Reasonably Optimistic

Latest Episodes:

Why we want to believe in every wellness fix Mar 28, 2025

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A fitness influencer posted a video of his over-the-top morning routine that’s racked up nearly a billion views. What does the video’s popularity tell us about our culture’s obsession with so-called wellness? Are people just searching for meaning in a world that can feel out of control? Columnists Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Ted Johnson talk about our culture’s endless appetite for wellness fixes.

Here’s the video referenced in the show.

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Make Democrats excited again Mar 25, 2025

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Since Republicans took over government in January, Democrats haven’t been able to find a unified message or opposition strategy. While Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tour the country speaking to massive crowds about fighting billionaires, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is taking heat for supporting a Republican-led budget plan. How can the Democrats get out of the wilderness? Columnists Dana Milbank, Shadi Hamid and Matt Bai discuss the need for a fresh philosophy and a messenger from outside of Washington.

Additional reading by our columnists:

Dana Milbank: My month of living Republicanly

Shadi Hamid: Why half of America is cheering for chaos

Matt Bai: Where is the anti-Trump resistance?

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Well, at least we aren’t severed or stuck at a White Lotus Mar 21, 2025

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Why are so many people talking about two escapist, engrossing TV dramas that let us slip away from our reality for an hour each week? Is it just that this kind of complex, big-budget television show is so rare these days? Columnists Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Monica Hesse talk about the valley on the other side of “peak tv” — and how sometimes you just need shows you can watch while folding laundry.

Additional reading:

Monica Hesse: ‘The Apprentice’ is now on Amazon. Don’t do what I did.

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Just come in legally, they said Mar 18, 2025

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The Trump administration is taking its immigration attacks beyond the border. Federal officials have detained green card holder and Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, and have picked up other legal immigrants returning from travel abroad. What does all of this mean for the legal immigration system? Columnists Dana Milbank, Eduardo Porter and Shadi Hamid discuss the chilling effects of this “hinge moment” in Trump’s presidency.

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Some beautiful, slightly deranged ideas for more sunshine Mar 14, 2025

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You think you’ve heard all you need to about daylight saving time, but we promise you haven’t heard it quite like this. Most people hate changing the clocks back and forth each fall and spring, but they can’t seem to agree on how we could do it better. In this episode, Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and David Von Drehle take us on a journey of DST through history and around the world. They also pitch some wild ideas for how we can better optimize the sunlight, which is what we're guessing everybody really wants.

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Trump’s shock-and-awe strategy hits the economy Mar 11, 2025

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As President Trump stays bullish on tariffs, sending markets spiraling and personal anxieties soaring, the Republican-led Congress is trying to pass a budget. Do Democrats have any levers to pull, or should they just let Republicans own whatever happens next? Dana Milbank, Heather Long and James Hohmann talk through the negotiations in Washington this week and how Trump’s unclear messaging could hurt business.

Additional reading:

Heather Long: A Trump recession has become a real possibility

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Out with the girl boss, but in with…what? Mar 07, 2025

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When a few dozen women in pink suits strode into the House for the joint address to Congress last week, something felt a little, well, off. Partly, it seemed taken from a tired old playbook. Partly, it sent a garbled message. But mostly it pointed to the fact that many liberal women don’t know what to do in this post-resistance era. Columnists Molly Roberts and Monica Hesse speak with contributor Carolina A. Miranda about the backlash to “girl boss” culture, how women on the MAGA right are finding their look and why the aesthetics of it all matter.

Additional reading by our columnists:

Monica Hesse: Democrats sent a scary message with those pink outfits

Carolina Miranda: Welcome to the era of Trump Trad

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Did Trump’s address to Congress trap Democrats? Mar 05, 2025

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President Trump’s address to Congress was historically long and unusual in its style. Some Democrats booed and heckled him, and Trump did his own trolling of Democrats too. What does this address tell us about our politics and the future of Trump 2.0? Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and Ramesh Ponnuru get into it.

Dana Milbank: In just five days, Trump has set the country back nearly 100 years

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The Oscar films ask more questions than they answer Feb 28, 2025

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This year’s top Oscar-nominated films are an eclectic mix, but share some common themes. Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Alyssa Rosenberg discuss the not-so-straightforward heroes and villains in this year’s top movies, the limits of trying to transform oneself and what all of this says about the current moment.

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The right-wing media machine is now the U.S. government Feb 25, 2025

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President Trump has elevated a podcaster who’s bragged about “owning the libs” to a top position at the FBI, after firing six top generals at the Pentagon last week. Meanwhile, Elon Musk continues to make confusing demands of federal employees. Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and Philip Bump discuss whether this is all about loyalty and subservience to the president, or if there’s perhaps a bigger grand plan.

Additional reading by our columnists:

Philip Bump: The right-wing media machine is hitting a wall

Ruth Marcus: When the guardrails holding back law enforcement fail

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