Best Derek Joyce Podcasts (2025)

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Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn 55:52

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1d ago55:52

55:52

Can today’s science fiction become tomorrow’s guidebook for change? Zachary and Emma sit down with Ed Finn, the visionary behind the Center for Science and the Imagination at ASU and academic director of Future Tense. Ed explores the intersection between sci-fi and real world science, the complexities of new technologies like AI and gene editing, a…

1
The Progress Report: Techie to Trekkie: AirPods That Translate! 13:43

6d ago13:43

13:43

Get ready for another uplifting Progress Report! This week, Zachary and Emma bring you inspiring stories of innovation and hope from across the globe. Trekkies rejoice as Apple’s new AirPods push tech into sci-fi territory with real-time language translation, Europe is seeing fewer flood fatalities and less damage thanks to cutting-edge warning sys…

51
The Guardian of Public Lands with Josh Jackson 51:33

8d ago51:33

51:33

How do we protect America’s wild open spaces while meeting the demands of conservation, recreation, and development? Zachary welcomes Josh Jackson, author of The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California's Public Lands. Founder of the Forgotten Lands Project, Josh aims to connect people with these landscapes through immersive storytelling and experi…

51
Democracy’s Next Chapter: Hope or Decline? with Brink Lindsey 44:30

15d ago44:30

44:30

What really went wrong with global politics? Emma welcomes Brink Lindsey, Senior VP at the Niskanen Center and author of The Captured Economy: How the Powerful Enrich Themselves, Slow Down Growth, and Increase Inequality. Lindsey traces how politics, culture, and economics became unstable, from the development of liberal capitalism since the 1990s …

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Parent by Numbers with Emily Oster 50:12

22d ago50:12

50:12

How can parents use data without becoming overwhelmed by getting things right and wrong? Zachary and Emma welcome Emily Oster, a professor of economics and author of several data-driven parenting and pregnancy books, including Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong and What You Really Need to Know. Known for her data-drive…

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The Progress Report: Clean Energy Is Crushing It 14:30

27d ago14:30

14:30

On this week’s Progress Report, Emma covers a whopping five reports of optimism from around the world. Poverty is declining in Iraq and Indonesia, and risk of child poverty is down across Europe. China reports a dip in its emissions that may continue, and Africa has invested heavily in solar energy over the past year. There are positive development…

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The Chilean Mining Disaster (part 2) 1:09:09

27d ago1:09:09

1:09:09

Join us for the second part of The #Chilean #Mining #Disaster which occurred in 2010, when thirty-three miners were trapped after a 770,000 ton chunk of the #mountain BROKE OFF and fell into the mine. It took the owners of the mine more than an excusable amount of time to alert authorities to the #accident. When emergency response teams eventually …

1
Godfather of the New Right with Sam Tanenhaus 1:11:56

29d ago1:11:56

1:11:56

What can we learn from the history of the American Right? Zachary and Emma welcome Sam Tanenhaus, historian and author, whose most recent work is his biography Buckley: The Life and Revolution That Changed America. Sam shares insights from his deep dive into the career of conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr., the country’s “first intellectual e…

1
The Progress Report: We're Divorcing Like It's 1959 11:47

1M ago11:47

11:47

This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma cut through the doom and gloom to deliver feel-good news. This episode covers stories from the USDA’s hilariously unconventional wolf-deterring tactics (hint: it involves Scarlett Johansson) to an inspiring drop in U.S. divorce rates, America’s hidden fitness boom, and a remarkable victory over pov…

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Is the US Still a Rule of Law Country? with Joyce Vance 54:51

1M ago54:51

54:51

It’s time to right the ship of democracy! Zachary and Emma sit down with powerhouse legal expert Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney and author of the popular Civil Discourse Substack and upcoming book Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy. Pulling on her 25 years of experience at the DOJ, Joyce pulls back the curtain on how fed…

1
The Progress Report: Crime Is Down, Fear Is Up! 19:14

1M ago19:14

19:14

On this week’s episode, Zachary and Emma dig into three surprising pieces of underreported good news. Illinois becomes the first state to ban AI from acting as a therapist, which is sparking a debate about ethics, tech limits, and vulnerable users. Global deaths from extreme weather have hit record lows in 2025, and in the U.S., the FBI’s final 202…

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The Chilean Mine Disaster (part 1) 53:49

1M ago53:49

53:49

Join us in this episode as we take a gander at The Chilean Mine Disaster at the Copiapo mine in 2010, where 33 of the 34 men on shift that day were trapped. A 770,000 ton chunk of the mountain, sheered off and fell into the mine, completely blocking the access ramp, leaving them no chance of escape. There's lots of human ingenuity on display here, …

1
Shaking Up the Vatican with Austen Ivereigh 50:54

1M ago50:54

50:54

How can an American pope change the world? Zachary and Emma dive deep with renowned papal expert Austen Ivereigh, British journalist, acclaimed author, and historian, to discuss Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the US. Austen shares insider insights into the pope’s whirlwind early months at the Vatican and unpacks the ideological tug-of-war betwee…

1
Are We Wasting Our Talent? with Rutger Bregman 52:04

2M ago52:04

52:04

Are we measuring success all wrong? Rutger Bregman seems to think so. Zachary and Emma welcome Rutger, a Dutch historian and journalist, and author of Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference. The founder of the School for Moral Ambition, Rutger challenges society’s flawed definition of success, stresses supportive and…

1
The Progress Report: Japan’s Tsunami Tech Saves Lives 13:01

2M ago13:01

13:01

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma dive into some optimistic stories you may have missed during your doomscrolling. From tsunami-stopping tech in Japan to social media-powered rescue missions in Ghana and the groundbreaking frontiers of male birth control, this isn’t your usual ocean of depressing news. What Could Go Right? is produce…

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The History of Teeth (part 2) 35:32

2M ago35:32

35:32

In The History of #Teeth part 2, we finish looking at more recent #DentalPractices. We look at the #hygiene people used to undertake (and "undertake" is a deliberate choice of word, listen to find out why)! We talk about oul #George #Washington's choppers and how great they were (spoiler alert: they weren't), the pain-killing techniques used back i…

1
Does the Deficit Even Matter? with Stephanie Kelton 57:38

2M ago57:38

57:38

Is everything you know about government spending upside down? Zachary and Emma welcome trailblazing economist and author Stephanie Kelton, champion of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), to challenge the way we think about deficits, inflation, and what really matters for America’s financial future. Stephanie warns about the real dangers behind rising wea…

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Education Where the Internet Can't Reach with Laura Hosman 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas shine a light on a powerful form of providing education. This week, they’re joined by Laura Hosman of Arizona State University, creator of SolarSPELL, an offline, solar-powered digital library making education possible where internet access doesn't exist. Discover how SolarSPELL is transforming classrooms from …

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The Progress Report: $16 Billion for Childcare and the World's First Climate Visa 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma bring your antidote to the daily doom and gloom, from surprising political wins and innovative scientific breakthroughs to heartwarming stories that often go overlooked. The FDA's latest help for dog lovers, Australia’s bold climate visa for Tuvaluans, and an unexpected bipartisan win for families …

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The History of Teeth (Part One) 55:11

2M ago55:11

55:11

This week we're taking a light-hearted look at teeth. This isn't about any poor, unfortnutate souls who are tormented by their #choppers (a pain I know all too well), this is about how our teeth became the essential bit of kit they are. How come we have #wisdomteeth? In most cases, they're the teeth that turn up long after all of the others and wre…

1
A Historian’s Look Into America’s Future with Garrett Graff 46:00

2M ago46:00

46:00

What can Americans look forward to despite today's lack of trust in the government? Zachary and Emma welcome Garrett Graff, journalist, historian, and author of several books, including Pulitzer finalist Watergate: A New History. He also hosts the Long Shadow podcast, which covers topics from 9/11 to American far right extremists. Garrett discusses…

1
The Progress Report: Clean Up on Aisle Everest 14:36

3M ago14:36

14:36

On this week’s episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma dig up the good news buried beneath the usual headlines, celebrating Costa Rica’s leap into high-income status and the upward mobility of Cape Verde and Samoa, marveling at Paris’s historic $1.4 billion effort to make the Seine swimmable again for local residents, highlighting a Suprem…

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What Makes Societies Thrive? with Johan Norberg 53:59

3M ago53:59

53:59

What made history’s golden ages thrive? Zachary and Emma speak with Johan Norberg, historian, documentary filmmaker, and author of Peak Human: What We Can Learn from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages. Johan discusses what special societal qualities produced golden ages across history, as well as why these civilizations declined, what we can learn fr…

1
The Progress Report: A Robot Saved My Heart 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma bring more uplifting headlines you won’t find in your usual news feed. America’s prison population is dropping fast, thanks to a dramatic decrease in youth incarceration. The first fully robotic heart transplant in the U.S. marks a giant leap for medical innovation, eliminating the need for open-ch…

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Women Who Didn't Get The Credit 1:05:33

3M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Since records began, women have been getting a raw deal in every field of discovery. Treated as second-class citizens, women have had to fight adversity from all sides just to be recognised for the work they've done. Whether that's in science, art or even something as common as the disposable nappy/diaper (that's actually a thing, Google: Marion Do…

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Climate Change's Agriculture Problem with Michael Grunwald 55:26

3M ago55:26

55:26

Can we feed the world without destroying it? Zachary and Emma speak with Michael Grunwald, award-winning journalist and author known for his work on the environment and national politics. He is currently a senior writer for Politico Magazine and author of We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate. Michael discuss…

1
The Progress Report: FDA Approves HIV Prevention Gamechanger 18:53

3M ago18:53

18:53

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma spotlight the stories that prove the world is moving forward, from Ireland’s bold move to end coal power to major U.S. brands ditching synthetic food dyes to breakthrough HIV prevention. They also cover how aviation safety is getting a high-tech upgrade as airlines roll out new cockpit alert systems …

1
Are High-Achieving Families Born or Made? with Susan Dominus 48:04

3M ago48:04

48:04

Can sibling rivalries shape success? Zachary and Emma speak with Susan Dominus, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. She is the author of The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success. Susan shares case studies about high-achieving families and how siblings can be powerful motivators…

1
The Progress Report: Child Labor Drops by 100 Million 12:31

3M ago12:31

12:31

On this week’s Progress Report, Emma is going solo with the news. Discover how global child labor has nearly halved since 2000, why alarming disaster statistics might be more about better data than a world in crisis, and how Britain’s zoos are rolling out major reforms to improve animal welfare. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Netw…

1
The Capitalism Conundrum with John Cassidy 56:14

3M ago56:14

56:14

Does capitalism deserve its bad rap? Zachary and Emma speak with John Cassidy, longtime staff writer at The New Yorker and author of several acclaimed books on economics, including his recent work, Capitalism and Its Critics: A History from the Industrial Revolution to AI. He discusses the current sentiment on capitalism along with historical conte…

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The Progress Report: With or Without the U.S. 18:17

3M ago18:17

18:17

This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma cut through the noise of a turbulent news week to spotlight stories of real progress. From the historic UN ocean treaty poised to protect international waters, to shifting global attitudes on gender and record-high American retirement savings, Zachary and Emma look at how the world is moving forwar…

1
Judicial vs. Executive: Preventing a King with Jeffrey Rosen 58:13

4M ago58:13

58:13

How is the Constitution interpreted today? Zachary and Emma speak with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and host of its “We the People” podcast. Jeffrey is also a law professor at George Washington University and author of the upcoming book “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting B…

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Progress Report: Vatican City Runs on Pure Sunshine 15:30

4M ago15:30

15:30

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma explore news stories that highlight human progress, from a university student’s discovery of a fungus related to LSD to a breakthrough in HIV research that could lead to a cure. Also, there’s more power and less murder, as Vatican City is running completely on solar energy while Brazil has reported a…

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Democrats: What the Heck Happened? with Jaime Harrison 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

What do Democrats do next? Zachary and Emma speak with Jaime Harrison, lawyer and former chair of the Democratic National Committee. Jaime discusses Joe Biden’s 2024 candidacy and Kamala Harris’ nomination, the roles and limitations of the DNC, and the need for the Democratic party to return to a grassroots, community-oriented approach. Jaime also …

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The Progress Report: The US Says 'I Don't' to Child Marriage 18:23

4M ago18:23

18:23

In this week’s Progress Report, Emma brings you the inspiring good news stories you might have missed. Discover how states across the U.S. are raising the minimum age for marriage, with Maine’s new law creating a “New England Wall” against child marriage. Celebrate the launch of Africa’s first continental space agency, promising better weather data…

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Introducing: The Ongoing Transformation 39:47

4M ago39:47

39:47

Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast called The Ongoing Transformation. It’s a biweekly podcast featuring conversations about science, technology, policy, and society. They speak with interesting thinkers—leading researchers, artists, policymakers, social theorists, and other luminaries—about the ways new knowledge transforms the world. The …

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The Progress Report: Crime Plummets in 2025! 15:17

4M ago15:17

15:17

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma serve up a fresh batch of good news you probably missed: U.S. crime rates are dropping to record lows, a bold new law is aimed at taking down revenge porn and AI deepfakes in just 48 hours, and Guinea-Bissau is throwing its very first art biennale, despite having almost no galleries or art schools. W…

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That Time The World Nearly Ended 1:14:49

4M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Join us this week as we take a look at a few incidents since 1945 when a couple of individuals in a position of power nearly did the #world in. But more than that, we're celebrating a few wonderful #humanbeings who, in a moment of clarity, made a different choice, saving us all. Listen in as we have a laugh at how near the #world came to #armageddo…

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The View from Canada with David Frum 1:00:00

4M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

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 tar…

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The Progress Report: Would You Let Snakes Bite You for Science? 13:49

4M ago13:49

13:49

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 immunit…

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Modern Money and Marketcrafters with Chris Hughes 51:55

4M ago51:55

51:55

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…

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Introducing The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) 25:14

5M ago25:14

25:14

Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast from our friends at Foreign Policy called The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO). It’s a series about women creating change through economic empowerment and it features female leaders from across the world. This episode was recorded live at this year's Munich Security Conference and focuses on th…

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The Progress Report: Ancient Scrolls Decoded by AI! 13:49

5M ago13:49

13:49

This week on The Progress Report, Emma and Zachary dive into the mysterious world of ancient Herculaneum scrolls—charred by Vesuvius, now decoded by AI and particle accelerators. Maryland smashes its conservation goals, becoming the first U.S. state to hit “30 by 30.” And, are we really past peak alcohol consumption? We unpack what it means for the…

1
The Swear Word Episode! 1:05:18

5M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! This is The Swear Word Episode - this is not for those with a sensitive disposition. Or young very people who are within ear-shot. Or old people within ear-shot. Or your Ma. Or Da. Or your boss. Or teacher - look, we're not trying to talk you out of this one because it's a good oul laugh but just choose where and when you liste…

1
The Supreme Court vs. Donald Trump with Stephen Vladeck 51:29

5M ago51:29

51:29

It’s time for a lesson on the U.S. Supreme Court. Zachary and Emma speak with Stephen Vladeck, CNN's Supreme Court analyst, law professor at the University of Texas, and author of the newsletter One First. The Supreme Court is at a crucial historical moment as it clashes with the Trump Administration. Stephen, Zachary, and Emma dive into the contro…

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The Progress Report: Science Tastes Like Chicken 14:10

5M ago14:10

14:10

This week on The Progress Report, hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas share a roundup of positive news from around the globe. Starlink has surged to become Nigeria’s second-largest internet provider, offering much-needed fast and reliable connectivity despite government concerns about foreign control. Japanese scientists have made a breakth…

1
Is the US Repeating Brexit's Mistakes? with Gillian Tett 57:05

5M ago57:05

57:05

By The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

1
The Progress Report: We've Got Aliens! 15:32

5M ago15:32

15:32

In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss positive news stories, including New Mexico’s free childcare program that has lifted 120,000 people out of poverty, an FBI initiative addressing unresolved crimes in Indian Country across the US, and the signs of life on a distant planet that NASA just detected. What Could Go R…

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The Chocolate & Popcorn Gods 54:11

5M ago54:11

54:11

Join us for a post #Easter special as we take a look back at an #episode from #Season1, The #Chocolate & #Popcorn #Gods. What better way to celebrate the start of the weekend, than by listening to how one the most loved #confectionary sweets got to our shores? From its #SouthAmerican #origins with the #Aztecs to #willywonka, have a listen back to h…

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Navigating and Negotiating the Middle East with Dr. Jon Alterman 55:51

5M ago55:51

55:51

What does the future of the Middle East look like? Zachary and Emma speak with Dr. Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he holds the Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace between Israel …