Episodes

Browse Our Work

The Global Inquirer is happy to offer streaming on the most popular podcast platforms available! If you are looking for an episode on a particular subject, feel free to explore our content with the site search bar or browse our entire collection in the episode gallery below.

Listen on SoundCloud

Listen on Apple Music

Listen on Spotify

Season 8

S8E1 | Demystifying Data: The Personal Information Economy

What’s the difference between data privacy and protection? Season 8's premiere episode takes a deep dive into exploring this question with expert interviews addressing how your data is used in the emerging personal information economy, the implications of national data sovereignty measures, and why Uber and TikTok are the subject of data privacy concerns.

S8E2 | Through Smoke and Flames

As students departed Charlottesville given the University's decision to send everyone home in late March, 2020, a proportion of out-of-state students would journey back to their homes in California, Oregon, and Washington. To many, the University's decision to suspend class is the novel coronavirus' first distinct intrusion into daily life. These students traveling back to the West Coast would have more than COVID and online classes to contend with, however: a wildfire season hitherto unprecedented in its length and devastation. In this episode, some of these students describe their unique remote college life amongst COVID and the 2020 West Coast forest fires.

S8E3 | The People's Princess: Female Leadership During COVID-19

As COVID-19 has ravaged the world, some countries have responded better than others. New Zealand and Germany have outperformed nations like the United States and Great Britain, and many attribute this success to the leadership of women like Jacinda Ardern and Angela Merkel. In this episode, four of our researchers take on a psychological question with political implications: do women lead in a way that is inherently different from men? How do our views of women versus our views of men affect how they can lead?

S8E4 | Kyrgyzstan: A Central-Asian Beacon of Democracy?

Although Kyrgyzstan rarely makes the front page of the news, this Central-Asian nation has a fascinating history. From 1991, when Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union to the present day in 2021, three of their democratically-elected presidents have been unseated by protesters and civil unrest. In this episode, we dive into Kyrgyzstan’s complex history of electoral politics, and whether the country lives up to its designation as a beacon of democracy. Special thanks to Dr. Margaret Hanson of Arizona State University for allowing us to interview her!

S8E5 | Dezinformatsiya

(Disinformation, Russian) What is the effect of fake news on public health in the context of a pandemic? This episode explores the nature of fake news itself and its history and examines the proliferation of COVID-19 fake news in Eastern Europe. These stories are causing widespread vaccine skepticism, threatening public health in countries such as Ukraine and the Czech Republic. This episode asks who is behind this new breed of fake news? What are their goals? And what does it mean for all of us?

S8E6 | Dollars for Development

Billions of dollars go to foreign aid every year, but what happens when aid is mishandled, misused, or misallocated? Host Emma Ross and Executive Producer Sarah Rocca sit down with guest Daniel Altman, the former USAID Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, to discuss fraud within foreign aid assistance and the systems in place to prevent it. They examine particularly fascinating case studies in Syria, Uganda, and within international donor organizations to draw conclusions on how fraud is handled in foreign aid, who is really harmed, and how it will impact the world in the COVID era.

S8E7 | r/WallStreetBets

What happens when large groups of retail investors are able to congregate through the internet to control the direction of a stock price? In this episode, we investigate the formation and purpose of online discussion forums and the ways they have been able to impact the stock market. Specifically, we dive into the subreddit r/wallstreetbets as it is known for its lively discussions about high-risk trading. For this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with special guest Jamie Rogozinski, the founder of r/wallstreetbets. Looking at the specific case study of GameStop, we discuss how it happened and what this might mean for the people’s power in the stock market moving forward.

S8E8 | Germany After Angela Merkel

Germany’s upcoming federal election to determine the successor to Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, marks a critical juncture in German foreign policy. An increasingly important foreign policy flashpoint is Germany’s relationship with China – especially in the context of Germany’s 5G rollout. In this episode, we walk you through the impact of Merkel’s chancellorship on German-Chinese relations, the evolving role of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei in Germany’s 5G rollout, and the challenges the next chancellor will face in dealing with China and building the country’s 5G network.

Season 7

S7 Bonus | All Good Things

From climate change to impeachment, the traditional news media has a lot on its plate and hasn't been able to highlight the small victories that have been unfolding over the past year. To give you a break from your regularly scheduled Doom and Gloom, we have decided to focus on some of the good things happening in the world today. To kick off your 2020, we asked several of our researchers to go out into the world found stories and find case studies that made them smile. From peace talks in Africa to a deer the size of a puppy, here's our attempt to make your day a little brighter.

S7E1 | How to Lose the Narrative

Protest movements are often branded as unified fronts against injustice— but what happens when we unpack that assumption? This week on the Global Inquirer, we compare the protests in Hong Kong and France’s Yellow Vest protests in order to draw important parallels. We compare the government response in these cases and explore what the reality of a protest movement entails.

S7E2 | Modern Echoes of the Cold War

As most of us learned in school, the Cold War was described as an intense battle between good and evil. Now that the Soviet Union is gone, how do our policymakers socialized during this time apply Cold War lessons in dealing with Russia? In today's episode, we look at justifications for past fears, and parallels to modern day actions to find out just how much the Cold War has impacted the present day.

S7E3 | How the Rich Stay Rich

UVA's premier undergraduate research podcast, The Global Inquirer, hosts a special discussion about the significance of tax havens and the Panama Papers with Ruth Mason of UVA's School of Law and tax historian Joseph Thorndike. In 2016, the release of the Panama Papers provided an unprecedented look at the lengths some of the world’s wealthiest citizens go to avoid taxes and hoard their funds.

S7E4 | The Truths of the Rohingya Crisis

Facing discrimination, mass beatings, rape, and torture in their native country of Myanmar, the Rohingya people have fled to nearby Bangladesh, where the crisis has created the largest refugee camp in the world. In this week’s episode, we unpack the contrasting narratives of the Myanmar government and UN officials in regard to the treatment of the Rohingya. The multitude of actors, security issues, and international terminology complicates the crisis response and enables the international community to remain idle.

S7E5 | Zooming to Iran

On January 3, 2020 — three days before the first reporting of a mysterious viral pneumonia appeared in the New York Times — the United States assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Host Emma Ross and Researcher Ari Ghasemian discuss the man, the myth, and the drone strike. How can we situate recent events in terms of the rhetoric and history of American of foreign policy?

S7E6 | Yeh Jo Des Tera

"Yeh jo des tera" is Hindi for "This country of yours." One India caught between two choices; to support or reject a controversial piece of legislation. You may have heard of the Indian citizenship act, but what is it really? Does it discriminate against Muslims or provide a helpful path to citizenship for minorities? Tune into the Global Inquirer’s discussion with researchers Garrett Scocos and Ria Kharosekar to learn more.

S7E7 | Leviathan: Behind the Eurodollar

Shadowy foreign governments, a powerless Federal Reserve, and a clandestine currency market controlled only by the world's most elite international bankers. This is the story of the Eurodollar: a financial term as mysterious as the saga behind it. What began as a popular method for foreign countries and corporations to subvert US law grew into a secretive system for international banks to lend money to one another – a system as gargantuan as it is enigmatic. Tune in for the tale of how the first US dollars made its way abroad, and how the unregulated system it spawned reared its head in the 2008 financial crisis.

S7E8 | A Mammoth Problem

As climate change threatens ecologies and challenges policy makers worldwide, Russia finds itself in a unique place. Already, powerful and bizarre effects of climate change are impacting regions in Siberia, sparking cultural changes and threatening to destabilize ways of life. How does Putin’s administration view climate change? What stands in the way of meaningful policy? Listen in to Russian Studies majors Emma Ross and Cameron Bertron as they investigate this heated topic.

S7E9 | Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat

Kashmir has been a geopolitically tense region for about a quarter of a century now. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the region, and there continue to be regular skirmishes between soldiers of the two countries there. Moreover, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths and many alleged human rights violations. In this episode, we delve into the root cause of the conflict and go over key events that are often overlooked in media coverage of Kashmir.

S7E10 | This Land is Not Your Land

This episode explores how Indigenous people around the world engage with their respective governments to reclaim their land and resist the legacies of oppression that have disadvantaged their communities over the generations. Tune in to third-year Global Development Studies major Roma Chitko to hear more.

S7E11 | We Left Grouds and Never Came Back

In short, our world is occupied with the coronavirus. New stories from experts come out every day talking about the ever-growing death toll, testing availability issues, and economic downturn. However, we have not heard much about the perspectives from college students around the world who have had to leave their campuses (or as UVA students call ours, "Grounds"). In our final episode of the season, we cover how we have adapted as a podcast, and UVA students share their stories and talk about how they have adjusted to our new reality.

Season 6

Season 5

S5E9 | Being Muslim In China - The Plight Of The Uighurs

Imagine being imprisoned for praying. Imagine being unable to communicate with your family. For the Uighurs in Eastern China, this is a reality. Every part of their identity as Muslims is being systematically erased: their mosques, their language, their culture. On our last episode of the season, we cover the humanitarian crisis unfolding in China. Researcher Anna Von Spakovsky interviewed a Uighur-American student; our interviewee provided key insight to understanding the crisis as the situation is far from clear and transparent.

S5E8 | Rewired - The Influence Of Social Media On Mental Health

We’ve all heard and even experienced the impacts of social media: the distraction, the anxiety of checking likes. Today, our technical director Andy Carluccio steps up as the host to talk about social media with researcher Sarah Rocca. Social media is designed to be addicting, so how do users and governments alike tackle the addiction? Using case studies from the UK, France, and South Korea, Sarah and Andy illuminate different policy approaches that aim to influence human behavior.

S5E7 | The Hummus Wars

It’s fair to assume that hummus has become a widely popular grocery staple in the US. Its murky origins, however, have rendered it a symbol of political tensions in the Middle East. The cultural dispute over hummus ownership has indeed been absorbed into the general framework of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Researcher Gabriella Soriano interviewed Professor Darren Zook to investigate the relevance of food in the cultural and social dynamics of nationalism. Tune in for a peculiar discussion on politics, food, identity, and 23,000-pound hummus bowls.

S5E6 | Live Episode: Houses To Homes - Equitable Solutions

Join UVA’s premier undergraduate research podcast, the Global Inquirer for a special discussion on housing development, inequality and activism to gain a better understanding of our community. The event featured community leaders and activists as well as Andrew Kahrl, professor of History and African American studies here at UVA.

S5E5 | News Digest With John Sipher

On today's episode, editor-in-chief Emi Lockwood interviewed John Sipher, former Clandestine Service officer at the CIA. They discussed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. North Korea summit, and the Michael Cohen hearing for the House Oversight Committee. The interview was conducted on March 1st, so things might have changed since then. Given his extensive foreign service experience, John brought up many relevant points that aren't typically discussed in the news.

S5E4 | Boys go to Baghdad, Men go to Tehran

Iran is so often perceived as a dangerous country that is too difficult to understand. Today, we challenge that assumption, giving you a basic framework of what happened in 20th century Iran to understand the present. New researchers Ari Ghasemian and Gabierlla Soriano interviewed Professor Nader Entessar to understand the current Iran Nuclear Deal. PS: Iran has an exciting history complete with a coup d’etat by the CIA and shipments of planes full of cash.

S5E3 | The New Urban Is A Suburban

The way we live matters now more than ever. The decision between walking or driving to the grocery store is not as much of a personal choice, it’s about how cities and suburbs are built to help its citizens. Today, researchers Emma Ross and Tyler Hinkle discuss how we can rethink transportation and city development. Emma spoke with residents of Moscow, Russia and Fukuoka, Japan to bring external perspectives to a very American topic: Cars. Tyler discussed urban planning with Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein.

S5E2 | Unpacking The Science, Forecasting The Ethics

What if you had to flee your home because it was swallowed by the sea? According to the Climate and Migration Coalition, In 2015, 24 million people were forced to vacate their homes in face of environmental problems like rising sea levels or catastrophic storms. Today, researchers Walter Sharon and Quincy Stiles discuss the topic of climate change refugees with Professor Willis Jenkins. Tune in for a discussion on human rights, climate change, and the way that people process such a complicated problem.

S5E1 | Bees, Potatoes, And Climate Change?

Give me two examples of animals that are suffering because of climate change. Polar bears and helpless sea turtles, right? In our first episode of Season 5, we sit down with Dr. Reese Halter to discuss how bees and potatoes are endangered by climate change. It turns out that the effects of rising global temperatures are broader than we anticipated.

S6E1 | Putting a Price on Sovereignty

Gone are the days when countries bought vast quantities of foreign territory in the interest of expanding their borders...or are they? Beginning with President Trump's interest in a purchase of Greenland, we look both at the history of nations buying control over one another, as well as a glance to the future. What happens when nations are forced to buy foreign land because of the threats of sea level rise? What are the implications of one sovereign nation purchasing another? Is it possible that the acquisition of foreign nations could become the norm?

S6E2 | Words That Kill

Sticks and stones may break my bones, and gaffes might hurt me too. Researcher Nick Mortensen spoke with Professor Brad Carson about the impact of embarrassing gaffes in politics. It turns out that awkward moments don’t necessarily end political careers. Rather, blunders stick and stain a politician’s reputation when the blunder fits into a narrative about the politician.

S6E3 | Just Say Nyet: Protests In Putin's Russia

The West cheers and hails protests in Russia with the hope that the people will one day overcome Putin. But as researchers Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky explain, promoting protests are not as pro-democratic as we’d hope. It was in fact the Bolshevik Revolution through protests that created the Soviet Union. Mass demonstrations have a deep history in Russia, so the question is what will Putin allow.

S6E4 | You Can't Do This To Us

Democracy has always been the solution of the western world, but is it the best option for Latin America? Researcher Sarah Rocca looks at protests in Puerto Rico and the dictatorship in Venezuela to answer this question. With information from the Concordia International Conference and global news, this episode looks at how democracy is affecting real lives, and if there is a better answer.

S6E5 The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend

President Trump, Mike Pompeo, and Rudy Giuliani love to hate the current Iranian regime. Now, it seems they’ve settled on even more dangerous alternative: the MEK. Researcher Ari Ghasemian takes us through this group’s journey from terrorist organization to the forefront of US foreign policy.

S6E6 | Reporting for Duty

This week on the Global Inquirer, we take a look at the modern implications of mandatory military service and how the service affects these countries as a whole. We look at the reasons for why countries chose to draft their own citizens and how their cultures are later impacted. Additionally, we discuss the distinctions between mandatory services in different countries, and then dive into what this has meant for Israel specifically.

S6E7 | There And Back Again