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Reasonably Optimistic

Reasonably Optimistic

156 episodes — Page 3 of 4

Is it time to delete our social media accounts?

Social media is in flux. X has become Elon Musk’s megaphone, Meta just ended its fact-checking program, and TikTok’s future is up in the air. Some on the left are flocking to Bluesky as other platforms shift right. As these online spaces become as divided as our politics, are they still serving us? Assistant editor Drew Goins talks with columnists Molly Roberts and Philip Bump about the good, the bad and the ugly of today’s social media scene.

Jan 24, 202522 min

Trump: The Sequel

The first day of Donald Trump’s presidency featured a fire hose of execution orders, pardons for the Jan. 6 defendants and lots of long speeches. Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and Jim Geraghty discuss what stood out to them among the barrage of actions, what might not pass legal muster and how presidential pardons are getting out of hand.Additional Reading:Ruth Marcus: Big Tech’s power surgeJim Geraghty: Trump’s inauguration vow to uphold the law clashes with his TikTok stanceSubscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jan 21, 202520 min

Alcohol is linked to cancer. But isn't everything?

It’s “Dry January,” non-alcoholic drink sales are soaring and the surgeon general is warning people about the links between alcohol and cancer. But is it really so bad to have a few drinks at a weekly happy hour? Opinions editor Drew Goins chats with contributing columnist and physician Leana Wen and columnist Molly Roberts about the hierarchy of cancer risks and how to weigh the pleasures and perils of drinking.Additional Reading:Leana Wen: The right lesson to draw from the surgeon general’s alcohol warning

Jan 14, 202523 min

Big houses, small houses, we just need (a lot) more houses

There’s a housing crisis in America: high interest rates, not enough homes, and regulations that seem to favor building massive “McMansions” instead of more diverse housing stock. How did we get here, and can we find our way out? Post columnist Heather Long talks to the Atlantic’s Jerusalem Demsas, who’s written a book on the housing crisis, and Bryan DeHenau, a Michigan roofer who sees the struggles in the building industry on the ground every day.Additional Reading:Heather Long and Amanda Shendruk: “The new American Dream should be a townhouse”Heather Long talks with Bryan DeHenau about his ideas for how to build more homes in America: “A Michigan roofer’s smart plan to end the housing crisis”Jerusalem Demsas: “An American-Style Housing Crisis in New Zealand”

Jan 7, 202527 min

The laughs, heartbreaks and hopes of 2024

When we look back on 2024, it’s easy for the campaign and the election to drown out everything else that happened. But there was so much more! The Post’s Alexandra Petri, Molly Roberts and Drew Goins talk about this chaotic year and the stories that stuck with them.

Dec 24, 202425 min

Luigi Mangione's motives — and ours

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson captivated America, as it played out in an almost cinematic fashion. But there are disturbing issues underneath this crime – the simmering anger over health-care costs and the growing normalization of violence in the United States. The Post’s David Von Drehle talks with columnists Molly Roberts and Matt Bai about what it means when citizens try to take justice into their own hands.Read the Washington Post column by Catherine Rampell referenced in the podcast: "Fan club for suspected shooter is a symptom of burn-it-all-down populism"

Dec 17, 202422 min

Americans don’t like experts? Send in the clowns.

America has lost faith in experts, and it’s certainly showing in some of Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. Beyond a lack of qualifications, there are concerns over character problems with several nominees too. But do either really matter in American politics anymore? Deputy Opinions Editor David Von Drehle talks with columnists Ruth Marcus and Dana Milbank about what, if anything, can sink a nominee in today’s political culture.

Dec 10, 202426 min

Mexico vs. Trump: The rematch

Donald Trump is promising Mexico a lot of deported migrants with a side of trade war. How will Mexico and its new president handle a neighbor like Trump? Opinions assignment editor Damir Marusic talks to columnists León Krauze and Eduardo Porter about the view from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Dec 3, 202425 min

Searching for gratitude

As many head off for Thanksgiving after a disorienting month, our columnists tried to find anything in the world — in news and politics and their lives — to be grateful for. They had to dig deep, but they found gratitude for traditions forcing them toward normalcy, for the systems that work and for Matt Gaetz making Cameos instead of being the next attorney general.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nov 26, 202418 min

She’s the future. How does the government keep her?

As potential deep cuts to federal agencies dominate headlines, it’s more important than ever to understand the people who make the government run. In the final installment of our “Who is Government” series, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell delves into the antitrust division of the Justice Department and learns about the surprising ways it can help America live up to its promise.Watch Bell’s video or read his column here: The RookieAnd be sure to check out the rest of the “Who is government?” series.The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepThe Searchers, by Dave EggersThe Number, by John LanchesterThe Cyber Sleuth, by Geraldine BrooksThe Equalizer, by Sarah Vowell

Nov 23, 202410 min

RFK Jr. has some good ideas. It’s what makes him so dangerous.

People are justifiably alarmed at the prospect of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being in charge of U.S. health policy. He amplifies conspiracy theories, is anti-vaccine and makes bizarre health claims that aren't backed up by evidence. But underneath his rhetoric, Kennedy has floated some interesting ideas, like limiting processed foods or banning pharmaceutical ads. Deputy Opinions editor Charles Lane talks with physician and columnist Leana Wen and editor Rob Gebelhoff about separating fact from fiction and what we should actually do to make America healthier.Read more from Leana Wen about Kennedy’s positions:“RFK Jr.’s views on fluoride aren’t as crazy as you might think” “The main reason RFK Jr. is unqualified to serve as HHS secretary”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nov 19, 202423 min

Trump 'Resistance' didn't work. What will?

Donald Trump’s election might feel like déjà vu. But America is in a different place than it was eight years ago. Contributing columnists Amanda Ripley, Matt Bai and Theodore Johnson talk through how they’re thinking about Trump’s second term, how to set boundaries between the personal and political, and what type of civic involvement is actually useful.

Nov 12, 202424 min

This is bigger than any one mistake Harris made

Donald Trump won. But why? Were Americans really just mad about their grocery bill? Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann grapple with this election result as an “X-ray into our national soul.”Read more from Washington Post columnists:“No, the way to cope with a Trump win isn’t moving to Canada”“A big win for the Blow It Up Party, but what then?”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nov 6, 202425 min

It’s Election Week. Grab the whiskey.

None of us can know the outcome of the election, but our columnists talk through the campaign’s final spasms. Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann discuss the shifting mood in Pennsylvania, whether abortion will be as motivating this time around and if Donald Trump can get “crypto bros and the guy who vapes” to actually vote.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nov 4, 202423 min

Are Republicans Kamala-curious? Not so much.

In the final stretch of the campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is making a play for Republicans who don’t like Donald Trump. But can they be swayed to vote for a lifelong Democrat? Columnists Megan McArdle, Jim Geraghty and Ramesh Ponnuru discuss what they’re hearing from fellow conservatives about this election and the future of the GOP. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Oct 29, 202420 min

To tip or not to tip? That is now the question. Everywhere.

Americans don’t seem to have a shared understanding of when or how much to tip. Yet, millions of people rely on what we give to make a decent wage. Columnists Theodore Johnson, Heather Long and Molly Roberts talk about why things have become so confusing and get into the real issues beneath the campaign proposals to end taxes on tips.Read more from The Washington Post:“Tipping is more confusing than ever. Here’s how to handle it.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Oct 22, 202420 min

Doritos and cocaine: Harris and Trump try out podcast populism

In the final stretch of the presidential campaign, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are turning to popular lifestyle and comedy podcasts to woo different audiences. We were curious whether the candidates sounded any different in these environments than at their rallies. So columnists Charles Lane, Molly Roberts and Perry Bacon listened in and discussed what they learned.Listen to the podcasts we discussed in the episode here:Donald Trump on “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von”Donald Trump on “Flagrant”Kamala Harris on “Call Her Daddy”Kamala Harris on “All the Smoke”

Oct 15, 202420 min

‘I exist because of this piece of paper’

The National Archives might seem like a distant trove of documents and arcane laws for Americans far from Washington. But many of these national treasures are actually relevant to our lives. Author Sarah Vowell found the people inside the Archives who are making sure everybody can access these documents and find their stories. Read Sarah Vowell’s full story here: The EqualizerAnd check out the rest of the “Who is government?” series.The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepThe Searchers, by Dave EggersThe Number, by John LanchesterThe Cyber Sleuth, by Geraldine Brooks The original version of this audio mistakenly referred to one of the Citizen Archivists as Bernard Weintraub, but his name is Joel Weintraub. We regret the error.

Oct 12, 202413 min

Just how bad will the Middle East get?

As tensions between Israel and Iran soar, columnists David Ignatius and Josh Rogin talk with Damir Marusic about the broader forces at play in the conflict, the lack of plans for a stable future and what a Trump victory would mean for the U.S.-Iran relationship.Read more from David Ignatius on this issue: “What the Oct. 7 attacks didn’t change”“Trump courts disaster by underestimating Iranian death threats” Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Oct 8, 202423 min

How a cyber sleuth in the IRS takes down terrorists

The IRS may be one of the most hated departments in the federal government, but it turns out it does more than just collect taxes. Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks got to know the folks in charge of the IRS’s cybercrime unit which investigates criminals who use cryptocurrency. In this bonus episode, Brooks talks with Michael Lewis about what she learned. Read Geraldine Brooks’s full article here: Meet the black-belt, tattooed IRS official who saved 23 children from their abusersAnd check out the rest of the “Who is Government” series. The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepThe Searchers, by Dave EggersThe Number, by John Lanchester

Oct 5, 202412 min

JD Vance had nowhere to go but up

In the vice-presidential showdown JD Vance tried to remake himself by being nice, while Tim Walz directed his attacks at Donald Trump. Columnists Karen Tumulty, Dana Milbank and Ruth Marcus discuss the Jan. 6 moment and what Vance’s soft talk on abortion says about Republicans’ fear of how the issue will hurt them at the ballot box.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Oct 2, 202421 min

What’s a government for? Let me count the ways.

The skittish inflation number that flies across headlines might feel arbitrary; in fact, it’s anything but. To arrive at that number, it takes millions of calculations into granular details such as the chemical composition of turkey meat and the flavor notes of olive oil. In this episode, John Lanchester chats with Michael Lewis about what the government counts and how tracking these things tells us a lot about what a country values.Read John Lanchester’s full article here: This number has shaped political debate and determined the fate of presidents Check out the rest of the “Who is Government” series. The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepThe Searchers, by Dave Eggers

Sep 28, 202410 min

The meaning of ‘Jeopardy!’ in a post-truth America

“Jeopardy!” has been on the air and wildly popular for 60 years. What makes it endure, and what does that say about American culture? Contributing columnist Amanda Ripley talks to Alexandra Petri, Drew Goins and Ryan Vogt — Post Opinions staffers who’ve been contestants on the show — about its staying power, and if “Jeopardy!” can still bring Americans together.Correction: In this episode, we mistakenly said Bob Eubanks hosted The Match Game in the 1970s. Gene Rayburn was the host of that show. We regret the error. 

Sep 24, 202423 min

To find new planets, you have to dim the stars

The scope of the federal government is vast, and in one corner lies NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, where the search for new planets and new life continues. As part of the Post Opinions “Who is government?” series, author Dave Eggers takes a look at the lab’s latest innovations and gets to know the people who are reaching for the stars. In this special episode, Michael Lewis talks to Eggers about what he learned.Read Eggers' entire article here: The Searchers.And be sure to check out the rest of the "Who is government?" series.The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey Cep

Sep 21, 202412 min

The real reasons Americans are having fewer kids

Many economists and politicians are alarmed that Americans, like others around the world, are having fewer kids. But, apart from wanting a growing labor force, is this really a problem? Opinions columnists Shadi Hamid and Heather Long talk with Style columnist Monica Hesse about what’s really behind the baby bust and whether we just need to prepare for a lower fertility future. Read more from our columnists about this topic in the Washington Post:Editorial board: A reader quiz on world birthrate -- and what it means for the futureMonica Hesse: The birth rate is still sluggish. Don’t blame the birth givers.

Sep 17, 202429 min

Harris wiped the floor with Trump. But what did we learn about her?

Did the debate cause a vibe shift? Columnists Charles Lane, Megan McArdle, Dana Milbank and Jim Geraghty discuss how much voters care about policy, whether Trump made any good points and how his false claims about pet-eating immigrants mask a genuine issue.And don't forget to check out the first two stories in our series, “Who is Government? Seven writers go in search of the essential public servant.” The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepKeep an eye on Washington Post Opinions each Tuesday morning to see future installments.

Sep 11, 202420 min

What do men want?

The evidence is in. American men are facing a crisis — in health, in education and in the labor force. But under all of that runs deeper trends — disconnection, loneliness and a lack of role models. Columnists Theodore Johnson and Shadi Hamid talk with Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, about the dueling visions of masculinity on the political stage and a hopeful way forward for the modern man. Check out some of the work Richard Reeves mentioned in the show:“Men are having a health crisis. Why aren’t we paying attention?”“The State of Working Class Men”And read more from Washington Post Opinions on this topic:Theodore Johnson: “I grappled with masculinity. My mother showed me the truth.”Christine Emba: “ Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Sep 3, 202430 min

Why not pay teachers $100,000?

As American kids head back to school, columnist Daniel Pink makes the case for paying teachers more money. High-quality teachers, he argues, significantly improve student learning, so shouldn’t they be paid as much as somebody assessing insurance premiums on your car? Plus, humor columnist Alexandra Petri discusses sending her child to school for the first time. This essay by Daniel Pink is part of a year-long project with Washington Post Opinions called “Why Not?” Check out some of the other columns in his series:Why not ban left turns on busy streets?Why not shake up the Olympics? Why not overhaul America’s national holidays?Why not require a civics test as a rite of passage for all Americans?Don’t miss any of Daniel Pink’s “Why Not?” columns. You can follow his LinkedIn newsletter here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Aug 27, 202413 min

Out with the old at the DNC

We are in Chicago, where it's Kamala Harris's party now. Columnists Dana Milbank, Jennifer Rubin, Jonathan Capehart and Jim Geraghty discuss why gender isn’t being talked about in this campaign so far, and they do the math on what percentage of the Democrats’ energy is from excitement, relief and just avoiding existential dread.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Aug 20, 202422 min

Surviving Putin's gulag: Vladimir Kara-Murza tells his story

Pulitzer Prize winner Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was part of August’s massive prisoner exchange with Russia, sat down to talk with Post Opinions editor David Shipley about his time in jail, the importance of freedom of speech and what the future holds for Putin’s regime.Today’s show was produced by Charla Freeland. It was edited by Allison Michaels and Damir Marusic and mixed by Emma Munger.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Aug 14, 202442 min

Tim Walz won’t hurt Kamala Harris. Will he help?

Tim Walz went from being a little-known Midwestern governor to Democratic vice-presidential candidate in a matter of a few weeks. But in this sprint of a campaign, nothing is moving slowly. Charles Lane, Molly Roberts and Matt Bai talk through whether Walz can keep up the momentum of the Harris campaign, if the “weird” strategy is good or bad, and how much of a unifier Walz will be for the Democratic ticket.Read more from our columnists about Kamala Harris’s choice of a running mate here:Karen Tumulty: “Tim Walz made ‘weird’ happen. What he offers the ticket is much more.”Perry Bacon Jr: “Tim Walz is a bold, smart choice for Harris’s running mate”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Aug 6, 202421 min

The misery of airline travel might be our fault

Airline travel is increasingly exasperating. Any blip, whether it’s a weather event or a technical problem, leads to cascading days of delays and cancellations. Why does it all seem so fragile? Charles Lane, Catherine Rampell and Marc Fisher discuss the economics of flying and how customers might be helping drive a race to the bottom. Stay until the end to get humor columnist Alexandra Petri's take on flying.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jul 31, 202426 min

Introducing, "The Sports Moment"

Ava Wallace, sports reporter at The Washington Post, is in France to report on the Summer Games — and eat a lot of croissants. Join her through the entire run of the games, for several episodes a week as she captures the highs, the lows and the Paris of it all, along with other Post colleagues.Follow The Sports Moment podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube.Sign up for The Sports Moment: Olympics Edition newsletter here.

Jul 26, 20240 min

Can Kamala Harris win?

After all the hand-wringing over the last month, it took only about 24 hours for Democrats to fall in line behind Vice President Harris as their new nominee. Even so, some worry she’s not the strongest candidate that could have been put forward. Our columnists discuss whether she can win, who might join her as a running mate and what it means for her chances to be a woman of color on the top of the ticket in 2024.Read more from Post Opinions:“The five groups of Democrats that ended Biden’s candidacy”“Today's Democrats love unity and hate arguing. Here's why.”“Democrats should not fear running two women”“What Harris needs to do, now, to win”

Jul 23, 202425 min

Republicans are euphoric. Can it last?

After a truly wild few weeks in politics, our columnists huddle up at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. They discuss the mood on the ground in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, how the unity message seems to be fraying and what recent events mean for the presidential campaign – and the country – going forward. Plus, humorist Alexandra Petri serves up an imagined J.D. Vance infomercial using his own words about Trump.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jul 16, 202424 min

Democrats feel doomed. What’s the least risky move?

With falling poll numbers and President Biden's public appearances doing little to reassure voters he’s still got what it takes to win, Democrats are faced with a difficult decision about how to proceed. Biden has dug in, pledging to the public that he isn’t going anywhere. Charles Lane, Karen Tumulty and Perry Bacon Jr. talk through whether Biden can salvage his campaign, how possible it really is to change course now and who else could step up.Read more from our columnists:“Kamala Harris walks into the storm — and keeps her footing”“What if Biden steps aside from the Democratic nomination?”“If not Biden, who? Five columnists weigh in.”

Jul 9, 202421 min

America, we love you. But it’s hard.

It’s the week of the Fourth of July and the word patriotism is as divisive as the rest of American politics. Theodore Johnson, Karen Attiah and Jason Rezaian discuss the good and the bad about the United States, and how to reconcile its shortcomings while pushing for a better future. Read more from some of our columnists —Ted Johnson: “American democracy is fine. It's the republic that's in trouble.”“Buck up, America. Help is on the way.”Karen Attiah: “How to reckon with the cult of the gun”

Jul 3, 202416 min

Biden finally overshadowed Trump, in all the wrong ways

President Biden’s debate performance has Democrats in a panic and Donald Trump supporters gleeful. Columnists Karen Tumulty, Dana Milbank and Jim Geraghty process how things feel the morning after, whether the president should step aside and how the truth was the night’s biggest loser. Read more from our columnists about the debate:Karen Tumulty: “The Great Democratic Freakout is upon us”Dana Milbank: “If America is failing, that debate showed why”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jun 28, 202419 min

Is the smartphone panic dumb?

Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy recommended putting a warning on social media for minors last week, while governors from coast to coast have pushed for restrictions on teen phone use. But how worried should we really be, and what is there to do about it? Post columnists Amanda Ripley, Molly Roberts and Theodore Johnson talk through the dumbphone trend, how explicit lyric warnings on CDs backfired and what actually worked in the campaigns to stop kids from smoking. Listen to Murthy talking to our colleagues on the daily news podcast, Post Reports, about why he sees social media as such a threat to young people."How bullying shaped the surgeon general's fight against social media"Read more from the Washington Post: “Surgeon general calls for social media warning labels”“What research actually says about social media and kids’ health”“Opinion | Why a warning label for social media is so crucial”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jun 26, 202422 min

Movie theaters are dying. Do you care?

It’s been a rough few years for movie theaters, and the dismal start to the summer blockbuster season hasn’t helped. If people go to theaters less often, will that change the type of movies that are made? Is the future of moviegoing a boutique, high-end experience? Matt Belloni, host of “The Town,” joins The Post’s Alyssa Rosenberg and Chris Suellentrop to talk about what’s going on with the movies and what, if anything, will get people out of their living rooms and into theaters.Read more from Belloni here and subscribe to his “What I’m Hearing” newsletter. Or you can find his podcast about the entertainment business, “The Town” wherever you listen. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jun 19, 202424 min

Why can't Americans agree on immigration?

A quarter of Americans, most of them Republicans, say immigration is the most pressing issue facing the country. Post columnists Karen Tumulty, León Krauze and Jim Geraghty discuss why this issue is top of mind for so many people, how politics continues to thwart policy and whether Americans still see our country as a cultural melting pot.Read more from the columnists.Karen Tumulty: “The U.S. is failing millions of undocumented essential workers”León Krauze: “Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge fall spotlights immigrant workers”Jim Geraghty: “Why America Needs a Secure Border | National Review”And here’s more information on the topics discussed in the show:“Immigration Named Top U.S. Problem for Third Straight Month”“The Economic Impacts of Removing Unauthorized Immigrant Workers”“Fueled by unprecedented border crossings, a record 3 million cases clog US immigration courts”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jun 12, 202420 min

So you married a Supreme Court justice

The Alitos are the latest couple to face the question: When you are married to someone in public life — a Supreme Court justice, a member of Congress, a Post Opinions columnist — what compromises do you need to make? Should you be held to the same ethical standards as your spouse? Charles Lane, Ruth Marcus and James Hohmann discuss the politics of marriage, whether the Supreme Court is more partisan now than in the past and why they don’t think Justice Alito needs to recuse himself in the Jan. 6 case.Read more from the Washington Post:“The strange case of Alito v. Alito” “Sam Alito's flag flew upside down. Are his ethics?”“Read Justice Alito’s letter denying requests to recuse from Jan. 6 cases”

Jun 5, 202425 min

An impromptu ‘Impromptu’: Processing Trump’s conviction

Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and Karen Tumulty got together to talk about their immediate reactions to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict, the quality of his defense, and why the most knowledgeable people in Washington were expecting something different.

May 31, 202425 min

Do we actually want AI that seems human?

Do we actually want AI that seems human?Chatbots are being made to act and sound like humans. That makes them easier to talk to, but there could be other consequences. As our relationships with artificial intelligence evolve, do we need to draw a brighter line between what is technology and what is us? Opinions columnists Josh Tyrangiel, Bina Venkataraman and Amanda Ripley talk about what we really want out of AI. Read more on AI from our Washington Post columnists.Josh Tyrangiel: “Honestly, I love when AI hallucinates”“Let AI remake the whole U.S. government (oh, and save the country)”“College students are dropping out in droves. Two sisters could fix that.”Bina Venkataraman:“When technology of the future traps people in the past” “Can AI solve medical mysteries? It's worth finding out.”Take advantage of our Memorial Day sale and subscribe to The Washington Post for just 99 cents every four weeks for your first year. This deal runs from May 21-June 3, 2024. Subscribe here.

May 29, 202419 min

Is home ownership the wrong dream for America?

The house, the yard and the picket fence have long been part of the American Dream. Owning a home is lauded as a way to grow your wealth and pass it down to future generations. But high demand and short supply, coupled with today’s soaring interest rates, have made home ownership out of reach for many Americans. Opinions columnist Catherine Rampell and associate editor Alexi McCammond join deputy editor Charles Lane to talk about the cultural and financial forces at work and the generational shift in thinking about whether buying a house is the best place to put your money. Read more from the Washington Post:“The YOLO economy is saving American cities” “Cities try every tool to fix the housing shortage except what works”“Stop blaming millennials for the housing crisis”Take advantage of our Memorial Day sale and subscribe to The Washington Post for just 99 cents every four weeks for your first year. This deal runs from May 21-June 3, 2024. Subscribe here.

May 22, 202421 min

Rethinking identity in a fractured America

As trust in institutions plummets and many people search for shared values, what is the state of American identity? This bonus "Impromptu" episode features a live discussion between Opinions columnists Shadi Hamid and Jason Willick and the hosts of "Post Reports" Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi about the importance of identity in a changing world.For more from our colleagues in the newsroom, listen to "Post Reports," a daily afternoon podcast, where you can hear deep dives into the biggest and most important stories of the day.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

May 19, 202445 min

It's bigger than Caitlin Clark

The WNBA season began this week following a college tournament where the women were more popular than the men. Is this shift about more than Caitlin Clark and the fantastic players in basketball right now? Sports columnist Sally Jenkins joins Opinions columnists Theodore Johnson and Amanda Ripley to talk about what athletes have done for the women’s movement and whether the women’s game can avoid some of the pitfalls that have plagued men’s sports. Read more from our columnists about what they discussed in this episode.Sally Jenkins: “Title IX showed generations of women what was possible” and “Caitlin Clark is coming, and the WNBA better get ready for her”Theodore R. Johnson: “Healing medicine for a fractured nation? College basketball.”

May 15, 202422 min

Fewer Americans believe in God. Is that a problem?

When asked about their religious affiliation, nearly 30 percent of Americans identify as “nones,” or “nothing in particular.” And over the past 25 years there’s been a steep decline in people belonging to any type of church, synagogue or mosque. But what is lost as people drift from religion? Is it at all responsible for today’s loneliness crisis?Read more from our columnists about what they discussed in the episode.Perry Bacon: “I used to be a Christian. Now I miss church.”Kate Cohen: “How atheists can fix a broken America” and “Go back to church! (Or something like it.)” Shadi Hamid: “The dilemmas of living in a post-religious world.”

May 8, 202423 min

Campuses are wrestling with the politics of war. So are we.

Campus protests across the country have renewed Americans' attention on the Israel-Gaza war and are scrambling U.S. politics, particularly on the left. Senior Opinions Editor Amanda Katz speaks with columnists Dana Milbank and Shadi Hamid about how their views have evolved since Oct. 7, whether there’s a double standard on free speech, and what the protests could foreshadow for the upcoming presidential election, particularly among young people.(Note: This episode was recorded Monday, April 29 and does not reference events that took place after)Read some of the columns referenced in this episode. Dana Milbank wrote on what it felt like for him in the weeks following the Oct. 7 attacks: “It’s a lonely time to be a Jew in America” Shadi Hamid wrote about the recent Israeli aid bill and some Democrats’ changing views: “Why it matters that some Democrats voted against aid for Israel”

May 1, 202425 min

Is Trump above the law? The Supreme Court weighs in.

The Supreme Court is set to decide to what extent former President Trump could be immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021, as his lawyers have claimed. Post Opinions columnists Charles Lane, Ruth Marcus and Jason Willick discuss the strategy and timing of these arguments and what we might expect the justices to decide in this showdown about the future boundaries of presidential authority.Read Ruth Marcus on why she thinks this case is “simultaneously bogus and important.”: “How the Supreme Court should rule on presidential immunity.” And here’s her column on what she sees as the Trump team’s delay tactics: “How Trump could win by losing, and delay his trial date.”Check out Jason Willick’s column where he describes the “nightmare scenarios” that dominate this debate: “Trump’s immunity claim at the Supreme Court deserves to fail, as does his Jan. 6 prosecution.” Here’s more on his thoughts about how this case has been prosecuted: “Special counsel Jack Smith has exposed his error in prosecuting Trump.”

Apr 24, 202422 min