Free Daily Podcast Summary
Trending Globally: Politics and Policy: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Watson School
An award-winning show exploring today's biggest global challenges with the world's leading experts, from the Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago41 min
A closer look at two of the key issues driving the Iran War
Seven months in, the Iran War continues to hinge on two critical issues: maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program. On this episode, host Dan Richards talks with two experts about why these flashpoints dominate the conflict, what they mean for global security and what it might take to set them on paths to long-term stability.Guests on this episode:Reid Pauly is the dean's assistant professor of nuclear security and policy at the Watson School, and author of the 2025 book “The Art of Coercion: Credible Threats and the Assurance Dilemma.”Lyle Goldstein is a visiting professor of International and Public Affairs at Watson, and author of the 2026 book “The New Cold War at Sea: Maritime Implications of the China-Russia Quasi-Alliance.”Transcript coming soon to our websiteWatch these conversations on YouTube
- Aug 14, 202643 min
Inside the CHIPS Act: Industrial policy, national security and building a ‘startup within government’
On this episode, Watson School dean and economist John Friedman spoke with Todd Fisher, a 1987 graduate of Brown University, about the inner workings and long-term effects of the CHIPS and Science Act. Fisher served as Chief Investment Officer of the White House's CHIPS Program Office from January 2023 to March 2025, and currently serves on the Watson School’s Board of Governors.The Act, which was passed under President Biden, provided unprecedented government subsidies to the United States semiconductor manufacturing industry, reimagined how government can support private industry, and offered lessons for anyone interested in how to make government work more efficiently.John and Todd discuss the main opportunities and challenges the CHIPS Office faced, how the office’s approach differed from previous models of public-private partnership, and what it was like trying to, as Todd describes, build a “startup within government.” They also discuss his current role as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Economic Opportunity in the office of New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.Read more about the CHIPS Program and Fisher’s work at the “Factory Settings” Substack.Watch this conversation on our YouTube Channel.Transcript coming soon to our website.
- Jul 17, 202631 min
Ten years after the Brexit vote, the UK’s future is up for grabs
Ten years ago this summer, voters in the United Kingdom chose to withdraw from the European Union. In other words, the long and winding process of Brexit began.On this episode, Dan Richards talks with Watson professor and political economist Mark Blyth about the role Brexit has played in Britain's economy, society and politics in the ten years since that vote, and what the Brexit movement can tell us about the evolution of nationalist populist politics around the world. They also explore what policymakers could do to bolster the British economy and stabilize its politics today.Transcript coming soon to our websiteWatch this episode on YouTube
- Jul 2, 202640 min
Why this Ebola outbreak might be the deadliest one yet
In May, an outbreak of the Ebola virus was officially declared in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Aid groups are warning that it could become the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history.On this episode, Dan Richards spoke with two experts about why this outbreak is uniquely concerning, what the global health community needs to do to respond effectively, and how U.S. international aid policy under the Trump Administration has affected the trajectory of this public health crisis.Guests on this episode:Dr. Adam Levine is a professor of emergency medicine and international and public affairs at Brown University, who has led research and training on emergency medicine, including during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia.Dr. Craig Spencer is an emergency medicine physician and an associate professor of the practice at Brown University’s School of Public Health. He has worked around the world on frontline preparedness for health emergencies, including in Guinea during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Transcript coming soon to our websiteWatch Trending Globally on YouTube
- Jun 11, 202649 min
Social media, the attention economy and the health of American democracy with Chris Hayes
On this episode: as part of the Watson School’s programming for Brown University’s Commencement and Reunion Weekend, Dean John Friedman spoke with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes ‘01 about how social media and the attention economy have reshaped American politics, how politicians should react to these seismic changes in political media, and what this means for the 2026 mid-term elections and beyond. Chris Hayes is a journalist and the Emmy Award-winning anchor of “All In with Chris Hayes,” which airs weekdays at 8:00 p.m. on MS NOW. He is the anchor of the MS NOW Original podcast “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast,” and author of, most recently, “The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource.” This conversation has been edited for clarity. Watch the full, unedited conversation on our YouTube channel. Transcript coming soon to our website.
- May 28, 202638 min
The war in Iran’s ripple effect on the global energy economy
The war in Iran is entering its third month, and according to the War in Iran Energy Cost Tracker — a new project from the Watson School's Climate Solutions Lab — the war has already cost Americans over 40 billion extra dollars in gas and diesel. But as Jeff Colgan, professor of political science at the Watson School and director of Watson’s Climate Solutions Lab, explains, when it comes to the effects of this war, the rising price of fuel is just the tip of the iceberg.On this episode, Watson School dean and economist John Friedman talks with Jeff about its effects on everything from individual consumer finances to national security, geopolitics, and the future of climate change.Check out the Climate Solutions Lab’s Iran War Energy Cost TrackerTranscript coming soon to our website
- May 14, 202634 min
Border politics at our doorstep with Ieva Jusionyte
How do borders — both the physical barriers and the political realities — shape our society?These questions have long driven the work of Ieva Jusionyte, an anthropologist at the Watson School and director of Watson’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies.In the last nine months, Ieva won both a MacArthur Genius grant and a Guggenheim fellowship for her path-breaking work exploring how political borders shape individuals and communities. On this episode, Dan Richards talks with Ieva about her research, how it feels to have her work receive so much recognition, and what we can all learn from border communities as immigration enforcement comes to our collective doorstep.Watch the conversation on our YouTube channelTranscript coming soon to our website
- Apr 30, 202640 min
The extraction industry powering the green transition (from the Rhodes Center Podcast)
Lithium is an essential ingredient of most modern electronics. It helps to power our phones, our laptops, and increasingly EVs and other key parts of the green transition.As Thea Riofrancos, a political scientist and author of the new book “Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism,” explains, the story of lithium — how it's mined, how it’s refined, and how it makes its way around the world — isn’t just a business story. It's a story of geopolitics and power.On this episode (originally published on the Rhodes Center Podcast, another podcast from the Watson School), Watson political economist and Rhodes Center director Mark Blyth talks with Thea about the politics and economics of lithium extraction, how the race to electrify our energy supply is reshaping the global economy, and what it means for the future of our planet.Learn more about and purchase Extraction: The Frontiers of Green CapitalismWatch Mark and Thea’s discussion at the Watson School
Get Trending Globally: Politics and Policy summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Daily discussions on current events and political developments.
Trending
Covers social media with in-depth reporting.
The Truth of the Matter
Breaks down complex global policy issues through informed, balanced discussions without spin or sensationalism.
Not Another Politics Podcast
Political scientists analyze major political issues using data, theory, and research to explain the forces shaping American politics.
The Real Story
Experts and decision makers analyze and debate major news stories.
Global Security Briefing
Experts analyze global security challenges and international defense policies, with a focus on the UK, Indo-Pacific, and Gulf regions.
The Lawfare Podcast
Discussions with experts on national security, law, and policy covering foreign policy, intelligence, cybersecurity, and governance.
The Intelligence from The Economist
Global news and analysis on politics, business, and culture from The Economist’s correspondents, with weekday stories and a weekend deep-dive.
Economist Podcasts
Daily global news analysis from correspondents on major international stories.
One Decision
Former intelligence leaders and journalists examine high-stakes decisions that shaped global events.
Iran: The Latest
Analysis of Iran's role in Middle East conflicts, covering military actions, nuclear tensions, and regional alliances with Israel and the US.
The Just Security Podcast
Expert analysis of national security, foreign policy, and rights from practitioners, academics, and affected individuals.
About Trending Globally: Politics and Policy
An award-winning show exploring today's biggest global challenges with the world's leading experts, from the Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Trending Globally: Politics and Policy in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Trending Globally: Politics and Policy daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Trending Globally: Politics and Policy as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Trending Globally: Politics and Policy podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Trending Globally: Politics and Policy product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by The Watson School.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
What topics does Trending Globally: Politics and Policy cover?
Trending Globally: Politics and Policy covers topics including Science, News, Education, Social Sciences. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Trending Globally: Politics and Policy summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.