Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast

When we look at elections, the narrative usually centers on promises of transformation, economic expansion, or fresh starts. But what happens when an entire nation holds together not by alignment with a vision, but by a collective effort to keep the alternative out? This is the core dilemma defining the face-off between presidential candidates President Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, where vo...

When the Sustainable Development Goals were unveiled in 2015, they weren't designed for modest, step-by-step improvements. They required a massive, structural leap in how societies function. Over the past decade, tracking metrics beyond simple GDP has revealed that economic growth alone is failing to hit core benchmarks for social and environmental wellbeing.  Gains in basic infrastructure li...

Every conversation about artificial intelligence seems caught between apocalyptic doom and miraculous promises. But what is AI actually doing to human progress right now? In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Dr. Emrys Schoemaker, Executive Director of the Global Digital Governance Lab, to discuss what AI actually means for the world right no...

Air quality influences our brain function, physical wellbeing, and long-term lifespan far more than we realize. In this episode, we examine the massive, underreported threats floating through our air and why traditional broad-scale data points miss what is happening on a block-by-block level. Louise Thomas, CEO of Air Aware Labs , shares her journey from British civil service to building an extrao...

With Keir Starmer out and Andy Burnham stepping in as Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, the new administration faces a nation stuck on a 15-year social progress track. In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, Michael Green addresses Prime Minister Burnham directly, laying out an evidence-based roadmap for positive change grounded in the Social Progress Index. Michael...

Why does treating mental health as a civil rights cause matter?  In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green explores with guest Jono Wilde the urgent need to rethink how society treats mental health, sharing how decades of neglect and stigma have cost us millions of lives and constant suffering.  Jono, Executive Director at The Good Life Movement, talks about ho...

Michael Green explores the best cities to live in America, focusing on what truly matters: safety, education, healthcare, and social wellbeing.  Discover the top five cities in the United States, including Folsom, Newton, Centennial, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. Learn why these cities excel in social progress and what makes them stand out.  Please follow and rate our show!  Explore our work at https...

In this series, we explore the best big cities in America for quality of life, not just by income but by real quality indicators of societal wellbeing. Discover which of the biggest cities in the U.S. with a population of more than a million people like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, offer the best living conditions.  From safety and education to housing and rights, we rank...

Michael Green explores the key factors that influence where people choose to live. From safety to education, and health, discover what truly matters when selecting which U.S. state is better to live in. Discover the top five states in America for quality of life, as ranked by the U.S. Social Progress Map, and learn about the unique strengths and challenges of each. Whether you're considering...

How is Pakistan quietly changing from within? With a population of 250 million and positioned at the crossroads of South Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan's social and economic progress significantly influences regional stability and global growth.  Host Michael Green sits down with development economist Sheheryar Khan (University of Bari and Researcher at the Social Progress Imperative) to...

America's 250-year legacy isn't just about survival, it's about how well it delivers on the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Shockingly, the U.S. earns a failing grade in these core areas, despite its economic greatness. But what does this mean for America's future, and can it turn things around? Using the Social Progress Index, Michael Green shares new...

Why is the history of modern Britain failing our children, and how is that space being exploited by extre()mists? In Part 2 of this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael green welcomes back Anwar Akhtar, Director of Samosa Media, for a powerful conversation on education, "cultural capital," and the fight against radical narratives on both the left and the right...

Can culture and history save us from growing societal divisions? Michael Green invites Anwar Akhtar in this week's episode. This episode is divided into 2 parts.  Anwar shares his front-line experiences working with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Britain. From analyzing the impact of global events and the rise of Islam(o)-phobia to exploring the historical ties of trade, empir...

Buckle up! This is your social progress guide to the 2026 World Cup!   In this episode, we take you on a journey starting with a quick-fire quiz on our 2026 host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Michael Green also tackles the big questions: Can winning the World Cup give you a social progress boost?  Can social progress help you win the World Cup?   Does an uptick in social progress...

Some companies overlook the power of community engagement. Here’s how Kinross Gold Corporation transforms its global operations into responsible actions that benefit its people and business.  In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, our special guest, Dominic Channer (Vice President for Community Relations), shares how the company effectively manages relationships with indigenou...

Is your country’s education system actually setting the next generation up for success? We use the Global Social Progress Index to conduct a rigorous analysis of the education component across the world. There might be some expected champions, but we also share the shocking outliers. In this episode, Michael Green covers the global education trend, gives a shout-out to countries doing a great job,...

There's controversy around Nigeria, but today, we want to give a shoutout to the social issues it is solving. Michael Green helps us analyze how the country is performing in water and sanitation, education, environmental quality, safety and Nutrition and Medical Care. He also highlights the biggest threats to Nigeria's future.  Which country would you like us to analyze next using the Gl...

In just three decades, China has transitioned from a developing nation to a global superpower, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty; however, is China’s development story an example for the rest of the world? In this episode, we analyze China’s economic and social development from 1990–2020 using the Time Series Social Progress Index to measure China’s "efficiency" in turning weal...

For the last 15 years, while much of the world has pushed forward, the US, Canada, and the UK have seen their social progress stall,or worse, go backwards. Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are also facing some challenges.  We use the 2026 Social Progress Index to diagnose why the English-speaking countries are losing their edge.  Listen now to learn why every English-speaking country ranks lowe...

Ever wondered how we can really measure our quality of life? Economic growth is not the full answer. Michael Green explains the importance of going beyond GDP and why social progress matters.  We compare the world's richest nations, like Singapore, with economic "underdogs" like Estonia and Costa Rica to reveal who is actually delivering a better life for their citizens. GDP is defi...

Living in a wealthy capital city gives you the best quality of life? Not necessarily. While Northern Europe consistently tops the Social Progress Index ranking, the 2026 EU Regional Social Progress Index discovers hidden gems where wellbeing and social outcomes far exceed economic development. We use the Social Progress Imperative methodology adopted by the European Commission to look beyond GDP....

While the connection between GDP per capita and life satisfaction is undeniable, it isn't the whole story. We explore the World Happiness Report by looking at countries that punch above their weight and those that underperform given their wealth. GDP only buys happiness up to a point, so with the Global Social Progress Index, we analyze the role of Personal Freedom and Opportunity in long-ter...

As Hungary prepares for the high-stakes April 12, 2026, general election, the world is watching to see if Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure will finally come to an end. What does nearly fifteen years of “Orbánism” actually look like for Hungarians? Using the Global Social Progress Index, we track Hungary’s trajectory in education, rights, health, housing and overall quality of life. While neighbors in...

Happy World Health Day! From the top-performing leaders in Asia to the surprising decline in health indicators among rich countries, we are exploring the 2026 Social Progress Index and analyzing the countries with the best health scores and those falling dangerously behind. Success isn’t just about doctors; it’s about building a healthy society.  Topics covered in the episode: Top-ranked healthies...

Is the world really doomed to decline? New data from the 2026 Global Social Progress Index shows a worrying halt in global quality of life after decades of steady progress. But what’s behind this worrying trend, and is there any hope for reversal? This episode isn't just about grim stats; it's about understanding the critical choices ahead. Explore the 2026 Global Social Progress Index r...