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Reasonably Optimistic

The Washington Post
Donald Trump
Mental Health
Trump Administration
Social Media
Washington Post
Democratic Party
Kamala Harris
Tim Walz
Immigration
Artificial Intelligence
Supreme Court
Masculinity
Iran
Republican Party
Biden Administration
Gender Equality
Education
Ukraine
Technology
American Politics

Enough with the doom and gloom — we’re ready to talk about how America can thrive. Hosted by Washington Post Opinion columnist Megan McArdle, “Reasonably Optimistic” is your weekly conversation about how America can get unstuck and build a better future. Stop feeding your rage and start embracing our possibilities. Episodes drop Wednesdays.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes144Founded2 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

So many influencers, celebrities, billionaires and media personalities seem convinced they can follow President Donald Trump’s path from fame to political power. But are they learning the right lessons from his rise? Host Megan McArdle explores the r... more

Prediction markets are having a moment. But what are they actually good for? Economist Robin Hanson has been thinking about this for decades. Long before betting markets went mainstream, he argued they could do more than forecast the future — they co... more

The hantavirus outbreak has reminded many about the mistakes of covid-19. In this episode, hosts Adam O'Neal, James Hohmann, Carine Hajjar and Kate Andrews discuss whether the confirmed cases on the Hondius cruise ship should cause concern — or if th... more

Zohran Mamdani ran for mayor of New York on a platform of taxing the rich, proposing new levies targeting billionaires. Host Megan McArdle argues we’ve seen this kind of rapid shift before. 

In the 1970s, New York spiraled into crisis as rising spen... more

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Recent Guests

Keith Humphreys
Psychologist and Stanford professor specializing in addiction and policy
Stanford University
Episode: Why is anger so addictive? A psychologist weighs in.
Lyman Stone
Economist and demographer
Episode: Why Americans aren’t having as many kids
Sarah Isgur
Longtime Supreme Court Analyst
Episode: How Americans developed an unhealthy relationship with the Supreme Court
Damir Marusic
Episode: The temperature is rising on AI. What comes next?
Leah Libresco Sargeant
Senior Policy Analyst at the Niskanen Center; author of The Dignity of Dependence, A Feminist Manifesto
Niskanen Center
Episode: What a Catholic feminist dares to say
Dean Ball
Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation; former Senior Policy Advisor for AI and Emerging Technology at the White House OSTP
Foundation for American Innovation
Episode: Where AI will be in a year — and in a decade
Ashish Jha
Physician, public health expert, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator
Episode: Health care is life or death. How can Americans be rational about it?
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor of Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Episode: Universities charged into the culture wars. Now they’re fighting to get out.
Christian Keil
Investor with the American Dynamism Team at A16Z
A16Z (Andreessen Horowitz)
Episode: How America keeps reinventing itself

Host

Megan McArdle
Host and columnist exploring topics related to optimism, economics, and societal issues through insightful conversations with diverse guests.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 308 ratings
  • Stop the greed agenda

    Unfollowing because of casino ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mbr1819
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love the show, but…

    deserves much better production quality on the YouTube side! Did all the video people get fired too??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1st-time-caller
    Canadaa month ago
  • False Premise, Poorly Masked Bad Centrist Argurments

    This show was first presented as a positive spin on news of today. However, after listening to a few episodes, it is quite clear that this show is just conservative talk points being repackaged centrist view. Most of the guests are using bad data, as well as lack of data to Boyster their point of use and really should have no place in the public form or the market of ideas. It is quite clear that this is very much part of the continuum of death spiral of the Washington Post.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SpaceLobsterLove
    United Statesa month ago
  • Jeff bezos

    It sounded like what I could use… Except one star it’s owned by Jeff Bezos… See you later

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JacksonsDisturbed
    United States2 months ago
  • Bring back the center

    I hope this is a real actual attempt at center politics and it would help if the host didn’t use the regular dog whistles to undermine the current admin. You can just say for example trump held schools accountable for becoming racist and politicized in a post 10/7 world based on our countrys civil rights laws. Instead of “ he attacked. Or went after.” It’s just not helpful and doesn’t educate the audience on what actually happened. Kudos for this endeavor I hope the host can actually be center f... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Truth2Light24
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the focus on optimism and innovative ideas for societal improvement.
The host's analytical approach receives praise for engaging discussions that challenge conventional narratives.
A mix of opinions exists, with some expressing discomfort regarding perceived biases or the presentation style.
Some feedback highlights concerns over sound quality but largely complements the content's thoughtfulness.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why is anger so addictive? A psychologist weighs in.
Q: What about broader policy or societal interventions—are there effective models to reduce online rage and its political effects?
Prohibitions or access controls can reduce harm (e.g., age limits, supply controls); long-term change will hinge on policy measures that limit exposure for vulnerable groups and shift incentives for platforms and advertisers.
Why is anger so addictive? A psychologist weighs in.
Q: What practical steps can a person take to interrupt the cycle of rage online?
Unsubscribe or switch to dumb phones, create decisional self-control, enlist a buddy, and build non-digital activities; policy can support by reducing accessibility for youths and encouraging offline social connections.
Why is anger so addictive? A psychologist weighs in.
Q: Is there something neurologically rewarding about anger or outrage?
Threat and loss are evolutionarily salient; messages signaling danger or someone 'out to get us' trigger strong responses, which online environments amplify through feedback loops and algorithmic reinforcement.
Why is anger so addictive? A psychologist weighs in.
Q: So you and I have talked a lot over the years about opioids, but today I want to start by talking about something a bit different, whether we're addicted to social media and particularly to social media rage.
Addiction is repetitive engagement in a behavior despite destructive consequences; the internet tailors addiction to individuals, making it easier to chase the next high, and rage provides a quick, potent dopamine hit that reinforces continued use.
How Americans developed an unhealthy relationship with the Supreme Court
Q: Tell me about the 333 court.
The guest explains the breakdown of the court's dynamics, noting the consistency in 6-3 outcomes and the shifting coalitions among justices, which helps predict results beyond ideological labels and highlights the importance of institutional factors.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reasonably Optimistic

What is Reasonably Optimistic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on contrasting narratives surrounding current events and societal progress, often challenging pessimistic views prevalent in media. With engaging discussions spanning a variety of topics from economics and American history to personal growth and the influence of technology, listeners are invited to explore how innovative ideas can lead to a more optimistic outlook on the future of America. The host, known for her perspective and insights, often interviews a range of guests including politicians, economists, and cultural commentators, making for diverse and thought-provoking episodes that aim to inspire hope rather than despair, while addressing significant issues affecting society.

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How many listeners does Reasonably Optimistic get?

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How many subscribers and views does Reasonably Optimistic have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Reasonably Optimistic?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reasonably Optimistic:

1. Central Air
2. The Dispatch Podcast
3. Advisory Opinions
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. The Opinions

How many episodes of Reasonably Optimistic are there?

Reasonably Optimistic launched 2 years ago and published 144 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 Reasonably Optimistic?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Reasonably Optimistic?

Recent guests on Reasonably Optimistic include:

1. Keith Humphreys
2. Lyman Stone
3. Sarah Isgur
4. Damir Marusic
5. Leah Libresco Sargeant
6. Dean Ball
7. Ashish Jha
8. Daniel Diermeier

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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