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. 20h ago

    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.”

    31 min

  2. 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

    34 min

  3. 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

    32 min

  4. 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

    32 min

  5. 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

    23 min

  6. 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

    30 min

  7. Feb 25

    How New Orleans Fixed Its Schools | David Osborne

    In 2003, New Orleans public schools were among the worst in the country.Seventy percent of eighth-graders were not proficient in math, 74 percent weren’t proficient in English, and the graduation rate was barely over 50 percent. Moreover, the district was as corrupt as it was incompetent. FBI investigations led to the indictment of two dozen school officials; nearly $70 million in federal funding was missing. New Orleans schools have since achieved a remarkable transformation. In 2023, the high school graduation rate was 79 percent, and 65 percent enrolled in college—nearly double what it was in 2004 and higher than the state average.This success, one expert argues, was powered by the city’s commitment to charter schools. In a new documentary, Turnaround, which premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival last fall, author David Osborne chronicles the rise of New Orleans public schools through its use of charters and argues for the expansion of this model. Osborne is the author of six books, including the 1992 bestseller, Reinventing Government. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington MonthlyGuest: David Osborne, Director, TurnaroundChapters00:00 Introduction to the Documentary and Its Purpose03:18 The State of New Orleans Public Schools Before the Turnaround05:40 The Role of Charter Schools in Education Reform10:18 Leslie Jacobs: A Key Figure in the Reform Movement17:10 Success Stories from Charter Operators21:40 Criticism and Challenges Facing Charter Schools25:42 Differentiating Vouchers from Charter Schools32:33 The Future of Public Education and Charter SchoolsRead the Washington Monthly:www.washingtonmonthly.comSubscribe to the Washington Monthly's PolicyFix playlist:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5j_rTTHx-0Vv_T_AyQqoRaO&si=AANgMFJ6G2_cOUM4

    38 min

  8. Feb 11

    Gen Z's Problem with "Fake" News | Chuck Salter

    In the eyes of today’s teens, journalism and the media are doomed. In two major surveys of US teens conducted over the last two years, the nonprofit News Literacy Project found deep levels of mistrust and misunderstanding of the news: Only about half ofteens know that “branded content” is a form of advertising;Only 52 percent of teens understand that articleslabeled “commentary” are opinions; ·Teens have overwhelmingly negative impressionsof news, calling it “fake,” “crazy,” “biased,” “boring,” and “bad”; Just 15 percent of teens actively seek out news,and many hold low opinions of journalists’ truthfulness and ethics. Half of teens, for instance, believe that journalists make up quotes. The root of this distrust is the lack of “newsliteracy,” argues Charles ("Chuck") Salter, the News Literacy Project’s President and CEO. Host: Anne Kim, Senior Editor, Washington Monthly Guest, Charles Salter, President and CEO, News Literacy Project Chapters 00:00 Introduction to News Literacy and Its Importance 03:37 The Disturbing Findings of the Studies 06:01 Understanding Teenagers' News Literacy Levels 08:47 The Negative Perception of Journalism Among Teens 11:20 The Role of Popular Culture in Shaping Attitudes 14:01 The Risks of Low News Literacy 16:40 The Societal Impact of Mistrust in Journalism 19:30 Advice for Journalists and Conclusion

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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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
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Washington Monthly
  • Show Website
    Washington Monthly

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