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.


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Daily News
News Commentary
Politics
1
2025: The Advice of the Year
In a year when things felt out of control, this advice kept us grounded.
28 min
2
2025: The Movie(s) of the Year
Two films especially felt like they couldn’t have come out at any other time.
31 min
3
2025: The Game of the Year
One man’s presence loomed over U.S. sports, like a xenophobic Goodyear Blimp.
25 min
4
TBD | 2025: The Meme of the Year
22 min
5
TBD | Is the A.I. Bubble Bursting? | 2025 in Re...
An “A.I. hater” makes the case.
34 min
6
A Rabbi’s Plea for Peace | 2025 in Review
More than a thousand Jewish leaders want an end to starvation in Gaza. She’s one of them.
31 min
7
Gutting Our National Parks | 2025 in Review
27 min
8
He Wrote About Anti-Fascism—Then Fled the Count...
34 min
9
The Flight Attendant Who Wants You to Go on Str...
27 min
10
TBD | We Made a Memecoin | 2025 in Review
Because—how hard could it be?
31 min
11
Bonus: SchadenFriday: Spewing Bile and Susie Wiles
She meant he has an “alcoholic’s personality” in a good way, probably.
7 min
12
TBD | Data Center Space Race
Elon is eyeing two birds with one IPO.
22 min
13
Why Antisemitism Is Everywhere
Australia’s mass shooting is just the latest attack on Jews. Why is antisemitism rising? And who should be responsible for stopping it?
26 min
14
The Unaffordable Economy
With tariffs dragging us down, Fed governors are torn on what to do with interest rates.
28 min
15
Candace Owens at a Turning Point
The far-right can’t condone what she’s saying—but can’t look away either.
24 min
16
The Boot Camps Treating Kids’ Pain
Where does teaching pain tolerance end and further trauma begin?
27 min
17
TBD | Whole Shopping List
You can’t buy Tide PODS at Whole Foods. Amazon is trying to fix that.
20 min
18
TBD | Ready for Chatbot Canvassers?
Democracy dies in Chatbots.
26 min
19
His Mom Got Deported. Then He Went Viral.
How Tony Vara used his popular TikTok account to document his family’s separation.
28 min
20
The Fight Over The Future of Movies
25 min
21
Healthcare Is Expensive. It’s About To Get Worse.
26 min
22
It’s the Alt-Right’s GOP Now
21 min
23
TBD | ChatGOP?
How AI is splitting the MAGA coalition.
19 min
24
SchadenFriday Plus: Feelin’ Nuzzi
The story all of your favorite journalists are groaning over.
4 min
25
TBD | The AI & Crypto Czar’s Conflicts
David Sacks is making policy in Washington. And it benefits his firm.
22 min