The Georgetown Public Policy Review Podcast

GPPR Podcast Editor Asha Gudipaty (JPPP ’27) sits down with Kristin Blagg - Principal Research Associate in the Work, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute, McCourt alum, and current professor - for a timely conversation on income-based repayment (IBR) and the evolving federal loan landscape following the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

Join GPPR editor Adeena Kamra (MPP '27) as she sits down with Dhishal Jayasinghe, a public servant with experience in the U.S. Senate and State Department, to discuss the Overton window and how political ideas move from fringe to mainstream.

GPPR Senior Podcast Editor Daija Yisrael (MIDP '26) and GPPR Strategic Partnerships Lead Doris Mwikali (MPM '26) spoke with Charles North, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education, about leadership in global education. The podcast explores how global education leaders navigate complexity, build coalitions, and mobilize innovative financing to support quality education in low-income countries. Through reflections on leadership, youth demographics, and institutional change, the episode highlights why education remains a critical public policy priority as we approach 2030.

GPPR Senior Editor Brennan Gallagher (MPP ’27) sits down with drug policy advisor, author, and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Richard Baum. In Episode two, Baum shares his thoughts on some of todays most pressing issues in drug policy, from enforcement and incarceration to marijuana, and reflects on the direction we can take to limit harm in our communities. Learn more about Richard and his book, "Inside America's Opioid Crisis," at richardjbaum.com

GPPR Senior Editor Brennan Gallagher (MPP ’27) sits down with drug policy advisor, author, and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Richard Baum. In Episode One, Baum reflects on his career in Washington and shares what he’s learned over decades of change in U.S. drug policy and the evolving War on Drugs. Join us next week for Episode Two. To learn more about Richard and his upcoming book: https://richardjbaum.com/

GPPR Senior Editor Daija Yisrael (MIDP '26) hosts members Paula Sierra (MIDP '26) and Gabriella Cova (MPP '26) from McCourt Policy in Practice, an English teacher at MAIA, and the Director of Development at MAIA for an inspiring conversation on a new approach to education. Indigenous women founded MAIA for Indigenous girls in Guatemala. Their main program offers a fully funded 7-year program to Indigenous girls living in rural Guatemala who are at or below the poverty line. Learn more about MAIA and how to support their work at maiaimpact.org

GPPR Podcast Editor, Brennan Gallagher (MPP '27) chats with Zack Skow, founder of the nonprofit animal rescue Marley's Mutts, to discuss their inmate-canine training program, Pawsitive Change, and the impact it is having on prison culture, reentry, and recidivism.

GPPR Podcast Editor Mitchell Zupko (MPP'25) chats with Devin Gerzof, the Executive Director of Executive Branch Relations and Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association. They discuss the No Surprises Act, site neutral payments, reimbursements, the 340B Program, and more.

GPPR Podcast Editor, Brennan Gallagher (MPP '27) chats with Cassandra Stubbs about her work as Director of the ACLU's Capital Punishment Project and President Trumps Executive Order "Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety."

Join GPPR Podcast Editors Britney Cheung (MPP'26) and Daija Yisrael (MIDP'26) as they sit down with Dr. Francis Johnson, Senior Research Fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, to explore the state of clean energy across household, national, and global levels.

GPPR Editor Mike Saunders (MPM '24) sits down with Danniel Belay to discuss his recent political run for Rockville City Council as the youngest candidate in the race. They talk about forming his policy suite, getting and staying engaged in the local process and beyond, and what it takes to stage a formidable campaign at the local level and beyond.

In this episode, Junior Podcast Editor Ioana Zanchi (MS in Addiction Policy and Practice ‘25) interviews Dr. Vijeth Iyengar, Director of Global Aging at AARP International and nationally recognized neuroscientist and aging health policy expert, to discuss aging as a global mega trend, the concept of the longevity economy, and its local, national, and international policy implications.

GPPR Podcast Editor Amelie D'Hers (MS-DSPP '25) joins Ilana Beller, Organizing Manager at Public Citizen, to discuss the government's role in regulating deepfakes: realistic images, videos, or audio which are generated using artificial intelligence.

GPPR podcast editors cover a variety of stories following the US Presidential election, including an analysis of statements made by presumptive Secretary of Health and Human services on water fluoridation, what drug and addiction policy may look like under a second Trump term, and a look at the Department of Government Efficiency.

GPPR podcast editors cover a variety of pertinent elections-related topics, including the shifting landscape of U.S. party politics, election officials' efforts to counter public misinformation using social media, and the U.S. presidential candidates' economic policy platforms.

GPPR Senior Podcast Editor Bela Walkin (MPP '25) speaks with Dominic Mancini, the Deputy Administrator of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), about OIRA's role in the federal regulatory process, the differences between career and political civil service, and his own career path through federal government.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) talks with GPPR Podcast Editor Mike Saunders (MPM'24) about the growing complexities in the U.S-China relationship. The Congressman discusses investing in the American workforce to maintain global competitiveness, combating unfair trade practices, and avoiding economic pitfalls that have stunted Chinese growth.

GPPR Podcast Editor Joe Lustig follows up on his conversation with Harry Holzer, McCourt Professor and former Chief Economist at the Department of Labor under the Clinton administration, about inflation.

GPPR Health Policy Senior Podcast Editor Jazlyn Gallego (MPM ’24) speaks with Rob Lawrence, Executive Director of the California Ambulance Association and Director of Strategic Implementation for PRO EMS. In this podcast, Lawrence reflects on the existence of ambulance deserts that have been recently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a conversation on U.S. climate policy, Junior Podcast Editor Moritz Ludwig (MPP ’25) and Trevor Higgins, Senior Vice President of the Energy and Environment Department at the Center for American Progress and Adjunct Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy, talk about the Biden administration’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Centering around the Inflation Reduction Act, the new approach of incentives and investments is portrayed as a promising path towards decarbonization. The interview covers both domestic and international aspects of the climate legislation while also acknowledging uncertainties about the future of the ambitious programs.