SmartHERNews

Jenna Lee

Life is too short to waste time filtering through headlines searching for the facts. That’s when we realized the need for a quick, trustworthy news source that makes staying up-to-date easy and interesting. Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it. And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind. Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews. SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.

Episodes

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Apr 2, 2025 • 9min

QUICK HIT: Booker’s Speech, Proxy Votes for New Moms, & Evidence of Who Killed JFK?

This week's top headlines in a quick midweek wrap-up! Senator Cory Booker's historic speech in the Senate (he made history several hours after our recording - read more here) Proposed legislation for remote voting for new mothers Ongoing investigations into the JFK assassination The federal government's pursuit of the death penalty in a high-profile murder case. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Apr 1, 2025 • 15min

Quick Hit: "It's a horrific event." A Former Tanker On The Mystery Surrounding America's Four Missing Soldiers

The sudden disappearance of 4 American soldiers near Lithuania's border with Belarus received worldwide attention for both the urgency of the story and the mystery. The search and rescue, and the subsequent recovery efforts, have been described as an engineering feat of herculean proportions. How did this happen? What should we consider? Mike "Main Gun" Bajema served more than 20 years in the U.S. military, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. As a retired Armor Officer, he commanded multiple units from Company to Battalion, which included not only tanks but M88s - the military vehicle at the center of the story. Mike helps explain the importance of the location where this incident took place, what potential dangers to consider, and what questions to ask moving forward to prevent it from happening again. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 31, 2025 • 60min

QUICK HIT: What To Know About The Newly Released JFK Files: "Too Much Secrecy Makes People Suspicious"

It's been about a week since the release of new, unredacted documents from the JFK assasination investigation. So what have we actually learned? Author Fred Litwin shares his journey from a curious 18 year-old to a passionate researcher of the JFK assassination. He discusses his initial fascination with the case, the evolution of conspiracy theories, and his belief in the lone gunman theory. Litwin emphasizes the importance of evidence over speculation, critiques the role of secrecy in shaping public perception, and expresses a desire for more transparency regarding historical documents. He also explores the potential influence of Russian propaganda on American beliefs about the assassination. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 26, 2025 • 23min

QUICK HIT: A Reporter's Notebook On This Week's Bombshell National Security Scoop

A reporter's notebook on the latest story from The Atlantic by Jeffrey Goldberg, who describes finding himself on a text string belonging to some of America's most powerful leaders as they discuss the lead-up to a military campaign targeting terrorists in Yemen. We discuss not only what Goldberg reported but HOW he reported it. Jenna shares her approach to the story and what to watch for next - Plus, something you won't see anywhere else: a reporter's guidebook from World War II that belonged to Jenna's grandfather who worked a correspondent, embedded with Allied forces. Does this guidance still hold true? What do you think? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sensitive Correspondence 01:15 The Atlantic's Report on War Plans 03:57 The Role of Jeffrey Goldberg 06:51 National Security Implications 10:03 Ethics in Journalism 14:59 Historical Context of Reporting 19:10 Questions of Ethics and Security 22:03 Public Trust in Journalism and Leadership SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 25, 2025 • 7min

QUICK HIT: Department of ED: Was It Doomed from the Start?

Why did The New York Times question the creation of the Department of Education back in 1979 — the very year it was founded? In this episode of SmartHER News, we take a closer look at the ongoing debate over the future of education in America. With recent calls to dissolve the Department of Education, we revisit a historic NYT editorial titled “An Illusion of Education Reform” and explore the concerns raised about union power, funding disparities, and federal vs. local leadership. How can we improve education today? Is it time to rethink the system entirely? Join the conversation and share your thoughts! hello@smarthernews.com SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 24, 2025 • 10min

miniSCOOP: From Big Headlines to the Big Leagues & The Lessons Of Cherry Blossoms

The stories to have on your radar for the week ahead - plus, a historic moment for reflection. SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mar 21, 2025 • 9min

ANYTHING BUT POLITICS: Is Pink ... The New Black ... For Prisoners?

A Texas sheriff believes the color pink may be the missing secret sauce for his jail. In this Friday edition of our "Anything But Politics" segment, Jenna maps out the arguments for and against the fashion choice for prisoners. Plus, a related tangent: we tell you a bit about the woman behind this quote and why she mattered: “If Mabel had worn trousers, she could have been president.” Show Notes: Sheriff's FB Post Houston Chronicle Mabel Walker Willebrandt Federal Bureau of Prisons SUPPORT OUR MISSION Shop our gear! If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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