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This week’s show is unapologetically long, deep, and hopeful. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Yale history professor Timothy Snyder to talk about his new book, On Freedom, and to have the audacity to re-imagine freedom on the precipice of an election that could turn the United States hard right into tyranny. Next, Dahlia is joined by Rick Hasen, Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law School, for a gut-check about how the election might go, legally speaking, and a reminder that “too early to call” is a pro-democracy posture on election night—even as the former guy almost certainly claims victory before the clock strikes midnight—regardless of the actual results. Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk, the innovative CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, dives into his surprising political ties with Donald Trump, exploring how he evolved from an admired tech visionary to a pivotal supporter funding Trump's campaign. The discussion unveils Musk's strategic motives amid shifting political landscapes, including his response to Biden’s electric vehicle policies and the potential implications for his business interests. The complexities of power and influence unfold, revealing Musk's maneuvering in the intersection of Silicon Valley and politics.

Nate Persley, a Stanford University Law School professor specializing in election law, joins the discussion as the team delves into the final week of the presidential campaign. They tackle critical threats to election integrity, including voter roll inaccuracies and litigation challenges in Pennsylvania. The implications of celebrity endorsements on low-engagement voters are examined alongside the complexities of political rhetoric and its electoral fallout. The conversation also touches on media integrity and the impact of endorsements on public trust during this tumultuous election period.

David Gilbert, a reporter for WIRED specializing in disinformation and online extremism, dives into the unsettling world of constitutional sheriffs. He describes his experiences at an unconventional sheriff convention where attendees fervently share their beliefs about the 2020 election being stolen. The discussion highlights the sheriffs' assertive stance against federal authorities and their role in the upcoming elections, raising concerns about the integrity of voting processes and the potential for increased law enforcement interference.

Paul Kane, a congressional reporter for the Washington Post, dives into the pivotal role of Nebraska's second congressional district in the upcoming presidential election. He discusses the unique electoral vote allocation system that could sway national outcomes. The conversation highlights local activism through the Blue Dot Energy movement and analyzes the competitive dynamics of current congressional races. Kane also sheds light on shifting campaign strategies and the implications for both parties amid changing voter sentiments in Nebraska.

Raquel Willis, a writer and activist known for her memoir "The Risk It Takes to Bloom," and Eliel Cruz, an organizer and columnist with Gay Times, dive into the significance of the Gender Liberation March in D.C. They discuss connecting reproductive rights with medical transitions in a challenging political landscape. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of intersectional activism beyond elections, the importance of grassroots movements, and the need for authentic media representation of trans issues. Together, they highlight how gender liberation can empower all communities.

The hardest-to-reach portion of the electorate remains “undecided” at this point of the election cycle, but the outcome depends on which campaign can convince them to join their side.Guest: Michael Podhorzer, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP) and author of the substack Weekend Reading.We want to hear from you! Submit your answers to our What Next listener survey at slate.com/WhatNextSurvey.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across 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.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh examine the notable silence from major sports stars on this year’s presidential election. They also discuss Michael Jordan's legal battle against NASCAR, plus the first week of the NBA regular season. In the Bonus episode exclusively for Slate Plus subscribers, the panel reflects on the life and legacy of Fernando Valenzuela and his impact on the Dodgers.A lack of political endorsements (2:48): LeBron remains quiet with one week remaining until the election.MJ vs. NASCAR (21:35): The implications of Michael Jordan’s legal case against Big Race Car.NBA (36:01): Bronny’s first few minutes.(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a presidential race as tight as this one, a few thousand votes—in the right states—could be the difference. Is the Green Party candidate Jill Stein set up to be that difference, like so many Democrats believe she was in 2016?Guest: Matt Flegenheimer, correspondent for the New York Times specializing in long-form profiles of political figures.We want to hear from you! Submit your answers to our What Next listener survey at slate.com/WhatNextSurvey.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across 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.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Puberty is changing, and we’re not talking about developing Adam’s apples and growing hair in new places.It starts earlier and lasts longer.Regardless of when this necessary stage of life starts, youth and their adults need support going through it.On this week’s episode of Well, Now puberty expert Vanessa Kroll Bennett discusses the biggest ways puberty has changed for today’s youth and how best to navigate it. She’s co-host of the podcast This Is So Awkward with Dr. Cara Natterson and co-author of This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained.If you liked this episode, check out: Can Kids Be Healthy at Any Size? Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices