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

Are the Humanities in Crisis?

18m 5s

In the decade following 2008, the share of people in the U.S. graduating with bachelor's degrees in humanities dropped by a third. What's at play here, and why does it matter? Andrew Delbanco is a professor of American studies at Columbia University and the recipient of a National Humanities Medal from President Obama. He discusses the importance of reversing the humanities decline.

Adrienne LaFrance on "The New Anarchy"

17m 38s

In recent years, domestic violent extremism has been designated a national priority by the Department of Homeland Security. Adrienne LaFrance, executive editor of The Atlantic, traces political violence in the U.S. over the past century in her latest article. She joins Walter Isaacson to discuss what's different about "the new anarchy."

COVID-19 Three Years Later: How A Vaccine Was Created

17m 8s

Three years ago, as the World Health Organization was preparing to declare COVID-19 a pandemic, scientists were already weeks into developing a vaccine. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was part of the groundbreaking team that produced the mRNA vaccine for Moderna. She joins Walter Isaacson to reflect on the early days of the pandemic and the future of vaccine research.

“Playing With Dynamite:” How Chatbots Will Change the World

18m 3s

What might the rise of chatbots reveal about the future of artificial intelligence? Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are developing these digital assistants to simulate conversation with human users, changing the way we interact with technology. Steven Levy, Editor at Large of the tech magazine Wired, joins Walter Isaacson to discuss this phenomenon.

These Ukrainian Children Shelter Apart From Abusive Parents

17m 51s

Director Simon Lereng Wilmont's latest documentary, “A House Made of Splinters," has received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination. Its subject is Ukrainian children living in a halfway house after their parents are no longer able to care for them. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Simon tells Hari how he made this powerful film.

Jeh Johnson: No Quick Fix to Migration Woes

17m 25s

The Biden administration is planning to roll out a set of new asylum restrictions that critics say resemble those of the Trump administration. The policy would deny some migrants asylum if they cross the border illegally, or if they fail to first apply for safe harbor in another country. Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama, joins Michel Martin to discuss the crisis.

How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair? David Brooks on Loss

17m 45s

New York Times columnist David Brooks lost his lifelong friend Peter to suicide last April, three years after he was diagnosed with clinical depression. Brooks has detailed what he learned from Peter’s journey in his latest column, “How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair?” He joins Hari Sreenivasan to share some of these lessons.

1966: The Year Black Power Redefined Civil Rights

17m 32s

For America's Civil Rights Movement, 1966 was a watershed year. It was the year the fight was redefined by Black Power. Journalist and critically acclaimed author Mark Whitaker explores that momentous year and its participants in his new book, "Saying It Loud: 1966 – The Year Black Power Challenged the Civil Rights Movement." He speaks with Walter Isaacson.

23-Year-Old Grammy Winner Samara Joy Is the Future of Jazz

15m 57s

Jazz has been called the music of resistance. The genre has roots in protest music and is enjoying a resurgence through the work of young artists like jazz singer Samara Joy, who won for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album at the Grammys. Samara joins Michel to discuss the revival of jazz on the modern popular music scene.

How to Prevent a Cold War With China

17m 30s

Tensions between the U.S. and China -- Russia's closest ally -- are intensifying after a visit to Moscow by Beijing’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. Professor Jessica Chen Weiss was a senior adviser to the U.S. State Department until July of last year. She tells Walter how Beijing’s latest moves could impact another year of war.

Author Isabel Wilkerson on America's Unspoken Caste System

18m 4s

According to award-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, the death of Tyre Nichols is just the latest tragedy to shine a light on America's long-standing but unspoken social hierarchy. In her recent Time Magazine cover story Wilkerson states, “From Jan. 6 to Tyre Nichols, American life is still defined by caste." She tells Michel how the system continues to infringe on the rights of the marginalized.

“Fire of Love:” The Krafft's Fatal Love for Volcanoes

18m 7s

Director Sara Dosa’s documentary "Fire of Love" tells the epic tale of scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft and their lifelong quest to discover the secrets of volcanoes. Since its release, the film has earned critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination. Sara tells Hari about incredible footage shot by the couple on their daring expeditions.

Why Are Doctors Quitting? A Physician Weighs In

18m 21s

America's doctors are leaving the profession in growing numbers, creating a crisis in the U.S. healthcare system. Some 117,000 physicians left the field in 2021, and one in five doctors say they will soon do so. In a recent op-ed for The New York Times, political anthropologist and physician Dr. Eric Reinhart explained fatal flaws in the country’s health system that led to this worrying trend.

A Nat Geo Explorer’s Quest to Help Solve Drought

15m 33s

In the U.S., at least seven states are affected by the alarming depletion of the Colorado River. Water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead have reached historic lows. Author and journalist Erica Gies is sounding the alarm in her book “Water Always Wins," and offering a glimmer of hope with a look at innovative ways to conserve this essential resource.

New Documentary: "The Flagmakers"

17m 38s

Among the world’s most recognizable symbols, the American flag is displayed on almost every public building and countless homes across the country. Have you ever wondered where all these flags come from -- and who makes them? The answer is in a new documentary, "The Flagmakers." Directors Sharon Liese and Cynthia Wade met factory workers who stitch stars and stripes for a living.

How the Bipartisan Committee to Fix Congress Got Things Done

17m 56s

Every few decades, it seems, Congress realizes things aren’t working the way they should and tries to do something about it. The latest effort was a bipartisan select committee on the modernization of Congress -- also known as the “Fix Congress” committee -- led by Democrat Derek Kilmer and Republican William Timmons. They join Michel Martin to explain how they tried to fix Congress.

Bill Browder: Putin Thinks He Can Outlast Us

17m 42s

Over the past two weeks, chaotic scenes of Russian tanks exploding and driving into minefields were recorded by Ukrainian military drones in Donetsk, indicating major failures in the Kremlin’s military tactics. Investor Bill Browder speaks with Walter Isaacson to discuss the effectiveness of the NATO allies’ sanctions on Russia and the pace of its assistance to Ukraine at this critical juncture.

These Veterans Are Combating Extremism at Home

17m 14s

Iraq war veteran Kris Goldsmith is founder of the Task Force Butler Institute. It’s a nonprofit with a mission to take down right-wing extremist movements that are gaining influence – especially among some of Goldsmith's fellow vets. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about this phenomenon in a conversation that is part of Exploring Hate, our ongoing series on antisemitism, racism, and extremism.

Finding Joy in Early Black Writing

17m 45s

February is Black History Month in the U.S., and a new book offers stories of joy that arose amid the horrors of slavery. Author Tara Bynum, a professor of English and African American studies at the University of Iowa, explores the work of four Black writers who found moments of happiness while enslaved. Bynum joins Michel Martin to discuss the humanity in their stories.

Julia Ioffe: Would Putin Turn to Assassinations?

17m 36s

Russian-born American journalist Julia Ioffe is the Washington correspondent for Puck, the media company of which she is co-founder. Ioffe joins Walter Isaacson to discuss her recent reporting on the Russian president.

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