Amanpour and Company

News and Public Affairs Series / 3 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

Dr. Ayoade Alakija: What Do We Really Know About Omicron?

2m 13s

Can we learn to live with COVID-19? The question might sound strange in view of Omicron case numbers that threaten to overwhelm health services in the U.S. and Europe. But important studies from South Africa and the U.K. indicate that this variant is less severe. To discuss all this, Christiane speaks with Dr. Larry Brilliant and Dr. Ayoade Alakija.

“Invisible Child:” The Life of a Homeless Family in NYC

18m 7s

Eight years ago, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Andrea Elliott wrote a damning exposé of New York’s handling of its homeless population, focusing on one girl named Dasani. Elliott's new book, "Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City," expands on her previous reporting. The author speaks with Hari Sreenivasan.

Is American Democracy Secure for the Next Generation?

17m 25s

Less than a year before the 2022 midterm elections in the U.S., President Biden has come out in favor of suspending the filibuster to protect voting rights. This comes after a push by Republicans for an array of new proposals that critics say will disproportionately impact voters of color. Ted Johnson joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the deadly peril of racism threatening American democracy.

Why Working 9 to 5 Will Soon Be a Relic of the Past

16m 33s

The pandemic has undoubtedly brought permanent change to traditional working norms. And this may be a good thing, what with such countries as Iceland and Scotland now experimenting with a four-day work week. Journalists Anne Helen Petersen and Charlie Warzel believe the nine-to-five routine is a relic of America's past.

Is Omicron Less Dangerous Than Delta? Dr. Fauci Weighs In

18m 12s

The Omicron variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States. Less than a month after the first case appeared, the CDC reports the variant made up more than 70% of all new infections last week. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, has speaks on the latest details with Walter Isaacson.

Yale Sociologist: COVID-19 Will Reshape Humanity

17m 40s

With Omicron on the rise, what might next year have in store? Nicholas Christakis is director of the Human Nature Lab at Yale University and author of the bestseller "Apollo’s Arrow." He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about what’s to come in the next phase of the pandemic.

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle's Campaign to Save the Oceans

2m 52s

Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle has spent a lifetime at the bottom of the sea, and at 86 she is still campaigning to save the oceans. Her new book, “National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey,” explains why clean oceans are vital to humanity. She joins the show from California to explain why oceans matter and what keeps drawing her back to the water.

Fmr. Treasury Sec. Lawrence Summers: Is a Recession Coming?

16m 52s

The public health battle against Omicron is racking up staggering costs. Inflation is gathering steam and hitting people hard with rising food, housing and gas prices. Walter Isaacson speaks with former treasury secretary Larry Summers about how to right the ship.

Fmr. Google Insider on Whistleblowers, Unions and AI Bias

17m 56s

Timnit Gebru is among the most prominent Black women working in artificial intelligence today. Formerly co-leader of Google’s ethical AI team, Gebru says she was fired after speaking out about how AI systems can reinforce social inequalities. Google, however, claims Gebru resigned. Now she is tackling the problem head-on with a new research institute that gives voice to marginalized groups.

“Paid leave is a human issue. It's not a political issue”

17m 35s

Indra Nooyi is a trailblazing businesswoman who made her name as the first female CEO of soft drink giant PepsiCo, as well as the first woman of color and immigrant to run a Fortune 500 company. Now she’s looking back at the experiences that shaped her in a new book, "My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future." She speaks about her quest to bring paid leave to the American workplace.

Cecile Richards on Roe v. Wade

17m 43s

Cecile Richards was president of Planned Parenthood and is now co-founder of Supermajority, a new organization fighting for gender equality. She speaks with Walter Isaacson about what the recent Mississippi and Texas abortion cases before the Supreme Court mean for women’s rights, the law and politics.

A Reckoning with the History of Slavery in the U.S.

17m 26s

Clint Smith is an award-winning poet and author whose work examines America’s complex relationship with race. In his latest book, "How the Word Is Passed," Smith tours the country, examining the state of America’s racial reckoning as reflected in the country's best known monuments – as he explains to Walter Isaacson.

Barton Gellman: “Trump’s Next Coup Has Already Begun"

17m 38s

Barton Gellman was among the journalists who predicted in 2020 that President Trump would not admit defeat if he lost the presidential election. Now, in a cover story for The Atlantic, Gellman says the former president is in an even better position to seize power. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about why he believes democracy will be on trial in the 2024 presidential election.

What’s Surprising Scientists About the Omicron Variant

16m 50s

As at least 57 countries confirm cases of the Omicron variant, questions surrounding the latest strain remain unanswered. Moderna Chairman and co-founder, Dr. Noubar Afeyan is at the forefront of research and scientific development in the fight against Covid. He joined Walter Isaacson to discuss Omicron and the future of vaccines.

Why Day Care in America Costs More Than College Tuition

17m 19s

Childcare in America is widely recognized to be dysfunctional. Only 40% of 3-year-olds are in preschool, compared to over 90% in countries like France, Germany, South Korea, and the UK. Bloomberg Businessweek senior writer Claire Suddath examined why this is the case in a recent piece, and she speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about her findings and what can be done.

Father of Opioid Victim: DOJ Should Prosecute the Sacklers

15m 1s

In April, America reached a record 12-month high of 100,000 deaths by drug overdose. 200 protesters rallied outside the DOJ to demand prosecution of the Sackler family. One of the attendees was Ed Bisch, who founded Relatives Against Purdue Pharma after losing his son to an Oxycontin overdose in 2001. He joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the opioid crisis alongside "Dopesick" author Beth Macy.

Margaret Atwood: What Does U.S. Totalitarianism Look Like?

2m 50s

Margaret Atwood is renowned around the world for her dystopian novels, including "The Handmaid’s Tale." In her latest project she takes a turn, with a focus on utopian ideals and how we might do better. It’s all part of a new online learning experience on Disco called "Practical Utopias: An Exploration of the Possible."

Robert Plant Remembers His Time Playing For Led Zeppelin

2m 21s

One of pop’s great odd couples is returning for their first tour in more than a decade. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant – aka “The Queen of Bluegrass” and “Rock’s Golden God” – are back with a new album, “Raise the Roof."

The Impact of War on Syrian Families

18m 7s

"Simple As Water" is a new documentary that follows five Syrian families attempting to navigate asylum and civil war. Academy Award-winning director Megan Mylan tells Hari Sreenivasan about the project, which examines complex family bonds in a world of uncertainty and separation.

Stopping the Climate Crisis: Doerr Calls for “Speed & Scale"

16m 7s

John Doerr is a key figure in Silicon Valley’s clean tech movement. The New York Times bestselling author has just released a new book, "Speed and Scale," offering a comprehensive plan to achieve net zero by 2050. Doerr joins Walter Isaacson to explain his solution to one of the most daunting challenges in human history.

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