Poll Hub

Marist Poll

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent university public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of MIPO), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), Jay DeDapper (Director of Strategy + Innovation), Mary Griffith (Associate Director), and frequent expert guests, dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

  1. MAHA's Moment

    24 APR

    MAHA's Moment

    On this week’s Poll Hub: We open with a deep dive into the Make America Healthy Again”(MAHA) initiative and how it’s landing with the public. At a surface level, many Americans are on board with the idea of improving overall health across the country. But that broad agreement doesn’t always translate into strong alignment with the movement itself. In fact, when people hear more detailed explanations of the policies tied to MAHA, their reactions often become more mixed. In this segment, we look at what this disconnect tells us about how Americans process health-related proposals, the role politics plays in shaping opinion, and how messaging can influence support. From there, we shift to concerns surrounding drinking water and how Americans navigate choices between tap and bottled options. With water contamination topping the list of environmental worries nationwide, many individuals turn to bottled water as a perceived safer option. At the same time, there is widespread awareness of, and concern about, the environmental consequences of plastic waste. This creates a clear tension between what people value environmentally and the choices they make in their daily lives. We break down what the numbers say about public confidence in water systems, consumption patterns, and the broader environmental implications. To wrap things up, we end on a lighter note with a fun fact focused on how frequently Americans are grabbing fast food, and what that trend might reveal about everyday routines and habits. Particularly how definitions of fast food have changed since the 70s. maristpoll.com/podcast

    37 min
  2. Shifting Beliefs, Shifting Democracy

    17 APR

    Shifting Beliefs, Shifting Democracy

    This week on Poll Hub, we explore how beliefs, values, and identity are shaped and reshaped across generations in American life. Drawing on new data from the Pew Research Center, the conversation looks at how many Americans were raised with strong religious identities and consistent practices, yet far fewer maintain those same levels of engagement in adulthood. We examine what drives this shift —from changes in family structure and upbringing to broader cultural influences —and consider how early experiences—whether religious or secular—continue to shape people’s sense of meaning, belonging, and identity over time. Marist Lecturer in Religious Studies Dr. Brian Loh joins us to help unpack these trends and what they reveal about generational change. We then turn to the evolving role of social media in American democracy, where new research highlights a striking tension. While heavy social media users are more likely to feel politically empowered and believe their participation can make a difference, they are also less likely to say democracy is the best form of government. Using findings from Gallup, the Kettering Foundation, and Pew Research, we explore how increased connectivity may be boosting engagement while simultaneously contributing to declining trust in institutions. Together, these conversations point to a broader story about change in how Americans engage with both personal belief systems and public institutions. As traditional structures evolve and new forms of connection take their place, the ways people understand their identities and their role in democracy are shifting in complex and sometimes contradictory ways. Listen here: maristpoll.com/podcast

    33 min
  3. The Future of Cancer

    20 MAR

    The Future of Cancer

    On this week’s Poll Hub, we take a closer look at where things stand with cancer in the United States. It’s still one of the most widespread diseases in the country, but the story is more multi-dimensional than it used to be. Treatments have improved significantly, and people are living longer than before. At the same time, more people are being diagnosed, including younger individuals, raising important questions about what’s driving that increase and how much we still don’t fully understand. We also explore how cancer care is evolving. New treatments like targeted therapies and immunotherapy are making a real impact, and in some cases, cancer is becoming something people manage over time rather than something immediately life-threatening. However, cancer isn’t just one disease. There are many different types, each with its own challenges and treatment approaches, depending on the patient. And even with all this progress, there are still major challenges. Cancer can shape a person’s life long after treatment -- physically, emotionally, and financially. The cost of care, access to treatment, and long-term impacts all play a role in the patient experience. Joined by Dr. Thomas Blom of Princeton Medical Group and Penn Medicine, and host of Medical Insights with Dr. Thomas Blom, we talk through where things are improving, where challenges remain, and what the future of cancer care might look like. Listen to Medical Insights with Dr. Thomas Blom here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dhkwZs6AQ20GlaSJJ5Tbn?si=baaeccba89b94df8

    26 min

About

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent university public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of MIPO), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), Jay DeDapper (Director of Strategy + Innovation), Mary Griffith (Associate Director), and frequent expert guests, dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

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