What A Day
Crooked Media
If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.
Episodes
Mentioned books
21 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 26min
Inside 'Alligator Alcatraz' with Rep. Maxwell Frost
Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democratic Representative, shares his harrowing experience at 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a makeshift immigration detention center in the Everglades. He reveals shocking conditions, including overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, challenging the government’s portrayal of the facility. Frost discusses the urgent need for better legal representation for immigrants and offers insights on engaging Latino and Black voters authentically. He emphasizes building trust and solidarity within communities to counteract political mistrust, all while navigating pressing national issues.
7 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 22min
Trump v The Federal Reserve Chair
Stacey Vanek Smith, a Bloomberg Senior Editor with deep insights into economic trends, joins to dissect Trump's ongoing criticisms of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The discussion highlights Trump's frustrations over interest rates and their implications for both the economy and the Fed's independence. They also explore how inflation impacts voters' daily lives and the political ramifications of rising consumer prices. Additionally, Stacey touches on the complexities of wage growth amidst broader economic challenges.
32 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 25min
The Trump Putin Breakup Explained
Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, discusses the shifting dynamics of Donald Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. He analyzes Trump's recent announcement to send U.S. weapons to Ukraine and critiques past foreign policy decisions. Rhodes highlights the implications of funding cuts for programs like PEPFAR on vulnerable communities and sheds light on legal controversies in Congress, including discussions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and Senate confirmations for new U.N. representatives.
30 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 22min
Can Planned Parenthood Survive Trump’s Big Beautiful Law?
Mary Ziegler, a Professor at UC Davis Law, dives into the consequences of recent legislation on reproductive rights and healthcare access. She reveals how a new law could hinder Planned Parenthood's funding, even for non-abortion services, and what that means for millions seeking care. The conversation explores the influence of state voters on abortion legality, highlighting the ongoing political battle over reproductive freedoms. Ziegler also touches on the broader implications of these restrictions amidst shifting electoral landscapes.
20 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 24min
Why Hiring 10,000 New ICE Agents Is A Bad Idea
Garrett Graff, a historian and national security reporter known for his work on the ‘Doomsday Scenario’ newsletter, dives into the troubling implications of President Trump's drastic funding increase for ICE. He outlines how hiring 10,000 new agents could lead to civil rights violations and a focus on detaining non-criminals rather than actual threats. The discussion also touches on critiques of FEMA's ineffectiveness during Texas floods and the recent layoffs at the State Department that signal a shift in foreign policy.
6 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 23min
Ex-NOAA Administrator On Trump's Staffing Cuts
Richard Spinrad, the former administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shares critical insights on the tragic Texas floods and the consequences of staffing cuts at the National Weather Service. He discusses how these cuts hinder accurate weather predictions, potentially exacerbating disasters. Spinrad emphasizes the urgent need for public funding to ensure weather forecasting remains a vital public service, stressing the importance of effective emergency response in confronting future challenges.
18 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 27min
ICE Gets Billions To Intimidate Americans
California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla addresses the aggressive tactics of ICE and the unsettling climate for immigrants in California. He discusses how recent federal funding boosts for immigration enforcement have created fear among vulnerable communities. Padilla emphasizes the need for civic engagement and accountability to combat these intimidation tactics. The conversation sheds light on the impact of immigration raids on essential workers who contribute significantly to the economy, urging continuous political activism for immigrant rights.
8 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 24min
Ex-CDC Doctor On RFK Jr.'s Risky Vaccine Policies
Dr. Fiona Havers, a former senior advisor on vaccine policy at the CDC, discusses the alarming shifts in health policy under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She reveals how the firing of CDC vaccine panel members risks public health and promotes misinformation. Havers offers crucial advice for families to navigate these changes safely, highlighting the importance of reliable information sources. The conversation sheds light on the implications of halting COVID vaccine recommendations for vulnerable populations, driving home the urgency for public engagement in health matters.
35 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 26min
How Democrats Will Make Trump Own His Disastrous Spending Bill
Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, dives deep into the fallout from Trump's controversial spending bill. He discusses how Democrats plan to leverage its unpopularity to reclaim power in Congress. Jeffries emphasizes the urgency of engaging with constituents on the impacts of healthcare and immigration policies. He also highlights the significant shift among independent voters and the need for innovative outreach strategies to counter misinformation, particularly about climate change and its repercussions.
14 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 24min
Trump's War On The Poor
Jacob Bogage, Congressional economics correspondent for The Washington Post, dives into President Trump's significant budget bill, which threatens to cut essential safety nets for millions of Americans. They discuss the political maneuvering behind its passage and the devastating impact on Medicaid and food assistance programs. The episode also explores the bill's long-term implications for the national debt and middle-income households. Additionally, Jacob touches on the tragic flooding in Texas and diplomatic tensions in the Middle East, highlighting a chaotic political landscape.
