We’re looking at one of the fastest-growing crime problems in America: scams. From fake texts and phone calls to online attacks and fraudulent charges, scams have become a constant part of daily life for many Americans. But the data challenge a common assumption: older adults are not the only ones being targeted. Younger and lower-income Americans are often more likely to report being victimized, while many people never report scams at all because they feel embarrassed, do not know where to turn, or assume nothing can be done. We break down who is getting scammed, how much money Americans are losing, and whether the government or technology companies are doing enough to protect people.

Then, we turn to family size and the growing gap between the number of children Americans say is ideal and the number they are actually having. The U.S. fertility rate has reached another historic low, even as many Americans still say two or three children is the ideal family size. Rising costs, delayed marriage, childcare concerns, and changing life priorities are all part of the picture. We look at why more adults say they may never have children, why concern about the declining birth rate is growing, and why many Americans still do not want the government involved in encouraging people to have more kids.

And, for the fun fact, we explore what Americans think may happen after this life...or what happened before it!

We’re exploring a growing sense of disconnection in America. From loneliness to broader feelings of dissatisfaction, many people — especially men — are struggling to find meaningful connection, purpose, and support. What was once dismissed as a personal issue is now increasingly being framed as a public health concern, with the former Surgeon General even declaring an “epidemic of loneliness.” We break down what the latest research says about the rise in isolation, why young men appear to be disproportionately affected, and what may be driving this trend — from changing relationship patterns and declining social interaction to technology and shifting expectations around work, identity, and community. We also ask whether loneliness is the problem, itself, or a symptom of something deeper about how Americans are living, working, and relating to one another. 

Then, we talk about one of the most overlooked human senses: smell. For millions of Americans, especially after COVID-19, losing the ability to smell has become an unexpected and often lasting reality. But researchers say this is about far more than simply missing flavors or scents. Smell is uniquely tied to memory and emotion, serving as a direct pathway to the parts of the brain responsible for nostalgia, emotional connection, and even cognitive function. As scientists learn more about the long-term effects of smell loss, questions are emerging about its links to mental health, memory decline, and everyday safety. We take a closer look at why this once “neglected sense” may actually be far more important than many of us ever realized — and what happens when people lose a key way of experiencing and remembering the world. 

And, for the fun fact, we're asking for the second week in a row, where Americans want to take a summer vacation. This time from 1939.

Americans overwhelmingly oppose partisan gerrymandering in principle, with large bipartisan majorities saying congressional maps should not be drawn to favor one party and strongly supporting independent commissions over politicians controlling the process. However, attitudes become more partisan in practice, as many Democrats and Republicans support gerrymandering when it benefits their own side, revealing a tension between support for fairness and political self-interest, even as majorities say partisan redistricting is bad for democracy.

Then, Americans spent a record $104.7 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, nearly double what they spent in 2008, and the growth has been nearly uninterrupted for over a decade. The most common form of play is the scratch-off ticket, purchased by more than a third of American adults in the past year, followed closely by jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The median gambler wagers just $120 a year, but a small share of heavy players pulls the average to over $1,000, suggesting that for most Americans, lottery play is a modest, recurring habit rather than a serious financial strategy. States collect the difference between what players spend and what they win, directing those proceeds, now $34.5 billion annually, toward education, infrastructure, and public services. The lottery, in other words, is simultaneously one of the country's most popular forms of entertainment and one of its least examined public finance mechanisms. Most players lose. Most states depend on them doing so.

Finally, a fun fact for the unofficial start of summer this long holiday weekend. A question about vacations that leaves us a little confused about the answers offered.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at one of the few issues that appears to unite Americans across the political spectrum: concern about money in politics. From campaign spending and lobbying to billionaire influence and “dark money,” recent polling suggests large majorities of Americans believe wealth and special interests now hold too much power in shaping elections and political decision-making. Many also say the current system weakens democracy and creates the appearance of corruption, concerns that cut across party lines. At the same time, campaign finance reform has historically struggled to become a top public priority, even as election spending continues to reach record highs. In this segment, we break down what Americans think about the role of money in politics, why these concerns have become so widespread, and what they reveal about trust in the political system today.

We’re also examining how pets are increasingly becoming central to American family life. Pet ownership has reached record levels in the United States, and nearly all pet owners now describe their animals as part of the family. For many younger Americans especially, pets are not just companions but emotional anchors, sources of stability, and in some cases even substitutes for traditional milestones like marriage or parenthood. At the same time, the share of households with children continues to decline, while spending on pets continues to rise. In this segment, we explore what these changing attitudes toward pets reveal about shifting ideas surrounding family, adulthood, caregiving, and modern American life.

And finally, for our fun fact we are breaking down our dreams. Do you remember the details, the vibes, or nothing at all?

This week, we're breaking down our new national poll conducted with NPR and PBS News. President Donald Trump's job approval rating remains in the high 30s, with Americans' concerns cutting across multiple issues. Domestically, affordability remains a worry, and many say the economy is not working well for them personally. At the same time, views on foreign policy are also shaping public opinion, with a majority believing the United States’ position on the world stage has weakened. More than six in ten also say recent military action in Iran has done more harm than good. In this segment, we break down how these concerns connect, what they reveal about the current public mood, and their implications for the midterm elections.

We also zoom out to examine how Americans’ perceptions of the economy have evolved over the past year. What started in 2025 as growing worry about the cost of living has gradually turned into a broader sense of economic frustration. Over time, more Americans have come to feel that the economy is falling short in meeting their needs. By early 2026, concern about inflation had expanded across party lines. The data suggest that people are judging the economy less by traditional indicators and more by their day-to-day financial reality, whether they can keep up with rising prices and cover their monthly expenses. On both fronts, sentiment has clearly declined.

And, lastly, is age just a number? We are discussing the youthful age of 75.

On this week’s Poll Hub:

After the recent shooting tied to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, we take a step back to look at how Americans are responding to the broader issue of political violence. New polling shows widespread concern that this type of violence is on the rise, but also a growing willingness among some to see it as justified in certain situations. We unpack what’s behind this shift, including generational divides, rising polarization, and how today’s political rhetoric may be shaping the way people think about conflict and accountability.

We also explore how public opinion around energy is becoming more complicated. While many Americans say they support expanding cleaner energy sources, those views are far from uniform and often shift depending on how the issue is framed. When questions turn to tradeoffs and affordability, support can become more uncertain. Additionally, political polarization seems to play an even larger role in this issue now. We break down how these mixed attitudes highlight a broader tension between long-term environmental goals and short-term practical concerns.

Finally, our fun fact has us debating whether range anxiety is enough to keep people from buying an EV, or whether hybrids are a safer compromise.

On this week’s Poll Hub:

We open with a deep dive into the Make America Healthy Again”(MAHA) initiative and how it’s landing with the public. At a surface level, many Americans are on board with the idea of improving overall health across the country. But that broad agreement doesn’t always translate into strong alignment with the movement itself. In fact, when people hear more detailed explanations of the policies tied to MAHA, their reactions often become more mixed. In this segment, we look at what this disconnect tells us about how Americans process health-related proposals, the role politics plays in shaping opinion, and how messaging can influence support.

From there, we shift to concerns surrounding drinking water and how Americans navigate choices between tap and bottled options. With water contamination topping the list of environmental worries nationwide, many individuals turn to bottled water as a perceived safer option. At the same time, there is widespread awareness of, and concern about, the environmental consequences of plastic waste. This creates a clear tension between what people value environmentally and the choices they make in their daily lives. We break down what the numbers say about public confidence in water systems, consumption patterns, and the broader environmental implications.

To wrap things up, we end on a lighter note with a fun fact focused on how frequently Americans are grabbing fast food, and what that trend might reveal about everyday routines and habits. Particularly how definitions of fast food have changed since the 70s.

maristpoll.com/podcast

This week on Poll Hub, we explore how beliefs, values, and identity are shaped and reshaped across generations in American life. Drawing on new data from the Pew Research Center, the conversation looks at how many Americans were raised with strong religious identities and consistent practices, yet far fewer maintain those same levels of engagement in adulthood. We examine what drives this shift —from changes in family structure and upbringing to broader cultural influences —and consider how early experiences—whether religious or secular—continue to shape people’s sense of meaning, belonging, and identity over time. Marist Lecturer in Religious Studies Dr. Brian Loh joins us to help unpack these trends and what they reveal about generational change.

We then turn to the evolving role of social media in American democracy, where new research highlights a striking tension. While heavy social media users are more likely to feel politically empowered and believe their participation can make a difference, they are also less likely to say democracy is the best form of government. Using findings from Gallup, the Kettering Foundation, and Pew Research, we explore how increased connectivity may be boosting engagement while simultaneously contributing to declining trust in institutions.

Together, these conversations point to a broader story about change in how Americans engage with both personal belief systems and public institutions. As traditional structures evolve and new forms of connection take their place, the ways people understand their identities and their role in democracy are shifting in complex and sometimes contradictory ways.

Listen here: maristpoll.com/podcast

This week on Poll Hub, we take a closer look at where Mayor Zohran Mamdani stands after his first 100 days in office, based on the latest Marist Poll data. The numbers point to a noticeable shift in public mood: a plurality of New York City residents approve of the job he’s doing, and for the first time in months, more than half of residents say the city is moving in the right direction. That marks a meaningful change from earlier polling trends.

Beyond the topline numbers, voters are also forming clear impressions of his leadership style. Many describe Mamdani as hard working and perceive him to be caring and trying to unify the city. Still, the discussion goes deeper than personal traits. We also explore how his early performance compares with previous mayors at similar points in their administrations, offering a broader sense of historical context.

In addition, this week features a spotlight on new work coming out of Marist’s Center for Sports Communication. Their newest podcast, Point Taken, is another Marist student featured podcast, and we speak with Center Director Andrew Elrick about its launch, goals, and early reception.

Listen here: maristpoll.com/podcast

On this week’s Poll Hub,

We start by unpacking a new Gallup survey that points to a notable global rebound in trust in banks and other financial institutions. While the United States is moving in the same upward direction, it still trails many other countries when it comes to public confidence. We take a closer look at why trust remains more fragile at home, exploring the lingering effects of past financial crises, differences in regulation, and what this gap could mean for the broader economy moving forward.

Then, we turn to a deeper dive into American public opinion on Iran. From the days of the Shah and the Iranian Revolution, through decades of diplomatic strain and periodic conflict, to today’s complex geopolitical landscape, we look at how perceptions have shifted over time. Using historical polling data, we examine how moments of tension, diplomacy, and uncertainty have shaped the way Americans view Iran and what that tells us about public opinion during times of international conflict.

Finally, we wrap things up on a lighter note with a fun fact that sparks a debate over just how violent different sports really are. This discussion might challenge some of your assumptions!

Listen now at Marist Poll: maristpoll.com/podcast