Rephonic
Artwork for What Could Go Right?
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Democracy
Social Media
United States
China
Middle East
Covid-19
Inflation
Israel
Child Marriage
India
Public Health
Civil Rights
Immigration
Brazil
Economy
Race In America
CRISPR
Misinformation

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 weeklyEpisodes211Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for What Could Go Right?

Latest Episodes

What happens when the person building the world's most powerful technology is just as worried about it as we are? Sebastian Mallaby, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of The Infinity Machine, joins host Zachary Karabell to pull back the curtain on ... more

Trump just signed an executive order to fast-track psychedelic medical research. Emma Varvaloucas, the Executive Director of The Progress Network, breaks down how a 50-year political taboo went mainstream.

Plus: San Diego achieves water independence... more

YouTube

What happens when the rules of the global game are being rewritten in real-time? Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss how to navigate a world defined by a "long geopolitical recession" and ... more

YouTube

Hungary just voted out its authoritarian prime minister of 16 years, and did it with an 80% voter turnout powered by Gen Z. Emma Varvaloucas, the Executive Director of The Progress Network, breaks down how they pulled it off and what it means for dem... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Breaking History
Breaking HistoryThe Free Press
Radio Atlantic
Radio AtlanticThe Atlantic
The Opinions
The OpinionsThe New York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

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
Joyce Vance
Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC
NBC News/MSNBC
Episode: Is the US Still a Rule of Law Country? with Joyce Vance
Austen Ivereigh
A British journalist, commentator, and historian specializing in the Catholic Church and papal politics.
Episode: Shaking Up the Vatican with Austen Ivereigh
Rutger Bregman
Dutch historian, journalist, and bestselling author
Episode: Are We Wasting Our Talent? with Rutger Bregman

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

4.1 out of 5 stars from 156 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 States2 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 States7 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 Statesa year 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

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
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
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
Focus: Adults in the Room
Focus: Adults in the RoomKUOW News and Information
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

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.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for What Could Go Right??

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for What Could Go Right?. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to What Could Go Right? and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does What Could Go Right? get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for What Could Go Right?, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for What Could Go Right??

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for What Could Go Right?, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does What Could Go Right? have?

To see how many followers or subscribers What Could Go Right? has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to What Could Go Right??

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

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
3. Breaking History
4. Radio Atlantic
5. The Opinions

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

What Could Go Right? launched 5 years ago and published 211 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What Could Go Right??

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for What Could Go Right??

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for What Could Go Right? from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for What Could Go Right??

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of What Could Go Right?. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on What Could Go Right??

Recent guests on What Could Go Right? include:

1. Nick Capodice
2. Ed Finn
3. Josh Jackson
4. Brink Lindsey
5. Emily Oster
6. Sam Tanenhaus
7. Joyce Vance
8. Austen Ivereigh

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days