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After the Trump administration launched a massive Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operation in Minnesota, protesters gathered to defend immigrant neighbors. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of a six year old, showed up with her wife and dog to film altercations between officers and community members. What happened next changed everything. Guest: Jon Collins, senior reporter on the Minnesota Public Radio News race, class and communities team. 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 Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 28, 2024 • 58min
How Nike Shoes Got Lame
Kim Bhasin, a Bloomberg journalist focused on business, and Jamie Salter, a savvy entrepreneur known for revitalizing struggling brands, dive into the decline of Nike and its missteps in direct-to-consumer marketing. They explore how Nike's leadership changes and retail strategy backfired, opening doors for competitors. The conversation also touches on Salter's journey acquiring ‘zombie brands’ in the retail landscape. Finally, they dissect the implications of the DOJ's antitrust case against Visa and what it means for consumers.

Sep 27, 2024 • 3min
Bonus: The Surge | Indicted for Swagger
A throwback week in politics finds New York’s Boss Tweed of Swagger in trouble, a Republican bucking the party line for his constituents and a name Democrats thought they were done with.Guest: Jim Newell, Slate’s senior politics writer, who writes the weekly newsletter The Surge.This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of The Surge but you’ll also 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/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 27, 2024 • 28min
Big Tech Fears Her
Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, has been at the forefront of regulating Big Tech in the EU. In this engaging discussion, she reflects on legal challenges facing giants like Apple and Google, including significant court rulings. The conversation highlights the importance of the Digital Markets Act, transparency in content regulation, and the need for female empowerment in leadership roles. Vestager also contrasts Europe’s proactive antitrust approach with that of the U.S., providing insights into the future of digital competition.

Sep 26, 2024 • 59min
North Carolina Crazies
This week, Emily Bazelon, a prominent journalist, John Dickerson, a political journalist from CBS, and David Plotz, a former editor at Slate, delve into the high-stakes Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump race. They dissect the chaos surrounding Mark Robinson's gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina and consider the implications of careerism on college students. Additionally, they explore the evolving preferences of young voters, particularly regarding gender divides, and discuss recent polarizing moments in the Republican Party.

Sep 26, 2024 • 25min
Will North Carolina Pick The President?
Michael Bitzer, a political history professor at Catawba College, dives into the significance of North Carolina as a battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. He discusses how Kamala Harris could influence voter turnout, especially among black voters. The conversation highlights GOP nominee Mark Robinson's controversial past and its potential impact on the elections. Bitzer emphasizes the unpredictability of North Carolina’s political landscape, making it crucial for Democrats to mobilize grassroots efforts for a blue shift.

Sep 25, 2024 • 25min
Why More Democrats Are Buying Guns
Cameron McWhirter, a national affairs reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of 'American Gun', explores the surprising rise of gun ownership among liberals. He discusses how shifting political attitudes, particularly since COVID-19, are reshaping the conversation around guns. The podcast examines the motivations behind this trend, including personal safety and evolving narratives within the Democratic party regarding the Second Amendment. McWhirter also highlights initiatives like the LA Progressive Shooters group, aiming to promote responsible gun ownership.

Sep 24, 2024 • 21min
Political Gabfest: A Murder Mystery that Uncovers the Excitement in the Everyday and Ordinary
On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads, Political Gabfest host David Plotz talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her new book, Tell Me Everything. They discuss how Strout conceives of interconnected stories and characters across her work, including the return of beloved characters like Olive Kitteridge. They also dig into the importance of listening and the ways ordinary lives can be extraordinary. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2024 • 29min
The New Rules of Campus Protest
Sophie Hurwitz, a politics and social movements reporter at Mother Jones, joins Michael S. Roth, president of Wesleyan University, to discuss the evolving nature of campus protests. They explore how universities are balancing the regulation of protests with the principles of free speech. Hurwitz and Roth dive into the implications of new policies that might confuse students. They also highlight recent protests at Wesleyan regarding divestment and the critical role of youth activism ahead of the 2024 elections.

Sep 23, 2024 • 26min
What Was The Point of Israel’s Pager Attack?
Shane Harris, an intelligence and national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins to discuss Israel's recent military actions against Hezbollah. They dive into what Israel's blowing up of pagers and walkie-talkies really signifies in the geopolitical landscape. The conversation examines the moral implications of civilian safety amidst military strategies, and how these actions are perceived internationally. The evolution of Hezbollah from a militant group to a political entity also plays a key role in their analysis.

Sep 22, 2024 • 23min
Trump Called. Laura Loomer Answered.
Laura Loomer, a controversial political provocateur, has made waves as a key figure in the Trump campaign, leveraging her internet notoriety to gain influence. In conversation with Ken Bensinger, a politics reporter for the New York Times, she discusses her unorthodox rise from online controversies to political insider status. They explore the use of memes and trolling in shaping right-wing narratives and the internal tensions among MAGA supporters. The duo also examines how these dynamics affect electoral strategies and the evolving landscape of political discourse.


