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The Optimistic American

Optimistic American
Donald Trump
Arizona
Tariffs
Democratic Party
Israel
Republican Party
Economy
Iran
Hamas
Political Polarization
Gaza
Joe Biden
Conspiracy Theories
Trump Administration
Ukraine
Education
The Builders Program
United States
Kamala Harris
Independent Voters

The past, present, and future of the United States are full of promise. A promise sustained by the efforts of brave individuals and organizations who champion the pursuit of technology, improving the human condition, free markets, and a belief in who we are. We are losing the fact that we are a nation of dreamers, a catapult for those who have the heart to dare, a place that rewards ingenuity and ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes213Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

How can Arizona make better use of the billions of dollars it already manages, and should partisan politics influence how that money is invested?

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Nick Mansour, Democratic candidate for Ar... more

What do Democrats and Republicans get wrong about business? And can Arizona's political leaders find common ground despite their differences?

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Tammy Caputi, former Scottsdale City Councilw... more

Can Arizona get better results by looking beyond party lines?

In this episode of New Frontiers, John Winchester, a Republican candidate for the Arizona Legislature, joins Paul Johnson to discuss why he’s running, what good government should look lik... more

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Anthony Ramirez, candidate for Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 12, for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, his campaign, Arizona education, independent voters, and the... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tammy Caputi
Candidate for state legislature, small business owner, former Scottsdale City Council member
Entrepreneurship, politics (Arizona)
Episode: Breaking Through Arizona's Political Divide | Tammy Caputi
John Winchester
Candidate for Arizona state legislature, origin story guest
Arizona Independent Party (endorsement)
Episode: Demanding More Than Partisan Politics in Arizona | John Winchester
Anthony Ramirez
Candidate for Arizona State Senate in District 12
Campaign candidate in Arizona
Episode: Transforming Arizona’s Education for the Jobs of Tomorrow | Anthony Ramirez
David Scott
Candidate for Arizona House of Representatives, District 10
Arizona politics
Episode: College Isn’t the Only Path: Rethinking Arizona Education | David Scott
Kimberly Yee
Republican running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
Arizona State Government (former State Treasurer)
Episode: Beyond Political Attack Ads: A Real Plan for Arizona's Education | Kimberly Yee
Teri Hourihan
Candidate for Arizona Governor; No Labels nominee; healthcare professional
Independent/No Labels
Episode: Teri Ann Hourihan on Corruption, Trauma & Why She’s Running for Arizona Governor
Bob Robb
Syndicated columnist (Substack)
Substack
Episode: $40 Trillion in Debt: Is America Running Out of Time?
Elliott Pollack
Local economist
Episode: $40 Trillion in Debt: Is America Running Out of Time?
Andy Biggs
U.S. Representative, Republican (Arizona); interviewee
U.S. Congress
Episode: Can Andy Biggs Win Over Arizona’s Independent Voters?

Hosts

Paul Johnson
Host facilitating discussions across politics and policy, with a panel-oriented approach.
Terry Goddard
Public policy expert on water policy and governance.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Water episode is must listening

    I’ve long thought Arizona has a water priesthood comprising the folks with the history, experience and brains to really understand the current crisis. That makes Terry Goddard, at the least, a cardinal. What he says about water policy and politics in our state is as close to Gospel-level wisdom as you’ll hear from anyone. In addition, Paul and Bob are exceptionally well-grounded and experienced, too, and ask great questions. Take an hour away from cable news and listen to this, instead, to gai... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PJDinAZ
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful policy analysis with credible guests and grounded questions.
Offers optimistic framing and practical solutions, which helps in aligning with brands seeking constructive political discourse.
Guest mix includes economists and policymakers, offering useful context for sponsors interested in policy-driven conversations.
Strong emphasis on Arizona issues like water and governance makes it highly relevant for regional audiences.

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Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Demanding More Than Partisan Politics in Arizona | John Winchester
Q: What's your North Star? Why are you running?
Winchester explains that his North Star is good governance and serving all constituents, aiming to improve education, public safety, and overall state prosperity through principled, collaborative leadership.
Transforming Arizona’s Education for the Jobs of Tomorrow | Anthony Ramirez
Q: What drew you to focus on STEM education in your campaign?
I saw a national ranking where our students lag in science and math, and with major tech employers coming to Arizona, I knew we needed a plan to prepare kids for those jobs, attract STEM teachers, and retain them through better compensation and resources.
College Isn’t the Only Path: Rethinking Arizona Education | David Scott
Q: How do you view the role of college in today's economy, and should policies promote other pathways?
College is not the only path; we should promote multiple tracks such as trades, military service, or entrepreneurship, and ensure schools provide guidance and resources for all viable options.
College Isn’t the Only Path: Rethinking Arizona Education | David Scott
Q: Why focus so much on education, and what practical steps do you want to implement first?
Education is the great equalizer; first steps include improving early childhood investments, expanding reading and math interventions, and ensuring funds like First Things First are protected and effectively used to lift student outcomes.
College Isn’t the Only Path: Rethinking Arizona Education | David Scott
Q: What motivates you to run for office, and how did you decide to start this process?
A lifelong commitment to service and a desire to influence policy from within the community drove me to run; it started with listening to neighbors and realizing I could help address local needs more effectively by getting involved.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Optimistic American

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

The show centers on U.S. politics with a pragmatic, center-leaning lens, frequently analyzing Arizona-specific issues alongside broader national policy. Episodes mix interviews and panel discussions with economists, policymakers, and political commentators to unpack topics like water security, economic policy, education, and governance. A notable throughline is a persistent emphasis on practical solutions, bipartisanship, and optimistic framing, often exploring the role of independent voices and reform-minded approaches in public policy. The format tends to blend data-driven analysis with accessible storytelling, aiming to translate complex policy debates into insights for engaged, policy-minded listeners and potential sponsors seeking thou... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Optimistic American?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Optimistic American:

1. The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
2. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. The a16z Show
5. The Journal.

How many episodes of The Optimistic American are there?

The Optimistic American launched 5 years ago and published 213 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 Optimistic American?

Recent guests on The Optimistic American include:

1. Tammy Caputi
2. John Winchester
3. Anthony Ramirez
4. David Scott
5. Kimberly Yee
6. Teri Hourihan
7. Bob Robb
8. Elliott Pollack

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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