O'Neill Speaks
O'Neill Speaks is the official podcast of the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. It features world-renowned faculty and researchers who analyze pressing societal challenges. Through their insight and policy expertise, guests educate and change the way listeners think about the world.
Episodes
32 | Finding Pathways to Success with the Observing Civic Engagement Lab
Throughout the ages, civilizations have been built on hard work, solid social and economic structures, and strong relationships. But to thrive, a society needs civic organizations that serve as the vital connective tissue that bridges the gap between individuals, communities, and governing institutions. By uniting people around shared values, common goals, and local needs, these groups cultivate s
31 | The Challenge of Rebuilding After Nepal Flooding with Shana Scogin
On Aug. 26 of this year, a catastrophic flash flood and debris flow likely triggered by the collapse of a glacier impacted populated areas in Nepal near the border of China. By the time the rushing waters slowed, more than 1,350 people were dead in Nepal alone, with another 5,300-plus missing. In Tibet, there were more than 40 deaths and more than 500 missing.Videos of the flooding have been shock
30 | The Future of the O'Neill Leadership Center with Karen Gahl-Mills and Matthew Baggetta
In 2019, Paul O’Neill showed his dedication to Indiana University and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs by making a transformative $30 million gift, leading to the school being named in his honor.One of the motivating factors behind the gift was the establishment of the Paul H. O’Neill Center for Leadership in Public Service dedicated to strengthening society by cultivating the next g
29 | The Human and Economic Toll of El Niño with Chris Callahan
Every day the news is filled with stories on extreme weather, its impact on human lives, and the economic impact of disasters. In 2026, the state of Indiana has already set a record for the sheer number of tornados in a year according to the National Weather Service, and there were 58 confirmed tornados in June alone in the state.The number of tornados doesn’t show a picture of the larger climate
28 | Looking back on the Siân Mooney Era at O'Neill
For the past seven years, Siân Mooney has served as the dean of the O’Neill School, leading the school through its most prestigious era in its half-century of history.First and foremost, there is the recognition from U.S. News and World Report, which ranks the O’Neill School’s Master of Public Affairs program as the top graduate program of its kind in the nation. Along with the top-ranked MPA, fou
27 | The O'Neill Sustainability Internship w/McKenzie Jones, Mae Allen, and Jessica Davis
Sustainability has long stopped being just a corporate buzzword or nice elective. It’s a critical part of planning in just about every aspect of our lives, the fundamental operating system for a world facing rapid climate shifts and resource scarcity. It’s about building systems that are regenerative rather than just extractive, ensuring that our progress today doesn’t become a debt for the genera
26 | "Power Lines: The Human Cost of American Energy in Transition" with David Konisky
As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, how best to combat the issue remains a topic of hot debate.In the United States, the vision of a green-energy future is entangled with complex realities. Aging infrastructure strains under modern demands, the adoption of new technologies remains uneven and fragmented, and many households struggle to secure reliable, affordable energy. To
25 | The O'Neill School's new MM-MAAA dual degree with Karen Gahl-Mills
The O’Neill School offers a host of graduate degree programs to students who are looking to expand their skillset, including degrees that capitalize on the wide-range of expertise across the IU campus.The latest in the O’Neill School’s growing dual-degree offerings comes via a collaboration with the Jacobs School of Music. The new Master of Music-Master of Arts in Arts Administration dual degree t
24 | Prepping for Career Fairs with the O'Neill Career Hub
The O’Neill School is known around the globe for making a positive impact in the real world, and you can find O’Neill alumni creating and influencing policy in nearly every aspect of our lives, be it in the public, private, or non-profit arenas.The world-renowned faculty and innovative education at the O’Neill School is one part of the equation, but preparing students for a purpose-driven career s
23 | The O'Neill Career Hub with Becca Keough and Lillian Clarke
The O’Neill School is known around the globe for making a positive impact in the real world, and you can find O’Neill alumni creating and influencing policy in nearly every aspect of our lives, be it in the public, private, or non-profit arenas.The world-renowned faculty and innovative education at the O’Neill School is one part of the equation, but preparing students for a purpose-driven career s
22 | 2025 O'Neill School Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Scott Dolson
The past 12 months at IU has seen Hoosier football enjoy success at a level never approached in the nearly 140 years Indiana has played. Head coach Curt Cignetti was hired, led his team to the first double-digit win season in IU history, and he was named national coach of the year by several organizations. IU men’s basketball saw transition as well, with new head coach Darian DeVries being hired,
21 | 2025 IUI Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Rep. Cherrish Pryor
The O’Neill School has a well-earned reputation of producing graduates who make a difference by leading for the greater good. That’s not just a tagline. Our grads are the reason we’re the top-ranked public school for public affairs in the nation.Our reputation is built on the work of those who go out into the real world and make an impact by making that world a better place.One such graduate is to
20 | Inaugural Early Impact Award recipient Rishard Allen
The O’Neill School has a well-earned reputation of producing graduates who make a difference by leading for the greater good.That’s not just a tagline. Our grads are the reason we’re the top-ranked public school for public affairs in the nation. Our reputation is built on the work of those who go out into the real world and make an impact by making that world a better place.One such recent graduat
19 | The Critical Role of Government with Paul Helmke
One of the first actions of the new US presidential administration was an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with reviewing and reducing federal spending.Since the executive order was signed January 20, the headlines have flown on a near-daily basis about cuts, reforms, and mass layoffs of federal workers. The actions are controversial, imme
18 | Improving Federal Government Performance with Jim Perry and Les Lenkowsky
On Aug. 12, 1986, then-president Ronald Reagan, held a press conference in the Rosemont Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, the 38th of his presidency. Before taking questions, President Reagan said he wanted to send a special message to America’s farmers, namely that he had a goal to remove what he believed were some regulatory barriers that were holding back the farmer’s prosperity.H
17 | Community organizations and combatting social isolation with Brad Fulton
For the past several years, researchers, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have warned of the growing issue of social isolation, a growing loneliness epidemic, and the impact it is having on the physical and mental health of people not only in the United States but around the world.The Surgeon General reported that social isolation increases the risk of premature death by
16 | The Changing Reality for Charitable Disaster Relief Organizations with Beth Gazley
When Hurricane Helene roared across Florida and up the East Coast in late September, relief efforts began immediately. People were without power, water, food, medical supplies and a host of other basic needs.The Federal Emergency Management Agency exists for these types of situations, but it’s also when nonprofit organizations spring into action. From high-profile organizations such as the America
15 | The Challenge of Tax Reform with Justin Ross
Back in 2017, the United States congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which featured several significant changes to the individual income tax, including reforms to itemized deductions and the alternative minimum tax, an expanded standard deduction and child tax credit, and lower marginal tax rates across brackets.Proponents hailed the measure as a much-needed reform that would generate econom
14 | Overcoming the Hurdles of EVs with John Graham
In the effort to combat climate change, a move away from fossil fuels, particularly when it comes to the way get around, is seen as one of the critical steps to making progress.Electric vehicles, or EVs, in particular are seen as the next step in the evolution away from fossil fuels. The idea of an electric vehicle isn’t new—the idea is nearly 200 years old, and the first mass-produced EVs were bu
13 | Environmental Management: Concepts and Practical Skills w/Marc Lame
It’s difficult to take a glance at the news and not be inundated with stories about climate change, environmental disasters, and the legal controversies that surround anything having to do with the environment. The push and pull of policy makers and lobbyists and courts grab the headlines and are seemingly constant source of discussion, but often overlooked is the role of the people responsible fo
12 | Protecting Indiana Wetlands with Christopher Craft
In May 2023, the United States Supreme Court handed down a ruling that limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect millions of acres of wetlands from pollution by saying that the EPS could not regulate discharges into wetlands unless they have a continuous surface connection to larger bodies of water. Then, just a few weeks ago, the Indiana State house passed and Governor Eric
11 | School-based Law Enforcement Data with Amanda Rutherford
There was a time not so long ago during which the phrase “school-based law enforcement” personnel wasn’t part of our lexicon.Then came the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999, which marked a turning point in the expansion of campus policing. Federal support was key in the expansion of the strategy, and between 1999 and 2005, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services wit
10 | Health Care Supply Chain Resilience with Sameeksha Desai
The COVID-19 pandemic pulled a number of issues into the spotlight, and one of the brightest spotlights fell on health care supply chain issues. Most stories focused on securing enough masks for medical professionals early in the pandemic, but everything from hand sanitizer to IV bags to medical tubing became an issue for the healthcare community. Crisis creates the opportunity for change, especia
9 | The Growing Field of HR Management with Cheryl Hughes and Xavier Ramierez
The field of human resource management is growing faster than the national average. It’s easy to understand why. As job markets evolve and companies innovate to recruit the best talent, a competent, trained HR manager is critical to helping employers navigate what can be a complicated area.We’re joined today by Senior Lecturer Cheryl Hughes, who specializes in human resource management in the for-
8| Executive-in-Residence Brian Payne
What is the path to a rewarding career in public service for young people who have a passion for serving but don’t know where to get started? Show up. It’s as simple as that according to Brian Payne, the new executive in residence at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.Payne joins us to talk about his career, why he was drawn to the O'Neill School, and how his relationsh
7 | Energy Insecurity with David Konisky
The mercury has been soaring for weeks now as summer temperatures have reached record-breaking levels throughout the United States and the world. For many, staying cool isn’t a luxury. It’s a matter of life and death. And, of course, staying cool doesn’t come for free. Rising temperatures lead to skyrocketing energy bills for consumers, and when those bills aren’t paid, utility companies are disco
6 | Battling Climate Change with Forests with Mallory Barnes
The issue of climate change is considered by many to be THE most critical issue of our time, and extreme weather-related disasters continue to stack up week after week. Combating climate change will require a number of strategies, the most critical of which is the drastic reduction of fossil fuel emissions. But another key strategy is the use of nature-based climate solutions that allow the use an
5 | The Atlanta Solidarity Fund raid and its impact with Beth Gazley
The news was splashed across the country May 31 when police in Atlanta arrested three leaders of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, which supported protesters of the city’s proposed police and fire training center. Investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation say they found evidence linking the trio of leaders to financial crimes, including money laundering and charity fraud. That’s how the st
4 | The Future of Ukraine with Bob Kravchuk
For more than a year, Ukraine has been defending itself from the invading Russian army, and the world has been watching to see what happens next. The outcome of the war is in doubt, but Bob Kravchuk, a professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a world-renowned expert in Ukrainian-Russian relations, says that the very survival of Russia may be at stake in the c
3 | The Future of EVs with Professor John Graham
Replacing traditional combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles is seen as a critical component of transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy, but recent proposals for adoption will be difficult if not impossible to reach unless price barriers are lowered for consumers. We're joined by Professor John Graham, who outlines some of the challenges EVs present and what it will take for
2 | The impact of the Richmond fire with Assistant Professor Marta Venier
The scenes of the fire that destroyed a plastic recycling warehouse in Richmond, Indiana have been stunning, but the impact of the disaster will be felt long after the rubble cools. We're joined by Assistant Professor Marta Venier to discuss the short- and long-term effects of the fire, the health hazards associated with the chemicals that were released, and what can be done to avoid such disaster
1 | Debut episode with Dean Sian Mooney
Joining us for the debut episode of O'Neill Speaks is dean of the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Sian Mooney. Mooney details her path to becoming dean of the O'Neill School, how the nuclear explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant changed her life, her career as a Nordic skiier, how she envisions the future of the O'Neill School, and much, much more.O’Neill Speak
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