PolicyCast

PolicyCast explores research-based policy solutions to the big problems and issues we're facing in our society and our world. Host Ralph Ranalli talks with leading Harvard University academics and researchers, visiting scholars, dignitaries, and world leaders. PolicyCast is produced at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Christiane Amanpour says objective journalism means pursuing truth—not neutrality
Jun 4, 2025 – 00:29:27
The Arctic faces historic pressures from competition, climate change, and Trump
May 16, 2025 – 00:50:08
Moments that matter: How to bake fairness into the workplace
May 6, 2025 – 00:43:21
Crypto is merging with mainstream finance. Regulators aren’t ready
Apr 17, 2025 – 00:55:30
Professor Joe Nye coined the term “soft power.” He says America’s is in decline under Trump
Apr 9, 2025 – 00:31:17
America’s geopolitical realignments, authoritarianism, and Trump’s endgame
Apr 3, 2025 – 00:39:17
If the U.S. courts can’t defend the rule of law, who can?
Mar 19, 2025 – 00:46:57
AI can make governing better instead of worse. Yes, you heard that right.
Mar 12, 2025 – 00:41:36
Ricardo Hausmann on the rise of industrial policy, green growth, and Trump’s tariffs
Mar 5, 2025 – 00:58:39
Oligarchy in the open: What happens now as the U.S. confronts its plutocracy problem?
Feb 13, 2025 – 00:46:42
What the EU must do to compete—and become the leader the world needs
Feb 7, 2025 – 00:35:31
The policy changes needed now to avoid a climate-driven global food crisis
Jan 24, 2025 – 00:39:23
From insight to impact: Dean Jeremy Weinstein wants the Kennedy School to embrace and solve complex public problems
Jan 8, 2025 – 00:56:29
Legalized gambling is exploding globally. What policies can limit its harms?
Nov 21, 2024 – 00:42:36
How emotion science could help solve the leading cause of preventable death
Nov 7, 2024 – 00:43:09
Policies—and a new global program—to fight anti-LGBTQI+ discrimination
Oct 24, 2024 – 00:53:57
The essential reforms needed to fix the housing crisis
Oct 9, 2024 – 00:47:01
How to change the narrative on women as leaders
Sep 25, 2024 – 00:40:18
How to turn back a rising tide of political threats and violence
Aug 1, 2024 – 00:52:12
Self-destructive populism: How better policy can reverse the anti-clean energy backlash
May 15, 2024 – 00:51:01
Public policy, values, and politics: Why so much depends on getting them right
Apr 25, 2024 – 00:41:03
The Ghost Budget: How U.S. war spending went rogue, wasted billions, and how to fix it
Mar 29, 2024 – 00:45:49
The Great Creep Backward: Policy responses to China’s slowing economy
Mar 14, 2024 – 00:55:37
Two peoples. Two states. Why U.S. diplomacy in Israel and Palestine needs vision, partners, and a backbone
Feb 29, 2024 – 00:38:39
We can productively discuss even the toughest topics—here’s how
Feb 16, 2024 – 00:46:14
The document that redefined humanity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75
Dec 21, 2023 – 00:43:10
Legacy of privilege: David Deming and Raj Chetty on how elite college admissions policies affect who gains power and prestige
Nov 29, 2023 – 00:41:26
Need to solve an intractable problem? Try collaborative governing
Nov 9, 2023 – 00:42:21
How to keep "TLDR" syndrome from killing your policy proposal
Oct 25, 2023 – 00:45:12
Dr. Rochelle Walensky on making health care policy under fire
Oct 5, 2023 – 00:41:29
AI can be democracy’s ally—but not if it works for Big Tech
Sep 20, 2023 – 00:43:53
The more Indigenous nations self govern, the more they succeed
Jun 8, 2023 – 00:35:24
If you don’t have multiracial democracy, you have no democracy at all
May 16, 2023 – 00:45:54
Why smart infrastructure is a smart investment—for both Democrats and Republicans—in an era of historic public works spending
Apr 18, 2023 – 00:36:34
Transitioning to clean power without workers absorbing the shock
Apr 6, 2023 – 00:38:54
The rising tide no one’s talking about—finding homes for millions of climate crisis migrants
Mar 20, 2023 – 00:35:47
Local news is civic infrastructure. And it’s crumbling. Can we save it?
Mar 7, 2023 – 00:44:48
There's groundbreaking new science to help cut methane emissions, but is there the political will?
Feb 8, 2023 – 00:40:35
Joe Aldy on the complex economics of the clean energy transition
Jan 25, 2023 – 00:45:37
Goals and realities: What World Cup performances can teach us about development in African countries
Dec 9, 2022 – 00:33:44
How American cities can prepare for an increasingly destructive climate
Nov 23, 2022 – 00:33:10
Why women are authoritarianism’s targets—and how they can be its undoing
Nov 3, 2022 – 00:42:26
Former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on stemming the tide of right-wing authoritarianism
Oct 19, 2022 – 00:39:25
Low-wage and gig workers have it worse than we thought—and why that matters for us all
Oct 5, 2022 – 00:39:08
Data analysis and policy design—not good intentions—will fix healthcare post COVID
Sep 21, 2022 – 00:40:56
Values, courage, and how good public leadership can save us
Sep 2, 2022 – 00:33:34
He predicted globalization’s failure, now he’s planning what’s next
Jun 30, 2022 – 00:38:19
Reform, refugees, and the war next door: President Maia Sandu of Moldova
Jun 14, 2022 – 00:25:51
The pandemic's silver lining—a trove of data on social protection programs
May 5, 2022 – 00:35:01
How worldwide outrage over atrocities in Ukraine is fueling a new push for international justice
Apr 19, 2022 – 00:37:16

Recent Reviews

RayofElightenment

Very informative and timely

I love how solutions oriented this podcast is, as opposed to a lot of other podcasts that just focus on the political back-and-forth.
Zaptrax

Disappointing

Interesting topics all examined from the same perspective with little or no questioning of the conventional wisdom. Sad to see.
22J56

Good

Excellent pidcast
DarbyKirvs

variety of topics and thoughtfully crafted

Just what I was in search of! Thanks
uZandi

Great Podcast!

The interviewer is exceptional and the content is timely. Love the “Fixing ourselves is hard” with Iris. Please keep them coming.
Hoosier Nikki

More Please!

Indiana University SPEA alumnus and I love this pod! Keep up the great work.
M Isles

the more policy casts, the better

the more policy casts, the better
Jabittan

Excellent Podcast

The show is very insightful with HKS leaders and guests discussing relevant issues. Matt is a great host and the guest hosts who step in from time to time round out the show. Always enjoy the short bite sized episodes and great insights.
Splendigorous

Great guests, length, and variety

Episodes are just the right length to address each subject in some detail without going on too long, and the show hits on a good variety of policy and politics-related topics, some of which I wouldn’t have sought out on my own but ended up finding very interesting. As you’d expect from a Harvard podcast, the guests are top-notch and their analysis is presented in a very accessible way.
krs617

Excellent show, careful analysis of complex policy issues

I was so impressed by this show. The presenters are extremely articulate and precise in their presentation of the issues and policy recommendations. This is a show for people who want to inform themselves about important policy issues and appreciate objective, reason-driven and empirically sound analysis.
SRM691

Exceptional!

I imagine I'm not the typical listener, as typically, political based discussions leave me either jaded or sleeping. ;) This program is FABULOUS. Matt Cadwallader does an amazing job at keeping the speakers on task and they have an amazing array of guests. It has expanded my world view, kept me engaged and makes me look forward to the next podcast. Thanks for all you do!