Poll Hub Podcast
Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean.
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May 13, 2022
Elon's Twitter and Graduation Debts
Elon Musk may be buying Twitter for $44 billion and says he wants more free speech on the platform. This leaves many asking the question, what will this mean for Twitter's future? It's college graduation season and most college seniors will be leaving with loan debts. With Biden expected to announce his plan for debt relief in the coming weeks, the team looks into how Americans feel about it and how students are reacting to debt. To the theme of college graduation, our fun fact is about just that!
May 06, 2022
Abortion Rights After Roe
The leak of a draft opinion suggests a majority of the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade soon. Does decades of polling on the topic show Americans support this? And, what are the political implications, not just in 2022 but beyond, if the Court rules states can end legal abortion as they see fit?
Apr 29, 2022
2022 Midterm Landscape & Legal Weed
Our new poll may say a lot about this fall's midterm Congressional elections but is it all good news for the GOP? New Jersey is the latest state to let people buy marijuana in stores and the move to legalize weed has broad public support, yet there's little chance the Feds will do the same. And, are you Team Snoopy or Team Garfield?
Apr 22, 2022
Earth Day Special: Evangelicalism & Environmentalism
In honor of Earth Day, this week's podcast is focused on the planet. First we take a look at how many Americans support the idea of the U.S. going carbon neutral. Are there trade offs we're willing to make? Then, a Christian climate scientist, Katherine Hayhoe, joins to discuss faith and climate change. Finally, our fun fact this week is all about the planet of fast food.
Apr 14, 2022
Crime Concerns & Baseball Bummers
With Americans growing more concerned about crime, the political parties are framing the issue in very different ways. What will stick? Baseball got a late start this year thanks to a labor dispute between the players and the team owners. Will it matter to fans as the season wears on? Finally, we're "left" with an intriguing fun fact.
Apr 08, 2022
Does "Don't Say Gay" Threaten LGBTQ Gains?
With other states quickly looking to replicate Florida's newly enacted "Don't Say Gay" law, we're talking to Harvard's Michael Bronski about what this might mean for LGBTQ rights in general. Then, are parents with school kids the big "get" in the 2022 midterms? Polls show somewhat confusing evidence so we're dissecting them. Finally, as we start the baseball season, this week's fun fact is all about baseball...in 1943!
Apr 01, 2022
American Pessimism and Permanent Daylight Savings
Americans are growing slightly more pessimistic with economic concerns front and center in our new America Now: National Outlook Index. And, a majority agree Daylight Saving Time should stick around, just like the Senate recently unanimously voted. Our fun fact this week is straight out of a dream!...if you can remember it.
Mar 25, 2022
Seniors Get More Tech Savvy in the Pandemic
Congress isn't popular but its approval rating has been cut in half in roughly one year. Who's driving the downward trend? Then, S. Jay Olshansky joins to dig into new studies about seniors and tech -- and how the pandemic may have permanently altered the relationship. A lot has changed since 1937, especially how often people read a daily newspaper.
Mar 17, 2022
Women's History Month & NYC Mayor So Far
It's Women's History Month, and a majority of Americans say they're satisfied with women's place in society. But, is it consistent with statistical data hinting at a different story? Then, we dig into the numbers from our new NYC poll. What do New Yorkers think of their new mayor Eric Adams? We end this episode on a musical note...or rather instrument.
Mar 11, 2022
Poll Timing and Compensation for College Athletes
When it comes to polling, timing is everything. The team talks about how just a couple of days can change a poll's results. Should college athletes get paid? Jane McManus, Director of Marist College's Center for Sports Communication, joins us to break down the results of the Center's latest collaboration with the Marist Poll. We wrap this episode up with probably one of the most popular debates in existence: cats or dogs?