Critical Value show

Critical Value

Summary: Critical Value is a podcast from the Urban Institute that explores issues of significance for research, policy, and people. We talk with experts and highlight the best available data and evidence to elevate the debate on topics that matter.

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  • Artist: The Urban Institute
  • Copyright: 2018 Urban Institute. All rights reserved.

Podcasts:

 How Can We Address Historic Unemployment Rates? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 24:56

Since March 21, more than 30 million people have sought unemployment benefits—nearly one of every five workers. And the April jobs report coming out tomorrow will likely tell an even more distressing story of how the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting unemployment rates, job losses, and earnings. So what should we do? Host Justin Milner asks researchers Greg Acs, Jesse Jannetta, Heather Hahn, and Shena Ashley for their best ideas on to get Americans into jobs.

 Empowering the Next Generation through Higher Education | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:04

Host Justin Milner speaks with former Urban Institute Board Member Freeman Hrabowski about how to make education more accessible, affordable, and effective for students of all backgrounds. Recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in 2012, Hrabowski has served as the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for 27 years. He has led UMBC to new heights as a national leader in STEM education and in graduating students from diverse backgrounds.

 How Can We Minimize Coronavirus Risks in Prisons and in Jails? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 22:22

Jails and prisons are ripe for rapid transmission of the coronavirus, putting residents, corrections staff, and the broader community at risk. In the latest in a series of podcast episodes on the pandemic, host Justin Milner talks to Brie Williams, physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Johnny Perez, director of the US Prisons Program for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and Urban Institute policy associate Bethany Young. 

 How Will the Coronavirus Spending Bill Provide Support During the Pandemic? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:15

The $2 trillion economic relief package passed last week is larger than any other plan of its kind in modern history. Who does it help and how? In the latest in a series of podcasts on the pandemic, host Justin Milner talks to the Tax Policy Center’s Mark Mazur, and Urban’s Jack Smalligan and Wayne Vroman about what’s in the law and how it provides support payments to Americans and expands unemployment insurance.

 How Can We Alleviate Economic Insecurity During The Pandemic? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 18:47

The coronavirus is already having widespread, dramatic effects on our economy – particularly those who are the most financially vulnerable. In the second in a series of podcasts on the pandemic, host Justin Milner speaks with Urban’s Donald Marron and the Tax Policy Howard Gleckman about the economic impact of the pandemic and the most powerful economic solutions we can use to respond.

 How can we address housing insecurity during the pandemic? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:40

The coronavirus poses a particular threat to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. In the first of a series of podcasts on how the pandemic will affect vulnerable populations, host Justin Milner speaks with Mary Cunningham, vice president of the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center and researcher Samantha Batko about how the pandemic impacts those experiencing homelessness, those on the edge of becoming homeless and what policymakers can do to help.

 Can the Research Process Be Hacked? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 18:06

Research can take months—even years—to complete before publishing a final product. Is it possible to accelerate the research process? Recently, Urban researchers looked to hack the process by completing a research project in just one day. Host Justin Milner speaks with Christina Stacy and Brett Theodos to discuss their findings and the advantages and disadvantages that come with speeding up the research process.

 Sin Taxes Are Sweeping the States! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 18:23

Alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, and much more—states are implementing “sin taxes” on a range of activities and behaviors these days. Host Justin Milner talks with Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center researchers Richard Auxier and Lucy Dadayan about how states are experimenting with sin taxes and key things policymakers should keep in mind when implementing them.

 How America Spends through the Tax Code | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 17:30

At $1.4 trillion per year, tax expenditures are an enormously important way our government spends money. But these provisions in the tax code, often receive less scrutiny than direct spending for programs like Medicare or Social Security. Speaking to host Justin Milner, Institute fellow Frank Sammartino and codirector of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center Eric Toder explain how tax expenditures work, who they benefit, and why taxpayers should pay more attention.

 Top of Mind: Exciting New Research Ideas for 2020 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:22

We're starting off the year with a new segment called "Top of Mind" exploring compelling research topics that will be a big deal in 2020. Host Justin Milner speaks with Urban's Vice president, Marge Turner, researchers Carlos Martín and Solomon Greene, and chief data scientist Graham MacDonald to get a sense of what top of mind for their work in the coming year.

 Creating A Culture of Giving (Redux) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 20:11

Year-end giving is a big deal to nonprofits around the country—but the landscape of charitable giving is changing, as technology and social media in particular are making giving easier than ever. In a rerun of a 2018 episode, host Justin Milner sits down with Shena Ashley and Brice McKeever of Urban's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy to talk about creating a culture of giving that educates and engages everyone around the issues they're most passionate about.

 Elevate the Debate: How to Drive Fact-Based Policy Conversations | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:53

In a crowded and chaotic media environment, it can be hard for facts and data to break through and inform the important policy conversations that affect people’s everyday lives. Host Justin Milner talks with Urban’s chief communications officer Bridget Lowell, senior researcher and dataviz expert Jon Schwabish, and strategic communications director Kate Villarreal about how researchers and nonprofit leaders can become expert communicators and shapers of today’s policy debates.

 #42 Youth Apprenticeship: Connecting High School Students to Work-Based Learning | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 20:55

Youth apprenticeships can expand career options, strengthen the nation’s workforce and promote economic mobility. Host Justin Milner discusses youth apprenticeship programs with Urban researchers Robert Lerman and Diana Elliott; Darla Burton, Wisconsin’s State Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator; and Kevin Yonker, winner of West Central Georgia’s Youth Apprenticeship Program.

  How Foundations are Looking to Increase Impact | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 22:34

Institutional philanthropy is in a remarkable era of expansion and experimentation. Foundations are looking to increase their impact in innovative ways and also contending with the implications of their increasing influence. Host Justin Milner speaks with Arnold Ventures President Kelli Rhee, Hudson Webber Foundation President Melanca Clark, Center for Effective Philanthropy President Phil Buchanon and Urban researcher Ben Soskis to survey the emerging landscape.

 How Workforce Systems Improve Access to Skills and Jobs | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 25:23

Even in a strong economy, not everyone has access to jobs that pay well. And sometimes there are disconnects between the skills employers need and the training people receive. One way cities are tackling this challenge is through their local workforce system. Host Justin Milner talks with Urban researcher Amanda Briggs, Atlanta CareerRise founder Cinda Herndon-King, and JPMorgan Chase’s head of Workforce Initiatives, Global Philanthropy, Jennie Sparandara about driving change through workforce systems.

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