This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma bring more uplifting headlines you won’t find in your usual news feed. America’s prison population is dropping fast, thanks to a dramatic decrease in youth incarceration. The first fully robotic heart transplant in the U.S. marks a giant leap for medical innovation, eliminating the need for open-chest surgery and speeding up recovery for patients. Nepal is quietly staging an electric vehicle revolution, with 70% of new cars now electric and near...
Jul 04, 2025•13 min
Can we feed the world without destroying it? Zachary and Emma speak with Michael Grunwald, award-winning journalist and author known for his work on the environment and national politics. He is currently a senior writer for Politico Magazine and author of We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate. Michael discusses ways to farm using fewer acres of land, the improvements in plant-based products, and technology innovations including gene-edited crops and lab-gr...
Jul 02, 2025•57 min
On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma spotlight the stories that prove the world is moving forward, from Ireland’s bold move to end coal power to major U.S. brands ditching synthetic food dyes to breakthrough HIV prevention. They also cover how aviation safety is getting a high-tech upgrade as airlines roll out new cockpit alert systems that warn pilots about potential runway mix-ups and risky landings. Last, tune in to see if they stick the landing after a diversion into a joke from ...
Jun 27, 2025•20 min
Can sibling rivalries shape success? Zachary and Emma speak with Susan Dominus, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. She is the author of The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success. Susan shares case studies about high-achieving families and how siblings can be powerful motivators. She also touches on the role of parents, the balance between encouragement and counterproductive pressure, and the importance of defining success be...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
On this week’s Progress Report, Emma is going solo with the news. Discover how global child labor has nearly halved since 2000, why alarming disaster statistics might be more about better data than a world in crisis, and how Britain’s zoos are rolling out major reforms to improve animal welfare. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.orgWatch the podcast on YouTube:...
Jun 20, 2025•14 min
Does capitalism deserve its bad rap? Zachary and Emma speak with John Cassidy, longtime staff writer at The New Yorker and author of several acclaimed books on economics, including his recent work, Capitalism and Its Critics: A History from the Industrial Revolution to AI. He discusses the current sentiment on capitalism along with historical context and a look to the future. John also elaborates on the “arms race” within the AI industry, the impact of climate change on today’s economics, and th...
Jun 18, 2025•58 min
This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma cut through the noise of a turbulent news week to spotlight stories of real progress. From the historic UN ocean treaty poised to protect international waters, to shifting global attitudes on gender and record-high American retirement savings, Zachary and Emma look at how the world is moving forward sometimes with, sometimes without, the United States.What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts,...
Jun 13, 2025•19 min
How is the Constitution interpreted today? Zachary and Emma speak with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and host of its “We the People” podcast. Jeffrey is also a law professor at George Washington University and author of the upcoming book “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America.” They discuss the public’s perception of the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the Constitution, a historical look ...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr
On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma explore news stories that highlight human progress, from a university student’s discovery of a fungus related to LSD to a breakthrough in HIV research that could lead to a cure. Also, there’s more power and less murder, as Vatican City is running completely on solar energy while Brazil has reported a drop in recorded homicides. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 06, 2025•17 min
What do Democrats do next? Zachary and Emma speak with Jaime Harrison, lawyer and former chair of the Democratic National Committee. Jaime discusses Joe Biden’s 2024 candidacy and Kamala Harris’ nomination, the roles and limitations of the DNC, and the need for the Democratic party to return to a grassroots, community-oriented approach. Jaime also reflects on his Senate loss to Lindsey Graham in 2020. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts,...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this week’s Progress Report, Emma brings you the inspiring good news stories you might have missed. Discover how states across the U.S. are raising the minimum age for marriage, with Maine’s new law creating a “New England Wall” against child marriage. Celebrate the launch of Africa’s first continental space agency, promising better weather data—and brighter futures—for millions. Plus, get the latest on LGBTQ rights victories in Europe, from Italy’s birth certificate breakthrough to Poland’s ...
May 30, 2025•19 min
Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast called The Ongoing Transformation. It’s a biweekly podcast featuring conversations about science, technology, policy, and society. They speak with interesting thinkers—leading researchers, artists, policymakers, social theorists, and other luminaries—about the ways new knowledge transforms the world. The word "bureaucracy" may evoke red tape and DMV lines, but many groundbreaking scientific and health innovations have come from government research inst...
May 28, 2025•40 min
On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma serve up a fresh batch of good news you probably missed: U.S. crime rates are dropping to record lows, a bold new law is aimed at taking down revenge porn and AI deepfakes in just 48 hours, and Guinea-Bissau is throwing its very first art biennale, despite having almost no galleries or art schools. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit:...
May 23, 2025•16 min
What does Canada think about Donald Trump’s America? Zachary and Emma speak with David Frum, author, staff writer at The Atlantic, political commentator, and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. A Canadian American, David elaborates on Canada’s strategic integration with the U.S., the implications of recent shifts including Trump’s tariffs and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and what the future of American democracy looks like from his stance as both a Canadian an...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min
On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma break down some surprising stories of progress, from China’s clean energy boom finally driving down emissions, to Hungary’s unexpected rise as a solar power leader, to a dramatic drop in infant hospitalizations thanks to a new RSV vaccine. Plus, hear the wild tale of the American who built up immunity to snake venom-enduring 900 venom exposures-to help scientists develop a universal anti-venom. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Netw...
May 16, 2025•15 min
How can we reshape the American economy? Zachary and Emma speak with Chris Hughes, Facebook co-founder, Chair of the Economic Security Project, and author of “Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy.” Chris discusses the differences between marketcraft and Trump’s tariffs, how marketcraft has succeeded with antitrust and anti-monopoly laws, and historical examples involving marketcraft, including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the CHIPS and Science Act. What Coul...
May 14, 2025•54 min
Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast from our friends at Foreign Policy called The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO). It’s a series about women creating change through economic empowerment and it features female leaders from across the world. This episode was recorded live at this year's Munich Security Conference and focuses on the economic and security implications of halting overseas development assistance, especially on women and girls around the globe. Foreign Policy editor...
May 12, 2025•25 min
This week on The Progress Report, Emma and Zachary dive into the mysterious world of ancient Herculaneum scrolls—charred by Vesuvius, now decoded by AI and particle accelerators. Maryland smashes its conservation goals, becoming the first U.S. state to hit “30 by 30.” And, are we really past peak alcohol consumption? We unpack what it means for the world (and Zachary’s distillery). What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.For transcripts, to join the newslett...
May 09, 2025•15 min
It’s time for a lesson on the U.S. Supreme Court. Zachary and Emma speak with Stephen Vladeck, CNN's Supreme Court analyst, law professor at the University of Texas, and author of the newsletter One First. The Supreme Court is at a crucial historical moment as it clashes with the Trump Administration. Stephen, Zachary, and Emma dive into the controversy around Trump’s emergency powers, the judicial pushback against presidential overreach, and the pivotal role of balance among the branches of fed...
May 07, 2025•53 min
This week on The Progress Report, hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas share a roundup of positive news from around the globe. Starlink has surged to become Nigeria’s second-largest internet provider, offering much-needed fast and reliable connectivity despite government concerns about foreign control. Japanese scientists have made a breakthrough by growing an 11-gram, nugget-sized chunk of lab-grown chicken, promising a more scalable and eco-friendly future for meat production. In Singap...
May 02, 2025•15 min
Is the U.S. facing a Brexit-like polarization from the rest of the world? Zachary and Emma speak with Gillian Tett, journalist, author, Chair of the Financial Times’ Editorial Board, and Provost of Kings College, Cambridge. They discuss the intentions and longevity of Trump’s tariffs, the positives and negatives of AI on education, and how echo chambers have impacted world politics. Gillian also talks about Europe’s response to US-China trade tensions and the global rise of customized consumer c...
Apr 30, 2025•59 min
In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss positive news stories, including New Mexico’s free childcare program that has lifted 120,000 people out of poverty, an FBI initiative addressing unresolved crimes in Indian Country across the US, and the signs of life on a distant planet that NASA just detected. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressn...
Apr 25, 2025•17 min
What does the future of the Middle East look like? Zachary and Emma speak with Dr. Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he holds the Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace between Israel and Palestine, the evolution of a new Syria, and the socioeconomic growth of many Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia. Dr. Alterman also touches on...
Apr 23, 2025•58 min
In this episode of the Progress Report, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas dig into some seriously overlooked good news. Brazil and South Korea have both pushed back against anti-democratic power grabs—and won. From Bolsonaro facing trial to South Korea's president getting the boot after a wild six-hour martial law stunt, democracy is holding its ground. Emma also pulls a gem from a dense World Bank report: more people than ever now have some form of social protection, like pensions or cash t...
Apr 18, 2025•19 min
What can be done to change United States foreign policy? Zachary and Emma speak to US foreign policy experts and co-hosts of the American Prestige podcast, journalist Daniel Bessner and historian Derek Davison. Daniel is the author of Democracy in Exile and Derek runs the Foreign Exchanges newsletter. They discuss the American public’s engagement with foreign policy, the impacts of US global dominance, potential for a reformed policy that considers global interests, and why we shouldn’t call Don...
Apr 16, 2025•54 min
In this week’s Progress Report, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas highlight some truly global good news—stories that are too often buried under the avalanche of daily doomscrolling. Emma brings data from the World Health Organization showing that maternal mortality has dropped by over 40% since 2000, with real success stories in sub-Saharan Africa. Then they shift to Japan, where the world’s first 3D printed train station was built and installed in just a week. Also, electric buses are quiet...
Apr 11, 2025•16 min
What would the U.S. look like after a corporate breakup? Zachary and Emma speak with author of the BIG newsletter, host of the Organized Money podcast, and director of research at the American Economics Liberties Project, Matt Stoller. They discuss the major political issues from concentrated economic power, the bipartisan movement against monopolies, the ways in which big tech has influenced the healthcare system, and the power of a fair market for Americans. What Could Go Right? is produced by...
Apr 09, 2025•51 min
In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Emma highlights positive news stories, including potential changes in the World Bank's nuclear energy policy, innovative cancer treatments, decreasing breast cancer mortality rates, and bipartisan efforts to combat ticket price gouging. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://ww...
Apr 04, 2025•14 min
Why doesn't the media name and shame the real villains of the climate change story? How can tobacco industry-like litigation impact fossil fuel companies? What are the obstacles of transitioning to a clean energy future? Zachary and Emma speak with journalist, author, and founder of the Heated Substack, Emily Atkin. They discuss the Trump administration’s impact on worldwide climate policy and financing, the power of 24 American states participating in fossil fuel lawsuits and Paris Agreement go...
Apr 02, 2025•54 min
In this episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss recent bipartisan agreements on U.S. gun laws including the Supreme Court’s upholding of Biden-era rule on ghost guns, the impact of Obamacare on healthcare access, and Uganda’s record-breaking rapid response to an Ebola outbreak. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube...
Mar 28, 2025•20 min
