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The Progress Network is based at the organization New America.

Chicken little forecast

Still Chugging Along

Volcanoes are erupting in The Philippines, but on-fire Australia received some welcome rain. The Iran war cries have been called off and The Donald’s military powers are about to be hamstrung by the Senate. Meanwhile, his impeachment trial is starting, and we’re all on Twitter for a front-row seat.

What Could Go Right? Season 4

Featuring Zachary Karabell & Emma Varvaloucas

Season 4 of “What Could Go Right?” returns on February 15, 2023, continuing to examine the world and ask about the role of optimism vs. pessimism, hope vs. fear, and progress vs. regress. Each week we’re joined by contributors from diverse fields of business, tech, journalism, politics, and more—all united in their conviction that humanity’s ingenuity and willingness to cooperate for the common good is ultimately more potent than the forces pulling in the other direction.

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Prefer to read? Check out the Audio Transcript

Emma Varvaloucas: Hello doomscrollers, defeatists, and cynics…

Listen, we get it. We’re living in the same world you are: a world tipping toward authoritarianism and polarization, a world burning, freezing, or flooding, a world feeling increasing economic strife and struggle. But what if the constant barrage of bad news is disproportionately shaping the way we see the world. What if we’re not paying enough attention to what’s going right?

And there is plenty that is going right—from the decline of poverty to scientific breakthroughs to politicians actually passing good laws. It’s just that you don’t hear about it on the news. 

If you’re looking for a change, join us weekly on “What Could Go Right?” as we talk with leaders from across fields, including environmental experts, social and tech entrepreneurs, policy setters—anyone who challenges, with evidence, the negative narrative that we are so used to hearing. Plus we bring you the good news that is flying underneath the media’s radar. These are stories and conversations that will inspire and empower you—or at least walk you off the ledge.

Whether you need a pick-me-up or you are already an optimist looking for smart, new solutions to old problems, check out “What Could Go Right?” with Zachary Karabell and me, Emma Varvaloucas, wherever you listen to podcasts.

New episodes coming soon! Season 4 starts February 15th.

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Meet the Hosts

Zachary Karabell

Emma Varvaloucas

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Turning Down the Headline Noise

Featuring Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

Let’s close out Season 7! Zachary and Emma look back on seven months of thought-provoking positive conversations, from global politics to the depths of sci-fi, exploring how to stay hopeful in a world hooked on negative news. They dive into protecting your mental health by controlling your news intake while also celebrating how social media platforms empower 8 billion voices to be heard!

The Progress Report: China’s Climate Change Commitment

Featuring Emma Varvaloucas

Get ready for a Progress Report season finale packed with good news as Emma shares some life-changing breakthroughs! The Gates Foundation is funding a game-changing GBS vaccine, while a cutting-edge AI stroke diagnosis system in England is significantly improving recovery rates. Plus, China steps up with a bold pledge to slash greenhouse gas emissions while NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope just uncovered an astonishing 6,000 new planets.

Whatever Happened to Civics?

Featuring Nick Capodice

It’s time for a lesson in civics! Zachary and Emma are joined by Nick Capodice, co-host of the Civics 101 podcast where he gets into the basics of how the U.S. government works and also helps teachers design lesson plans to pair with the show. Nick highlights how our collective grasp on how things work in Washington is slipping, the decrease of civics education funding since the 1950s, and the recent rise of deep divisions in American politics. He focuses on the importance of civic participation and voting and how to reclaim your voice beyond the ballot box.