Best Rice Universitys Baker Institute For Public Policy Podcasts (2025)

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1: Iran After the War 27:53

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6d ago27:53

27:53

Fellow for the Middle East Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar joins the podcast to discuss the geopolitical and diplomatic fallout from the 12-day Israel-Iran war. He explores Iran’s internal politics in the aftermath of the conflict, the future of its nuclear program, and the regional balance of power. Featured: Mohammad Tabaar, Ph.D., https://www.bakerin…

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Introducing Season 2 15:55

13d ago15:55

15:55

Baker Institute Director David M. Satterfield sits down with Karina Zemel, lead producer of the “Baker Briefing” podcast, to discuss the challenges of communicating policy in a politically polarized era and the conversations ahead on Season 2 of the podcast.By Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy

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From ‘The Two-Handed Economist’: Trump Tariff Ruling, De Minimis Exemption, and an Economy Losing Steam 16:49

20d ago16:49

16:49

We’re taking a short break as we gear up to launch Season 2 of the podcast next week. But we’re excited to share the latest episode of “The Two-Handed Economist,” a podcast from our Center for Tax and Budget Policy. On this episode, John Diamond explores three major economic developments from the past week, including a federal appeals ruling that s…

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92: ‘Chocolate Cars’: Illegal Vehicle Imports to Mexico From the US (Guests: Guillermo Rosales Zárate & Juan Vega Gómez) 39:45

1M ago39:45

39:45

Each year, hundreds of thousands of cars are imported illegally into Mexico from the United States. These unregistered “chocolate cars” — a play on the word “chueco,” which means “crooked” in Spanish — not only crowd out the national light vehicle market, but often fail to meet pollution and safety standards and can be used in serious crimes. The u…

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100: The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and the Future of Clean Energy 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the major budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, includes important changes to federal energy policy — among them, an earlier end to wind and solar tax credits than outlined in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and expanded support for nuclear and geothermal energy, as well as fossil fuels. …

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99: Texas’ Redistricting Fight Goes National 32:52

2M ago32:52

32:52

Texas Republicans are moving to redraw the state’s congressional district map and flip five House seats for the GOP — an unusual mid-decade redistricting effort that comes at the urging of President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. To block the map’s passage, Texas Democrats have fled the state, denying Republican state leaders the…

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98: Is Trump Delivering for Christian Voters? 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

One of the striking trends in American religion and politics over the past decade has been the extent to which Christians have rallied around President Donald Trump. Their support has been most pronounced among white evangelicals, but the president has gained electoral ground with nearly all Christian denominations since his first term. Trump hasn’…

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97: Reflecting on the Texas Hill Country Floods 11:27

2M ago11:27

11:27

As Harris County judge, Ed Emmett led the emergency response to weather disasters in the Houston region for nearly 12 years. Bill King is the former mayor of Kemah, Texas, and served on two Texas commissions studying the aftermath of deadly Hurricanes Rita and Ike. They draw on their experience in disaster mitigation and response and offer reflecti…

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Best Of: Christian Nationalism and American Democracy 24:36

2M ago24:36

24:36

What is Christian nationalism, and why is it having a moment in U.S. politics? And what does it mean for democracy in our increasingly diverse and pluralistic society? The ideology’s influence hasn’t faded with the dawn of the second Donald Trump administration, and it’s worth returning to this episode, originally released in October 2024, in which…

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96: How Will Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Impact the US Economy? 26:41

3M ago26:41

26:41

John Diamond, director of our Center for Tax and Budget Policy and host of “The Two-Handed Economist,” analyzed the macroeconomic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the sprawling tax-and-spending package now signed into law by President Donald Trump — using the Diamond-Zodrow model of the U.S. economy. The results? The package could modest…

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91: Stopping the Flow of US Arms to Mexico (Guests: Isabella D’Alacio, John Lindsay-Poland & Gerardo Álvarez) 35:37

3M ago35:37

35:37

In this episode of “México Centered,” experts Isabella D’Alacio, John Lindsay-Poland, and Gerardo Álvarez join Tony to shed light on the dangerous flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico. They explore how criminal networks traffic powerful weapons across the border, the cultural and political obstacles to reform, and the ongoing efforts to curb …

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95: Israel and a Changed Middle East 1:00:09

3M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

The Middle East has undergone major shifts over the past 18 months, not least the Israel-Iran war that lasted for 12 days earlier this month and saw Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. A conversation with former diplomats Daniel Kurtzer and Aaron David Miller this past May illustrates the political dynamics shaping the future of…

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94: Global Sports and Soft Power Diplomacy 19:54

3M ago19:54

19:54

The U.S. is currently hosting the FIFA Men’s Club World Cup, an international competition between soccer club teams and the prelude to the larger and more widely anticipated FIFA Men’s World Cup hosted next summer across 16 North American cities. (The latter tournament is played between countries, instead of clubs.) Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen…

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90: Claudia Sheinbaum’s Balancing Act 41:16

3M ago41:16

41:16

Tony Payan joined David Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and host of the “Baker Briefing” podcast, to discuss the challenges Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is facing — both domestically and in its relationship with the United States. This conversation was recorded on May 14, 2025. You can subscrib…

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93: Claudia Sheinbaum’s Balancing Act (Part 2) 23:43

3M ago23:43

23:43

This is the second episode in a two-part conversation on the challenges facing Mexico domestically and in its relationship with the United States. Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico, joins “Baker Briefing” to examine the host of issues facing the U.S.-Mexico relationship under Presidents Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum. H…

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92: Claudia Sheinbaum’s Balancing Act (Part 1) 19:02

4M ago19:02

19:02

This is the first episode in a two-part conversation on the challenges facing Mexico domestically and in its relationship with the United States. Mexico held its first judicial elections on June 1, following last year’s sweeping overhaul of the judiciary. Center for the U.S. and Mexico director Tony Payan joins “Baker Briefing” to discuss the impli…

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Introducing the ‘Texas Briefing’ Podcast 1:16

4M ago1:16

1:16

Introducing “Texas Briefing,” a new podcast that brings expert insights into the challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State. Institute scholars and their guests will untangle issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities, from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. In our first …

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91: Putting Safety First in the Firearm Policy Debate 32:27

4M ago32:27

32:27

Drs. Sandra McKay and Eric Fleegler, both experts in the Baker Institute Firearm Injury Prevention and Safety Program, joined “Baker Briefing” to discuss the worsening gun injury epidemic ahead of our fourth annual firearm injury prevention conference on June 6. They discussed areas of consensus among firearm-owners and non-owners alike, including …

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90: As the US Steps Back, Can China Fill the Void? 26:08

4M ago26:08

26:08

In its first months, the second Trump administration has upended the alliances, institutions, and norms that have anchored U.S. foreign policy for decades — hiking tariffs on virtually all countries, downplaying U.S. military commitments, and all but dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. Meanwhile, as the U.S. steps back from a…

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89: Binational Dialogues: José Antonio Meade 36:10

4M ago36:10

36:10

On April 24, 2025, we hosted the inaugural webinar of our “Binational Dialogues” series, titled “Mexico’s Economy Today” and featuring José Antonio Meade Kuribreña. Meade offered an in-depth analysis of the current state of Mexico’s economy, followed by a thoughtful conversation with Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico. Meade…

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89: What Lies Ahead for Syria? 32:55

4M ago32:55

32:55

Syria’s 13-year civil war came to a stunning end on Dec. 8, 2024, when rebel fighters led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham succeeded in toppling the brutal dictatorship of Bashar Assad. With the country now deeply fragmented and impoverished, what will the future of governance be under the transitional government of Ahmad al-Sharaa? Rana …

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88: Boosting Tech Entrepreneurship in Chihuahua (Guests: Kevin Koym and Ana Victoria Gutiérrez) 28:06

4M ago28:06

28:06

Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico, is joined by Kevin Koym, founder and CEO of Tech Ranch, and Ana Victoria Gutiérrez, ecosystem intelligence leader at Startup Chihuahua. Together, they explore how strategic investment and community collaboration are driving the growth of tech entrepreneurship in Chihuahua. Featured guests:…

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87: Trump’s Sprawling Deportation Campaign (Guests: David Donatti, Luz Garcini & Tony Payan) 42:07

5M ago42:07

42:07

Last month, Tony Payan joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast along with Rice University professor Luz Maria Garcini and ACLU of Texas attorney David Donatti to discuss the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. They explored the legal and social implications of the administration’s unconventional targeting of legal permanent and temporary …

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88: Hospital Price Transparency Rules Still Aren’t Working 24:20

5M ago24:20

24:20

Federal hospital price transparency rules went into effect in 2021. Four years later, hospitals across the country — including the four largest hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, as assessed in a new Baker Institute brief — still aren’t complying. On this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Vivian Ho explains why opacity in pricing is a key driver of …

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87: America’s AI Strategy Is Falling Short 41:25

5M ago41:25

41:25

We’re in a new era of discovery in the history of artificial intelligence, but rapid advances in the technology are also bringing major risks. Moshe Vardi, a leading expert in computational engineering and Baker Institute fellow, joins the podcast to discuss the ethical and strategic choices on AI facing the U.S. amid its competition with China and…

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86: Trump’s Sprawling Deportation Campaign 39:57

5M ago39:57

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With its aggressive mass deportation campaign, the Trump administration is attempting to reshape long-standing U.S. immigration policy — and increasingly defying constitutional guardrails in the process. On this episode, experts examine the legal and social implications of the administration’s unconventional targeting of legal permanent and tempora…

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Introducing Our New Show: ‘The Two-Handed Economist’ 25:33

5M ago25:33

25:33

Introducing “The Two-Handed Economist” — a new podcast with timely analysis of economic policy developments from John Diamond, director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy. Why a two-handed economist? President Harry Truman famously asked for a one-handed economist, tired of hearing, “On the one hand, this,” and “On the other hand, that.” On “T…

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85: Two Years of Civil War and Humanitarian Disaster in Sudan 26:06

5M ago26:06

26:06

April 15 marked the second anniversary of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a conflict that has resulted in 150,000 people killed, over 10 million displaced, and an estimated 25 million at risk of starvation. Sudan has seen civil war before in its tumultuous postcolonial history — but this conflict is different. Susan Stigant, former director of the …

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84: An Uncertain Future for Humanitarian Aid 32:48

5M ago32:48

32:48

The Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and aid budget cuts in the U.K., France, and other Western countries present a stark turning point for the international humanitarian aid system. Sonali Korde, the Baker Institute’s MD Anderson Visiting Fellow and the former assistant to the administrato…

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86: Trump’s Mass Deportation Policy and the US Labor Market (Guest: Chloe East) 30:16

6M ago30:16

30:16

President Donald Trump has promised to carry out a mass deportation effort that would remove millions of immigrants residing illegally in the United States. Will the massive scale of deportations improve the U.S. economy and deliver greater job prospects for U.S.-born workers, as Trump has claimed? In early March, “México Centered” host Tony Payan …

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83: The Truth About … the Misinformation Fueling the Measles Outbreak 45:12

6M ago45:12

45:12

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, meaning it was stopped from spreading freely. But that’s no longer the case. By April 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported more than 480 cases nationwide and one death in 2025. Meanwhile, social media and podcasting platforms are rife with misinformation about the severi…

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82: How Risky Is Gain-of-Function Research, Really? 28:21

6M ago28:21

28:21

Debates around gain-of-function research, which genetically alters an organism to give it new functions, became highly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public figures began to speculate that the virus responsible was created through gain-of-function experiments in Wuhan, China. But many scientists maintain that this kind of research helps…

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85: Mexico’s Artificial Intelligence Future Pt. 2 (Guests: Laura Ripani & Alejandro Dabdoub) 18:32

6M ago18:32

18:32

On “México Centered,” host Tony Payan continued his conversation on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Mexico with Laura Ripani, Mexico’s country representative at the Inter-American Development Bank, and friend of the podcast Alejandro Dabdoub. They explored major questions about the future of work as AI advances: What implications does…

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81: Houston’s Schools Face an Enrollment Paradox. What Now? 21:25

6M ago21:25

21:25

Like other urban districts around the country, Houston Independent School District (HISD) has seen enrollment drop significantly over the past decade. But while the district’s schools are under capacity overall, with an average campus utilization rate of 77%, some of its campuses are meanwhile facing a paradoxical challenge: overcrowding. Bill King…

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80: Rethinking Climate Migration: Agency and Adaptability 17:03

6M ago17:03

17:03

The climate crisis is driving more and more people around the world to leave their homes and communities, often permanently. This isn’t an issue for the distant future: 26.4 million displacements related to natural disasters and slow-onset events like drought and sea-level rise were recorded around the world in 2023 alone. Julia Blocher, a project …

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79: What Would School Vouchers Mean for Texas K-12 Education? 21:01

7M ago21:01

21:01

School voucher programs — also known as education savings accounts or school choice — allow families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. They have swept across the U.S. over the past decade, and now the Texas Legislature looks poised to enact a school voucher program of its own. In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ed Emmett sits…

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84: How Will Trump’s Tariffs Impact American Industry and Consumers? (Guests: John Diamond, Steven Lewis & Ken Medlock) 41:15

7M ago41:15

41:15

In February, “México Centered” host Tony Payan joined three other Baker Institute experts to explore President Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on Mexican, Canadian, and Chinese goods and what they mean for U.S. industries and consumers — as well as our relationships with our largest trading partners. The conversation was moderated by John Di…

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78: The Politics of Art and Diplomacy 24:58

7M ago24:58

24:58

Can art be a tool for diplomacy? How can cultural exchange shape foreign policy? In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” William Luers joins David M. Satterfield to discuss the intersections of art, diplomacy, and international relations. Drawing from his time as a U.S. diplomat in Europe and Latin America and as president of the Metropolitan Museum o…

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77: Did Two Decades of Urban Renewal Benefit Small Businesses in Houston’s Third Ward? 25:24

7M ago25:24

25:24

Houston’s Third Ward is one of the city’s most historic Black neighborhoods. It’s also the site of longstanding and consequential debates about gentrification and redevelopment. Urban revitalization is meant to spur economic growth and benefit inner-city communities like the Third Ward — but do the changes actually benefit existing small business o…

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76: Trump’s ‘America First’ Foreign Policy 32:45

7M ago32:45

32:45

Donald Trump entered office promising to be the “America First” president. But what does that mean for U.S. foreign policy? And what challenges and opportunities will Trump and Marco Rubio, his secretary of state, face regarding the Middle East, Ukraine, and the nation’s global alliances? In this episode of “Baker Briefing,” David Satterfield sits …

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83: Mexico’s Artificial Intelligence Future Pt. 1 (Guests: Claudia del Pozo & Alejandro Dabdoub) 22:02

7M ago22:02

22:02

Mexico was once one of the biggest leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) globally, but progress has since stalled. Now, there’s renewed hope: President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024, has created an Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT), and the topic is also receiving attention from the Mexican Congr…