The Progress Report: This Bacteria Beats Dengue Fever

The Progress Report: This Bacteria Beats Dengue Fever

Author: The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas September 26, 2025 Duration: 20:08
Emma brings you a solo edition of the Progress Report, highlighting several positive global advancements. Brazil goes bold with a two-part strategy against dengue fever, involving both a homegrown vaccine and specially bred mosquitoes that carry an anti-dengue bacteria. Africa is leading a major expansion of school meal programs for children. And around the world we have two stories of security, with the High Seas Treaty recently ratified to protect international waters along with a reported rise in people’s sense of safety.

It’s easy to feel that everything is falling apart, but what if the dominant narrative of decline is missing a crucial piece of the story? What Could Go Right? asks that question directly, offering a necessary counterpoint to the daily drumbeat of crises. Hosted by The Progress Network’s Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas, this podcast operates from a simple but radical premise: while the problems are real, so is the human capacity for ingenuity and constructive change. Each episode brings together a diverse group of thinkers, from scientists and activists to policymakers and cultural commentators, for conversations that go beyond diagnosing issues to exploring tangible solutions and underreported advances. You’ll hear nuanced discussions on everything from climate technology and economic innovation to the reshaping of governance and culture, all grounded in a realistic sense of possibility. This isn’t about blind optimism; it’s about engaged, evidence-based hope. Tuning in means joining a community that believes understanding what’s working is just as important as understanding what’s broken. If you’re weary of doomscrolling and looking for substantive dialogue that charts a path forward, this is the podcast for you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

What Could Go Right?
Podcast Episodes
The Return to Trumplandia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
Welcome to Season 7! This week, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas discuss the duality of news, focusing on the positive amidst the negative. They explore the impact of the Trump administration on American politics, t…
What Could Go Right: New Episodes March 5th [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01
Negative news can be overwhelming, but it's important to question whether it accurately reflects our world. Join "What Could Go Right?" to hear positive stories from various experts and challenge the negative narrative.…
BONUS: We want to hear from YOU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:49
Can you do us a favor? We’re looking for your feedback on our show. If you’ve enjoyed listening to it, please take a moment to fill out this quick survey: theprogressnetwork.org/survey. Happy Holidays! We’ll see you in t…
Looking Back and Moving Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
How many U.S. states have increased their minimum wage in 2024? Have greenhouse gas emissions gone down in the EU this year? Has the ozone layer begun to heal itself? Zachary and Emma wrap up 2024 by reflecting on positi…
The Progress Report: Legislative Transplants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:53
In this week's Progress Report, Emma discusses significant advancements in medical science, particularly in bone marrow transplants, highlighting a startup called Ossium that is innovating donor matching. She also covers…
Election Reflection with Robert Wright [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:01
How do Americans overcome political polarization? Is not having a monolithic Latino or Black vote good for America? What are some benefits and drawbacks to a Trump presidency? Zachary and Emma speak with Robert Wright, a…
The Progress Report: Recovered Life Expectancy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:24
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss various stories that highlight progress in society. They cover the cloning of the black-footed ferret as a conservation effort, innovations in breast pump technolo…
The Throes of Trumplandia with Ana Marie Cox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:03
How can Americans interact with the opposing political party after such a divisive election? Can community building help Americans look past what is happening at the federal level? Are there groups of people that should…
The Progress Report: Here and Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
In this Progress Report, Zachary and Emma reflect on the recent election results, discussing the implications of Donald Trump's potential second term and the broader political landscape in the U.S. They emphasize the imp…