Hello 2026. How are you doing?

Over the past year, on my quest to lift the lid on social good, I've been building my own soundtrack to inspire more social good in the world and I'm delighted to share it with you as you hit your new year stride.

Pop culture references always frame my thinking and I've banked all my inspiration to give you a fun playlist of tracks inspired by artists from all types of genres. It's a playlist about being purpose led and responsible, working together to tackle those big systemic challenges and it's a reflection for me on being a good leader and navigating this in different way.

The list was curated with input from purpose driven friends, one of them - a trusted former intern and now a highly respected creative - once swiped my early generation iPod from my office desk and laughed heartily when they discovered I actually had built my own 'Philanthropy Playlist'. This revelation itself has kept us amused over the years. HR colleagues were not informed of this incident but the need to have a good stand out soundtrack in your pocket to help you scale social good has never been more needed.

There will always be disruption, change and transformation at work, at home and in the world we live in. My advice is navigate these with your own soundtrack - or simply borrow mine - to inspire you to deliver the brilliant work you are about to do over the next year. You've got this.

'Radio Gaga' - Queen

Written at the dawn of the video led digital media age, 'Radio Ga Ga' is a defence of shared experiences and trusted civic voices.

The song was inspired when Roger Taylor’s young son dismissed radio as “radio ga ga” - silly, irrelevant, past its time. Taylor heard something deeper in the retort and it was a warning to him that safe spaces built for listening were being replaced by spectacle and new media. Times were shifting. Perhaps this song asks a valuable question about what happens when technology moves faster than our values?

'Higher Ground' and 'Misstra Know It All' - Stevie Wonder

This was an early 1970s moment when pop music was being used to talk about society and argue a strong case for social good and progress.

Just out of his Motown Records contract, Stevie had free creative reign. America was reeling from war overseas, a simmering Watergate scandal and social injustice. 'Higher Ground' is a clarion call from him and it's album stablemate 'Misstra Know It All' is a smart reflection on the failure of top level leadership and the need for accountability in the face of those who weaponise ego over truth.

'The Way It Is' - Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Arguably one of the greatest purpose driven songs of its era, released in 1986 'The Way It Is' was a breakthrough single for Bruce and his band which hit the top of the charts across the world.

Beneath it's smooth piano tinkle and bluegrass tones, this is a song which critiques structural inequality, poverty and resistance to social change in the USA in the 1980s. It continues to inspire today 40 years on: it asks you to challenge accepted truths, challenge systems and outlines how every good citizen can play a role in making change as quiet leaders.

'You Can Call Me Al' - Paul Simon

One from 1986 which was the lead single from the album 'Graceland' which sold over 16million copies. It was a mid life career reinvention for the artist but the song rooted in his experience as a mid-40s, newly divorced male is a story about dislocation and finding your groove and your people and go on this quest with warm humour.

It reminds me of a house party I went went to as a sixth former where two super confident private school seniors gate crashed and decided to make a lasting memory for party goers by recreating the video where Chevy Chase and Paul Simon mime to the song. We were from the Comprehensive and found it fascinating that this confident demeanour was rife in the private school sector. I wonder whatever happened to them?

'You Only Get What You Give' - New Radicals

Pop optimism wrapped around youthful descent, released in 1998 the song was written by front man Gregg Alexander.

It's a song about corporate power, political cynicism and media distraction and personality cults. It's barbed but euphoric and millennials and purpose driven types love it. Front man Greg Alexander disbanded the band, on purpose, at the height of their success going into songwriting and production. Optimism is a choice and a responsibility. He also wrote 'Murder on the Dancefloor' for Sophie Ellis - Bextor (that is absolutely included on a different playlist).

'Say Something' - Kylie Minogue

It wouldn't be my playlist without some sort of nod to the Australian pop star .

Kylie usually just sings about love and relationships but she's built a repertoire of about ten purpose driven songs through her career and here's one that resonates with our thematic.

'Say Something" was her first foray into co-production for the album 'Disco' which was released in lockdown in 2020. Kylie only managed to tour that era this last year with her long held ambition to unite her fans (collectively referred to as The Lovers) singing this song underneath a giant disco ball. Kylie, whose longevity and ability to pivot across generations urges connection and is always committed on her purpose driven journey to spread joy and sparkles. We all need to appreciate the Locomotion lady.