As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Ken Burns offers the nation his latest documentary, "The American Revolution." In a conversation with "After the Fact," the acclaimed documentarian discusses the making of the six-part film, which premieres on PBS on Nov. 16.

He explains that the Revolution required the bringing together of people of all stripes, from farmers and shopkeepers to wealthy landowners, who, in rebelling against the British crown, not only were seeking redress of their grievances but also were becoming citizens, not subjects, for the first time in world history.

Burns invites us to reflect on what it means to be American and how the lessons of our revolutionary past can guide us toward a united future.

Millions of Americans are behind on their retirement savings goals, and nearly 70% of those already retired wish they had started saving earlier. But Gen Z, the latest generation to enter the workforce, is an outlier, with the data showing that they are saving more than millennials and putting new emphasis on planning for the future. What gives?

In this episode of "After the Fact," John Scott, who directs Pew's retirement savings project, explains new ways people can save more and earlier. And Taylor Price, a financial educator, influencer, and entrepreneur known online as Priceless Tay, discusses how she's trying to help close the financial literacy gap for Gen Zers.

Because of their massive size, blue whales are known as the ocean's "gentle giants."  They are vital to the ocean ecosystem, but their numbers are declining. In this episode, 2016 Pew marine fellow Dr. Asha de Vos unpacks the significance of blue whales to our ocean's health and how effects from human activity, such as increased shipping and the whale-watching industry, influence the blue whale's population and migratory pattern.

Since this episode first aired in 2019, de Vos has continued conservation efforts through her organization, Oceanswell, and has advanced research on the effects of plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.

Stat: 67% of U.S. adults think local elected officials care about the people they represent, according to the Pew Research Center.

Story: In the first episode of our season "States of Innovation," Sue Urahn, Pew's new president and CEO, discusses the role of state governments as "laboratories of our democracy," where innovative thinking can be paired with policies informed by data to address long-standing problems.

In a new season of Pew's "After the Fact" podcast, we look at innovative solutions to some long-standing problems, including how small loans can be more affordable for consumers, how communities can better prepare for floods, and ways for migrating animals to cross highways that keep them—and drivers—safe. These innovations are possible thanks to state leaders around the country who are working together to make people's lives better. Join us as we bring you five stories about states of innovation—and meet Pew's new president and CEO, Sue Urahn, too. She tells us about how these sorts of innovations occur when data and evidence give policymakers from all backgrounds the common ground they need to truly collaborate.  

In this bonus episode of our "Conversations on Science" season, Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, discusses the important pathways connecting science and society. From the coronavirus pandemic to relationship building with faith leaders, Parikh reflects on his career in the lab and the halls of Congress, and the impact that the 172-year-old organization he leads has on the scientific community and the world.

In this extended conversation with France Córdova, we hear how her passion for science and public policy took her on a quest for scientific truth in leadership positions at NASA and the National Science Foundation. Córdova also discusses the importance of collaboration and inclusiveness to the future of scientific discovery and how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the larger scientific community.

In this bonus episode of our "Conversations on Science" season, we share an extended talk with Carlo Rovelli, a theoretical physicist and bestselling author who believes science is just as creative as it is logical. "Science starts," says Rovelli, "in the life of each scientist with wonder and a mystery."

Stat: 54%: The share of Americans who view scientists as good communicators.

Story: In the last episode of our science season, we explore how scientists communicate: What is the state of our national conversation on science, and who is doing the talking? Guests include Laura Lindenfeld, executive director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and dean of the School of Journalism at Stony Brook University, and Shirley Malcom of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Stat: 60%: According to the Pew Research Center, 6 out of 10 Americans say scientists should take an active role in policy debates about scientific issues.

Story: As we continue our "Conversations on Science" season, we talk to Esther Krofah, executive director of FasterCures; Molly Irwin, vice president, research and science, at The Pew Charitable Trusts; and Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America, about the intersections between scientific research, the public, and policymakers today.

Stat: 79%: Percentage of the U.S. population that agrees that science has made the world a better place.

Story: Scientific discovery shapes the world—from our medical care to how we live, learn, and work. In this episode, we explore the process of discovery and how it is playing out during the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll hear from leading experts on the science of the coronavirus, the pipeline for potential vaccines and treatment, and how these times are changing the way we conduct science.

Stat: 35%: The percentage of Americans  in 2019 who report a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the public interest, up from 21% in 2016.

Story: Public trust in science is front and center today as researchers seek to learn more about the coronavirus. In this episode, France Córdova, former National Science Foundation director, discusses confidence in scientific research, and Cary Funk, the Pew Research Center's director of science and society research, shares survey results on how the public perceives scientists. We'll also hear from Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on how speaking with precision and jargon creates separation between scientists and the public.   

Stat: 79%: The percentage of people who agree that science has made life easier for most of us.

Story: Science may sometimes seem abstract, but its benefits can be seen everywhere—from the technology in smartphones to the medicines we take. In this episode, we explore what science really is (and what it's not) with Ira Flatow, host of the popular "Science Friday" radio program, and Carlo Rovelli, a world-renowned physicist and bestselling writer.

Have you tried to figure out whether the fish you eat is sustainably sourced? At least 1 in 5 fish caught in the global ocean is a product of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing—one of the main threats to the health of the ocean.

In this episode, part of our "From Lab to Life" series, we hear from Grantly Galland, who supports The Pew Charitable Trusts' work on fisheries around the world. Grant tells us about his previous career as a fish biologist and researcher and how he traded in his wetsuit for a business suit to support policies leading to more sustainable fish stocks and to protect the marine environment from overfishing. 

Stat: 78%: The percentage of Americans who say it makes sense that studies on the coronavirus may present conflicting advice because research is constantly improving.

Story: In the first episode of our new season "Conversations on Science," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses the importance of science in our daily lives, especially amid the pandemic, and shares his own story about how he fell in love with science.

In a new season of Pew's "After the Fact" podcast, we talk about science: what it is, how it's conducted and explained to the public, and how it affects our lives. We speak with scientists and researchers—from Dr. Anthony Fauci and Pew biomedical scholar Pamela Bjorkman, who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, to "Science Friday" host Ira Flatow and physicist and bestselling author Carlo Rovelli, who speak about the scientific process and why it matters. Join us as we explore science and envision how what's happening today may shape the future of our world.

Story: With summer heating up, we're again sharing our conversation with Pew biomedical scholar and Princeton scientist Lindy McBride about one of the peskiest and deadliest insects on the planet: the mosquito. Listen in for the facts about mosquitoes and why they find some people tastier than others.

Stat: 78 percent: About 8 in 10 adults feel that libraries help them find information that is trustworthy and reliable.

Story: Everybody knows what happened on the Fourth of July, but what about the First of July? That's the anniversary of America's first free library. Established in 1731 by Ben Franklin, it marked the democratization of information. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden—the first woman and African American in that role—talks about how libraries and librarians continue that mission to this day.

Stat: 87 percent: Americans who say they are following news about the coronavirus outbreak fairly or very closely.

Story: According to the World Health Organization, people are not only living through an epidemic but also an "infodemic"—a surge of information about COVID-19 that has made it hard for people to know which news and guidance about the virus is accurate. In a conversation with Alan Miller, founder and CEO of the News Literacy Project, we discuss how to sort fact from fiction today.

Stat: 48% of U.S. adults have cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Story: What do zebrafish have to do with human health? As it turns out, they can help researchers understand how and why heart disease happens. We spoke to Pew biomedical scholar (2002) Steven Farber at the Carnegie Institution for Science to learn more about his work, which is revealing new strategies to combat heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Stat: 21 million: The number of Americans not connected to broadband internet, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Story: While most Americans are managing remote work, learning, and even participating in social gatherings online during the pandemic, there are still millions of Americans who don't have access to high-speed internet where they live. Kathryn de Wit, manager of Pew's broadband research initiative, explains who's not online and shares what some states and communities are doing to bridge connectivity gaps.

Story: With schools and universities closed and millions now learning and working from home because of the coronavirus, Pew's latest edition of Trend magazine focuses on the topic of learning. In this rebroadcast featuring two Stanford University researchers with an essay in the magazine, you'll hear about how breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology have given us insights into the human mind and how those findings are being applied in classrooms today.

Stat: $75 billion: The total amount of money that states had set aside in rainy day funds at the end of 2019 in case of an economic downturn.

Story: The short-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our health care systems and daily lives were immediately clear. But how will states weather the economic storm over the long term? In this episode, we hear from Josh Goodman of Pew's state fiscal health team, who shares insights on the steps that states are taking to address looming budget shortfalls.

Stat: 44 percent: The percentage of Americans who say the COVID-19 outbreak has changed their lives in a major way.

Story: From how we work, socialize, and even pray, the coronavirus has upturned American life. The Pew Research Center's Claudia Deane summarizes recent survey findings, including Americans' views of the impact on their daily life, their concerns about the economy, and trust levels in government and the health system.

Each year, The Pew Charitable Trusts releases the "State of the City" report, which offers a data-rich snapshot of Pew's hometown, Philadelphia. In this episode, Katie Martin, who leads Pew's Philadelphia research and policy initiative, breaks down the highlights from the 2025 edition. She discusses the city's successes, such as the decrease in poverty—at 20.3%, it's the lowest it's been in more than two decades—and its ongoing challenges, including the decline in homeownership, and how this troubling trend impacts Philadelphia's ranking as a city of homeowners.

As the world copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, Pew's "After the Fact" podcast is taking a pause. For all our listeners, stay safe and healthy, and we'll be back with new content soon.

Stat: 47 percent: The percentage decline of newsroom employees at newspapers between 2008 and 2018.

Story: Newspapers are cutting staff or closing altogether, but in the final episode of our local news series we visit The Berkshire Eagle in western Massachusetts, which is bucking that trend. We speak to the publisher and editor who are adding reporters and to community leaders who value a local paper in their civic life.

Stat: 2000: More than 2,000 of the 3,143 counties in the United States have no daily local newspaper.

Story: What is a news desert? We explore the definition—a community with limited access to credible and comprehensive news and information—by traveling to southeast Georgia where the Waycross Journal-Herald abruptly closed in September 2019. We also interview expert Penny Abernathy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who has documented the spread of news deserts across the United States.

Stat: 71: The percentage of Americans who believe that their local news outlet is doing well financially.

Story: Local news outlets are struggling against declines in circulation and advertising, with 2,100 newspapers closing over the past 15 years. In the first installment of our three-part series on the changing landscape of local news in America, we hear from experts on what's changed and how it may be affecting our communities.

Story: In this series, we explore the decline in local news coverage across America. Host Dan LeDuc interviews journalism experts, travels to a "news desert" where the daily newspaper recently printed its last edition, and visits the newsroom of a paper that is bucking the trend and doubling down on its investment in community coverage.

Stat: 800 million: The number of people in the world who live within the footprint, 62 miles, of a volcano.

Story: In the latest episode in our "Scientists at Work" series, we go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where we meet geologist and volcanologist Ben Andrews, who works to answer three key questions about volcanoes around the world: When will an eruption happen, how big could the eruption be, and how fast?

Stat: 22.73: Ken Burns' documentary Civil War was created from 22.73 miles of film.

Story: Ken Burns is known for his expansive documentaries on American history and culture. With 33 documentary films to his name, what is the secret to his creative process? We travel to the New Hampshire barn where he works for a conversation about how he tells old stories in a new way and what inspires him to create.

Stat: 59 percent: The percentage of Americans who say they have little to no confidence in the public's political wisdom.

Story: As the new year—and an election year—begins, we turn to data on our democracy to learn more about how Americans view institutions and civic life today. Host Dan LeDuc speaks with Michael Dimock, president of the Pew Research Center, about the latest research on trust, facts, and democracy in America.

Story: "After the Fact" is sharing one more fan favorite before the end of the year with Paula Marincola, executive director of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. She selected an episode with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and 1999 Pew arts fellow Jennifer Higdon on how ideas become reality. Since that conversation, Jennifer has again been nominated for a Grammy Award. Host Dan LeDuc also speaks with Paula about the importance of the arts today.

Story: "After the Fact" is sharing a couple more fan favorites as we close out 2019. This week, Ray Suarez, guest host of our "Future of Learning" series and a former broadcaster, selected an episode (No. 46) that focuses on how location can affect an individual's economic prospects.

According to Pew Research Center, 55% of U.S. parents report being extremely or very concerned about the mental health of teens today. And several factors are driving that concern: increased influence of technology and social media, lingering effects of the pandemic, and social pressures like extracurricular activities and academic performance. Substance use is also linked with mental health and is occurring at younger ages with a rise in youth overdoses. 

Mental health wellness and prevention programs from previous generations, some of which are still used today, have been ineffective or even counterproductive. So, what strategies actually work? In this episode of "After the Fact," psychologists Obari Adéye Cartman and Sharon Hoover, as well as Pew's Jessica Roark, discuss how to improve youth mental health programs and address substance use. 

 If you or someone you know needs help with substance use, visit www.findtreatment.gov.

Stat: 68 million: The number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation as of , compared with 39 million in 2009.

Story: This episode focuses on Americans' views of religion and the generational changes that are taking place. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center shares an update on the changing religious landscape, and host Dan LeDuc talks to a mother and daughter about their evolving religious paths.

Stat: 100 feet: At nearly 100 feet in length, blue whales are the largest animal ever known to have existed on Earth. 

Story: Blue whales are big but they're not invulnerable, often falling victim to strikes by ships in the northern India Ocean. Asha de Vos, a Pew marine fellow who founded Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education organization, tells us about the beauty of blue whales and their importance to the health of the ocean.

Stat:  94.7 million—It is estimated that the number of Americans ages 65 and older will nearly double from 49.2 million in 2016 to 94.7 million by 2060.

Story: In this final episode of the Future of Learning series, we explore the aging mind, including how brains change over the years, how to stimulate the mind, and which traits can be found in "superagers."

Stat: 65 percent of all jobs in the American economy today will require postsecondary education and training.

Story: School may be over for most workers in America's economy, but the need to learn continues. In the third part of our series "The Future of Learning," we hear how some individuals are learning new skills for tomorrow's workforce and talk with experts about what's needed to stay ahead of the curve.

Stat: 30 percent. The amount of jobs worldwide that could become automated by 2030.
Story: In part two of our series on learning, join guest host Ray Suarez as he interviews teachers and experts about the evolving classroom and how teachers are trying to prepare students to be flexible, motivated, and lifelong learners to prepare for jobs that haven't been invented yet.

Stat: 86 billion. The human brain has at least 86 billion neurons.

Story: Breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology have given us a peek into the human mind, yet we have much to discover about how our brains actually learn new things. In the first part of our new series, you'll travel with guest host Ray Suarez to the Brainwave Learning Center, a partnership with Stanford University, where scientists are measuring students' brain waves to see what happens as they learn to read and gain other skills.

Story: In this special series on learning, guest host Ray Suarez will examine the latest developments in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, explore workforce trends, and share inspiring stories from people on the journey to becoming lifelong learners.

Stat: 1 million—the number of Americans who default on student loan payments each year.

Story: More Americans are seeking higher education, which means more people are taking on—and struggling with—student loan debt. For one first-generation college graduate, the complex repayment system proved overwhelming. We share her story and talk to Chronicle of Higher Education reporter Eric Kelderman and Pew researcher Sarah Sattelmeyer about key challenges and potential solutions to help keep borrowers on track.

Stat: 130. Opioid use disorder is responsible for approximately 130 overdose deaths a day in America.

Story:  One of the biggest health threats facing Americans today is opioid use disorder, with an overdose-related death occurring every 11 minutes. In this rebroadcast of a conversation at Pew with Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, learn more about this public health challenge and how we can save lives.

100 million—The number of people infected each year by a disease transmitted through a mosquito bite.

Story: In our latest "Scientists at Work" episode, 2015 Pew biomedical scholar Lindy McBride discusses her research on one of the peskiest and deadliest insects on the planet: the mosquito. Listen in as we learn the facts about mosquitoes and why you may be more susceptible than other people to their bites.

Story: Our final installment of "After the Fact" fan favorites comes via the West Coast. Steven Bliss of the Public Policy Institute of California selected our first podcast, on the state of the American Dream. Researcher Erin Currier describes the financial hardships facing many families at a time when most people are just happy to make ends meet rather than move up the economic ladder (Episode 1).

Story: "After the Fact" fan favorites continue in August with our second selection. This week, Fred Dews, host of "Brookings Cafeteria," chose our episode on the plight of endangered sharks and some of their unlikely champions (Episode 32). South African Paralympian Achmat Hassiem and Pew's Debbie Salamone were attacked by sharks but now are advocates for their conservation.

Story: "After the Fact" has asked a few special guests to share their favorite episodes of the podcast throughout August. This week, Elaine Bowman, vice president of human resources for The Pew Charitable Trusts, picked our conversation on deepfakes (Episode 47) with Berkeley Professor Hany Farid (formerly of Dartmouth College) as her favorite.