

Skimm This
theSkimm
“Skimm This” tackles important topics that impact women, and empowers generations of women to live smarter. Listen to our miniseries throughout the year, airing on Thursdays.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2019 • 12min
Neverending Story: Impeachment Hearings, Savvy Scammers, OK Boomer
Lawmakers sat for a LONG time today during marathon impeachment hearings on Capitol Hill. Today we finally heard from officials who listened in on President Trump’s now-infamous phone call with the leader of Ukraine. We’ll get into the latest impeachment revelations and how Republicans tried to question the credibility of today’s witnesses. Also on today’s show: why scammers are hungry for gift cards, and why “OK boomer” may be falling out of fashion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 2019 • 14min
Pardon Me?: War Crimes, Hong Kong Schools, Bye Bye Bei Bei
President Trump pardoned Army officers accused of war crimes, and the decision has sparked a heated debate over whether this is a good idea for the military justice system. We’ll explain the reasoning behind this move, and why some in the military are saying this is a bad idea. Meanwhile, student protesters in Hong Kong are starting the week off with a bang. We’ll explain how young people are leading the pro-democracy movement: on campus. Also on today’s show: confusion over a potential e-cigarette ban, and we say ‘bye-bye’ to a national treasure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2019 • 13min
Escalating: Impeachment Drama, Bill Blockers, People-Movers
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified in the ongoing impeachment hearings today. She described how her anti-corruption efforts earned her powerful enemies in Ukraine, and led to a smear campaign against her inside the Trump Administration. We’ll explain how Yovanovitch’s testimony today also got under Trump’s skin. Meanwhile, Chanel Miller stopped by Skimm HQ this week and shared a powerful message for other survivors of sexual assault. Also on today’s show: why the most interesting thing about a fancy new Starbucks isn’t the coffee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 2019 • 12min
Float On: US-Ukraine Relations, Google Cache, Swimming Cows
Thanks to the ongoing impeachment inquiry, we’re hearing about Ukraine a lot lately. Turns out: the US and Ukraine have a history. We’ll explain why the diplomats you’re hearing from during public impeachment hearings are so concerned about the US’s relationship with Ukraine. Also on today’s show: Google tries to get ahold of your cache, and how wild cows are much better swimmers than we thought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 2019 • 14min
Brace Yourself: Impeachment Hearings, Greta at Sea, Really Old Booze
The impeachment inquiry hearings into President Trump finally went public today. There was the usual partisan drama, but also some important new developments. We’ll break down the case Democrats hope to make and how a second phone call with Ukraine could strengthen their impeachment push. Meanwhile, privacy activists are cheering a new court ruling that could have an impact on international travel. Also on today’s show: climate activist Greta Thunberg sets sail back to Europe, and a shipwreck stuffed with liquor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2019 • 13min
Out in the Cold: DACA, Bolivia’s President, Arctic Air
The Supreme Court heard one of the biggest cases of the term: whether the Trump admin can end DACA. That’s the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program started by President Obama in 2012. We’ll explain the Trump administration’s case for getting rid of it, and how hundreds of thousands of immigrants could be affected. Meanwhile, Bolivia’s president has fled the country. We’ll connect the dots between his controversial election, and the protests that pushed him to accept political asylum in Mexico. Also on today’s show: what to expect when you’re expecting the first public impeachment hearing, and really cold weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8, 2019 • 12min
Dark and Stormy: Hong Kong Protests, Concussion Research, Impeachment Smells
The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong took a dark turn this week, amid the death of a young student and two violent attacks on politicians. After five months of demonstrations, protesters and the government don’t look anywhere close to making nice. We’ll explain what continued unrest means for the city and its long-storied reputation. Meanwhile, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is thinking about getting into the 2020 presidential race. We’ll break down why Bloomberg’s path to 2020 could start in Alabama. Also on today’s show: new concussion research on female soccer players, and why the impeachment inquiry is starting to literally stink. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2019 • 12min
Hold Up: The US v. Gilead, ‘Recanvassing,’ Buying a House
The US government is suing a major pharmaceutical company over its HIV prevention drugs. We’ll tell you why, and explain how it’s spotlighting a larger movement to make life-saving drugs easier to access. Meanwhile, the governor's race in Kentucky is over. Except: not really. The current governor is challenging the results of Tuesday’s vote — and asking for a ‘recanvass.’ We’ll explain what that means. Also on today’s show: how the housing market might affect your wallet, and another reason why there are #NoExcuses not to vote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 6, 2019 • 12min
Brave New Worlds: Shadow Diplomacy, Cartel Violence, Voting Methods
The outlines of a power struggle between US diplomats and President Trump’s personal attorney are emerging out of transcripts from the House impeachment investigation. We’ll connect the dots on why Rudy Giuliani’s ‘shadow diplomacy’ upset diplomats and caused some to ask the State Department for help that they didn’t end up receiving. Meanwhile, the murder of nine American citizens in Mexico this week is putting the Mexican government in the hot seat over its inability to put an end to cartel violence. And finally, we’ll break down ranked-choice voting and how an alternate way of picking candidates could improve American elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2019 • 12min
One Day You're In: Paris Agreement, Election Day, Being 'Single'
The Trump administration formally told the United Nations that it’s pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, making the US the only country in the world to bow out of the landmark deal on climate change. We’ll connect the dots between the international response to the move, and its potential effect on the US economy. Meanwhile, it’s Election Day. We’ll break some of the big races to watch tonight. Also on today’s show: the benefits of having a long weekend every weekend, and a new way to define your relationship status… with yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices