What Next Plus
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.
976
The Spike at the End of “Zero COVID”
The people and the economy seemed ready to be done with restrictions—but was the country ready to fully open?
24 min
977
Hospice for Profit
End-of-life care is full of people looking for a big return on little effort.
26 min
978
How To End Political Violence (From an Ex-Gang ...
Curtis Toler on using the future to reduce harm in the present, Part 2.
35 min
979
TBD | Tesla’s No Good, Very Bad Year
Elon Musk promised an “epic end of year” to Tesla investors in 2022. But the stock crashed instead. What happened?
28 min
980
TBD | Why the Feds Want to Kill Noncompetes
How the proliferation of noncompete clauses hurts workers and costs the economy billions.
19 min
981
How They Got El Chapo’s Son
At least 29 people died in a raid to capture “the baby” of the Sinaloa cartel.
23 min
982
A Sex Crimes Lawyer's New Mission
A new law in New York might not get survivors "justice." But it could get them money.
27 min
983
Mr. Santos Goes to Washington
He’s made it to Congress—but what exactly did he get away with?
21 min
984
McCarthy’s Road to Speaker
After 15 votes, he got the gavel. Now the real work begins.
23 min
985
TBD | How War in Taiwan Could Short-Circuit U.S...
Why the Biden administration views microchip manufacturing as an issue of national security.
22 min
986
TBD | Will Southwest Be Held Accountable?
Why consumers can’t vote with their feet when it comes to flying.
25 min
987
Trapped on the Streets of El Paso
Thousands on the border are watching the uncertain future of a COVID-era immigration order.
22 min
988
The "Grooming" Panic's Real Origins
The Respect for Marriage Act was signed against a backdrop of violent threats being leveled at the LGBTQ community—what’s behind the backlash?
22 min
989
Nancy Pelosi’s Legacy
What the strongest Speaker of the House of the modern era got right…and wrong.
27 min
990
One Year 1942: The Black-Japanese Axis
A shadowy organization, a mysterious leader, and an alleged conspiracy against America during World War II.
36 min
991
One Year 1942: When Internment Came to Alaska
The U.S. military claimed it was protecting Indigenous Alaskans during World War II. The real story is much darker.
38 min
992
One Year 1942: The Info Wars of World War II
How the Nazis used radio propaganda as a weapon against the United States.
44 min
993
One Year 1942: The Year Everyone Got Married
In 1942, matrimony was a national obsession. How would those weddings change America?
40 min
994
TBD | One Year - 1942: The Most Hated Man in Am...
In 1942, it was up to Leon Henderson to stop inflation. He became a nationwide villain.
43 min
995
2022 Retrospective | Dua Lipa’s Copyright Problem
Did the "Levitating" singer rip off other artists? Or should courts stop rewarding musicians for being so litigious?
23 min
996
2022 Retrospective | How Soccer's Best Women Fi...
The US Women’s National Soccer team fought for six years to secure equal pay for equal work.
26 min
997
2022 Retrospective | Amazon Gets Its First Union
A scrappy group of Davids has bested Goliath.
24 min
998
2022 Retrospective | What the Sackler Family Won
The people behind Purdue Pharma and the reckless marketing of OxyContin are about to pay out billions in return for civil immunity.
25 min
999
TBD | Are You Ready For Lab-Grown Meat?
Many of the issues with lab-grown meat directly contradict what makes enthusiasts excited in the first place.
28 min
1000
TBD | SBF's Worst Week Yet
Legal action against the former head of FTX and hearings on Capitol Hill expose just how bad things are at the once-dominant crypto exchange.
33 min