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The Optimistic American

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

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes206Founded4 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Teri Ann Hourihan won the No Labels Arizona gubernatorial nomination in Arizona’s primary election. Paul Johnson didn’t support her candidacy in that primary—and Hourihan believes he hasn’t always treated her fairly.

So they sat down across from one... more

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and economist Elliott Pollack to discuss three major forces reshaping American politics and the economy.

The panel examines the U.S. national debt and federal deficit, ri... more

What would Andy Biggs do as Governor of Arizona?

In this episode of The New Frontiers, Congressman and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs sits down with Paul Johnson and Henry Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation about his vision for Ari... more

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and political scientist Henry Thompson for an in-depth discussion on the political forces reshaping Arizona, the United States, and even the rest of the world.

The conve... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Douglas Harris
Professor at Tulane University
Tulane University
Episode: America Is Thriving… So Why Are People So Unhappy?
Terry Goddard
Chairman of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District; former mayor and attorney general of Phoenix
Central Arizona Water Conservation District
Episode: Could Arizona Run Out of Water? The Truth About the Colorado River Crisis
Henry Thompson
Professor at ASU
Arizona State University
Episode: Iran War: Lessons in Real Time — And What It Means for America
Bob Robb
Columnist with long involvement in politics
Arizona Republic/Arizona politics
Episode: Iran War: Lessons in Real Time — And What It Means for America
Hugh Lytle
Independent candidate for governor of Arizona
Candidate, Governor of Arizona (Independent)
Episode: Republicans and Democrats Are Failing Arizona | The Hugh Lytle Interview
Sean Noble
Political strategist and commentator
Light Beard, Dark Money
Episode: Political Extremism, Dark Money, and Will Republicans Overturn the Next Election?
Marty Dolan
Running for City Public Advocate in New York City, with a background in finance and consulting.
Episode: Why Socialism Is Failing New York | Ft. Marty Dolan

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 States4 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.

America Is Thriving… So Why Are People So Unhappy?
Q: How does education influence both objective and subjective outcomes in your findings?
Higher education correlates with better economic outcomes and is strongly linked to life satisfaction; gaps in educational quality across areas contribute to broader happiness disparities within states.
America Is Thriving… So Why Are People So Unhappy?
Q: What are five key measures you would track for upward mobility at the state level?
Income per capita, income inequality, life satisfaction, trust in others, and trust in government were identified as the core five measures for evaluating state performance.
America Is Thriving… So Why Are People So Unhappy?
Q: All right, so help me, you've taken the leap from the State of the Nation to the State of the States. How did you begin comparing different states and what did you find?
They expanded the framework from national to state-level metrics, showing that most measures have state-level data and that Arizona sits mid-pack overall but struggles on subjective well-being measures like life satisfaction and depression.
Could Arizona Run Out of Water? The Truth About the Colorado River Crisis
Q: So Terry, here's a question that I would have. Over the years, Arizona has really had some wonderful leadership... Is that leadership still there, and can we come together on this?
Leadership has historically been bipartisan and effective when there is a clear, urgent mandate; the speakers emphasize the need for bipartisan cooperation, stronger executive action where needed, and a willingness to adapt long-range plans to current drought realities.
Republicans and Democrats Are Failing Arizona | The Hugh Lytle Interview
Q: What makes you different from the two major candidates, and how would you govern?
I offer a vision-driven, independent approach that focuses on results and bipartisanship, backed by a plan to create a Department of Entrepreneurship, emphasize returns on investment for state programs, and recruit talent by making Arizona a technology and manufacturing hub rather than relying on partisan gridlock.

Audience Metrics

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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. Interesting Times
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Next Up with Mark Halperin

How many episodes of The Optimistic American are there?

The Optimistic American launched 4 years ago and published 206 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. Elliott Pollack
2. Andy Biggs
3. Douglas Harris
4. Terry Goddard
5. Henry Thompson
6. Bob Robb
7. Hugh Lytle
8. Sean Noble

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