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Brian Donovan, a sociology professor at the University of Kansas known for teaching 'The Sociology of Taylor Swift,' discusses the impact of Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris. He dives into how celebrity endorsements shape political sentiment and boost engagement among fans. The conversation touches on Swift's evolution from pop star to political influencer, the complexities of fan culture, and the ways in which her endorsement could galvanize voter participation among the Swiftie community.

Micah Maidenberg, a space business reporter for the Wall Street Journal, discusses the recent successful landing of Boeing's Starliner and the unexpected astronaut return via SpaceX. He dives into the challenges Boeing faces, including investigations and labor issues, while highlighting NASA's shift towards private contractors. The conversation contrasts Boeing's traditional approach with SpaceX’s innovative methods, shedding light on the evolving landscape of American spaceflight and the implications for future missions.

Boeing faces a turbulent year with a massive worker strike revealing deep-seated labor issues. The hosts debate the cultural shift from full meals to snacking, highlighting the quirky notion of 'girl dinner.' They also explore the fallout from the Silicon Valley Bank collapse and the evolving landscape of banking regulations, particularly Basel III. The light-hearted discussion extends to breakfast preferences, contrasting sweet and savory options, while injecting a dose of humor into contemporary topics surrounding labor, finance, and food.

Jessica Valenti, author of 'Abortion: Our Bodies, Their Lies', and Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for a key abortion rights initiative in Florida, delve into the alarming trend of states undermining direct democracy post-Dobbs. They discuss the tactics used to stifle abortion ballot measures, including voter intimidation and misinformation campaigns. The duo highlights the emotional toll of disenfranchisement while showcasing the resilience of grassroots movements committed to protecting reproductive rights.

The law has been passed and signed by the president: TikTok’s parent company must sell or divest from the app. But that’s not happening without a legal fight.  Guest: Emily Baker-White, investigative reporter at Forbes.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.Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Patrick Fort, and Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President, discusses her recent debate highlights against Donald Trump. Joining her are renowned singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and political heavyweights, Dick and Liz Cheney, who explore the unique power of celebrity endorsements in elections. Law professor Nathaniel Persily sheds light on election integrity and the impact of new voting laws. The conversation dives into the intersection of pop culture and politics, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection with voters and the evolving landscape of party support.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for the New York Times, dives deep into the lessons we've glossed over since the pandemic. She discusses the alarming public apathy towards rising COVID-19 cases and the emerging threats of bird flu and mpox. Misconceptions about COVID's endemic status and skepticism about vaccines also take center stage. Mandavilli emphasizes the importance of learning from past crises to better prepare for inevitable future pandemics. It's a stirring reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive public health measures.

David Faris, a politics professor at Roosevelt University and contributor for Slate, shares insights on the recent presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. He discusses how the intense exchanges on abortion and healthcare reflected their campaign strategies. Harris's powerful critiques and her positioning resonate with voters, while Trump misses crucial opportunities. The conversation also explores the role of social media in shaping public perception and the potential implications for the upcoming election.

After 12 years of “pretrial proceedings,” and 23 years after the crime in question, prosecutors announced that a plea deal had been reached with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two of his accomplices, who were accused of planning the Sept. 11 attacks. When Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin canceled the deal, some relatives of those who died on 9/11 were devastated.Guest: Terry Kay Rockefeller, founding member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.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.Public.com+Public Investing Disclosure: Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. See public.com/#disclosures-main for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the school shooting in Georgia last week, charges were brought against the 14-year-old alleged gunman—and also against his father. Who’s really responsible?Guest: Josie Duffy Rice, journalist focused on prosecutors, prisons, and other criminal justice issues and host of What A Day.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.