Apple News In Conversation

In this gripping discussion, Madeleine Baran, host and lead reporter of the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative podcast In the Dark, delves into the Haditha massacre, where U.S. Marines killed 24 Iraqi civilians in 2005. She reveals the chaotic realities surrounding the incident and the failures of military justice in holding anyone accountable. Baran highlights the chilling dehumanization of victims during trials and portrays the profound emotional trauma experienced by survivors. The podcast calls for greater transparency and accountability in military actions.

Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy, investigative reporters from Bloomberg, delve into a disturbing deepfake-porn scandal affecting young women in Levittown, New York. They discuss the emotional trauma experienced by the victims and highlight the shortcomings of law enforcement in dealing with such digital crimes. The conversation explores the urgent need for legal reforms, particularly the controversial Take It Down Act, which aims to combat non-consensual digital content. Their insights reveal the dark intricacies of generative AI and its potential hazards in society.

Millions of Americans cannot afford housing despite working full-time jobs. They live in cars, shelters, or extended-stay hotels and often don’t qualify for assistance programs. Journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone follows five Atlanta families who are stuck in this cycle in his new book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Goldstone reveals how these parents and children are prevented from securing housing by steep rents, red tape, and predatory schemes. He spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about how this crisis arose and ways to address it. Listen to the full interview on Apple Podcasts. Correction: A previous version of this episode misstated when the federal minimum wage was last raised. We have removed that line from the interview. The last federal minimum-wage raise was in 2009, not the 1990s.

Michael S. Roth, President of Wesleyan University, critiques the Trump administration's interference with academic freedom. He discusses how recent investigations into top universities impact diversity programs and threaten funding. Roth emphasizes the importance of defending free speech and the necessity for universities to embrace ideological diversity. He highlights the challenges faced by international students amid political pressures and urges the importance of resilience in defending personal liberties for future generations.

Jonathan Blitzer, a seasoned immigration staff writer for The New Yorker and author of 'Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here', sheds light on the troubling deportation of Venezuelan migrants. He highlights the harrowing journey of Andrew, a gay makeup artist, wrongfully detained for supposed gang affiliations. Blitzer critiques ICE's practices, revealing the lack of criminal records among deportees. The discussion exposes political silence amid community efforts to support those affected, emphasizing the urgent need for advocacy in the face of injustice.

Gardiner Harris, an investigative journalist and author of 'No More Tears,' exposes the troubling history of Johnson & Johnson. He reveals the dark realities behind their baby powder scandal, including contamination with asbestos. Harris discusses the company's role in the opioid epidemic and highlights systemic failures in healthcare oversight. He calls for ethical reforms to hold corporations accountable, emphasizing the need for transparency to protect public health. A riveting exploration of corporate malfeasance and its real-world consequences.

Leah Feiger, Senior Politics Editor at Wired, and Zoë Schiffer, Head of Business and Industry at Wired, dive into the tumultuous changes within federal agencies sparked by Elon Musk's controversial initiatives. They share insights from over 150 sources, revealing the confusion and upheaval affecting federal workers. Topics include Musk's 'Doge' efforts to inject startup-style management, alarming data privacy threats, and the real human impacts of these technological transformations, urging a shift towards personal stories amid broader political narratives.

Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, is a travel expert known for helping people leverage credit card points and frequent-flyer miles. He shares practical strategies for planning luxurious trips at a fraction of the cost. Kelly discusses how to maximize travel rewards, the importance of flexibility, and direct airline bookings. He also emphasizes tips for traveling with kids, including kid-friendly destinations. With insights from his new book, he debunks myths about flight pricing and highlights the advantages of using travel technology.

The U.S. military is the most powerful and lethal in the world. But several branches of the armed forces have failed to meet their recruiting goals in recent years. That has some experts concerned about whether the country would be prepared to defend itself in the event of war. In a recent piece for the New Yorker, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Dexter Filkins writes about the state of the military today. He spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about the roots of this recruitment crisis, how the current administration plans to address it, and what it could mean for American security in the future.

McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic known for his deep dive into the Murdoch family saga, shares the gripping story of Rupert Murdoch's power struggle over his media empire. He walks us through the turbulent court battle sparked by Murdoch's decision to favor Lachlan over James, illuminating the fraught sibling dynamics and James's journey to reclaim his narrative. Coppins also delves into the ideological divides among the brothers during the Trump years and the emotional fallout of their estrangement, revealing a family caught in a dramatic legacy fight.