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 | 173 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | News CommentaryNewsPolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
Why are Americans having fewer children, even though many say they want larger families? Host Megan McArdle talks with author Tim Carney about how professional ambition, personal autonomy and intensive parenting have made family life more daunting. T... more
The controversy surrounding Cambridge professor Jason Arday began with questions about his academic record and extraordinary personal story. It ended in tragedy. What can sociology tell us about how a scandal like this escalates once it's forced into... more
America is becoming less religious — but the story is more complicated than empty pews. Host Megan McArdle is joined by political scientist and former pastor Ryan Burge to talk about the shifts taking place in America's churches. Are congregations sh... more
America’s colleges have spent years at the center of the culture wars. But some of the sharpest critics of higher education are people who once believed deeply in its mission — and changed their minds after seeing it from the inside.
Host Megan McAr... more
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Reviews
- Took a while to warm up to but glad I did.
This has turned out to be a fun and engaging listen. Wide range of topics and guests, some unconventional takes - but sincere ones, not clickbait. I agree with some, not others, but I’m not looking for an echo chamber.
Apple Podcasts5JeffR2
United Statesa month ago - Fertility man
Why this podcast let this man get on here and say “women are only happy when married” based on which study? And also completely ignoring the fact that are STUDIES that show that many women are content not being married and are fulfilled by the friendships in their lives. Why the host didn’t push back and why this was even aired is embarrassing.
Apple Podcasts1Marbear43United Statesa month ago - Great content
Just need an audio engineer to make sure the levels are more even. Seriously - I just knocked my rating down another star because I can’t hear the interviews while on the train (even with my AirPods Pro adaptive noise canceling on) but the ads blast my ears out.
Apple Podcasts2LelandJUnited Statesa month ago - WAS optimistic about this podcast
Listened to the falling birthrate episode and am disgusted by this guest. So, according to the guest, who is a man, women are only happier if they are married and have kids. And that women will want kids if their friends are having kids. Oh, and I guess the world is going to collapse if we don’t have more babies, and earlier! And the reason he is optimistic is because he is having more kids and he *believes* his kids will have kids. Oh, and his legacy projects will continue.
Well, I’ve taught ... more
Apple Podcasts1Birdiebird11United States2 months ago - Crisp, Careful, and Courageous Analysis
As to your recent episode on voter pushback, thank you for asking us to be decent when are leaders are not. The unscrupulous can be bought on the cheap or exploited when convenient.
Apple Podcasts5JP Carter in MTUnited States2 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #50 | United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #76 |  United Kingdom/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #130 |  Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #94 |  Germany/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #159 |  France/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #166 |  Australia/News/News Commentary |
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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 weekly conversations explore practical paths for how America can thrive, balancing analysis with constructive takes. Across episodes, expect thoughtful discussions on policy, economics, culture, and social dynamics, often featuring scholars, journalists, and practitioners who challenge status quo thinking with pragmatic reform ideas. Noteworthy is a consistent emphasis on bipartisan or cross-ideological approaches and accessible, real-world implications for everyday life and long-term prosperity.
Where can I find podcast stats for Reasonably Optimistic?
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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. The Dispatch Podcast
3. Make It Make Sense
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
How many episodes of Reasonably Optimistic are there?
Reasonably Optimistic launched 2 years ago and published 173 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. Gabriel Rossman
2. Ryan Burge
3. Tyler Austin Harper
4. Josh Barro
5. Jonathan Haidt
6. Caroline Chambers
7. Lori Gottlieb
8. Keith Humphreys
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.