Amanpour and Company

News and Public Affairs Series / 2 Seasons

Featuring conversations with global leaders and decision makers on the issues affecting the world today, Amanpour and Company adds to the long tradition of public affairs programming that has been a hallmark of public media for decades.

Watch: S2023 E6121

26m 46s

Calvin Trillin Looks Back on His Illustrious Career

16m 30s

Calvin Trillin is a legendary reporter and author with over 60 years of experience under his belt. Trillin’s career has taken him from coverage of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s to features for The New Yorker and humorous observations on the American regional food scene. His new book “The Lede” is a collection of the best pieces from his illustrious career.

Alex Honnold’s 4,000-ft. Climb in the Name of Climate Change

18m 21s

In the new National Geographic series “Arctic Ascent,” Alex Honnold sets his sights higher than ever before, on a 4,000-foot sea cliff in Greenland. This time he’s got ropes, but he also has the climate crisis on his mind as he’s joined by a team of scientists led by glaciologist Heïdi Sevestre. Honnold and Sevestre talked with Hari Sreenivasan about what they discovered.

Trump v. Biden: How the U.S. Ended Up With a Rematch

16m 26s

A rematch of the 2020 election between former president Trump and President Joe Biden now seems more likely than ever. In his new article, Atlantic staff writer David Graham asks how the country ended up with a choice that most of its voters don’t want. He speaks to Michel Martin about what this means for the nation.

How Chaos Theory Explains Trump’s Rise To Power

17m 34s

In his new book, political scientist Brian Klaas asks whether every move we make could potentially produce a domino effect. Klaas draws attention to the fact that small, seemingly trivial events can have far-reaching consequences. The author speaks with Walter Isaacson about his belief that randomness shapes our world, from personal circumstances to geopolitical events.

Why Aren’t There More Black Doctors in the U.S.?

18m 22s

Dr. Uché Blackstock says Black physicians make up only 5.7% of doctors across the U.S., and the price for Black patients is severe. In her new book "Legacy," Dr. Blackstock traces this inequity back to a report that came out in 1910, forcing five of seven Black medical schools to close. She discusses with Michel Martin.

“The MAGA Diaries” Goes Inside Trump's Movement

17m 22s

Tina Nguyen was drawn to the conservative movement as a college student. But, after internships and jobs that centered around right-wing talking points, she left that world behind. Nguyen is a journalist at Puck and details her political journey in her new book "The MAGA Diaries." She speaks with Hari Sreenivasan.

Oscar-Nominated Actor Jeffrey Wright on "American Fiction"

5m 51s

A good old-fashioned literary hoax takes shape in the new hit movie "American Fiction." It’s a biting satire about the flattening of Black voices, and has become one of the darlings of this year's awards season, racking up five Oscar nominations including Best Picture, as well as a Best Actor nomination for Jeffrey Wright, who joins the show.

Max Boot on Trump, Putin and Blocked Ukraine Aid

17m 44s

Today, the E.U. agreed on an aid package for Ukraine worth 50 billion Euros, citing Putin’s aggression as the primary threat to our world order. No such help is forthcoming from Washington, where Congressional Republicans -- under pressure from Trump -- are holding up a bipartisan deal on the southern border that is linked to Ukraine aid. The Washington Post's Max Boot joins the show to discuss.

1,000 Black Pastors Are Asking Pres. Biden for a Ceasefire

18m 37s

The devastation in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that has befallen its people have galvanized the world, especially young people in America and elsewhere. The Reverend Frederick Haynes and Black pastors across the U.S., are lobbying for a ceasefire through open letters and meetings with White House officials. Rev. Haynes speaks to Michel Martin about the impact this could have on U.S. politics.

Artist Ai Weiwei on His New Graphic Memoir "Zodiac"

18m 15s

Artist Ai Weiwei is known for challenging authoritarian politics in his work. He was detained in China for 81 days on a charge of "state subversion" back in 2011. This failed to discourage the artist in his fight for intellectual freedom, a pursuit passed down to him by his late father. Now Ai Weiwei is exploring that relationship, and his own life story, in his new graphic memoir "Zodiac."

“Democracy on Trial” The Case Against Trump for Jan 6

18m 5s

Michael Kirk is the filmmaker behind a new Frontline documentary, "Democracy on Trial.” It charts special counsel Jack Smith's indictment against former President Donald Trump, which alleges federal election interference in 2020. Kirk tells Hari Sreenivasan why he chose to release the film now.

Holocaust Survivor Dr. Edith Eger Tells Her Story

19m 13s

Edith Eger was just 16 years old when she was sent to Auschwitz, but what she saw there remained a secret for many years. Now an internationally renowned psychologist, Edith has devoted her life to helping heal people’s traumas. Edith and her daughter Marianne Engle join the show to discuss Edith's bestselling book "The Choice," the power of forgiveness, and why telling her story set her free.

“Netanyahu Has a Lot to Answer For:” says Thomas Friedman

18m 7s

All but two of 51 Democratic senators support a measure endorsing the two-state solution as part of a national security funding package that includes military aid to Israel. Walter Isaacson spoke with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman about these developments, and about what Friedman calls a failure of leadership by the Israeli prime minister.

Oscar-Nominated Film Explores Banking While Black

18m 20s

"The Barber of Little Rock" is a short documentary that follows the story of Arlo Washington. He runs a barber college in Arkansas and a credit union dedicated to serving the Black community. The film exposes issues of segregation and economic inequality that persist in America. Washington and filmmaker John Hoffman joined the show shortly after receiving news that the film was Oscar-nominated.

How Private Equity in Healthcare Puts Patients at Risk

18m 16s

Dr. Ashish Jha led the Biden administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Now he's back at his old job as Dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University. Speaking with Hari Sreenivasan, Dr. Jha lays out how private equity is disrupting the medical industry across America.

George Conway: “Trump Deserves to Spend His Life in Prison"

17m 59s

Former President Trump continues to ricochet between the courthouse and the campaign trail. This morning, he was back to face a trial for his statements about former columnist E. Jean Carroll's sexual assault allegations in 2019. Conservative lawyer George Conway joins Michel Martin with incisive analysis of Trump's legal woes and how they are shaping his campaign.

A More Optimistic Approach to Climate Change

17m 44s

According to a new study in the journal Nature, the ice in Greenland is melting 20% faster than was previously believed. Data scientist Hannah Ritchie says while headlines like these are urgent and alarming, we need to shift our focus towards solutions. This point of view is laid out in Ritchie's new book "Not the End of the World," which she joins the show to discuss.

Who Are the Houthis and What Is Their Role in Israel-Gaza?

17m 58s

As the U.S. launches a fifth round of missile strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Walter Isaacson digs into the roots of this crisis with Elisabeth Kendall, a Middle East specialist and author who also is Mistress of Cambridge University's Girton College.

Trump's Deputy National Security Advisor on U.S.-China

18m 2s

In Taiwan, people have voted for a historic third term of the Democratic Progressive Party, led by President-elect Lai Ching-Te. What does this mean for Taiwan's relations with mainland China and diplomacy with other nations? Walter discusses with Matt Pottinger, the former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor.

America Ferrera Talks “Barbie” Movie and Feminism

5m 55s

It’s one of the most talked-about movie moments of the year — the breakout scene in the billion-dollar blockbuster "Barbie" where America Ferrera, as the non-Barbie Gloria, makes a speech about what it is to be a woman in the modern world. Christiane spoke to the actress just before she nabbed the SeeHer Award at the Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles.

Supported by