
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

Aug 1, 2023 • 11min
How extreme heat makes hunger in America worse
This Sunday, Phoenix hit a new record: 31 straight days of temperatures of at least t 110°F. It's part of the extreme heat hitting the U.S. hard this summer, and it's especially hurting low-income households. We take a closer look at extreme heat's affect on Americans' access to food.
Plus, how fatigue illustrates the challenges with long COVID treatment.
And, what lab-grown meat tastes like.
Guests: Axios' Ayurella Horn-Muller and Megan Rose Dickey; Journalist Ed Yong.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird 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:
How extreme heat hits America's hungry
Fatigue Can Shatter a Person
Lab-grown meat's big ambitions
Ed Yong's Newsletter

Jul 31, 2023 • 11min
Democrats' divide on voting rights litigation
Axios' reporters Alex Thompson and Shoshana Gordon discuss the Democrats' divide on voting rights litigation for the 2024 presidential election. They also explore the concept of deepfakes and provide tips for analyzing and sharing images online. Finally, they cover new research on the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease across the country.

Jul 28, 2023 • 12min
A Spanish warning sign for the GOP
Our weekly politics State of Play looks at what we can learn from Spain’s recent elections. And the latest in the legal woes for Trump and concerns over aging leadership in the Senate.
Plus, why the use of donor embryos is on the rise.
And, more summer reading recommendations.
Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson, Carly Mallenbaum and Sara Kehaulani Goo.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, 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:
Trump's courtroom calendar clashes with 2024 campaign
McConnell's health scare stirs new scrutiny of GOP leader's future
Embryo "adoption": IVF off-shoot gains popularity
Geraldine Brooks' books

Jul 27, 2023 • 12min
The Fed hikes interest rates for the 11th time
The Fed hiked interest rates by 0.25% on Wednesday, bringing them to the highest level in 22 years. Fed economists also said that given the recent resilience of the economy, they are no longer forecasting a recession.
Plus, what more AI means for low-wage work.
And, singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor dead at age 56.
Guests: Axios' Courtenay Brown and Emily Peck.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, 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:
Axios Today Survey
Fed hikes interest rates to 22-year high
The Bald Power of Sinead O’Connor

Jul 26, 2023 • 12min
How courts are driving U.S. immigration policy
Axios Today discusses how courts drive US immigration policy, covering recent lawsuits, Biden's asylum restrictions, and Governor Abbott's actions. They also touch on therapy speak, its impact when misused, and its weaponization in everyday communication.

Jul 25, 2023 • 12min
What extreme heat reveals about climate change
Climate change expert Andrew Freedman discusses the link between extreme heat and climate change, highlighting the vulnerability we face. The podcast also covers Israel's limitation of the Supreme Court's power, the resulting protests, and examines House Speaker McCarthy's winning streak and its impact on Democrats.

Jul 24, 2023 • 12min
"Barbie" makes history at the box office
The movie "Barbie" brought in at least a whopping $155 million in its opening weekend, making it one of the biggest movies of 2023, according to early Sunday projections from Comscore. Does this signal America’s return to the movies?
Plus, Russia’s port attacks in Ukraine deepen worries over world hunger.
Alabama lawmakers defy the Supreme Court on voting rights.
And, the latest on UPS workers' fight for better pay.
Guests: Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath and Sara Fischer.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Emily Peck, 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:
What Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal means for the world
"Barbie" makes history with $155 million blockbuster weekend debut
UPS Contract Talks Go Down to the Wire as a Possible Strike Looms

Jul 21, 2023 • 12min
U.S.-China tensions threaten the island of Okinawa
U.S.-China tensions are at an all-time high and as relations deteriorate, the Japanese island of Okinawa is afraid of getting in the crosshairs. We take a closer look on how the geopolitical tensions are affecting the island.
Plus, why the gender pay gap is shrinking.
And, a new line of fashion dolls celebrates Latinas in America.
Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Emily Peck and Marina E. Franco.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, 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:
The Japanese island of Okinawa is caught in the middle of U.S.-China tensions
Gender pay gap now the narrowest on record
New Latina dolls to hit stores as companies diversify toys

Jul 20, 2023 • 12min
Women's World Cup shows women's soccer is bigger than ever
The Women’s World Cup kicked off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand. And it's on track to become the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history, according to FIFA. What sets this year’s contest apart?
Plus, "Oppenheimer" brings painful memories for New Mexico Hispanics.
And, Wesleyan University becomes the latest to end legacy admissions.
Guests: Axios' Jeff Tracy and Russell Contreras.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:
Orange Draws Praise for Ad Challenging Prejudice Toward Women’s Soccer
U.S. Soccer reaches landmark equal pay agreement
Wesleyan ends legacy admissions after Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
Russell Contreras on Axios Today for the anniversary of the first atomic bomb explosion, July 2021

Jul 19, 2023 • 12min
Another possible Trump indictment and what sets it apart
Former President Trump announced on Tuesday that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith and expects to be indicted. The former president's legal challenges are mounting, just as the 2024 campaign is heating up. But this latest indictment could hit voters differently.
Plus, America’s therapy boom.
Historic temperatures hit three continents.
And, one year of the 988 hotline.
Guests: Axios' David Lindsey and Erica Pandey.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:
Trump legal woes heat up with prospect of Jan. 6 indictment
America’s therapy boom
988 hotline's long road ahead