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It's easy to be pessimistic, especially with headlines dominated by global challenges like a changing geopolitical landscape, the rise in authoritarianism, and a seemingly unstable global economy. But what if, despite all that, humanity is actually making progress?Join Progress Network Founder Zachary Karabell every Wednesday as he chats with leading experts like Ian Bremmer and Anne Marie Slaught... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes217Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for What Could Go Right?

Latest Episodes

Why does historic abundance breed widespread cultural anger? Nick Gillespie, editor-at-large of Reason Magazine and host of the Reason podcast, joins host Zachary Karabell to unpack the great conundrum of the 21st century: why humans have more securi... more

France just passed a landmark law allowing the return of cultural artifacts taken from nations during the colonial era — a long-overdue step nearly a decade in the making.

Plus: all 50 U.S. states have now enacted rape kit reform, cutting the nation... more

What happens when our biological need for certainty clashes with an increasingly unpredictable world? Simone Stolzoff, author of How to Not Know, joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss why our modern intolerance for uncertainty is fueling a global an... more

Gene therapy has been quietly pulling off miracles, and this week, it got its Oscars moment. Emma Varvaloucas, Executive Director of The Progress Network, breaks down how a husband-and-wife scientific team's decades-long quest has restored sight to o... more

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Recent Guests

Simone Stolzoff
Author of How to Not Know
Author
Episode: The Case for Not Knowing | with Simone Stolzoff
Sebastian Mallaby
Author of The Infinity Machine; fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
The Infinity Machine, Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Can We Achieve "Super Abundance" Without AI Doom? | with Sebastian Mallaby
Ian Bremmer
Founder of Eurasia Group, renowned geopolitical analyst
Eurasia Group
Episode: Is the World Order Actually Disintegrating? | with Ian Bremmer
Nick Capodice
Co-host and education outreach producer of a podcast called Civics 101, dedicated to civics education
Civics 101
Episode: Whatever Happened to Civics? with Nick Capodice
Ed Finn
Founding director of the Center for Science and Imagination at Arizona State University.
Arizona State University
Episode: Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn
Josh Jackson
Writer, photographer, and founder of the Forgotten Lands Project
Episode: The Guardian of Public Lands with Josh Jackson
Brink Lindsey
Political economist and author
Niskanen Center
Episode: Democracy’s Next Chapter: Hope or Decline? with Brink Lindsey
Emily Oster
Professor of Economics at Brown University, author, and CEO of Parent Data
Brown University
Episode: Parent by Numbers with Emily Oster
Sam Tanenhaus
Historian, journalist, and biographer
Episode: Godfather of the New Right with Sam Tanenhaus

Hosts

Zachary Karabell
Founder of The Progress Network; host focusing on optimistic, solution-oriented conversations in policy, economics, and society.
Emma Varvaloucas
Executive Director of The Progress Network; co-host delivering weekly good news and engaging discussions with a focus on progress and practical solutions.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 159 ratings
  • Keep it Coming!

    Been receiving your newsletters for ages (I have them archived!) but forgot you also have a podcast. Lovely to hear your voices and dive into your content through this medium.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    et ipsa scientia potestas est
    United States3 months ago
  • See you in 2026!!

    Can’t wait for more GOOD NEWS!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artist/anne
    United States7 months ago
  • Makes me feel Hope!

    I adore this duo! Both have great minds and sound quips- my hope is that are back for many more months of shows, I need it more than ever!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artist/anne
    United States8 months ago
  • View the upside of all topics except… that one

    Your newest episode starts out claiming Harris lost the election because America is racist and misogynist. Seriously? Every episode I have listened to a tempered analysis, finding truth in the hyperbole. But this episode the content creators revealed themselves as unserious. This is the epitome of why the election went the way it did: a refusal to deal in reality and a focus on charactering other people in hateful and untrue ways. Then, you allow your guest to go on to justify cutting others out... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Advocacy instead of excuses
    United States2 years ago
  • We all need this hopeful outlook

    May Emma and Zachary’s efforts ripple out across the population and make this world a better place

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tlrPNW
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes polarize opinions; strong voices on both sides can feel polarized.
Engaging guests and clear, practical takeaways for policy-minded listeners.
Balanced, hopeful, and data-driven insights that are easy to follow.
Thoughtful discussions that challenge cynicism without sugarcoating reality.
A refreshing, optimistic angle on complex issues with credible sources.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas!iHeartPodcasts
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & Growth
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & GrowthShawn French | Adversity & Determination Expert
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
If Books Could Kill
If Books Could KillMichael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Whatever Happened to Civics? with Nick Capodice
Q: Why do younger people struggle with voting?
Younger people often feel disillusioned and believe the game is rigged, leading to apathy and low voter turnout regardless of their awareness.
Whatever Happened to Civics? with Nick Capodice
Q: What do you think is the biggest civics problem right now?
The biggest civics problem right now is that people confuse presidential actions with laws made by Congress, leading to misinformation about governmental functions.
Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn
Q: Was the founding of the Center for Science and the Imagination reactive to a current mood of pessimism?
Yes, it emerged from a moment of pessimism following the 2008 recession, aiming to inspire hope through imaginative storytelling.
The Guardian of Public Lands with Josh Jackson
Q: How does the Forgotten Lands Project work to promote and protect these lesser-known public lands?
The project aims to create immersive storytelling experiences that encourage more people to engage with BLM lands, fostering a greater love and desire to protect them.
The Guardian of Public Lands with Josh Jackson
Q: Could you explain the history and the creation of the BLM?
Josh details the formation of the Bureau of Land Management and how it inherited the management of lands considered 'leftover', and how this perception affects current policies.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Could Go Right?

What is What Could Go Right? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show leans into a constructive take on current events, balancing discussions of politics, policy, and social change with positive narratives and evidence-based analysis. Episodes frequently cover governance, civics, climate, technology, and societal progress, often featuring experts and authors who offer nuanced viewpoints and practical ideas for improvement. A standout aspect is the commitment to optimism grounded in data, history, and real-world impact, making it a good fit for listeners who want thoughtful conversation without surrendering to cynicism.

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Which podcasts are similar to What Could Go Right??

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Could Go Right?:

1. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
2. Breaking History
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Radio Atlantic
5. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

How many episodes of What Could Go Right? are there?

What Could Go Right? launched 5 years ago and published 217 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 What Could Go Right??

Recent guests on What Could Go Right? include:

1. Simone Stolzoff
2. Sebastian Mallaby
3. Ian Bremmer
4. Nick Capodice
5. Ed Finn
6. Josh Jackson
7. Brink Lindsey
8. Emily Oster

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