Weekly Wonk Podcast

When it comes to development policy in Africa, we've been looking for solutions to the continent's biggest problems in all the wrong places. We also look at what we can expect before and after the presidential election in Afghanistan.

Shane Harris explores how President Obama's announced reforms will change the job of the NSA's new soon-to-be-confirmed leader – Admiral Mike Rogers. Later, Kevin Carey discusses the shaky future of college as we know.

This week, journalist Megan McArdle's big idea is that failure is actually the key to success. Later, Mark Schmitt and Zephyr Teachout talk about the implications of an imminent campaign finance ruling and a new bill.

Hey, are you busy right now? If you live in America, the answer is probably "yes." We're busier than ever. Or…are we? Bridigd Shulte explains. Later, Meredith Wadman and Kathryn Bowers dissect the president's science research budget.

Emily Parker talks about the strange underworld of online activism around the world. Later, Liza Mundy, Brigid Schulte and Rosa Brooks discuss the "Lean In" rebellion, and what we're all misunderstanding about the work-life balance conversation.

Chris Leonard talks about how your chicken can go from “egg to McNugget without ever touching a market where there’s a transparent price.” Then, on the eve of the Oscars, Peter Bergen and Liza Mundy talk about whether movies can move policy.

Numbers like GDP, consumer price index and the jobless rate “obscure more than they illuminate,” economist Zachary Karabell tells Slaughter, exploring the argument in his new book, The Leading Indicators.

Lina Khan and Daniel Kurtz–Phelan unpack the underreported benefits and controversy around trust-busting. Later, Gabe Sherman shares his bleak prognosis for Fox News' future – and what he learned while writing a biography of Roger Ailes.

Co-founder Chris Hughes joins us to discuss Facebook's early days. And, as the Sochi Olympics bring a mix of a excitement and fear, Bailey Cahall and Steve LeVine tell us just how worries we should be for the athletes' safety.

Wondering what to make of President Obama's 2014 State of the Union? Listen to our mashup of the president’s sound bites and our analyst reactions to his biggest lines. Afterwards, Mark Schmitt and Perry Bacon grade the president’s oratory and proposals.

Jake Sullivan, Vice President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, spotlights the most overlooked lever for changing policy in Iran. Later, we discuss what's missing from the inequality debate, and point to policies that can narrow the divide.

Embrace the rise of countries like China, says Center for Global Development Senior Fellow Charles Kenny. Later, Open Technology Institute's Kevin Bankston and Fellow Katherine Mangu-Ward suggest big changes to the NSA’s bulk surveillance program.

Former Senator Jon Kyl explains why 2014 may finally be the year our immigration system gets fixed; Teach For America Founder Wendy Kopp, and Education Policy Program Director Kevin Carey discuss a new strategy for educating the world.

As we careen towards 2014, this week's 'cast is our ode to 2013. First, a talk about Blade Runner and what it means to be a human. Next, we consider how the thawing relationship between the U.S. And Iran could impact the broader Middle East.

Afghan President Karzai is refusing to sign the U.S. peace agreement. How will his actions impact U.S. and Afghanistan security? National Security Fellows interpret Karzai's obstinance and forecast how the country will fare post-withdrawal.