How is the Trump administration reshaping American healthcare? Ambassador David M. Satterfield sits down with Heidi Russell, director of the Baker Institute Center for Health Policy, to discuss a new report examining major health policy changes during the administration’s first year — from Medicaid cuts and federal agency restructuring to vaccine policy and public health priorities. What do these changes mean for patients, providers, states, and the future of public health in the United States?

This conversation was recorded on May 28 2026.

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Americans know healthcare is expensive, but what’s less understood is why the cost of coverage can vary so dramatically, even for people doing similar jobs in the same state. Host David M. Satterfield talks with Baker Institute fellows Vivian Ho and Marah Short about a new report examining health insurance premiums across Texas universities. The findings reveal striking differences in what institutions and employees pay for comparable coverage, with gaps that can reach thousands of dollars per year.

This conversation was recorded on May 28, 2026.

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), escalating conflicts have forced millions of people from their homes — often not just temporarily, but for years or even generations. As wars drag on and humanitarian resources shrink, what happens when there are few clear paths home and millions are left navigating the lasting human costs of displacement?

Ambassador David M. Satterfield speaks with Baker Institute experts Kelsey Norman and Ana Martín Gil about the realities of protracted displacement across the region. Norman and Martín Gil are series editors of a new Baker Institute compilation report on protracted displacement in the MENA, which is particularly acute in the region and driven by complex political, security, and climate dynamics.

This conversation was recorded on May 14, 2026.

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

As conflict with Iran intensifies, economic consequences are beginning to extend beyond the battlefield, from rising energy prices to growing concerns about inflation and household costs. Ambassador David M. Satterfield and John W. Diamond, director of the Baker Institute Center for Tax and Budget Policy, discuss what a prolonged conflict could mean for the U.S. economy — and why everyday Americans may soon feel the effects.

This conversation was recorded on May 20, 2026.

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

As conflict and instability in the Middle East continue to shape global energy markets, Americans are beginning to feel the effects far beyond the gas pump. Host David M. Satterfield speaks with energy experts Kenneth B. Medlock III and Mark Finley about why oil prices react so sharply to geopolitical shocks. They discuss how those shifts ripple through airline fares, travel costs, inflation, and household budgets, and what could transpire in the months ahead as conflict in the Middle East continues.

This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2026.

Featured:

• Mark Finley
• Kenneth B. Medlock III

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

This week, President Donald Trump travels to Beijing for a high-stakes state visit amid rising tensions between the United States and China, persistent economic uncertainty, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Host David M. Satterfield speaks with Steven W. Lewis about what Washington and Beijing are each hoping to signal through the meeting, and how the trajectory of the U.S.-China relationship could shape global trade, security, and the international order in the years ahead.

This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2026.

Featured:

• Steven Lewis

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You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Guyana sits at the center of one of the fastest energy expansions in the world — at a moment when geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and market volatility are reshaping global energy systems in real time. But rapid growth brings difficult questions: What are the risks, tradeoffs, and strategies behind turning a historic resource boom into lasting national development?

During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on the country’s rise as a global energy player. Since oil production began in 2019, Guyana has rapidly emerged as a major force in global energy markets — making its policy choices increasingly relevant far beyond its borders.

This episode is the second part of this conversation. Building on his earlier remarks, Ali sits down with Francisco J. Monaldi for a candid armchair discussion on what comes next. Together, they explore the practical realities of execution — from managing hydrocarbon expansion and attracting investment to building the infrastructure needed to sustain long-term growth.

This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Guyana, on the northern coast of South America, has become one of the fastest-growing energy producers in the world. Since oil production began in 2019, the country has quickly emerged as a major force in global energy markets, at a time when geopolitical tensions and market volatility are reshaping the global energy landscape.

During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on Guyana’s rise as a global energy player. Speaking before a live audience, Ali outlined his administration’s strategy for balancing rapid energy development with economic diversification while navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment and rising expectations around sustainability.

This is the first of two episodes featuring remarks from that event. In this episode, Ali delivers prepared remarks outlining his broader vision for Guyana’s future — from energy and infrastructure to human capital and environmental stewardship. The second episode features an armchair discussion with Baker Institute Fellow Francisco J. Monaldi on the practical challenges of implementing that vision.

This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.