Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast
Insight and inspiration on making the right choices for people and planet. We feature bold conversations with global leaders and innovators from government, businesses, community advocacy, foundations, and more who are charting a path for inclusive growth and sustainability. Hosted by Michael Green, CEO at Social Progress Imperative, we explore how the world must move beyond GDP metrics and economic growth to truly improve the social and environmental wellbeing of communities. ©Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast is an essential listening for decision-makers ready to do things differently.
Episodes
33 episodes
5 Bold Fixes PM Burnham Needs to Save the UK
With Keir Starmer out and Andy Burnham stepping in as Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, the new administration faces a nation stuck on a 15-year social progress track. In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, Mich...
Mental Health: Our Forgotten Civil Right
Why does treating mental health as a civil rights cause matter? In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green explores with guest Jono Wilde the urgent need to rethink how society treats mental healt...
Top U.S. States in Quality of Life
Michael Green explores the key factors that influence where people choose to live. From safety to education, and health, discover what truly matters when selecting which U.S. state is better to live in. Discover the top five states in A...
Ranking America's Big Cities on Quality of Life
In this series, we explore the best big cities in America for quality of life, not just by income but by real quality indicators of societal wellbeing. Discover which of the biggest cities in the U.S. with a population of more than a million pe...
Best Cities to Live In America: Top 5 cities in the U.S
Michael Green explores the best cities to live in America, focusing on what truly matters: safety, education, healthcare, and social wellbeing. Discover the top five cities in the United States, including Folsom, Newton, Centennial...
The Resilience of Pakistan’s Social Progress Amid Crises
How is Pakistan quietly changing from within? With a population of 250 million and positioned at the crossroads of South Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan's social and economic progress significantly influences regional stability and gl...
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Happy Birthday USA! Has America Delivered On Its Promise?
America's 250-year legacy isn't just about survival, it's about how well it delivers on the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Shockingly, the U.S. earns a failing grade in these core areas, despite its economic greatness....
Part 2: How to Heal Divisions in Our Society
Why is the history of modern Britain failing our children, and how is that space being exploited by extre()mists?In Part 2 of this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael green welcomes back Anwar Akhtar, Direct...
Part 1: How to Heal Divisions in Our Society
Can culture and history save us from growing societal divisions?Michael Green invites Anwar Akhtar in this week's episode. This episode is divided into 2 parts. Anwar shares his front-line experiences working with Blac...
World Cup: The Social Progress Guide
Buckle up! This is your social progress guide to the 2026 World Cup! In this episode, we take you on a journey starting with a quick-fire quiz on our 2026 host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.Michael Gre...
The Role of Business in Building Sustainable Communities
Some companies overlook the power of community engagement. Here’s how Kinross Gold Corporation transforms its global operations into responsible actions that benefit its people and business. In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social...
Which Country is Top of The Class?
Is your country’s education system actually setting the next generation up for success? We use the Global Social Progress Index to conduct a rigorous analysis of the education component across the world.There might be some expected champ...
Two Cheers For Nigeria
There's controversy around Nigeria, but today, we want to give a shoutout to the social issues it is solving. Michael Green helps us analyze how the country is performing in water and sanitation, education, environmental quality, safety and Nut...
The English Speaking Disease?
For the last 15 years, while much of the world has pushed forward, the US, Canada, and the UK have seen their social progress stall,or worse, go backwards. Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are also facing some challenges. We use ...
China, The Greatest Development Story Ever Told?
In just three decades, China has transitioned from a developing nation to a global superpower, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty; however, is China’s development story an example for the rest of the world?In this episode, we an...
GDP Is Not Destiny
Ever wondered how we can really measure our quality of life? Economic growth is not the full answer. Michael Green explains the importance of going beyond GDP and why social progress matters. We compare the world's riches...
Europe's Hidden Gems for Quality of Life
Living in a wealthy capital city gives you the best quality of life? Not necessarily. While Northern Europe consistently tops the Social Progress Index ranking, the 2026 EU Regional Social Progress Index discovers hidden gems where wellbeing an...
What Is The Secret of Happiness?
While the connection between GDP per capita and life satisfaction is undeniable, it isn't the whole story. We explore the World Happiness Report by looking at countries that punch above their weight and those that underperform given their wealt...
The Fall of Viktor Orbán? 15 Years of Data Reveals Hungary’s Reality
As Hungary prepares for the high-stakes April 12, 2026, general election, the world is watching to see if Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure will finally come to an end. What does nearly fifteen years of “Orbánism” actually look like for Hungarians?...
The World's Healthiest Nations and Those Struggling
Happy World Health Day! From the top-performing leaders in Asia to the surprising decline in health indicators among rich countries, we are exploring the 2026 Social Progress Index and analyzing the countries with the best health scores and tho...
Is Global Progress Over? The True State of the World
Is the world really doomed to decline? New data from the 2026 Global Social Progress Index shows a worrying halt in global quality of life after decades of steady progress. But what’s behind this worrying trend, and is there any hope for revers...
Are Mexico's Best Days Ahead? Social Progress and the Future of North America
What does social progress actually look like inside one of the world's most watched and most misunderstood economies? Michael Green sits down with Sofía Ramírez Aguilar, Director of México ¿Cómo Vamos?to dig into where Mexico really stands on q...
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Why India Is Reshaping the Global Economy
In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, speaks with Dr. Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute for Competitiveness, about the challenges behind India’s rise...
How Brazil Is Fixing Its Cities From the Inside Out with IPS Brasil
Brazil is ranked 52nd in the world for social progress but behind that number are 5,570 municipalities each fighting their own hidden crises. In this episode, Michael Green sits down with Melissa Wilm from IPS Brasil to uncover four on-the-grou...
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Belonging and the Loneliness Epidemic with Kim Samuel
Is the loneliness epidemic a policy failure?In this episode of the Beyond GDP Podcast, Michael Green speaks with Kim Samuel, founder of the Belonging Forum, about the growing crisis of social isolation, and why belonging may be...
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