The Truth of the Matter Center for Strategic and International Studies

Legendary ESPN reporter Wright Thompson joins Andrew to discuss his new book, Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon and the Things That Last. In listening to this episode, you’ll learn that “Pappyland” is “barely a book about bourbon,” but rather, about so many other facets of American life. Among them: tradition and legacy, family and relationships, our public discourse and the power of brand. Plus, Wright Thompson’s analysis of the Whiskey Rebellion and its applications to our present day policy dialogue. This episode contains the use of explicit language.

In this episode, Andrew invites CSIS's Romina Bandura to discuss the challenges and factors that lead to the deforestation of the Amazon. Romina draws on her latest CSIS report, "Sustainable Infrastructure in the Amazon," to discuss the underlying causes of the deforestation and what initiatives countries need to take in order to pursue sustainable economic development and ensure that economic, environmental, and social benefits are achieved.
Romina Bandura is a senior fellow with the Project on Prosperity and Development and the Project on U.S. Leadership in Development at CSIS.

In this episode, Andrew speaks with John Zogby and Jean-Paul (JP) Guilbault about a new poll that asked American adults and 16- to 17-year-olds how the national health and economic crises has impacted their lives and outlook. John and JP draw from the results of the Navigate360 and John Zogby Strategies report to discuss American feelings of personal safety and wellbeing in schools and the workplace, uncertainty and distrust of leadership and institutions, and insufficient training or communication for emergency situations. Please read here to find more poll results.
John Zogby is founder and senior partner of John Zogby Strategies. He is known as a veteran pollster, opinion leader, and best-selling author. JP Guilbault is the CEO of Navigate360, which provides technology, education and services to support all safety initiatives of various communities, workplaces, schools, and more.

In this episode, Andrew invites CSIS's Dr. Michael J. Green to analyze global perspectives on U.S. China policy. Dr. Green draws on statistics found in a recent CSIS survey of the American public and thought leaders in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Listen in to hear how people view China in terms of trade, human rights, security, and more. To find the full survey and analysis, please click here.
Dr. Michael J. Green is senior vice president for Asia and Japan Chair at CSIS; and director of Asian Studies at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. 

In this episode, Andrew is joined by Bruce Mehlman to discuss all things on the 2020 presidential election. They reflect on the news of President Trump and other senior White House officials testing positive for Covid-19, the first presidential debate, as well as what could come of President Trump's Supreme Court nomination.
Bruce P. Mehlman is the founder of Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, a bipartisan government relations firm that studies the implications of the policy landscape. You can find their new analysis on the 2020 elections here.

This is a crossover episode with the CSIS podcast The Reopening. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and global energy expert Daniel Yergin talks with Andrew and Scott about his latest book, The New Map, and the way technology revolutions in energy are influencing geopolitics, security, climate, and health. Daniel is vice-chairman of the research firm IHS Markit and has served on the Secretary of Energy’s advisory board under the last four presidential administrations.