Podcast Episodes

TBD | What Would Convince a Lab Leak Skeptic?

It was reported this week that the U.S. Department of Energy now believes, “with low confidence,” that the COVID-19 virus came from a lab. But is there enough evidence for the “lab leak theory” to co…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Will SCOTUS Kill Student Loan Relief?

President Biden’s student loan debt relief plan goes before the Supreme Court this week. Though the court’s conservative majority seems opposed to the program, debt-relief detractors are struggling t…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Why Insulin Prices Keep Rising

It’s a rare bi-partisan point of agreement: the price of insulin is too high—and it’s still rising. With the stakes literally life-or-death for millions of Americans, what can be done?

Guest: Bram Sab…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

When Politicians Need Mental Healthcare

When John Fetterman checked himself into a hospital for clinical depression in mid-February, he was praised by both parties and public health officials for his bravery. But not long ago, being diagno…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing’s Crackdown on Hong Kong Dissidents

When Beijing passed a new law that harshly penalized protests in Hong Kong, activists and dissident groups had to choose whether to shut down or get out. Now, 47 pro-democracy activists are facing ch…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

TBD | Is a 25-Year-Old’s Brain Mature?

New understandings of how our brains develop are changing how the law considers who is mature and who isn’t. But If our brains are still developing, when can the law treat us like adults? 

Guest: Jane…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

TBD | Why A.I. Says the Darndest Things

Microsoft has been testing out their new artificial intelligence on their long-ridiculed search engine Bing. The results? A chatbot that lies brazenly and confidently, and has a penchant for manipula…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

Ukraine’s War Is Its New Normal

The sound of air raid sirens in Kiev are almost comforting to one Ukrainian journalist—it means the air defense system still works. But even with the Russians running low on weaponry, he doesn’t see …

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

When an Earthquake Hits a Civil War

How getting recovery aid and assistance to Turkey and northern Syria has been complicated by on-going aftershocks from the earthquake and the reverberations of the Syrian civil war. 

Guests:  

Louisa L…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago

The Ohio Trainwreck Blame Game

How a derailed train and the dark cloud of chemical burn off over East Palestine, Ohio, came to confirm everything you think is wrong with everything.

Guest: Ben Mathis-Lilley, Slate staff writer

If yo…

Published on 2 years, 10 months ago