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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Sep 10, 2026
Blame Canada? How Trump's Trade War Could Impact the Midterms
Canada has answered U.S. tariffs with tariffs of its own, escalating tensions between two longtime trading partners. We examine what the trade fight means for the U.S.-Canada relationship, American states and industries that depend on Canadian trade, and what Americans think about the tariffs. Then, we ask who Americans trust for information -- AND, what makes an expert? Doctors, nurses and scientists continue to receive substantial public confidence, but social media, personal experience and AI are giving Americans more sources to turn to. And, our fun fact takes us back to 1980, when Americans were asked a simple question about their television habits.
Sep 04, 2026
Flock Cameras: The Next Surprise Election Issue
Flock cameras have quickly become an unexpected election issue in communities across the country. New polling shows Americans are increasingly skeptical of automated license-plate readers, even as many recognize their potential to help law enforcement solve crimes. The debate is about privacy, data access, and oversight. We’re also looking at how Americans are raising their children and how much of that comes from their own childhoods. Parents are nearly split between raising their kids similarly to how they were raised and taking a different approach, with many trying to provide more affection, openness, and emotional support than they experienced themselves.
Aug 27, 2026
Problem Polls, Billionaires, and One Big Goodbye
Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary may be the clearest case study yet in why primary polling goes wrong. The final Marquette Law School Poll showed Francesca Hong with a commanding lead and David Crowley in single digits. Crowley won. G. Elliott Morris joins us to analyze what broke down, and what pollsters should take from it before the midterms. Then, we dig into America’s long-running debate over the ultra-wealthy. Today’s billionaires may face growing criticism, but polling shows Americans have wrestled with questions about wealth and fairness for decades. And lastly, its AJ's final podcast.
Aug 20, 2026
Changing Roles, Changing Rules
Women have transformed the American workforce, but has life at home changed just as much? We look at the shift from traditional family roles to two-parent, full-time working families, and why women still report taking on more parenting and household responsibilities. Then, we examine changing attitudes toward the military draft, from the end of the draft in 1973 to today's debate over automatic Selective Service registration and whether women should be subject to the same requirements as men. And, our fun fact goes back to 1949, when Gallup asked Americans a very practical question: How do you keep cool?
Aug 14, 2026
The Future of MAGA
As the 2026 midterms approach, we're asking the question hanging over American politics: does MAGA = Trump = GOP? We dig into whether the movement can survive without Trump on the ballot, the enthusiasm gap opening up between the parties, and what the 2018 playbook tells us about November. Then, we look at criminal records. One in three American adults has one, and for millions, it came from an arrest that never led to a conviction. We explore the barriers that follow people into work, housing, and the voting booth, and why bipartisan majorities back reform even as the system stays the same. And our fun fact heads back to 1950, when Gallup asked Americans a simple question: can you swim?
Aug 06, 2026
Are Data Centers the 2026 Election Surprise?
Artificial intelligence is fueling a data center boom, but many Americans oppose having one built in their own community -- and that dramatically crosses party lines. We explore the growing debate over jobs, economic growth, electricity use, water consumption, and the local impacts of powering the AI revolution. Then, we examine the push for mental health days at work as stress and burnout remain widespread and more employees say workplace well-being influences whether they stay or leave a job. And, our fun fact takes us back to 1948, when Gallup asked Americans about their perfect home temperature. See if your guess matches the public’s.
Jul 30, 2026
Looksmaxxing: New Name, Same Old Problem?
Americans across generations are feeling pressure to change how they look. We examine the desire to lose weight, the growing anti-aging economy, social media’s effect on teens, and the rise of looksmaxxing among boys and young men. Then, we look at “job lock,” as more workers say they are staying in jobs they want to leave because they cannot afford to lose their employer-sponsored health insurance. With healthcare costs remaining a major concern, we explore how access to coverage is shaping career decisions, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility.
Jul 24, 2026
Pop Sports Politics: Too Much Mixing?
Politics is showing up everywhere, from sports and entertainment to concerts and social media. We look at whether athletes and celebrities should use their platforms to speak out and why many Americans feel politics has spread too far into everyday life. Then, we examine the disability employment gap. Even with similar levels of education, people with disabilities remain less likely to be employed and continue to face assumptions, accessibility barriers, and unequal opportunities in the workplace. We also explore whether the rise of remote work has helped. And, finally, does opening an umbrella indoors really bring bad luck? We look back at what Americans said about this familiar superstition.
Jul 17, 2026
Age and Congress: How Old is Too Old?
We're tackling the age-old question: How old is too old to lead? Across all branches of government, Americans are increasingly questioning the age of elected officials and whether it's time for reforms like age and term limits. We also explore the changing state of reading in the U.S. As Americans read fewer books and consume them in different ways, what does modern reading really look like? And, finally, have you ever visited a fortune teller? This week's fun fact takes us back to 1980 to see just how many Americans sought a glimpse into the future.
Jul 10, 2026
China: Enemy? Competitor? Frenemy?
As tensions between the United States and China continue to rise over trade, technology, and national security, we examine how Americans view China’s role in the world. Many see China as a rival or even a threat, but they also recognize how closely the two economies are connected. Then, we turn to trust in America — not trust in government or institutions — but trust in each other. From neighbors to strangers, Americans’ confidence in one another has declined over decades, raising questions about community and civic life and about whether trust can be rebuilt. And finally, we look back at a 1939 youth survey on iced tea and what young Americans had to say about one of summer’s classic drinks.