Episode
Progress Should Be Our Most Important Product
- Podcast
- Talk Cocktail
- Published
- Jul 16, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2428
- Processing state
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Summary
The future is arriving faster than ever. So why are we more anxious than excited? We are living through one of the most extraordinary periods of technological advancement in modern history. Artificial intelligence is reshaping knowledge work. Biotechnology is opening doors to better health and longevity once thought impossible. SpaceX has redefined spaceflight, and a new generation of innovators is tackling problems that seemed beyond our reach just a decade ago. So why does the future feel so frightening? In this WhoWhatWhy podcast, economic policy expert and futurist James Pethokoukis argues that America may be suffering from something more profound than political polarization or economic anxiety. We may be losing confidence in progress itself. This is ultimately a conversation about whether America still believes in tomorrow — and whether progress itself remains our most important product. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe