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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 5

Featuring Zachary Karabell & Emma Varvaloucas

Negative news can be overwhelming, but it’s important to question whether it accurately reflects our world. Join “What Could Go Right?” to hear positive stories from various experts that challenge the negative narrative. Let’s strive for a more balanced view of what’s happening today.

Whether you need a change of perspective or change of heart, check out “What Could Go Right?” from The Progress Network, with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas — Season 5 begins October 4th, 2023.

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Prefer to read? Check out the Audio Transcript

Emma Varvaloucas (EV): Is it just me, or does it seem like we’re all a little overwhelmed by the constant stream of negative news? So many news items these days seem bleak and hopeless. But it’s essential to consider whether this negativity is actually an accurate representation of our world, and whether it’s shaping our perception of it for the worse.

Wildfires and record temperatures continue to move … we’re all doomed … the verge of World War III. 

EV: Causing us to overlook the positive things that are happening every day. 

If we could eliminate so much work and so much drudgery and so much labor, then what will we do with all that time?

We should consider basic income as venture capital for the people.

EV: Because despite what the news will tell you, many positive things are happening in the world every day. 

We’ve had an amazing quarter millennium of progress. But yet people think they’re always living in the end of days, that this is it.

Give us the resources to not predict the future but sort of invent the future.

EV: That’s why we invite you to join us on What Could Go Right?, where we speak with leaders from various fields, including environmental experts, social and tech entrepreneurs, policy setters, and more, to challenge the negative narrative with evidence.

If both the United States and China were to find ways to exercise more restraint, we could arrive at some kind of modus vivendi that would be certainly safer than where we are today. 

EV: And share stories that often go unnoticed by the media, providing you with a more balanced view of what’s going on today.

In the absence of hope, you have cynicism and apathy and you have no change. Hope or faith, if not in yourself or in something, gives you enough fuel to get up and say, you know what, I’m going to do something. 

EV: Whether you need a change of perspective or a change of heart, check out What Could Go Right? from the Progress Network.

Zachary Karabell: Which is a weekly attempt to change the tone of our collective dialogue from one of dyspeptic, dystopian despair to a more positive case for a brighter future.

EV: With Zachary Karabell and me, Emma Varvaloucas, available wherever you listen to podcasts. Stay tuned for new episodes coming October 4th.

 

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Meet the Hosts

Zachary Karabell

Emma Varvaloucas

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What does Canada think about Donald Trump’s America? Zachary and Emma speak with David Frum, author, staff writer at The Atlantic, political commentator, and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. A Canadian American, David elaborates on Canada’s strategic integration with the U.S., the implications of recent shifts including Trump’s tariffs and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and what the future of American democracy looks like from his stance as both a Canadian and a former White House employee. David also suggests what ordinary Americans can do on top of voting.

The Progress Report: Would You Let Snakes Bite You for Science?

Featuring Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma break down some surprising stories of progress, from China’s clean energy boom finally driving down emissions, to Hungary’s unexpected rise as a solar power leader, to a dramatic drop in infant hospitalizations thanks to a new RSV vaccine. Plus, hear the wild tale of the American who built up immunity to snake venom-enduring 900 venom exposures-to help scientists develop a universal antivenom.

Modern Money and Marketcrafters

Featuring Chris Hughes

How can we reshape the American economy? Zachary and Emma speak with Chris Hughes, Facebook co-founder, Chair of the Economic Security Project, and author of “Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy.” Chris discusses the differences between marketcraft and Trump’s tariffs, how marketcraft has succeeded with antitrust and anti-monopoly laws, and historical examples involving marketcraft, including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the CHIPS and Science Act.