

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
Mentioned books

May 14, 2025 • 17min
QUICK HIT: Revisiting Crimea: A Forgotten Perspective
As questions swirl about possible direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, war correspondent Hollie McKay highlights a disputed area that both countries claim: Crimea. We find Crimea at the beginning of the story of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and now as potential key part of the end. What's going on and why it matters, with Hollie McKay. Russia, Ukraine set for first direct talks since war began with U.S. present SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 13, 2025 • 34min
QUICK HIT: Growing Up On Alcatraz
Could "The Rock" ever reopen? President Trump says he wants to take a closer look at the prison, that "represents something strong when it comes to law and order." What should we know about one of America's most notorious prisons? Jolene Babyak grew up on Alcatraz and has become one of the nation's leading experts on the prison. She joins us with some insider perpsective on life on the island and what to consider about its future. Jolene Babyak SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 12, 2025 • 51min
SCOOP: Stop Kissing Your Chickens (And Other Breaking News)
We kick-off the week with a LIVE press conference from President Trump on a new proposal by the administration to lower drug prices, news on tariffs/China, and a preview of a pivotal case sitting before the Supreme Court. Plus ~ important context to a now viral exchange between the Department of Homeland Security Secretary and Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) over the fate of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 9, 2025 • 17min
ANYTHING BUT POLITICS: Mother Of All Stories
The significance of a mother's love, from the mother of Pope Leo (the first American pope in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church), to the mother who inspired Mother's Day itself. Plus a special personal Mother's Day reflection from Jenna. Chicago Sun-Times article on new Pope Leo Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 8, 2025 • 15min
QUICK HIT: Two Nuclear Nations On Edge
What to know about tension rising between two nuclear powers: India and Pakistan. The high stakes of the latest conflict involving Kashmir and why it has captured the world's attention. Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 7, 2025 • 9min
QUICK HIT: The 100+ Year-Old Law At The Center Of Diddy's Case
The federal case against Sean Combs begins this week, and historic context matters. The Mann Act, of 1910, is central to the charges he faces. We cover the law's origins and its application in notable cases. Plus what to watch for next. ~~~~ 00:00 Introduction to the Case Against Sean Combs 01:30 Understanding the Mann Act and Its Historical Context 02:51 The Application of the Mann Act in Notable Cases 06:10 Racial Dynamics and Legal Arguments in Combs's Case 08:33 Trial Expectations and Future Developments ~~~~ Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 6, 2025 • 31min
QUICK HIT: A Ukrainian MP & Mom Explains Why The War Hasn’t Ended
SmartHER With Ukrainian lawmaker, Inna Sovsun, join us from Kyiv. A current member of Ukraine's parliament and mother of a school-aged son, Inna revisits SmartHER News to update us on life in a war zone – from policy calculations to parental considerations. She describes a recent close-call, reveals the complexities of the current nuanced "peace" negotiations, shares insights on the investment fund constructed between the U.S. and Ukraine, and weighs-in on what she believes is key to peace. Plus ~ how her experience as a parent has shaped her as a leader, and recalls one recent heartbreaking conversation with her son. A rare glimpse of into life in Ukraine. Follow Inna on Instagram: @Sovsun and on X @innasovsun SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 5, 2025 • 54min
SCOOP: New ID, New Pope and New Concerns At A Major American Airport
Plus ~ a sneak peek at a poignant interview on the way forward in Ukraine. SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 2, 2025 • 20min
ANYTHING BUT POLITICS: Living Abroad During One Of Europe's Worst Power Outages
One of the worst power outages in Europe *ever* happened this week, and no one knows exactly what caused it. Meg James joins us – an American mom, an entrepreneur living in Spain with her family - who rode out the power outage in Madrid with some lessons learned. She shares on the ground perspective on this unusual news story while also providing some inspiration for other American families looking to live abroad. Meg's website: https://goanddogood.com/ Meg's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goanddogood SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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

May 1, 2025 • 12min
QUICK HIT: Should Your Taxes Pay For A Religious Charter School?
Does the Constitution REQUIRE your taxpayer money to fund a charter school developed by the Catholic church? The Supreme Court hears a case that could potentially green light the first faith-based charter school in the nation. Jenna breaks down the two sides, that each claim the other violates the U.S. Constitution. SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! 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


