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We hear often that freedom of speech is under threat. And it's easy to feel like things have never been worse in that regard. But is that really true? Dinaw Mengestu, an acclaimed novelist, MacArthur Genius grant recipient, and president of PEN America, joins host Zachary Karabell to examine the true state of free speech in the United States and abroad. Mengestu shares his personal journey of immigrating to the United States from Ethiopia in the early 1980s, and how his childhood shapes his view of the topic and his feeling of belonging in America and the world. Mengestu and Karabell also explore whether the current climate of government pressure and self censorship is a unique historical crisis or simply part of a long standing oscillation in American culture. While advocating for the protection of all speech, Mengestu highlights the very real fears felt by vulnerable populations, especially immigrants facing modern government scrutiny. And In the end both Karabell and Mengestu give their grade of how we are doing as a nation when it comes to the freedom to express ourselves. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/ Follow him LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykarabell Follow Zachary on X @zacharykarabell
What does a future where autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence collide on the battlefield look like? Sarah Kreps, a Cornell University professor and former US Air Force officer, joins host Zachary Karabell to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of drones and military AI. The conversation looks beyond the doomsday prognostications surrounding lethal tech. Kreps shares insights from her time in the military around 9/11, reflecting on how constantly gaming out worst-case scenarios surprisingly led her to a more optimistic view of the future. Together, Karabell and Kreps explore the recent tensions between AI companies like Anthropic and the Pentagon. They also examine whether historical conventions for nuclear or biological weapons can offer a blueprint for governing AI and ubiquitous drone swarms. While acknowledging the genuine uncertainties of our technological leap, Kreps explains why false certainty about the apocalypse is dangerous and why she believes society can harness this disruption without breaking. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/
What happens when the traditional ways we gather and mourn start to disappear? Bestselling author Bruce Feiler joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss his latest book, A Time to Gather, and explore the modern celebration recession. Instead of yielding to isolation, Feiler reveals a surprising grassroots renaissance of human connection happening right now.Feiler shares deeply personal stories, from navigating his father's funeral to establishing a meaningful family ritual following the recent loss of his sister-in-law. Karabell and Feiler also discuss the dual nature of social media, highlighting how it acts as an amplification tool that helps democratize new traditions, like hospital honor walks for organ donors and even Taylor Swift-themed divorce parties.While acknowledging the very real threats of loneliness and the isolating effects of our digital lives, Feiler explains why he remains optimistic about our collective future. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/
Why does historic abundance breed widespread cultural anger? Nick Gillespie, editor-at-large of Reason Magazine and host of the Reason podcast, joins host Zachary Karabell to unpack the great conundrum of the 21st century: why humans have more security and financial means than ever before, yet feel increasingly dissatisfied. In a world deeply divided along absolute binary lines, Gillespie explains how a philosophy of libertarianism provides a refreshing, pre-partisan alternative to standard political gridlock. Moving past abstract data, Gillespie shares his own personal history as the son of a high school dropout from a working-class white ghetto in Hell's Kitchen. He contrasts his own path of white-knuckling student debt payments with the unique anxieties facing modern generations. And they ask the question, what does the world look like post Trump season two? What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope.For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.orgSubscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetworkFollow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrkSubscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/
What happens when our biological need for certainty clashes with an increasingly unpredictable world? Simone Stolzoff, author of How to Not Know, joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss why our modern intolerance for uncertainty is fueling a global anxiety crisis. Rather than seeing the unknown as a threat, Stolzoff argues that uncertainty is the fundamental birthplace of scientific breakthroughs, original art, and human progress. Stolzoff and Karabell explore how to navigate everything from the climate crisis and the AI revolution to high-stakes parenting and career choices through the framework that the false certainty we cling to might actually be detrimental to our success. While acknowledging the hard truths of today's world, Stolzoff explains why "action absorbs anxiety" and makes the case for diversifying our identities so we remain adaptable in the face of an unwritten future. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/
What happens when the global energy supply faces its greatest disruption since the 1970s? Jason Bordoff, a leading energy expert and former advisor in the Obama White House, joins host Zachary Karabell to navigate a world where the Strait of Hormuz is closed and gasoline prices are soaring. The conversation moves past the immediate panic at the pump to look at the future of how we power our lives. Bordoff shares personal stories of his father's Brooklyn gas station in the 1970s, contrasting that era with today's physical reality of the shale revolution. The discussion focuses heavily on the innovation frontier. Bordoff and Karabell explore whether new technologies like advanced geothermal, modular nuclear power, and even fusion can finally deliver on the promise of universal energy abundance. While acknowledging the hard truths of climate change and the energy needs of emerging markets, Bordoff explains why he is betting on policy and technology over pessimism. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/
What happens when the person building the world's most powerful technology is just as worried about it as we are? Sebastian Mallaby, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of The Infinity Machine, joins host Zachary Karabell to pull back the curtain on Demis Hassabis, the founder of DeepMind who is currently leading the global charge into artificial intelligence. From the "Ender's Game" mission that drives Hassabis to the chilling logic of why machines might accidentally develop a "survival instinct," this episode explores the mindset of the people shaping our future. Mallaby and Karabell discuss the "infinity" of data required to make these systems work and why the massive hunger for compute power is reshaping the global economy in real-time . Drawing a haunting parallel to Alan Greenspan and the 2008 financial crisis, Mallaby asks a difficult question: Can "the man who knew" the risks actually prevent the catastrophe he sees coming?. Together, they navigate the tension between pure scientific discovery and cutthroat Silicon Valley competition, the potential for a "Nuclear Non-Proliferation" style agreement with China, and the hidden dangers of the "open vs. closed" model debate.What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope.For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.orgSubscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetworkFollow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrkSubscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/Follow him LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykarabell
Many contemporary talking heads take a pessimistic view of the future, but our guest today hopes to change this. Oz interviews Zachary Karabell, host of the podcast What Could Go Right? and founder of the Progress Network, about being an ‘edgy optimist’ and what that means for the future of humanity. After that, TechStuff presents an episode of What Could Go Right? featuring Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. Together, Bremmer and Karabell discuss how the post-WW2 world order has changed over the years, whether social media is a tool for freedom or a mechanism for control, and why the current moment of global chaos may simply be part of a longer geopolitical cycle — one that, like all cycles, eventually turns. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code techstuff at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/techstuffSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What happens when the rules of the global game are being rewritten in real-time? Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss how to navigate a world defined by a "long geopolitical recession" and the erosion of the post-1945 order. From the escalating conflicts in the Middle East and the surprising vulnerabilities of the economic models in the Gulf to the "asymmetric war fighting" that allows drones to bring the global economy to its knees, this episode reckons with a world that seems to be disintegrating rather than coming together. Bremmer and Karabell explore why we aren't getting a better picture of what's happening on the ground in places like Iran and Yemen, and whether the "noise" of modern social media is a tool for freedom or a new mechanism for state control. As political revolutionaries rise and established media organizations downsize, Bremmer and Karabell ask: is our current information environment worse than it was 30 years ago, or can individuals still "sniff out" the truth? And: Is this the peak of global chaos, or just a cyclical trough before a new rebound? What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zachary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/ Follow him LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykarabell Follow Zachary on X @zacharykarabell
What do we do when our systems stop working? Anne-Marie Slaughter, the CEO of New America, former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department under Secretary Hillary Clinton, and one of the most influential voices in American foreign policy joins Zachary Karabell to reckon with a country in the middle of a massive realignment. From democratic reform and the collapse of the two-party system to America's fraying role on the world stage, this conversation refuses easy answers. In this wide-ranging discussion, they explore the shifting geopolitical landscape, including the heightened risks associated with the war in Iran, and how the escalating competition with China challenges us to look inward and ask what we truly stand for. Then they revisit the question Anne Marie has been trying to answer for much of her career, whether or not modern women really can have it all. So, what does it mean to still believe in liberal democracy when the system isn't delivering? Is this a moment of unraveling, or the messy beginning of a rebirth? What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://theprogressnetwork.org/newsletter/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: / theprogressnetwork Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Subscribe to Zackary's Substack: www.edgyoptimist.substack.com/ Follow him LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykarabell Follow Zackary on X @zackarykarabell
January 21, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds discussed the “affordability crisis” with author and investor Zachary Karabell. He argues it's a chronic issue, not a sudden crisis, impacting proposed solutions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Today we're bringing you an episode of What Could Go Right from our friends at The Progress Network.Each Wednesday on What Could Go Right, hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas converse with diverse experts to have sharp, honest conversations about what's going on in the world, even during difficult times. In this episode, Nick spoke with Emma and Zachary about the state of civics education in the US, as well as how we can start to talk to each other civilly in an increasingly polarized political landscape.You can listen to What Could Go Right here or, as they say, wherever you get your everything. CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas shine a light on a powerful form of providing education. This week, they're joined by Laura Hosman of Arizona State University, creator of SolarSPELL, an offline, solar-powered digital library making education possible where internet access doesn't exist. Discover how SolarSPELL is transforming classrooms from remote Pacific islands to refugee camps in Syria, empowering teachers, and closing the digital divide with nothing but sunlight and ingenuity. They discuss bridging educational gaps, building digital literacy, and proving that when it comes to global progress, there's plenty that can still go right. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Zachary Karabell of The Progress Network and the What Could Go Right podcast lays out a case for “edgy optimism,” highlighting under-covered wins in medicine, education, and public policy. From New Mexico's universal childcare to gene therapies for sickle cell disease, he argues the problem isn't a lack of progress—it's our inability to notice. Plus, a new U.S. ad from Benjamin Netanyahu adapts the famous Talmudic credo “Rise and Kill First” into something just a little more TV-friendly. And in the spiel: Trump's gray, soggy military parade gets upstaged by a vibrant “No Kings” protest. Produced by Corey WaraProduction Coordinator Ashley KhanEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_gSubscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAMFollow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Enjoy the full version of this special we published last week! Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content! Danny and Derek invite Zachary Karabell, historian and founder of the Progress Network, as well as host of the podcast What Could Go Right?, to talk about the big things: liberalism, American political capitalism, Trump, "abundance," and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe now for the full episode! Danny and Derek invite Zachary Karabell, historian and founder of the Progress Network, as well as host of the podcast What Could Go Right?, to talk about the big things: liberalism, American political capitalism, Trump, "abundance," and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 Singapore, conservationists are creating a pangolin sperm bank to help save this heavily trafficked, endangered mammal, highlighting innovative efforts to preserve biodiversity. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we're bringing you an episode of What Could Go Right from our friends at The Progress Network. Each Wednesday on What Could Go Right, hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas converse with diverse experts to have sharp, honest conversations about what's going on in the world, even during difficult times. In this episode, they dive into the global health crisis that doesn't get nearly enough attention - tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, yet it has been largely ignored by wealthy nations and Big Pharma. One person who refuses to let that stand is #1 New York Times bestselling author, YouTuber, and activist John Green. His new book, Everything is Tuberculosis, explores the history, science, and injustices surrounding this disease. Tune in to new episodes of What Could Go Right every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts, and don't miss the Friday episodes where Emma and Zachary highlight the latest progress from around the globe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 transfers. Plus, a surprising stat from Nepal shows extreme poverty has plummeted—though the story behind it is a bit complicated. It's a reminder that while progress doesn't always make headlines, it's definitely happening. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 quietly transforming city transit worldwide, from the Netherlands to Nigeria, with China leading the charge. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to Season 7! This week, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas discuss the duality of news, focusing on the positive amidst the negative. They explore the impact of the Trump administration on American politics, the importance of understanding diverse voter perspectives, and the role of information in shaping political decisions. The conversation emphasizes the disconnect between government actions and daily life, advocating for a deeper engagement with local politics. They explore the dynamics of democracy, accountability, and the influence of the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for vigilance and active participation in governance. The discussion also touches on the global perspective of American politics, highlighting the resilience of international communities and the complexities of global interrelations. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Ongoing Transformation will be back next week with a fantastic episode on RNA and the future of biology. This week we are sharing a podcast from the Progress Network that we think you'll enjoy. On What Could Go Right?, Progress Network founder Zachary Karabell and executive director Emma Varvaloucas talk to experts about the world's challenges—and developments that could lead to a brighter future. In this episode, Karabell and Varvaloucas tackle an issue at the top of many people's minds: climate and energy. Specifically, how can the green transition move the global energy system away from fossil fuels? They're joined by Jigar Shah, the director of the Loan Programs Office at the US Department of Energy. Shah shares his insights into the current landscape, future potential, and challenges for the successful commercial deployment of clean energy technologies. Subscribe to What Could Go Right? wherever you get your podcasts.
Description: Can the idea of America looking beyond race work in such a divided time? Are there reasons we should still use race as a basis for public policy? Have colleges gone too far in their actions to confront racist actions in the past? Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas talk to Coleman Hughes, the author behind the new book 'The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America' to look at a modern approach to race that seems to be making waves. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Society & Culture, News and Government - The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas
Negative news can be overwhelming, but it's important to question whether it accurately reflects our world. Join "What Could Go Right?" to hear positive stories from various experts and challenge the negative narrative. Let's strive for a more balanced view of what's happening today. Whether you need a change of perspective or change of heart, check out "What Could Go Right?" from The Progress Network, with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are our fears about the future grounded in facts on the ground today? Will conflict and war wax or wane this century? And what global progress can we look to as examples of unexpected good occurring? Today, for our season finale, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas reflect on lessons gleaned from this season's episodes. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover the silver lining in economic narratives with the insightful Zachary Karabell, who joins us to dissect the perplexing dichotomy of data-driven optimism and the public's financial pessimism. Zachary, with his investment acumen and expertise in sustainability, provides a nuanced perspective on why the allure of bearish sentiment overshadows a market performing better than the doom and gloom suggests. Through our conversation, we unravel the enigma of public sentiment that seems disjointed from robust economic indicators, and we probe into the socio-economic rifts that feed into this skepticism, despite an uptick in living standards across the board.The idea of a golden past is often romanticized, yet our discussion with Zachary peels away at this illusion, revealing a time that wasn't as rosy as some might believe. We challenge the nostalgia that can cloud judgment, potentially stalling progress and sowing societal division. In this heart-to-heart, we confront the paradox of the highest global material security juxtaposed with dissatisfaction in governance, and how looking to history can give us a reality check on our contemporary challenges. We then pivot to the international stage, analyzing the proposed tariffs on Chinese imports and the constitutional quirks that could let such policies come to pass. The economic dance between the U.S. and China is scrutinized, alongside the potential fallout for consumers, industries, and the larger financial markets. Zooming out, we consider the evolving dynamics in the Middle East and its waning influence on the global economy due to America's rise as a leading oil producer. Furthermore, we speculate on how global demographic shifts might shape inflation and consumption, offering personal investment insights in this ever-changing economic landscape. Join us for an episode that promises to elevate your perspective on the world's financial pulse.Nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. The content in this program is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any information or other material as investment, financial, tax, or other advice. The views expressed by the participants are solely their own. A participant may have taken or recommended any investment position discussed, but may close such position or alter its recommendation at any time without notice. Nothing contained in this program constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction. Please consult your own investment or financial advisor for advice related to all investment decisions. Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Foodies unite…with HowUdish!It's social media with a secret sauce: FOOD! The world's first network for food enthusiasts. HowUdish connects foodies across the world!Share kitchen tips and recipe hacks. Discover hidden gem food joints and street food. Find foodies like you, connect, chat and organize meet-ups!HowUdish makes it simple to connect through food anywhere in the world.So, how do YOU dish? Download HowUdish on the Apple App Store today:
The most people in history will vote in 2024, with 78 countries going to the polls. Is democracy really on the ballot, as some say? What new state laws are coming into effect, and is a new space race heating up? Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas are back to discuss the latest news stories we might have missed. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How much of a threat is AI to elections with new disclosure rules from big platforms in place? What's going on with infant mortality trends? And why can't we test for more illnesses at home? Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas are back to discuss the latest news stories we might have missed. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who is going to work these days and who is staying home? How should schools handle cell phones on their grounds, and what is the UK doing about them in particular? And what did NASA scientists find in their latest asteroid sample? Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas are back to discuss the latest news stories we might have missed. 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://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is mental health worsening across generations? Has criminal justice reform actually worked? And are we ready for the first mass produced humanoid robots? "What Could Go Right?" hosts Zachary Karabell, founder of The Progress Network, and Emma Varvaloucas, executive director of The Progress Network, take a look at the progress that has been made since last season. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Negative news can be overwhelming, but it's important to question whether it accurately reflects our world. Join "What Could Go Right?" to hear positive stories from various experts and challenge the negative narrative. Let's strive for a more balanced view of what's happening today. Whether you need a change of perspective or change of heart, check out "What Could Go Right?" from The Progress Network, with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas — Season 5 begins October 4th, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In “Tasting Kentucky in Tiananmen,” Gravy producers Ishan Thakore and Katie Jane Fernelius explore how KFC became one of the most popular restaurant chains in China, and what its dominance reveals about other huge Southern firms. KFC is now part of the corporate conglomerate Yum! Brands, which includes chains like Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. But it has humble origins — Harland Sanders started the brand in Corbin, Kentucky, as a service station off the road. The chain grew through franchise agreements and by the 1980s was looking to expand abroad. As Zachary Karabell, author of Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World's Prosperity Depends on It, explains, China in the ‘80s was a blank canvas for businesses. That presented all sorts of risks, but also potentially unlimited upside. Like a hungry youth soccer team diving into a bucket of fried chicken after a game (an oddly specific reference from Ishan's childhood), KFC went all in. It brought in middle-managers from Taiwan, developed a logistics network, and treated store openings like grand affairs. But it could not avoid major geopolitical issues. Two years after KFC opened its flagship branch off of Tiananmen Square, Chinese troops there killed an estimated hundreds of people to quash political protests. But within a week, KFC reopened on the Square, catering now to soldiers instead of students demanding change. KFC took off and, by 2011, according to a Harvard Business Review case study, KFC was on average opening one restaurant a day in China. This growth came at a cost. Bart Elmore, an environmental historian and associate professor of history at the Ohio State University, charted the rise of several Southern multinationals, including FedEx, Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola in his book Country Capitalism: How Corporations from the American South Remade Our Economy and the Planet. Elmore explains how servicing goods to the countryside made corporations enormously wealthy, and how those firms relied on the Global South for materials and markets. But that quest for global ubiquity had severe environmental impacts, including by KFC, such as emissions and pollution. For Elmore, and hopefully for listeners, acknowledging the economic history of the South is one step towards addressing the social and environmental issues wrought by unchecked economic growth. Music featured in this episode includes "Borough" and "The Crisper" by Blue Dot Sessions. Acknowledgments Special thanks to guest Zachary Karabell and his book Superfusion, which lays out the history of KFC in China. Zachary also founded The Progress Network and hosts the podcast What Could Go Right? Thanks to Bart Elmore for his perspective on the impact of Southern companies around the world. You can read more about those firms in his newly released book Country Capitalism. Although they were not featured in this episode, a big thank you to historian Adrian Miller for providing context about fried chicken's origins, as well as to Christine Ha, who owns several restaurants in Houston. Gravy is proud to be a part of APT Podcast Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join us as we revisit a classic episode from our archives, featuring a compelling discussion on the history and lasting impact of the Suez Canal. Originally recorded during the momentous Ever Given grounding, Peter and Tyler delve into the risks and rewards associated with this vital global trade route. Our guest, Zachary Karabell, an esteemed author and expert in history, economics, and international trade, offers insights on the incident and its implications for the future of commerce. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation with one of today's foremost thinkers.
Zachary Karabell, president of RiverTwice Capital and founder of The Progress Network, says that investors who are looking to past economic patterns to predict what's next could be off base because, among other things, they are looking for a recession instead of trying to gauge whether we are already in one. He notes that the wide variability of potential outcomes from here shouldn't scare investors much, because the mid- and long-range outlooks generally appear to be positive, despite concerns like inflation, the inverted yield curve and more. Plus, Cassandra Rupp, financial advisor at the Vanguard Group discusses the firm's study on 'Higher Education Perspectives and The State of Saving,' which showed that an alarming number of Americans don't know much about the best and most popular vehicles to use for saving for college. In the Market Call, Andy Braun, portfolio manager for the Impax Large Cap fund talks brand-name stocks bought and sold today with a social/ESG mindset.
Is the US economy okay or even positive? Are we making any progress on climate change? What's going on with global inequality? As we close out this season of "What Could Go Right?" hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas look back at the predictions that started the year and check in with the current news of the day. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.
I know that most of us want to be informed citizens, but it feels daunting to try and dive into the world of cable news in today's world. This week's podcast is called What Could Go Right and hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas take on the issues of the day with a less gloomy outlook. Links from this Episode: Olive and June Affiliate Link View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website
On this episode of Audience, Stuart talks with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas of the What Could Go Right?, a podcast that talks about current events that range from artificial intelligence, to climate change, to democracy. Zach and Emma talk about their influences, their vision, and their background. They share tips on podcasting and how to share your mission with your audience. On their podcast, Zach and Emma tackle the big topics while looking at them through a positive lens and posing questions like, ‘How can we make a change for the better?’ In a world where the most outspoken can also be the most cynical, podcasts like "What Could Go Right?" are a much-needed lighthouse shining a spotlight through the fog of the internet. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe. Today you’ll learn about: The world isn’t always a dark place Zach and Emma’s journey into podcasting The story behind What Could Go Right? Cynicism versus positivity: changing the approach to encourage reflection The written word versus the audio format versus panel shows Creating podcasts that make your audiences think Resources/Links: Zachary Karabell: https://www.zacharykarabell.com/ Emma Varvaloucus: https://www.emmavarv.com/ The Progress Network: https://theprogressnetwork.org/ Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Ronnlund, and Ola Rosling: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250107814?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6GQ122JQVGDDP2VPAECS Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, priv
We are often lamenting about all that is going wrong because frankly there is a lot--but for a change of pace we bring on historian, author and host of the podcast What Could Go Right, Zachary Karabell, to look for some possible rainbows in our unrelenting storm. Waj and Danielle may not always bring the sunshine but we always bring our mustard seed of hope--and on today's episode we brought back up! Hosts: Danielle Moodie & Wajahat Ali Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Senior Producer: Quinton Hill Distributor: DCP EntertainmentSupport the show: https://www.dcpofficial.com/democracy-ishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's going on with "the economy"? Is now the best time to be in love in all of human history? Should we be worried about the global state of democracy? "What Could Go Right?" hosts Zachary Karabell, founder of The Progress Network, and Emma Varvaloucas, executive director of The Progress Network, take a look at the world as it currently is and as it could be in 2023. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.
Author Zachary Karabell pleads that despite the militaristic noise, China and the U.S. share an economic dependency that would rupture the domestic economy of both nations if severed.
Since the first publication of his six-volume magnum opus, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon (1734-1797) has been ranked among the greatest historians who ever lived. What made his work different? Does it hold up today? And what lessons can a modern-day historian draw from his example? In this episode, Jacke talks with author Zachary Karabell about Gibbon's inspiration, influence, and legacy. ZACHARY KARABELL is the author of numerous books, including Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power and The Leading Indicators: A Short History of the Numbers That Rule Our World. He is also the founder of the Progress Network at New America, the president of River Twice Capital, and the host of the podcast "What Could Go Right?" Additional listening suggestions: 321 Thucydides 285 Herodotus 36 Poetry and Empire (Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Petronius, Catullus) Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT THE SHOW: realignment.supercast.comThis episode and our expanded coverage are made possible thanks to our Supercast subscribers. If you can, please support the show above.REALIGNMENT NEWSLETTER: https://therealignment.substack.com/BOOKSHOP: https://bookshop.org/shop/therealignmentEmail us at: realignmentpod@gmail.comNew Format: In a special, two-part episode, two guests join The Realignment to provide differing perspectives on a pressing issue. First, Dr. Aaron Friedberg, Princeton professor and author of Getting China Wrong joins to argue why the post-Cold War "engagement" approach to China failed, and how the U.S. should redefine the relationship. Second, Zachary Karabell, previous Realignment guest and author of Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power, joins to discuss his NYT op-ed arguing that the U.S. should prioritize pushing back against actual Russian aggression as opposed to hypothetical Chinese actions.
In episode 1239, Jack and Miles are joined by podcasters and hosts of What Could Go Right? Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas to discuss... Democrats Find Themselves Faced With A Strange Conundrum for MidTerms / 2024: The Vibes Are All F---ed Up, Since we stan vampire culture… and more! Democrats Find Themselves Faced With A Strange Conundrum for MidTerms / 2024: The Vibes Are All F---ed Up Since we stan vampire culture… The Progress Network: @progressntwrk LISTEN: Umi Says by Soul Supreme See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Feedback with EarBuds, the podcast recommendation podcast. Our newsletter brings you five podcast recommendations each week according to a theme, and curated by a different person. Our podcast is an audio version of the newsletter. Subscribe to the newsletter: eepurl.com/cIcBuH This week's theme is Stories of Indelible Women. The curator is Kate Tellers, a senior director at The Moth and a co-author of their new book, How To Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth. EarBuds is celebrating The Moth's 25th anniversary with this list!Why did Kate choose this theme? "One of my favorite things about listening to podcasts (and stories in general) is that they give us the opportunity to meet people and go to places with them we wouldn't have gotten to otherwise. I love peeking into other people's worlds. As a woman, stories about other women stick with me.”Thank you to this week's first EarBuds sponsor, Focusrite:Podcasting can be full of daunting concepts like gain staging and signal chains and waveform degrundulating (did you notice that we made that last one up?) Skip the jargon and be your best creative self with an audio interface from Focusrite. Learn more at https://focusrite.com/en. This week, we are also sponsored by LWC Studios: LWC Studios just launched a new show, How to Talk to High [Achievers] About Anything,and they need you! LWC Studios is interviewing Black and brown professionals about their triumphs — and where they sometimes still trip up. They want to speak with folks achieving new heights, either in their personal or professional lives, and who are looking for ways to keep leveling up.If this is you, or someone you know, please contact producer Virginia Lora at virginia@lwcstudios.com to talk about scheduling an interview. Learn about the show: https://www.talktohighachievers.com/Links mentioned in this episode:The Moth: https://themoth.org/ Secretly Y'all: https://www.secretlyall.org/ The Moth's new book, How To Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth: https://themoth.org/how-to-tell-a-story Say hi in to us on Goodpods: https://www.goodpods.com/ Mid-Week Mini List on Cannabis: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/blog/best-podcasts-to-celebrate-420-cannabis Mid-Week Mini List on Climate & Environmental Activism:Earth Day Playlist on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/articles/listicles/earth-day-podcast-playlist PRX: https://www.prx.org/ - Amy Westervelt's podcast picks on climate change: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/blog/climate-change-podcast-recommendations Find this week's podcast recommendation list here: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/stories-of-indelible-women-podcast-recommendations-the-moth Here are this week's podcast picks from Kate:- Uncivil- Sweet Bobby- Snap Judgement- The Just Enough Family- The MothThis week's spotlight is “What Could Go Right?”Description: What if instead of being on the brink of disaster, we're on the cusp of a better world? Every week on What Could Go Right?, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas show why pessimism and despair are too easy a response to the world's challenges. Listen in as they discuss the central issues of our era — including sustainability, polarization, work, and the economy — and make the case for a brighter future.Listen: https://theprogressnetwork.org/podcast/ _____Apply to have your podcast spotlit: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/podcast-spotlightsEarBuds Blog: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/blogCurate a list here: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/earbuds-podcast-curators-formFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarbudsPodColFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earbudspodcastcollectiveFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earbudspodcastcollective/Website: https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/Tee Public: https://www.teepublic.com/user/earbuds-podcast-collective
April 25, 1859. About 150 people have gathered on the shores of Lake Manzala in Egypt. And one of them, a mustachioed, retired French diplomat, steps forward. He raises his pickaxe and strikes a ceremonial blow. The audacious goal is to cut through the desert to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, creating a new trade route between the East and the West. Changing global trade and geopolitics forever. Today: the Suez Canal. Why did the tremendous efforts of a Frenchman end up enriching the British Empire? And how, decades later, did the canal play an unexpected role in the birth of modern Egypt?Thank you to our guests, Ibrahim El-Houdaiby and Professor Aaron Jakes for speaking with us for this episode. Thank you also to Dr. Bella Galil for talking with us. If you want to read more about the Suez Canal, Zachary Karabell's "Parting the Desert: The Creation of the Suez Canal" is a great resource. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The United States is a country divided, characterized by collapsing levels of trust in our institutions, in our politics, and in each other. How did we get into this mess, and how do we get out? Join The Progress Network for a conversation with TPN Members David Brooks and Theodore R. Johnson, hosted by our founder, Zachary Karabell, centered around this question. They examine ideas for how to bridge our divides at both an individual and collective level. This conversation was recorded on December 21st, 2020. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.
While Democrats fight amongst themselves over getting their legislative agenda passed, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is locked in his own battle with minority leader Mitch McConnell over raising the country's debt ceiling. Democrats need ten Senate Republicans to join them in voting to raise the debt limit to avoid, as the Washington Post put it, “catapulting the country into an economic recession.” The Post also cited the potential for quote, “widespread financial havoc," while the New York Times noted widespread warnings of “global economic calamity” If all of this sounds familiar, that's because... it is. For years, the media have treated the perennial debt ceiling debate like hurricane season. Is disaster heading to our shores? When will calamity strike? What's the projected damage? Often lost in the coverage is why we have to keep reliving this crisis in the first place. Zachary Karabell is host of the podcast “What Could Go Right” and president of River Twice Capital. He's also the author of The Leading Indicators: A Short History of the Numbers That Rule Our World. Brooke spoke to him in 2017 about this very subject. On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
Airdate May 16, 2021: Fareed speaks to U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about the American diplomatic plan for Israel and Gaza, the future of the Iran Nuclear deal, and what he said when he met this week with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Lavrov. Then, a panel discussing the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Peter Beinart, Noura Erakat and Dan Senor. Plus, Zachary Karabell on his new book about how business built America and what modern capitalism should look like. And lastly, as the Arctic region continues to defrost, creating a new political and economic horizon, Fareed examines Russia's intentions (and why they are worrying to the West). GUESTS: Anthony Blinken, Noura Erakat, Peter Beinart, Dan Senor, Zachary Karabell To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
Brown Brothers Harriman is a bank that's sat front row for much of America's history, and yet most of us haven't heard of them. Two presidents, the creation of our first railroads, and an influence on the adoption of paper currency only scratches the surface of the private bank's intertwined history with the birth and growth of the United States. It didn't happen accidentally. A family with strict investing and social values, the Brown Brothers family knew when to invest, when it was time to give back, and how to walk away when an opportunity carried too much risk.Sharing some of these key early stories, today we're joined by Zachary Karabell, author of the newly released Inside Money, to share both how Brown Brothers Harriman fits into our history, and also how their guiding hand helped shape some key moments for us.Are your safe, everyday financial products tasting a little stale to you? Why not spice them up by throwing some Bitcoin into your annuity? That's hip and exciting, isn't it?! What? That seems like a bad idea to you? Well, maybe us too. During our headlines, we'll ponder over reports that insurance companies are exploring how to best add cryptocurrency to annuities. We really try to work this one out and try to make heads or tails of the why. In the process, we'll talk about the history of insurance, and how sadly, the industry's innovation is more reaction than inspiration.Plus, more and more people are excited to become travelers again. We've talked about how some places like Hawaii have already seen car rental shortages, but how about getting to the destination in the first place? We'll discuss our personal methods of planning and saving for a vacation, including how Joe gamifies paying for each night of his trips to Bavaria (oh boy).We finish our show with a Haven Life question from Jason, who may or may not want to have his house paid off before he retires in the next 10 years. He asks: should he stop contributing to his Roth and contribute to a taxable brokerage account instead so he can do a lump sum payoff? Turns out, there's a way Jason continues contributing to his Roth AND still pays off his home. We'll explain how during the show.Of course, we always make some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.