Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast

When we look at elections, the narrative usually centers on promises of transformation, economic expansion, or fresh starts. But what happens when an entire nation holds together not by alignment with a vision, but by a collective effort to keep the alternative out?

This is the core dilemma defining the face-off between presidential candidates President Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, where voter rejection on both sides far outweighs genuine enthusiasm for a different future. In our latest episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, Dr. Ricardo Chaves Lima analyzes Brazil’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections on October 4th. Dr. Chaves has a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville; he is currently a professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco and is a close partner of IPS Brasil. ‍

‍The incoming president faces global and domestic crises: navigating trade tensions with the U.S., balancing BRICS agreements, managing the climate crisis with some deniers still in power, and repairing a broken education system.

In this episode, we don’t offer campaign predictions. Instead, we pull back the curtain on how budgetary power, institutional barriers, populism and voter psychology will impact the result on October 4th. 

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When the Sustainable Development Goals were unveiled in 2015, they weren't designed for modest, step-by-step improvements. They required a massive, structural leap in how societies function.

Over the past decade, tracking metrics beyond simple GDP has revealed that economic growth alone is failing to hit core benchmarks for social and environmental wellbeing. 

Gains in basic infrastructure like water, sanitation, and connectivity are hitting hard walls, while fundamental freedoms are sliding backward at a pace hard to ignore.

Are we looking at a temporary setback caused by recent global shocks, or has the global development model itself reached its absolute limit?

In this episode, Michael Green analyzes whether his past predictions have come true. 

He also explores 15 years of data with the 2026 Global Social Progress Index to map where the world actually stands, why the biggest nations are causing massive swings in global trends, and what piece of the puzzle must be restored before any real progress can resume.

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Every conversation about artificial intelligence seems caught between apocalyptic doom and miraculous promises. But what is AI actually doing to human progress right now?

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Dr. Emrys Schoemaker, Executive Director of the Global Digital Governance Lab, to discuss what AI actually means for the world right now: Is AI going to lift humanity out of economic and social progress stagnation, or are we heading toward a quiet collapse of trust, resources, and accountability? 

They explore the surprising reality of job displacement across different economies, the threat of accountability issues posed by AI making life-altering decisions, and the environmental impact. They also tackle the messy reality of global AI governance and the battle between big tech monopolies and open-source models.

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Air quality influences our brain function, physical wellbeing, and long-term lifespan far more than we realize. In this episode, we examine the massive, underreported threats floating through our air and why traditional broad-scale data points miss what is happening on a block-by-block level.

Louise Thomas, CEO of Air Aware Labs, shares her journey from British civil service to building an extraordinary digital solution: a tool with air quality insights that track your pollution exposure and help you train, commute and live healthier across the world. 

• How early in life does air pollution actually start to impact us?
• What’s worse: air pollution, smoking, or obesity? 
• Does it really matter what time of day you open your windows?

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With Keir Starmer out and Andy Burnham stepping in as Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, the new administration faces a nation stuck on a 15-year social progress track. In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, Michael Green addresses Prime Minister Burnham directly, laying out an evidence-based roadmap for positive change grounded in the Social Progress Index.

Michael challenges traditional political reliance on GDP data, exposing why economic growth alone fails to secure voter approval if daily lived experiences remain unchanged. From rethinking Boris Johnson’s failed leveling-up agenda to fixing the structural flaws in the housing market, this episode breaks down what it will truly take to deliver a lasting legacy in the UK.

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Why does treating mental health as a civil rights cause matter? 

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green explores with guest Jono Wilde the urgent need to rethink how society treats mental health, sharing how decades of neglect and stigma have cost us millions of lives and constant suffering. 

Jono, Executive Director at The Good Life Movement, talks about how treating mental health as a civil rights movement is the solution. Imagine if mental health isn't just treated medically but protected as fundamental human rights. Jono shares a bold framework that could revolutionize mental health policy in the U.S. and beyond. It covers everything from anti-discrimination protections to youth education, community funding, innovative research and more. 

This episode also offers clear solutions and ideas on how we can all support this movement. Advocating for systemic change isn’t easy, but each one of us can make a difference if we address the issue at the root. Tune in to learn how talking openly, investing wisely, and enacting civil rights legislation can transform mental health care and save lives. 

Explore the full Mental Health Civil Rights Bill as part of The Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness Act led by the Good Life Movement: https://goodlifemovement.org/

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Michael Green explores the key factors that influence where people choose to live. From safety to education, and health, discover what truly matters when selecting which U.S. state is better to live in.

Discover the top five states in America for quality of life, as ranked by the U.S. Social Progress Map, and learn about the unique strengths and challenges of each.

Whether you're considering a move, business opportunities or simply curious about the best places to live, this short clip offers valuable insights and data-driven recommendations.

Find how your state, city and neighborhood are performing on social progress at https://www.socialprogress.org/us

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Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. 

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In this series, we explore the best big cities in America for quality of life, not just by income but by real quality indicators of societal wellbeing. Discover which of the biggest cities in the U.S. with a population of more than a million people like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, offer the best living conditions. 

From safety and education to housing and rights, we rank these cities to help you find your ideal home or next business investment. Tune in to see why Chicago takes the top spot and learn more about the surprising differences between big cities and smaller towns.

Explore the U.S. Social Progress Map and access social progress data for all states, the 500 largest cities and their 32,000 neighborhoods. Register Now: https://www.socialprogress.org/us 

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Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. 

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Michael Green explores the best cities to live in America, focusing on what truly matters: safety, education, healthcare, and social wellbeing. 

Discover the top five cities in the United States, including Folsom, Newton, Centennial, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. Learn why these cities excel in social progress and what makes them stand out. 

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Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. 

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How is Pakistan quietly changing from within? With a population of 250 million and positioned at the crossroads of South Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan's social and economic progress significantly influences regional stability and global growth. 

Host Michael Green sits down with development economist Sheheryar Khan (University of Bari and Researcher at the Social Progress Imperative) to look beyond traditional economic metrics and assess the true state of social progress in Pakistan.  In the interview, we challenge common narratives about Pakistan and share insights into real progress amid adversity. 

Pakistan's current social progress ranking is 142nd out of 171 countries, comparable to Nigeria or Malawi. Its economic resources have yet to fully translate into quality-of-life improvements for its citizens. Over the past 15 years, Pakistan's social progress has grown modestly, about 5 points on the Social Progress Index, but stagnation since 2019 signals ongoing challenges.

Michael and Shahreya discuss: 

• How Pakistan’s diversity, a strength and a challenge, requires innovative approaches for progress to truly take hold.
• The importance of addressing regional disparities between urban centers like Islamabad and rural provinces.
• The gap between basic primary school funding and higher education success.
• Why local community cohesion keeps daily life remarkably safe despite national security reputations.w
• The true state of rights, inclusion and environmental quality in the country. 
• How a special income support program, a massive digitalization push, and a solar energy transition are quietly improving nutrition, basic healthcare, and housing.

While Pakistan's social progress has been uneven and beset by setbacks, it also possesses deep resilience and immense potential. This episode is perfect for policymakers, development enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the stories behind a nation in transition. 

Please follow and rate our show! 

Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/

Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. 

Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! 

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