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.
126
The War Over Pete Hegseth
How is the Secretary of Defense still hanging in there?
23 min
127
TBD | Online and Pregnant
A conversation with NYT's critic Amanda Hess about her new book.
30 min
128
Bonus | Main Character Syndrome: Your Mom
In honor of Mother’s Day, Dear Prudence’s Jenée Desmond-Harris (no relation) stops by to chat about being a mom—and the option to not be one.
17 min
129
TBD | Chatbots All The Way Down
Why AI companies are giving you the tech you want, but maybe not the tech you need.
22 min
130
Yes, Shelves Will Be Empty
The consequences of “Liberation Day” are about 5-7 weeks out. It’s going to get ugly.
26 min
131
The Arts of the Deal
How Trump is imposing his will on the arts, from the Kennedy Center outward.
26 min
132
A Marco Rubio for All Seasons
The journey from “Little Marco” to Trump’s do-everything cabinet member.
26 min
133
Trump v. the Judiciary
Time to find out how coequal these branches really are.
24 min
134
TBD | How Elon Wields Power
You can’t run the country like a company. Musk is learning that the hard way.
30 min
135
TBD | The Discourse: Here Come the Tariffs
Retail CEOs and consumers are starting to feel Trump's tariffs. How will they react?
12 min
136
TBD | Marc Andreessen’s New Deal
How the Silicon Valley kingmaker became a Washington mover and shaker.
22 min
137
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Trumpism comes to Congress.
24 min
138
Inside the ICE Prison Holding Student Detainees
After visiting Rümeysa Öztürk in Louisiana, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has some recommendations for the Democrats.
25 min
139
Will HHS Survive RFK Jr?
100 days into this second Trump administration, RFK Jr.’s already spreading misinformation about autism—and failing to confront a deadly measles outbreak.
22 min
140
Are Public Schools the Supreme Court's Next Tar...
Two cases regarding religion in the classroom could upend public education as we have known it.
27 min
141
TBD | Death of the Weather Forecast?
Climate and weather aren’t the same thing, but the Trump administration would have you understand neither one.
23 min
142
Bonus: Behind the “Sinners” Smear Campaign
The ICYMI team stops by to answer the question: “When is $60 million not enough?”
18 min
143
TBD | The Immigration Data Dragnet
How DOGE is helping create a more “efficient” surveillance state.
25 min
144
The Flight Attendant Who Wants You to Go on Strike
Is organized labor the sleeping giant that could stop Trump’s agenda?
23 min
145
Fed Up!
Why the White House has turned on its own Federal Reserve appointee.
24 min
146
Ciao Papa
Remembering what made Pope Francis special.
23 min
147
Why Did Big Law Fold So Easily?
What kind of high-powered law firm just gives in like that?
23 min
148
TBD | The Baby Monitor Trap
How a device designed to give parents some space demands that they pay more attention than ever.
25 min
149
TBD | The Discourse: Slate Decrypts Cryptocurrency
A snippet of our Zoom event on Slate's crypto package.
13 min
150
TBD | The U.S. vs Meta
The U.S. alleges Meta has a social media monopoly. Meta claims that in 2025, that's simply not true.
20 min