
1 big thing
Axios podcast host Niala Boodhoo digs deep with leaders you know — or need to know — in business, politics and culture. Every week, all in under 20 minutes.About Axios: Axios is a digital media company launched in 2017. Axios helps you become smarter, faster with news and information across politics, tech, business, media, science and the world. Subscribe to our newsletters at axios.com/newsletters and download our mobile app at axios.com/app. About Niala Boodhoo: Niala Boodhoo is the host of 1 big thing and previously hosted Axios Today She was the founding Host and Executive Producer of the award-winning news program The 21st. An alum of Reuters, The Miami Herald and WBEZ/Chicago, Niala was a 2019-2020 Knight-Wallace fellow.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2023 • 11min
Conservative wins close out the the Supreme Court term
On Friday the Supreme Court struck down the President’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans.
And, the Supreme Court rules businesses can refuse service to LGBTQ+ customers
Plus, protests in France continue, following the police killing of an unarmed French teenager of North African descent
Also, how to protect your scared dog during 4th of July fireworks
Guests: Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post reporter on the economics of higher education, and Axios’ Sam Baker.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s student loan relief plan
Supreme Court rules businesses can refuse service to LGBTQ+ customers
How to calm scared dogs during fireworks shows

Jun 30, 2023 • 11min
The end of affirmative action for college admissions
The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the use of affirmative action. Colleges and universities may no longer explicitly consider an applicant’s race when deciding admissions.Plus, bringing lesbian bars back from the brink of extinction.Guests: Axios’ Sam Baker, Megan Rose Dickey, Jessica Boehm, Alissa Widman Neese and Arika Herron.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action at colleges
Ending affirmative action is watershed moment for higher education
Why finding a lesbian bar near you is almost impossible

Jun 29, 2023 • 11min
Beating the “last mile” of inflation
President Biden was in Chicago on Wednesday touting so-called “Bidenomics.” But its biggest challenge may be winning the last mile of the inflation race -- a problem echoed across much of the world.
Plus, a new effort to prevent drowning deaths.
And, dangerous Canadian wildfire smoke clouds U.S. skies -- again.
Guests: Axios’ Courtenay Brown and California Water Safety Coalition's Will Koon.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Why the last mile of the inflation race may be hardest
Canada's wildfire smoke emissions break records
South Koreans wake up a year or two younger as new law takes effect
National Water Safety Action Plan

Jun 28, 2023 • 11min
Supreme Court denies conservative bid to control elections
The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied state legislatures the unchecked power to set rules for federal elections, in a 6-3 decision.Plus, malaria in the U.S., and more "mosquito days" across the country.Guests: Axios' Alex Fitzgerald and Adriel Bettelheim; The National Constitution Center's Jeffery Rosen.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Supreme Court rejects sweeping conservative bid to control elections
U.S. malaria cases reported for first time since 2003
Our endless mosquito season

Jun 27, 2023 • 11min
A summer of strikes
Workers across the country are headed to the picket line this summer, from Starbucks to Amazon. More than 10,000 workers have gone on strike so far just this month.
Plus, pedestrian deaths at a 40-year high in the U.S.
And, how the Titan disaster could affect private space travel.
Guests: Axios' Emily Peck, Miriam Kramer and Sam Baker.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Titanic sub tragedy stokes fears for space tourism
Pedestrian deaths reach 40-year high

Jun 26, 2023 • 11min
New cracks in Putin’s power
The Wagner Group led an armed uprising in Russia over the weekend that lasted 24 hours. It marked the most serious threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule since he took office, revealing what Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called “cracks.”Plus, a long heatwave tests the power grid — and people — of Texas.Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Andrew Freedman.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
What to know about Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group
Texas' scorching heat wave to expand, intensify
Charted: Same-sex households across the U.S.

Jun 23, 2023 • 12min
GOP retaliation, and a bad look for the Supreme Court
Hard-right House Republicans forced a vote Thursday on a resolution seeking to impeach President Biden. House Republicans voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif). And Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is defending his personal ties with billionaire hedge funder Paul Singer. It's the weekly politics State of Play.Plus, the sociocultural meaning of Barbie in 2023.Guests: Axios' David Lindsey and Jennifer KingsonCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go Deeper:
House GOP plans to bypass Biden impeachment vote
House votes to censure Trump antagonist Adam Schiff
Deconstructing Barbie

Jun 22, 2023 • 12min
FTC accuses Amazon of duping Prime customers
The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon on Wednesday for allegedly tricking millions of customers into signing up for Amazon Prime, as well as for making it hard to cancel Prime subscriptions.
Plus, new protections for pregnant workers.
And, wheelchair users fight for easier air travel.
Guests: Axios' Ashley Gold, Emily Peck and Alex Fitzpatrick.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
FTC sues Amazon for "tricking and trapping" Prime customers
New law protecting pregnant workers set to take effect — and it's a big deal
Wheelchair users fight for easier air travel

Jun 21, 2023 • 11min
Why the U.S. needs India now more than ever
President Biden welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House on Thursday. This is Modi's first U.S. state visit and the stakes are high for the relationship between the two nations.Plus, Hunter Biden reaches an agreement with the DOJ over tax and gun charges.Guests: Axios' Ryan Heath and Alex Thompson.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
Hunter Biden charged with gun felony and tax misdemeanors
Judge sets August trial date for Trump documents case

Jun 20, 2023 • 11min
America's paternity leave patchwork
Over the weekend millions celebrated Father’s Day in the U.S. But, when it comes to giving dads paid time off to care for their new children, America lags behind.
Plus, the U.S. and China say they’ll stabilize relations.
And, new summer reading recommendations.
Guests: Axios' Erica Pandey and The New York Times' Jessica Grose.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:
America’s paternity leave patchwork
Majority of countries guarantee paid paternity leave — but not the U.S.
Blinken has "robust conversation" with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing
Summer reading recommendations from Jessica Grose:
The Forgotten Girls, A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America
Big Swiss
Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood