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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 weeklyEpisodes241Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for What Could Go Right?

Latest Episodes

Being a human being is an anxious experience, and to calm the fear of uncertainty, we’re obsessed with predicting the future. Whether spiraling about changes to the economy, politics, or culture, we’re desperate to know what’s coming around the corne... more

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Winston Churchill predicted this nation would collapse, but today India is experiencing a massive economic glow up as it rapidly lifts hundreds of millions out of extreme poverty. We also investigate why crucial historical signs are quietly vanishing... more

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The concept of the American Dream calls up images of enormous money and fame that most of us will never see. But what happens to someone who actually becomes mega famous? Is it truly something to strive for? Is the cost worth it? Ronda Rousey, the su... more

Words like "de-extinction" and "cloning" are often associated with dystopian science fiction stories, but reality tells a more hopeful tale.

Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, joins host Zachary Karabell to argue that de-extinction... more

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Recent Guests

Ronda Rousey
World-class athlete and author of Expecting the Unexpected
Public figure / MMA advocate
Episode: How Haters Can Accidentally Make You Happier | with Ronda Rousey
Ben Lamm
Co founder of Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences
Episode: The Case for Rewriting Nature's Code | with Ben Lamm
Mark Zandi
Chief economist at Moody's, founder of economy.com, host of Moody's Talks, Inside Economics
Moody's Analytics
Episode: Why the Economic Numbers Don't Match How You Feel | With Mark Zandi
David Epstein
Author of Inside the Box; writer focusing on science, sports, and decision-making
Episode: The Case for Embracing Limits | with David Epstein
Alex Duran
Executive at Galaxy Gives, formerly incarcerated, Bard College Prison Initiative alum
Galaxy Gives / Bard College Prison Initiative
Episode: The Era of Mass Incarceration May Actually Be Ending | with Alex Duran
Greg Jackson
Professor at Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University
Episode: The Case Against Cynicism | with Greg Jackson & Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson
Author of The Infernal Machine and other works
Author/Speaker
Episode: The Case Against Cynicism | with Greg Jackson & Steven Johnson
Zachary Karabell
Host and founder of The Progress Network
The Progress Network
Episode: The Case Against Cynicism | with Greg Jackson & Steven Johnson
Alexis Coe
Historian and author; fellow at New America
New America
Episode: Can We Please Celebrate America's 250th Without Whitewashing the Past? | with Alexis Coe

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 164 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 States2 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 States6 months ago
  • See you in 2026!!

    Can’t wait for more GOOD NEWS!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artist/anne
    United States10 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 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.

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Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Era of Mass Incarceration May Actually Be Ending | with Alex Duran
Q: Tell us about something that went unexpectedly right for you in your life.
I served 12 years in prison and unexpectedly earned a world class liberal arts education through Bard College Prison Initiative, which opened doors I never imagined and set the foundation for my later work in philanthropy and reform.
How to Read Economic News Without Spiraling | with Alex Mayyasi
Q: Where do you come down on the gig economy and its impact on workers?
The gig economy is larger than a few apps suggest; it reshapes labor markets by moving work outside traditional employment, changing how benefits and protections are provided, and prompting reassessment of labor laws. It's not just about Uber-like rideshare tasks but about a broader trend of contract work, which has wide implications for wages, job security, and benefits.
How to Read Economic News Without Spiraling | with Alex Mayyasi
Q: What are three things people should know about the economy?
First, that big macro numbers don't directly measure your personal financial reality, and spending patterns can reveal what people actually do rather than what they say. Second, compounding effects—whether in finance, networks, or careers—build over time and can unlock sizable benefits. Third, cost disease helps explain why we see rising prices in labor-intensive services even as technology makes other sectors cheaper, shaping how households experience inflation and wage dynamics.

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. Radio Atlantic
2. Reasonably Optimistic
3. Settle In with PBS News
4. The Good Fight
5. Throughline

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

What Could Go Right? launched 5 years ago and published 241 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. Ronda Rousey
2. Ben Lamm
3. Mark Zandi
4. David Epstein
5. Alex Duran
6. Greg Jackson
7. Steven Johnson
8. Zachary Karabell

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