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The Optimistic American

Optimistic American
Donald Trump
Arizona
Tariffs
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Israel
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes215Founded5 years ago
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News CommentaryNews

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Latest Episodes

Could the same issues that helped Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election now cost Republicans the 2026 midterms?

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb and Henry Thompson to examine whether the issues that brou... more

What happens when doing what's right for voters puts you at odds with your own political party?

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes faced that question when his office approved a name change request from Arizona's independent party despite poli... more

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

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Recent Guests

Bob Robb
Episode: Could Trump Cost Republicans the 2026 Midterms?
Henry Thompson
Arizona State University
Episode: Could Trump Cost Republicans the 2026 Midterms?
Adrian Fontes
Arizona Secretary of State, former Maricopa County Recorder and prosecutor, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran
Arizona Secretary of State
Episode: Protecting Arizona Voters | Adrian Fontes
Nick Mansour
Democratic candidate for Arizona State Treasurer and former entrepreneur who helped build Arizona College of Nursing.
Arizona College of Nursing
Episode: Managing Arizona's Billions Without Partisan Politics | Nick Mansour
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

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 States6 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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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Could Trump Cost Republicans the 2026 Midterms?
Q: How do you view what's happening in the two conflicts that we have today, Ukraine and Iran, and the effect that it's having on the election?
Bob Robb says Trump's shift toward Putin and the Iran war's military and economic consequences could hurt him. Henry Thompson adds that the Iran conflict has raised oil prices and complicated efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine.
Could Trump Cost Republicans the 2026 Midterms?
Q: What is your thinking on this issue?
Bob Robb and Henry Thompson say the 2024 election was largely a referendum on the Biden administration, while the 2026 midterms are shaping up as a referendum on Trump's performance. They cite dissatisfaction with policy results and the lack of a clear Republican success to campaign on.
Managing Arizona's Billions Without Partisan Politics | Nick Mansour
Q: You've talked about changing that formula to an 80-20 margin, 80% for equity, 20% for bonds. Talk to me about that and about why you think that's important.
Mansour favors moving the endowment from its current 60% stocks and 40% bonds toward a 70-30 to 80-20 allocation, gradually and with expert and public input. He argues the long investment horizon favors more equities and that higher returns could support education without raising taxes.
Managing Arizona's Billions Without Partisan Politics | Nick Mansour
Q: What becomes the thing that says to you, you know what I had to do is I had to go run for state treasure?
Mansour says he wanted to give back, was frustrated with the political climate, and felt time was limited to make a positive impact. A tumor he had at age 40 prompted him to reassess whether he was helping enough people.
Protecting Arizona Voters | Adrian Fontes
Q: How do you do the right thing when it's not in your interest to do so?
Fontes says political interests are temporary, while an official's duty is greater than personal opinion or self-preservation. He argues that integrity requires applying the rules neutrally, even when that creates political risk.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. TRIGGERnometry
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Optimistic American are there?

The Optimistic American launched 5 years ago and published 215 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. Bob Robb
2. Henry Thompson
3. Adrian Fontes
4. Nick Mansour
5. Tammy Caputi
6. John Winchester
7. Anthony Ramirez
8. David Scott

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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