Poll Hub

A new book called Culture Shock explores how the pandemic affected the workplace and offers data-backed solutions to employers grappling with the new normal: Workers reluctant to come back to office full-time and employers desperate to fill those desks. Gallup's Jim Harter and Jim Clifton wrote the book and Harter joins us to discuss.

A new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows Biden with a new low in support that lags behind both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. There has been a lot of coverage around this poll. People say it's an outlier, plain inaccurate, or that the journalists are incorrect about it. We break down the facts.

Last but not least, we have a fun fact pitting Mother's Day and Father's Day against each other.

While marijuana is still federally illegal, it's legal in nearly every state for recreational or medical use -- or both. But new health studies raise the question, have states moved too far, too fast? We look at both public opinion data showing a lightning-fast change in public opinion and scientific research showing pot may not be as benign as many think.
 

Then, our star team of student producers come to the other side of the microphone to talk about something they know much better than the regular geezer hosts: Does Gen Z face a tougher life ahead than their parents have? Athen, Eve, and Emily tell us how new polling data on that very question squares with their own experiences.
 

Finally, the whole gang joins for a fun fact about the one thing everybody -- well - all but 7% in one poll - loves. Ice cream!!

First the team dives into the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. It covers everything from Trump and Biden to abortion. We asked a lot of questions and we're breaking down all the results.

For decades, the employment gap between black workers and white workers has always favored white workers, but is this gap shrinking? Guest Valerie Wilson @ValerieRWilson joins us to talk about a new study showing a shrinking gap and what this means for Americans.

Finally, what's worse: being an only child or a twin? This week's fun fact will decide!

Axios recently ran a piece looking at Gallup Poll data showing 49% of Americans identify as independents -- a big increase over the past decade. But...is this really accurate? The Washington Post's Phillip Bump and Charles Franklin from the Marquette Poll have serious doubts. We'll explain why the Gallup data isn't really the issue.
 

Next, has the pandemic made workers lazy? New data shows that workers are working fewer hours than pre-pandemic -- but there are big differences among different groups. We have special guest Anthony Klotz, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at the University College London School of Management, on and we're asking how much of the change can be attributed to the pandemic and how much is something greater.
 

Finally, we dive into our fun fact that has us reminiscing. Want to feel nostalgic? We're figuring out the best way.

On April 6th, Tennessee House members Justin Pearson and Justin Jones -- who are Black and Democrats -- were expelled from the chamber by a supermajority of Republicans ostensibly for violating "decorum" by protesting on the floor of the legislature. They, along with a white Democrat who was not expelled, were protesting the Republican push to make it easier for Tennesseans to get guns in the wake of the mass shooting at a school in Nashville. Did that action go too far, even for Republicans?

Next, ChatGPT is a new Artificial Intelligence program sweeping the nation, but is it as smart as the hype says it is? Turns out, at least in some cases, ChatGPT is making stuff up! And, in one case, it made up poll results so...we have some thoughts about that.

Finally, we end this episode with our fun fact. Lee's gonna love this one. What's America's favorite sport? We're finding out!

Trump's indictment made history this week but will it make any difference to his support -- or lack thereof -- among various groups of Americans? We're looking back through over seven years of Marist Polls to see what history tells us.

Then, there's been a precipitous -- even shocking -- drop in U.S. life expectancy. Dr. Scott Kush from the Life Expectancy Group is here to help us understand why. The obvious answer, COVID-19, doesn't really hold up since other countries quickly bounced back from declines.

And, ever thought about life beyond Earth? This week's fun fact gets a little extra-terrestrial.

Our latest poll dives into topics like crime, a TikTok ban, restricting drag shows, and universal healthcare. Americans have their set opinions on some but you may be surprised about some others.

On the heels of yet another mass school shooting in the U.S., we are looking at red flag laws -- one of the few gun restrictions that has some bipartisan support. How effective are they? What do Americans think about them?

And, we finish with a Fun Fact that has us asking, what were those pollsters up to when they thought up this question?

FiveThirtyEight recently released its 2023 pollster ratings, and while the Marist Poll got a best-in-show "A", some in the industry question the accuracy and impact of the ratings. Natalie Jackson (@nataliemj10) from PRRI and the National Journal has some strong opinions on the matter and she's breaking down why this way of ranking isn't necessarily good.

And, we end on a positive note. In this week's fun fact, we're finding out what decade Americans think has the best music.

A recent report from KFF found a discrepancy between the experiences men and women have when visiting the doctor or accessing medical care in other ways. A new KFF survey found women say they face a lot of dismissiveness and dehumanization and a Danish study from 2019 shows doctors diagnose illnesses in women later than men. Are they connected?

Next up, that old saying “you’re only as old as you feel” is apparently pretty accurate – but also leads to a really interesting question -- “so, how old do you think you are versus what’s on your driver's license?” We’re bringing in a range of ages to talk over a new study about that subject.

And, we end with a hearty: Erin go Bragh! Lee’s Fun Fact is all about the day we’re all a bit Irish – St. Patty’s Day! How do you celebrate?

Joe Biden has signed huge new programs to keep the American economy growing while also making it greener but there's a big problem -- there aren't enough workers to do it all. During the Trump Administration, legal immigration dropped substantially, and it hasn't rebounded much under Biden. Americans generally support legal immigration but are against illegal immigration. Is that distinction lost in the political crosstalk?
 

Next, the team looks at the other side of the coin. With a lack of immigration and a workforce, how will Social Security continue to function? Americans seem to support and not worry about Social Security, but all signs point to it being in trouble.
 

Finally, have we got a fun fact for you. We are looking at Brits vs. Americans. Who can fight more animals... or at least believes they can?