Bill Gates has more to say about COVID-19, climate change, inequality, and conspiracy theories and he’s teaming up with actor, writer, and activist Rashida Jones on a new podcast to find answers to tough questions.

“Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions” is a new six-episode series launching on Monday. The first episode it titled “What will the world look like after COVID-19?” and features Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease specialist, as first guest.

So how did the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist end up seated across from Ann Perkins from “Parks and Recreation,” discussing some of the more challenging issues of our time? The two apparently have a lot in common.

Both are thinkers and writers, according to a release touting the duo, and both went to Harvard — Jones actually graduated. Gates champions a range of causes related to world health and education through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Jones has explored those topics through her work as an actor and as an activist championing equal rights and social justice.

A mutual friend suggested the two might have a lot to talk about and the podcast idea was born.

In a teaser video for “Ask Big Questions,” Jones gets a first taste of that signature Bill Gates optimism.

“You still believe that in 20 years, life will be better than it is today,” Jones says.

“Yeah, far better than it is today,” Gates replies.

Far better? That’s a big statement,” Jones says.

The series will be available on Apple Podcasts, on Gates’ personal blog, Gates Notes, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts. Episodes drop every Monday between Nov. 16 and Dec. 23.

Here’s the rundown of episode guests and topics:

  • Episode 1, Nov. 16: What will the world look like after COVID-19?: Ever since the pandemic started, we’ve heard the same refrain: we need to get back to normal. But what does “normal” even mean after such a history-changing event? Bill and Rashida discuss how COVID-19 will forever change our workplaces, our schools, and even our social lives. They also get real with NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci about what we can expect in the months ahead. Guest: Dr. Anthony Fauci
  • Episode 2, Nov. 23: Is inequality inevitable? 2020 has brought a light a lot of issues, including growing inequality in the United States. We’re seeing huge gaps in income, access to healthcare, and quality of education across the country. Economist Raj Chetty joins the podcast to talk about his groundbreaking research on opportunity in America. Then Mayor Aja Brown joins the conversation to talk about how she’s leveling the playing field in Compton. Guests: Raj Chetty, Mayor Aja Brown
  • Episode 3, Nov. 30: Why do we believe lies? Honesty is a core value in most cultures. But humanity has always been obsessed with untruths, from little white lies to vast conspiracy theories. Bill and Rashida are joined by Sapiens author and historian Yuval Noah Harari to talk about why we’re so willing to believe falsehoods and what these lies tell us about ourselves—both as individuals and as a society. Guest: Yuval Noah Harari
  • Episode 4, Is it too late to stop climate change? Climate change is the most daunting challenge of our time. Tackling it will require unprecedented amounts of innovation, investment, and global cooperation. Are we actually making progress yet? Can we really stop the worst effects of climate change? In this week’s episode, Bill and Rashida take on perhaps their biggest question yet with an assist from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert. Guest: Elizabeth Kolbert
  • Episode 5 and 6 to be announced.
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