Public confidence in U.S. institutions is down to a new low in Gallup’s trend spanning more than four decades. Which institutions have lost the most confidence -- and are there others that remain largely trusted by the public? Confidence in institutions is the “glue that keeps society together,” says Gallup senior editor Jeff Jones, who joins the podcast to discuss the latest findings.

Two years of a booming U.S. housing market have brought great wealth to many, while others are now locked out or unsure about their next steps. Are there similarities to the housing bubble of the 2000s -- or are these new, uncharted waters? Dr. Len Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac, joins the podcast to discuss the factors that led to the current state of the market. He also shares what to watch for in the future and offers advice to prospective homebuyers.

Organized labor in the U.S. is having an “exciting and interesting moment.” How much of a factor has the pandemic played in its resurgence? What factors should employees consider when voting to unionize? And how are companies reacting to labor organization efforts? Dr. Thomas A. Kochan, Post-Tenure George Maverick Bunker Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a faculty member in the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research, and Dr. Harry C. Katz, Jack Sheinkman Professor of Collective Bargaining and Director of the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University, join the podcast to offer their expert insights.

How is the world feeling? According to Gallup's annual Global Emotions report, people across the world are sadder and more stressed, marking a new high in the Negative Experiences Index. Gallup managing editor for world news Julie Ray joins the podcast to discuss where in the world these negative experiences have increased the most. Later, Dr. Carol Graham -- senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Gallup senior scientist -- talks about the drivers behind negative emotions and the importance of hope.

Is anyone actually winning the war in Ukraine? Are European leaders already positioning themselves for post-conflict relations with Russia? George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures, joins the podcast to discuss China’s and Germany’s positioning throughout the conflict, U.S. standing in NATO and more.

Gallup began fielding its poll on abortion last month right as news broke about the leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. It now has data that provide a fresh look at Americans’ views on the issue as the fate of Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance. Lydia Saad, Gallup’s director of U.S. social research, joins the podcast to discuss the latest on public attitudes on abortion, views on its moral acceptability and how important the issue is to Americans’ vote.

Dr. Dean Baker, cofounder and senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, joins the podcast to discuss inflation in the U.S. and what is to come. Is a recession on the horizon? How does he think the Federal Reserve and the White House should address the situation?

Why is recognition at work so important -- and how does it benefit employees and organizations alike? Isha Vicaria, a social psychologist and people data analyst at Workhuman, joins the podcast to talk about how employers can create a thriving workplace and team environment through recognition.

Though COVID-19 cases are on the rise, Americans are less worried than they previously have been. Are we in a new phase of public attitudes about the pandemic? And how is this impacting Americans’ behaviors? Gallup senior editor Megan Brenan joins the podcast to talk about Gallup’s tracking since the pandemic began and where we are now.

Gallup Senior Scientist Arthur C. Brooks, professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, rejoins the podcast to discuss his latest book, From Strength to Strength. Do ambitious strivers suffer down the line, in terms of their happiness? Is there something we can gain from our moments of suffering -- and what can we learn from our weaknesses? Why do we need friends -- and what is the difference between real friends and “deal friends”? Brooks discusses all of this and more.