*filmed LIVE in front of our insiders ~ CLICK HERE to become an Insider or CLICK HERE to find other ways to support SmartHER News! From the polar vortex to the perils of downhill skiing, we take you on a trip around the world to highlight the major stories of the week, all the while tackling questions like: Why did VP Vance’s speech cause such a reaction in Europe? What does winning look like in Ukraine? What’s next between the U.S. & Russia? What to watch for when it comes to the "free pres...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr
Happy George Washington's Birthday (the official federal holiday for Presidents' Day). In less than 6 minutes, we break down a few key facts about America's first president and some lesser known trivia. We'll see you back with more quick, concise, nonpartisan news on Tuesday. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-insid...
Feb 17, 2025•6 min
New data on inflation raises concerns about what's next for the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, Republicans coalesce around President Trump's cabinet nominees, including the new Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Plus - what to watch for next, including RFK Jr.'s upcoming Senate confirmation vote AND a major security summit in Germany this Valentine's Day that includes some high-profile guests. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a fr...
Feb 13, 2025•9 min
We take you back to the most recent financial crisis. We take you forward to the current debate over the consumer financial protection bureau. And we pause to consider both sides of this story! What will prevent the next financial crisis? You decide! SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https:...
Feb 12, 2025•9 min
A spotlight shifts from the actions of the U.S. President to the U.S. courts. Substantial legal challenges emerge regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as well as competing state abortion laws. Why both issues have the potential to wind-up before the Supreme Court. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-t...
Feb 11, 2025•7 min
Hi Podcast Listeners! We record a live broadcast every Monday for our Insiders - folks who want to help support SmartHER News! For less than the price of a cup of coffee once a month, our insiders receive an invite (and the delivery) of a special Monday broadcast, a cheat sheet for the week ahead, invitation to live events and interviews, and discounts on all our gear. It's our way of staying completely ad-free and independent. Simply having you follow this podcast means A LOT - so THANK YOU . B...
Feb 10, 2025•12 min
A live interview with an NFL Super Bowl quarterback (aka, the "SmartHER Dad"), my dad, Bob Lee! Stories from a time when the players earned $10 a day ... and sometimes got dressed in college classrooms (yes, at Harvard). Plus ~ What is it like to play in a Super Bowl? What should we consider about young kids playing tackle football? This interview was filmed LIVE with our insiders - here's how to become one! ------------------------------------------ We have navigated another really busy news we...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min
War correspondent Hollie McKay shares what she learned after digging into the independent watchdog reports about the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, funding. As the news continues to swirl around the agency's spending on everything from media outlets to overseas programs, Hollie breaks down what she found and why it matters. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can b...
Feb 07, 2025•11 min
A round-up of this week's top stories: President Trump's proposal for Gaza. Why POTUS' latest comments on Iran matter. Quick heads up on the cabinet nominees advancing to a final vote in the Senate, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Sec. Rubio on foreign aid/update on USAID. Why Barbies may cost you more (and Hot Wheels). Some mixed messages from the U.S. Postal Service. What's going on with the Department of Education - Did you know it dates back to 1867??? SUPPORT OUR MISSION ...
Feb 06, 2025•8 min
One week since the midair collision in Washington DC, we speak to a first responder who was also flying in the sky over our nation’s capital at the very same time of the accident. What he says and why it matters, as investigators look to piece together the clues of what happened. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-i...
Feb 05, 2025•7 min
Why tariffs really matter (and a breaking development on this story as we record). The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) starts making moves, raising both praise and questions, depending on who you ask and who weighs-in. Plus ~ the latest on the ongoing cabinet nominations. What do you really want from American leaders in style and substance? Curious your thoughts! hello@Smarthernews.com SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, i...
Feb 04, 2025•10 min
An unexpected news story breaks in the middle of an already busy news week. We navigate the latest on the midair collision in Washington D.C., how Pres. Trump’s comments sparked a debate on DEI, the latest on the hearings for both the presidents nominees for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and the head of the FBI, Kash Patel. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can bec...
Jan 31, 2025•10 min
President Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., goes before the Senate Finance Committee. What happened and why it matters. Plus - We highlight a few key exchanges on important topics from vaccines to Big Macs! And ~ why RFK Jr. believes every American can now have concierge medicine. Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support Sma...
Jan 30, 2025•11 min
A quick look at the first press briefing of the new administration, led by the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, Karoline Leavitt. Plus ~ how the price of eggs made it into the Q & A and why it matters. Is the topic as critical as it's cracked up to be? (Sorry - couldn't resist) Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent,...
Jan 29, 2025•9 min
Perspective on executive actions issued by President Trump - from orders from the Oval Office on immigration to the declassification of files related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy. Plus ~ a captivating story about a recent heist in the Netherlands involving a mysterious gold helmet, once used as a water can for chickens ... And ~ who to watch as cabinet nominees face senators this week - from RFK Jr. To Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard. Curious your th...
Jan 28, 2025•7 min
Just a quick "Hello" on a Monday with an equally quick announcement! We have a big news week ahead and look forward to providing quick, concise, nonpartisan news to you! "I love my weekly SCOOP! It is one of the best decisions I made to navigate the crazy news cycle we encounter these days. I feel prepared and ready for the week after the SCOOP live broadcast. And, I love that when life inevitably interrupts my ability to attend live, it is delivered into my inbox to watch at my convenience. Tha...
Jan 28, 2025•3 min
From political to the personal, our Friday “Ask Me Anything”! What does the flu like in America? How long does it take to move a president in-and-out of the White House? Is there a deadline for cabinet nominees to be confirmed? Is this process taking longer than usual? Do former cabinet members get severance? (And ... how much do they make?) Where should we report from this summer? What about Elon Musk’s controversial "salute"? Who got pardoned? Plus the “MAGA granny” who didn’t want one … Got a...
Jan 24, 2025•19 min
The first words delivered by the new Secretary of State on his first day on the job. The underreported story of a border patrol agent killed in the line of duty. The backstory to a viral moment of the week: the Reverend who confronted President Trump from the pulpit. What was really said? Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, n...
Jan 23, 2025•7 min
President Trump, like all presidents before him, has the power of the pen but not a magic wand. We take a a closer look at two of President Trump’s first moves in office: issuing pardons and executive orders – and both the extraordinary reach and extraordinary limitations of a president’s power (in less than 10 minutes!) Key Takeaways: Presidential power is often perceived differently than it is in reality. The power of forgiveness is a significant aspect of presidential authority. Clemency can ...
Jan 22, 2025•7 min
The president did not take the oath of office while drunk ... nor did he deliver a 2-hour speech resisting a coat ... or end the day trying to keep "enthusiastic" supporters from standing on furniture at the White House - that just happened at OTHER inaugurations! A SmartHER take on the historic inauguration of President Trump: What to know and why it matters. SUPPORT OUR MISSION If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can b...
Jan 21, 2025•9 min
And where is RFK Jr.??? Jenna discusses the upcoming cabinet positions, focusing on the nominees for Attorney General and the head of the CIA. Takeaways: The cabinet can have varying numbers of members, not fixed by the Constitution. There are no specific qualifications required for cabinet members. The post office was once a cabinet-level department until the 1970s. Chapters: 00:00 Quick Intro: Did you know this about the President's cabinet? 02:00 Contentious Hearings: Attorney General Nominee...
Jan 17, 2025•7 min
The unexpectedly funny, and surprisingly bipartisan hearing of Sec. of State nominee, Senator Marco Rubio.. Takeaways A key focus on China. The Arctic become an increasingly important area of discussion. Personal stories in politics. The stakes of war and peace vs. viral moments. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of State 02:26 Key Takeaways from the Hearing 05:06 Insights on Global Engagement and Leadership 07:00: Greenland or bust? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/bran...
Jan 16, 2025•10 min
Summary President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth, a veteran, author and former Fox News host, faced tough questions on his personal and professional record. Jenna breaks down the three key takeaways of this four-hour hearing. Takeaways The Secretary of Defense is a historically significant role. The hearing revealed deep partisan divides in questioning. Hegseth's non-traditional background was acknowledged...
Jan 15, 2025•11 min
✓ 2:00: Is it a full moon? ✓ 3:00: An important caveat about timing in this week’s news cycle. ✓ 5:00: Ceasefire talks happening in the Middle East. ✓ 7:00: The Jobs Report. ✓ 10:00: How does a surge at the border impact the labor market? ✓ 15:00: Pres.-Elect Trump’s recent sentencing and why it matters. ✓ 24:00: A quick caveat on eggs, always a lightning-rod topic for SmartHER News. ✓ 27:00: The wildfires in California. ✓ 31:00: Some context on fire retardant drops. ✓ 33:00: This group fighting...
Jan 13, 2025•43 min
Your Top 5 News Stories To Watch In 2025: 1:03: Are we seeing a generational shift in the Middle East? Who will lead Syria and how does this change relationships all over the globe? 4:45: What does the border look like under a new Trump administration? Highlights from a new annual report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 9:00: What does MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) look like in action at a government level? Will Medicare and Medicaid cover semaglutide injections? 14:30: Do we have t...
Jan 06, 2025•25 min
We first published this interview in 2023 ~ celebrating 200 years of this popular poem's first, mysterious, appearance. We thought in this busy news year, you might appreciate some more insight on this holiday legend! ---- "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house ..." These lines first appeared in a New York state newspaper on December 23, 1823. The author? Originally ... "Anonymous." 200 years later, many of us can still recite much of this poem from memory, solidifying the i...
Dec 20, 2024•38 min
✓ 1:00: The imagery of doves as a symbol for peace. ✓ 3:00: A quick, fun anecdote about a camel and our nation’s first president. ✓ 5:00: Monday's breaking news: a school shooting in Wisconsin. ✓ 11:00: Why details matter and what we’re watching for next. ✓ 19:00: A key takeaway that needs more attention on how exactly “ Targeted violence is preventable.” ✓ 23:00: A story gaining speed: Will the government shutdown? ✓ 29:00: The next generation of Democratic party leaders. ✓ 31:00: What’s up wit...
Dec 17, 2024•54 min
An interview from our holiday vault! Be charmed by now 93-year-old Mrs. Koch - the "Chief Elf" of one Santa Claus, Indiana. ~~~~~~~ Have you heard of Santa Claus, Indiana? Founded in 1856, this town serves as one of the main destinations for "Dear Santa" letters from all over the world . And this happened, in many ways, because one family took the reins (no reindeer jokes ... yet). Meet 92-year-old Mrs. Koch (pronounced "Cook"). She holds many titles – including Santa's daughter, Chief Elf, and ...
Dec 13, 2024•39 min
✓ 2:00: The Manhattan Murder Mystery: Why is a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania making national news? ✓ 7:00: We shift to an important international story. The fall of a 50-year regime in Syria. ✓ 9:00: Why Syria’s geographic position matters. ✓ 12:00: War Correspondent Hollie McKay joins us to discuss her previous experiences in Syria. ✓ 14:00: Hollie’s take on this important interntional story. ✓ 18:00: What we need to know about the rebel groups in Syria. ✓ 22:00: What's happening in Syria, and why...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Does the rule of law work in America? Two stories this week highlight this question in unique ways: the pardon of the President's son, Hunter Biden & the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. We take a closer at this developing criminal investigation: the healthcare industry & the clues of the crime itself. SUPPORT OUR MISSION: If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarth...
Dec 06, 2024•26 min
