The host is so well read and able to weave in different viewpoints and academic papers in an easy to listen conversational style. Look forward to this every week

So refreshing to have a podcast that explores current events in a way that respectfully and intelligently asks questions- opening up topics for further learning rather than to just sway opinions. Always well researched. Thank you for slowing down as well!

I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this podcast, but after listening for several months I’m confident in saying it’s my all time favorite. I love Jerusalem’s intellectual curiosity and her guests so far have been top notch. I especially love that it’s a policy show that touches on politics, rather than a political show. I don’t usually rate podcasts but I really want to do my part to grow the audience so I can continue to listen to the content! Thank you to Jerusalem and the whole team!

The highest compliment I can give it is that I learn something new in each episode but more importantly it causes me to question my preconceived notions about what is good and I guess may only be good on paper. All I can hope is that this podcast gets the audience it deserves.

One of the best policy podcasts: varied, earnest, surprising.

Jerusalem is a great host and the topics are really interesting. Keep it up!

I love this podcast! The host really knows her stuff and brings up solid research to discuss.

This dumb c@#t should probably find a new job. Where no one would ever need to hear from her again.

The seeds of truth episode was really great and changed the way I think about communicating complex ideas!

Love this podcast, but girl you need to slow down. Host talks so fast it makes my head spin

a lovely nuanced look at the world

Data examined with multiple facets explored i.e “wonky” but Jerusalem Demsus and guests are authentic and sound like i imagine they might if I was sitting across from them. I can get my head around the ideas.

Talking speed is perfect every other podcast is too slow

Recently discovered this podcast and really enjoying it! As other reviews mentioned the host talks VERY fast. Listening on 0.9 speed and still having some trouble keeping up.

Fun show, great guests, very good and informative perspectives on important matters.

Excellent, dives into tough topics, and we need more open thought like this.

This is one of the 2 or 3 best policy-related podcasts available. Keep it up! Jerusalem, I recommend you consider telling the audience HOW to leave a review. Andy Pattison

She picks excellent guests who are able to summarize the state of the research on issues in an accessible way. I appreciate the pragmatism and focus on evidence. Competing podcasts tend to slide into navel gazing and philosophizing.

I love the topics and most of the guests on the show. The topics are relevant, and the guests mostly have interesting point of view to share. I do think Ms Demsas is smart and bright, but perhaps need more refinement on the podcast platform. Often times I find the conversation similar to scratching an itch that made it itchier but never provide any clarity. The episode on parenthood was literally 2 people using big words talking AROUND the topic but brought not a glimpse of clarity to the topic (did ambivalence kill parenthood? Yes? No? It sounded like it’s not even the right question to ask by the end of the podcast which left me very confused). I felt similar about other episodes, such as the episode on immigration and inflation. I understand these topics can be complicated, and nuance needs to be applied, but I bet listeners do yearn for a bit of takeaway on the topic after spending an hour listening to the show, instead feeling like we are back at square one. Some other reviews also already mentioned the host needs to slow down. The topics can be heavy, deep, and it’s really hard to digest when Ms Demsas try to talk at machine gun speed. I think there’s so much potential to the show, and I hope the feedback is helpful.

Thank you for the great interviews. Please cover on more topics and questions.

Thank you, and please keep ‘em coming!

Jerusalem is an insightful and effective host. She does a great job of probing the guests’ arguments, summarizing key points, and pushing back with her own ideas/interpretations when she disagrees. The topics are excellent, I love the variation. The guests have all been terrific.

There’s so much interesting and thoughtful content, but Ms Demsas sounds like she’s on speed. I literally get anxious listening to her. I have to slow down the speed so I can absorb all the valuable insights and data.

The subject material was great. The presenters were dynamic and acted well with each other. A lot of pep/vigor with a quick pace. Personally, I am older and would appreciate a slower cadence from the host. There needs to be some space to absorb the impact of the points made. The current pace of concepts was too fast and leads to exhaustion for the listener. Have your style reviewed by a professional who might help you be more perfect!! Make no mistake, your show was very interesting and enlightening. I will listen to more of your shows.

Such a well done podcast. Host is smart, funny and charismatic. Lovely and informative listen. Bravo

Jerusalem is obviously incredibly bright and covers great topics, but the repeated “mmmm” sounds by her are quite disruptive.

Listening to this show soothes my anxiety. Jerusalem’s approach to breaking down an issue is so thorough and rigorous that by the end I feel so mentally clear and capable of pushing back against fear based thoughts. The episode Are Young Men Becoming Sexist? with Dr. Alice Evans brilliantly gets to the heart of what I believe to be at the root of so many of society’s problems. This show expands my mind and my heart. I grow thanks to it. Sometimes that’s hard and I feel triggered. But I know it will be worth it in the end.

I really enjoy the topics and the concept behind the podcast, but I had to stop listening. The host is obviously intelligent and passionate, and I think she could be a great pod host someday, but she needs to slow way down. Her rapid-fire speech is hard to follow and difficult to keep up with (it actually gives me anxiety) and it feels like she’s often talking over her guests rather than really listening and responding thoughtfully. It’s distracting and makes it hard to focus on the important information that’s invariably shared in the episodes.

I love that the interview is a conversation! She is so smart and asks such thoughtful questions. Love the episode on slavery

I adore this show and the broad range of topics. I especially love how informed and inquisitive the host is!! Jerusalem’s voice is easy to listen to and her insight, fab!

This pod is forgive the pun “ Good On Paper” - It is an interesting concept with thought and discussion provoking subjects, which are based on data, which I love! However; I must offer a bit of constructive criticism - the host seems to be a bit less experienced at interviewing than hosts of other shows in The Atlantic portfolio. You have a great idea here, but you need to work on your interviewing and broadcast skills - you are clearly bright and a quick thinker, but its challenging to listen sometimes because you are speaking to quickly or stringing multiple thoughts together using “like”. Wishing you the best of luck in your career!

I love this show! Jerusalem clearly does her research before having guests on the show, and she asks really good, probing questions. I also love a younger host of my generation... just great. I find myself looking forward to each week’s newest episode. Thanks!!

The ratio of the host speaking to the guest speaking is off. The host talks way too much and way too fast. I don’t know how the guests are able to even understand the questions she asks. Every question je a paragraph long. I appreciate the use of data although the way the content is presented makes it hard to even assess the argument and the interpretation of the data. The execution is just not very good.

The topics advertised for this show always sound so interesting but something is not coming together in the execution. I think the host is not very skilled at interviewing. She talks too much, too fast, and moves from one point to the next without a pause. It is awkward how the guests have to interrupt her at times just to get a word in. I think there is potential here but the host needs some help to build her listening and speaking skills.

Finally, a podcasts where sound research and intellectual curiosity rules and the political chips fall where they may. In a media dominated by extremes, imagine a new voice of…reason! That would be Good on Paper and Jerusalem Demsas. Episode after episode she demonstrates the courage and intelligence to simply get as close to the truth of the thing as possible. Radical!

There’s no shortage of opinions everywhere you turn, but shows like this that rely on data are pretty rare. I just listened to the Michelle Goldberg episode. Are you speeding up the host’s audio? She talks insanely fast.

I appreciate a wonky analysis of a hypothesis based on facts and data, and think the podcast has chosen some good topics. However, for the two podcasts I’ve listened to, I don’t feel like my depth of knowledge or understanding of the nuances of the subjects were enhanced. The school choice episode seemed like siloed recitation of data points but no tangible conclusions beyond ZOC school choice in LA had positive results when voucher or charter school efforts in other locations haven’t been as, or at all, successful. Why that happened, whether student performance at all ZOC schools improved or just at some schools, how the cited study should inform thinking about school choice… either weren’t addressed or were treated with glancing guesses. My only real takeaway from the Texas green energy episode was that Texas is able to produce more green energy due to less construction regulation. I would like my perspective on a topic to be better informed after listening to this podcast but think the analysis of the topic gets lost in the weeds. If the host has an outline of key topic insights she hopes the audience will find enlightening (I’d hope for 10-20 in a 40-50 minute podcast), I’m not catching them.

She has great ideas and is the smartest podcaster I’ve come across.

The concept sounded really interesting and some of the episode titles got me excited but Jerusalem asks 2 minute long questions and then asks the guest “do you agree?” which isn’t very engaging and starts to get pretty frustrating to listen to.

Jerusalem needs to slow down and enunciate more clearly. I found the podcast and information very good except for her speaking. I was using high-quality Bose earbuds, but I would still having trouble understanding what she was saying sometimes when she would get so excited and would talk so fast. Maybe she needs to lay off the caffeine while she’s working on her podcast.

Love how this podcast brings a unique combo of fun and analytical rigor to a wide ranging variety of topics. The host is awesome.

Some podcast brings guests on to have a conversation or to let experts explain things. This podcast host seems more interesting in hearing her own voice. She also uses ton of filler words. I was excited about digging into controversial issues but after a few episodes it just feels very surface level. 2/5

Jerusalem does her homework and asks the best questions.

Love every episode! This podcast asks the questions that I am always wondering “am I the only one who doesn’t know what the right answer to this issue is?” The host is great, relatable, and strikes a great balance of curiosity and critical thinking.

I actually pretty like how the host approached the topic: refreshing, genuine, and thought-provoking. 5 star

I enjoy this podcast because the subjects and research are amazing.

Hard to listen to the host’s rapid firing rattling on. Take a breath.

Whew! This is the podcast we need right now. So excited for it!

My big problem with The Atlantic is that it has a strong status quo bias. When the status quo is transphobic, then The Atlantic platforms a lot of transphobic public figures. This podcast hasn’t gone that far yet, but it’s going in that direction. I respect Jerusalem Demsas for her commentary on public policy around the housing crisis, but in this podcast she steps aside and lets the guests say whatever they want without challenge.

One of the best policy reporters in the world. Impressed by both the depth of understanding, topic selection, guests and the critical but fair interviews. Must listen for those interested in important, but under discussed policy issues.