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Climate Change
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Brazil
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Race In America

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 weeklyEpisodes253Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for What Could Go Right?

Latest Episodes

There was a time in American history when everything was about ships. For centuries, power on the seas was necessary for economic success, but U.S. maritime power isn’t what it used to be. That change has never been more important than in the growing... more

After a former Anthropic researcher quit and gave a doomsday warning about artificial intelligence, a debate on a human extinction event is raging in the media. Could AI get too smart too fast? Are we really in danger of AI going rogue and killing of... more

Legal betting has exploded in the US. With the phone in your pocket, you can bet on the specific outcome of a game or who will attend the next State of the Union address. But legal betting has plenty of controversy, including how it affects sports fa... more

Maps have distorted the true size of the African continent for 500 years, but a new UN resolution is changing that. Progress Network Executive Director Emma Varvaloucas examines this historic shift toward a more accurate projection to correct centuri... more

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Recent Guests

Brendan Dwyer
Dr. Brendan Dwyer, professor and director of research at the Center for Sport Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Episode: The Science of Sports Betting: How Gambling Apps Are Changing Our Brains | with Dr. Brendan Dwyer and Isaac Rose-Berman
Isaac Rose-Berman
Gambling research and policy fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men
American Institute for Boys and Men
Episode: The Science of Sports Betting: How Gambling Apps Are Changing Our Brains | with Dr. Brendan Dwyer and Isaac Rose-Berman
Dorothy Brown
Professor of Law at Georgetown University, expert on reparations
Georgetown University Law Center
Episode: Could Reparations Actually Happen in America? With Prof. Dorothy Brown
Ari Wallach
Author; head of Longpath; creator of A Brief History of the Future
Longpath; Protopias / Futurific
Episode: Why We Can't Picture a Good Future Anymore | With Ari Wallach
Adam Furestein
Biotech reporter
Stat News (as referenced)
Episode: AI Designed a Cancer Therapy, Cyborg Bugs Are Saving Lives, and the Farmworkers Who Fought Back
Stéphane Bancel
CEO of Moderna
Moderna
Episode: AI Designed a Cancer Therapy, Cyborg Bugs Are Saving Lives, and the Farmworkers Who Fought Back
Dakotah Tyler
Astronomer, Astrophysicist, Astrobiologist
Dr. StarKid podcast host
Episode: Alien Civilizations, Mars Colonization & Humanity in the Age of AI | With Dr. Dakotah Tyler
David Pakman
Political commentator, host of The David Pakman Show
David Pakman Media
Episode: Social Media Is Making Politics Feel Worse Than It Really Is | With David Pakman
Carissa Véliz
Professor of philosophy focusing on ethics and AI at Oxford University
University of Oxford
Episode: The AI Future Isn’t Inevitable. So Why Are We Told It Is? | With Carissa Véliz

Hosts

Emma Varvaloucas
Executive Director, The Progress Network; host of weekly insights and partner-focused discussions.
Zachary Karabell
Founder of The Progress Network; host of content-focused discussions on progress, policy, and governance.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • Her Screechy Voice

    While the topics are kind of interesting and positive I cannot bear the high-pitched squeaky voice of Emma.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MissTerripus
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 States7 months ago
  • See you in 2026!!

    Can’t wait for more GOOD NEWS!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artist/anne
    United Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the hopeful, evidence-based framing and in-depth interviews with experts.
A subset of reviews expresses strong disagreement with viewpoints and tone, indicating polarized reception among some listeners.
Some critiques note a perceived bias and strong personality tones from hosts.
Fans appreciate practical takeaways and real-world examples that illustrate progress in diverse fields.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#63
Chile/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Science of Sports Betting: How Gambling Apps Are Changing Our Brains | with Dr. Brendan Dwyer and Isaac Rose-Berman
Q: What role does sport fandom play in sports betting behavior?
Fandom intensifies emotional engagement, which can lead to hedge bets or bets on outcomes that align with team loyalties, making gambling more personal and potentially riskier.
Alien Civilizations, Mars Colonization & Humanity in the Age of AI | With Dr. Dakotah Tyler
Q: What draws you to pursue curiosity-driven research despite practical skepticism about vast cosmic questions?
He emphasizes pursuing topics deeply interesting to the researcher, like exoplanets and astrobiology, because curiosity itself is a key driver of progress and discovery.
Alien Civilizations, Mars Colonization & Humanity in the Age of AI | With Dr. Dakotah Tyler
Q: Or are they just like different ways of saying the same thing?
The guest explains that astronomer and astrophysicist roles overlap in practice: using telescopes for observations and applying physics analyses to interpret data.
The Case for Rewriting Nature's Code | with Ben Lamm
Q: How do you balance openness with the need to protect public safety and prevent misuse?
Open science and transparency are important for progress and accountability, but there must be practical controls around dissemination of high‑risk capabilities. The goal is to educate and engage stakeholders while ensuring that peer review, regulatory oversight, and safety considerations guide how and when information is shared.
The Case for Rewriting Nature's Code | with Ben Lamm
Q: What guardrails or regulatory framework should exist as these technologies advance?
A robust, adaptive framework is needed, involving government, industry, and academia. It should enable responsible innovation, set clear boundaries for human and environmental applications, and allow rollbacks or adjustments as understanding grows, rather than delaying progress with endless debates.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A thoughtful, progress-forward show that pairs data-driven optimism with expert analysis across science, economics, governance, and technology. Listeners hear conversations that weigh evidence for positive trends in climate, health, and innovation, while also tackling how headlines shape public perception. Episodes frequently feature researchers, policymakers, and authors who provide practical insights, concrete case studies, and nuanced takes on big issues. The format often blends long-form interviews with hopeful, I-can-do-it attitude, making it useful for professionals seeking balanced perspectives and actionable takeaways for strategy, communications, or policy work. A notable strength is its willingness to feature diverse viewpoints—fr... more

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1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Gist
3. Interesting Times
4. Throughline
5. Freakonomics Radio

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

What Could Go Right? launched 5 years ago and published 253 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. Brendan Dwyer
2. Isaac Rose-Berman
3. Dorothy Brown
4. Ari Wallach
5. Adam Furestein
6. Stéphane Bancel
7. Dakotah Tyler
8. David Pakman

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