Centering actors and behavior in systems change efforts

What does it take to map a system in a way that will actually lead to change? Traditional models can make change look like a straight line from input to impact, but real systems rarely work that way. 

In this episode, Jeff Mohr talks with Mark Oldenbeuving, co-creator of the Actor-Based Change framework and founder of Ripple CoLab, about why he moved away from linear theories of change and toward mapping people, behaviors, and relationships instead.

They explore: 

• Why traditional theories of change fall short in complex environments
• What inspired the Actor-Based Change framework and how it works
• How to set boundaries to avoid an overwhelming system map
• How to hold a theory lightly while still tracking meaningful data

Whether you're designing programs, evaluating impact, or trying to make sense of a messy system, this conversation offers a concrete, people-centered way to think about how change actually happens.

Subscribe to the In Too Deep Podcast or read the full transcript on the In Too Deep blog.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Ripple CoLab
• Actor-Based Change framework
• Kumu blog post on Actor-Based Change framework
• John Mayne's Useful Theories of Change
• Behavior Change Wheel / COM-B model