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

Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure

16m 38s

In much of the world, democracy is currently under threat by the rise of authoritarianism. Writer Yascha Mounk is known for his work on democratic institutions and liberal values. In his latest book "The Great Experiment," Mounk describes ethnically diverse democracies as the biggest test of our time. He discusses with Walter Isaacson.

The Fight for Paid Family Leave Unites Lawmakers

17m 8s

Roughly three in four American workers do not have access to paid family leave. This is something a new bipartisan group in Congress is trying to change. Representatives Stephanie Bice and Chrissy Houlahan speak with Michel Martin about their renewed effort to push this over the line.

Lessons from the World’s Longest Happiness Study

17m 44s

Dr. Robert Waldinger is director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has been investigating the human experience since 1938. Now he’s sharing his findings in a new book, "The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness," and he explains all to Walter Isaacson.

Jodi Kantor of the Supreme Court Abortion Leak

17m 26s

The overturning of Roe v Wade ignited a political firestorm both outside and inside the Supreme Court. A leaked draft opinion sparked an investigation into the institution, but failed to resolve the question of who was responsible. New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor has reported extensively on the leak and the inquiry.

Tech Talk with Kara Swisher: Mass Layoffs, ChatGPT & More

17m 47s

The tech industry has had its fair share of headlines recently, with big news from Meta, Twitter, Google, Netflix – to name just a few. To take us through it all, we turn to one of the beat’s top reporters. Kara Swisher hosts the "Pivot" podcast, "On with Kara Swisher," and is the co-founder of tech website Recode. She speaks with Hari Sreenivasan.

The Last Witness to Emmett Till’s Abduction Tells His Story

17m 49s

The lynching of Emmett Till was a case that helped spark the Civil Rights Movement. The Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., the last surviving eyewitness to the tragedy, details his memories in a new book, "A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till." Now a pastor, district superintendent and public speaker, the Rev. Parker speaks with Michel.

Artist Behind MLK Sculpture Responds To Critics

18m 11s

Heated debate has surrounded a new monument commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King. Unveiled in Boston earlier this month, “The Embrace” sparked backlash and even mockery. Now, artist Hank Willis Thomas is speaking out about his work, alongside the Rev. Liz Walker of Embrace Boston, the organization that funded the project. They join Michel Martin to discuss.

Reenvisioning U.S. Citizenship to Save Democracy

18m 3s

Richard Haass is proposing a way to heal internal divisions and safeguard American democracy. In his book, "The Bill of Obligations," Haass argues for reimagining what it means to be an American. A former diplomat, Haass has served under four presidents, both Democratic and Republican. He speaks with Walter Isaacson about his belief that the greatest threat to American democracy comes from within.

Delia Ephron on Her Personal Rom-com and Surviving Leukemia

17m 56s

A second chance at life is hoped for by many but granted to very few. Delia Ephron is the screenwriter behind blockbuster rom-coms like "You’ve Got Mail," directed by her sister Nora Ephron. In her new memoir, "Left on Tenth," Delia relates how her life has, at times, resembled one of these films. It’s about finding love after loss – and exploring this love during her treatment for leukemia.

LA Mayor Karen Bass on Homelessness Crisis

18m 34s

Los Angeles now has the largest homeless population in the country, overtaking New York City. Newly elected mayor Karen Bass ran on this issue, and one month into the job, she joins Michel Martin from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to discuss her plan for addressing this crisis.

“The Most Fringe Elements of the GOP Are in Control”

17m 32s

With extreme election deniers having been awarded key committee assignments this week, is there a place for pragmatic Republicans in this Congress? Charlie Sykes, conservative commentator and editor-at-large for the political website The Bulwark, joins Michel Martin to break down the current GOP landscape.

Rep. Ro Khanna: “We Made a Big Strategic Mistake”

17m 46s

The Biden administration says it will continue to cooperate with the Justice Department investigation of the president’s handling of sensitive material, after classified documents from Biden’s time as vice president were found at his former office and his home. Rep. Ro Khanna on this and his recent Foreign Affairs article on how the U.S. can regain its status as a manufacturing superpower.

Bernie Madoff Was “A Financial Serial Killer”

17m 52s

The $20 billion Ponzi scheme orchestrated by the infamous – and now deceased – Bernie Madoff was the largest financial fraud in history. Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger has turned his cameras on the crime that shook America. New details and never-before-seen footage are revealed in Berlinger's new Netflix documentary, "Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street."

Is Expediting Ukrainian Refugees' Migration Fair to Others?

17m 42s

“Uniting for Ukraine” is a private refugee sponsorship program created by the Biden administration in response to Putin’s war. It bypasses the conventional admission system, allowing refugees to be settled within weeks. George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin has sponsored Ukrainian refugees under this program.

Long COVID Doctor: “We Don’t Know What We’re Dealing With”

17m 1s

China’s reversal on its Zero COVID Policy has produced a wave of infection that has overwhelmed many hospitals. Symptoms can persist beyond the initial infection, lasting for weeks, months, or even years. Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, director of the Long COVID Initiative at Brown University, joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain why the disease is so difficult to diagnose.

Buttigieg on FAA and Southwest Meltdowns

16m 58s

In the year since President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill was signed into law, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has awarded several billion dollars to local projects across the country. To break down the progress of this law, and to discuss the pressures on the travel sector, the Secretary speaks with Walter Isaacson.

Fmr. NFL Player on Damar Hamlin and the Violence of Football

17m 5s

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin was discharged from hospital today. His collapse and cardiac arrest on the football field last week underlined concerns about player safety in the NFL. Nate Jackson played for the Denver Broncos for five years before injury ended his career in 2009. Jackson has spent his retirement raising awareness of the dangers of the game.

New Congress “A Feud Between Two Very Extreme GOP Groups”

16m 28s

Just two years after the pro-Trump insurrection that shook American democracy to its core, Congress is finally getting down to business after a chaotic scramble to elect a speaker. For a look at the root cause of the events that unfolded in the House over the past week, Michel Martin talks with Susan Glasser, co-author of "The Divider: Trump in the White House."

Fmr. Pres. of the NAACP Ben Jealous on Reconciling America

17m 52s

Ben Jealous has worn many hats -- scholar, philanthropist, former president of the NAACP, and even a former Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland. Now, the New York Times bestselling author has a new memoir set for release tomorrow. To discuss this and his journey navigating life as a biracial man in America, Jealous speaks with Walter Isaacson.

Top 10 Global Political Risks in 2023

18m 12s

Putin’s war in Ukraine is not the only global political risk looming over 2023. A series of international challenges lie ahead as China u-turns on its zero-COVID policy amid continuing protests in Iran. Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, tells Walter Isaacson what to expect on the world stage this year.

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