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Reasonably Optimistic: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Washington Post
Enough with the doom and gloom — we’re ready to talk about how America can thrive. Hosted by Washington Post Opinion columnist Megan McArdle, “Reasonably Optimistic” is your weekly conversation about how America can get unstuck and build a better future. Stop feeding your rage and start embracing our possibilities.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days ago1h 3m
Did the 2026 midterms put religion back in politics?
For years, religion in American politics has been closely associated with the right. But in the 2026 midterm elections, candidates on the left — including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and James Talarico in Texas — were notably vocal about their faith. That raises questions that have long been simmering: At a time of deep division and growing secularism, what role should faith play in a religiously diverse democracy? And how openly should religious people bring their beliefs into public life?Host Megan McArdle talks with Washington Post contributing columnist Shadi Hamid, co-author of “Can Religion Save Democracy?,” about faith, pluralism and democracy.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 1 weeks ago56 min
How AI went from fringe idea to unstoppable force
Artificial intelligence can feel as though it arrived overnight. But today’s AI boom grew out of a vision championed by a small group of researchers who believed machines could one day rival human intelligence. That once far-fetched idea has become a global race that no one seems to know how to stop.Host Megan McArdle talks with Kevin Roose, author of "The AGI Chronicles," about the unusual people and rivalries behind the AI revolution, why the race for superintelligence is so difficult to slow down and whether governments can shape what comes next.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 1 weeks ago49 min
What a reality show taught this author about modern masculinity
When journalist Jon Ronson’s son arrived at a Connecticut castle expecting a party, the owner told him and his friends that they had actually been invited to appear on a reality show. It quickly became clear that the show wasn’t what it seemed. That bizarre encounter — and the investigation it set in motion — became the basis for Ronson's new book, “The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men,” which is about men struggling to find their place in the world.Host Megan McArdle talks with the author about modern masculinity, the false promise of online fame, how outrage can become an identity and what happens when attention begins to replace purpose.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 2 weeks ago27 min
Netflix’s next act may look a lot like old TV
The streaming revolution promised viewers an endless library of movies and shows for less than cable. Netflix led that charge, becoming the era's dominant streaming service. That transformation upended the economics that made television such a reliable business and created an industry with more competition, higher costs and a constant fight to keep viewers from canceling.Host Megan McArdle breaks down what Netflix’s recent leadership shake-up signals — and why the company that transformed television may have to learn some lessons from the old system.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 2 weeks ago48 min
How the DSA is reshaping the Democratic Party
The Democratic Socialists of America was once on the fringes of American politics. Now, DSA candidates are winning primaries, challenging establishment Democrats and pushing the Democratic Party leftward on everything from housing and health care to policing and Israel. But can the movement turn that energy into lasting political power?Host Megan McArdle is joined by David Weigel, a national politics reporter at Semafor, to discuss the DSA’s rise and the question it raises for Democrats: Is democratic socialism the future of their party?Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 3 weeks ago28 min
What prediction markets can tell us that polls can’t
On platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, users can bet on elections, interest-rate cuts, corporate earnings and almost any question with an answer that will eventually be revealed. Those bets can produce a different kind of forecast than a traditional poll. But what happens when betting on everything becomes easier and more socially acceptable?Host Megan McArdle is joined by Robin Hanson, an economist at George Mason University and one of the earliest advocates for prediction markets. They discuss how betting markets compare with polls and experts, the risks of manipulation and insider trading, whether people should be able to bet on elections and wars, and what it would take for prediction markets to become a useful tool for business and government.This episode was originally published on May 13, 2026.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 3 weeks ago38 min
The fight for fed-up voters in the 2026 midterms
The polls suggest a strong Democratic showing in the 2026 midterms. They also reveal an electorate angry about the cost of living, political corruption and a system many believe is rigged against them. But what will that anger mean at the ballot box?Host Megan McArdle is joined by Kristen Soltis Anderson, a pollster and co-founder of Echelon Insights. They break down what the polls are telling us, whether Democrats are headed for a wave and why voter anger doesn’t always translate into support for the policies party leaders expect.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
- 4 weeks ago46 min
The overlooked businesses making Americans rich
The American Dream can feel farther away than ever. Housing is expensive, good jobs seem harder to find and the people getting rich seem to be concentrated in a handful of big cities. But some of America’s biggest fortunes are being built far from the spotlight: by auto dealers, contractors, beverage distributors and the owners of the unglamorous businesses that keep everyday life running. So who are these overlooked millionaires — and what do they tell us about opportunity in America?Host Megan McArdle is joined by Owen Zidar, a professor at Princeton University and co-author of “The Everywhere Millionaire.” They discuss the hidden world of private-business wealth, why early work experience matters and how retiring boomers may create new opportunities for the next generation to buy and run America’s small businesses.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
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About Reasonably Optimistic
Enough with the doom and gloom — we’re ready to talk about how America can thrive. Hosted by Washington Post Opinion columnist Megan McArdle, “Reasonably Optimistic” is your weekly conversation about how America can get unstuck and build a better future. Stop feeding your rage and start embracing our possibilities.
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