Inside the Mind of the Minister

Inside the Mind of the Minister
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast dives into various themes including the historical dynamics between civil servants and ministers, the role of the media in government relationships, and the personal experiences of ministers themselves. Episodes feature discussions on improving trust post-Brexit, the impact of political changes on civil service, and the unique challenges faced by civil servants.

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.
How can the relationship between ministers and civil servants be improved?
Former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Dame Una O’Brien, joins Tom Brown to reflect on the critical importance of trust and mutual understanding in this relationship.
They explore how political shifts, such as Brexit and COVID-19, have impacted these dynamics and Una highlights the importance of investing in the relationship during good times to build a strong foundation for when challenges arise.
Plus, does the relationship need a more formal support mechanism and what are the potential solutions to enhance collaboration and efficiency in government?
You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servantstoday, out now.
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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