The Georgetown Public Policy Review Podcast

In this episode of the Georgetown Public Policy Review Podcast, we sit down with Marlon Brooks, the Georgetown–Howard Scholar for the incoming MPP Evening Cohort at Georgetown University. Originally from Jamaica, Marlon earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Howard University and his first master’s from Columbia University. He now works at the Inter-American Development Bank, where he supports evaluation work across development priorities and small island economies—while studying public policy at night.

The Georgetown Public Policy Review is not just a journal. It is a game plan.

Join us in celebrating GPPR's 2026 Spring Edition, "Making Sense of the Chaos". Hear remarks from the journal’s Senior Editors, followed by a panel featuring members of the Spring and Podcast teams and a discussion of “Designing Effective Social Media Regulations” with author Grace Falgoust and 2026 TPP Fellow Megan Shahi.

GPPR Podcast Editor Asha Gudipaty (JPPP ’27) sits down with Kristin Blagg - Principal Research Associate in the Work, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute, McCourt alum, and current professor - for a timely conversation on income-based repayment (IBR) and the evolving federal loan landscape following the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

Join GPPR editor Adeena Kamra (MPP '27) as she sits down with Dhishal Jayasinghe, a public servant with experience in the U.S. Senate and State Department, to discuss the Overton window and how political ideas move from fringe to mainstream.

GPPR Senior Podcast Editor Daija Yisrael (MIDP '26) and GPPR Strategic Partnerships Lead Doris Mwikali (MPM '26) spoke with Charles North, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education, about leadership in global education. The podcast explores how global education leaders navigate complexity, build coalitions, and mobilize innovative financing to support quality education in low-income countries. Through reflections on leadership, youth demographics, and institutional change, the episode highlights why education remains a critical public policy priority as we approach 2030.

GPPR Senior Editor Brennan Gallagher (MPP ’27) sits down with drug policy advisor, author, and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Richard Baum. In Episode two, Baum shares his thoughts on some of todays most pressing issues in drug policy, from enforcement and incarceration to marijuana, and reflects on the direction we can take to limit harm in our communities.

Learn more about Richard and his book, "Inside America's Opioid Crisis," at richardjbaum.com

GPPR Senior Editor Brennan Gallagher (MPP ’27) sits down with drug policy advisor, author, and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Richard Baum. In Episode One, Baum reflects on his career in Washington and shares what he’s learned over decades of change in U.S. drug policy and the evolving War on Drugs. Join us next week for Episode Two.

To learn more about Richard and his upcoming book: https://richardjbaum.com/

GPPR Senior Editor Daija Yisrael (MIDP '26) hosts members Paula Sierra (MIDP '26) and Gabriella Cova (MPP '26) from McCourt Policy in Practice, an English teacher at MAIA, and the Director of Development at MAIA for an inspiring conversation on a new approach to education. Indigenous women founded MAIA for Indigenous girls in Guatemala. Their main program offers a fully funded 7-year program to Indigenous girls living in rural Guatemala who are at or below the poverty line.

Learn more about MAIA and how to support their work at maiaimpact.org

GPPR Podcast Editor, Brennan Gallagher (MPP '27) chats with Zack Skow, founder of the nonprofit animal rescue Marley's Mutts, to discuss their inmate-canine training program, Pawsitive Change, and the impact it is having on prison culture, reentry, and recidivism.

GPPR Podcast Editor Mitchell Zupko (MPP'25) chats with Devin Gerzof, the Executive Director of Executive Branch Relations and Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association. They discuss the No Surprises Act, site neutral payments, reimbursements, the 340B Program, and more.