Policy 360

Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University

Policy 360 is a series of policy conversations from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

  1. GLP-1 Drugs - One Thing They Don't Reduce

    APR 25

    GLP-1 Drugs - One Thing They Don't Reduce

    GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have revolutionized the management of diabetes and obesity. Millions of Americans are experimenting with them. Celebrities like Oprah are sharing their experiences. Duke Sanford School of Public Policy faculty member Jonathan Zhang is an economist who works on health policy, health economics and public finance. His research shows that GLP-1 drugs live up to their promise in everyday medical care. But the study also finds that, at least in the short run, they do not reduce overall health care spending.

    29 min
  2. Ep. 181 What Jamaican Sprinters Can Teach Us About Upward Mobility

    APR 11

    Ep. 181 What Jamaican Sprinters Can Teach Us About Upward Mobility

    Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Professor Anirudh Krishna has been studying a seemingly simple question: why do people in certain countries just seem better at some things than others? Think of the large number of world-class runners from Jamaica like Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, or the long list of top female golfers from South Korea. Why are people in tiny Estonia keep hatching software companies worth billions? Krishna's research shows that these examples are due in large part to structures that are specifically designed to support the rise of talent. By giving a fair chance to everyone these "ladders of opportunity" both produce champions and serve as avenues of upward mobility, supporting community development. Krishna's TED Talk, The 7 Pillars of Unlocking Potential, has garnered half a million views. His latest book is The Broken Ladder: The Paradox and Potential of India's One-Billion.

    25 min
  3. Trust & Leadership: A Conversation with CQ Brown, Jr. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    MAR 25

    Trust & Leadership: A Conversation with CQ Brown, Jr. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    As 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown, Jr. advised the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. He now serves as an executive in residence at Duke with appointments in the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Pratt School of Engineering. Over his career, General Brown has held many different roles. As a pilot with the U.S. Air Force, he has logged more than 3,100 flying hours. He also served as the first African American chief of a U.S. military service, the Air Force, and was unanimously confirmed for that role by the Senate in 2020.

    32 min
  4. Power to the Renters: Tenant's Rights in a Landlord's World

    MAR 6

    Power to the Renters: Tenant's Rights in a Landlord's World

    Every year, 250 million Americans face issues that land them in the civil justice system; think eviction, debt collection and poor housing. And here's a shocking number: more than 90% of people with low incomes either get no legal help or inadequate legal assistance. Today's guest, Mallory SoRelle, is a public policy faculty member at Duke. She's co-written a book called Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power. The book is filled with true stories and analysis about how to harness power, politics, and justice to create effective public policy for everyone.

    31 min
  5. The Hidden Everyday Successes of Government - And How That Can Help Democracy

    JAN 15

    The Hidden Everyday Successes of Government - And How That Can Help Democracy

    Danny Werfel recently served as the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He led the U.S. tax system twice, and in his most recent stint he was in charge of a dramatic transformation, launching more digital solutions in a two-year period than in the previous two decades combined.  Werfel joins us to talk about leadership, organizational change, and how a broader understanding of what the government does – and gets right – could have a profound impact on political polarization and democracy itself. Danny Werfel earned a Master of Public Policy degree at Duke, and is now serving as a distinguished fellow with Polis, Duke's Center for Politics.

    41 min
  6. Workers: a non-compete clause should give you pause

    12/19/2025

    Workers: a non-compete clause should give you pause

    What if a single clause in your job contract could quietly shape how much you are able to get paid -- after you leave that job? And what if that same contract clause ends up limiting the places you can move for a job? Today, the hidden power of the non-compete clause. New research from Matt Johnson, professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and co-authors gives insight into what the practice actually costs workers.

    33 min
  7. A Conversation with the 16th Administrator of the EPA Michael Regan

    12/04/2025

    A Conversation with the 16th Administrator of the EPA Michael Regan

    Michael Regan recently served as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previously he was Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality where he secured the largest coal ash cleanup settlement in U.S. history. And he led negotiations on the cleanup of the Cape Fear River from PFAS contamination. Now he has taken a role at POLIS: Center for Politics at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.

    23 min
  8. AI Music is Singing Like a Canary in a Coal Mine

    11/19/2025

    AI Music is Singing Like a Canary in a Coal Mine

    Every technology in music history leaves artists behind. What if one left them all behind? AI-generated music is severely undermining artists' ability to make a viable living. Is it a canary in the coal mine for music and for how AI will affect the future of work more broadly? Grammy-nominated musician Tift Merritt and Professor David Hoffman of the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy discuss the research they are conducting with students to address these issues.  Host: Anna Gassman-Pines. This episode is part of a month-long series of stories related to tech policy from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Policy 360 is a series of policy conversations from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Information

  • Creator
    Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © copyright Duke University
  • Show Website
    Policy 360

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