Why is there a need for optimism? Are we really worse off than we were decades and centuries ago? How could the next generation be the "greatest generation"? Zachary and Emma speak with Bill Burke, founder of the Optimism Institute and host of its Blue Sky podcast. They discuss the world's shift from utopian technology glee to dystopian AI fear, the ways that pessimism could halt progress, and how looking back through history can brighten one's outlook. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Pr...
Oct 16, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 123
In this episode of the Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss positive news stories that highlight progress in various areas. They explore the recent stabilization of obesity rates in the US, the decline in fentanyl overdose deaths, conservation efforts for Florida manatees, and the global increase in marine protected areas as part of the UN sustainable development goals. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, an...
Oct 11, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 122
What is going on in the Middle East now that the conflict has expanded to include Hezbollah? How has the United States struggled to bring resolution and peace to this part of the world? And where does the region go from here? Zachary and Emma speak with Steven A. Cook, expert on U.S.-Middle East policy and Arab politics, and author of "The End of Ambition: America's Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East." They discuss politics, economics, and power across various states, not limited to Is...
Oct 09, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Sharing an episode of To See Each Other, a show that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood, and often abandoned, communities. This season, host George Goehl travels to Lincoln County, Wisconsin to follow a small town battle for the last remaining public nursing home in the community. It’s a heart-pounding roller coaster of a fight - in a swing state that could determine the election. Over the course of the show, a universal truth emerges: That in every co...
Oct 07, 2024•31 min
In this week's Progress Report Zachary and Emma discuss positive developments in the world amidst grim headlines. They explore innovative energy solutions in urban transit, breakthroughs in diabetes treatment using stem cells, and the latest trends in global poverty, highlighting the resilience and progress being made in various sectors. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprog...
Oct 04, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 120
How do we know which information on social media is real? How can we overcome campaigns of disinformation and misinformation? Zachary and Emma speak with Jiore Craig, global and political media strategist. They discuss the formats that disinformation campaigns use, how they target age groups differently, and various ways for users to combat these campaigns. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more informa...
Oct 02, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 119
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss various positive developments around the world, including economic updates on interest rates and inflation, the introduction of an at-home flu vaccine, and social changes in reproductive rights. They also touch on the significance of Jordan's achievement in eliminating leprosy, emphasizing the importance of focusing on uplifting news amidst the often negative headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 27, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 118
What are the effects of having so much technology at our fingertips? Are we connected to too much information at once? Is technology shortening our attention spans? Zachary and Emma speak with Gloria Mark, psychologist and author of "Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity." They discuss the decrease of attention span over the years, ways to read and listen without distraction, and the emotional residue left by social media. What Could Go Right? is pro...
Sep 25, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 117
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss news stories including the recognition of new species in Australia and the significant anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. They discuss the implications of these events on society and the importance of reporting in understanding crime statistics. 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...
Sep 20, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Are Americans really opposed to immigration? Zachary and Emma speak to author and professor Zeke Hernandez about immigration in the United States, and how it impacts the culture and economics of our society. They talk about the current legal immigration system and how the failures therein lead to illegal immigration, and discuss how public perception around immigration is distorted by politics and incentives driven by a vocal minority. They also touch on the failure of the most recent bipartisan...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 115
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss some positive news and developments happening around the world. They highlight the surprising optimism among likely voters in the US, the decrease in extreme poverty in Brazil, and the useful climate change tools provided by Google. The conversation touches on the shifting attitudes towards progress and the importance of addressing inequality. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, t...
Sep 13, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Is fundamental change possible in a polarized two-party system? Zachary and Emma speak with Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang to discuss the current state of the primary system in the United States and what positive change might look like. They talk about what ranked choice voting is, some key benefits of that system, and the hurdles it faces. They discuss the likelihood of achieving popular but challenging reforms like term limits and stock trading in Congress. The conversation also touches on ...
Sep 11, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 113
This week's Progress Report covers a range of topics, including the banning of wild animals in circuses, the reduction of air pollution in China, and the ban on ghost guns in Oregon. The conversation also touches on the future of zoos and the potential for changes in gun laws. Despite the polarizing nature of the gun control debate, there seems to be a consensus on moderate measures to control guns. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, t...
Sep 06, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 112
This week we’re sharing an episode of a podcast we think you’ll really like – BBC’s The Global Story. Indonesia is building a brand-new capital city - twice the size of New York – in the middle of a rainforest. The current capital city, Jakarta, suffers from pollution, congestion, flooding, is prone to earthquakes and is also one of the fastest sinking cities in the world. The new high-tech metropolis called Nusantara aims to be carbon-neutral and better protected from natural disasters. But the...
Sep 04, 2024•32 min
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss lesser-known news stories that highlight positive developments and meaningful change. They cover topics such as a gel that stops bleeding from wounds in seconds, the world's first trial for an mRNA-based vaccine against lung cancer, the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in Guinea, and the stability of the Doomsday Glacier. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the...
Aug 30, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 111
How has the Democrats' shift to Kamala Harris upended the election cycle? Zachary and Emma speak with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Evan Osnos to discuss the current state of the Biden presidency and the rise of Kamala Harris. They look at the factors that led to Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race and the impact of his decision on the Democratic Party. They discuss the role of social media and the potential impact of this energy on the election for both candidat...
Aug 28, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Where should humans draw the line with gene editing? Is CRISPR the "holy grail" of science, or is editing human DNA ethical at all? Zachary and Emma speak with Kevin Davies, executive editor of The CRISPR Journal and author of "Editing Humanity." They discuss gene editing, specifically CRISPR, and its implications for mankind's future, the successes of gene editing for agriculture and treating sickle cell disease, and Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui's unlawful meddling in the DNA of three embryo...
Aug 21, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 109
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss various news stories, highlighting both the good and bad news. They cover topics such as the development of smart insulin, Europe warming faster than the rest of the globe, human adaptation to heat, and a decrease in opioid overdose deaths in the US. 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 podcas...
Aug 16, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Why have leading publications been obsessed with Donald Trump for so long? What's the master thesis behind political and cultural schisms in the US? And why are the nation's elite all talk and no walk about social justice? Zachary and Emma speak with Musa Al-Gharbi, sociologist and author of "We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite." They discuss The New York Times and other publications' fascination with Donald Trump as a politician over the years, the journey of "ju...
Aug 14, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 107
In this episode of The Progress Report, Emma discusses three news stories: the pro-democracy protests in Bangladesh, the projected peak of world population, and state-level initiatives in the United States. The main themes include political unrest and democratic movements, population growth and sustainability, and state-level experimentation and regulation. The takeaways include the power of grassroots movements, the potential positive impact of declining population growth, and the importance of...
Aug 09, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Should psychedelics be legal nationwide? Are they a bipartisan topic? And if they become a retail product like marijuana, how would screening and licensing work? Join Zachary and Emma as they speak with Oshan Jarow, a staff writer at Vox's Future Perfect. Oshan discusses psychedelics in politics, cultures using these drugs therapeutically and spiritually, and both the controversial history and legal future of psychedelics. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglome...
Aug 07, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 105
In this episode, Zachary and Emma discuss various news stories related to the Olympics. They talk about the opening ceremonies, the inclusion of new sports like breakdancing and kiteboarding, gender parity in the games, the introduction of a nursery in the Olympic Village, and the impact of technology on shooting scores. They also reflect on the significance of the Olympics as a peaceful global event. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts,...
Aug 02, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Can anyone truly read a poker face? Join Zachary and Emma as they speak with Maria Konnikova, who takes us on her journey from earning a PhD in psychology to becoming a professional poker player. Maria sheds light on the gender disparities within poker, detailing the unique challenges women face in this male-dominated arena and sharing her triumphs that have garnered her respect and recognition beyond the poker table. Beyond the cards, Maria's fascination with the darker aspects of human behavio...
Jul 31, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 103
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma delve into the hidden positive stories often overshadowed by mainstream news. They discuss the groundbreaking discovery of a deep cave on the moon, which could pave the way for future human habitation. The conversation then shifts to the exciting advancements in green steel production, promising a more sustainable industrial future. Finally, they explore a new study on a drug that could extend women's fertility and overall lifespan, highlighting t...
Jul 26, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 102
What does an assassination attempt mean for the United States in an already emotionally charged presidential campaign? Zachary and Emma speak with Bret Stephens, a columnist at The New York Times, about the current political climate and the rush to assumptions about political violence. They discuss the cultural temperature, the degradation of civility, and the connection between civic culture and violence. The conversation also touches on the resilience of Trump's support, the changing nature of...
Jul 24, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 101
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump and its implications for society. They highlight the response from both leaders and ordinary Americans, noting the overall unity and calmness in the aftermath of the event. They also discuss other news stories, including Gambia upholding the ban on female genital cutting and the decreasing global poverty rates. The conversation ends with a positive note about the decrease in gun violence dur...
Jul 19, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Does there need to be a change in the way we approach mental health and therapy? Zachary and Emma speak with Abigail Shrier about the evolving landscape of mental health narratives among younger generations. Abigail's new book 'Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up' challenges the orthodoxy that more therapy is the solution to our rising mental health problems. From the use of trauma as metaphor to the impact of therapeutic trends on adolescents, we explore how societal perceptions and par...
Jul 17, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Has social media peaked? How is media different now compared to the early days of Twitter and Facebook? Are there too many social media options? Zachary and Emma speak with Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of Semafor, founding editor-in-chief of Buzzfeed, and author of "Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral." Journalism's recent online progression, social media fragmentation, and the Facebook news evolution are discussed here today. What Could Go Right? is produ...
Jul 10, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 98
This week we’re sharing an episode of a podcast we think you’ll really like – The Boston Globe’s Say More. We are living in a time of deep uncertainty, marked by global conflicts, economic anxiety, and societal divisions. No wonder we're so uneasy. Progress Network member, and host of the “On Being” podcast Krista Tippett sits down with host Shirley Leung to explain why these uncertain times require a larger spiritual quest for meaning and stillness in modern life. We inhabit a noisy, distractin...
Jul 03, 2024•32 min
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss the emotional state of the world, the decriminalization of marijuana in Brazil, and the surprising resilience of small islands to rising sea levels. They highlight the disconnect between individual experiences and collective perceptions, as well as the need for more positive stories in the media. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information,...
Jun 28, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 97
