A Conversation in Cambridge

A Conversation in Cambridge

Author: Laura Arnold October 4, 2019 Duration: 33:22

Even though it's been around for almost 400 years, most Americans know very little about the inner workings of Harvard University.  But with University President Lawrence Bacow at the helm, that trend is beginning to change.  In this episode, Laura Arnold covers a wide range of topics, from immigration to the skyrocketing cost of tuition and beyond.


Sky-high drug prices, mass incarceration, and predatory lending are just the visible signs of much deeper structural problems. Deep Dive with Laura Arnold moves past the headlines to examine the root causes of these persistent issues. Host Laura Arnold, Co-Chair of Arnold Ventures, guides each conversation with a clear focus on evidence and solutions. She brings leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners into a dialogue that is both rigorous and accessible, dissecting complex failures in health care, criminal justice, education, and public finance. This isn't about partisan soundbites; it's a detailed exploration of what the data actually says and which interventions might genuinely work. Each episode feels like sitting in on a crucial, focused discussion you won't hear elsewhere, one dedicated to understanding how systems fail and how they can be redesigned to work better for everyone. The podcast, grounded in the work of the Arnold Ventures philanthropy, offers a unique blend of depth and clarity, making complicated policy matters tangible and urgent. Tune in for conversations that challenge assumptions and highlight the practical pathways toward meaningful reform.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 19

Deep Dive with Laura Arnold
Podcast Episodes
"Dollar Signs in Uniform" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
For 75 years, the GI Bill has provided military service members with invaluable educational opportunities. And for just as long, for-profit colleges and universities have sought to gain and maintain access to that fundin…
The Fight for $15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
It's a heated debate that's unfolding at the federal, state, and local levels. What is the appropriate minimum wage that employers must pay their workers in the United States? On the latest episode of the podcast Deep Di…
The Hidden Costs of Fines & Fees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
Criminalizing poverty in America. For too many, it starts with a traffic ticket and can end with lost jobs, homes, and even dignity. On the latest episode of the podcast Deep Dive with Laura Arnold: a closer look at the…
Cheating Between the Lines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
The practice of gerrymandering is more than 200 years old in the United States, and yet its impact on our nation's politics is likely stronger today than at any other time in our American history. Drawing voting maps wit…
Bootleggers and Baptists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
In today's toxic political environment, reaching any type of bipartisan agreement can seem like an impossible goal. But criminal justice reform is one issue area where the left and the right routinely manage to form coal…
The High Cost of Higher Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:33
It's one of the larger investments that most people will make during their lifetime, and yet, making sure that a college degree leads to a solid return on the original investment isn't always easy. A lack of transparency…
Probation and Parole in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
Each year in America, almost 350,000 people are incarcerated for some sort of violation of their probation or parole conditions. Often, these violations involve technical infractions that are as commonplace as a traffic…
Drug Pricing in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
How do you set a price on staying alive? In this episode of "Deep Dive," Arnold Ventures Co-Chair Laura Arnold sits down with David Mitchell, founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, who began his fight for drug pricing…