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 | Daily | Episodes | 192 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | News CommentaryNewsPolitics | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Artificial intelligence can feel as though it arrived overnight. But today’s AI boom grew out of a vision championed by a small group of researchers who believed machines could one day rival human intelligence. That once far-fetched idea has become a... more
When journalist Jon Ronson’s son arrived at a Connecticut castle expecting a party, the owner told him and his friends that they had actually been invited to appear on a reality show. It quickly became clear that the show wasn’t what it seemed. That ... more
The streaming revolution promised viewers an endless library of movies and shows for less than cable. Netflix led that charge, becoming the era's dominant streaming service. That transformation upended the economics that made television such a reliab... more
The Democratic Socialists of America was once on the fringes of American politics. Now, DSA candidates are winning primaries, challenging establishment Democrats and pushing the Democratic Party leftward on everything from housing and health care to ... more
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Recent Guests
Host
Reviews
- Right wing denialism
Megan McArdle has devoted her time at the WP to distracting people from the train wreck that it is the Bush administration. It’s not working, Meg.
Apple Podcasts1JoeMac86
United Statesa month ago - Vocal fry
It’s so hard to listen to guests like Tim Lee , whose vocal fry makes it painful to listen.
I generally listen to about half the episodes, because the other half seem irrelevant or click baity.
A listener survey like what some podcasts use, might be helpful
Apple Podcasts3Sarita7981United States2 months ago - Megan is uninformed
I’ve tried to be generous to this host, but she is a consistently disappointing interviewer and then I gave up on her when she completely misrepresented abortion laws in my state. She is woefully uninformed and apparently unwilling to grapple with complex issues and think things through beyond her own religious bias. She may like to think of herself as thoughtful, but when she takes things at surface-level and doesn’t bother to look any deeper, it becomes clear that she would rather congratulat... more
Apple Podcasts1bmgdem789United States2 months ago - My brain just shrivelled
What in the goop.. Listening to the episode on the arguments for erecting data centres I feel like my brain just atrophied. Main argument seems to be the net positive impact will be economical and money is a well known food group and water alternative isn’t it
Apple Podcasts1Mollymollypop
United Kingdom2 months ago - Arday
Truly enjoyed Thais episode. Good questions marched clarification by the guest. He was a fraud and he was found. Sad that this is his way out.
The credibility of scholarship is important and it should be color neutral.
Apple Podcasts5Nldv890
Philippines2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #71 | United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #157 | United Kingdom/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #227 |  Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #131 |  Italy/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #165 |  Germany/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #203 |  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.
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How many listeners does Reasonably Optimistic get?
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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. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
4. Advisory Opinions
5. Radio Atlantic
How many episodes of Reasonably Optimistic are there?
Reasonably Optimistic launched 3 years ago and published 192 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. Kevin Roose
2. Jon Ronson
3. David Weigel
4. Robin Hanson
5. Kristen Soltis Anderson
6. Owen Zidar
7. Yuval Levin
8. Fabien Curto Millet
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