Public Policy Archives - Chris Riback's Conversations

Philip Mudd explains the state of our national intelligence and law enforcement agencies -- and revisits the CIA's Black Sites, where our national debates on torture, waterboarding, counterterrorism, and the deep responsibility to prevent another attack were born.

Philip Mudd: Trump & the Attack on U.S. Intelligence + Discussion of “Black Site”

August 2, 2019 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

Philip Mudd explains the state of our national intelligence and law enforcement agencies — and revisits the CIA’s Black Sites, where our debates on torture, counterterrorism & the responsibility to prevent another attack were born

Tsai explains how legal ideas that aren’t necessarily about equality at all — ensuring fair play, acting reasonably, avoiding cruelty, and protecting free speech — have been used to overcome inequality in the past and can serve as potent alternative tools to promote equality today.

Robert Tsai: Is Justice Possible? Your Supreme Court Questions Answered

July 19, 2019 admin Public Policy

Robert Tsai explains how legal ideas that aren’t necessarily about equality at all — ensuring fair play, acting reasonably, avoiding cruelty, and protecting free speech — have been used to overcome inequality in the past and can serve as potent alternative tools to promote equality today.

It was the Supreme Court session Democrats feared and Republicans had waited a generation for – a solidly conservative 5-4 majority. So how’d it go? Adam Liptak explains.

Adam Liptak: How Far Did Trump Tip the Supreme Court Balance?

July 12, 2019 admin Public Policy

It was the Supreme Court session Democrats feared and Republicans had waited a generation for – a solidly conservative 5-4 majority. So how’d it go?

How is today’s polarized, disrupted world one in which Russia can thrive? That’s what Angela Stent explains through history and analysis in her remarkable new book, "Putin's World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest."

Angela Stent: Explaining Putin’s World

July 5, 2019 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

How is today’s polarized, disrupted world one in which Russia can thrive? That’s what Angela Stent explains through history and analysis in her remarkable new book, “Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest.”

Jared Cohen: Accidental Presidents

June 28, 2019 admin Public Policy

With 20 candidates and 2 Democratic debates spread over 48 hours this week, the 2020 Presidential campaign season is officially underway. We know the process:

Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz sounds the alarm and presents a new economic vision in “People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent.” Stiglitz has written a definitive economic (and political) blue print for these times.

Joseph Stiglitz: Saving Capitalism from Itself

June 21, 2019 admin Business & Economics, Public Policy

Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz sounds the alarm and presents a new economic vision in “People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent.” Stiglitz has written a definitive economic (and political) blue print for these times.

Professor Kirabo Jackson, Northwestern University

Prof. Kirabo Jackson: The Economics of Education Investment

December 21, 2018 admin Business & Economics, Public Policy

Northwestern Professor Kirabo Jackson explains the economics of education investment. The key? Start with early learning and continue.

Sen. Maggie Hassan joins Chris Riback to discuss her new bill "No More Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2018"

Sen. Maggie Hassan: “No More Surprise Medical Bills”

December 6, 2018 admin Politics, Public Policy

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined me to discuss her new bill that aims to protect patients from the outrageous bills that suddenly land folks deep in medical debt.

Michael Lewis: Who’s Running Our Government?

October 12, 2018 admin Public Policy

Michael Lewis joins me for a conversation about his excellent new book, The Fifth Risk, revealing truths that might seem funny if they weren’t so scary.

Rebecca Traister: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger

October 2, 2018 admin Culture, Public Policy

Rebecca Traister, author of a must-read new book Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger joined me for a discussion on how the role

Doris Kearns Goodwin: Leadership in Turbulent Times

September 18, 2018 admin Culture, Public Policy

Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Leadership in Turbulent Times, joined me to discuss presidential leadership in the age of Donald Trump. Subscribe via iTunes or

David A. Kaplan: The Most Dangerous Branch

September 7, 2018 admin Public Policy

With the Senate confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh as the backdrop, David Kaplan, author of the new book, The Most Dangerous Branch: Inside the Supreme