Podcast Episodes

How Colleges Can Fight Back

The Trump administration is using federal money—and the withholding thereof—as a way to bring universities like Columbia and Penn to heel. But institutes of higher education have not yet begun to fig…

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

Bezos 2.0

During his first term, President Trump and Jeff Bezos openly sparred with each other. During this second administration, though, it seems like Bezos is trying to endear himself - and his companies - …

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

TBD | Trump's War on Scientific Research

The National Institutes of Health is the primary engine of biomedical research around the world, which makes the Trump administration's dramatic cuts to its grant program both confusing and potential…

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

Trump’s Animal-Spirit Economy

The economy that Donald Trump inherited from Joe Biden had low unemployment, slowing inflation, and a growing GDP. So what is he trying to achieve by imposing heavy tariffs on our allies and trading …

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

A "Made for TV" Deportation Policy

Mass deportations were a big part of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and now in office, he’s making good on the wide-sweeping aspects of his policy, though the numbers aren’t yet massive. M…

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

Is this the End of Sesame Street?

Educational, entertaining, and about as universally beloved as any part of American life, how did Sesame Street find itself cutting staff and searching for a new broadcasting home?

Guest: David Kamp, …

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

Democrats Had a Rare Opportunity. They Blinked.

Last week, Democrats averted a government shutdown—by voting for a MAGA-friendly Continuing Resolution, which may have just handed even greater power to Trump. Why?

Guest: Josh Marshall, editor-in-chi…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

TBD | How Trump Is Trying to Kill Press Freedom

With a Trump-friendly Supreme Court and a contentious relationship with the press, could Donald Trump follow through on his 2016 campaign goal of making it easier to sue media companies for libel—and…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Bonus Main Character: Meghan Markle Could Use a Win

From television, to a royal wedding…and back to TV, Meghan Markle is carving out her own niche.

Guest: Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay, cohosts of Slate’s ICYMI.

This episode is member-exclusive. Listen t…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

TBD | Will Tesla Survive Elon Musk?

The public’s anger towards Elon Musk and DOGE has found an outlet in the form of Musk’s car company Tesla. How long can the company put up with a sinking reputation and stock price? 

Guest: Pranshu Ve…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago