Slate Daily Feed

This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Will Saletan and Catherine Rampell discuss what the Senate’s regressive budget bill will do to the health of America, whether there is space left for non-Trump conservatives in American politics, and how Paramount’s settlement of Trump’s meritless lawsuit signifies the fall of another guardrail against an authoritarian president. Here are this week’s chatters: Will: Amy MacKinnon and John Sakellariadis for Politico: CIA review of 2016 Russia election probe finds no major flaws; Jonathan Landay for Reuters: CIA review finds flaws but does not dispute finding Putin sought to sway 2016 vote to Trump. Catherine: Elizabeth Crisp for The Hill: Trump unveils $249 ‘Trump Fragrances’; Alisha Haridasani Gupta for The New York Times: What Does President Trump’s New Perfume Smell Like?; Nick Turse for The Intercept: The Whiff of Corruption: Trump’s New Perfume Has Strong Notes of Graft. David: Itchy Feet Tours & Safaris in South Africa; Geoff Beattie for The Conversation: Psychology of trophy hunting: why some people kill animals for sport; Hugh Webster for Conservation Frontlines: Trophy Hunting – A Complex Picture. Listener chatter from Teri Weaver in Syracuse, New York: Michelle Breidenbach for Syracuse.com: Cheap milk and immigration: A blunt farmer’s uncomfortable truth about NY’s dairy industry For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, David and guest hosts Will Saletan and Catherine Rampell discuss recent data showing declines in American pride largely along partisan and generational lines, and what it means to be a proud American. In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with author Alison Bechdel about her new book, Spent. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Emily Ditto Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah talk about summer boredom. We get questions about this every year — so we’re coming in early this year with some ideas for how to handle that classic, but dreaded, complaint… that no, really, there’s nothing to do.  And after that, of course, we’re sharing a round of triumphs and fails.  Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts. Podcast produced by Maura Currie.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump wants his “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by July 4. But the bill is so large and expensive—with deep tax cuts only partially offset by huge cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—there’s something in there for almost every member of Congress to hate. Guest: David Dayen, executive editor of the American Prospect. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Stelter, CNN's chief media analyst, dives into the Trump administration's controversial move to strip funding from PBS and NPR. He reflects on the historical context of public media funding and how it has evolved through the years. Stelter contrasts heartfelt appeals, like Mr. Rogers’ famous song for support, with today’s polarized political dialogues. The discussion highlights the vital role of public broadcasting in rural communities and the ongoing battle against perceived biases and funding cuts, emphasizing the stakes for independent journalism.

Mack Haygood, a Professor at Miami University and author of Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control, dives into the booming world of white noise. He explores the psychological motivations behind our growing dependence on these soothing sounds in a multi-billion dollar industry. Listeners discover the fascinating evolution of sound management and the transformative power of ambient noise. Haygood also discusses the history of noise machines and how our relationship with sound has shifted to embrace new auditory experiences.

A woman in her 50s goes viral on TikTok for documenting her plastic surgery journey, sparking a conversation about beauty standards. Humor blends with serious reflections as discussions analyze the societal implications of openness about cosmetic procedures. The cultural shift towards accepting surgery is highlighted, particularly through celebrity transparency like Kylie Jenner's. The podcast delves into how these narratives challenge aging stereotypes and the evolving discourse around body image, prompting a thoughtful look at how women are reshaping their beauty journeys.

Join legal luminaries Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown law professor, Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights advocate, and New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie as they dissect the Supreme Court's latest term. They delve into the emergency docket's overlooked rulings, Justice Jackson's stark warnings on judicial disdain, and the cultural conflicts in recent decisions affecting marginalized communities. The discussion sheds light on how historical context and personal beliefs shape the Court's approach to civil rights and governance in today's polarized climate.

This discussion features Sam Adams, a Slate writer and editor, and Daisy Rosario, a senior supervising producer at Slate. They delve into Brad Pitt's new film about Formula 1, questioning its clichés and celebrating its thrilling visuals. The duo also explores the delightful absurdity of the British panel show 'Taskmaster,' sharing its charm and humor. Additionally, they tackle the New York Times' 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, dissecting representation in Hollywood and their personal favorites that often get overlooked.

Mark Joseph Stern, a Senior Writer at Slate who covers courts and the law, dives into the recent Supreme Court rulings and their implications. He highlights how the court has reshaped the power of district courts, particularly regarding controversial cases like birthright citizenship. Stern discusses the chaotic legal landscape facing families due to varying state laws. He also addresses internal struggles among justices and the erosion of rights, painting a picture of a court increasingly aligned with conservative outcomes.

Maryanne Wolf, director of UCLA’s Center For Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice, shares her insights on reigniting a passion for reading. She discusses the reading brain and how modern distractions affect our connection to literature. Personal experiences of grief highlight the challenges in returning to books. Wolf suggests immersing oneself in engaging mysteries and prioritizing pleasure in reading. With practical strategies, she encourages rekindling joy in reading, even amidst life's chaos.