Statecraft

Santi Ruiz
undefined
8 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 49min

How UK Biobank Was Built

Join Sir Rory Collins, principal investigator of UK Biobank and expert in health research, as he dives into a fascinating discussion about building long-term scientific initiatives. He shares insights on the challenges of securing support for a groundbreaking database tracking half a million participants over decades. Learn how this massive undertaking has revolutionized health studies and democratized access to invaluable data. Rory also emphasizes the importance of altruism among participants and the necessity of diverse biobanks for comprehensive health research.
undefined
6 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 46min

What Can We Learn From Estonia?

Joel Burke, an expert on Estonia's digital transformation and author of 'Rebooting a Nation', discusses the country's revolutionary e-government model. He reveals how Estonia enables citizens to manage their bureaucratic tasks online efficiently. The conversation highlights Estonia's remarkable post-Soviet renaissance, the innovative technologies behind its e-government, and how this model could inspire changes in Western governance. Privacy, transparency, and the balance of data centralization are also key themes, offering valuable insights for improving governmental processes.
undefined
Jun 5, 2025 • 33min

How to Save DC's Metro

Randy Clarke, the head of DC’s Metro system, has transformed the struggling transit network since taking over. In this insightful discussion, he shares his strategies for enhancing safety and speed without compromising service. Clarke delves into fare enforcement's impact on public safety and revenue, the complexities of a $5 billion budget, and the importance of innovative urban planning. Learn how he's navigating challenges while prioritizing passenger experience and modernizing the Metro for a brighter future.
undefined
14 snips
May 29, 2025 • 51min

How to Run the Treasury Department

Wally Adeyemo, former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, shares insights on his pivotal role in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and financial sanctions against Russia. He discusses the groundbreaking IRS Direct File program designed for tax filing simplicity and its potential demise. The conversation also touches on the Democratic Party's struggle to connect with working-class concerns amid rising economic pressures. Wally emphasizes trust-building in government and explores the balancing act of sanctions as a foreign policy tool.
undefined
4 snips
May 23, 2025 • 59min

How to Build the '90s DOGE

John Kamensky, once Vice President Al Gore's deputy for the National Performance Review, delves into the transformative Reinventing Government initiative. He candidly evaluates its mixed results and missed chances to reshape federal operations. Kamensky discusses quirky highlights like the Board of Tea Experts and the oddity of government subsidizing mohair. He contrasts NPR's potential with modern implications, questioning what Elon Musk might overlook about federal bureaucracy. The conversation unfolds as a compelling history lesson with insights into government reform.
undefined
33 snips
May 14, 2025 • 1h 20min

How the Federal Transit Administration Works

Peter Rogoff, former head of the Federal Transit Administration and current CEO of Sound Transit, shares his insights on federal transit funding. He discusses key moments from his time on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the importance of developing multi-modal transportation funding. Rogoff also highlights inefficiencies in grant administration, the complexities of transit funding formulas, and the balance between expanding services and maintaining existing infrastructure. His experiences shed light on the challenges and legislative intricacies shaping public transit today.
undefined
15 snips
May 9, 2025 • 1h 7min

How to Salvage a Transit Project

In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Pollack, former Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and Massachusetts DOT Secretary, shares her journey from environmental activist to transit expert. She humorously highlights the challenges of transit funding versus highways, detailing the complexities of projects like the Big Dig. Stephanie emphasizes the impact of regulations and political pressures, and the need for innovative solutions in project execution. Her insights on community connection through transit projects reveal the delicate balance of meeting public needs with real-world logistics.
undefined
19 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 52min

How to Run a $5 Trillion Payment System

David Lebryk, former top civil servant in the Treasury Department, reveals insights from overseeing the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which manages over $5 trillion in federal payments. He discusses the critical role of cash forecasting for government stability and the challenges of innovating within a massive payment system. Lebryk addresses security concerns, fraud prevention strategies, and the push for real-time digital payments. He also highlights the issue of improper payments, advocating for better accuracy and effective fraud detection in federal programs.
undefined
Apr 17, 2025 • 59min

How to Fix Risk Assessment in Child Welfare

In this engaging discussion, Alex Jutca, who leads analytics at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, dives into the innovative use of data in child welfare. He highlights the success of the Allegheny Family Screening Tool in improving decision-making while addressing concerns about algorithmic bias. Jutca also explores the complexities of involuntary commitments in mental health and the pressing need for new approaches to tackle addiction issues. The conversation underscores the importance of integrating data to enhance service delivery and care quality.
undefined
8 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 1h

How to Fix a Department's Funding Tools

Narayan Subramanian served as a legal advisor and later as the Director for Energy Transition at the White House National Security Council under the Biden administration. He dives into the evolution of the Department of Energy, discussing the complexities of funding innovative energy projects. Key topics include the challenges of federal interest in intellectual property affecting bank support for tech, and the crucial role of offtake agreements in financing. Narayan emphasizes the need for flexible government contracting to better foster innovation in the clean energy sector.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app