Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn

Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn

Author: The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas September 24, 2025 Duration: 55:52
Can today’s science fiction become tomorrow’s guidebook for change? Zachary and Emma sit down with Ed Finn, the visionary behind the Center for Science and the Imagination at ASU and academic director of Future Tense. Ed explores the intersection between sci-fi and real world science, the complexities of new technologies like AI and gene editing, and why our imaginations can be the launchpad for tomorrow’s innovations and building the future we dream about. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork⁠⁠⁠ And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk

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 Progress Report: Medical Advancements [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss lesser-known news stories that highlight positive developments and meaningful change. They cover topics such as a gel that stops bleeding from wounds in seconds, t…
The Kamala Pivot with Evan Osnos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:21
How has the Democrats' shift to Kamala Harris upended the election cycle? Zachary and Emma speak with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Evan Osnos to discuss the current state of the Biden presidency and the r…
The Two Sides of Gene Editing with Kevin Davies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
Where should humans draw the line with gene editing? Is CRISPR the "holy grail" of science, or is editing human DNA ethical at all? Zachary and Emma speak with Kevin Davies, executive editor of The CRISPR Journal and aut…
The Progress Report: Smarter Insulin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:44
In this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss various news stories, highlighting both the good and bad news. They cover topics such as the development of smart insulin, Europe warming faster than the rest of t…
Elite Gatekeepers with Musa al-Gharbi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:00
Why have leading publications been obsessed with Donald Trump for so long? What's the master thesis behind political and cultural schisms in the US? And why are the nation's elite all talk and no walk about social justic…
The Progress Report: Pro-Democracy Protests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:00
In this episode of The Progress Report, Emma discusses three news stories: the pro-democracy protests in Bangladesh, the projected peak of world population, and state-level initiatives in the United States. The main them…
Psychedelic Sea Change with Oshan Jarow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:04
Should psychedelics be legal nationwide? Are they a bipartisan topic? And if they become a retail product like marijuana, how would screening and licensing work? Join Zachary and Emma as they speak with Oshan Jarow, a st…
The Progress Report: Olympic Strides Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:23
In this episode, Zachary and Emma discuss various news stories related to the Olympics. They talk about the opening ceremonies, the inclusion of new sports like breakdancing and kiteboarding, gender parity in the games,…
Beyond the Bluff with Maria Konnikova [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:28
Can anyone truly read a poker face? Join Zachary and Emma as they speak with Maria Konnikova, who takes us on her journey from earning a PhD in psychology to becoming a professional poker player. Maria sheds light on the…

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