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...
Latest episodes
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41 min
Trump Slashed Healthcare. Is It Payback Time?
Even as anxiety rises over the price of gas, Americans still have the capacity to worry about their health care costs. This is one issue the Democrats have the public’s trust on—an…
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27 min
Can this Marine Flip a Border Seat?
Arizona’s 6th congressional district has been one of the most hotly contested races for several election cycles. JoAnna Mendoza, a former marine, is running as a Ddemocrat and coul…
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7 min
Plus: How We Survive the News
Live from Virginia Public Media in Richmond, Mary Harris sat down with Reveal's Al Letson and On the Media's Micah Loewinger to discuss contentious interviews, Pentagon influencers…
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36 min
When A.I. Regulates Itself
Everyone wants A.I. to be regulated—including the major A.I. companies like Anthropic and OpenAI. There’s just one problem… they want to have a say in what regulation looks like fo…
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33 min
Ban Frats
The sexual assault allegations against seven Cornell fraternity members has sparked a debate about the role of Greek life on college campuses. But maybe the solution is to get rid…
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30 min
How Trump Abandoned Ukraine
Trump has long harbored resentment towards Ukraine. But his latest olive branch to Putin marks a turning point in how he views the region—and how Ukrainians view us.Guests: Romeo K…
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40 min
How Far Can Trumpism Go Without Trump?
One thing that’s clear about this midterm cycle? Voters are mad about Trump. The war in Iran and an affordability crisis back home are paving the way for a blue wave. And yet, desp…
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31 min
The Independent Who Might Cost the GOP the Senate
The last time Nebraska sent a non-Republican to the US Senate, George W. Bush joked that his nickname was “Dino”—for Democrat-in-name-only. But this year, independent Dan Osborn ha…
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25 min
How Hormones Took Over Your Feed
Perimenopause’s journey from little-understood phase before menopause to the subject of every ad on social media for women of a certain age was quick—and impossible to imagine with…
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38 min
How the End Times Became the Far Right’s Philosophy
Our current fascists are obsessed with the apocalypse—it drives everything they do, from stoking anti-immigration fervor around the world to wanting to colonize Mars. But why run f…
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38 min
Will Your Vote Count In The Midterms?
Democrats are excited about the prospect of a blue wave, with their Senate candidates leading races in Texas and Georgia. But beyond the races, there’s a separate issue in those st…
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28 min
Is This How a Red State Socialist Wins?
Up against #Resistance superstar Alexander Vindman, Angie Nixon overcame a huge spending gap to win the Democratic primary to run for a US Senate seat in Florida. As she now runs i…
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21 min
Platypus Economics | The Hidden Force Dragging Down Consumer Sentiment
While the What Next team recovers over the holiday, enjoy this episode from our friends over at Platypus Economics. Mary will be back to her usual feed tomorrow.Americans feel almo…
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8 min
Bonus: What Cornell Says About “Duty Of Care”
How the Cornell University rape allegations show we’re not really “post-MeToo.”This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only…
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39 min
The Making of Elon Musk
An exchange of insults on X was all that director Alex Gibney got directly from the main character of his new documentary, “Musk.” But by interviewing his business partners, father…
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31 min
What Happens After a Blue Wave
Voters are angry and it looks like they’re eager to express themselves in the midterm elections. But even if Democrats take both chambers of Congress, they won’t have the power to…
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35 min
What Pablo Torre Is Finding Out
How Steve Ballmer, the richest owner in sports, was caught dead to rights by a humble podcaster, and what lessons the media and public can take from courtside seats to the halls of…
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39 min
Hasan Piker and Adam Mockler Are Ready for Something New
From Michigan to Florida to Texas, there are new Democrats in town and on the ballot. But other than novelty, what do these candidates have in common? Guests:Hasan Piker, political…
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34 min
The GOP Killed His District. He’s Not Giving Up.
Democrat Justin Pearson made national headlines in 2023 when he expelled from Tennessee’s general assembly while trying to talk about gun reform after a school shooting. That same…
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4 min
Off the Record: This Bot Was Made for You and Me
Move over, New Deal; Donald Trump is in his public works era, using tax dollars to give the American people a…chatbot and also what looks like a campaign ad for the president, even…