Best Migration Policy Institute Podcasts (2025)

1
Changing Climate, Changing Migration: Will Climate Change Push Some People into Statelessness? 27:04

Play Pause

1d ago27:04

27:04

Within the next few decades, rising sea levels could wipe some small Pacific Island nations off the face of the earth. The prospect that the physical territory of countries such as Kiribati and Tuvalu is no longer habitable raises the prospect that their nationals could lose their citizenship, becoming stateless. It also poses profound questions fo…

1
Will Climate Change Push Some People into Statelessness? 27:04

1d ago27:04

27:04

Within the next few decades, rising sea levels could wipe some small Pacific Island nations off the face of the earth. The prospect that the physical territory of countries such as Kiribati and Tuvalu is no longer habitable raises the prospect that their nationals could lose their citizenship, becoming stateless. It also poses profound questions fo…

1
Why Iranian American Immigrants Excel: Grit, Education, and the Fight for a Free Iran 47:57

3d ago47:57

47:57

What explains the outsized success of Iranian Americans—and can that same resolve help tilt the future of Iran? We bring together two sharp voices to unpack a story that spans kitchen-table sacrifice, elite migration, and a culture where A’s are expected and grit is non-negotiable. From early professional cohorts in medicine and engineering to foun…

1
How Cities Really Work 37:55

15d ago37:55

37:55

Tired of big talk that falls apart when the trash doesn’t get picked up? We bring together two insiders who’ve lived the fight from the council chamber to the mayor’s office to map how cities actually move: coalitions, budgets, police staffing, and the messy business of making streets feel safe. Houston’s recent pivot toward a centrist, basics-firs…

1
Are universities ready for the age of AI? 31:14

26d ago31:14

31:14

1
The Future of Space Defense 45:16

1M ago45:16

45:16

The landscape of American defense manufacturing has transformed dramatically since World War II—and not for the better. What happens when a nation with the world's most advanced military technology can't produce enough conventional artillery shells to supply Ukraine while maintaining its own reserves? This episode brings together three exceptional …

1
World of Migration: Humanitarian Protection at a Crossroads: What Future for the Strained Refugee System? 24:13

1M ago24:13

24:13

The global humanitarian protection system is at a critical juncture. It is under major strain as record numbers of people have been forced out of their homes by a complex array of factors and protracted crises. Yet at the same time, a system created in the wake of World War II no longer meets today’s challenges and is increasingly coming under poli…

1
Humanitarian Protection at a Crossroads: What Future for the Strained Refugee System? 24:13

1M ago24:13

24:13

The global humanitarian protection system is at a critical juncture. It is under major strain as record numbers of people have been forced out of their homes by a complex array of factors and protracted crises. Yet at the same time, a system created in the wake of World War II no longer meets today’s challenges and is increasingly coming under poli…

1
Immigration and Democracy: Rebuilding Trust in a Changing Europe 1:58:39

1M ago1:58:39

1:58:39

Public trust in migration systems—and in democracy more broadly—is eroding. As rapid demographic shifts fuel anxieties in many communities, governments are feeling the pressure and responding with increasingly restrictive policies—scaling back immigration, imposing stricter integration requirements, and narrowing pathways to long-term residency and…

1
AI's Boardroom Revolution 49:19

1M ago49:19

49:19

Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with th…

1
Inequality & Environmental Destruction: How Economic Hitmen Keep Countries Poor | John Perkins 57:39

1M ago57:39

57:39

Global poverty isn't just a result of history - it's an active system designed to extract resources from developing countries while keeping them in debt. Former economic hitman John Perkins reveals how corporations and wealthy nations impoverish the places with the most resources, and why this threatens humanity's survival. We explore the connectio…

1
Immigration Crossroads 43:57

1M ago43:57

43:57

Is there a middle ground between open borders and immigration restriction? This thought-provoking discussion with GOP strategist Mike Madrid and Venezuelan immigrant Dr. Daniel DiMartino explores the complex realities of America's immigration debate beyond the partisan talking points. The experts delve into surprising data showing how education lev…

1
On the Move: Rapidly Evolving Migration Trends and Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean 1:02:05

1M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

No single world region has experienced a greater relative increase in international migration since 2010 than Latin America and the Caribbean. Buffeted by displacement crises, economic dislocation, and changing migrant demographics, Latin America and the Caribbean have seen migration become one of the most pressing issues of our time. And while mov…

1
Changing Climate, Changing Migration: Connecting the Dots: How Climate Detectives Link Human-Caused Environmental Change to Migration 23:55

2M ago23:55

23:55

It is no easy task to say with certainty that a particular storm, drought, or other extreme weather event causes human displacement, or that those individual events are due to human-caused climate change. Hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, monsoons, and other sudden-onset events, as well as slow-onset ones such as drought, extreme heat, and sea-leve…

1
Connecting the Dots: How Climate Detectives Link Human-Caused Environmental Change to Migration 23:55

2M ago23:55

23:55

It is no easy task to say with certainty that a particular storm, drought, or other extreme weather event causes human displacement, or that those individual events are due to human-caused climate change. Hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, monsoons, and other sudden-onset events, as well as slow-onset ones such as drought, extreme heat, and sea-leve…

1
AI and the Future of Governance 49:19

2M ago49:19

49:19

The technological revolution of artificial intelligence isn't just changing how businesses operate—it's transforming how they're governed. In this riveting conversation, we're joined by Dean Yoost, former senior partner at PWC, and Ashwin Rangan, CEO of DoubleCheck, to explore their groundbreaking book "Governance in the Age of AI: A Director's Han…

1
World of Migration: Amid Backlash to Immigration, Can Contact Smooth Relations between Groups of Diverse Backgrounds? 33:21

2M ago33:21

33:21

The fact there is a growing backlash to immigration in communities around the world is well established. What is less discussed are the solutions to address decline in social cohesion and rise in mistrust, misinformation, and prejudice. Meaningful contact between different groups can reduce tensions. Under the right conditions, this dynamic can str…

1
Amid Backlash to Immigration, Can Contact Smooth Relations between Groups of Diverse Backgrounds? 33:21

2M ago33:21

33:21

The fact there is a growing backlash to immigration in communities around the world is well established. What is less discussed are the solutions to address decline in social cohesion and rise in mistrust, misinformation, and prejudice. Meaningful contact between different groups can reduce tensions. Under the right conditions, this dynamic can str…

1
Non-Aligned Nations-Navigating a Multipolar World 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

The global balance of power is undergoing a dramatic transformation that extends far beyond the US-China rivalry dominating Western headlines. This eye-opening conversation with experts from three continents reveals how developing nations are reshaping international relations through demographic advantages, economic growth, and strategic non-alignm…

1
The Gender Gap and its impact on the global future 36:54

3M ago36:54

36:54

The widening gender gap is reshaping American society in profound and troubling ways. Join hosts Marshall Toplansky and Joel Kotkin as they dive deep into this growing divide with Christine Emba, author of "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation," and Aaron Renn, writer of "Life in the Negative World." Drawing from fresh research including focus groups cond…

1
How does migration change our world? 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

In this final episode of season 4, Richard Westcott is joined by Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge) and Emmanuelle Auriol (Toulouse School of Economics) to explore the economic, legal, and social dimensions of migration. Drawing on insights from law and economics, the conversation explores how migration affects labour markets, legal protec…

1
Jewish Migration: The Southern Shift 48:22

4M ago48:22

48:22

America's Jewish geography is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shifting from its historical concentration in the Northeast to flourishing communities across the South and West. This fascinating evolution reflects broader demographic patterns while revealing unique insights about Jewish identity, community formation, and cultural adaptation. De…

1
What is the value of speaking other languages? 32:40

4M ago32:40

32:40

In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt to explore a big, everyday question: what is the value of speaking other languages? The conversation looks at how the languages we speak shape our sense of identity, influence how we think and reason, and affect how we relate to others. We explore how multilinguali…

1
AI Intentionality: Who’s Really in Control? 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

What happens when we give machines the power to think without ensuring they share our values? This riveting conversation dives deep into one of humanity's most pressing challenges: controlling artificial intelligence as it grows increasingly powerful. Joined by Roni Abovitz, founder of groundbreaking companies Mako Surgical and Magic Leap, and neur…

1
Making Migrant Return and Reintegration Sustainable: Lessons from Two Continents 1:10:52

4M ago1:10:52

1:10:52

As migrant return flows grow in complexity, the effectiveness of reintegration programming is coming under renewed scrutiny in Europe and Latin America. In Europe, the longstanding model of providing individual return packages—such as a small cash grant or temporary shelter—continues. But in an effort to make reintegration more sustainable, some po…

1
Changing Climate, Changing Migration: Small Islands, Big Challenges: Climate Change and Migration in the Caribbean 23:45

4M ago23:45

23:45

The small island nations that make up the Caribbean are incredibly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many people and businesses are concentrated along the coastline, exposing them to intensifying hurricanes and rising sea levels. Are these hazards prompting greater displacement, either within the region or beyond? And could they reduce t…

1
Small Islands, Big Challenges: Climate Change and Migration in the Caribbean 23:45

4M ago23:45

23:45

The small island nations that make up the Caribbean are incredibly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many people and businesses are concentrated along the coastline, exposing them to intensifying hurricanes and rising sea levels. Are these hazards prompting greater displacement, either within the region or beyond? And could they reduce t…

1
Debt, Demographics, and Diplomacy: Europe at the Crossroads 37:54

5M ago37:54

37:54

The economic and political landscape between the United States and Europe is undergoing a seismic shift as Trump's tariff threats create ripples across the Atlantic. Our expert guests, Professor Veronica de Romanis from Rome and journalist Fraser Myers from London, provide fascinating insights into how European countries are responding to this new …

1
Breaking Down the NYC Mayor's Race 48:29

5M ago48:29

48:29

The battle for New York City's future is heating up as former Governor Andrew Cuomo faces off against progressive challenger Zoran Mamdani in what's shaping up to be an unpredictable mayoral race. With ranked-choice voting, multiple candidates, and current Mayor Eric Adams making a last-minute decision not to run in the Democratic primary, the city…

1
World of Migration: The Future of Labor: Lessons from India in the Global Race for Talent 24:17

5M ago24:17

24:17

The global race for international talent has arrived. As populations in advanced industrial economies age and work evolves, labor shortages in critical sectors are increasingly driving countries to look outside their borders for workers. But in this context, who gets to migrate? And how? Crucially, can labor mobility be managed in a way that benefi…

1
The Future of Labor: Lessons from India in the Global Race for Talent 24:17

5M ago24:17

24:17

The global race for international talent has arrived. As populations in advanced industrial economies age and work evolves, labor shortages in critical sectors are increasingly driving countries to look outside their borders for workers. But in this context, who gets to migrate? And how? Crucially, can labor mobility be managed in a way that benefi…

1
Changing Climate, Changing Migration: Can AI Predict Climate Migration? 25:38

5M ago25:38

25:38

Does AI have a role to play in mapping and predicting climate migration trends? In this episode of the podcast, we explore the issue with John Aoga, a postdoctoral researcher at UCLouvain in Belgium. He led a study using machine learning algorithms to trace how climate shocks affected migration intentions in several countries in West Africa. We dis…

1
Can AI Predict Climate Migration? 25:38

5M ago25:38

25:38

Does AI have a role to play in mapping and predicting climate migration trends? In this episode of the podcast, we explore the issue with John Aoga, a postdoctoral researcher at UCLouvain in Belgium. He led a study using machine learning algorithms to trace how climate shocks affected migration intentions in several countries in West Africa. We dis…

1
The Five Years of Feudal Future 40:05

6M ago40:05

40:05

As the Feudal Future podcast marks its fifth anniversary, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky examine how dramatically our society has evolved since they first warned about the emergence of neo-feudalism—a concentration of wealth and power resembling historical feudal systems. The world has changed profoundly since they began. Political allian…

1
Supporting Migrants Returning to Fragile Contexts: Lessons from Iraq and Somalia 56:49

6M ago56:49

56:49

As the focus on returning failed asylum seekers and other migrants to their countries of origin remains high, there is a commensurate need to consider reintegration support that assists returnees in rebuilding their lives. Reintegration programs help returnees establish the social, economic, and psychosocial foundations needed to regain stability a…

1
Navigating US-Mexico Relations in Turbulent Times 39:55

6M ago39:55

39:55

The fault lines in US-Mexico relations have never been more visible. Our expert panel—featuring former CNN journalist Bruno Lopez and economist Alejandro Chaufen—brings decades of experience to unpacking one of North America's most crucial yet strained relationships. Recent polling reveals a shocking statistic: 80% of Mexicans now hold negative vie…

1
Why do we choose what we choose? 30:26

6M ago30:26

30:26

In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Simone Schnall, Catherine Molho, and Maximilian Müller to explore a big, everyday question: why do we make the choices we do? From decisions about money and morality to careers and relationships, the conversation digs into what really drives us—whether it’s emotions, social pressure, or the stories we …

1
Immigration Actions in First 100 Days of Trump Second Term 1:10:57

6M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

During his campaign, Donald Trump pledged swift and sweeping actions on immigration enforcement and policymaking more broadly. From his first day back in office, President Trump and his team began delivering on their promised “shock and awe,” with policies ranging from a halt to refugee resettlement and dramatically widened immigration enforcement …