What Next | Daily News and Analysis

This episode explores the controversy surrounding an educational video game about the Underground Railroad, the omission of slavery in video games, the life journey of a history enthusiast, the organization of outdoor reenactments of the Underground Railroad, the development process of the video game 'Freedom', and the controversy over a video game about slavery in a predominantly white school district.

Alex Sammon, Slate politics writer, discusses the division within the Democratic Party over Israel policy. The podcast explores the strained relationship between progressives and the party, the influence of the Israel lobby, and the potential consequences of APAC's growing power.

Guest Mike Isaac, technology reporter at the New York Times, discusses the firing of Sam Altman, the recent leadership changes and conflicting philosophies within OpenAI, concerns about AI, and the challenges and consequences of AI development.

Adam Laat, Professor of Education and History at Binghamton University, discusses the recent loss of ultra-conservative 'parental rights candidates' in school board elections. The podcast explores the historical context of the fight for conservative control of public schools, the messy state of America's school politics, and why conservative concern about public education is a recurring cycle.

Benji Jones, senior environmental reporter at Vox, discusses the recent resurgence of bed bugs and their resistance to pesticides. The podcast explores the challenges in eradicating bed bugs, their attraction to human bodies, and their ability to survive without blood meals. It also explores the implications of bed bug exposure in a globalized society and the uncertain effects of climate change on their distribution.

Girls at a New Jersey high school were early victims of a novel and growing problem: their images were taken from social media without consent to create “deep-fake pornography.” Guest: Julie Jargon, Wall Street Journal family and tech columnist.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gregory Gause, specialist in Middle East politics, discusses the potential danger of more countries being pulled into the war in Gaza. Topics include Iran's support for groups like Hezbollah, the fear of missile attacks, the interests of major state actors, strategies to manage tensions, and the risks and benefits of a ceasefire.

Susan Glasser, staff writer at The New Yorker, discusses Donald Trump's plans for a second term, including overturning Roe v. Wade and carrying out massive deportations. The podcast explores Trump's personalized power desires, his extreme plans for the Southern border, and the potential outcomes of a second term. It also highlights Project 2025, a conservative plan outlining policy goals and executive orders.

Aymann Ismail, a Muslim journalist, and Emily Tamkin, a writer and author, discuss power dynamics, tribalism, and the role of empathy in the Israel-Gaza conflict's impact on the United States. They share personal experiences, address online dialogue challenges, explore historical support for Israel among American Jews, delve into frustration and pain, discuss power imbalances and silenced voices, and debunk misnomers about the conflict.

Guest John Nichols, national affairs correspondent for The Nation, discusses Andy Beshear's victories as a red state Democrat, highlighting his support for abortion rights and progressive governance. The podcast explores the challenges faced by Beshear and the potential implications for future elections.