Stories about violence, the declining economy and our fractured culture dominated this year. But if you look beyond the headlines and examine the full data, 2025 wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

Join host Megan McArdle as she puts the year into perspective.

How the internet changed politics — and our lives — forever

Enough with the doom and gloom — we’re ready to talk about how America can thrive. Hosted by Washington Post Opinion columnist Megan McArdle, “Reasonably Optimistic” is your weekly conversation about how America can get unstuck and build a better future. Stop feeding your rage and start embracing our possibilities. Episodes drop Wednesdays.