

CNN One Thing
CNN
You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2025 • 19min
Inside a Rush to Relocate from Trump’s America
Anna Cooban, CNN Business and Economics Reporter, dives into the rising trend of Americans relocating amid political unrest. She shares an intriguing story of a family moving to Morocco, highlighting their emotional and logistical challenges. The conversation uncovers motivations behind seeking dual citizenship as a safeguard against political uncertainty. Cooban also explores how events like January 6th and the concerns of families with trans children are influencing the growing wave of expatriation, making the topic both timely and compelling.

Jul 2, 2025 • 19min
What Trump's Megabill Could Mean for Your Bills
As President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package nears a final vote in Congress, many Americans just want to know how the bill would impact their lives. We explain how it could increase how much you pay for electricity and transportation – no matter where you live.
Guest: Ella Nilsen, CNN Climate Reporter
See the projection for your state here.
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 29, 2025 • 22min
His Case Legalized Gay Marriage. Now He Wants to Make Sure it Sticks.
Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage, discusses the ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ rights ten years after Obergefell v. Hodges. He shares his personal journey through discrimination and legal battles in Ohio, emphasizing the importance of activism. Obergefell reflects on how political representation is crucial in the current polarized climate and addresses the urgency of defending established rights against misinformation. His heartfelt storytelling underscores the fight for equality continues.

Jun 25, 2025 • 19min
Trump Wants the Israel-Iran Ceasefire to Stick. It May Not Be Up to Him.
Note: This episode contains strong language.
The Middle East remains on edge after President Donald Trump brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. We break down whether recent military moves will deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon and how Trump’s approach to peace could have repercussions in the future.
Guests: Kimberly Dozier, CNN Global Affairs Analyst
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 22, 2025 • 20min
Cuomo on the Cusp of a Comeback in NYC
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was praised by Democrats in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic for his strong and steady leadership. A little more than a year later, he had resigned in disgrace following multiple sexual harassment allegations (he denied wrongdoing). Now, he is attempting an unlikely political comeback in New York City. We break down the June 24 mayoral primary and how it could impact the city’s standing with the Trump administration.
Guests: Gloria Pazmino, CNN Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Episode Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 23min
The Civilian Cost of Israel and Iran’s Conflict
As Israel and Iran strike each other, civilians are caught in the middle. We hear about how people in both countries are coping and get an explainer on why Iran’s nuclear program is so contentious.
Guests: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent & Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
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Jun 15, 2025 • 21min
‘It's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell 2.0.’: Trump’s Trans Service Member Ban
Transgender troops have begun separating from the military under a Pentagon policy dismissing service members who have a diagnosis, history or exhibit symptoms of gender dysphoria. We hear from a transgender service member who says the fallout reminds him of one of the military’s darkest periods.
Guest: Benjamin Kibler, US Navy Senior Chief
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Episode Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2025 • 21min
Public Safety and Politics Collide in LA
After President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to California to stop immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles, other states are wondering: are we next? We hear about how Trump overrode Governor Gavin Newsom and what it could mean for future protests.
Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 8, 2025 • 21min
How Trump’s Coal Cuts Are Hitting His Diehards
President Donald Trump wants coal to be king again – but what about the people who have risked everything to extract it? A CNN investigation has revealed how the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have slashed protections for vulnerable coal miners.
Guest: Kyung Lah, CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Episode Photo by: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2025 • 28min
A GOP Trump Critic Wants Others to Speak Out. Will They Listen?
A post-Trump GOP Is years away, but some are already planning. In a conversation recorded live at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, we hear from one of Trump’s loudest critics from his first term about whether current Republicans can push back without jeopardizing their political futures.
Guest: Jeff Flake, former US Ambassador to Turkey
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices