One of the greatest zoos in the world is Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. They are perhaps best known for their Giant Panda program but there is so much more to see and do. Newt’s guest is Dr. Brandie Smith. She is the Director of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

One of the greatest zoos in the world is Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. They are perhaps best known for their Giant Panda program but there is so much more to see and do. Newt’s guest is Dr. Brandie Smith. She is the Director of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Join Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House and Ph.D. historian, for the most diverse, informative, and entertaining podcast available. Every episode is an education.

Join Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House and Ph.D. historian, for the most diverse, informative, and entertaining podcast available. Every episode is an education.

Newt's World

Episode 565: Fun Things to Do at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0660cc44-82e1-4a1c-b450-b014016e8651/transcript

Newt talks with Steve Brusatte, paleontologist and bestselling author of “The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present.” They discuss a recent fossil discovery in China, a gigantic, long-necked dinosaur found at a construction site that may approach the largest known dinosaur sizes. Brusatte compares these massive sauropods—potentially 100 feet long and 50–60 tons—to modern aircraft. Brusatte reflects on his role advising Jurassic World filmmakers, contrasting his technical academic work with the opportunity to reach mass audiences through films and popular books. They also discuss the modern scientific consensus that birds are living dinosaurs: a surviving, flight-capable branch of the dinosaur family that flourished after the mass extinction. Brusatte likens dinosaur diversity to that of mammals today, emphasizing that many dinosaurs were small and that birds are the dinosaur equivalent of bats—highly specialized, small-bodied fliers within a larger group. He notes that while non-avian dinosaurs died out in the asteroid impact, birds represent the last remnant of this once-dominant lineage. They discuss how birds have become extraordinarily successful: while there are about 6,500 mammal species, there are likely 10,000–15,000 bird species, meaning roughly twice as many bird species as mammals today.

Newt talks with Steve Brusatte, paleontologist and bestselling author of &ldquo;The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present.&rdquo; They discuss a recent fossil discovery in China, a gigantic, long-necked dinosaur found at a construction site that may approach the largest known dinosaur sizes. Brusatte compares these massive sauropods&mdash;potentially 100 feet long and 50&ndash;60 tons&mdash;to modern aircraft. Brusatte reflects on his role advising Jurassic World filmmakers, contrasting his technical academic work with the opportunity to reach mass audiences through films and popular books. They also discuss the modern scientific consensus that birds are living dinosaurs: a surviving, flight-capable branch of the dinosaur family that flourished after the mass extinction. Brusatte likens dinosaur diversity to that of mammals today, emphasizing that many dinosaurs were small and that birds are the dinosaur equivalent of bats&mdash;highly specialized, small-bodied fliers within a larger group. He notes that while non-avian dinosaurs died out in the asteroid impact, birds represent the last remnant of this once-dominant lineage. They discuss how birds have become extraordinarily successful: while there are about 6,500 mammal species, there are likely 10,000&ndash;15,000 bird species, meaning roughly twice as many bird species as mammals today.

Episode 979: Steve Brusatte on “The Story of Birds”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2bebe1b5-1d8e-48f8-8832-b44d000e44cb/transcript

Newt talks with Weifeng Zhong, of the America First Policy Institute, about President Trump’s visit to Beijing and his meetings with Xi Jinping. They describe Chinese diplomatic style as highly choreographed, such as the airport reception and elaborate youth choirs that are used to project confidence and set the stage for pressing core issues like Taiwan. Zhong argues that China’s slowing, export-dependent economy and severe demographic pressures from the one-child policy make closer economic ties with the U.S. necessary. Trump’s large delegation of top U.S. business leaders, especially from technology, semiconductor, and AI sectors, is seen as both a bid for market access and a reflection of where U.S.– China tensions are most acute. Their discussion turns to Chinese dishonesty in areas such as arms transfers to Iran, support for Russia in the Ukraine war, fentanyl exports, COVID transparency, and propaganda in state-controlled media, emphasizing the need to read beyond official narratives. On Taiwan, Zhong argues that Xi’s lack of major achievements and the loss of Hong Kong as a credible model make “reunification” with Taiwan central to the Chinese Communist Party’s search for legitimacy.

Newt talks with Weifeng Zhong, of the America First Policy Institute, about President Trump&rsquo;s visit to Beijing and his meetings with Xi Jinping. They describe Chinese diplomatic style as highly choreographed, such as the airport reception and elaborate youth choirs that are used to project confidence and set the stage for pressing core issues like Taiwan. Zhong argues that China&rsquo;s slowing, export-dependent economy and severe demographic pressures from the one-child policy make closer economic ties with the U.S. necessary. Trump&rsquo;s large delegation of top U.S. business leaders, especially from technology, semiconductor, and AI sectors, is seen as both a bid for market access and a reflection of where U.S.&ndash; China tensions are most acute. Their discussion turns to Chinese dishonesty in areas such as arms transfers to Iran, support for Russia in the Ukraine war, fentanyl exports, COVID transparency, and propaganda in state-controlled media, emphasizing the need to read beyond official narratives. On Taiwan, Zhong argues that Xi&rsquo;s lack of major achievements and the loss of Hong Kong as a credible model make &ldquo;reunification&rdquo; with Taiwan central to the Chinese Communist Party&rsquo;s search for legitimacy.

Episode 978: Trump and Xi in China

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c6311f8a-24bb-405f-921a-b44a015a7c1d/transcript

Newt talks with Peter Carter, President of Delta Air Lines. Their conversation traces Carter’s transition from 23 years as a trial lawyer to airline leadership. Carter explains how trial practice honed his skills in narrative, simplification of complex issues, and problem-solving, which he now applies to business decision-making and risk navigation, helping Delta pursue opportunities. Carter contrasts law firm culture with corporate leadership, describing the shift from revenue generator to support function and emphasizing the need to add enterprise-wide value in a 100,000-person organization. He underscores the hidden complexity of airline operations—about 5,000 procedures must run correctly daily to deliver safe, clean, on-time flights with baggage and high-quality service—and characterizes Delta as an “endlessly complex” business highly sensitive to geopolitical dynamics. Carter highlights Delta’s safety culture and industry-wide collaboration with the FAA, noting that U.S. airlines do not compete on safety but instead fully report and analyze incidents to drive continuous improvement. Looking to the future, Delta aims to become a leading global airline, focusing on expanding its international route network, particularly in underserved markets like the Middle East, Africa, and India.

Newt talks with Peter Carter, President of Delta Air Lines. Their conversation traces Carter&rsquo;s transition from 23 years as a trial lawyer to airline leadership. Carter explains how trial practice honed his skills in narrative, simplification of complex issues, and problem-solving, which he now applies to business decision-making and risk navigation, helping Delta pursue opportunities. Carter contrasts law firm culture with corporate leadership, describing the shift from revenue generator to support function and emphasizing the need to add enterprise-wide value in a 100,000-person organization. He underscores the hidden complexity of airline operations&mdash;about 5,000 procedures must run correctly daily to deliver safe, clean, on-time flights with baggage and high-quality service&mdash;and characterizes Delta as an &ldquo;endlessly complex&rdquo; business highly sensitive to geopolitical dynamics. Carter highlights Delta&rsquo;s safety culture and industry-wide collaboration with the FAA, noting that U.S. airlines do not compete on safety but instead fully report and analyze incidents to drive continuous improvement. Looking to the future, Delta aims to become a leading global airline, focusing on expanding its international route network, particularly in underserved markets like the Middle East, Africa, and India.

Episode 977: Peter Carter on Delta and the Future of Air Travel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/19127965-c18d-40d5-ad4c-b44600255714/transcript

Episode 565: Fun Things to Do at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

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