What Next

In this discussion, David Yaffe-Bellany, a tech reporter for the New York Times specializing in crypto, dives into the burgeoning relationship between cryptocurrency and politics. He explores how the election cycle saw significant financial backing from the crypto industry, leading to pro-crypto candidates gaining ground. The conversation also touches on regulatory changes, the impact of Bitcoin's rise post-FX collapse, and the complex ties between political figures and crypto investments. Yaffe-Bellany highlights the industry’s evolving power dynamics amid shifting political landscapes.

Ryan Mac, tech reporter for The New York Times and co-author of "Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter," dives into the rift between Elon Musk and the MAGA movement sparked by Musk's support for H-1B visas. He details how this moment illuminated tensions within the MAGA coalition, revealing conflicting loyalties and the impact of social media on political alliances. Mac also explores the role of immigration in tech, the dynamics of big tech's influence on politics, and the irony surrounding free speech on platforms like Twitter.

Hani Almadhoun, Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA, shares his heart-wrenching journey as both a humanitarian and a brother—a loss that hits close to home. He discusses the increasing challenges of delivering aid in Gaza, especially as UNRWA faces potential operational bans by 2025. Hani also reflects on his childhood memories, the pivotal role of UNRWA for the community, and how grassroots efforts, like soup kitchens, are vital amid the chaos. It's a poignant look at resilience in the face of relentless adversity.

In this discussion featuring Danielle Friedman, an esteemed fitness author and New York Times contributor, listeners dive into the emotional complexities of maintaining a fitness routine, especially for busy individuals. Danielle emphasizes embracing joyful movement rather than just performance metrics. She explores the significance of personal fulfillment in exercise, particularly for parents balancing fitness and family life. This conversation also highlights overcoming barriers in the gym environment and the power of community support in developing sustainable fitness habits.

Jim Newell, a senior politics reporter at Slate and author of the newsletter "The Surge," dives into the chaotic political landscape dominated by Trump and Musk. He discusses the implications of Trump's narrow electoral win on cabinet choices and health policies. The conversation highlights the Democratic Party's current feeling of exhaustion and the strategic dilemmas as the 2024 elections approach. Newell also critiques the influence of major industries on political narratives, urging for deeper investigative journalism to expose corruption.

Jim Wallis, a theologian and spiritual seeker who leads the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice, discusses Jimmy Carter's legacy following his recent passing. Wallis delves into how Carter shaped American views on faith and race, highlighting the complexities of his presidency amidst the rise of evangelical politics. The conversation explores the tension between faith and political power, the shift in evangelical identity, and the enduring need for moral leadership in a changing political landscape.

Ellen Barry, a mental health reporter for the New York Times, takes a critical look at mental health monitoring software in American schools. She discusses the prevalence of these programs and their unintended consequences, like false positives and privacy breaches. Barry highlights the emotional impacts on students, illustrated through personal stories and police interventions. The conversation raises important questions about trust, ethics, and the need for supportive mental health services in education.

“Fecal microbial transplants” treat someone’s unhealthy gut with poop from someone else’s healthy gut, and proponents of FMT claim it can help treat everything from IBS to autism. But if your doctor isn’t ready to fill you up with someone else’s poop, the internet will happily oblige. Guest: Luke Winkie, Slate staff writer who published “The Poop Broker.”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.Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Fecal microbial transplants” treat someone’s unhealthy gut with poop from someone else’s healthy gut, and proponents of FMT claim it can help treat everything from IBS to autism. But if your doctor isn’t ready to fill you up with someone else’s poop, the internet will happily oblige. Guest: Luke Winkie, Slate staff writer who published “The Poop Broker.”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.Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsay Gibbs, author and founder of Power Plays, dives into the heated discussions surrounding WNBA player salaries, particularly in light of Caitlin Clark's draft. The conversation addresses the stark pay disparities between male and female athletes, exploring systemic issues and potential for improvement. Gibbs emphasizes the importance of leadership in women's sports and the need for better representation and advocacy for black women. With a growing interest in women's athletics, she highlights the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the WNBA.