology, and scientific research can help address environmental and social challenges. Their greatest value emerges when innovation is accessible, responsible, and directed toward measurable improvements in people’s lives.
• Collaboration is essential for achieving global goals: Governments, businesses, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and local communities bring different resources and perspectives to sustainability challenges. Meaningful partnerships can combine these strengths and create solutions that no single institution could achieve independently.
• Environmental responsibility and social justice must advance together: Climate policies and conservation initiatives should consider the people most affected by environmental change. Sustainable progress requires protecting ecosystems while also supporting livelihoods, reducing inequalities, and expanding access to essential opportunities.
• Businesses have an important role in shaping a sustainable future: Corporate responsibility extends beyond public commitments and environmental reporting. Organizations can contribute to meaningful progress by integrating sustainability into their operations, investment decisions, innovation strategies, and relationships with stakeholders.
• Progress depends on turning knowledge into action: Research, scientific evidence, and ambitious development goals provide essential direction, but lasting change requires implementation. Clear priorities, practical strategies, measurable outcomes, and sustained commitment help transform promising ideas into real-world improvements.

Podcast Strengths

One of the greatest strengths of The World We Want is its ability to connect ambitious global sustainability goals with the practical experiences of people working to achieve them. Dr. Márcia Balisciano brings a knowledgeable and purposeful approach to her interviews, encouraging guests to explain not only why particular challenges matter, but also how meaningful progress can be made. The podcast benefits from an impressive diversity of perspectives, featuring leaders and specialists from international institutions, business, science, law, education, and environmental advocacy. This variety helps listeners understand sustainability as a shared responsibility rather than a concern belonging exclusively to environmental organizations or policymakers. Another notable strength is the show’s commitment to exploring specific issues through informed discussion. Episodes about energy transitions, climate adaptation, sustainable finance, and responsible technology provide concrete examples of how global priorities influence real decisions. The connection to RELX’s SDG Resource Centre also gives the series a clear educational purpose and a consistent framework for examining complex challenges. Although the conversations often address serious issues, they maintain a constructive tone that emphasizes opportunities for innovation, cooperation, and improvement. By balancing expert perspectives with accessible explanations, the podcast makes global sustainability discussions engaging for listeners who want substance without unnecessary complexity.

Who This Podcast Is For

The World We Want is particularly well suited to listeners interested in sustainability, global development, responsible leadership, and the relationship between business and social progress. Professionals working in corporate sustainability, environmental management, public policy, international development, and nonprofit organizations will appreciate the practical perspectives offered by experienced leaders and specialists. Entrepreneurs and business executives seeking to understand how environmental and social considerations can influence long-term strategy may also find the conversations valuable. Students, educators, researchers, and individuals interested in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can use the podcast to explore how broad international objectives connect with specific industries and communities. Those concerned about climate change, economic inequality, technological responsibility, and the future of global cooperation will find discussions that place these issues within a wider context. The series is also accessible to curious listeners without a professional background in sustainability. Anyone who wants to understand how meaningful change happens, why global challenges are so interconnected, and what responsible action might look like in practice can benefit from its thoughtful conversations.

Why Should You Listen To This Podcast?

Listening to The World We Want offers an opportunity to move beyond overwhelming headlines about global problems and discover the people, ideas, and initiatives working toward solutions. While discussions about climate change, inequality, and sustainable development can sometimes feel distant or impossibly complex, this podcast brings them into focus through informed conversations with individuals who understand the challenges firsthand. Dr. Márcia Balisciano encourages guests to explore how leadership, research, innovation, and collaboration can contribute to meaningful progress, giving listeners a more complete understanding of what sustainable change requires. The series is especially valuable because it does not limit sustainability to environmental protection. Instead, it explores the connections between social well-being, economic opportunity, responsible technology, human rights, and the health of the planet. These perspectives can help listeners reconsider their own assumptions about progress and recognize opportunities to contribute through professional decisions, community involvement, or informed personal choices. Whether you are developing a sustainability strategy, studying global challenges, or simply seeking a more constructive understanding of the future, the podcast offers valuable ideas and a renewed appreciation for what coordinated human effort can accomplish.

Questions This Podcast Helps Us Explore

1. What does genuine progress look like when economic prosperity, environmental protection, and human well-being are treated as equally important measures of success?
2. How can leaders balance immediate organizational pressures with their responsibility to future generations and the long-term health of the planet?
3. Can technological innovation solve humanity’s most pressing challenges without deeper changes in the systems, incentives, and values that shape how technology is used?
4. What becomes possible when governments, businesses, researchers, and communities move beyond competing interests and begin treating sustainable development as a shared responsibility?
5. How can we transform global ambitions into meaningful local action while ensuring that the people most affected by environmental and social challenges have a voice in shaping solutions?

Concluding Thoughts

The World We Want offers a compelling exploration of what it takes to build a future that is not only more prosperous, but also more equitable, resilient, and environmentally responsible. Through conversations with influential leaders, researchers, and changemakers, Dr. Márcia Balisciano reveals the many connections between sustainability, innovation, governance, and human well-being. The podcast demonstrates that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are more than an international framework or a collection of ambitious targets. They represent a way of understanding the responsibilities that individuals and institutions share in shaping the future. By examining issues such as climate resilience, responsible energy development, social justice, and sustainable business practices, the series brings greater clarity to challenges that can otherwise appear overwhelming. Its strength lies in showing that progress requires both a broad vision and a willingness to address practical details. Meaningful change emerges when knowledge informs decisions, leadership embraces accountability, and organizations recognize that their long-term success is connected to the well-being of the wider world.

Perhaps the most important message of The World We Want is that the future is not simply something we inherit. It is something we influence through the decisions, relationships, and systems we create today. Sustainable development can seem like a responsibility reserved for governments, international institutions, or major corporations, but the podcast reminds us that progress depends on contributions from many different parts of society. Scientists develop new solutions, educators expand understanding, businesses reconsider their practices, policymakers establish priorities, and communities bring essential local knowledge to the challenges they face. When these efforts become connected, the possibility of lasting transformation grows. For listeners seeking thoughtful perspectives on the world’s most pressing issues, this podcast provides both a deeper understanding of the obstacles ahead and a constructive vision of what can be achieved. It encourages us to remain informed, question familiar assumptions, and recognize that responsible action begins wherever we have the ability to make a difference. The world we want is ultimately shaped by what we choose to value, what we are willing to change, and how effectively we work together to bring those choices to life.

You can listen to The World We Want on Apple Podcasts and other leading platforms, or explore more at their website.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.