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.
1401
COVID’s Lasting Toll on Kids
The kids aren’t alright.
23 min
1402
A Republican With an Actual Climate Plan
Why a former congressman from Florida has hope.
25 min
1403
The Biden-McConnell Relationship
Friends with deficits.
26 min
1404
Did the Media Fail the Trump Years?
A Trump-era post-mortem for the press.
20 min
1405
TBD | Why the Vaccine Websites Suck
The states’ struggles with digital delivery started long before 2020.
26 min
1406
What Biden Can Get Done
The new president has a very tangible task before him. Unlike in other national crises, our government’s success -- or failure -- will be plain to see.
21 min
1407
What It Will Take to Remake America Great
Barack Obama’s inaugural poet weighs in.
24 min
1408
Congressman Tim Ryan is Pissed
Why he’s nervous about the week ahead.
23 min
1409
TBD | Where the Far Right Is Meeting Now
Extreme groups have been banned from mainstream social media platforms. Is that a good thing?
16 min
1410
Don’t Forget Georgia
An assault on the Capitol notwithstanding, American democracy is still kicking.
27 min
1411
Working Through L.A.’s COVID Nightmare
One EMS doctor’s struggle to stay optimistic.
23 min
1412
The Best Way to Punish Trump
There are a few options on the table. None is perfect.
27 min
1413
He Saw the Storm Coming
This former DHS official warned that right-wing extremism was rising more than a decade ago.
24 min
1414
TBD | Deplatforming the President
With just 12 days left in his term, the social media giants have relieved the president of his megaphone.
17 min
1415
Inside the Capitol Under Siege
“The real fear came from the lawlessness of it.”
26 min
1416
One Last Absurd Attempt to Overturn the Election
It’s not going to work, but it’s going to chip away at our democracy anyway.
20 min
1417
The Vaccine Rollout Hits Some Bumps
A more infectious variant puts the states’ plans (or lack thereof) under even more pressure.
23 min
1418
All Eyes on Georgia
Run-off elections usually aren’t this big.
24 min
1419
Larry Kramer Wouldn't Be Quiet
How Kramer's uncompromising activism is a lesson for this moment.
22 min
1420
Remembering RBG
Justice Ginsburg’s theory of change was a slow one.
25 min
1421
Grief, Comedy, and COVID
Dying from the coronavirus isn't funny. Laurie Kilmartin is.
23 min
1422
Teaching Is Hell Right Now
“Remote learning” was hard. “Hybrid learning” is worse.
19 min
1423
A History of Violent Protest
Big structural change in America doesn’t happen without violence.
26 min
1424
He Saw the Coronavirus Coming
Where this pandemic originated, and how we can prevent the next one.
20 min
1425
Finally, a Deal
Is it perfect? No, of course not.
24 min