Best D.C. Constant Podcasts (2025)

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“AI Will Tell You to Walk Across the English Channel”: Dr. Ticora Jones on Science, Power & Public Trust 27:20

Play Pause

9h ago27:20

27:20

“AI will tell you to walk across the English Channel… it’s not intelligent. It is pattern recognition.” NRDC Chief Science Officer Dr. Ticora Jones joins the Scientista Podcast for one of our most candid conversations yet. Dr. Jones talks about what AI really is (and isn’t), the collapse of USAID under Trump’s second term, why global development wo…

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Tribal colleges are a unique resource — and they're under threat 31:10

3d ago31:10

31:10

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College has classes on everything from Native American studies to gardening to equine sciences to the Hidatsa language. Like other tribal colleges and universities (aka TCUs), it's a space where students can get their degrees while steeped in Indigenous traditions and learning techniques. But since the start of this presidenti…

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The hidden history of demonizing SNAP recipients 35:35

7d ago35:35

35:35

Around 42 million people in the United States get SNAP benefits each month to cover basic needs like eggs, bread, and infant formula. Because of the government shutdown, most of those benefits have lapsed, and despite a judge's ruling that the Trump administration release contingency funds to cover the program, the White House will now only offer p…

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Freedom of speech has never been for everyone 39:38

10d ago39:38

39:38

Fights over free speech have taken up a lot of space in the zeitgeist lately. People on both the left and right claim to be the defenders of free speech, while pointing fingers at the other side for censorship and encroachments. So what is actually going on? This week on the podcast, we explore where the idea of free speech comes from, how the conc…

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Emmy Award–Winning Meteorologist Amber Sullins on the Art of Science Communication 29:16

10d ago29:16

29:16

How do you explain science when people stop believing in facts? Amber Sullins, chief meteorologist at ABC15 Phoenix and a five-time Emmy Award winner, joins Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina to talk about the changing climate of communication itself. From confronting misinformation to covering record-breaking heat, Sullins shares how empathy,…

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How Zohran Mamdani is scrambling establishment Democrat's brains 20:39

14d ago20:39

20:39

Zohran Mamdani has become one of the most popular and polarizing politicians in the last year. How did the New York City mayoral candidate go from a relatively unknown Democratic Socialist to becoming the frontrunner in the election for the U.S.'s largest city? In this episode, we unpack how Mamdani has energized unlikely voters and, for some, symb…

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How Elon Musk and JD Vance plan to 'save civilization' with more babies 37:34

17d ago37:34

37:34

What do conservatives like JD Vance and tech executives like Elon Musk have in common? They, like other pronatalists, want to “save civilization” by having more American babies. But it wasn’t that long ago that some people wanted to save the world by limiting the number of kids being born. This week on the pod, we explore the surprising way eugenic…

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CNN's Juliette Kayyem on the Case for Being “Less Bad” in a World of Constant Crisis 28:05

17d ago28:05

28:05

National security isn’t just about borders and threats—it’s about how we prepare, respond, and rebuild. CNN analyst and Harvard professor Juliette Kayyem joins Monica Medina and Dr. Sweta Chakraborty to talk about women in crisis leadership, why “less bad” is a winning strategy, and what every family should know about the “72 on you” rule for disas…

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Unpacking the Trump administration's immigration raid in Chicago 17:13

21d ago17:13

17:13

After midnight on September 30th, helicopters hovered above a large Chicago apartment building, and heavily armored agents rappelled from the choppers onto the roof. What unfolded became a spectacle that swept up both undocumented migrants and U.S. citizens alike. We’re looking at one of the most high-profile and aggressive raids in President Trump…

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Racist slurs, naughty words, and how dictionary editors define them 36:40

24d ago36:40

36:40

How do we define slurs like the N-word? Whether it’s heated debates about racist or ableist slurs, arguments about gender, or even new kinds of profanity, dictionary editors have been at the center of these fights for a long time. We're joined by Stefan Fatsis, the author of Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary, for a dee…

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Jean Oelwang: How Great Leaders Make Others Shine 32:57

24d ago32:57

32:57

What do Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Mary Robinson have in common? According to Jean Oelwang, the founding CEO of Virgin Unite, it’s not charisma or power—it’s humility. In this episode, Jean shares stories from decades spent alongside the world’s most influential changemakers, from helping Mandela and Graca Machel launch The Elders to working…

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What does Israel mean to American Jews? 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

Even since before October 7, 2023, American Jews have found themselves grappling with what it means to speak out against Israel and the rifts in their communities over their political views. And despite a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the division among Jews in the U.S. about Zionism and anti-Zionism could go on for years to com…

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Jigar Shah: The Clean Energy Industry Needs Its Own “Got Milk?” Campaign 42:54

1M ago42:54

42:54

Clean energy is winning on technology—but losing the story. Jigar Shah tells Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina why solar, wind, and EVs need the swagger (and budget) of a “Got Milk?” campaign. From plug-in hybrids to nuclear power, he explains how better narratives—and a billion-dollar confidence boost—can keep the transition moving forward. Than…

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Stacey Abrams on how voter suppression threatens democracy 15:05

1M ago15:05

15:05

Stacey Abrams is one of the most high-profile voting rights activists in the U.S. She says whether we have an actual democracy might literally depend on protecting voting rights in the next election cycle or two. How to prevent that? Keep an eye on the 10 steps from democracy to autocracy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.co…

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Voting rights are at risk. Here's why. 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

Next Wednesday, the Supreme Court hears a case that could further weaken the Voting Rights Act, which was passed to ensure fair districting and voting practices across different racial groups. Meanwhile, lawmakers across states are taking other paths to limit who can vote, from redrawing districts in order to favor a single party to limiting which …

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Why Malala Yousafzai is a hero in the West but not back home 41:34

1M ago41:34

41:34

Why is Malala Yousafzai so revered in the West while being much less popular in her home country of Pakistan? On this week's Code Switch, we unpack how Pakistani skepticism of Malala extends from a suspicion of U.S. and other foreign interests. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

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Jennifer Morris: Leading the World’s Largest Environmental Organization 40:15

2M ago40:15

40:15

Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, joins the Scientista Podcast to share her journey from women’s development projects in Namibia to leading thousands of employees across 80 countries. She discusses how TNC is reimagining conservation through innovative finance, science, and technology—from “nature bonds” that unlock billions for biodi…

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Is the American dream a scam? 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

This week on the pod: author Edgar Gomez talks about what it was like growing up poor, queer, and Nicaraguan Puerto Rican in Florida. His new memoir, Alligator Tears, chronicles his dreams of making it big, the various mini-scams he got into along the way, and his realization that a rich life might not ever come with bundles of money. Learn more ab…

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The stakes of calling Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

This week: why the term "genocide" matters when talking about Israel's actions against Palestinians in Gaza. On Tuesday, a UN commission said it found that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, as more people, groups and countries are alleging the same. We break down what the word genocide means on both a personal and geopolitical level,…

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Leading Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign: Lessons from Campaign Manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez 34:18

2M ago34:18

34:18

What does it take to manage a presidential campaign? In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who served as campaign manager for Vice President Kamala Harris. Julie takes us inside one of the most intense races in U.S. history—sharing how she prepared Harris for a defining debate stage moment, built a staf…

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How calls for mass deportations went mainstream 43:10

2M ago43:10

43:10

Calls to ban “third world immigration” in favor of “remigration” -- or, mass deportation -- went from fringe ideas in far right circles to ones pedaled by mainstream conservatives. Now, those ideas are mirrored in government policy. On this week's Code Switch, we track how these ideas got their start among white nationalists and neo-Nazis in the U.…

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Billie Eilish’s Mom, Maggie Baird, Is Feeding People and Fighting for the Planet 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

You may know her as Billie Eilish’s mom, but Maggie Baird is also an activist, storyteller, and founder of Support + Feed, a nonprofit tackling hunger, equity, and climate change with plant-based meals. What began as a living room idea during COVID has grown into a movement spanning 11 cities—delivering nutritious meals to communities cut off from …

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Digging into our ancestors' drama 41:23

2M ago41:23

41:23

This week, we're bringing you a special episode from our play cousins over at the podcast "Our Ancestors Were Messy." We hear about how Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes went from being best friends to not friends. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

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Lindsay Levin: How TED Countdown Uses Storytelling to Grow the Climate Movement 39:21

3M ago39:21

39:21

Lindsay Levin, Co-Founder of TED Countdown, joins Monica Medina to reflect on how the initiative has grown into a global platform reaching millions. Levin shares how TED Countdown is flipping the climate script — spotlighting solutions, building radical collaborations, and spreading hope through powerful storytelling. Thank you for listening! Learn…

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How racism kept Americans out of pools 35:24

3M ago35:24

35:24

This week, we're looking into the history of public swimming pools in the U.S., and the legacy that pool segregation has had on swimming skills in the country today. Earlier this year, Jasmine Romero found herself surrounded by four- and five-year-olds, ready to take her first ever swim class. Jasmine, who is in her mid-thirties, has had a fear of …

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Helen Mountford: Yes, We’re Still Talking About Gender 32:30

3M ago32:30

32:30

“Are we still talking about gender?” Yes—because it’s not solved. Climate leader Helen Mountford sits down with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina to reveal how women are driving bold climate solutions around the world, why organizations perform better when women lead, and how philanthropy can unlock their potential. Thank you for listening! L…

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How Trump's D.C. takeover criminalizes homelessness 39:27

3M ago39:27

39:27

On August 11, President Trump announced his intention to "rescue" the nation's capital. A central feature of his plan involved using federal officials to remove people experiencing homelessness from the city — people that he listed alongside "violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, and drugged out maniacs." On this episode…

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Dana R. Fisher: Ignoring Local Organizing Weakens the Climate Movement 38:46

3M ago38:46

38:46

Climate shocks are coming — faster, harder, and more often. American University’s Dana R. Fisher explains why the climate movement can’t afford to ignore local organizing, and how community power can drive national change. From disruptive protests to neighborhood resilience projects, Fisher shares a data-driven, hopeful vision for turning local act…

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Statelessness, but make it funny 30:42

3M ago30:42

30:42

Mo Amer is the creator and star of the hit Netflix comedy series Mo. It's a first-of-its kind Palestinian-American sitcom with a fraught plot line about the American immigration system and the hope to return, at least for a visit, to his family's homeland. We talk to Mo Amer what it’s like to make a show so centered on the real facts of his own lif…

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Bernadette Woods Placky: Why Weather Forecasters May Be Our Best Climate Communicators 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, meteorologist and Climate Central’s VP for Engagement Bernadette Woods Placky explains why local weather forecasters may be the most trusted—and underutilized—climate communicators we have. We talk about her path from aspiring gymnast to award-winning meteorologist, how attribution science is changing the …

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Hot weather kills. Who gets protected? 32:00

3M ago32:00

32:00

The heat disproportionately kills poor, elderly and people of color. So on this episode we're focusing on the lives of those impacted, from roofers in Florida to prisoners who live and die in cells that feel more like ovens in Texas. We’re asking why so many people are dying from the heat and whose lives we value enough to count their deaths and tr…

D.C. Constant Podcasts

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CONSTANTLY SPEAKING

D.C. Constant

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Scientista

Scientista

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Code Switch

NPR

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Creative Legends of the DMV

Evan Taff/Fat Nave

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“AI Will Tell You to Walk Across the English Channel”: Dr. Ticora Jones on Science, Power & Public Trust 27:20

1
Tribal colleges are a unique resource — and they're under threat 31:10

1
The hidden history of demonizing SNAP recipients 35:35

1
Freedom of speech has never been for everyone 39:38

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Emmy Award–Winning Meteorologist Amber Sullins on the Art of Science Communication 29:16

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How Zohran Mamdani is scrambling establishment Democrat's brains 20:39

1
How Elon Musk and JD Vance plan to 'save civilization' with more babies 37:34

1
CNN's Juliette Kayyem on the Case for Being “Less Bad” in a World of Constant Crisis 28:05

1
Unpacking the Trump administration's immigration raid in Chicago 17:13

1
Racist slurs, naughty words, and how dictionary editors define them 36:40

1
Jean Oelwang: How Great Leaders Make Others Shine 32:57

1
What does Israel mean to American Jews? 41:38

1
Jigar Shah: The Clean Energy Industry Needs Its Own “Got Milk?” Campaign 42:54

1
Stacey Abrams on how voter suppression threatens democracy 15:05

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Voting rights are at risk. Here's why. 33:57

1
Why Malala Yousafzai is a hero in the West but not back home 41:34

1
Jennifer Morris: Leading the World’s Largest Environmental Organization 40:15

1
Is the American dream a scam? 33:10

1
The stakes of calling Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide 43:50

1
Leading Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign: Lessons from Campaign Manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez 34:18

1
How calls for mass deportations went mainstream 43:10

1
Billie Eilish’s Mom, Maggie Baird, Is Feeding People and Fighting for the Planet 40:03

1
Digging into our ancestors' drama 41:23

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Lindsay Levin: How TED Countdown Uses Storytelling to Grow the Climate Movement 39:21

1
How racism kept Americans out of pools 35:24

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Helen Mountford: Yes, We’re Still Talking About Gender 32:30

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How Trump's D.C. takeover criminalizes homelessness 39:27

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Dana R. Fisher: Ignoring Local Organizing Weakens the Climate Movement 38:46

1
Statelessness, but make it funny 30:42

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Bernadette Woods Placky: Why Weather Forecasters May Be Our Best Climate Communicators 35:59

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Hot weather kills. Who gets protected? 32:00