What A Day

Why is America so obsessed with lawns and order? Max and Erin get into the weeds of how the founding fathers made cultivating grass an American pastime, why our lawn mania is a creation of corporate marketing, and how it all feeds class anxiety. Why is it so bad for our environment? Does milkweed bring all the bees to the yard? And how much do lawns and instagram face have in common? Listen to this week’s How We Got Here to find out.  SOURCESThe History of the American LawnThe rise and fall of the American lawn, at least in California - The Washington PostUSDA ERS - WheatGrass takes up 2% of the land in the continental USThey Fought the Lawn. And the Lawn’s Done. - The New York TimesThe History of the American LawnClimate Victory Gardening: How Does It Work? | Green AmericaWhere Lawns Are Outlawed (and Dug Up, and Carted Away)Lawn wars consume America's neighborhoodsLawn ConversionKeeping your lawn cleaner and greener; new law limits fertilizer use - pennlive.comWhy stop mowing your lawn and what happens when you go no-mow - Washington PostA Brief History of Our Deadly Addiction to Nitrogen Fertilizer – Mother JonesGrand Prairie Man Served Jail Time For Too Tall Grass - CBS TexasSingle Mother 'Arrested for Grass' After Not MowingSheep Graze on the White House Lawn

Politics reporter Grace Panetta and White House correspondent Gerren Keith Gaynor analyze the chaotic first presidential debate of 2024. They discuss Biden's shaky performance, Trump's lies, and immigration. The podcast covers key topics like abortion, foreign policy, and the impact of the debate on the upcoming election.

Friend of the pod Alyssa Mastromonaco, former Deputy Chief of Staff under Obama, talks about what to expect from the Biden-Trump debate. Also, Supreme Court accidentally hints at allowing emergency abortions in Idaho, Midwest faces dangerous flooding, and Alex Morgan left off US Women's National Team's Olympic roster.

Tom Nichols from The Atlantic discusses why Republicans are using 'cheap fake' videos to attack Biden. Israeli Supreme Court draft ruling, Assange's guilty plea, and surgeon general's gun violence declaration are also covered.

Ryan Lizza from Politico analyzes the expensive NY House primary race between Bowman and Latimer, highlighting the divide between progressives and centrists. Other topics include the lack of aid for Palestinians off the coast of Gaza, the Supreme Court's consideration of bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth, and potential criminal charges against Boeing for safety issues with the 737 Max planes.

Discussing the impact of state-level abortion bans after two years since Roe vs. Wade, with insights on the current political landscape. Also covering global news updates, favorite Olympic events, and gender-affirming care bans for trans youth.

Exploring the rise of progressive prosecutors prioritizing public safety and racial inequalities. Progressive vs. traditional prosecution methods with success stories in various cities. Challenges faced by prosecutors from law enforcement unions and conservative lawmakers. Debating progressive approaches as a counter to punitive crime policies.

Policy expert Katherine Kuzminski discusses the debate on including women in the military draft. Supreme Court delays rulings, Putin and Kim Jong Un sign a defense pact, and Louisiana mandates Ten Commandments in school. Quavo hosts a summit against gun violence.

The podcast discusses the push for FEMA to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, highlighting the dangers and proposed solutions. Other topics include the upcoming Biden-Trump debate, smartphone bans in California schools, and LGBTQ+ political progress. Listeners are urged to provide feedback on gender-affirming care bans and engage with the podcast by subscribing and leaving reviews.

Jack Hadley, dedicated to preserving Black history, discusses the challenges of maintaining accurate historical narratives against opposition. The podcast highlights the growth and educational initiatives of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Georgia, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Black history and promoting comprehensive education.