With President Trump's authorization of airstrikes on Iran last week, uncertainty is looming in the minds of many Americans. Did Trump make the right decision? Will there be retaliation stateside? We have the numbers outlining EVERYTHING that Americans think about our intervention in Iran. Then, we dive into what Americans think of Trump's immigration policies. While the President promised that he would be tough on immigration, do Americans think ICE has gone too far? Finally, whether you're wat...
Jul 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 401
For our 400th episode special, we're putting our polling knowledge to the test. That's right, it's "trivia night" here at the Marist Poll! We go back in time, discussing how the Supreme Court has succeeded, and failed, to enact social change. Next, we revisit the decades-long path that marijuana has taken to social acceptance. Lastly, we quiz ourselves on the public favorability of foreign trade over time! In between are blasts from the past, as we've brought back nearly EVERY student producer w...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 400
We break down the final Marist NYC poll before the primary then dive into how Ranked Choice Voting works with expert Stephen Pettigrew from the University of Pennsylvania. He manages to make a complicated topic pretty simple! Then, Americans' trust in police has been rising for the last few years and that includes among Black Americans. The latest results are the highest in four years but, still, Blacks have lower levels of trust and satisfaction with their local police that White Americans. In ...
Jun 20, 2025•35 min•Ep. 399
Even though inflation has slowed, many Americans still feel that the cost of living is too high. Also, views on the economy are deeply divided by political affiliation. But here's what's really perplexing: Americans have been consistently bummed about the economy since 2008 regardless of who's in charge. We're looking at the polling data to understand. Then, J Michael Keyes is an experienced intellectual property trial attorney and an expert in consumer surveys used in legal cases. He has repres...
Jun 13, 2025•34 min•Ep. 398
Other than tariffs, Donald Trump's signature achievement of his second term has been mass deportations. Masked, badge-less agents have swept across cities and states detaining men, women, and children, shipping most off to detention centers here in the US but plenty of others have been put on planes and flown to countries near and far. There's been plenty of outcry and court action but are a majority of Americans upset? We're looking at what the data says. Then, we're looking at a really fascina...
Jun 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 397
Religion has probably always been a part of politics, but, in modern America, it's often linked with how the Civil Rights movement was powered from the pulpit and pews and the conservative "Silent Majority" Evangelical Christian political movement that began in the 80s. There's an assumption that when preachers and other religious figures take public political positions these influence the flock. But, do they? The data suggest otherwise. Then, we're revisiting the national issue of loneliness to...
May 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 396
We're diving into the final chapter of one of the most recognizable names in polling: FiveThirtyEight. @GElliottMorris joins us to break down what led to the site's closure and what it all means for people who rely on quality data. In the meantime, he's launched a Substack, Strength in Numbers , and has been writing about some notable trends, including how voters who are not very engaged with politics have dramatically shifted their attitudes about Donald Trump in just 6 months. We wrap with a f...
May 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 395
On this week's Poll Hub: Can AI really be your friend? Well, for starters, an AI friendbot will always listen and never argue with you! But there are plenty of worrisome downsides. Then, as book bans continue to spread throughout cities and states across America, we're talking to two @Marist University librarians about the notion that protecting kids from harmful material doesn't necessarily mean removing books from shelves. Finally, with the weather getting warmer, we have a fun fact for everyo...
May 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 394
President Trump has wrapped up his second "first" 100 days, and our latest poll shows Americans are largely unimpressed. We even asked people to grade him like a student... a lot of red ink was involved. Then, rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues among teens have risen dramatically, and many experts are calling it a national crisis. From social media use to post-pandemic adjustment, we take a look at what's really going on with younger generations. Finally, this week's fun fact br...
May 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 393
One of our favorite data minds, polling guru Harry Enten from CNN, joins us to break down what the polls really say about President Trump and his policies. Trump's approval ratings have been declining for most of his first 100 days back in office but recently it's gotten much worse. Why? And what, if anything, does it say about the next elections? Then, we've covered America's trust issues with institutions before, but are we hitting a new low? We're diving into data, new and old, that shows jus...
Apr 25, 2025•36 min•Ep. 392
The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago with the fall of Saigon. For America, it was a bitter end to a conflict that ripped both Vietnam and America apart. So much has changed since, but long-held feelings remain. We're looking at what Americans -- most of whom were not alive or old enough to really remember -- think now. We're starting with a deep dive into our recent New York State survey in which we found a lot of unhappiness. There's pretty widespread negativity about the state's leadership, dire...
Apr 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 391
We take a close look at the true role of the executive branch. From the limits outlined in the Constitution to the growing expectations placed on presidents, we explore how much power the Oval Office really holds versus how much the public thinks it should. As budget cuts hit beloved national parks, we dive into the relationship between federal spending cuts and the public's desire to protect the environment. With record-breaking park attendance and widespread support for funding, are lawmakers ...
Apr 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 390
Could you go an entire month without the Internet? As technology advances, some argue we've become too dependent on it while others see it as unavoidable. Then, we shift gears to driving where most people think they are great behind the wheel and rate everyone else as less than stellar. We break down the numbers on road safety and people's attitudes about driving. Finally, our fun fact takes us back in time to a debate that once divided the nation... freight trucks on highways....
Apr 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 389
For years, the debate over taxing the wealthy has been a key issue in political debates, but with billionaires now holding key positions in the Trump White House, are public attitudes shifting? We take a look at how Americans feel about taxation and how the issue splits by party. Then, from the Monopoly Man's missing monocle to misquoted movie lines, collective false memories have confused people for years. We dive into the Mandela Effect, why our brain misremembers things, and even how this pla...
Mar 28, 2025•29 min•Ep. 388
The war between Russia and Ukraine has now dragged on for more than 11 years and it's been. over 3 years since Russia's full scale invasion. For most of that time, the U.S. has backed Ukraine financially and militarily but then Donald Trump returned to the White House and everything changed. We're looking at how American public opinion has shifted over the years and what a majority think of Trump's huge shift away from Ukraine and towards Putin's Russia. We're then heading (thematically) to Rome...
Mar 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 387
Tariffs are back in the spotlight, and while they're often framed as a tool for tough trade policy, the real cost tends to fall on consumers. As new tariffs target not just China but also our North American neighbors and European allies, we're taking a look at whether public opinion is shifting. Then, we're joined by Marist University Assistant Professor Dr. Sergio Pinto-Handler to discuss Cuba, a country consistently caught in diplomatic limbo with the United States. With relations ebbing and f...
Mar 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 386
Six weeks into his second term, Americans have mixed feelings about President Trump's rapid-fire approach. While perceptions of the nation's direction have improved since 2023, majorities believe that Trump's deep cuts are causing more harm than good. We'll break down the numbers from our new NPR/PBS/Marist Poll survey. Next, scent is the strongest trigger of memory, and for many, a single whiff can transport them back in time. Whether it's fresh-cut grass, crayons, or the aroma of bubblegum, we...
Mar 07, 2025•25 min•Ep. 385
As Black History Month comes to an end, Marist University's Dr. Robyn Rosen joins us to discuss the shifting national conversation on race and politics. With federal rollbacks of DEI programs, corporate moves away from cultural recognition, and evolving public attitudes, what does the future of civil rights look like? Then, while Americans seem to be increasingly rejecting the idea of toxic masculinity and embracing emotional openness in men, traditional hyper-masculine ideals continue to domina...
Feb 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 384
President Trump's first month in office (Act II) has been a whirlwind of executive orders, controversial cabinet picks, and precedent-breaking calls to take over foreign countries. But since the most important issue to voters in 2024 was the economy, the team discusses why new polling suggests many Americans are questioning the administration's priorities. Then, another Trump action -- calling for all remaining records of the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK be released -- got us thinking abo...
Feb 21, 2025•32 min•Ep. 383
Obesity and heart disease rates in America increased by almost 200% between 1999 and 2020. While obesity is one of several conditions linked to heart disease, it is the primary driver of this increase. Americans say they think it's a big problem, but far fewer think it's a problem for them personally. Then, everyone knows that Valentines Day is full of romance... assuming everything goes right! From bad hygiene to dodging the check, what qualities do Americans seek in a partner... and which send...
Feb 14, 2025•20 min•Ep. 382
Many Americans feel unprepared when it comes to managing their money. Are schools not teaching enough, or do we all need to be doing a little more? With Super Bowl Sunday approaching, our latest national poll takes a closer look at sports betting. Mobile betting is booming, but is it a win or a risk for Americans and the world of sports? We wrap it all up with a fun fact that might sting for some fans. Do people actually watch football games outside of the playoffs and the Super Bowl?...
Feb 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 381
In the 2024 federal elections, candidates spent a staggering $3 billion, but does all that money truly influence voter decisions? We talk with UCLA Law Professor Rick Hasen about the role of campaign cash in politics and examine whether public financing initiatives are making a positive difference. Then, are we becoming too connected... or not connected enough? We explore the shifting attitudes surrounding global ties, national priorities, and how personal experiences, like travel, shape our vie...
Jan 31, 2025•29 min•Ep. 380
President Trump's recent tidal wave of Executive Orders has sparked a lot of debate among some in Washington, but will Americans care about his pardoning the January 6th insurrectionists or trying to end more than a century of birthright citizenship? There's mixed evidence. Loyalty programs were once hailed as a win-win for businesses and consumers, but now they are facing increasing skepticism. While many people still rely on them for rewards and discounts, younger generations seem less interes...
Jan 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 379
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, Americans are (still) divided on key issues. From Trump's mass deportation plans to his possible pardons of convicted January 6th insurrectionists, we're going deep into the data from our latest poll with NPR and PBS News. We're also exploring how America's relationship with alcohol is changing. Could Dry January signal a broader trend towards sobriety in America, and what is driving this trend? And, we dug deep into our time capsule for this ...
Jan 17, 2025•35 min•Ep. 378
Recently, The New York Times ran a feature "How Top Pollsters Grade 2024’s Polls" that included Lee's analysis (and a sweet cartoon drawing of the legend himself!) and reached the conclusion, the polls were pretty damn accurate in 2024 despite the fact that most had Kamala Harris winning by a narrow margin. We discuss whether that's just wishful thinking or whether expectations have far outstripped what polls can do in our deeply 50-50 political world. We follow with a segment discussing our lat...
Jan 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 377
So-called May-December romances have been a standard feature in literature and movies...and life...forever. There are plenty of reasons for this but recently data has shown the age gaps narrowing. What's behind the change? Cognitive psychologist Dr. Haley Moss Dillon joins us to help us figure it out. Before we get to that, though, we always do an end-of-year poll with some fun holiday questions and a bit more serious ones about what Americans are thinking going into the next year. And our final...
Dec 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 376
This week on Poll Hub, we take a peek behind the curtain of our latest national poll to find out how voters are feeling post-election. Do they like Trump's transition actions so far? What about Biden's pardon of his son Hunter? Then, Dr. D. Graham Burnett of Princeton, The Strother School of Radical Attention , and by extension, the Friends of Attention , joins us to dig into the science behind our shrinking attention spans. Researchers were hopeful that media would have a positive effect, but d...
Dec 13, 2024•30 min•Ep. 375
Pollsters have been asking Americans about space for decades but the landscape -- spacescape? -- hasn't changed a lot. What began as a race to put a man in orbit between two superpowers has transformed into a race between private companies to make space travel cheap and easy. What do we think? Back here on Earth, you've probably noticed a lot more electric vehicles on the road over the last few years. But for every Tesla, Bolt, and Ioniq, Americans are still buying far more gas and hybrid cars. ...
Dec 06, 2024•31 min•Ep. 374
Finally, get ready for a spirited debate with our "all-star" lineup for this week's Fun Fact. It's destined to steal the spotlight away from the turkey...although there's a surprising twist from the biggest football lover of them all!
Nov 27, 2024•11 min•Ep. 373
Right, left, center? What is the "mainstream media"? Turns out the right answer probably is, no longer in existence. Our own Kevin Lerner, Marist Department of Communication Chair and an expert in journalism history, joins to help us figure out what dramatic changes in media and news means for democracy. Then, doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia, have been controversial topics for decades, leading to ethical, religious, and medical debates. But, decades after Dr. Kevorkian put a name and face...
Nov 22, 2024•40 min•Ep. 372
