Much has been speculated about the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but what do the citizens of each country think about the two men? Which president has a higher approval rating in his own country? Are there any similarities between the views of Americans and Russians? In this episode, Neli Esipova, Gallup’s Regional Director for former Soviet states and Eastern Europe, explains the findings. Later, what percentage of Americans have a positive view of socialism?

How do Americans really feel about the challenges and policy decisions surrounding one of the most controversial topics of our time -- immigration? Is immigration good or bad for the U.S.? Why do some Americans so strongly support the idea of building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border? How do Americans defend their positions on the issue of sending children brought to the U.S. illegally back to their home countries? What’s behind the strongly emotional support for, and opposition to, Trump’s policies on immigration? In this episode, we hear Americans’ views in their own words. Later, what percentage of Americans are vegetarian and vegan?

Is having one or two drinks a day good for you? And if so, what is the optimal amount one should drink? Dr. Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition and director of the program in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, joins the podcast to discuss the trend in Americans’ views on moderate drinking and how these views square with scientific facts. Later, what percentage of Americans approve of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing?

What percentage of Americans are vaping, and how does this figure compare with the percentage who smoke cigarettes? How will this new technology affect trends on smoking in the U.S.? Dr. Kenneth Warner, Avedis Donabedian Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, joins the podcast to explain vaping and what effect -- good or bad -- this new habit could have on the health of Americans. Later, some Americans say “nothing” is going well in the country -- listen to find out what percentage?

Americans overwhelmingly say the news media are biased, and many also say news media are inaccurate. Why is this the case, and what can be done about it? How do Americans’ perceptions of specific media outlets’ bias and accuracy play a role in this loss of confidence? Sam Gill, vice president of communities and impact at Knight Foundation, joins the podcast to explain the latest findings from Knight Foundation’s ongoing research with Gallup that explore Americans’ perceptions of the media. Later, what percentage of Americans believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and what percentage say it should be upheld?

Why are U.S. fertility rates declining? What are Americans’ ideas and preferences about children, and how do these attitudes relate to overall fertility in the U.S.? Dr. Caroline Sten Hartnett, sociologist and demographer on the faculty at the University of South Carolina, discusses the latest findings and offers her predictions for the future. Later, what percentage of Americans have confidence in the Supreme Court?

President Donald Trump has made the issue of trade and tariffs a centerpiece of his recent policymaking -- but it’s not necessarily one Americans know a lot about. This episode explores new data measuring Americans’ attitudes and beliefs about trade policy with Gallup Senior Scientist Justin Wolfers, professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. Dr. Wolfers offers his take on how views on trade are formed, what the state of international trade looks like today and how Trump’s executive actions square with the consensus of economists. Later, what percentage of Americans believe that legal immigration is a good thing for the country?

How do statements made by public officials stack up against public opinion? Sarah Huckabee Sanders says her credibility is higher than the media’s but is that true? Bill Clinton contends that two-thirds of the American people stayed with him after the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but is that exactly what happened? The Department of Justice watchdog report focused on Hillary Clinton’s emails during her 2016 presidential campaign, but how big of a factor were the emails in her loss? And later, do Americans think it’s easier to raise a girl or a boy?

Abortion remains one of the nation’s most contentious policy issues, and Americans’ views on the subject are essentially fixed -- changing little over past decades. Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad explores the intricacies of Americans’ views on legal restrictions on abortion, how the trimester timeline changes views on abortion, and how opinions on the subject vary by demographic group. Later, what percentage of Americans say they would like to be rich? And how has this figure changed over Gallup’s 28-year trend?

Many Americans don’t think about retirement until it looms in their immediate future. So ow confident are Americans that they will have enough money when they retire? And how much are they relying on Social Security and 401(k)s? When is the ideal time to withdraw from Social Security? And what can we do to increase Americans’ financial literacy? Annamaria Lusardi, Denit Trust Chair of Economics & Accountancy at the George Washington University School of Business, joins the podcast to discuss these questions and others. And later, are Americans already accepting the fact that gas prices are going to go up even higher this year?