What Next | Daily News and Analysis
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.
Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/whatnextplus for access wherever you listen.
76
The Qatari Plane Is Just The Start
If you give a mouse a jumbo jet…
22 min
77
Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy
Israel keeps getting surprised by the mercurial American president.
24 min
78
David Hogg Wants Democratic Politicians to Be A...
The call is coming from inside the party.
23 min
79
The War Over Pete Hegseth
How is the Secretary of Defense still hanging in there?
23 min
80
TBD | Online and Pregnant
A conversation with NYT's critic Amanda Hess about her new book.
30 min
81
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.
3 min
82
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
83
Yes, Shelves Will Be Empty
The consequences of “Liberation Day” are about 5-7 weeks out. It’s going to get ugly.
26 min
84
The Arts of the Deal
How Trump is imposing his will on the arts, from the Kennedy Center outward.
26 min
85
A Marco Rubio for All Seasons
The journey from “Little Marco” to Trump’s do-everything cabinet member.
26 min
86
Trump v. the Judiciary
Time to find out how coequal these branches really are.
24 min
87
TBD | How Elon Wields Power
You can’t run the country like a company. Musk is learning that the hard way.
30 min
88
TBD | Marc Andreessen’s New Deal
How the Silicon Valley kingmaker became a Washington mover and shaker.
22 min
89
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Trumpism comes to Congress.
24 min
90
Inside the ICE Prison Holding Student Detainees
After visiting Rümeysa Öztürk in Louisiana, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has some recommendations for the Democrats.
25 min
91
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
92
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
93
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
94
TBD | The Immigration Data Dragnet
25 min
95
The Flight Attendant Who Wants You to Go on Strike
Is organized labor the sleeping giant that could stop Trump’s agenda?
23 min
96
Fed Up!
Why the White House has turned on its own Federal Reserve appointee.
24 min
97
Ciao Papa
Remembering what made Pope Francis special.
23 min
98
Why Did Big Law Fold So Easily?
What kind of high-powered law firm just gives in like that?
23 min
99
TBD | The Baby Monitor Trap
How a device designed to give parents some space demands that they pay more attention than ever.
25 min
100
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