The Gallup Podcast

As elected officials work to address school shootings in the U.S. after the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, some proposals to solve the problem are more popular than others. Which tactics receive nearly unanimous support from Americans and which show divisions along party lines? Later, find out what percentage of Americans say this past winter was warmer than in previous years.

As heated debates over free speech and diversity dominate headlines and roil campuses across the country, many are left wondering how college students view the First Amendment. Sam Gill of the Knight Foundation returns to discuss new findings from a study on students’ views of free speech on campus and online. Later, find out if Americans now view President Donald Trump’s tax law more favorably.

Americans have high opinions of certain countries whose citizens, in turn, have low approval of U.S. leadership. These lopsided sentiments have become more pronounced amid major declines in approval of U.S. leadership in 2017. In what countries is the discrepancy greatest? Later, find out Americans’ true feelings on trade -- is it more an opportunity for U.S. exports or a threat because of imports?

A Northeastern University and Gallup study finds that the majority of Americans say they are unlikely to use and would not feel comfortable in a self-driving car. In this episode, we talk with Americans from across the country, who express both optimism and reservations about the new technology. What would they like leaders to consider as they create regulations for it? Later, New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul describes her experience riding in an autonomous vehicle in Manhattan and elsewhere, and what she sees for the future of American transportation.

Find out where Americans stand on the major issues of the day. Are Americans satisfied with the direction of the U.S.? Do they favor stricter gun laws? Do they want a bigger military budget? Who do they side with on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Who do Americans think did the best job as president? Tune in to learn the answers to these questions and more.

Americans’ well-being took a big hit nationally in 2017, according to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, which recorded declines in 21 states. Why did well-being drop, and where were the declines most pronounced? Later, find out what percentage of Americans say that the person occupying the presidency affects their personal happiness.

Developments in artificial intelligence will continue to disrupt our work and lives. How can higher education prepare Americans for the coming threat of AI taking their jobs? Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun joins us to discuss a new report on AI’s effects and higher education’s response. Later, we reveal the percentage of Americans who rate the FBI’s performance positively.

As President Donald Trump prepares to make his first formal State of the Union address, what are Americans thinking? How do people feel he has performed so far as president, and what do they hope to hear him say about the future? On this special episode, we ask them. Later, we report on the aspects of the state of the union with which Americans are most and least satisfied.

Global approval of U.S. leadership fell to a record low during Donald Trump’s first year in office. In fact, Germany’s leadership approval now leads U.S. leadership approval worldwide. Jon Clifton, Global Managing Partner at Gallup, discusses these important trends, as well as other key findings based on how 134 countries and areas rate U.S. leadership. Later, we reveal the percentage of Americans who say they cannot name an objective news source.

Sam Gill, a vice president at the Knight Foundation, joins us to discuss a major new report on the public’s eroding trust in U.S. media; the challenges facing the journalism industry in fulfilling its democratic responsibilities; and how party polarization plays a major role in Americans’ views of the media. Later, we update the percentage of Democrats who identify as liberals and discuss how it has changed since 2001.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called 2017 one of the most successful first years in presidential history -- but what do Americans think? Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad reviews the year’s presidential approval ratings, as well as other measures of how Americans think the country is doing. Later, we reveal which sports are most popular in the U.S.

What can leaders do to manage workplaces better? In this episode, Dr. Jim Harter, chief scientist of Gallup’s workplace management practice, talks about the latest Gallup State of the Global Workplace report findings to help answer this question and more -- including what percentage of the global workforce is engaged. Later, we discuss the percentage of Americans who say taxes are the most important problem in the U.S.

Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report, offers his take on the impact that the Alabama special election, Trump’s approval rating, the public’s view of the new tax reform law and other factors will have on the political landscape in 2018. Later, we discuss Hillary Clinton’s favorable rating one year after the 2016 presidential election.

As congressional Republicans put the finishing touches on their controversial tax bill, should they consider public opinion? Gallup Senior Scientist Justin Wolfers, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, offers an economist’s insight on that question. Wolfers goes on to shed light on many other important issues that arise when a government attempts to cut taxes. Later, we report on what Americans think about President Donald Trump’s position on recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Are colleges and universities in the U.S. in danger of becoming obsolete? Some observers say so. Brandon Busteed, Gallup’s Executive Director of Education and Workforce Development, weighs in with his take. Busteed offers insights for a new era in higher education, in which we could see significant numbers of colleges going out of business or merging in an effort to remain viable. Later, we discuss Americans’ preferences for the gender of their boss and how those preferences have changed over time.

For decades, Gallup has asked Americans what they think is the most important problem facing the nation, and their answers have varied over time. In this episode, Gallup Senior Editor Jeff Jones gives us a rundown of Americans’ views on what the nation’s biggest problems are today. Later, we share the percentage of Americans who plan to do their holiday shopping online.

Where in the U.S. is well-being highest? What boosts well-being in communities? And has there been a “Trump effect” on well-being in the U.S.? In this episode, Dan Witters, Research Director of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, joins us to answer these questions and discuss key trends in Americans’ health and well-being. Later, we reveal the percentage of Americans who say they would feel unsafe walking alone at night.

In today’s podcast, Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad discusses the percentage of Americans who say they have experienced sexual harassment at work.

Former Secretary of Defense and U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel offers a unique insight into how military leaders and elected officials use public opinion in their decision-making. Hagel sits down to discuss public opinion on actions against North Korea, confidence in the U.S. military and the proposed ban on transgender people serving in the military.