

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

May 3, 2022 • 12min
A bombshell from the Supreme Court on abortion
Late last night, some stunning news out of the Supreme Court: a draft majority opinion obtained and published by Politico shows the Justices voted to strike down Roe v Wade.Plus, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan takes on Donald Trump.Guests: Axios' Sam Baker, Margaret Talev and Alayna TreeneCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
Leaked document shows Supreme Court prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade
Abortion rights protesters rally outside Supreme Court
Gov. Larry Hogan: GOP won't win 2024 with Trump or "cheap impersonation"

May 2, 2022 • 12min
How remote work can stifle creativity
New research says video meetings generate fewer creative ideas. Is it time to save Zoom only for certain kinds of work gatherings?
Plus, the push to make Asian American history a requirement in public schools.
And, food prices spike around the globe.
Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras and Erica Pandey.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
The 1898 moment: A turning point in Asian American History
The cost of Zoom
Virtual communication curbs creative idea generation (Nature)
Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine

Apr 29, 2022 • 11min
Could the January 6 investigation prevent another insurrection?
A host of new details have recently come to light on January 6th and its aftermath, particularly around the actions of former President Trump’s allies.
Plus, a vaccine on the horizon for very young kids.
And, the power of modeling generosity at work.
Guests: Axios' Jonathan Swan and Jim VandeHei.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
Jan. 6 panel to seek testimony from GOP lawmakers
Moderna seeks emergency authorization for COVID-19 vaccine in young children
FDA proposes ban on menthol cigarettes
Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine

Apr 28, 2022 • 11min
GOP candidates go scorched-earth
More Republicans are channeling former President Trump’s aggressive tactics to get ahead in the polls. Some previously moderate candidates facing competitive primaries are now releasing angry ads based on taglines like “fighting the woke mob,” and “standing up to the radical left.”
Plus, Minneapolis Police accused of violating civil rights.
And, restricting water use to combat drought in Southern California.
Guests: Axios' Alayna Treene and Torey Van Oot.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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 channels Trump anger in primary battles
Probe into racist policing in Minneapolis sparks new push for change
Southern California restricts outdoor watering in emergency declaration

Apr 27, 2022 • 11min
Finding COVID treatment if you get sick
Antiviral treatments like Pfizer’s Paxlovid pill have been shown to reduce hospitalization and death from COVID by as much as 90%. But so far, these treatments have been hard to find. Yesterday the White House announced a series of steps it was taking to fix that problem.
Plus, why more people of color are buying guns in the U.S.
And, Harvard examines its ties to slavery.
Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim and Shawna Chen.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Many COVID treatment pills going unused
COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator
Why more people of color are buying guns
Harvard commits $100 million to redress ties to slavery

Apr 26, 2022 • 11min
Winners and losers of Elon’s Twitter takeover
Elon Musk is buying Twitter for 44 billion dollars. The deal was announced Monday afternoon, 11 days after Musk’s initial bid. It puts one of the world’s richest people atop the influential social media platform, and raises lots of new questions about Twitter’s future for users.Plus, the U.S. says Russia is failing in Ukraine.Guests: Axios' Ina Fried and Dave Lawler.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
Twitter agrees to be bought by Elon Musk
Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine
For the first time in 4 years, a litter of red wolf pups was born in the wild

Apr 25, 2022 • 11min
France votes to avert a hard-right turn
French president Emmanuel Macron won re-election yesterday, defeating far right candidate Marine Le Pen. Macron also beat Le Pen back in 2017, but in this race her nationalist message gained more momentum, as France grapples with anger over cost-of-living increases, French involvement in Ukraine’s war, and more.Plus, workers at big chains still earning less than $15 an hour.Guests: Megan Clement, freelance journalist based in Paris; Olivier Knox, foreign affairs reporter for the Washington Post; and Axios' Emily Peck.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
Macron defeats Le Pen to win re-election in France
Majority of hourly workers at big chains earn less than $15 an hour

Apr 22, 2022 • 12min
Signs of reform for America’s student debt
At least 40,000 people could soon see their student debt wiped away. That’s because of a change announced this week by the Department of Education. And this move comes as the Biden administration faces louder calls to make bigger moves to cancel student debt entirely - which currently stands at 1.55 trillion dollars.
Plus, natural play-scapes are the new jungle gyms.
And, trouble for workers who turn their Zoom cameras off.
Guests: Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter for the Washington Post and Axios' Linh Ta.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Erica Pandey, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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 admin moves to fix "longstanding failures" in student loan programs
Urbandale wants kids to get muddy and creative at new "natural" park
Trouble for workers who turn cameras off

Apr 21, 2022 • 12min
The second phase of war in Ukraine
President Zelensky announced this week that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas region of Ukraine. As we enter week nine of Russia's invasion, this long-awaited offensive could be a decisive second phase of the war.
Plus, how to talk to your kids about climate change.
And, a new, shorter number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and UK-based science and education consultant Claire Seeley.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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:
Russia begins large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine
Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine
New suicide hotline number is unknown to most Americans

Apr 20, 2022 • 11min
Mask mandates disappear as COVID cases rise
If you’re traveling in the US - whether it’s by plane, bus, or train, you’re no longer required to wear a mask. The change comes after a federal judge earlier this week struck down the Biden administration’s public transit mask mandate.Almost immediately, airlines and other transportation companies like Amtrak and Uber lifted their mask requirements as well. These announcements come as COVID cases are starting to tick back up - 43% in the last two weeks.
Plus, the link between how much energy we consume and our health and happiness.
And, American Airlines resumes practice flights for kids who have autism.
Guests: Axios' Tina Reed and Ben Geman.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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 new mask divide
Where the energy link to well-being starts fraying