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.
1351
TBD | What Instagram Does to Teens
A leaked internal report concludes, “we make body issues worse for one in three teen girls.”
19 min
1352
The Vaccine Holdouts in the NBA
Players are getting penalized for being unvaccinated. That’s not stopping some high profile holdouts.
21 min
1353
Why a Hollywood #MeToo Organization Imploded
Time’s Up was founded to end workplace sexual harassment. It was brought down by mundane workplace gripes and a sycophantic approach to power.
22 min
1354
A Doctor’s Hardest Call
Who do you treat when you’re running out of resources?
23 min
1355
Death and Desperation at Rikers Island
Things at the country’s most notorious jail have worsened.
26 min
1356
TBD | Are We Getting COVID Testing All Wrong?
It may be time to reimagine how we use tests in the U.S.
25 min
1357
How Biden’s Agenda Could Fall Apart
The paranoid, high-stakes fight playing out among Congressional Democrats as they try to deliver everything at once.
24 min
1358
The Haitian Refugees Blocked at the Border
With disaster behind them and deportation ahead, what are fleeing Haitians supposed to do?
23 min
1359
Did Gen. Milley Go Too Far?
A new book is raising questions about General Mark Milley’s efforts to constrain an unpredictable president.
28 min
1360
God Doesn’t Want Me Vaccinated
Examining the religious claims of the COVID vaccine’s conscientious objectors.
25 min
1361
TBD | China vs. Video Games
Why is Beijing restricting young people’s gaming to three hours a week?
14 min
1362
The Plight of the Delivery Worker
New York City depended on them to get through the pandemic; why are they struggling to survive?
26 min
1363
Steve Bannon’s “War Room” is Mobilizing
How the far-right is taking control of the GOP’s election machinery.
27 min
1364
Why College Professors Have Had It
Educators were feeling burnt out before the pandemic. COVID just made things worse.
18 min
1365
Empty Shelves Everywhere
Global supply chains have been flipped upside down.
21 min
1366
TBD | Can This River Be Saved?
The 40 million people who rely on water from the Colorado River are running out of time.
17 min
1367
What 9/11 Did to My Life
The attacks were a nightmare. For many Muslim families, what followed was worse.
34 min
1368
Dying of COVID to Own The Libs
Conservative talk radio hosts still have a vaccine-hesitancy problem. It’s killing them.
21 min
1369
The Texans Fighting for Abortion Access
How do you prepare for an onslaught of lawsuits?
18 min
1370
TBD | The Rush for Ivermectin
Who’s profiting from the latest unproven COVID treatment craze?
19 min
1371
The Last-Ditch Effort to Get Afghans Out
The U.S. military has left, but volunteers are still pursuing a rescue mission.
20 min
1372
Why Paid Family Leave Might Finally Happen
The pandemic laid bare just how little support caretakers have. Is Congress ready to change that?
25 min
1373
Why Flying Sucks Lately
Airlines are managing chaos in the best of circumstances -- and this summer has been particularly chaotic.
23 min
1374
Afghanistan’s Power Vacuum
Two suicide bombings at the Kabul airport beg the question of whether even the Taliban have control in Afghanistan.
19 min
1375
TBD | Elizabeth Holmes on Trial
The founder of Theranos faces criminal charges in court next week. Here’s what to expect.
21 min