Policy Outsider

Policy Outsider from the Rockefeller Institute of Government takes you outside the halls of power to understand how decisions of law and policy shape our everyday lives.

Policy Outsider is a news podcast hosted by Rockefeller Institute, with 129 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rockefeller Institute hosts Policy Outsider, a news show with 129 episodes published.

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  Policy Outsider

  Ep. 129. Bridging the Firearm Divide

  Jul 7, 202629 min

  Bridging the Divide on Firearm Policy is a coalition of stakeholders who represent many perspectives on firearms in America—gun owners, gun rights and Second Amendment activists, advocates for gun regulations, firearm dealers, firearm instructors, legislators; the list goes on. The goal of this coalition? To create a sustainable, broadly supported policy roadmap that improves gun violence prevention while protecting constitutional rights. On this episode of Policy Outsider , we explore the work of the group with Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium scholars Michael Siegel, the group's facilitator, and David Yamane, a member of the coalition. Guests Michael Siegel, Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine David Yamane, Professor of Sociology, Wake Forest University Jaclyn Schildkraut, Executive Director, Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, Rockefeller Institute of Government Learn More Bridging the Divide on Firearm Policy Bridging the Divide on Firearm Policy — February 2026 Policy Proposals

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  Policy Outsider

  Ep. 128. Tote or Toke: The SCOTUS Ruling in Hemani

  Jun 18, 202613 min

  On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in US v. Hemani , a case with implications for the Second Amendment rights of cannabis users. On this episode of Policy Outsider , Rockefeller Institute resident cannabis policy expert Heather Trela explains how the justices ruled and what questions remain unanswered for drug-using firearm owners. Guests Heather Trela, Director of Operations and Fellow, Rockefeller Institute of Government Learn More Guns, Ganja, and Gavels—Five Things to Watch for in the Supreme Court’s US v Hemani Oral Arguments Circuit Breaker—Judicial Disconnect on Disarming Cannabis Users

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  Policy Outsider

  Ep. 127. Freshmen Perspectives: Assemblymember Gabriella Romero

  May 12, 202631 min

  Freshman lawmaker Gabriella Romero is an assemblymember for New York State's 109th Assembly District, which covers the city of Albany, New Scotland, and parts of Guilderland. In a new installment of our "Freshmen Perspectives" series, Rockefeller Institute President Bob Megna interviews the assemblymember about her first-term accomplishments, what she hopes to get done in subsequent terms, and how her time as a public defender and a Common Councilmember for the city of Albany shapes how she approaches being a state lawmaker. Guests Honorable Gabriella A. Romero, New York State Assemblymember, Assembly District 109 Robert Megna, President, Rockefeller Institute of Government

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  Policy Outsider

  Ep. 126. Another AI Conversation

  May 1, 202648 min

  On this episode of Policy Outsider , guests Mila Gascó-Hernandez and Kevin De Liban explore the existing and future roles of AI in government systems and the risks and opportunities associated with increased integration of these new tools. Guests Mila Gascó-Hernandez, Research Director, Center for Technology in Government and Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany Kevin De Liban, Founder, Techtonic Justice

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  Policy Outsider

  Ep. 125. A Look at Labor: NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon

  Feb 11, 202644 min

  In this installment of our series, "A Look at Labor," Rockefeller Institute Director of Labor Policy Maria Figueroa interviews Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor, about the work of the department to empower and protect New York's workers. The discussion spans a broad swath of timely and perennial labor issues, including expanding capacity in the childcare industry, promoting green jobs, improving apprenticeship programs, advancing workplace safety protections, and more. Guests Roberta Reardon, Commissioner, New York State Department of Labor Maria Figueroa, Director of Labor Policy, Rockefeller Institute of Government Learn More Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) NYS Department of Labor Home Page

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