

1 big thing
Axios
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2023 • 12min
A spirited and tense State of the Union address
President Biden delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, with a repeated message: “let’s finish the job.” Members of the GOP vocally objected to moments in the speech, and Biden responded.Plus, LeBron James makes sports history.Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Mike Allen, and The Edge of Sports podcast’s Dave Zirin.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Lydia McMullen-Laird, 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:
State of the Union erupts as Biden and GOP trade barbs
Biden ribs GOP lawmakers during SOTU: "I'll see you at the groundbreaking"
LeBron James breaks NBA scoring record

Feb 7, 2023 • 12min
Earthquake "another devastating blow" to Syrians
Two earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, and the death toll is well into the thousands. “This earthquake is yet another devastating blow to so many vulnerable populations already struggling after years of conflict," said Tanya Evans, the Syria country director for the International Rescue Committee.Plus, immigrant communities in Florida react to the new parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua.Guests: Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath and WLRN's Tim Padgett.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:
Biden's migrant parole program is popular in Haiti. But it seems a harder sell among Haitians here
Magnitude 7.8 quake kills over 3,400 people in Turkey and Syria
For Syrians, quake is "another devastating blow"

Feb 6, 2023 • 11min
Biden, Beijing and the balloon
The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that had been flying over the U.S. since last week. China condemned the U.S. move and threatened “further actions.”Plus, tribal nations face threats to funding for food security.Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols and Ayurella Horn-Muller.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:
China crashes Biden's State of the Union speech
Exclusive: Tribal nations face threats to food security funding
SNAP benefits returning to pre-COVID amounts in February

Feb 3, 2023 • 11min
Ilhan Omar voted out of a House committee
Rep. Ilhan Omar was removed on Thursday from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Congressional Black Caucus members visited the White House while the House Republicans kicked off their investigations.
Plus, the state of paid - and unpaid- leave for American workers.
And, winter bears down across the U.S.
Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Eugene Scott and Emily Peck.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Robin Linn, 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:
House votes to remove Ilhan Omar from Foreign Affairs Committee
Paid family leave still out of reach for most American workers
The coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere will freeze New England this weekend

Feb 2, 2023 • 11min
Jump-starting the domestic supply chain for EVs
President Biden’s plan to scale up domestic battery manufacturing for electric vehicles is proving to be popular. But the new incentives may end up costing the government much more than originally planned.
Plus, Tyre Nichols is laid to rest in Memphis.
And, the West’s fight over water.
Guests: Axios' Joann Muller and Jeremy Duda.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Lydia McMullen-Laird, 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:
Scoop: Biden's EV surprise
VP Harris at Tyre Nichols' funeral: He "should have been safe"
Feds could take cues on water cuts from proposal

Feb 2, 2023 • 11min
China’s massive debt deal with Africa
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen travelled to Africa last week to deepen U.S. ties in the continent. All of this comes as China is working on how to restructure debt in the region, after loaning around $700 billion to Africa in the last two decades.
Plus, the end of the Memphis Scorpion police unit.
And, a surge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols and Shawna Chen.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, 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:
Yellen warns of debt ceiling "catastrophe" for U.S. and beyond
China's first African debt rodeo is playing out in Zambia
Why Memphis' specialized police unit is under fire after Tyre Nichols' death
Editor's note: This episode has been corrected to reflect that the roughly $700 billion in outstanding African debt belongs to many countries and institutions, not just China, which has roughly 12%.

Feb 1, 2023 • 11min
Florida's fight over the teaching of Black history
Axios journalists and experts discuss Florida's rejection of an AP African American Studies Class, implications of the Stop Woke Act on teaching Black history, educator fears, challenges faced in discussing Black history, and strange incidents at Dallas Zoo.

Jan 31, 2023 • 11min
U.S. worries over Israel’s democracy
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Jerusalem on Monday, where he weighed in on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for a judicial overhaul.
Plus, the future of private spaceflight.
And, a very rare green comet appears in the night skies.
Guests: Axios' Barak Ravid and Miriam KramerCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, 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:
Blinken urges Netanyahu to build broad consensus around judicial overhaul plan
Private human spaceflight's future hangs on looming regulation
Green comet zooming our way, last visited 50,000 years ago

Jan 27, 2023 • 11min
Population shifts worldwide and why they matter
The United Nations projects India is set to surpass China as the world's most populous country this year, while the U.S. on the other hand needs more people to avoid big economic problems.
Plus, the week in politics: RNC elections and more.
And, five fired Memphis police officers are charged with murder.
Guests: Axios' David Lindsey, Han Chen and Neil Irwin.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, 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:
"They are all responsible": 5 ex-cops involved in Tyre Nichols’ arrest charged with murder, DA says
India to become most populous nation — bringing opportunities and challenges
DeSantis calls for "new blood" at RNC

Jan 26, 2023 • 11min
Mass shootings are keeping parents in a cycle of fear
The U.S. has been rocked this week by multiple mass shootings. We asked you if fear of shootings is affecting your life and behavior, and we heard from one group more than any other: parents.Plus, Germany and the U.S. agree to send tanks to Ukraine.Guests: Northwestern University’s Dr. Sheehan FisherCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, 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:
More mass shootings in U.S. than days in 2023 so far
At least 7 dead in Half Moon Bay shooting
U.S. and Germany to send battle tanks to Ukraine