

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

9 snips
Oct 26, 2023 • 24min
The Real House Speaker of D.C.
The podcast discusses the election of Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House of Representatives, highlighting his voting record on abortion and LGBTQ rights. It also covers the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the fears of it spilling over into Lebanon. Other topics include the dismissal of Trump's case, Hurricane Otis, a UAW deal with Ford, and a survey showing increased support for political violence.

Oct 25, 2023 • 20min
Never Have I Emmer
The whirlwind saga to choose the next House speaker continues. After three rounds of secret votes late Tuesday night, House Republicans nominated Rep. Mike Johnson as their latest contender. The move came after Rep. Tom Emmer dropped out of the race just hours after he was selected as the GOP’s speaker designee.One of the two Israeli hostages recently released by Hamas told reporters she “went through hell,” during her two weeks in captivity. More than 200 others are still being held by the militant group. Meanwhile, Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza, despite calls from UN Secretary General António Guterres for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.And in headlines: former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was reportedly granted immunity by special counsel Jack Smith, more than three dozen attorneys general are going after Instagram’s parent company for features they say are hurting kids, and the United Auto Workers union once again expanded its ongoing strike.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Oct 24, 2023 • 18min
The War Next Door
Two more hostages held captive by Hamas were released on Monday, though Israel says more than 200 others are still being held by the militant group. Meanwhile, officials in Gaza say Israeli airstrikes have now killed over 5,000 people in the territory. Clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border are also stoking fears that the war could spill over. George Bisharat, a Middle East policy expert and professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law San Francisco, joins us to explain how neighboring countries are watching the conflict unfold.And in headlines: Argentina’s presidential election is heading to a runoff vote next month, the United Auto Workers Union expanded its strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not happy about how he looks in wax.Show Notes:Barack Obama: Thoughts on Israel and Gaza – https://barackobama.medium.com/my-statement-on-israel-and-gaza-a6c397f09a30What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Oct 23, 2023 • 20min
The Worst People for the Worst Job
Over the weekend, the first trucks containing much-needed humanitarian aid crossed into Gaza; hours later, Hamas, through the Qatari government, released two American hostages who were captured while visiting Israel. Meanwhile, fighting has intensified between Israeli troops and Hezbollah at the Lebanese border, fueling fears that the conflict may spread.There are now nine Republicans running to become House speaker, after Rep. Jim Jordan dropped his bid after losing a third floor vote – and a closed-door confidence vote – last week. A GOP candidate forum is set for tonight, with a full floor vote race for the next nominee could come down as early as Tuesday. And in headlines: Trump ally Kenneth Chesebro pleaded guilty in the Georgia election interference case, the city of Orlando plans to buy the Pulse nightclub property to turn it into a public memorial, and talks are set to resume this week between the actors union and Hollywood studios.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Oct 20, 2023 • 16min
All Talk And No Speaker
Republicans have failed, again, to select a new House speaker. Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio – the far-right Republican who’s already lost two full floor votes – said he will continue his bid for the role, despite failing to convince the holdouts from his own party. About 20 trucks carrying vital humanitarian aid for Gaza are waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, though it’s not clear when they will be allowed to enter. Meanwhile, President Biden, in a live address from the Oval Office, called on Americans to stand with Israel and Ukraine – making the case that the U.S. must help on both fronts.And in headlines: Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty for her role in the Georgia election interference case, California Senator Laphonza Butler said she will not run for a full term in 2024, and SAG-AFTRA has some Halloween costume advice for its members on strike. Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5 snips
Oct 19, 2023 • 16min
An All-Consuming Rage
Topics discussed include President Biden's visit to Israel, humanitarian aid to Gaza, Representative Jim Jordan's failed bid for House speaker, confession in Natalie Holloway case, NYC migrant rules, and debt cancellation deal in Columbus.

9 snips
Oct 18, 2023 • 19min
Biden's High-Wire Act
President Biden's visit to Israel amidst recent attacks by Hamas, conflicting accounts of responsibility for a devastating blast in Gaza City, failed Speaker of the House vote for Jim Jordan, Justice Department's appeal of Proud Boys' prison sentences

5 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 19min
Reopening Gaza's Lifeline
President Biden's upcoming visit to Israel as a show of solidarity. Settlement reached for families separated at the border. Shooting incident in Brussels and partial gag order against former President Trump. Discussion on upcoming vote in House of Representatives for new speaker.

Oct 16, 2023 • 16min
The Deepening Crisis in Gaza
As Israel continues to gear up for its anticipated ground invasion of Gaza, diplomats with the United States, Egypt, and other countries are scrambling to avert a larger humanitarian crisis. Israel has given repeated orders for Gazans to evacuate south ahead of that, but basic services in that region are already incredibly strained due to years of an international blockade.And in headlines: Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is the new GOP nominee for House Speaker, far-right Republican Jeff Landry has won Louisiana’s gubernatorial race, and Kaiser Permanente says it has reached a tentative labor deal with a coalition of healthcare workers.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Oct 13, 2023 • 26min
The Fact of the Matter
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel on Thursday to show support for the country, following Hamas’ attack over the weekend. He also called on Israel to exercise restraint as it continues its airstrikes on Gaza. Meanwhile, the United States and Qatar have agreed to stop Iran, which has helped Hamas in the past, from accessing $6 billion in recently unfrozen aid. And as the war continues, misinformation is spreading across social media, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. Crooked news contributor Max Fisher joins us to discuss how to navigate the coverage and discourse surrounding the conflict.Plus, Wendy Ramirez, co-founder of Spanish Sin Pena, joins us to talk about the Spanish language and Latinx identity.And in headlines: Rep. Steve Scalise dropped out of the race to become the next House Speaker, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was slapped with new federal charges, and Beyoncé made an appearance at the world premiere of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” concert movie.Show Notes:The Poynter Institute for Media Studies: How to avoid misinformation about the war in Gaza – https://tinyurl.com/2punvrrcPew Research Center: Latinos’ Views of and Experiences With the Spanish Language – https://tinyurl.com/ympduxp5Spanish Sin Pena – https://www.spanishsinpena.com/What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday