What's Working in Washington

Hosts Jonathan and Mark talk government regulation, social media, and the pulse in Washington, D.C., from Capitol Hill to outer space. Jonathan Aberman sits down with White House Correspondent Richard Latendresse — calling in from Mar-a-Lago — to discuss president-elect Trump’s new administration, and what his transition can tell us about the next four years. Also, Jonathan chats with author Robin George Andrews about his new book “How to Kill an Asteroid”, a deep-dive into the world of planetary defense and the science protecting us from astronomical threats. And as always, get the scoop on book recommendations and movies of the month. 

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This month, we're looking into our crystal ball to consider what our environmental, political, and technological futures might look like. Jonathan Aberman sits down with author Richard Powers to discuss innovation, ecology, and the art of storytelling in his new book Playground. Then, hear from Mineko Abe, producer for Yomiuri Shimbun, who joins us to discuss Japanese perspectives on new technologies and the U.S. presidential election. Hosts Mark and Jonathan also give us their media and culture predictions, from addictive apps to sports rivalries.  

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This month’s episode explores how political expression takes shape. Introducing his new book “Paris in Ruins”, Sebastian Smee discusses how Impressionism emerged in a politically chaotic France, bringing democracy and authenticity to art. Then, Nadia Bilbassy, Bureau Chief at Al Arabiya News, describes what it's like to cover the Biden White House for a Middle Eastern audience. She sits down with Jonathan Aberman to consider how empathy and dialogue can build bridges toward peace amid the crisis in Gaza. Plus, hear hosts Mark Walsh and Jonathan Aberman talk sports, electric vehicles, and favorite movies of the month. 

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From AI hype to Dolly Parton releases, Jonathan Aberman and Mark Walsh explore this month’s trends in finance, culture, and politics. Also, Jonathan sits down with Paulina Bren, author of “She-Wolves”, to honor the women who defied the odds and left their mark on Wall Street in the 1960s and ‘70s. Drawing on Jonathan’s own experience on Ozempic, Jonathan and Mark then discuss the reality of life on the medication, and what it might mean for the future of American healthcare. 

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Longer episodes, deeper dives! In our new one hour format, hosts Jonathan Aberman and Mark Walsh explore new trends, share media recommendations, and interview author Corey Brettschneider. 

"The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It" examines how citizen movements have resisted presidential abuses of power by appealing to a democratic understanding of the Constitution. From Ida B. Wells to Daniel Ellsberg, American citizens have brought the United States back from the precipice at crucial moments in our nation's history. Aberman and Brettschneider discuss how that resonates today and where to find hope for restoring a fragile democracy.

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Exploring and settling outer space may seem like the ultimate form of entrepreneurship – but is it a realistic ambition? Drawing from her latest book "A City on Mars", Kelly Weinersmith sits down with Jonathan to discuss the hurdles we face in our journey to space, from human physiology to resource governance. So human life on Mars is still far-fetched, but we can learn a lot about our planet and our future from outside Earth's orbit.

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"Being your own boss" isn't just about getting rich and being independent. In his latest book “One Day I’ll Work for Myself", author and historian Benjamin Waterhouse separates the allure from the illusions of self-employment. He takes a hard look at the mythology of entrepreneurship, from colonial America and the digital revolution of the 1980s to today. His advice? Look beyond the hype and make sure you're seeking purpose and fulfillment in working for yourself.

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Sean Perryman is the Head of Algorithmic Fairness Policy at Uber. He sits down with Jonathan Aberman to discuss the major questions about privacy and bias raised by artificial intelligence, and how policymakers need to respond. From facial recognition technology to Google's Gemini, Perryman calls for greater tech literacy among lawmakers. He lays out his vision for a more attractive entrepreneurial future in D.C., where effective policy, meaningful professional networks and responsible technology can make an impact.

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Ben Foster is co-founder & executive chairman at Prodify. In an increasingly service-based economy, Foster makes the case for enhancing product-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.. He discusses his vision for scaleable, efficient product companies to compete with Silicon Valley’s recent interest in national security technology. According to Foster, it’s time to embrace the risk and adapt in order to stay on pace.

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Since its launch in 2007, Bethesda Green has been on a mission to foster innovation and community for sustainable small businesses. Today, Jonathan sits down with executive director Dave Feldman to discuss environmental entrepreneurship in Bethesda, Maryland and beyond. From start-up incubation to environmental awareness efforts, Feldman and Bethesda Green are building a supportive space for sustainability-focused, community-oriented business.

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