What Could
Go Right?
The Podcast

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Shaking Up the Vatican

Featuring Austen Ivereigh

How can an American pope change the world? Zachary and Emma dive deep with renowned papal expert Austen Ivereigh, British journalist, acclaimed author, and historian, to discuss Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the US. Austen shares insider insights into the pope’s whirlwind early months at the Vatican and unpacks the ideological tug-of-war between tradition and reform within the Catholic Church. Discover how Pope Leo plans to continue Pope Francis’ reform movement, how his leadership style contrasts that of fellow American Donald Trump, and what an American papacy could mean for billions of people.

Are We Wasting Our Talent?

Featuring Rutger Bregman

Are we measuring success all wrong? Rutger Bregman seems to think so. Zachary and Emma welcome Rutger, a Dutch historian and journalist, and author of Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference. The founder of the School for Moral Ambition, Rutger challenges society’s flawed definition of success, stresses supportive and ambitious communities, and suggests how we can make a truly global impact. He highlights his own struggles with work-life balance and his pursuit of enthusiasm over exhaustion.

The Progress Report: Japan’s Tsunami Tech Saves Lives

Featuring Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma dive into some optimistic stories you may have missed during your doomscrolling. From tsunami-stopping tech in Japan to social media-powered rescue missions in Ghana and the groundbreaking frontiers of male birth control, this isn’t your usual ocean of depressing news.

ALL EPISODES

Featuring Austen Ivereigh

Shaking Up the Vatican

How can an American pope change the world? Zachary and Emma dive deep with renowned papal expert Austen Ivereigh, British journalist, acclaimed author, and historian, to discuss Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the US. Austen shares insider insights into the pope’s whirlwind early months at the Vatican and unpacks the ideological tug-of-war between tradition and reform within the Catholic Church. Discover how Pope Leo plans to continue Pope Francis’ reform movement, how his leadership style contrasts that of fellow American Donald Trump, and what an American papacy could mean for billions of people.

Featuring Rutger Bregman

Are We Wasting Our Talent?

Are we measuring success all wrong? Rutger Bregman seems to think so. Zachary and Emma welcome Rutger, a Dutch historian and journalist, and author of Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference. The founder of the School for Moral Ambition, Rutger challenges society’s flawed definition of success, stresses supportive and ambitious communities, and suggests how we can make a truly global impact. He highlights his own struggles with work-life balance and his pursuit of enthusiasm over exhaustion.

Featuring Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

The Progress Report: Japan’s Tsunami Tech Saves Lives

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma dive into some optimistic stories you may have missed during your doomscrolling. From tsunami-stopping tech in Japan to social media-powered rescue missions in Ghana and the groundbreaking frontiers of male birth control, this isn’t your usual ocean of depressing news.

MEET OUR
HOSTS

Zachary Karabell

Zachary Karabell is the founder of the Progress Network. He is an author, columnist, and investor and president of River Twice Capital. He is also the author of 13 books, most recently Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power.

Zachary Karabell

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Emma Varvaloucas

Emma Varvaloucas is the Executive Director of The Progress Network. An editor and writer specializing in nonprofit media, she was formerly Executive Editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and is the editor of two books from Wisdom Publications.

Emma Varvaloucas

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Testimonials

This podcast is optimistic without being naive. Deeply historically based reflections met with global comparisons on the troubling issues we face today. Excited for the next conversation!

Katelyn

Love this fresh perspective—a welcome listen during these transitional times.

Lara

What Could Go Right? is one of the best projects on the Internet. Chin up, people—believe it or not, we're somehow moving in the right direction in many ways.

Chris

Your podcast with Anne-Marie Slaughter was fabulous. . . . More things like this and thank you for your platform of caring, brilliant leaders. We need your perspective to heal!

Cheryl