How can U.S. workplaces navigate the major societal and political shifts the country is currently undergoing? Why is establishing a workplace culture so important? How have workplace norms changed? Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Human Resource Management, joins the podcast to discuss how U.S. employers can facilitate a thriving workplace in the new decade.

What is the state and future of higher education in the U.S.? University of Texas System Chancellor James Milliken joins the podcast to share his perspective, based on more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education. How are leaders in higher education working to ensure career preparedness for college graduates? And how are they navigating a public decline in confidence in higher education and concerns about affordability? What is higher education's role in the U.S., and why is it important to society?

One of the most important topics Gallup has committed to researching is wellbeing, studying its benefits and what contributes to wellbeing across the world. Gallup Senior Scientist Ed Diener joins the podcast to unpack what Gallup has learned. What does an individual stand to gain from caring about their wellbeing? And what can leaders of businesses and nations alike do to boost it?

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was the architect of the 1994 GOP strategy to retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives after 40 years of Democratic control. How does Gingrich reflect on the political earthquake a quarter of a century later? How did he spend his decade-plus in the House minority leading up to the 1994 midterms? And how does he look back on the impeachment hearings he oversaw as speaker in the 1990s amid the impeachment hearings taking place today?

Jonathan Rothwell, Gallup's Chief Economist and host of "Out of the Echo Chamber," joins the podcast to discuss his new book, A Republic of Equals, in which he offers a formula for a more just society. How can the U.S. create greater equality of opportunity and expand markets to curb the growth of the 1%? And how does the issue of housing overlap these two goals? Are the political right and left blaming the wrong scapegoats for U.S. inequality?

Gallup managing editor for world news, Julie Ray, joins the podcast to break down the latest findings of Gallup’s annual Global Law and Order Report. Which countries score highest and lowest on the Law and Order Index -- and how does the U.S. fare? Later, Sarah Wildman, Foreign Policy magazine deputy editor, gives context to how the findings play out in real-life situations around the world. How do the military and foreign policy decisions made by the U.S. impact life and safety for civilians in the Middle East?

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s focus on trade this year. Where do trade relations between the U.S. and China currently stand, and how should the U.S. shape its longer-term global trade strategy? Later, Politico’s chief economic correspondent Ben White discusses what President Donald Trump gets right about the U.S. position on global trade. Where does the U.S. stand after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal?

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox joins the podcast to discuss the state of Mexico and its place in Latin America and the world. How has the Mexican economy changed since his time in office? What effect has the Central American migration crisis had on the country, and how does he think the U.S. and Mexico can work together to address it?

Sixty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in U.S. schools was unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education. Cheryl Brown Henderson -- daughter of the plaintiff in the case and president of Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research -- joins the podcast to look back on the landmark decision and what education and life were like for black Americans before and after Brown v. Board. How has the decision impacted schools today, and where is there still more work to be done?

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker joins the podcast to offer his assessment of what he believes would be the best outcome for U.S. affairs in Afghanistan. What changes have Afghans seen in their lives since the U.S. invasion in 2001? Later, retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal discusses the U.S. policy approach to the Afghanistan War. This special episode is part of Gallup’s series on Afghanistan.