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?

Jane Miller, president and chief operating officer at Gallup, joins the podcast to talk about why employers should be invested in workers’ wellbeing -- and the unique impact the pandemic has had on female employees. “Wellbeing is a significant component to any strong culture. It’s a foundational element,” Miller says. “It impacts how a person shows up at home, how they show up at work -- and really, it’s about their capacity for what they can accomplish every single day.”

“Keeping children at the center of the agenda is a huge lesson that I think anyone who interfaces with education should think about and embrace if they want to see a successful tenure,” says Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Gallup’s new senior scientist. Carstarphen joins the podcast to discuss the changes and challenges in urban education she has seen in her roles as superintendent in public school districts in St. Paul, Austin and, most recently, Atlanta.

What have we learned from a global study of cooking across the world? What do people gain from cooking? Rimpei Iwata, CEO of Cookpad, joins the podcast to discuss the power of cooking a meal.

How much progress has actually been made on racial equity? Has the U.S. been too focused on symbolic progress? Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans, joins the podcast to discuss what he views as the top priority to address racial disparities and what gives him hope for the future of equity.

What is at stake for European security as the Russian attacks on Ukraine continue? How has the invasion affected people across the continent? Geopolitical expert Jessica Berlin joins the podcast to discuss reliance on Russian oil and the actions she implores European leaders -- as well as U.S. President Joe Biden -- to take.