Policy Chats

Policy Chats

Policy Chats is the official student-run podcast of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy. Guided by our motto, “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World,” this podcast features students in conversation with policy professionals, scholars, and leaders to explore the most pressing issues facing our communities today. Launched in March 2020, Policy Chats delivers biweekly 45-minute episodes that make public policy accessible and relevant—one conversation at a time.

A Top-Rated Public Policy Podcast

Over the past five years, and through the dedication of three past hosts, Policy Chats has grown into a leading platform for thoughtful conversations on pressing issues, building a legacy of hard work, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. Today, Policy Chats is proud to be ranked among the top public policy podcasts in the world, achieving #4 on MillionPodcasts and #6 on Feedspot, a milestone that reflects both the commitment of our Dean’s Ambassadors team and the power of student voices in shaping important policy discussions.

Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Building Resilient Communities w/ Asm. Corey Jackson

In this episode of Policy Chats, hosts Rachel Strausman and Dori Pham sit down with Assemblymember Corey Jackson of California’s 60th Assembly District. Together, they explore his journey from founding SBX Youth and Family Services to serving in the legislature, and how his lifelong commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities has shaped his approach to policymaking.

Listen on Spotify

Recent Episodes

November 22, 2024

GovTech Challenges in Urban Transit Systems: A Cybernetics Case Study

In this episode, Noah McClain, Assistant Professor of Sociology talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about security and technology vulnerabilities within New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This is the third episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs...

Is Gov. Keeping Up? The Digital Lag

In this episode, Author of Recoding America, Jennifer Pahlka, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about government's current challenges regarding technology implementation and utilization. This is the first episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs. Government, featuring...

State and Regional Perspectives on California’s Criminal Legal System

In this episode, Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments Kurt Wilson talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about community development, disproportionate minority contact deficiencies within the criminal legal system, and regional governance...