How is the world feeling? According to Gallup's annual Global Emotions report, people across the world are sadder and more stressed, marking a new high in the Negative Experiences Index. Gallup managing editor for world news Julie Ray joins the podcast to discuss where in the world these negative experiences have increased the most. Later, Dr. Carol Graham -- senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Gallup senior scientist -- talks about the drivers behind negative emotions and the importance of hope.

Is anyone actually winning the war in Ukraine? Are European leaders already positioning themselves for post-conflict relations with Russia? George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures, joins the podcast to discuss China’s and Germany’s positioning throughout the conflict, U.S. standing in NATO and more.

Gallup began fielding its poll on abortion last month right as news broke about the leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. It now has data that provide a fresh look at Americans’ views on the issue as the fate of Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance. Lydia Saad, Gallup’s director of U.S. social research, joins the podcast to discuss the latest on public attitudes on abortion, views on its moral acceptability and how important the issue is to Americans’ vote.

Dr. Dean Baker, cofounder and senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, joins the podcast to discuss inflation in the U.S. and what is to come. Is a recession on the horizon? How does he think the Federal Reserve and the White House should address the situation?

Why is recognition at work so important -- and how does it benefit employees and organizations alike? Isha Vicaria, a social psychologist and people data analyst at Workhuman, joins the podcast to talk about how employers can create a thriving workplace and team environment through recognition.

Though COVID-19 cases are on the rise, Americans are less worried than they previously have been. Are we in a new phase of public attitudes about the pandemic? And how is this impacting Americans’ behaviors? Gallup senior editor Megan Brenan joins the podcast to talk about Gallup’s tracking since the pandemic began and where we are now.

Gallup Senior Scientist Arthur C. Brooks, professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, rejoins the podcast to discuss his latest book, From Strength to Strength. Do ambitious strivers suffer down the line, in terms of their happiness? Is there something we can gain from our moments of suffering -- and what can we learn from our weaknesses? Why do we need friends -- and what is the difference between real friends and “deal friends”? Brooks discusses all of this and more.

Editor's note: We are rereleasing this episode given the news of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade. This episode features the latest findings relevant to the renewed conversation on abortion.


There have been many legal developments on the abortion issue in the U.S. over the past year, but have long-standing divisions in public opinion changed at all? "This is one topic that just hasn't moved as much as almost everything else in the ... landscape of polling that we do," says Lydia Saad, Gallup's director of U.S. social research.

What do the findings of Gallup’s latest Rating World Leaders report tell us about perceptions of world leaders in the run-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Have views of U.S. leadership changed since the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan? Julie Ray, Gallup’s managing editor for world news, joins the podcast to break down this year’s findings. Later, Marie Royce -- former assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs -- joins to discuss the impact of U.S. diplomacy and programs across the world.

George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures, comes back to offer his latest assessment of the crisis in Ukraine. How have things gone for Russia so far, and what does this next phase of the war look like? Does Vladimir Putin have aims elsewhere on the map?