President Donald Trump’s firing of the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some economic experts on edge just as new tariffs are about to take effect. We examine how Trump’s attempts to control official narratives are out of an authoritarian playbook and look at its potential impact on all Americans. Guest: Phil Mattingly, CNN Chief Domestic Correspondent & Anchor Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Host: David Rind ...
Aug 06, 2025•20 min
Climate scientists are sounding the alarm after the Trump administration proposed to repeal a landmark finding that human-caused climate change endangers human health and safety, which has been the basis for several federal rules limiting greenhouse gas pollution. We hear from a former EPA administrator who is worried the move could end up empowering bad actors in the business world. Guest: Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA administrator Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we...
Aug 03, 2025•21 min
Israel has taken some steps to relax restrictions on aid into Gaza in recent days amid a steady stream of horrific images of starving and emaciated Palestinians emerging from the besieged enclave. We hear from the leader of one aid group who believes much more needs to be done – and why only one man can help make it happen. Guest: Arwa Damon, president/founder of International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance (INARA) Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? C...
Jul 30, 2025•22 min
Former Texas governor and US Energy Secretary Rick Perry is not someone you’d think would be advocating for controversial psychedelic therapies to treat mental illness and PTSD. Yet he is one of a growing number of prominent Republican voices stepping forward to push for more research. In part two of our series, we trace why the politics of psychedelics have shifted over the decades, and whether HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will hurt or help the cause. Guest: Jane C. Hu, science journalis...
Jul 27, 2025•21 min
While President Donald Trump seems eager to move on from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the loudest MAGA voices don’t seem to be. But will the backlash actually hurt Trump’s presidency? We dig into just how much anger there actually is amongst Republicans and why there is a growing bipartisan push for transparency in Congress. Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad ...
Jul 23, 2025•22 min
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials seem open to embracing psychedelics as treatment for serious conditions trauma, depression and drug addiction. The shift has excited advocates, but some experts worry the hype could be getting ahead of science and safety. In part one of a two-part series, we hear from someone who says a powerful hallucinogen helped kick her drug habit. Guest: Samantha Juan, US Army veteran Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we shou...
Jul 20, 2025•21 min
Note: This episode contains descriptions of offensive language. Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI was forced to issue an apology after its chatbot Grok started spewing violent and antisemitic responses to user prompts last week. We examine why Grok isn’t the only chatbot that has an antisemitism problem and why hate speech might actually be part of the solution. Guest: Hadas Gold, CNN Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 2...
Jul 16, 2025•19 min
A recent diplomatic cable revealed that someone has been using artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a bid to gain access to accounts or information. It comes amid a rise in deepfake scams targeting victims around the world. We look at whether law enforcement is equipped to deal with the problem – and what a different approach might look like. Guest: David Maimon, SentiLink Head of Fraud Insights/Georgia State University Professor of Criminology Have a question...
Jul 13, 2025•17 min
In the days since the catastrophic flooding in central Texas, some have been asking: could more have been done to warn residents? We examine what we know about the communication between federal and local officials and look at how a warming world might necessitate a different approach to emergency notifications. Guest: Bernadette Woods Placky, Climate Central Chief Meteorologist Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ...
Jul 09, 2025•21 min
More Americans are starting to follow through with threats to leave the country in President Trump’s second term. We hear about what went into one family’s decision and why some are leaning on dual citizenship as a defacto ‘insurance policy.’ Guest: Anna Cooban, CNN Business and Economics Reporter Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode photo: Megan Varner/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 06, 2025•19 min
As President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package nears a final vote in Congress, many Americans just want to know how the bill would impact their lives. We explain how it could increase how much you pay for electricity and transportation – no matter where you live. Guest: Ella Nilsen, CNN Climate Reporter See the projection for your state here. Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
Jul 02, 2025•19 min
10 years ago, the US Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, changing the lives of millions of Americans. We hear from the lead plaintiff about why he thinks the precedent is under threat from right-wing allies of President Donald Trump. Guest: Jim Obergefell Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo: Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Jun 29, 2025•22 min
Note: This episode contains strong language. The Middle East remains on edge after President Donald Trump brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. We break down whether recent military moves will deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon and how Trump’s approach to peace could have repercussions in the future. Guests: Kimberly Dozier, CNN Global Affairs Analyst Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad c...
Jun 25, 2025•19 min
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was praised by Democrats in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic for his strong and steady leadership. A little more than a year later, he had resigned in disgrace following multiple sexual harassment allegations (he denied wrongdoing). Now, he is attempting an unlikely political comeback in New York City. We break down the June 24 mayoral primary and how it could impact the city’s standing with the Trump administration. Guests: Gloria Pazmino, CNN Corres...
Jun 22, 2025•20 min
As Israel and Iran strike each other, civilians are caught in the middle. We hear about how people in both countries are coping and get an explainer on why Iran’s nuclear program is so contentious. Guests: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent & Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 18, 2025•23 min
Transgender troops have begun separating from the military under a Pentagon policy dismissing service members who have a diagnosis, history or exhibit symptoms of gender dysphoria. We hear from a transgender service member who says the fallout reminds him of one of the military’s darkest periods. Guest: Benjamin Kibler, US Navy Senior Chief Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Learn more about you...
Jun 15, 2025•21 min
After President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to California to stop immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles, other states are wondering: are we next? We hear about how Trump overrode Governor Gavin Newsom and what it could mean for future protests. Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Jun 11, 2025•21 min
President Donald Trump wants coal to be king again – but what about the people who have risked everything to extract it? A CNN investigation has revealed how the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have slashed protections for vulnerable coal miners. Guest: Kyung Lah, CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo by: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Learn more ab...
Jun 08, 2025•21 min
A post-Trump GOP Is years away, but some are already planning. In a conversation recorded live at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, we hear from one of Trump’s loudest critics from his first term about whether current Republicans can push back without jeopardizing their political futures. Guest: Jeff Flake, former US Ambassador to Turkey Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
Jun 04, 2025•28 min
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that the Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women has sparked concern among many health experts. We hear from one of them who thinks this is just the latest in a line of moves that could undermine trust in science. Guest: Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we sh...
Jun 01, 2025•19 min
President Donald Trump’s embrace of the cryptocurrency industry has boosted the value of multiple digital assets, while raising thorny conflict of interest questions stemming from his personal crypto ventures. We break down a bill moving through Congress that could have wide-ranging impacts – even for those who have never invested in crypto. Guest: Hilary Allen, Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cove...
May 28, 2025•21 min
The House passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill on Thursday, despite divisions within the GOP. We break down what’s in it and hear from a Medicaid recipient who is worried she could lose coverage at the worst possible time. Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25, 2025•24 min
As hurricane season approaches, the National Weather Service is grappling with a DOGE-fueled staffing shortage that has left some local offices unable to operate 24/7. A former meteorologist explains why it’s leaving behind a patchwork system that could threaten lives when disaster strikes. Guest: Andrew Freedman, CNN Climate & Weather Senior Reporter & Brian LaMarre, former NWS meteorologist Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895....
May 21, 2025•22 min
The US and China have agreed to drastically walk back their trade war – for now. But will consumers feel the pain anyway? The co-founder of a baby products company tells us why he isn’t afraid to talk to his customers about tariffs. Guest: Michael Wieder, Lalo co-founder Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 18, 2025•21 min
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Thursday in a case involving President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order. We examine how the outcome could impact other Trump court cases and hear from immigrant parents of a new baby who are worried their child could be branded an ‘outcast.’ Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 14, 2025•20 min
The Department of Transportation announced it will build a “brand new air traffic control system” by 2029. It follows more than a week of massive delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport sparked by a frightening communications blackout. We look at the plan for the new system and hear from a former air traffic controller who says government funding is at the heart of the problem. Guest: Michael McCormick, Air Traffic Management Program Coordinator at Embry‑Riddle Aeronauti...
May 11, 2025•20 min
Interest in the 2024 Oscar-winning film “Conclave” skyrocketed as Cardinals gathered in Rome this week and elected Pope Leo XIV. We talk with the author of the book that inspired the movie, who shares why he thinks the story has resonated with Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Guest: “Conclave” author Robert Harris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 09, 2025•18 min
We have a pope – and he’s an American! Cardinal Robert Prevost has been selected as the next pope, the first American pontiff in history. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. We break down the significance of this unprecedented moment and what challenges the Catholic Church's new leader will face as he takes over. Guest: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 08, 2025•17 min
Spoiler alert: we don't have a new pope – yet. While we wait, we get an update from St. Peter’s Square as the conclave begins and dig into the political ramifications of the job. Guests: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent & Massimo Faggioli, Villanova University theology professor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 08, 2025•17 min
Catholic cardinals in Rome are preparing to pick a new leader following the death of Pope Francis. We break down what to expect from the private ritual and look at why questions about the church’s future will persist no matter who is selected. Guest: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 07, 2025•19 min
