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 | 167 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | News CommentaryNewsPolitics | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Dinner shouldn’t be stressful. But after a long day, even deciding what to cook can feel like one more exhausting task. Add the pressure to make meals healthy, affordable, interesting and Instagram-worthy, and home cooking can start to feel more like... more
Public confidence in higher education has been eroding for years. Rising costs, uncertain job prospects and political conflict have led many people to question whether colleges still serve the public. But trying to fix that by slashing research fundi... more
Relationships have always required compromise and patience. But dating apps, social media and therapy-speak can make ordinary human flaws feel like reasons to walk away. So, when is it right to leave and when are we giving up on people too quickly?
more
For generations, owning a home was seen as the first real step into adulthood: a place to raise a family, build wealth and claim a piece of the American Dream. But for Gen Z, soaring prices, high mortgage rates and a shortage of starter homes have pu... 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 States13 days 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 States18 days 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 States21 days 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 Statesa month 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
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #51 | United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #119 |  Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #197 |  France/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #205 |  Italy/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #237 |  Australia/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #29 |  Philippines/News/News Commentary |
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Audience Metrics
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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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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. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
5. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
How many episodes of Reasonably Optimistic are there?
Reasonably Optimistic launched 2 years ago and published 167 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. Emma Camp
2. Andrew McCarthy
3. Richard Hanania
4. Shawn Grain Carter
5. Kat Rosenfield
6. Gad Saad
7. Adam Frank
8. Ed Elson
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