

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

Sep 22, 2022 • 12min
Russians push back on Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reserves for the war in Ukraine Wednesday. And in at least 38 cities across Russia, hundreds of people organized protests against the mobilization.
Plus, what the Fed’s latest rate hike means for the housing market.
And, what’s motivating you to vote or stay home in November.
Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Emily Peck.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
Putin announces partial military mobilization for Russian citizens
Over 1,300 Russians detained in protests against partial military mobilization
Fed raises rates 0.75 percentage points, signals more to come

Sep 21, 2022 • 12min
Does the UN General Assembly matter?
For the first time in three years, leaders from around the world are gathering in New York City for the UN General Assembly. The war in Ukraine is set to dominate this week’s meetings. President Biden will give a speech today, as will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will be addressing the assembly remotely. But can anything practical come from the gathering?Plus, the pandemic made more Americans want to straighten their teeth. Now orthodontists and direct-to-consumer companies are battling it out.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Lin, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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
Ukraine dominates UN General Assembly
Turkish president and Israeli PM hold first in-person meeting since 2008
The war for your teeth

Sep 20, 2022 • 12min
Is COVID transitioning from a pandemic to a problem?
President Biden said "the pandemic is over" in an interview with CBS’ 60 minutes on Sunday. But the White House is still asking Congress for an additional 22.4 billion in COVID funding. In the U.S., nearly 3,000 people died from COVID in the past week. The World Health Organization Director-General says the end of the pandemic "is in sight," but that "we are not there yet."
Plus, a new spotlight on who gets sick pay in America.
And, the murder conviction that helped make podcasts popular, overturned.
Guests: Axios' Emily Peck and Kaiser Health News’ Julie Rovner.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
Biden: "The pandemic is over"
Work-life policies are increasingly high-stakes economics
"Serial" case: Judge vacates Adnan Syed's conviction for 1999 murder

Sep 19, 2022 • 11min
Hurricane Fiona leaves Puerto Rico in the dark
Fiona, the first major Atlantic hurricane of the season, is bringing heavy rains, high winds and widespread power outages to Puerto Rico. The power grid, which was severely damaged during Hurricane Maria five years ago, failed yesterday afternoon and the entire island lost power -- even before Fiona made landfall.
Plus, the murky road ahead for migrants sent from Texas to Massachusetts.
And, is the pressure to free Brittney Griner fading?
Guests: Axios' Steph Solis and NBC News' Nicole Acevedo.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
Hurricane Fiona brings "catastrophic" flooding, power outages to Puerto Rico
Lawyers for Martha's Vineyard migrants urge Feds to open criminal probe
Biden met with families of Griner and Whelan at White House

Sep 16, 2022 • 11min
U.S. voter energy in the lead up to the midterms
We’re 53 days from the November election, and some wildcard voters are feeling "meh" about their options. But the bases are fired up. Axios' Josh Kraushaar on what we know, and how the week in Washington could affect the upcoming election.Plus, the Saudi-funded circuit changing the game for men’s golf.Guests: Axios' Josh Kraushaar and Jeff Tracy.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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
MAGA’s New Hampshire sweep
Republicans' rocky attempt to change the abortion narrative
Everything you need to know about the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series

Sep 15, 2022 • 11min
A major rail strike is averted
A major rail strike has been averted. That’s the early morning statement from the White House. Here’s why this matters: Virtually everything in our country -- from food to gas and retail goods -- relies on the nearly 140,000-mile rail network that expands across 49 states. But the tens of thousands of freight workers and their unions appear to have reached an agreement.
And, Minnesota nurses stage a the three-day walk out.
Plus, Latinos are reclaiming the accent mark as a show of cultural pride.
Guests: Axios' Emily Peck, Torey Van Oot and Astrid Galván.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
15,000 Minnesota nurses go on strike in Twin Cities, Duluth
Latinos are reclaiming the accent mark

Sep 14, 2022 • 11min
U.S. child poverty rates drop to record low
Census Bureau data released Tuesday shows America's child poverty rate plunged in 2021, accelerating a decade-long decline. The decline was spurred by government assistance programs including pandemic-era aid. But August’s inflation numbers also show that the price for essentials like food, rent and medical care are still rapidly rising, putting pressure on low-income families in particular. We dig deep into these two important pieces of economic data and what they tell us about what’s happening on the lower end of the income spectrum.
And cryptocurrency gets greener.
Plus, Twitter’s legal versus moral obligations.
Guests: Axios' Felix Salmon, Brady Dale and Dan PrimackCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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 successful war on poverty (story in draft)
The everywhere inflation
The Merge is 2022's second biggest crypto event (story in draft)
Twitter shareholders approve Elon Musk's $44 billion takeover offer

Sep 13, 2022 • 11min
The GOP backlash against student loan forgiveness
22 Republican Governors sent a letter to President Biden on Monday, asking him to withdraw his student loan forgiveness plan. The governors are saying that only 16 to 17% of Americans have federal student loan debt and now the burden is being shifted to everyone, including low income taxpayers.
And, inside U.S. efforts to stop human smuggling in Guatemala.
Plus, beer could be in trouble.
Guests: Axios' Shawna Chen, Stef Kight, and Mike Deehan.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
GOP governors urge Biden to withdraw his student loan forgiveness plan
Axios in Guatemala: Inside U.S. efforts to stop human smuggling
Brace for the coming beer shortage

Sep 12, 2022 • 11min
How the U.S. and its allies are giving Ukraine an edge
The Ukrainian military says it’s retaken more than 3,000 square kilometers of territory from Russia. American officials say the advance was in part due to increased intelligence sharing with the United States, but as President Biden asks for more aid for Ukraine, he’s facing new pushback.
Plus, major credit card providers will start categorizing gun shop purchases.
And, we want to know what’s driving you to vote this November.
Guests: Olivier Knox, National Political Correspondent at the Washington Post and Abené Clayton, reporter at The Guardian.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
Ukraine furthers gains in Kharkiv region following major breakthrough
Visa, Mastercard, AmEx to start categorizing gun shop sales
The staggering lack of female artists in America's museums

Sep 9, 2022 • 12min
The heated final weeks of Georgia's Senate race
The Senate race going on in Georgia right now is neck and neck, between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock. It’s one of the rare competitions between two Black candidates on the national stage – and each has a very different message for voters about racism.
Plus, the world mourns Queen Elizabeth.
And, reframing the evangelical view of climate change.
Guests: Axios' Emma Hurt and Dave Lawler; Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, 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:
Two Black Georgia Senate rivals; two takes on racism [please update]
Bible demands action on climate change, Evangelicals say in new report
In photos: Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the throne