Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

Nuclear power contributes to nearly 20 percent of the electricity generated in America, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Enormous growth has occurred since the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which allocated more money towards climate, and green energy subsidies than any piece of legislation in American history. But a lot of work still remains. Jigar Shah is director of the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, a role in which he oversees investing and scaling carbon free energy. Before this position, he was a clean tech investor. He joins WITHpod to discuss recent inflection points, the future of nuclear, the importance of remembering that “big things” can be done and why he’s more hopeful now about the space more than ever.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the fight for voting rights, redistricting concerns, and the impact of gerrymandering. He highlights the importance of fair mapping, the historical role of the Department of Justice, and the potential implications of former president Donald Trump's reelection.

Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevailing sentiment of loneliness and distrust in America. He explores the challenges faced by individuals in New York City, including increased crime rates and the lack of support from the government. Klinenberg also examines the effects of COVID-19 on communities, such as school closures and the radicalization of a bar owner. Through his book, '2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed,' Klinenberg offers a comprehensive analysis of the events of 2020 and their social implications.

Deepak Bhargava, a progressive movement expert, joins the podcast to discuss the trajectory of coalition movements, the state of the progressive movement in 2024, immigration reform, and more. They explore the power of organizing and collective action in addressing societal issues, the importance of inclusivity and institutions in building a cohesive society, and the role of immigration in renewing America. The podcast also introduces a new spinoff and mentions their social media presence.

Just a few weeks ago, Chris and his family visited the Big Island of Hawaii. While there, he was completely enthralled with learning more about how the first inhabitants got to such a remote place and surrounding areas. For more than a thousand years, Polynesians have called some of the most distant islands in the Pacific Ocean home. Where did they come from, how did they get there and how did a group of people conquer the largest ocean in the world a thousand years ago? It’s one of the greatest mysteries ever. Our guest this week, who has familial roots to the area, set out to understand more. Christina Thompson is editor of Harvard Review and author of “Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia.” She joins WITHpod to discuss what drew her to this story, what makes this mystery so complex, the impact of the arrival of European explorers, the limits of our understanding and more.

Tech reporter Kashmir Hill joins the podcast to discuss the rise of facial recognition technology, privacy concerns, the growth of Clearview AI, and the potential dystopian applications of unregulated biometric data capturing and selling.

David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee, discusses the importance of creating legal routes to hope amid increased global migration. Topics include misconceptions about American immigration law, the impact of climate change on forced migration, and the need for a 21st-century refounding. The guest also explores the experiences of illness and disability and how empathy can be extended to people in crisis situations.

2023 was the hottest year on record, but it was also a year of progress for clean energy tech. The podcast discusses the impact of rising fossil fuel emissions, driving down the costs of clean tech, the transition to electric vehicles, advancements in solar technology, promoting low-carbon alternatives, and the importance of carbon removal technologies.

Happy New Year! As our team returns from break, we're re-sharing another part of our "Future of" miniseries that originally aired in March 2022. From the original description: Time is running out to reverse the damage done by climate change, according to a report released by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in February 2022. Preventing further destruction will be the biggest undertaking in the history of human civilization. Can it be done? Jonah Goldman joined Gates Ventures, Bill Gates’s private office, in September 2014, where he is responsible for the organization’s relationships with policymakers around the world. In 2020, he helped Bill establish Breakthrough Energy (BE). BE is a network of entities and initiatives, including investment funds, nonprofit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a common commitment to scale the technologies we need to achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. Goldman joins to provide a gut check on where we stand on the timeline for change as it relates to the future of energy.

Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow discuss the future of friendship in a world shaped by technology and the pandemic. They reflect on the significance of friendship, the role of phone calls and FaceTime, and the importance of investing time and effort in maintaining friendships. They also emphasize the value of building rituals and spending quality time together in fostering true intimacy. The podcast highlights their book and podcast, showcasing their impressive backgrounds in journalism, writing, and cultural commentary.