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.
126
TBD | The Great Celebrity Spotify Playlist Hack
What the “Panama Playlists” revealed, other than JD Vance’s taste.
23 min
127
Could Artificial Blood Save Lives?
The hunt for a shelf-stable, life-saving substitute for human blood.
23 min
128
What the John Bolton Raid Means
Scooch over, National Guard, and make room for a “chilling effect” descending on Washington.
24 min
129
The Man Behind Trump’s Firing of Lisa Cook
Meet the president's attack dog.
27 min
130
The Womanosphere Wants To Make America Hot Again
Is the future of MAGA female?
27 min
131
TBD | Trump Vs. Cancer Research
Wait, it’s ‘Vs. Cancer,’ right? No? Wow.
26 min
132
TBD | The CDC Under Fire
A widespread suspicion of public health—something HHS head RFK Jr. does nothing to tamp down—has metastasized into something much more dangerous.
21 min
133
D.C’s Senator Knew This Would Happen
Sen. Ankit Jain says, “we need to be willing to enforce red lines.’
26 min
134
Can Trump Kill Mail-In Ballots?
The president returned from Alaska with a surprising new fixation.
24 min
135
Zelensky Brings a Posse to Washington
Putin, Zelensky, and Europe vie for Trump’s ear.
22 min
136
How Trump Brought Home a Murderer
Trump’s immigration enforcement defies both logic and the justice system.
23 min
137
TBD | Down the Text-Scam Rabbit Hole
Ever wonder what happens if you accept one of those SPAM-text job offers?
29 min
138
Bonus: Kill Tony, Alive and Thriving
Since making a joke too racist even for Donald Trump, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe has only become more powerful.
3 min
139
TBD | Trump Dips into NVIDIA’s Chips
Trump takes a page from China’s book of “state capitalism” with a dubiously legal export fee.
23 min
140
In Gaza, Journalism Is a Death Sentence
Targeting journalists is a war crime. Does Israel care?
25 min
141
Why Washington, D.C.
Thanks to quirks of the district, Trump gets to watch the troops he deployed right out the window.
25 min
142
South Park Understands the Assignment
MAGA’s not offended, of course, but not for want of effort.
29 min
143
Gutting Our National Parks
“America’s best idea” slams into some of its worst tendencies.
25 min
144
TBD | Here Comes the A.I. Music Slop
No singer, no songwriter, all slop…but paid equally.
26 min
145
TBD | What Happened After Meta Fired Its Fact-C...
The truth is, Zuckerberg’s new system isn’t working very well.
25 min
146
Donald Trump Vs. Reality Itself
You can’t change the weather by firing the weatherman. The rain will fall.
23 min
147
A Rabbi’s Plea for Peace
More than a thousand Jewish leaders want an end to starvation in Gaza. She’s one of them.
27 min
148
Don’t Mess With Texas’s Election Maps
The Lone Star State’s attempt to tip the House of Representatives to the GOP could have nationwide repercussions.
24 min
149
Was Democracy Voted Out?
Is America still a democracy? Was it ever?
22 min
150
TBD | The A.I. Data Center Push That Wasn't
The Trump administration touted Stargate as a 500 billion dollar investment in American data centers. So far, it hasn't panned out.
24 min