

What Next | Daily News and Analysis
Slate Podcasts
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/whatnextplus for access wherever you listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2023 • 24min
McCarthy’s Impeaching Biden to Keep His Job
Jim Newell, a senior politics writer for Slate, discusses the impeachment inquiry into President Biden led by Kevin McCarthy, the challenges faced by McCarthy in dealing with right-wing members, the potential government shutdown, and the debate surrounding McCarthy confronting a motion against himself.

Sep 16, 2023 • 31min
TBD | Can Politicians Keep Kids Safe Online?
The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act has noble-sounding intentions, but has been called one of the most dangerous bills in years by the digital rights group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation.Guest: Richard Blumenthal, senior United States senator from Connecticut. 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

Sep 15, 2023 • 33min
TBD | Google Makes Its Case
A trial a decade in the making has started, as the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust case against Google and its unrivaled position as the top search engine begins. Is this the beginning of the government “taking on Big Tech” and the end of Google as we know it?Guest: Leah Nylen, covering antitrust for Bloomberg.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

Sep 14, 2023 • 32min
The Case Against Harm Reduction
Syderia Asberry-Chresfield, co-founder of the Greater Harlem Coalition and former VP for JP Morgan Chase, discusses challenges in the neighborhood, the controversy surrounding harm reduction, the impact of a needle exchange program in Harlem, concerns about On Point's focus on harm reduction, and the importance of community support for addiction recovery.

Sep 13, 2023 • 24min
Fighting “Disaster Fatigue”
It feels like we live in a world of near constant environmental disasters. Whether it’s living through an emergency, or consuming coverage in the media, collective trauma takes a mental toll. What steps can we take to be ready—for ourselves, our communities, and to help the recovery? Guest: Dr. Tara Powell, associate professor, School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIf 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. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 2023 • 27min
How DeSantis Turned New College into a Circus
Back in January, Ron DeSantis appointed six new trustees to the board of Florida’s New College, who swiftly set about remaking the school according to a much more conservative vision of what college should be. Now, as the new school year begins, we’re starting to see what that vision actually looks like. Guest: Sam Greenspan, freelance journalist who attended New College of Florida from 2004 to 2008 and reported on the college for Reveal in June.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. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 2023 • 25min
Prison for the Proud Boys. Now What?
Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio was just sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6th insurrection. With much of their leadership, and that of the Oath Keepers, now behind bars, has their movement hit a dead end? Or is this just more grist for the anti-government outrage mill?Guest: Brandi Buchman, independent journalist covering the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys trialsIf 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. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 1min
This American Life: The Call
As the opioid overdose crisis continues, a group of volunteers started a hotline with one mission—not to encourage people to go to rehab, not even to discourage them from using—just to keep them alive for one more day. A collaboration with This American Life.Guests: Stephen Murray, paramedic and overdose researcher at Boston Medical Center.Jessie, a registered nurse who answers calls on the Never Use Alone hotline. Kimber, a caller to the hotline.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. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 9, 2023 • 21min
TBD | Bad Air, Worse Vibes
COVID’s still here but the public’s appetite for masking, social distancing, or remote learning is long gone. One palatable way to stop the spread: improving air circulation indoors. Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, science and global health reporter for the New York TimesIf 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

Sep 8, 2023 • 28min
TBD | Tech Disrupts the School Bus
When Howard County signed a $27 million contract with the start-up Zum, the company promised to modernize the way schools provide transportation. But when the school year started, that’s not what happened.Guest: Daniel Zawodny, covering transportation for the Baltimore Banner and corps member of Report For America.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