Best Commonwealth Funds Podcasts (2025)

1
ICE Raid, Right-to-Work, and Trouble in Purcellville 35:37

1d ago35:37

35:37

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Hanna Pampaloni of Loudoun Now, covering the scandal surrounding a state police investigation of Purcellville's Vice Mayor. Luke Weir of the Roanoke Times, covering the Democratic debate for Lieutenant Governor, where all candidates voice support for ending Right-to-Work. Sean M…

1
Charting a Path Through a Troubled Legacy 25:34

4d ago25:34

25:34

As the American Medical Association’s first chief equity officer, Dr. Aletha Maybank guided the legacy medical institution through a difficult reckoning with its past exclusion of Black and women physicians. In a new episode of The Dose, host Joel Bervell talks to Dr. Maybank about how she did it, what lessons the AMA holds for our current moment, …

1
Coal Emissions, Public Housing, and High School Reshuffling 42:10

8d ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: James Libresco of Theogony, covering the difficulties around Alexandria's City High School's four-campus system--and the school district's new policy mandating Theogony's articles be approved by administration. Charles Paullin of Inside Climate News, covering President Trump's e…

1
Special Edition: The Latest Campaign Finance Numbers 46:32

12d ago46:32

46:32

In this special episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by Ben Tribbett of Pocket Aces Consulting, and Jeff Ryer, former spokesman for the House and Senate Republicans, to break down the latest campaign finance disclosures for the candidates in Virginia's statewide and local races. VPAP: Q1 Campaign Finance Reports -- The Virgini…

1
Research Cuts, TSA Picketing, and the Bills That Passed 33:30

15d ago33:30

33:30

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Sage Tanguay of the Bold Dominion podcast, covering some niche bills passed during the latest General Assembly session. Michael O'Connor of the Virginia Dogwood, covering Richmond TSA workers picketing to get their union back from the Trump Administration. Nathaniel Cline of the…

1
Budget Dispute, Filing Deadlines, and the Virginia Supreme Court 38:27

22d ago38:27

38:27

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the latest on the filings for the fall ballot. Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering a Virginia Supreme Court ruling an officer not liable for the attempted suicide of a detainee. Jahd Khalil of VPM, covering Virginia's budget and …

1
US firm unveils 350MW stellarator design; CFS hits key machine construction milestone; Marvel Fusion secures €113 million; Germany plans 1 GW fusion facility; Thea Energy simplifies fusion 11:04

28d ago11:04

11:04

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. US firm unveils world’s largest 350MW stellarator fusion power design basishttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-stellarator-fusion-power-design-ba…

1
Unemployment Claims, Health Department Cuts, and Record-Setting Veto Numbers 35:18

29d ago35:18

35:18

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karri Peifer of Axios, covering the rising number of unemployment claims in Virginia. Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering Governor Youngkin's record-setting number of vetoes pushed through last week (and VPAP has visualized the numbers) Chris Suarez of VPM, covering $425 million …

1
Education Cuts, Unemployment Claims, and Signature Submissions 37:38

1M ago37:38

37:38

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Whittney Evans of VPM News, covering how cuts to the federal Department of Education will impact Virginia's students. Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering rising unemployment claims in Virginia as President Trump cuts the federal workforce. Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering the sig…

1
UKAEA and Eni unite for worlds largest fusion fuel facility; US to test 'fusion blanket'; General Fusion's first plasma in cutting edge fusion machine; Virginia governor urges US fusion development 9:47

1M ago9:47

9:47

Kyra Jorgensen, working at FIA member Helion, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1.UKAEA and Eni Unite to Construct the World's Largest Fusion Fuel Facility https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/ukaea-and-eni-unite-to-construct-the-world-s-largest-fusion-fuel-facility 2. US to test c…

1
Leadership Changes, Attack Ads, and Education Politics 35:52

1M ago35:52

35:52

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News (and formerly Pod Virginia), covering leadership changes in both of Virginia's major political parties. Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering how cuts to the federal Department of Education impact Virginia's schools and upcoming elections.…

1
Library Funding, GreenCity Development, and the Governor's Pardon 33:14

2M ago33:14

33:14

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering Governor Youngkin's pardon of a former police officer convicted of reckless firearm use. Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering Warren County stripping funding for Samuels Public Library. Lyndon German of VPM News, covering …

1
Proxima Fusion publishes plans for fusion power plant, WEST machine beats world record, Fusion doctoral trainings to begin this fall in the UK 9:22

2M ago9:22

9:22

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. German Startup Publishes Open-Source Plans for Fusion Power Planthttps://www.wsj.com/articles/german-startup-publishes-open-source-plans-for-nuclear-fusion…

1
Competitive House Races, Voting Rights Restoration, and the Republican Primary for Governor 31:29

2M ago31:29

31:29

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering Amanda Chase and Dave LaRock's entry into the Republican primary race for Governor. Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope, covering three competitive state House races--Republican seats that Kamala Harris won last year. Dean Mirsha…

1
Stalled FOIA Reform, Federal Worker Anxiety, and A Visual Dispatch 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the last-minute stalling of a FOIA reform bill. Shaban Athuman of VPM, showcasing a visual dispatch from the 2025 General Assembly. Elizabeth Beyer of Cardinal News, covering Governor Youngkin's acknowledgement of the anxiet…

1
Retired coal plant to become fusion facility, shared-flow-stabilized z pinches for stable thermal fusion, CNL expands clean energy siting to include fusion 8:22

2M ago8:22

8:22

Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's global fusion news update, summarizing behind all of the major headlines. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. A retired coal plant to become a 350MW stellarator fusion power facilityhttps://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/tva-signs-up-for-type-one-energy-fusion-p…

1
Sales Tax Surcharge, Residency Issues, and the Latest Casino Bill 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Dave Ress of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering bills to establish a legal cannabis market and to impose a sales tax surcharge to pay for schools. Rich Meagher, political science professor at Randolph-Macon College and the host of VPM's "VA's Got Issues," following Natalie An…

1
Free Clinics, Immigration Enforcement, and Animal Rights 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Keyris Manzanares of VPM News, covering Richmond Public Schools' official resolution on immigration enforcement on school grounds. Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering Virginia's free clinics and the possibility of cuts to federal Medicaid funding. Joe Dodson of Courtho…

1
Helion raises $425m for fusion machine, UKAEA invests £200m in fusion development, SMART tokamak advancement 10:00

3M ago10:00

10:00

Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Washington, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Helion raises $425M to help build a fusion reactor for Microsoft https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/28/helion-raises-425m-to-help-build-a-fus…

1
Child Care Subsidies, Offshore Wind, and the 2025 Race for Governor 43:05

3M ago43:05

43:05

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering how the upcoming election is affecting the current General Assembly session. Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering the waitlist for Virginia's child care subsidy program. Brad Kutner, Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, who discusses the…

1
School Choice, Sourcing Stories, and What President Trump Means for Virginia 42:35

3M ago42:35

42:35

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Elizabeth Beyer of Cardinal News, with the potential consequences for Virginians if the federal government rescinds Medicaid expansion Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering the Republican push for school choice in the legislature Jahd Khalil of VPM News, who talks about Governor You…

1
Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to build its first power plant in Virginia; UK funds fusion; production of fusion-grade steel at scale 8:42

3M ago8:42

8:42

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Fusion Start-Up Plans to Build Its First Power Plant in Virginia https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/climate/commonwealth-fusion-power-plant.html 2. Minist…

1
Constitutional Amendments, Data Center Regulation, and the State of the Commonwealth 47:19

3M ago47:19

47:19

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Charlotte Rene Woods of Virginia Mercury, with the latest on the proposed amendments to Virginia's Constitution Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering Governor Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth address Patrick Larsen of VPM News, who talks about the latest efforts to regulate dat…

1
Richmond Water Crisis, Race for Governor, and a Death in Prison 28:58

4M ago28:58

28:58

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch with the latest on Richmond's water crisis Michael O’Connor of the Virginia Dogwood, who talks about the latest poll for the 2025 Governor's race Dave Cantor of VPM News, who talks about the death of a man incarcerated at Red Onion pris…

1
Red Onion Prison, Hampton Roads Investment, and Riggleman's Potential Run 29:28

4M ago29:28

29:28

In this inaugural episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Laura Vozzella of The Washington Post, who talks about Denver Riggleman's potential run for statewide office Jahd Khalil of VPM News, who talks about Del. Michael Jones' (D-Richmond) unannounced visit to the Red Onion prison Markus Schmidt of Virginia Mercury, who talk…

1
Happy new year! 2024 recap 10:53

4M ago10:53

10:53

In this special edition of Fusion News, Fusion Industry Association CEO Andrew Holland summarizes fusion's progress in 2024 and introduces some of the major headlines from the year. Links to news stories are included below. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2025! 1. Nuclear Startup Pacific Fusion Nabs $900 Million in Funding https…

1
General Fusion achievement; China ships ITER modules; Researchers reveal mechanism of runaway electron generation; Tokamak Energy partners with UK and US governments 10:20

5M ago10:20

10:20

December 11, 2024 Mechanical engineer Jasmine Mund gives today's Fusion News episode, summarizing the major fusion news headlines from the past two weeks. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. General Fusion confirms significant fusion neutron yield and plasma stability during MTF compression experiment series with new peer-re…

1
Fusion startup lands $900M in funding; Japan launches FAST fusion project; NYT covers why fusion is moving fast; Tokamak Energy raises $125M; OpenStar achieves first plasma 9:21

5M ago9:21

9:21

November 27, 2024 Fusion News Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Nuclear Startup Pacific Fusion Nabs $900 Million in Fundinghttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-25/nuclear-startup…

1
Tokamak Energy reveals pilot plant design details, Thales and Max Planck set a world record, DOE announces $30M for commercial fusion 10:10

6M ago10:10

10:10

October 30, 2024 Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's global fusion news update, summarizing behind all of the major headlines. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Tokamak Energy gives details of pilot fusion energy plant designhttps://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/tokamak-energy-gives-details-of-p…

1
Climate Change Is Already Disrupting Health Care in the U.S. 20:09

6M ago20:09

20:09

Yes, the planet is getting hotter, tropical storms are becoming ever more fierce, and the Arctic is melting — but what’s that got to do with health care? This week on The Dose podcast, host Joel Bervell explores the intersection of climate change and public health with Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health. Levine,…

1
Climate Change as a Public Health Issue 27:07

6M ago27:07

27:07

As climate change intensifies and New Yorkers face record-breaking heat, the city is taking new measures to protect residents’ health. Landlords will soon have to provide air conditioning to tenants, school bus fleets are going electric, and efforts are underway to make housing more affordable. Cameron Clarke of WE ACT for Environmental Justice is …

1
Zap Energy's new fusion power prototype, big science spin-offs, Japan's tokamak sets world record 9:04

7M ago9:04

9:04

Fusion News: October 16, 2024 Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Zap Energy shows off its new fusion power prototype, Centuryhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/10/09/zap-energy-shows-off-its-new-fu…

1
Reforming Mental Health Support for Students and Health Care Workers 26:42

7M ago26:42

26:42

Evidence of a mental health crisis is everywhere — from the recent surgeon general advisory about social media’s effects on our youth to the pandemic’s documented impact on medical professionals. To whom does a college student turn for help so far from home? And who cares for the mental health of those caring for us? Enter Dr. Jessi Gold, a psychia…

1
Advancing Health Equity Through Disruptive Innovation 27:02

7M ago27:02

27:02

Moving the needle on health care access and health disparities is no easy task. Inequities for people of color are embedded in the U.S. health system, shaping their health care journeys and often leading to outcomes worse than those experienced by white Americans. That’s where Dr. Chris Pernell, director of NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, comes i…

1
Marvel Fusion lands $70M, fusion fuel mix, researchers build AI model database to find new alloys for fusion facilities 12:24

7M ago12:24

12:24

Fusion News: October 2, 2024 Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Washington, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Marvel Fusion lands $70M for laser-powered fusion bethttps://techcrunch.com/2024/09/25/marvel-fusion-lands-70…

1
Stellarator begins experiment, Chinese startup raise, D-T plasmas, TE Magnetics 10:15

7M ago10:15

10:15

Jasmine Mund, mechanical design engineer, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. World’s most powerful stellarator begins experiment for better fusion energyhttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/stellarator-wendelstein-7-x-nuclear-fu…

1
China races to lead, STEP, INFUSE awards, UK startup and US collaboration 8:57

8M ago8:57

8:57

Dr. Cyd Cowley, Fusion Solutions Engineer, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Inside China’s race to lead the world in nuclear fusionhttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02759-x2. STEP forward to fusionhttps://royalsociety.org/…

1
More Conversations from Aspen Ideas: Health 18:53

9M ago18:53

18:53

In this special two-part edition of The Dose, we’re bringing listeners along to an exhilarating gathering of health care’s most innovative thinkers and changemakers — Aspen Ideas: Health. In part 2, host Joel Bervell talks to two people who are reshaping how we think about community health: Mary Oxendine, a Lumbee and Tuscarora woman and the former…

1
Bill Gates-backed startup gets new funding, South Korea investment, density limit, license obtained, UK prototype 6:41

9M ago6:41

6:41

Dr. Leigh Ann Kesler, fusion consultant, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Bill Gates-backed Type One Energy lands massive seed extension to commercialize fusion powerhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/07/30/bill-gates-backed-type-one-ener…

1
Conversations from Aspen Ideas: Health 16:08

9M ago16:08

16:08

In this special, two-part edition of The Dose, we’re bringing listeners along to an exhilarating gathering of health care’s most innovative thinkers and changemakers—Aspen Ideas: Health. In part 1, host Joel Bervell speaks with two people dedicated to supporting communities that have been excluded from our health care system: Lola Adedokun, executi…

1
CFS magnets to UW-Madison, China fusion development, China outspends US, industry growth 12:10

9M ago12:10

12:10

Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Fusion pioneer Commonwealth Fusion Systems is selling core magnet tech to the University of Wisconsinhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/07/12/lets…

1
NSIRC and Lancaster University research, ITER toroidal field coils completed, ITER delay 9:39

10M ago9:39

9:39

Jasmine Mund, mechanical engineer, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Groundbreaking research at NSIRC and Lancaster University set to transform fusion reactor developmenthttps://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/groundbreaking-researc…

1
Hybrid design, industry advances, plasma model, CNL initiative 8:54

10M ago8:54

8:54

Cyd Cowley, Fusion Solution Consultant at digiLab, gives today's global Fusion News update, highlighting the major recent developments in fusion.Links to all the fusion news stories are included below:1. Hybrid design could make nuclear fusion reactors more efficienthttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2435679-hybrid-design-could-make-nuclear-fusio…

1
White House deal, UKAEA framework, Xcimer, AI, DIII-D 10:24

11M ago10:24

10:24

Alexander Behzadi, Environmental Scientist, presents today's fusion news update. Links to the stories mentioned are included below.1. White House forges deals with fusion pioneers https://www.eenews.net/articles/white-house-forges-deals-with-fusion-pioneers/2. UKAEA renews engineering framework agreement to boost fusionhttps://www.gov.uk/government…

1
A New Day for Sickle Cell Patients 29:04

12M ago29:04

29:04

This month, a 12-year-old boy in Washington, D.C., became the first person in the world to undergo a grueling gene therapy treatment that could cure his sickle cell disease. It is a game-changer for a disease whose history has been plagued by the racism baked into our health care system. On The Dose podcast, host Joel Bervell sits down with Dr. Cec…

1
Physicists overcome plasma hurdles, WEST record, UK search, G7 9:48

12M ago9:48

9:48

Jeff Peachman, graduate student studying Flow Z-Pinches at the University of Washington, gives today's biweekly global Fusion News update. Links to the stories mentioned are included below.1. Physicists overcome two key operating hurdles in fusion reactionshttps://phys.org/news/2024-04-physicists-key-hurdles-fusion-reactions.html 2. Fusion record s…

1
Dr. Betancourt’s Blueprint for an Equitable Health Care System 27:47

12M ago27:47

27:47

In Dr. Joseph Betancourt’s vision for the future of U.S. health care, “any patient who goes to any health care system around the country should get the highest quality of care, no matter who they are or where they’re from.” As the Commonwealth Fund’s new president, he’s tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. health system while try…

1
Lived Experience Is a Key to Health Equity 25:15

12M ago25:15

25:15

As a physician, researcher, and educator, Dr. Cheryl R. Clark wants her students to understand what vision, love, and equity can bring to health care if we prioritize them — and why she believes doing so is critical to advancing health equity. In the latest episode of The Dose podcast, host Joel Bervell talks with Clark about how she brings health …

1
Record Z-pinch temperatures, MIT magnets, US bill, new plasma control, ITER equipment 10:23

12M ago10:23

10:23

Jasmine Mund, mechanical engineer, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Record electron temperatures for a small-scale, sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion device achievedhttps://phys.org/news/2024-04-electron-temperatures-small-sca…

1
On the Need for Diversity in Medical Illustrations 25:11

1y ago25:11

25:11

In medical school, students learning about illness, pathology, and disease are trained almost exclusively on images of white patients. Even materials on illnesses that predominantly affect Black people, like sickle cell disease, and textbooks used in medical schools in countries where most people are Black, are filled with illustrations of white bo…

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