“How we connect defines who we are,” says Brookings visiting fellow and former FCC chair Tom Wheeler on today’s episode. He is the author of the new book published by the Brookings Institution Press titled, “From Gutenberg to Google: The History of Our Future,” in which he brings to life the great network revolutions of our past to help us unde ...…

In 2018 Stacey Abrams ran in Georgia to become the nation’s first African-American female governor. Despite a narrow defeat in the race, Abrams and her campaign launched a new national conversation about the importance of voting rights by shining a light on voter suppression efforts in Georgia and nationwide. As part of the Brookings Institutio ...…

How will automation change the way we live and work? Will robots take your job? These and related questions have been asked about labor and the economy for decades, and with more urgency as artificial intelligence continues to become more pervasive in our lives. In this episode, Mark Muro, a senior fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program, dis ...…

Camille Busette, senior fellow and director of the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative at Brookings, illuminates Brookings scholars' research during Black History Month, with a focus on building more inclusive economies, addressing structural inequities, and understanding issues surrounding race and civic engagement. Also in this episode ...…

In a special episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, five Brookings experts—Suzanne Maloney, Bruce Riedel, Jeffrey Feltman, Daniel L. Byman, and Elaine Kamarck—describe how the consequences of Iran’s 1979 revolution affected Iran and the region and continue to shape a range of international dynamics today. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts he ...…

Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow and founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution, talks with Brookings Institution Press Director Bill Finan about the third edition of her book, “Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates.” She explains how ...…

Peter Mandaville and Shadi Hamid, both experts in the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World at Brookings, discuss their new paper, “Islam as statecraft: How governments use religion in foreign policy.” Their research focuses largely on how both Saudi Arabia and Iran employ Islam as a soft power tool in the conduct of their foreign po ...…

David Wessel, senior fellow and director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, discusses the top economic issues facing the United States in the upcoming year. Also in this episode, Molly Reynolds, fellow in Governance Studies, offers her analysis of issues facing the newly-sworn in 116th Congress. Subscribe to Brookings podcast ...…

To celebrate the closing of the year, today’s show features our favorite clips from past 12 months. We hope you enjoy it and perhaps take the opportunity to download full episodes that interest you, share the show with friends, and rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on iTunes, send feedback email to BCP@ ...…

Amanda Sloat, Robert M. Bosch Senior Fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, explains recent news about Brexit, and what could happen in the weeks leading up to March 29, the date on which the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union. Key issues include whether Prime Minister Theresa May will ...…

Artificial intelligence is now in every domain of our lives, from commerce to politics, medicine to entertainment, and global trade to geopolitics. In this episode, expert John Villasenor discusses the important intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and geopolitics. Villasenor is a nonresident senior fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation ...…

Christina Kwauk, a fellow with the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, talks with four women who are leaders in girls’ education in their home countries, and are part of the current cohort of Echidna Global Scholars. Sumbal Naveed (Pakistan), Jin Chi (China), Eliana Villar Marquez (Peru), and Hawah Nabbuye (Uganda), share stories of th ...…

Brookings Senior Fellow emeritus Stephen Hess talks about his new memoir, "Bit Player: A Life with Presidents and Ideas." Plus, What's Happening in Congress, with Molly Reynolds, in which she talks about Nancy Pelosi's chances of becoming the next Speaker of the House. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback ema ...…

In this special episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, we reflect on some of the forward-thinking policy ideas and good news stories that were discussed in podcasts from the Brookings Institution in 2018. Plus, hear the trailer for the new Brookings trade podcast, Dollar & Sense. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, s ...…

Sarah Binder, a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, and Molly Reynolds, a fellow also in Governance Studies, discuss politics and policy in the House and Senate following the 2018 midterm elections. What will change? What will stay the same? What are the prospects for bi-partisan legislating? Will Democrats use their new House maj ...…

Brookings Institution Senior Fellows Elaine Kamarck and Camille Busette discuss the results of the 2018 midterm elections, with focus on Democratic House gains, Republican Senate gains, and whether these changes presage working with President Trump on policy matters. They also address the record number of women elected to Congress, issues of ra ...…

Vanessa Williamson, a fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, talks about whether the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed by a GOP-controlled Congress and signed by President Trump in December 2017, will have any effect on voters in the 2018 midterm elections. Also, meet Ryan Hass, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow, in another edition o ...…

Randall Akee, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow in the Economic Studies program at Brookings, discusses new research on the relationship between household incomes and voting in the U.S. He and his co-researchers discovered that an increase in a child’s family income increases the likelihood that he or she becomes an active voter as an adult. Akee al ...…

Isabel Sawhill, a senior fellow in Economic Studies at Brookings, addresses the economic, cultural, and political divisions in America today, and describes what she learned by talking with Americans in three cities about what they want—and don’t want—from government. These discussions are the heart of her new book, “The Forgotten Americans: An ...…

Matthew Fiedler, a fellow in the Center for Health Policy at Brookings, addresses the health policy issues on voters’ minds as the 2018 midterm elections approach. He reviews the Trump administration’s changes to the Affordable Care Act, why Democratic candidates are placing more emphasis on health policy in their races than are Republicans, th ...…

Alina Polyakova, a David M. Rubenstein fellow in Foreign Policy at Brookings, addresses the question of Russia’s potential involvement in the 2018 midterm elections. She also describes the latest tactics in disinformation campaigns and cyber threats, and how targeted nations can respond. Also in this edition, Molly Reynolds, fellow in Governanc ...…

Amy Liu, vice president and director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, addresses issues in gubernatorial and local races in the 2018 midterms, including the challenges of job growth, new technologies, and state preemption of local decision-making. Liu also addresses the urban-rural divide, which she says is “prima ...…

In the first episode of a special series on the 2018 midterm elections, Senior Fellow John Hudak describes some of the issues shaping the upcoming midterm elections and which common narratives around the elections are not supported by data. Also in this episode, David Wessel explains the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to raise interest rates ...…

Nicol Turner Lee, a fellow in Governance Studies and the Center for Technology Innovation, discusses America’s digital divide and challenges for people with lower incomes to access high-speed broadband and data networks. Turner Lee also describes the research she is conducting for an upcoming book and a photo story she published on the digital ...…

Senior Fellows E.J. Dionne and Robert Kagan discuss America’s evolving but essential role in the liberal world order, the strength of democracy around the globe, and Kagan’s new book “The Jungle Grows Back.” Also in this episode, Andre Perry describes some of the factors that affect black female candidates’ electoral success. Subscribe to Brook ...…

Senior Fellow Jonathan Stromseth interviews Bilahari Kausikan, the former permanent secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on a range of current diplomatic and security issues in Southeast Asia, including Singapore’s role in the region, China’s rise, and the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy. Subscribe to Brooking ...…

In a special edition of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Foreign Policy Vice President and Director Bruce Jones discusses his new report on the peace and security landscape around the world and previews the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to BCP@Bro ...…

David M. Rubenstein Fellows Randall Akee and Marcus Casey discuss their research for the Economic Studies program at Brookings and how the 2008 financial crisis affected their careers as economists. Also in this episode, Molly Reynolds describes the priorities that will keep members of Congress busy before they leave Washington, D.C. for their ...…

Marvin Kalb, a nonresident senior fellow and veteran journalist, discusses his new book “Enemy of the People: Trump’s War on the Press, the New McCarthyism, and the Threat to American Democracy,” and why President Trump’s attacks on the media are a cause for concern. Also in this episode, David Wessel reflects on the government’s response to th ...…

Senior Fellow Norman Eisen discusses his new book, “The Last Palace: Europe’s Turbulent Century in Five Lives and One Legendary House,” with Thomas Wright, director of the Center on the United States and Europe. Eisen describes the Petschek house in Prague where he lived as the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, and how the lives of its for ...…

Elizabeth Mann Levesque, a fellow in Governance Studies and the Brown Center on Education Policy, discusses some of the policies being pursued by the United States Department of Education under current Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Also in this episode, Joseph Parilla introduces his research on cluster-based economic development in the la ...…

Merrell Tuck-Primdahl, communications director for the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings, interviews participants from the 15th annual Brookings Blum Roundtable. This year’s roundtable focused on U.S. leadership in foreign assistance, China’s influence and ambitions, how to support development on the ground, and more. Also in ...…

Baruch College professor Thomas J. Main discusses his new book, “The Rise of the Alt-Right,” with Bill Finan, director of the Brookings Institution Press. In the interview and his book, Main describes the alt-right’s ideological roots, how it became a factor in American politics, and why it poses the greatest challenge to democratic liberalism ...…

In a special edition of the Brookings Cafeteria, four Brookings experts share their thoughts on the 2017 white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, Va. Their commentary includes analyses of race and extremism in America, the history of racism and how we commemorate history in our public spaces, and what public policy solutions we should cons ...…

Cameron Kerry, who currently serves as the Ann R. and the Andrew H. Tisch Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Brookings and was formerly general counsel and acting secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, describes the state of online consumer data protections in the United States and introduces a framework for data privacy legislati ...…

Homi Kharas, interim vice president and director of the Global Economy and Development program, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala discuss some of the innovative approaches for reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals proposed in a new book, “From Summits to Solutions,” published by the Brookings Instituti ...…

Associate Fellow Joseph Kane discusses his research on the 1.7 million people who work on America’s water infrastructure and the future challenges and opportunities that workforce faces. Also in this episode, meet David M. Rubenstein Fellow Jenny Schuetz in the latest edition of our “Coffee Break.” Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on App ...…

Michael Hansen, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy, discusses a new Brown Center Report on American Education and how schools are equipping their students with a quality civics education. Also in this episode, Joseph Parilla and Max Bouchet share their findings from the 2018 Global Metro Monitor which tracks the economic trajector ...…

Boston College professor R. Shep Melnick discusses his recent book, “The Transformation of Title IX,” and how implementation of the law has reached far beyond the original intent since its passage in 1972. Also in this episode, David Wessel describes the potential ramifications of President Trump’s tariffs and whether or not a trade war would t ...…

On the 200th episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Ted Gayer, Brookings’s executive vice president and the vice president for Economic Studies, discusses his role at the Institution and some of the policy issues Brookings scholars are prioritizing in their research. Also in this episode, Molly Reynolds describes the current immigration de ...…

In this episode, five Brookings experts offer their reactions to the recent summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, their analyses of the key outcomes, and their assessments of what comes next. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcas ...…

Governance Studies Fellow Vanessa Williamson discusses her research on the Black Lives Matter movement, the connection between police-involved killings and protest activity, and the scope of racial inequity in America’s criminal justice system. Also in this episode, William Frey analyzes recent census data that show waning growth rates for some ...…

Todd Stern, Brookings senior fellow and the chief climate negotiator in the Obama administration, discusses his role in negotiating the Paris Climate Agreement and the implications of President Trump announcing his intention to withdrawal the United States from the agreement on June 1, 2017. Also in this episode, David Wessel describes the rece ...…

Rebecca Winthrop, director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, describes the skills children need to succeed in life and how to improve the quality of learning for the most marginalized children and youth, including girls and children affected by extreme violence. Also in this episode, Molly Reynolds looks at the major factors t ...…

Darrell West, director of the Center for Technology Innovation, discusses his recent book “The Future of Work: Robotics, AI, and Automation.” West explains that as robots, artificial intelligence, and automation make it possible to be more productive while working fewer hours, society must change its definition of work. Also in this episode, fo ...…

Senior Fellow Isabel V. Sawhill discusses her research on the “success sequence” and how the combination of work, education, and family planning can help reduce poverty and increase opportunity in America. Also in this episode, Alan Berube previews his new report on the challenges facing older industrial cities throughout the Northeast and Midw ...…

Jon Valant, a fellow in the Brown Center on Education Policy, discusses his research on disparities and discrimination in how schools discipline students of different racial and economic backgrounds. Also in this episode, David Wessel explains the policies China has pursued to spur economic development and innovation following his recent trip t ...…

Dany Bahar, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in the Global Economy and Development program, discusses his recent trip to the Venezuelan border and the economic and refugee crises the country is currently facing. Also in this episode, Molly Reynolds explains the politics behind the Senate’s confirmation of President Trump’s appointments in her regular ...…

Senior Fellow John Hudak discusses recent changes in public policy toward medical and recreational marijuana in the United States. Also in this episode, nuclear strategy and arms control expert Frank A. Rose makes his Brookings podcast debut in our regular Coffee Break segment, and Jung H. Pak answers a question on tensions in the Korean penins ...…

Hal Brands, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses his new book, “American Grand Strategy in the Age of Trump,” and what an “America First” foreign policy framework looks like. Also in this episode, Joe Parilla explains the economic development incentives that state and local governments offer to ge ...…