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

2020: A Look at the Year That Changed Everything

18m 6s

Four years ago, schools and businesses were shutting down and Covid was changing life as we know it. In his new book “2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed," sociologist Eric Klinenberg examines the events of 2020 through the eyes of seven New Yorkers. The NYU professor joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the tumultuous year 2020 and why we must not forget its impact.

Mass Shootings, Racism, and more: The Dangers of Habituation

17m 53s

In his new book, “Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There," Cass R. Sunstein explores the concept of habituation, and how disrupting our well-worn routines can renew our days and reset our brains. The author, a Harvard Law professor and presidential adviser, joins Walter Isaacson to discuss the key to a happier and more fulfilled life.

How AI-Generated Content Is Impacting Elections

18m 35s

Deepfakes are infiltrating the 2024 election cycle. Just how will this impact voters? Misinformation experts Sam Gregory and Claire Wardle discuss what’s at stake, both politically and technologically. This conversation is part of the WNET series "Take on Fake" which analyzes fake or altered video, images and audio to debunk the viral spread of misinformation and get to the truth.

Bill Kristol: Trump’s “Authoritarian Vision” for a 2nd Term

16m 25s

Both President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump have managed to clinch their party’s nominations, although Americans across the country will continue to take part in the primary process until it ends in June. As the presidential race heats up, former long-time Republican Bill Kristol warns of the dangers of a second Trump term. He joins Walter Isaacson to discuss what’s on the line.

Josh Tyrangiel: “Let AI Remake the Whole U.S. Government"

17m 44s

Josh Tyrangiel joins Walter Isaacson to discuss his latest piece for The Washington Post: "Let AI Remake the Whole U.S. Government (and Save the Country)." The essay examines how governments can harness the power of AI to improve citizens' lives -- from SNAP benefits to mental health care for veterans.

Former NBA Star Rex Chapman on Addiction and Recovery

18m 12s

NBA veteran Rex Chapman sits down with Michel Martin to discuss his new memoir, "It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me." In it, Chapman details his rise to basketball stardom and the challenges he faced along the way — debilitating anxiety and racist hostility when he engaged in an interracial relationship. Chapman also describes his road to recovery after battling opioid and gambling addictions.

Queen of Jordan on the Food Crisis in Gaza

6m 9s

On Sunday, the United States and Jordan conducted another joint airdrop into northern Gaza. Jordan’s Queen Rania has been outspoken in defense of Gaza civilians. She is urging the United States and other allies of Israel to use all their leverage to end what she calls Israel’s “deliberate effort” to deprive those in need. She joins the show exclusively from King Abdullah II Air Base in Jordan.

Memory Expert on Biden, Trump, and the Stereotypes of Aging

17m 38s

President Biden's self-assured delivery of the State of the Union address challenged doubts about his age. Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath believes that we have been oversimplifying the way we think about age and memory. In his new book "Why We Remember,” the author shares years of his research. He discusses with Hari Sreenivasan.

“The Real Culture Wars” Between Democracy and Autocracy

18m 13s

From Haiti to Gaza to Ukraine, the world is racked with conflict and instability. While political leaders wrangle with military and economic solutions, Suzanne Nossel argues that it’s the arts that could make the biggest difference. The CEO of Pen America joins Walter Isaacson to discuss her latest essay exploring the power of culture to shape the world order.

Why Alabama IVF Ruling Has Split the GOP

18m 32s

The Alabama supreme court caused a nationwide uproar with a ruling that jeopardized access to IVF for families trying to conceive. In her recent piece "IVF and the GOP," Mona Charen, policy editor at The Bulwark news site, details the conflict between legislation and fertility treatments. She joins Michel Martin to discuss how conservatives might maintain voter support.

Why Some Americans Think Voting Isn’t Worth the Hassle

17m 54s

In the U.S., a predictable "super Tuesday" is playing out – delivering the clearest sign yet of a pending Trump-Biden rematch. With all eyes now firmly set on November, there is one possibly influential voting bloc that both parties will be targeting. New York Times Magazine reporter Marcela Valdes joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the potential of the ambivalent voter in this election.

Life in Rafah: "We Are Humans, We Deserve a Better Life"

5m 57s

The threat of an Israeli incursion into Rafah still looms large. Daiana Al-Bukhari is now a Rafah resident, having been displaced three times from her home in Gaza City. Despite internet connection problems, Al-Bukhari has kept her nearly 100,000 Instagram followers up to date. She joins the show to describe what life is like in Gaza under siege and heavy bombardment.

Former Israeli PM Barak Criticizes Netanyahu's Leadership

5m 38s

Conditions are desperate in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel refuses to send a delegation to Cairo for ceasefire talks with Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been a prominent critic of the Israeli government’s handling of this war and recently called for early general elections in Israel. He joins the show from Tel Aviv.

Is Redemption a Human Right? Tracking the Demise of Clemency

17m 38s

While border politics and mass migration will be key issues in this year's presidential election, back in the 1980s candidates were all about getting tough on crime. Historian Reiko Hillyer traces the changes in America's prison systems throughout the 20th century in her new book, "A Wall Is Just a Wall." She joins Michel Martin to discuss.

The Untold Story of the Race to Record “We Are the World”

18m 23s

Almost four decades ago, 46 of America’s biggest music stars gathered in one studio to record the single “We Are the World.” The record sold 2 million+ copies, and the all-night recording session behind it is the focus of a new Netflix documentary, “The Greatest Night in Pop.” Also present that night was Tom Bahler, a vocal arranger for the song. Hari speaks to him alongside director Bao Nguyen.

Are Latinos Worried About the Immigration Crisis?

18m 20s

Immigration is a top issue in the 2024 presidential election, as Biden and Trump head to the Mexico border today. Marie Arana, who moved to the United States from Peru at age nine, is part of the diverse Latino community numbering 64 million people across the nation. In her new book "LatinoLand," Arana sheds light on the little-known history of Hispanic America. The author joins Michel Martin.

Top Netanyahu Adviser Responds to Deadly Gaza Aid Incident

5m 19s

More than 100 people have been killed while gathering around food aid trucks in Gaza City, according to the Ministry of Health there. The timeline is under dispute, but Israeli forces say they did open fire. Mark Regev is special adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and he joins the show from Tel Aviv.

“Living and Dying in a Country of Arms”

18m 3s

Despite unending pleas for tighter gun laws, public possession of firearms has only gone up in recent years. Dr. Jonathan Metzl is Director of the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Metzl joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss his new book, “What We’ve Become,” and the social and political obstacles preventing the passage of meaningful firearm regulation.

Biden’s Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy Post-Trump

17m 37s

President Joe Biden met with top Congressional leaders today, pressing them to pass his aid package for Ukraine and Israel. The failure of Congress to act is hurting Ukraine and undermining America on the global stage. Politico National Security Reporter Alexander Ward takes a look at how Biden’s foreign policy team copes with all of these challenges in his new book, "The Internationalists."

Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Think About Race

18m 14s

It was back in 2010 when Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris began inviting strangers to send her six words about race on a postcard. In the end, she collected more than one-half million personal stories in an online forum. This formed the basis for her new bestseller "Our Hidden Conversations." The author joins the show to discuss why these conversations are essential.

Supported by