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On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by Yahoo News senior entertainment writer, Kelsey Weekman, to answer the question on everyone’s lips: Who is Alex Warren and why is every store playing his music? The Hype House OG is nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys, and is part of a growing wave of musicians making “secular praise music.” Where did Alex Warren come from, and how did he pull off a musical career pivot when so many other TikTokkers failed?  This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Elizabeth Spiers and Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, a Harvard PhD student and author of "The Double Tax," as they explore the economic barriers faced by women of color. They delve into the compounding effects of the pink tax and discuss how high childbirth and childcare costs impact families. Anna shares insights on the systemic biases affecting housing and the implications of underrepresentation at the Fed. They also propose policy solutions like reparations and child tax credits to address these disparities, emphasizing the need for representation and equity.

Faiz Siddiqui, a technology reporter at The Washington Post and author of "Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk," dives into the fallout from Tesla's approval of a staggering $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk. The discussion highlights Musk's controversial public spats with officials, which have jeopardized key relationships. Siddiqui reveals how shareholder support endures despite these antics, the potential impact of his political entanglements on Tesla's performance, and the crucial role government backing plays in Musk's ambitious ventures.

Jeff Horwitz, a technology reporter at Reuters, dives deep into Meta's troubling world of fraudulent ads, revealing that the company profits even while failing to block scams. The discussion highlights Meta's practice of raising ad costs for suspected scammers instead of outright removing them. Horwitz also addresses the staggering sums generated from high-risk ads and how affluent countries are often victimized. Additionally, the team examines the dubious dreams behind Saudi Arabia's megacity, Neom, and the costs associated with such ambitious projects.

Manny Fidel, a culture writer and cohost of the No Such Thing podcast, dives into the pervasive influence of online sports gambling. He explains how recent betting scandals have laid bare the industry's grip on sports and culture. Fidel discusses the troubling reach of betting into everyday life, from political bets to fashion choices. He highlights the addictive nature of mobile gambling and critiques its glamorization by celebrities. The conversation raises urgent questions about regulation and the real-life consequences of an increasingly bet-driven society.

Nick Fuentes—an openly antisemitic, openly racist, openly sexist type who once was persona non grata in all but the unseemliest of online spaces—sat down with former Fox News star Tucker Carlson this week, setting off a debate between the “whoa whoa whoa, we’re not Nazis over here” branch of conservatives and the “well now, hold on a minute” wing. Guest: Ali Breland, staff writer for The Atlantic and author of “The Firewall Against Nick Fuentes Is Crumbling.”  Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Wolfers, an economist and University of Michigan professor, dives into the implications of Trump's tariff actions being scrutinized by the Supreme Court. Discussion includes the legality of imposing tariffs without Congressional approval and the chaotic nature of tariff policy. They explore the real-world impact on businesses facing increased costs and the consequences of bypassing Congress. Wolfers argues that Trump's use of tariffs mirrors his broader political tactics, raising questions about how this uncertainty affects business planning.

The shift of OpenAI to a for-profit structure raises questions about its impact on public good and the risks associated with its AI products. Meanwhile, skyrocketing ACA premiums expose the woes of healthcare in the U.S., with rising prices pushing healthy individuals out of the market. And in a surprising twist, a spare 14k gold toilet from Maurizio Cattelan's notorious artwork will be auctioned at Sotheby's, stirring excitement amidst high gold prices. A quirky trifecta of topics for those intrigued by business and culture!

In this Money Talks: Emily Peck and Felix Salmon are joined by legal scholar Ray D. Madoff to discuss her new book The Second Estate: How the Tax Code Made an American Aristocracy. Ray lays out how the US tax code favors the wealthy to an unbelievable degree, helping them to essentially opt out of the system altogether.  Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, conservatives claimed that the Biden administration was pressuring tech companies to censor conservative speech with no solid evidence.  In Trump 2.0, the administration is explicitly bragging about doing the very same thing they accused democrats of. What gives?  Guest: Renée DiResta, Associate Research Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown and author of “Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality” Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices