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Hosted by former U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield, “Baker Briefing” makes news make sense by bringing together experts from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and beyond to break down the most important foreign and domestic policy issues of the day. New episodes weekly.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes101Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Baker Briefing

Latest Episodes

The U.S. Supreme Court is issuing decisions that could shape American law for years to come. In this conversation, Ambassador David M. Satterfield speaks with David W. Leebron, president emeritus of Rice University and former dean of Columbia Law Sch... more

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On July 1, negotiators will begin the formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade pact affecting billions of dollars in commerce and tens of millions of workers across North America. What priorities will each country b... more

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For more than a decade, Syria was defined by war, displacement, and devastation. The fall of Bashar al-Assad marked a historic turning point but also raised a difficult question: What comes next for a country rebuilding after years of conflict?

Bake... more

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As the 2026 World Cup begins, the world’s biggest sporting event is also becoming a stage for broader debates about politics, access, and global influence. Questions surrounding visa restrictions, rising travel costs, international tensions, and the ... more

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Recent Guests

Vivian Ho
James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Episode: 36: Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Dramatically
Marah Short
Scholar in Health Economics
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Episode: 36: Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Dramatically
Ana Martín Gil
Research Manager, Baker Institute Center for the Middle East (co-editor of protracted displacement report)
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Episode: 35: The Human Cost of Escalating Conflict in the Middle East
Kelsey Norman
Fellow, Baker Institute Center for the Middle East (co-editor of protracted displacement report)
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Episode: 35: The Human Cost of Escalating Conflict in the Middle East
Mark Finley
Non-resident fellow in Energy and Global Oil
Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
Episode: 33: Why the Middle East Oil Shock Is Raising Gas Prices
Steven Lewis
Director of the China Studies Program
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
Episode: 32: What’s at Stake As Trump Visits China
Irfan Ali
President of Guyana
Government of Guyana
Episode: 31: Inside Guyana’s Energy Strategy with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Mohamed Irfan Ali
President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Office of the President of Guyana
Episode: 30: President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali Explains the Nation’s Energy Boom
Dr. Haq
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine; Medical Director for Children's Health at Texas Children's Global Health Network
Baylor College of Medicine; American Academy of Pediatrics
Episode: 29: Healthcare on the Frontlines of War

Hosts

David Satterfield
Ambassador; Director of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy; long-standing host establishing policy context and strategic framing of conversations
Ken Medlock
Director of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies; energy markets expert who guides technical discussions and market context

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Actual subject experts. No stupid debates.

    Thank you so much Baker Institute! I actually *learn* about new things from this podcast. Truly horizon-broadening work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric Staib
    United States2 years ago
  • Nonpartisan Analysis & Discussions of Current Events

    So happy to finally see a podcast coming from the Baker Institute. Great production, excellent content, and just the right time for each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moe AlJuboori
    United States3 years ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Excellent podcast to stay up to date with today’s main issues

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gugs76
    United States3 years ago
  • High Quality

    Very interesting podcasts of the most important events affecting the world today. Well produced and high quality as one would expect from the Baker Institute. Perhaps not for everyone, but if you seek an unbiased view of the most important current events of the day, this is for you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TJ 54321
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

• Trusted by listeners seeking unbiased perspectives on current events.
• Produces horizon-broadening, well-produced policy content.
• High-quality, nonpartisan analysis of today's top issues.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

36: Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Dramatically
Q: Why do these differences persist when you look at similar plans across large pools like UT and Trinity?
Larger pools gain bargaining power, different insurers have different negotiated rates, and hospital consolidation affects leverage on price, leading to wider disparities even for similar coverage.
36: Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Dramatically
Q: Let me start by asking you, at the most basic level, why is health care in the United States so expensive compared to other high-income countries?
The core driver is that prices for services are higher in the United States, not necessarily utilization, and there is a decentralized system with market-driven pricing among many insurers and providers, which creates wide variation.
37: One Year In, How Trump and RFK Jr. Reshaped Federal Health Policy
Q: What are the potential long-term consequences for public health infrastructure and trust in science under these policies?
There are concerns about reduced funding, dismantling of institutions, and the diffusion of responsibility, which could erode trust in science and complicate outbreak responses, research, and healthcare delivery for years to come.
37: One Year In, How Trump and RFK Jr. Reshaped Federal Health Policy
Q: What fundamentally differentiates this health agenda from previous administrations and why did the Baker Institute take a comprehensive look now?
The guests explain that the current administration pursued rapid, sweeping changes across agencies through executive orders, budget shifts, and policy realignments, creating a different governance landscape and a need to assess long-term impacts rather than rely on short-term wins.
94: Global Sports and Soft Power Diplomacy
Q: So how does this kind of influence through sport work? How effective is it? And what are the implications for political and economic engagement between authoritarian countries and the West?
The guest explains that mega-sport events spread globally, bring visibility, and allow states to broadcast their openness and economic power, but the effectiveness varies by audience and context; while sport can polish a national image, it also creates scrutiny, can backfire (as with labor issues in Qatar), and internal reforms are often more consequential than external branding.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Baker Briefing

What is Baker Briefing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show aggregates policy analysis from senior policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to unpack major foreign and domestic issues. Episodes often center on energy markets, geopolitics, public policy, and global security, with hosts guiding conversations through data, institutional context, and real-world implications for governments, businesses, and societies. Noteworthy is the consistent pairing of Baker Institute experts with seasoned moderators to translate complex topics into actionable insights for decision-makers, journalists, and industry leaders. Listeners can expect rigorous, nonpartisan discourse grounded in research, with a clear focus on risk, policy tools, and practical outcomes for today's global landscape.

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How many listeners does Baker Briefing get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Baker Briefing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Baker Briefing:

1. Columbia Energy Exchange
2. GZERO World with Ian Bremmer
3. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
4. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
5. The Meb Faber Show - Better Investing

How many episodes of Baker Briefing are there?

Baker Briefing launched 3 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Baker Briefing?

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What guests have appeared on Baker Briefing?

Recent guests on Baker Briefing include:

1. Vivian Ho
2. Marah Short
3. Ana Martín Gil
4. Kelsey Norman
5. Mark Finley
6. Steven Lewis
7. Irfan Ali
8. Mohamed Irfan Ali

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