The shifting map of the 2026 midterm elections
Please Discuss ...
In the debut episode of Please Discuss, Brookings scholar E.J. Dionne moderates a conversation about how changes to voting could have consequences for the 2026 midterm election landscape. Brookings scholars Elaine Kamarck, Elena Patel, and Scott Anderson examine mid-decade redistricting battles, court rulings over mail-in ballots, and the legal challenges testing both election administrators and voters across the country. . Please Discuss ... is a production of the Brookings Podcast Network. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and learn more at .
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Announcing "Please Discuss …," conversations rooted in research and a search for what’s true
Please Discuss ...
From the Brookings Podcast Network, Please Discuss ... is a new show that brings together the sharpest minds at Brookings and their guests to have discussions rooted in facts, research, and a search for what's true. On each episode, scholars unpack the defining issues of our time. Stay tuned in October for a three-part miniseries focused on the U.S. midterm elections. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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Financing Africa’s economic growth
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly, senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings, and Lemma Senbet, William E. Mayer chair professor of finance at the University of Maryland, explain why national debts in sub-Saharan Africa have risen in recent years, the challenges of sustainably financing economic development, and the role of multilateral development banks in solving Africa's massive infrastructure gap. Full show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. This is the final episode of the Intersections podcast. Thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo,...
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The roots of America’s divided politics
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, Brookings Vice President Darrell West and Senior Fellow Camille Busette discuss themes from West's new book, "," including the economic, geographic, racial, and technological factors that have exacerbated U.S. political polarization to its current breaking point, and what's needed to build a healthier democracy. West and Busette also speculated how these pressures may affect the 2020 presidential race. Full show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews, and Camilo Ramirez for additional...
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Russia’s challenge to the West
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, Angela Stent and Keir Giles, authors of “” and “” examine the history of Russia's national identity and how the U.S. fundamentally misunderstands Russia's view of itself in conflict with the West. Full show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews, Camilo Ramirez, and intern Quinn Lukas for additional support. Send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. Intersections is part of the
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Preventing violent extremism in fragile states
Please Discuss ...
The recently released its recommendations, calling for a new strategy to prevent violent extremism from developing in fragile states. Brookings Senior Fellow George Ingram and President of the U.S. Institute of Peace Nancy Lindborg explain why the U.S. needs to change its priorities from defeating terrorists militarily and focus on addressing the economic, social, and political weaknesses in fragile states which lead to the rise of extremist groups. Full show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews,...
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Realizing the value of black neighborhoods
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, David M. Rubenstein Fellows Andre Perry and Jenny Schuetz examine past policies and current attitudes that have devalued homes and business in majority-black neighborhoods and the opportunities to be gained by building on the assets in majority-black places. Full show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews, Camilo Ramirez, and intern Quinn Lukas for additional support. Send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter.
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Advancing women's leadership around the world
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, former Australian Prime Minister , founder of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership and distinguished fellow with the Center for Universal Education (CUE), and CUE Fellow discuss the current state of gender equality in leadership roles, the pipeline from quality education for girls to increased opportunities for women in leadership, and the expanding the evidence on what works to challenge gender stereotypes. Full show notes available here: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris...
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Priorities for climate change action after COP 24
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, Todd Stern, senior fellow and former special envoy for climate change in the Obama administration, and David Victor, co-chair of the , discuss the key issues at stake at the COP 24 negotiations in Poland, the absence of U.S. federal leadership on climate, and the state of U.S.-China cooperation on climate and energy priorities. Show notes: Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews, and Camilo Ramirez for additional support. Send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on...
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Recommendations for US policy toward Gaza
Please Discuss ...
In this episode, Brookings and CNAS experts lay out the recommendations of high-level task force for U.S. policy toward Gaza to help end the long-running humanitarian crisis and long-term political problems plaguing the Gaza Strip.
info_outlineFor International Women’s Day, we’re showcasing the work of the Echidna Global Scholars – leaders from NGOs and academia who work to improve learning opportunities and outcomes for girls in the developing world. In this episode, Dasmine Kennedy, Armene Modi, Maria Cristina Osorio, and Damaris Parsitau talk about empowering some of the most marginalized girls in Jamaica, India, Mexico, and Kenya, and engaging their communities to invest in girls for wider social and systemic change.
Full show notes are available here: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/the-women-working-to-improve-girls-education
Some of the transition music heard in this episode was composed by Steven Lee and Gastón Reboredo III.
Hosted by Adrianna Pita. With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, and Fred Dews for additional support.
Intersections is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.
Send feedback email to intersections@brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.