The Georgetown Public Policy Review Podcast

Policy decisions matter to you every day. We're here to explain them.

Rank #1: Spring 2018 GU Politics Fellows.
Welcome back to the Semester. GPPR Interview Editors Disraeli Smith and Erich Denk sat down with the Spring 2018 GU Politics Fellows and discussed their Discussion Groups, the GPPR Spring Theme of uncertainty and advice for those interested in public policy

Rank #2: The Uncertainty Series: Dean Michael Bailey.
GPPR Editor-in-Chief Jake Ford and Senior Interview Editor Disraeli Smith sat down with Dean Michael Bailey, Interim Dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown. During this discussion, we talked about books, uncertainty in global institutions, polarization, gerrymandering, whether Trump is hear to stay, the courts, the role of public policy schools and more. Also peep our transition around the 19 minute mark to Davos

Gov Innovator podcast

Insights for results-focused public leaders

Rank #1: Improving public policy through behavioral economics: An interview with Raj Chetty, Professor, Harvard University – Episode #78.
How can tools from the behavioral sciences, such as behavioral economics, improve the design and implementation of public policies? We examine that question with a leading economist, Raj Chetty of Harvard University. In his recent keynote speech at the American Economic Association meeting, he argued that insights from the behavioral sciences can expand the scope of tools that are available to policymakers — insights such as the importance of defaults, salience and loss aversion. Professor Chetty has been widely recognized for his research that combines empirical evidence and economic theory to help design more effective government policies. This is Part One of our conversation. For part 2 of our conversation, on the use of administrative data (or “big data”) for research on what works in public policy, click here. The post Improving public policy through behavioral economics: An interview with Raj Chetty, Professor, Harvard University – Episode #78 appeared first on Gov Innovator podcast.

Rank #2: The importance of administrative data for learning what works in public policy: An interview with Raj Chetty, Professor, Harvard University – Episode #83.
Why is administrative data, also known as big data, important for learning what works in public policy? And what steps can help the U.S. strengthen its data infrastructure for policy-relevant research? To gain insights, we’re joined by Raj Chetty for part 2 of our conversation. A Professor of Economics at Harvard University, his research combines empirical evidence (often using administrative data) and economic theory to help design more effective government policies. As background, administrative data means the data collected by government agencies for program administration, regulatory or law enforcement purposes. Federal and state administrative data include detailed, useful information on labor market outcomes, health care, criminal justice, housing, and other important topics. Access to administrative data for research purposes – while carefully protecting privacy – can produce important insights about what works and how to improve public sector programs and policies. For further reading, a useful resource is the chapter Building Evidence with Administrative Data from the Analytical Perspectives section of the President’s 2016 Budget. For part 1 of our conversation, on behavioral economics, click here. The post The importance of administrative data for learning what works in public policy: An interview with Raj Chetty, Professor, Harvard University – Episode #83 appeared first on Gov Innovator podcast.

CQ Budget

CQ's budget tracker David Lerman, and his colleagues, follow and explain how lawmakers in Congress spend the nation's money.

Rank #1: Democrat to Reshape Priorities on Spending Panel.
Democratic Rep. Nita M. Lowey of New York is expected to lead the powerful House appropriations panel in the new Congress and she already has a list of priorities she will be pursuing. CQ's budget and appropriations reporter Kellie Mejdrich gives us a rundown of what those are and where Lowey may find common ground or clash with the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rank #2: Trump's Christmas Wish List: Billions for Wildfire Suppression, Unaccompanied Children.
Just when lawmakers thought they had breathing room to hammer out a year-end spending deal, President Donald Trump drops a request for an extra $4.76 billion, technically referred to as anomalies. CQ's budget and appropriations team, Kellie Mejdrich and Paul M. Krawzak explain what's at stake for government spending with co-host Jennifer Shutt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RAND Congressional Briefing Series

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. RAND Congressional Briefings connect RAND experts with lawmakers, legislative staff, and respected opinion leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to present findings and recommendations on issues relevant to the current policy debate. For more about RAND, visit www.rand.org.

Rank #1: Protecting Consumer Data: Considerations for Congress.
Rebecca Balebako and John S. Davis discuss the benefits and risks of data sharing, opportunities for protecting privacy at both the personal and industry level, current U.S. laws and how they compare to European laws, and policy options for Congress.

Rank #2: Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors.
David Ochmanek discusses challenges posed to U.S. force planning by China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Salafist-Jihadi groups; and weapon systems and posture enhancements that could potentially overcome those challenges.

Policy 360

Policy 360 is a series of audio conversations from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. The series is hosted by Sanford's dean, Judith Kelley.

Rank #1: Ep. 12: Food: Hello, Finland.
Finland used to have a diet with high saturated fat and sodium. No anymore. A conversation with Francesco Branca of the World Health Organization. Part of series on the future of food policy.

Rank #2: Ep. 99 The Connection Between Medicaid and Democracy .
Medicaid is one of the largest social welfare programs in the United States. With over 70 million people enrolled, it covers 20 percent of the US population. Though the program is federal, it’s implemented by the state and some states offer generous benefits while others do not. Professor Jamila Michener argues these disparities are actually having an effect on democratic citizenship. Her research shows that when Medicaid expands, more people vote, and when it contracts (or there’s a narrower scope of benefits) then people are less likely to vote. Jamila Michener is an assistant professor at Cornell University. Her book is Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018) Read the episode transcript Music: Vittoro and Thannoid by Blue Dot Sessions / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution

State of Reform: Health care policy across the U.S.

Podcast by State of Reform

Rank #1: MultiCare and Premera Blue Cross executives discuss new alliance.
Today, Premera Blue Cross and MultiCare announced an alliance that promises a better customer experience while providing the right care at a lower cost through a new product Peak Care. In this podcast, we sit down with Bill Robertson, President and CEO of MultiCare and Dr. John Espinola, Executive Vice President of Healthcare Services for Premera to learn more about how this alliance was formed and what it seeks to accomplish.

Rank #2: A Conversation with Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.
Mike Kreidler is the most senior insurance commissioner in the United States, and is one of the most senior, most well-regarded health policy leaders of any state in the country. He joined us for a one-on-one discussion with DJ Wilson to talk though the state of health policy in 2018, and what we might look for in both Olympia and Washington DC.

Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) Public Policy Podcast

Mixed audio and video content from the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI), a conservative, free-market public policy think tank. Supply-side economics, tax cuts, entitlement reform, deregulation. We advocate lower taxes, fewer regulations, and a smaller, less-intrusive government.

Rank #1: 2021 Budget Proposal: Where's the Cut? (Audio: Interview).
In an interview with WBOB's Ed Dean, IPI resident scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews discusses the 2021 Budget Proposal and belies the claim that there are any "cuts" in entitlement spending as the deficit continues to grow.

Rank #2: Hot Topics of the Week: Impeachment Proceedings and Coronavirus Containment (Audio Interview).
IPI president Tom Giovanetti joins 660 AM - The Answer's Mark Davis Show to discuss the week's headlines, including the ongoing impeachment trial and the Coronavirus containment.

Poverty Research & Policy

The Poverty Research & Policy Podcast is produced by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) and features interviews with researchers about poverty, inequality, and policy in the United States.

Rank #1: Kathleen Moore on the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Rental Market Discrimination.
In this podcast episode, IRP National Poverty Fellow Kathleen Moore talks about the Housing Choice Voucher Program and her research about how landlords respond to inquiries from potential renters who hold housing vouchers. Transcript 

Rank #2: Marci Ybarra on the Administrative Burdens of Research in Non-Profit Settings.
The concept of administrative burden focuses on how bureaucracy, complex paperwork, and confusing regulations can reduce the effectiveness of public programs and limit the rights of citizens. In this podcast episode, University of Chicago professor Marci Ybarra argues that research conducted in non-profit settings can introduce similar types of burdens by putting additional demands on those being served and on workers, and by changing the incentives for agencies themselves.

Taxology

This is Taxology, the podcast where experts from the non-partisan Tax Policy Center decode the tax code, translate the jargon, and do the math. Think of us as tax geeks in search of truth.

Rank #1: Do Tax Cuts Pay for Themselves?.
The White House aims to enact historically big tax cuts and claims they would not add to the federal deficit because they would stimulate the economy and pay for themselves. On this episode of Taxology, we explore the theory and history behind this approach to formulating tax policy: the Laffer Curve.

Rank #2: The Stars Align: the 1986 Tax Reform.
As the 115th Congress weighs tax reform policy, Taxology takes a look back at the last time the United States actually enacted substantive tax reform. A conversation with Eugene Steuerle, Janice Mays, and Howard Gleckman reveals what was happening behind the scenes at the time and what lessons current lawmakers and White House officials can use going forward.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Podcast: Watchdog Report

Featuring interviews with GAO officials on significant issues and new reports, the Watchdog Report is recorded, hosted, and produced by GAO staff.

Rank #1: Religious-Based Hate Crimes on College Campuses .
Religious-based hate crimes are on the rise on college campuses. We discuss what federal agencies are doing about it.

Rank #2: Disaster Resilience Framework .
We're discussing GAO's Disaster Resilience Framework, a guide for mitigating the effects of future natural disasters.

PBPC Podcast

Podcast by PA Budget & Policy Center

Rank #1: 4-27-16 - Jeff Garis - On The Harmful Shift in Education Funding from State to Local Taxpayers.
PA Budget and Policy Center and Keystone Research Center staff appearances on the Rick Smith Show (http://ricksmithshow.com/).In 2005, The Rick Smith Show stepped into a local radio world devoid of progressive talk. Rick took his straight shooting no nonsense Teamster outlook to the air and started mixing it up with conservatives from one of the reddest areas north of the Mason Dixon line. His show grew steadily, attracting listeners starved for a voice that spoke to working stiffs who felt the economic floor crumbling beneath them.Five years after the start of his weekend program, Rick moved to new time slots and new stations. His show now airs Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm on several stations across the state of Pennsylvania where he offers hard truth and commentary with a unique blend of clear-headed, gruff analysis and bemused observation.

Rank #2: Episode 12 - A Fair Tax Plan.
PBPC Director Marc Stier joins us to talk about a proposal to tax income from wealth that could begin to address the structural deficit and, in conjunction with a few other revenue mechanisms, could also address the need for adequate funding for public education and human services.

Ways & Means

Ways and Means is a small radio show featuring bright ideas for how to improve human society. The show is produced by the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Rank #1: S2 Episode 2: Who is White?.
In the early 20th century many new immigrants to the U.S. had blonde hair and blue eyes yet were not considered “white.” In this episode: who’s considered “white” in America – how it’s changed, what it means and how it may be changing still.

Rank #2: S3 Episode 1: Slum Detectives.
Today, for our Season 3 premiere, we begin a three-part series, New Ideas for Policy in the Developing World. In this episode, high-tech meets high-need. How researchers are using Google Earth to find the undocumented slums of India. Series supported by the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation Endowment Fund.

New Books in Public Policy

Interviews with Scholars of Public Policy about their New Books

Rank #1: Russell A. Newman, "The Paradoxes of Network Neutralities" (MIT Press, 2019).
Three years after the withdrawal of the Open Internet Order – then-President Barack Obama’s attempt at codifying network neutrality by prohibiting internet service providers from discriminating between content – by the Federal Communications Commission, a need to holistically understand the net neutrality debates still exists. How can we make sense of the intensification of controversy, the advocacy and protests, and the political and corporate wrangling? In his new book, The Paradoxes of Network Neutralities (MIT Press, 2019), Russell A. Newman, an assistant professor at Emerson College, sets out to provide an explication of the debates surrounding network neutrality. To do this, Newman critically examines the narratives put forth that erase elements foundational for interpreting the trajectory of open internet regulation, as well as comprehending the systems and impacts of internet advocacy, and the disparate rhetorics involved in this cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rank #2: Aimi Hamraie, “Building Access: Universal Design and the Politics of Disability” (U Minnesota Press, 2017).
The Americans with Disability Act passed in 1990, but it was just one moment in ongoing efforts to craft the meaning and practice of “good design” that put people with disabilities at the center. In their new book, Building Access: Universal Design and the Politics of Disability (University of Minnesota Press, 2017), Aimi Hamraie takes a “sledgehammer to history” in the spirit of one guerrilla activist group that they track in the archives—among many other people, objects, and historical contexts. Hamraie focuses on work around “access-knowledge”—that is, the forms of expertise that were considered legitimate ways of knowing and responding to disability through design. What has counted as legitimate access-knowledge, Hamraie argues, indicates designers’ goals: Was the aim of design to make productive workers, liberal consumers, or structures that materialized a commitment to spacial belonging? Who were the imagined users and how could new political priorities materialize in worlds already built? Answers to these questions made—and continue to remake—our material world and its frictions.  Hamraie brings their training in feminist epistemology to never-before-accessed archival materials, along with an array of historical images and documents. The result is a persuasive, beautiful, and intrepidly researched book. Building Access torques received wisdom in disability studies, history of science, and architectural design, and models how to attend to research, writing, and publishing as a material practice.Hamraie is Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University’s Center for Medicine, Health & Society, and Director of Vanderbilt’s Critical Design Lab. This interview was a collective effort among Vanderbilt faculty and graduate students in the course New Approaches to STS. For more information about using NBN interviews as part of pedagogical practice, please email Laura Stark or see the essay “Can New Media Save the Book?” in Contexts (2015). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Theater

Have you ever asked, “WTF?,” about politics? Or, “who are these people making decisions about my life?” Political Theater pulls back the curtain on the stunts, antics and motivations that drive Washington. Host Jason Dick and the Roll Call team spotlight the spectacle, the players and what’s going on behind the curtain in Washington’s long-running drama: Congress.

Rank #1: The four most likely scenarios for 2020 elections, explained.
The 2020 elections are shaping up as the most significant in memory, but predicting them is a handicapper's nightmare. Nevertheless, CQ Roll Call Elections Analyst Nathan Gonzales gave it a whirl, offering these four scenarios: 1) Eviction at 1600 2) Blue Washington 3) Status Quo 4) Red Revival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rank #2: Working for Medicaid.
The handful of red state governors and lawmakers who have been willing to expand Medicaid under the 2010 health care law have tried to put their own spin on the program – and one of their favorites has been pushing recipients to find jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quorum Call

No one knows Capitol Hill and the corridors of Washington power like National Journal, and now NJ brings you Quorum Call—a weekly podcast on Congress, policy, and politics. Hosted by National Journal's veteran reporting team, new episodes of Quorum Call will be available every Monday.

Rank #1: Episode 51: Never Too Early.
Adam Wollner, Josh Kraushaar, Kyle Trygstad, and Hanna Trudo break down Hotline's inaugural 2020 Democratic presidential power rankings.

Rank #2: Episode 150: The Big Show.
Editor in chief Jeff Dufour joins staff correspondents Matt Holt and Drew Gerber to discuss the effect of issues in Iran on the presidential race, fourth quarter fundraising numbers, and the Senate races Democrats are focusing on in hopes of winning back the upper chamber this year.