The Gallup Podcast

As President Donald Trump prepares to make his first formal State of the Union address, what are Americans thinking? How do people feel he has performed so far as president, and what do they hope to hear him say about the future? On this special episode, we ask them. Later, we report on the aspects of the state of the union with which Americans are most and least satisfied.

Global approval of U.S. leadership fell to a record low during Donald Trump’s first year in office. In fact, Germany’s leadership approval now leads U.S. leadership approval worldwide. Jon Clifton, Global Managing Partner at Gallup, discusses these important trends, as well as other key findings based on how 134 countries and areas rate U.S. leadership. Later, we reveal the percentage of Americans who say they cannot name an objective news source.

Sam Gill, a vice president at the Knight Foundation, joins us to discuss a major new report on the public’s eroding trust in U.S. media; the challenges facing the journalism industry in fulfilling its democratic responsibilities; and how party polarization plays a major role in Americans’ views of the media. Later, we update the percentage of Democrats who identify as liberals and discuss how it has changed since 2001.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called 2017 one of the most successful first years in presidential history -- but what do Americans think? Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad reviews the year’s presidential approval ratings, as well as other measures of how Americans think the country is doing. Later, we reveal which sports are most popular in the U.S.

What can leaders do to manage workplaces better? In this episode, Dr. Jim Harter, chief scientist of Gallup’s workplace management practice, talks about the latest Gallup State of the Global Workplace report findings to help answer this question and more -- including what percentage of the global workforce is engaged. Later, we discuss the percentage of Americans who say taxes are the most important problem in the U.S.

Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report, offers his take on the impact that the Alabama special election, Trump’s approval rating, the public’s view of the new tax reform law and other factors will have on the political landscape in 2018. Later, we discuss Hillary Clinton’s favorable rating one year after the 2016 presidential election.

As congressional Republicans put the finishing touches on their controversial tax bill, should they consider public opinion? Gallup Senior Scientist Justin Wolfers, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, offers an economist’s insight on that question. Wolfers goes on to shed light on many other important issues that arise when a government attempts to cut taxes. Later, we report on what Americans think about President Donald Trump’s position on recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Are colleges and universities in the U.S. in danger of becoming obsolete? Some observers say so. Brandon Busteed, Gallup’s Executive Director of Education and Workforce Development, weighs in with his take. Busteed offers insights for a new era in higher education, in which we could see significant numbers of colleges going out of business or merging in an effort to remain viable. Later, we discuss Americans’ preferences for the gender of their boss and how those preferences have changed over time.

For decades, Gallup has asked Americans what they think is the most important problem facing the nation, and their answers have varied over time. In this episode, Gallup Senior Editor Jeff Jones gives us a rundown of Americans’ views on what the nation’s biggest problems are today. Later, we share the percentage of Americans who plan to do their holiday shopping online.

Where in the U.S. is well-being highest? What boosts well-being in communities? And has there been a “Trump effect” on well-being in the U.S.? In this episode, Dan Witters, Research Director of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, joins us to answer these questions and discuss key trends in Americans’ health and well-being. Later, we reveal the percentage of Americans who say they would feel unsafe walking alone at night.