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The Current brings you smart, timely, and quick analysis from Brookings experts on breaking news and changing policies. In under ten minutes, learn not only what happened, but why, and how to make sense of it.

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Latest Episodes

The conflict in Sudan is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. More than 150,000 people have died; millions have fled their homes and are starving; and prospects for a ceasefire are bleak. To discuss the roots of the war, the humanitarian emergency,... more

YouTube

Little Village, a Latino business corridor in Chicago, has been contending with tariffs, immigration enforcement, and other changes in federal policy. But business owners have been figuring out new ways to make money, sell their products, and stay op... more

With expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans set to expire at the end of 2025, Americans on ACA health plans are starting to see big increases in their monthly health insurance premiums for 2026 as insurers send out annual notices. To addres... more

YouTube

The thirtieth Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP30, meets in Belém, Brazil next week. The most urgent challenge is finance: How do we pay for the massive global shift away from fossil fuels ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jeff Feltman
Former US diplomat and President Biden's envoy for the Horn of Africa
Brookings Institution
Episode: The catastrophe in Sudan
Tonantzin Carmona
Fellow at Brookings Metro and author of a report on Latino entrepreneurs
Brookings Metro
Episode: Chicago's Latino business community is adapting in the face of policy volatility
Luis Gutierrez
Local nonprofit leader from Latinos Porresando
Latinos Porresando
Episode: Chicago's Latino business community is adapting in the face of policy volatility
Jennifer Aguilar
Chair of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Episode: Chicago's Latino business community is adapting in the face of policy volatility
Matt Fiedler
Joseph A. Peckman Senior Fellow in Economic Studies and the Center on Health Policy
Brookings Institution
Episode: Why are expiring ACA subsidies raising health insurance premiums?
Tom Wheeler
Former Chairman of the FCC and a visiting fellow in Governance Studies
Brookings Institution
Episode: What's the FCC's role in regulating broadcast content in an era of media consolidation?
Scott Anderson
Fellow in Governance Studies, general counsel, and senior editor for Lawfare
Brookings Institution
Episode: What's the president's legal basis for sending National Guard troops to DC streets?
Manann Donoghoe
Fellow with Brookings Metro and part of the research team on New Orleans recovery
Brookings Institution
Episode: How resilient is New Orleans today?
Robert Greenstein
Visiting Fellow with the Hamilton Project at Brookings, founder of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Hamilton Project, Brookings Institute
Episode: What Medicaid and other safety net cuts could mean for US poverty

Hosts

Fred Dues
Host of the Current, Fred Dues is known for leading conversations that analyze critical political events and governance-related discussions, drawing on his expertise to shed light on complex topics.
Adriana Pita
Adriana Pita serves as a host, known for her engaging discussions and insights on pressing issues, particularly those involving governance and public policy.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 332 ratings
  • Remedial Listening

    The podcast has become remedial and is not what I expect when I look to Brookings. I like Brookings, but their podcasts are terrible. Maybe take a look at the CSIS model; it’s the best. I’ve unsubscribed to the Brookings podcasts one by one, and now I’m leaving The Current due to total lack of value. Brookings needs a new podcast team and accountability, if they actually intend to compete in this era and do their brand justice.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RJG179
    United Statesa month ago
  • Used to be Great

    The Brookings Podcasts used to have a lot of the content they did in their live forums. Now these tend to be infrequent and frankly a little bit inane. I loved what they used to do but now you have to go to their website and watch event videos for the insightful content.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Positive Sum Game
    United States8 months ago
  • 11/1 Election 2024 the health of the democracy

    Good presentation on where the Current wants our Republic to head regarding our first amendment rights. As a counterpoint to the erroneous inference that Trump directed his DOJ to prosecute his political enemies Katy offered no case examples whereas Trump has clearly been harassed and prosecuted by Biden’s DOJ plus two of his well known supporters, Navarro and Bannon and been jailed for ‘crimes’ that Eric Holder committed but were ignored. It will be interesting to hear how far Katy goes to deny... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    333710
    United Statesa year ago
  • 9/27 making housing affordable

    The discussion makes it clear that the only path to affordable housing is federal government intervention in the market - the capitalist free market has failed. But the government experts must move slowly, cautiously, and incrementally with their socialist mandates so as to ease the tax paying funders into willful acquiescence.

    Great propaganda presentation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    333710
    United Statesa year ago
  • 8/18/24

    Implicit in the discussion is that achieving net zero is a 1 to 1 trade off - not true

    - going green is government subsidized (tax payers bear the cost)

    - green energy is unreliable

    - green energy is proven unable to consistently provide base power

    (hence fossil fuel backup req’d = added consumer costs)

    - green energy components utilize irreplaceable natural resources

    - disposal of batteries is an environmental unresolved problem

    - green energy c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    333710
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find value in the podcast's ability to break down complex issues into manageable insights, though some express a desire for more frequent episodes or longer formats.
Reviews highlight the hosts' articulate presentation and commend the informative nature of each episode, establishing it as a trustworthy resource for understanding political dynamics.
Listeners appreciate the concise and thoughtful analysis of current events, often expressing admiration for the quality of the discussions and the expertise of the guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#188
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#198
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#211
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#242
Japan/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The catastrophe in Sudan
Q: What about the South Sudan element?
South Sudan is facing its own internal problems, but there has been spillover from the RSF areas into South Sudan.
The catastrophe in Sudan
Q: Can you explain what made it the worst in recent times?
The conflict's historical roots, current political instability, and the lack of an effective international response have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
Why are expiring ACA subsidies raising health insurance premiums?
Q: What could Congress do now regarding the subsidy expiration?
If Congress were to extend subsidies, it would have been more effective to do so months earlier; otherwise, the market adjustments lead to heightened costs for uninsured individuals.
Why are expiring ACA subsidies raising health insurance premiums?
Q: So, why are Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans starting to see large increases in their premiums for 2026?
The expiration of expanded subsidies is leading to increased premium costs for enrollees, with many facing larger out-of-pocket expenses as the federal contribution diminishes.
Can the COP30 climate conference achieve its goals?
Q: What would a successful cop look like to you?
Amar suggests that success at COP30 would involve a combination of inside negotiations and outside activities, including business deals and innovative financing solutions beyond traditional negotiations.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Current

What is The Current about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers concise and insightful analysis on pressing political and social issues, delivering expert perspectives from Brookings scholars. Each episode, typically under ten minutes, provides not just a recap of current events but also delves into the reasons behind these developments and their implications. Topics frequently cover governance, democracy, social policies, and economic challenges, making it a valuable resource for listeners looking to stay informed about critical discussions affecting various aspects of society. Unique in its quick format, it appeals to busy professionals and anyone seeking an efficient way to understand the complexities of today's news landscape.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Current?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Current:

1. The President’s Inbox
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. The Trade Guys
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Current are there?

The Current launched 9 years ago and published 466 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Current?

Recent guests on The Current include:

1. Jeff Feltman
2. Tonantzin Carmona
3. Luis Gutierrez
4. Jennifer Aguilar
5. Matt Fiedler
6. Tom Wheeler
7. Scott Anderson
8. Manann Donoghoe

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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