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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The Best of The Next Gen Cast: Celebrating Eight Years of Next Gen programmes

In this special episode of The Next GenCast, we celebrate the Next Gen's 8-year anniversary by revisiting the highlights from the five most downloaded podcast episodes.

Get ready to hear from truly inspiring leaders on a range of topics, from the conversations which have resonated the most with our listeners over the years:

• 4 mins- Oliver Burkeman on Time Management
• 15 mins- Don Berwick on Joy in Work
• 24 mins- Sarah Jane Marsh on Work-Life Balance
• 31 mins- Jeremy Hunt on Leadership and Politics
• 38 mins- Laura Neilsen on Tackling Health Inequalities

*Links to the full episodes:

• Oliver Burkeman
• Don Berwick
• Sarah Jane Marsh
• Jeremy Hunt
• Laura Neilson

Thank you to everyone who has listened, subscribed and shared the podcast, as well as giving us your thoughts on what resonates - it has been wonderful to hear how much you’re enjoying it.

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