Hidden and invisible, the wastepickers of the trash mountains outside of Mumbai in India build their livelihoods by collecting glass, sorting cloth scraps and hunting for hospital waste. They are lives marred by precarity and danger, but also love and laughter. 

In this episode we are joined by Saumya Roy. author of Castaway Mountain - a non-fiction on the lives of people turning trash into treasure.

Read more about this episode on our website here: https://poverty-unpacked.org/?p=536

20. Lives built on trash: the story of wastepickers in Mumbai - Saumya Roy

Round up of news on poverty from around the world by host Dr Keetie Roelen. 

From reports on child poverty to a call for submission for monologues on homelessness - listen now.

For list of links to all items in this episode, head over to poverty-unpacked.org

45. Poverty Unpacked - May chat

With only five years to go before the goal of ending extreme child poverty, we are off track to achieve this. But there are valuable lessons from countries that have made significant progress to accelerate efforts.

In this episode, we discuss what works to reduce child poverty with members of the Global Coalition to End Child Poverty.

Find out more on poverty-unpacked.org. 

46. What works to reduce child poverty – Global Coalition to End Child Poverty

Time for another Poverty Unpacked chat!

This month features research on poverty in new housing areas in UK and the role of coloniality in social protection policy in Africa. Plus celebrating six months since publication of The Empathy Fix book!

Check out all the links and more on https://poverty-unpacked.org

47. Poverty Unpacked - July chat

How to address poverty in schools? 

Check out this conversation with journalist and author Sean Harris on small but powerful tweaks to classroom practices as well as big and bold policy change beyond school grounds.

More information about this episode and all other episodes on https://poverty-unpacked.org 

48. Tackling poverty and disadvantage in schools - Sean Harris

Time for another Poverty Unpacked chat!

This month features new child poverty estimates, pressure on parents due to focus on early childhood, mismatch between policy makers' attitudes and evidence, and EU Anti-Poverty Strategy PLUS what's on in October in the month of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Check out all the links and more on poverty-unpacked.org

49. Poverty Unpacked - September chat

From the glorification of home ownership to the need for collective action to tackle a collective problem, in this episode we are joined by Cody Hochstenbach to discuss the housing crisis for people on low income in the Netherlands and how to tackle it. 

Find more information poverty-unpacked.org, episode 50.

50. Shame is no place to live - Cody Hochstenbach

In this episode of Poverty Unpacked chats, hear about new reports on child poverty, how austerity fuelled the far right, how anti-poverty interventions can support agency, and how new housing areas can be made welcome for residents on low incomes.

Links to all reports and pieces can be found in the notes to this episode on https://poverty-unpacked.org

51. Poverty Unpacked - November chat

Storytelling about poverty, Softening poverty, Strengthening talents and Trust - the ingredients of Quiet's approach to a growing community of people to come together in countering poverty.

Listen to our conversation with Ralf and Marieke from Quiet Netherlands about their unique approach and key ingredients for establishing and growing communities.

Information about this episode on our website https://poverty-unpacked.org

52. Softening poverty with trust - Quiet Netherlands

53. Smart welfare policy rooted in humanity - Esmah Lahlah

Celebrating changemakers in poverty! 

In this first version of Poverty Unpacked Celebrates, we are celebrating changemakers selected for the Big Issue 100 changemakers of 2026, a new immersive event on poverty and an inspiring conversation to mark International Women's Day.

Check out full details - as always - on poverty-unpacked.org


54. Poverty Unpacked Celebrates - February 2026

In conversation with others, we explore how poverty affects the mind, relationships, emotions and society as a whole, and what can be done to change it. Hear from activists, researchers, policy makers, and those with lived experience of poverty around the world.

20. Lives built on trash: the story of wastepickers in Mumbai - Saumya Roy

Poverty Unpacked

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