Reasonably Optimistic
The Washington PostEnough 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.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 156 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsPoliticsNews Commentary | |||
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Latest Episodes
Millions of Americans have moved to the South in recent years. The usual explanations — lower taxes, cheaper housing and warmer weather — are only part of the story. Host Megan McArdle explores the economic and historical forces driving the century-l... more
Host Megan McArdle talks with culture writer Kat Rosenfield about how dating apps, therapy-speak and online gender wars have changed romance — making flirtation feel risky, rejection feel catastrophic and desire feel suspect. They discuss the lost ar... more
Political parties keep asking voters to overlook scandals, bad judgment and unstable behavior because the other side is worse. Senate candidates Graham Platner and Ken Paxton are only the latest examples. Host Megan McArdle argues that character stil... more
Is empathy destroying the West? That's the provocative claim at the center of Gad Saad's new book, "Suicidal Empathy." Host Megan McArdle is joined by Saad, a professor at the University of Mississippi, to discuss the trade-offs societies make in the... more
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Reviews
- Complex to Simple
Very much appreciate how Megan simplifies the complex and always presents both sides equally.
Apple Podcasts5Chakoteh
United Statesa month ago - Meh
Missing Post Reports
Apple Podcasts1that's some bullUnited States2 months ago - Rolling my Eyes
Listening to this episode on fertility rates, and this is absolutely conservative ideology packaged as something pseudo scientific. The premise that marriage and children are the source of happiness in life AND WHOLE SOCIETIES is absurd. Also it makes my skin crawl listening to this guy mansplain what women want and why they are having less babies. Fails to address the true social and economic strains that are influencing people’s decisions around family planning. Gross.
Apple Podcasts1Town802United States2 months ago - Stop the greed agenda
Unfollowing because of casino ads.
Apple Podcasts3Mbr1819United States2 months ago - Love the show, but…
deserves much better production quality on the YouTube side! Did all the video people get fired too??
Apple Podcasts51st-time-caller
Canada2 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #45 | United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #100 | Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #175 |  United Kingdom/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #148 |  Italy/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #159 |  Australia/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #179 |  Germany/News/News Commentary |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reasonably Optimistic
What is Reasonably Optimistic about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Reasonably Optimistic features thoughtful, policy-informed conversations hosted by a Washington Post Opinion columnist who consistently centers constructive governance and practical solutions. Across recent episodes, the show covers topics from prediction markets and AI governance to urban policy, health care design, and the role of institutions in a shifting political landscape. The tone tends toward centrist, data-driven analysis with careful attention to real-world trade-offs, making it a good fit for listeners who want nuanced perspectives on how to improve public policy without dwelling on doom and gloom. A notable strength is the host's ability to pair provocative questions with accessible explanations, often drawing on expert guests ... more
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How many listeners does Reasonably Optimistic get?
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What are the audience demographics for Reasonably Optimistic?
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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. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
3. Advisory Opinions
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Dispatch Podcast
How many episodes of Reasonably Optimistic are there?
Reasonably Optimistic launched 2 years ago and published 156 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?
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What guests have appeared on Reasonably Optimistic?
Recent guests on Reasonably Optimistic include:
1. Leana Wen
2. Robin Hanson
3. Zohran Mamdani
4. Keith Humphreys
5. Lyman Stone
6. Sarah Isgur
7. Damir Marusic
8. Leah Libresco Sargeant
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