Washington Monthly

Washington Monthly
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Bold ideas. Honest journalism. Smart analysis. Since 1969, the Washington Monthly has brought a sharp eye to politics, policy and the business of government. Our mission: Champion democracy, support good governance, and promote American opportunity for all. Join co-hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps each week for expert analysis on both the biggest issues driving Washington - and the issues you may not know about but should.

  1. Jul 15

    How DOGE Broke the IRS | Danny Werfel

    The Internal Revenue Service may never be the government’s most popular agency, but it could have been the most efficient.  In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested $80 billion to fix the Internal Revenue Service. In 2024, the agency rolled out features like Direct File, a new free filing service for taxpayers. But Elon Musk's DOGE had other plans, including mass firings and data sharing agreements with ICE. The result is new risks for taxpayers. Host: Anne Kim, Washington Monthly Guest: Danny Werfel, former IRS Commissioner Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Danny Werfel and IRS challenges 01:01 The importance of the IRS and public perception 02:04 The referee analogy and public trust 02:57 Modernization goals and digital interactions 05:30 Impact of current administration on the IRS 06:29 Performance before and after the Inflation Reduction Act 07:55 Reversal of modernization efforts in 2025 09:22 Lack of a clear modernization plan from the IRS 11:20 Recent IRS performance and taxpayer frustrations 12:21 Consequences of underfunding and staffing issues 16:39 The size and capacity of the IRS compared internationally 20:43 Doge's mistakes in IRS reform 23:05 Spending, capacity, and efficiency in government 27:08 Risks of rapid reform and the reflecting pool analogy 37:34 The concept and benefits of direct file 40:57 Challenges and opportunities in free file solutions 44:19 The future of IRS reform and innovation

  2. Jul 1

    Boot Camps and Marriage Payments? The Heritage Foundation's Troubling "Pro-Natalist" Agenda | Varina Winder

    The ultra-right-wing Heritage Foundation blames "feminism" for falling fertility rates. Not surprisingly, its "solutions" are hostile to women.Host: Anne Kim, Washington MonthlyGuest: Varina Winder, Co-founder, Arch CollaborativeChapters00:00 Introduction to the Pronatalist Agenda02:57 The Heritage Foundation's Influence and Report05:50 Crisis Framing: Fertility Rates and Social Welfare08:46 Feminism and Its Role in the Fertility Debate11:55 Policy Solutions and Their Implications15:03 Critique of Heritage's Understanding of Family Needs17:56 Cultural Shifts and Women's Autonomy20:56 Advocacy and Action Steps for Women

  3. Jun 17

    The Myth of the "Independent Creator" | Matt Robison

    Much like the economy at large, the system favors big players over independent creators. Online sensations like Mr. Beast—the YouTuber with nearly 500 million subscribers—have spurred countless imitators with dreams of online fame. Yet a vanishing few reach the stratospheric heights of Mr. Beast, who reportedly earns $700 million a year. Accordingto a 2025 survey by NeoReach, 70 percent of creators report earning less than $49,000 a year, and more than half earn less than $15,000 annually. (YouTube, meanwhile, reported $60 billion in revenues in 2025.) As veteran podcaster Matt Robison argues, media has become a “superstar economy” where a small number of players dominatethe market. Their incumbency is secured by platforms like YouTube and Substack, which have every incentive to promote their superstars as a way to compete against each other. Algorithms that favor popularity make things worse forsmaller creators trying to break in. The result is that no one who isn’t already big can make it big because the big guys are insulated from competition.   Host: Anne Kim, Washington Monthly Guest: Matt Robison, author of the Substack, “Worth Knowing,” and the host of the podcast, “Beyond Politics.”

  4. Jun 3

    Real Men Teach - We Need More of Them | Curtis Valentine

    For several decades now, girls have been outperforming boysacademically.  They earn higher grades, are less likely to drop out, and are significantly more likely to attend college. Women now earn themajority of professional degrees, according to the Hechinger Report, including 60 percent of master’s and doctorates.  More male teachers can help close gender gaps inachievement, argues Curtis Valentine, president of the newly launched Male Educator Network, an initiative of the American Institute for Boys and Men. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington Monthly Guest: Curtis Valentine, president of the Male Educator Network and Policy Institute Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Male Educator Network 02:38 Curtis Valentine’s Teaching Journey 05:30 Impact of Male Educators on Students 08:52 Gender Disparity in Education 11:27 Challenges in Attracting Men to Teaching 14:47 Policy Recommendations for Increasing Male Educators 17:40 Addressing the Prestige of Teaching 20:29 Cultural Perceptions of Masculinity and Teaching 23:34 Conclusion and Call to Action

  5. May 20

    Can capitalism be saved? | Nick Hanauer and Eric Beinhocker

    Billionaires are the apex predators of the modern economy. They tear up governments, buy politicians, and wreck the planet with carbon-spewing yachts. They control the news and what’s in our feeds. They spend $55 million on lavish weddings while the rest of us struggle to buy groceries and gas.That's why entrepreneur Nick Hanauer and Professor Eric Beinhocker argue for a new economic paradigm they call "market humanism." It's not the end of capitalism, nor the end of markets. Instead, what Hanauer and Beinhocker would like to see is the better organization of markets so they produce the outcomes that benefit humanity (i.e., not the production of more billionaires).In this episode, Hanauer and Beinhocker discuss their new treatise, "Markets Built for Humans," and their critique of the current neoliberal paradigm. Host: Anne Kim, Washington MonthlyGuests: Nick Hanauer and Eric Beinhocker

  6. May 6

    Get ready for the AI crash | Asad Ramzanali

    Risky financial maneuvers and mountains of debt mean the AI economy is in trouble, says Vanderbilt's Asad Ramzanali. America needs to get ready. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington MonthlyGuest: Asad Ramzanali, Director of AI and Technology Policy, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, Vanderbilt University

  7. Mar 24

    Trump’s Not-So-Great Health Care Plan | Edwin Park

    President Donald Trump recently unveiled his “Great Healthcare Plan,” vowing to bring down soaring premiums and “fix” the Affordable Care Act. But Trump’s single-page plan is likely to fall far short of his promises, says Edwin Park, a research professor at Georgetown University and a former health policy advisor to the National Economic Council under President Joe Biden. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington Monthly Guest: Edwin Park, Georgetown University Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trump's Health Care Plan 02:23 Analyzing Drug Pricing Proposals 05:20 Cash Payments vs. Insurance Premiums 10:24 Transparency and Cost Sharing in Health Care 15:34 Republican Proposals and Medicaid Cuts 18:48 Bipartisan Efforts and Future Priorities Find us on Substack: https://washingtonmonthly.substack.com Read the Washington Monthly:www.washingtonmonthly.com

  8. Mar 11

    The Republicans Who Could Save Democracy | Andrew Seligsohn and Sarah Bryner

    So-called “Constitution-First” Republicans are uncomfortable with Trump’s abuses of power. They could be the key to a pro-democracy coalition that cuts across party and ideology. President Donald Trump’s grip on the Republican party hasseemed absolute. But his consistent disregard for constitutional and societalnorms might be leading to genuine fissures within the GOP. A new report by the nonprofit Public Agenda and the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, based on focus groups and surveys involving more than 4,500 Americans, identifiesan emerging three-part typology within the Republican party: ·      “Trump First” Republicans who are the core of the MAGA base; ·      “Party First” Republicans, whose partisan loyalties outweigh their personal devotion to Trump; and ·     “Constitution First” Republicans, conservativeswho are increasingly uncomfortable with Trump’s behavior in office. These Constitution First Republicans—who make up 34 percent of the party—have the potential to be an effective counterweight to extremism within their party. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington Monthly Guests: Andrew Seligsohn, President, Public Agenda; Sarah Bryner, Director, Public Agenda Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Research and Its Purpose 02:55 Understanding the GOP Typology 06:39 Contrasting Republican Groups: Trump-First vs. Constitution-First 10:26 Media Consumption and Its Impact on Political Views 14:16 Engagement Strategies for a Healthy Democracy 19:44 Hope for American Democracy: Insights from the Research Read the Washington Monthly: www.washingtonmonthly.com Subscribe to our Substack: https://washingtonmonthly.substack.com

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About

Bold ideas. Honest journalism. Smart analysis. Since 1969, the Washington Monthly has brought a sharp eye to politics, policy and the business of government. Our mission: Champion democracy, support good governance, and promote American opportunity for all. Join co-hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps each week for expert analysis on both the biggest issues driving Washington - and the issues you may not know about but should.

Information

  • Creator
    Washington Monthly
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Washington Monthly
  • Show Website
    Washington Monthly

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