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

Amb. Tai: “We’ve Got to Change Our Approach” to Trade

16m 30s

China’s foreign minister has called for stabilizing relations with the U.S., amid the possibility of a meeting to reset economic ties between the two countries later this month. Amb. Katherine Tai serves as the U.S. Trade Representative and is the child of Chinese immigrants. Tai joins Walter Isaacson to discuss the Biden administration’s approach to trade and how her heritage influences her work.

Ashlee Vance on the Race "to Put Space Within Reach”

18m 10s

Next to space, where the modern-day fight for the skies could turn science fiction into reality. It’s the tech boom that promises to take over, as private companies compete in the race to commercialize space. It’s all chronicled in Ashlee Vance’s new book "When the Heavens Went on Sale, and he joins Walter Isaacson to explain this new era of exploration.

Geoffrey Hinton Warns of the “Existential Threat” of AI

17m 54s

Geoffrey Hinton is considered the godfather of Artificial Intelligence and made headlines with his recent departure from Google. He quit to speak freely and raise awareness of the risks of AI. To dive deeper into the dangers and how to manage them, he joins Hari Sreenivasan.

Gretchen Morgenson: Private Equity Runs and Wrecks America

17m 50s

According to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gretchen Morgenson, elite Wall Street financiers are undermining the country’s economy for their own benefit. In her latest book, Morgenson traces the history of corporate takeovers and the private equity companies that cause newly acquired companies to be burdened with debt. The author speaks on the impact of all this on American workers.

Global Hunger Hits Crisis Levels: WFP's Cindy McCain

5m 43s

At the helm of the World Food Programme during this tense time is Cindy McCain, former ambassador and widow of Senator John McCain. She’s just one month into the job, and the challenges go way beyond Sudan. The number of people facing acute food insecurity worldwide has more than doubled to 345 million since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, regional conflict, and climate change.

Oklahoma’s Domestic Abuse Problem

16m 45s

In Oklahoma, new legislation is being worked out to protect women who kill their abusers in self-defense. There are currently hundreds of women in jail on murder charges, because their history of trauma and abuse wasn’t taken into account when they were sentenced. State representative Toni Hasenbeck (R) tells Michel Martin how she hopes to change that.

Sen. King on SCOTUS Ethics: “Who Will Guard the Guardians?"

18m 17s

Lawyers and lawmakers are calling on the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics, in light of ethical violation accusations against Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch. Now, Sen. Angus King has introduced new bipartisan legislation, The Supreme Court Code of Conduct Act. To discuss the bill and its aim -- to help restore trust in the institution -- Senator King speaks with Walter Isaacson.

Is Britain Ready for an Imperial Reckoning?

18m 8s

Soon the eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Britain’s new king, in a ceremony meant to reflect the country’s modern and multicultural society. But behind the pomp and pageantry lies the shadow of Britain’s colonial legacy. Michel Martin talks with Sathnam Sanghera, whose book “Empireland” is an examination of Britain’s complicated past.

How Early Digital Media Led to Trump and Alt-Right

18m 17s

The social media news revolution appears to be coming to an end. Buzzfeed News, one of the first to harness the power of social media, is shutting down, while Vice Media also reportedly is preparing for bankruptcy. Ben Smith, founding editor-in-chief of Buzzfeed News, explores the history of online journalism in his new book. He joins to discuss what the past decade of digital news has shown us.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma on His Latest Profect, "Our Common Nature"

5m 58s

Can we enhance our humanity by deepening our ties with the natural world? Perhaps we can -- through music. The ever-inventive world-class cellist Yo-Yo Ma explores this union in his latest project, “Our Common Nature,” in which nature becomes his concert hall. Yo-Yo Ma joins Christiane from Chicago.

How Libraries Became a Political Battleground

18m 8s

Libraries are at the center of another polarizing debate dividing the U.S. in the ongoing culture wars. Efforts by elected officials and activist groups to censor books have escalated to levels unseen since tracking began decades ago. Librarians are now on the front lines of a battle for intellectual freedom. The President of the American Library Association speaks about the year of the book bans.

The Future of Fertility

17m 51s

Questions about having children took writer Emily Witt to the limits of reproductive research. In her latest piece for the New Yorker – “The Future of Fertility” – Witt reveals her discovery. She explains to Michel Martin how a few bio-tech start-ups could be about to change the game.

Inside the Conservative Campaign to Relax Child Labor Laws

18m 22s

The Foundation for Government Accountability -- a Florida-based conservative think tank -- has been convincing Republicans to allow kids as young as 14 to work longer hours in arguably more dangerous conditions. Washington Post reporter Jacob Bogage joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss why conservatives appear willing to put children at risk.

The Generation that Saved the Soul of the NBA

17m 23s

In her new book "Black Ball," professor of African American history Theresa Runstedtler details the pivotal role of Black basketball players in transforming the NBA. She tells Michel how their fight for fair treatment in turn worked a transformation on wider society.

Adm. McRaven on on the Ukraine War and U.S.-China Tensions

16m 33s

President Biden announced his bid for reelection today, raising renewed questions about his age and leadership ability. Admiral William McRaven learned about leadership in four decades as a Navy SEAL, an experience he has distilled into a new book, "The Wisdom of the Bullfrog." McRaven speaks with Walter Isaacson about global hotspots and the often overlooked virtue of humility.

NYT Moscow Bureau Chief on Evan Gershkovich

17m 42s

Over 300 foreign correspondents who have worked in Russia are demanding the immediate release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. In a letter to the Russian government, the group condemned Russia’s accusations of espionage and called the arrest a “disturbing and dangerous signal” against honest journalism. Anton Troianovski discusses Gershkovich and his own reporting on Russia.

How Crypto Is a Blind Spot for Climate Activists

17m 58s

As the Biden administration commits another $1 billion to the international effort to fight climate change, Hari asks climate activist John Oppermann if there is still hope of averting disaster.

Laura Trevelyan on the Importance of Reparations

17m 36s

In a historic move, former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan and her family recently made public apology for their ancestral ownership of more than 1,000 slaves on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Trevelyan, now a full-time advocate for reparative justice, has offered a £100,000 donation. She joins Michel Martin to discuss the importance of reparations.

What it Means for Trump’s 2024 Campaign to Start in Waco, TX

18m 14s

Former U.S. president Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the Republican nomination, has launched his presidential campaign in Waco, Texas. Journalist Mike Giglio argues that Trump may have chosen this charged location to send a coded message to extremists. Giglio discusses his theory with Hari Sreenivasan.

Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotech

17m 52s

It’s no secret technology is getting smarter and faster, especially in light of recent controversy over the dangers of A.I. Author Nita Farahany is particularly concerned about how rapid advances in technology could enable invasive tracking of brain function. In her new book, "The Battle for Your Brain," Farahany warns of the threat posed by emerging neurotechnology on our freedom of thought.

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