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.
201
How Daniel Penny Walked Free
What a “non-guilty” verdict reveals about New York, the law, and the idea of public safety.
26 min
202
Why United Healthcare Is Easy to Hate
Many Americans responded with scorn, not sympathy, to CEO Brian Thompson’s death.
23 min
203
The End of Assad in Syria
Rebel forces have taken Damascus, and the country’s dictator has fled to Moscow. Now what?
26 min
204
TBD | Spotify Trapped
How to unwrap your musical taste from the algorithm
23 min
205
TBD | The Influencer Administration
Trump is packing his administration with social media stars who are selling products, promoting brands and communicating with the public in unprecedented ways.
25 min
206
Even Trump Loyalists Are Scared Of Kash Patel
Members of the last Trump administration cringed at the idea of Patel helping to lead the FBI or the CIA—but there’s no one to say no this time.
24 min
207
Martial Law (Briefly) in South Korea
The declaration barely lasted a few hours, but could have lasting effects on the nation’s democracy.
21 min
208
Did Biden Break the Presidential Pardon?
If he wasn’t Hunter Biden, he wouldn’t be pardoned. But if he wasn’t Hunter Biden, would he have been tried in the first place?
20 min
209
The House’s Gift to Trump
Under an unimpeachable name, the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” hides something pernicious.
23 min
210
TBD | When Your Flight’s GPS Gets Spoofed
Drone warfare is commonplace. Commercial planes are collateral damage.
22 min
211
TBD | The Post-Election Social Media Wars
Is this the end of having one, shared “digital public square”?
24 min
212
Decoder Ring | If You Give a Mouse a Cookie…Wil...
How a popular children’s book got caught up in the culture wars.
33 min
213
Which Came First, the Bird Flu or the Egg?
Bird flu has made the leap to mammals and the impact is already at the grocery store.
21 min
214
A New Strategy for Banning Abortion
The latest attempt to ban medication for abortions uses some old, ugly arguments in a new, ugly way.
20 min
215
When Jesus Is on the Curriculum
The Texas State Board of Education takes a particular—and potentially unconstitutional—point of view of religion and history.
22 min
216
TBD | Is Sickle Cell Anemia…Cured?
The new treatment is painful and expensive. It could also be life-saving.
28 min
217
Bonus: The Surge | A Fumble Right Out the Gaetz
Jim Newell from Slate’s The Surge newsletter joins Mary for a Slate Plus exclusive.
23 min
218
TBD | What's Google Without Chrome?
Does the search giant’s break-up begin with its browser?
20 min
219
Mass Deportation How?
It seems unimaginable, but it’s not without historical precedent.
23 min
220
Trump’s Shadow Cabinet
The unelected czars running the Trump administration — no Senate approval required.
25 min
221
Welcome to Trump City, USA
Why did Democrats lose so many urban voters in 2024?
24 min
222
Jamie Raskin: “We Can’t Let The Fear Paralyze Us”
He led Trump’s second impeachment effort. Now he’s preparing for Trump’s second term.
21 min
223
TBD | The X-odus
So long and thanks for all the clicks
22 min
224
Bonus: The Surge | Enter the Goon Squad
Jim Newell from Slate’s The Surge newsletter joins Mary for a Slate Plus exclusive.
22 min
225
TBD | The Manosphere That Delivered Trump Back ...
Deeply retrograde, reactionary politics find life in the new media landscape.
18 min