After the Fact
176 episodes - English - Latest episode: 23 days ago - ★★★★★ - 123 ratingsAfter the Fact is a podcast from The Pew Charitable Trusts that brings you data and analysis on the issues that matter to you—from our environment and the sciences, to larger economic trends and public health. Experts from Pew and other special guests discuss the numbers and trends shaping some of society’s biggest challenges with host Dan LeDuc, then go behind the facts with nonpartisan analysis and stories.
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Episodes
Race and Research: Higher Education and Diversity
June 17, 2021 12:30 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBStat: 33%—The percentage of people of color who make up America’s STEM workforce. Story: In this episode, we consider the pipeline to the research workforce—higher education. In a conversation with Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and its vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Katharine Cole, we explore how the university supports undergraduate and graduate students from a range of backgrounds and prepares them for STEM ...
Race and Research: Data and Our Neighborhoods
June 11, 2021 12:30 - 21 minutes - 29 MBStat: 99%: The percentage of census tracts in the United States where young black men end up having lower incomes than their white counterparts even though they grew up with comparable family incomes and resources. Story: In this episode of our season on race and research, our guests examine the impact of race on economic mobility. David Williams, of Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, describes research tools that can help communities improve economic outcomes for families and kids...
Race and Research: The Gaps in Health
June 04, 2021 12:55 - 25 minutes - 35 MBStat: 5%—The percentage of Black physicians and surgeons in America. Story: Continuing our look at race and research, we turn to health care. We hear from Dr. Marie Bernard, who heads efforts to increase diversity in the research workforce at the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Stephanie Brown and Kristen Azar of Sutter Health, a nonprofit California health care provider. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, how to build trust in the medical system among tho...
Race and Research: Representation in Data
May 28, 2021 12:30 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBStat: 46.8 million: The number of people in the United States who identify as Black. Story: The census shows that the U.S. is growing more diverse racially and ethnically, and reflecting this evolution in research data has become even more essential. In this episode, Mike Dimock, president of the Pew Research Center, describes how the Center is addressing these changes in public opinion polling and why examining the nuances behind these demographic shifts helps us better understand societ...
Race and Research: America Today
May 21, 2021 13:03 - 20 minutes - 27.6 MBStat: 40%: 4 in 10 Americans identify with a race other than White. Story: In our first episode on race and research, we explore the diverse story of America. William Frey, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an internationally regarded demographer, highlights the latest census findings and what they say about the nation today. And we examine what these changes mean for society—and the evolving national conversation about race—with the Pew Research Center’s director of race and...
Coming Soon: Race and Research
May 07, 2021 11:00 - 2 minutes - 3.3 MBA new season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast explores diversity in America and how race intersects with research in a range of fields—from public opinion polling to medicine to economics. We talk with social scientists who are helping society better understand how the nuances of race can change the perspective of issues and other experts who are looking at how diverse viewpoints improve policy solutions. The episodes of this season are a contribution to the evolving national conversation a...
Misinformation and the Coronavirus Vaccines
March 12, 2021 13:58 - 15 minutes - 36.2 MBStat: 30 percent—According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of Americans don’t intend to get a coronavirus vaccination. Story: There’s a light appearing at the end of a long tunnel in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: the emergence of effective vaccines to prevent its spread. Yet, even with a solution in sight, public trust is still a hurdle—with an “infodemic” of misinformation occurring alongside the pandemic. In this episode, we discuss the facts about the science of the va...
The Pandemic’s Impact on America’s Civil Courts
February 19, 2021 13:16 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBStat: 70%: The percentage of debt collection cases that result in default judgment, or automatic win, to plaintiffs. Story: Debt collection cases are the most common civil court cases today, but many Americans are navigating the civil legal system without legal representation and paying heavy consequences. In this episode we hear from Erika Rickard, who leads Pew’s work to modernize civil court systems, on the issues surrounding debt collection cases and how the pandemic is bringing som...
States of Innovation: Securing Public Pensions
January 29, 2021 13:59 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBStat: $1.24 trillion: The 50-state pension funding gap—the shortfall between what all the states have funded and what they actually owed public employee retirees—as of 2018. Story: Public employees count on pensions when they retire, but most states haven’t adequately funded their obligations. As of 2018, the funding gap for all the states totaled $1.24 trillion. Without sustainable funding, the cost of retiree benefits can mean less money is available for schools, roads, or public safety....
States of Innovation: Creating Corridors for Wildlife
January 22, 2021 14:11 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MBStat: $8 billion: The cost of vehicle collisions with wildlife each year in the U.S. Story: In America’s West, animal herds follow ancient migration routes that are bisected by roads and highways. In this episode, we hear from Matt Skroch, who leads Pew’s efforts to conserve wildlife corridors, and Jodi Hilty, of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, about innovative solutions that make roads safer for both people and animals.
States of Innovation: Expanding Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders
January 15, 2021 14:03 - 22 minutes - 31 MBStat: 18%: The percentage of Americans with opioid use disorder who receive medication as part of their treatment. Story: As the coronavirus pandemic grips the world, the opioid epidemic continues to affect millions of Americans. Several states are developing innovative ways to tackle this public health issue. In this episode, we speak with Beth Connolly, who leads Pew’s research on substance use disorders, and Louisiana Representative Paula Davis, who helped ensure effective treatment in ...
States of Innovation: Natural Solutions for Natural Disasters
January 08, 2021 13:53 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MBStat: $850 billion: The damage caused by flood-related disasters in the U.S. since 2000. Story: Floods are the costliest natural disasters in the United States, but there are ways to prepare for the storms ahead. In this episode of our “States of Innovation” season, we hear from Laura Lightbody, who directs Pew’s work to better prepare communities for floods, about how states such as Texas and South Carolina are reducing their risks through innovative solutions. We also speak with South...
States of Innovation: Small Loans, Large Cost
December 23, 2020 11:23 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBStat: 12 million: The number of Americans who use payday loans each year. Story: Payday loans can help people facing an unexpected financial crunch—but can also bring unexpected problems. Ohio adopted an innovative new law to protect consumers who were being dragged into a cycle of debt by the very loans they thought would help them. We learn more from Nick Bourke, who directs Pew’s consumer finance work, and Pastor Carl Ruby, who saw the downside to the loans and helped lead the fight to...
States of Innovation: In Depth With Sue Urahn, Pew’s President and CEO
December 18, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MBStat: 67% of U.S. adults think local elected officials care about the people they represent, according to the Pew Research Center. Story: In the first episode of our season “States of Innovation,” Sue Urahn, Pew’s new president and CEO, discusses the role of state governments as “laboratories of our democracy,” where innovative thinking can be paired with policies informed by data to address long-standing problems.
Coming Soon: States of Innovation
December 11, 2020 12:00 - 1 minute - 2.26 MBIn a new season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast, we look at innovative solutions to some long-standing problems, including how small loans can be more affordable for consumers, how communities can better prepare for floods, and ways for migrating animals to cross highways that keep them—and drivers—safe. These innovations are possible thanks to state leaders around the country who are working together to make people’s lives better. Join us as we bring you five stories about states of innov...
Conversations on Science: In Depth With Sudip Parikh
October 09, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this bonus episode of our “Conversations on Science” season, Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, discusses the important pathways connecting science and society. From the coronavirus pandemic to relationship building with faith leaders, Parikh reflects on his career in the lab and the halls of Congress, and the impact that the 172-year-old organization he leads has on the scientific community and the world.
Conversations on Science: In Depth With France Córdova
October 07, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MBIn this extended conversation with France Córdova, we hear how her passion for science and public policy took her on a quest for scientific truth in leadership positions at NASA and the National Science Foundation. Córdova also discusses the importance of collaboration and inclusiveness to the future of scientific discovery and how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the larger scientific community.
Conversations on Science: In Depth With Carlo Rovelli
October 05, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MBIn this bonus episode of our “Conversations on Science” season, we share an extended talk with Carlo Rovelli, a theoretical physicist and bestselling author who believes science is just as creative as it is logical. “Science starts,” says Rovelli, “in the life of each scientist with wonder and a mystery.”
Conversations on Science: Science for All
October 02, 2020 13:05 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBStat: 54%: The share of Americans who view scientists as good communicators. Story: In the last episode of our science season, we explore how scientists communicate: What is the state of our national conversation on science, and who is doing the talking? Guests include Laura Lindenfeld, executive director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and dean of the School of Journalism at Stony Brook University, and Shirley Malcom of the American Association for the Advancement of Sc...
Conversations on Science: The Science of Policy
September 25, 2020 13:05 - 13 minutes - 19 MBStat: 60%: According to the Pew Research Center, 6 out of 10 Americans say scientists should take an active role in policy debates about scientific issues. Story: As we continue our “Conversations on Science” season, we talk to Esther Krofah, executive director of FasterCures; Molly Irwin, vice president, research and science, at The Pew Charitable Trusts; and Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America, about the intersections between scientific research, the public, and policymak...
Conversations on Science: In Pursuit of Scientific Discovery
September 18, 2020 12:57 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBStat: 79%: Percentage of the U.S. population that agrees that science has made the world a better place. Story: Scientific discovery shapes the world—from our medical care to how we live, learn, and work. In this episode, we explore the process of discovery and how it is playing out during the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll hear from leading experts on the science of the coronavirus, the pipeline for potential vaccines and treatment, and how these times are changing the way we conduct science.
Conversations on Science: Do Americans Trust Scientists?
September 11, 2020 12:57 - 19 minutes - 27.3 MBStat: 35%: The percentage of Americans in 2019 who report a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the public interest, up from 21% in 2016. Story: Public trust in science is front and center today as researchers seek to learn more about the coronavirus. In this episode, France Córdova, former National Science Foundation director, discusses confidence in scientific research, and Cary Funk, the Pew Research Center’s director of science and society research, shares survey results ...
Conversations on Science: What Makes Science, Well, Science?
September 04, 2020 12:02 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBStat: 79%: The percentage of people who agree that science has made life easier for most of us. Story: Science may sometimes seem abstract, but its benefits can be seen everywhere—from the technology in smartphones to the medicines we take. In this episode, we explore what science really is (and what it’s not) with Ira Flatow, host of the popular “Science Friday” radio program, and Carlo Rovelli, a world-renowned physicist and bestselling writer.
Conversations on Science: In Depth With Dr. Fauci
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBStat: 78%: The percentage of Americans who say it makes sense that studies on the coronavirus may present conflicting advice because research is constantly improving. Story: In the first episode of our new season “Conversations on Science,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses the importance of science in our daily lives, especially amid the pandemic, and shares his own story about how he fell in love with science.
Conversations on Science Part 1: In Depth With Dr. Fauci
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBStat: 78%: The percentage of Americans who say it makes sense that studies on the coronavirus may present conflicting advice because research is constantly improving. Story: In the first episode of our new season “Conversations on Science,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses the importance of science in our daily lives, especially amid the pandemic, and shares his own story about how he fell in love with science.
Coming Soon: Conversations on Science
August 21, 2020 12:00 - 1 minute - 2.59 MBIn a new season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast, we talk about science: what it is, how it’s conducted and explained to the public, and how it affects our lives. We speak with scientists and researchers—from Dr. Anthony Fauci and Pew biomedical scholar Pamela Bjorkman, who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, to “Science Friday” host Ira Flatow and physicist and bestselling author Carlo Rovelli, who speak about the scientific process and why it matters. Join us as we explore sci...
Fan Favorite: Scientists at Work—Why Do Mosquitoes Bite You?
August 03, 2020 15:33 - 14 minutes - 20 MBStory: With summer heating up, we’re again sharing our conversation with Pew biomedical scholar and Princeton scientist Lindy McBride about one of the peskiest and deadliest insects on the planet: the mosquito. Listen in for the facts about mosquitoes and why they find some people tastier than others.
The New American Library
July 02, 2020 12:06 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MBStat: 78 percent: About 8 in 10 adults feel that libraries help them find information that is trustworthy and reliable. Story: Everybody knows what happened on the Fourth of July, but what about the First of July? That’s the anniversary of America’s first free library. Established in 1731 by Ben Franklin, it marked the democratization of information. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden—the first woman and African American in that role—talks about how libraries and librarians continue that m...
The Infodemic
June 12, 2020 11:33 - 15 minutes - 20.7 MBStat: 87 percent: Americans who say they are following news about the coronavirus outbreak fairly or very closely. Story: According to the World Health Organization, people are not only living through an epidemic but also an “infodemic”—a surge of information about COVID-19 that has made it hard for people to know which news and guidance about the virus is accurate. In a conversation with Alan Miller, founder and CEO of the News Literacy Project, we discuss how to sort fact from fiction to...
Scientists at Work: The Big Idea Between a Small Fish and Heart Disease
May 29, 2020 11:59 - 15 minutes - 21.8 MBStat: 48% of U.S. adults have cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Story: What do zebrafish have to do with human health? As it turns out, they can help researchers understand how and why heart disease happens. We spoke to Pew biomedical scholar (2002) Steven Farber at the Carnegie Institution for Science to learn more about his work, which is revealing new strategies to combat heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
The Broadband Gap—Who’s Not Online in America Today?
May 15, 2020 11:51 - 12 minutes - 16.9 MBStat: 21 million: The number of Americans not connected to broadband internet, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Story: While most Americans are managing remote work, learning, and even participating in social gatherings online during the pandemic, there are still millions of Americans who don’t have access to high-speed internet where they live. Kathryn de Wit, manager of Pew’s broadband research initiative, explains who’s not online and shares what some states and commu...
Re-Release: The Future of Learning--What Do We Know About the Brain Today?
May 06, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MBStory: With schools and universities closed and millions now learning and working from home because of the coronavirus, Pew’s latest edition of Trend magazine focuses on the topic of learning. In this rebroadcast featuring two Stanford University researchers with an essay in the magazine, you’ll hear about how breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology have given us insights into the human mind and how those findings are being applied in classrooms today.
State Budgets and COVID-19
April 24, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBStat: $75 billion: The total amount of money that states had set aside in rainy day funds at the end of 2019 in case of an economic downturn. Story: The short-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our health care systems and daily lives were immediately clear. But how will states weather the economic storm over the long term? In this episode, we hear from Josh Goodman of Pew’s state fiscal health team, who shares insights on the steps that states are taking to address looming budget ...
7 Questions on the Daily Impact of the Coronavirus
April 15, 2020 13:37 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBStat: 44 percent: The percentage of Americans who say the COVID-19 outbreak has changed their lives in a major way. Story: From how we work, socialize, and even pray, the coronavirus has upturned American life. The Pew Research Center’s Claudia Deane summarizes recent survey findings, including Americans’ views of the impact on their daily life, their concerns about the economy, and trust levels in government and the health system.
An Update From 'After the Fact': Coronavirus
March 20, 2020 17:12 - 37 seconds - 945 KBAs the world copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast is taking a pause. For all our listeners, stay safe and healthy, and we’ll be back with new content soon.
The Loss of Local News—A Good Story
March 13, 2020 12:33 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBStat: 47 percent: The percentage decline of newsroom employees at newspapers between 2008 and 2018. Story: Newspapers are cutting staff or closing altogether, but in the final episode of our local news series we visit The Berkshire Eagle in western Massachusetts, which is bucking that trend. We speak to the publisher and editor who are adding reporters and to community leaders who value a local paper in their civic life.
The Loss of Local News—News Deserts
March 06, 2020 13:54 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MBStat: 2000: More than 2,000 of the 3,143 counties in the United States have no daily local newspaper. Story: What is a news desert? We explore the definition—a community with limited access to credible and comprehensive news and information—by traveling to southeast Georgia where the Waycross Journal-Herald abruptly closed in September 2019. We also interview expert Penny Abernathy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who has documented the spread of news deserts across th...
The Loss of Local News—The Impact
February 28, 2020 12:37 - 17 minutes - 23.5 MBStat: 71: The percentage of Americans who believe that their local news outlet is doing well financially. Story: Local news outlets are struggling against declines in circulation and advertising, with 2,100 newspapers closing over the past 15 years. In the first installment of our three-part series on the changing landscape of local news in America, we hear from experts on what’s changed and how it may be affecting our communities.
Coming Soon: The Loss of Local News
February 21, 2020 12:00 - 1 minute - 2.24 MBStory: In this series, we explore the decline in local news coverage across America. Host Dan LeDuc interviews journalism experts, travels to a “news desert” where the daily newspaper recently printed its last edition, and visits the newsroom of a paper that is bucking the trend and doubling down on its investment in community coverage.
Scientists at Work: Studying Volcanic Eruptions—When, How Big, and How Fast?
February 07, 2020 13:45 - 13 minutes - 19 MBStat: 800 million: The number of people in the world who live within the footprint, 62 miles, of a volcano. Story: In the latest episode in our “Scientists at Work” series, we go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where we meet geologist and volcanologist Ben Andrews, who works to answer three key questions about volcanoes around the world: When will an eruption happen, how big could the eruption be, and how fast?
Ken Burns: 'America's Storyteller' on His Creative Process
January 24, 2020 12:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBStat: 22.73: Ken Burns’ documentary Civil War was created from 22.73 miles of film. Story: Ken Burns is known for his expansive documentaries on American history and culture. With 33 documentary films to his name, what is the secret to his creative process? We travel to the New Hampshire barn where he works for a conversation about how he tells old stories in a new way and what inspires him to create.
The State of Trust, Facts, and Democracy
January 10, 2020 13:45 - 20 minutes - 27.6 MBStat: 59 percent: The percentage of Americans who say they have little to no confidence in the public’s political wisdom. Story: As the new year—and an election year—begins, we turn to data on our democracy to learn more about how Americans view institutions and civic life today. Host Dan LeDuc speaks with Michael Dimock, president of the Pew Research Center, about the latest research on trust, facts, and democracy in America.
Fan Favorite No. 5—“From Idea to Art: Exploring the Creative Process”
December 27, 2019 12:00 - 25 minutes - 34.6 MBStory: “After the Fact” is sharing one more fan favorite before the end of the year with Paula Marincola, executive director of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. She selected an episode with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and 1999 Pew arts fellow Jennifer Higdon on how ideas become reality. Since that conversation, Jennifer has again been nominated for a Grammy Award. Host Dan LeDuc also speaks with Paula about the importance of the arts today.
Fan Favorite No. 4—“Does Your ZIP Code Determine Your Destiny?”
December 20, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBStory: “After the Fact” is sharing a couple more fan favorites as we close out 2019. This week, Ray Suarez, guest host of our “Future of Learning” series and a former broadcaster, selected an episode (No. 46) that focuses on how location can affect an individual’s economic prospects.
Faith in America Today
December 06, 2019 15:08 - 21 minutes - 29.4 MBStat: 68 million: The number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation as of , compared with 39 million in 2009. Story: This episode focuses on Americans’ views of religion and the generational changes that are taking place. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center shares an update on the changing religious landscape, and host Dan LeDuc talks to a mother and daughter about their evolving religious paths.
Scientists at Work: The Wonder of Blue Whales
November 22, 2019 13:21 - 18 minutes - 42.1 MBStat: 100 feet: At nearly 100 feet in length, blue whales are the largest animal ever known to have existed on Earth. Story: Blue whales are big but they’re not invulnerable, often falling victim to strikes by ships in the northern India Ocean. Asha de Vos, a Pew marine fellow who founded Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organization, tells us about the beauty of blue whales and their importance to the health of the ocean.
The Future of Learning: 'Superagers' and Lifelong Learning
November 15, 2019 13:47 - 27 minutes - 63.1 MBStat: 94.7 million—It is estimated that the number of Americans ages 65 and older will nearly double from 49.2 million in 2016 to 94.7 million by 2060. Story: In this final episode of the Future of Learning series, we explore the aging mind, including how brains change over the years, how to stimulate the mind, and which traits can be found in “superagers.”
The Future of Learning: A Career of Learning
November 08, 2019 13:43 - 16 minutes - 38 MBStat: 65 percent of all jobs in the American economy today will require postsecondary education and training. Story: School may be over for most workers in America’s economy, but the need to learn continues. In the third part of our series “The Future of Learning,” we hear how some individuals are learning new skills for tomorrow’s workforce and talk with experts about what’s needed to stay ahead of the curve.
The Future of Learning: The Evolving Classroom
October 31, 2019 16:04 - 21 minutes - 49.3 MBStat: 30 percent. The amount of jobs worldwide that could become automated by 2030. Story: In part two of our series on learning, join guest host Ray Suarez as he interviews teachers and experts about the evolving classroom and how teachers are trying to prepare students to be flexible, motivated, and lifelong learners to prepare for jobs that haven’t been invented yet.
The Future of Learning: What Do We Know About the Brain Today?
October 25, 2019 12:28 - 20 minutes - 47.6 MBStat: 86 billion. The human brain has at least 86 billion neurons. Story: Breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology have given us a peek into the human mind, yet we have much to discover about how our brains actually learn new things. In the first part of our new series, you’ll travel with guest host Ray Suarez to the Brainwave Learning Center, a partnership with Stanford University, where scientists are measuring students’ brain waves to see what happens as they learn to read and gain ...