The Assignment with Audie Cornish

How does ageism impact all of us? What is causing the chemotherapy drug shortage? These questions come from you, our listeners, who call in week after week with ideas for our next assignment. This week Audie speaks with CNN Health reporter Jacqueline Howard and Gerontologist Dr. Tracey Gendron about the future of ongoing pharmaceutical drug shortages and the impact ageism could have on the 2024 presidential election.  If you have an assignment you’d like us to look into, leave us a voicemail at 202-854-8802 and you might just hear your voice on an upcoming episode!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we're sharing the latest episode of CNN Political Briefing with David Chalian: What will it take to win the youth vote in 2024? John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, recently led a survey of voters between the ages of 18 and 29. He discovered that fewer of them are planning on voting this time than in the last election cycle. CNN Political Director David Chalian talks to him about other surprising finds, and how this year’s candidates might persuade young people.Harvard Youth Poll, Fall 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast explores the reasons behind the high maternal mortality rates among black women and the increasing trend of choosing home births. It discusses the challenges faced by black women in hospitals and the need for improvements. The speaker shares personal experiences and highlights the disparities in childbirth safety. An upcoming episode focuses on home births and black maternal mortality, premiering on TV on December 17th.

Audie talks with journalist and podcaster Tara Palmeri about the tactics, frustrations, and the purpose of political journalism. The stops on Palmeri’s career journey prepared her well for this moment. She covered Brexit for Politico Europe, she was White House correspondent at ABC News, and early in her career, she learned all about former president Trump when she worked for his favorite place to appear in print, Page Six of the New York Post. Today, Palmeri is senior political correspondent at Puck News and she’s the host of one of our favorite podcasts, “Somebody’s Gotta Win,” a collaboration between Puck and The Ringer.We’d love to hear from you. Call and leave us your Assignments: ‪(202) 854-8802‬ or write to theassignment@cnn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ken Burns has been called “America’s Storyteller.” Audie spoke with him live on stage about his process, and about trying to get to the truth of a subject, especially in a political and cultural climate that actively challenges the very idea of truth. Their conversation was part of The Connecticut Forum's season of live, unscripted conversations among renowned experts and celebrities.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Obama/Biden ticket’s historic victory in 2008 was the result of massive turnout from Black voters, young voters, and college-educated Americans. Audie talks with Ashley Allison, a CNN commentator and former National Coalitions Director for Biden-Harris 2020 campaign, about the challenge Democrats face holding that coalition together.Call and leave us your Assignments: (202) 854-8802 or email TheAssignment@cnn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, begins this week. As global leaders convene to address the urgent challenges of our planet's changing climate, two creative minds join Audie to explore how we process the climate crisis. She explores how these creators infuse hope into their narratives, envisioning a world where art and storytelling inspire action and solutions. For all of CNN’s COP28 coverage, go to cnn.com/RoadToCop GUESTS Sam Alfred is a video game designer from Cape Town, South Africa, who created Terra Nil, a mobile strategy game that challenges players to transform desolate landscapes into flourishing ecosystems.  Sequoia Nagamatsu is an author and professor. His book "How High We Go in the Dark," explores a future shaped by environmental crisis and generational resilience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN national correspondent, Kristen Holmes, analyzes Trump's radical second-term agenda, including mass deportations, weaponizing the justice department, and purging civil servants. The podcast explores the perception and interpretation of Trump's statements, the commitment and loyalty of his second-term staff, asserting control over the Department of Justice, and how Trump supporters are preparing for their next opportunity in government.

Audie Cornish sits down with writer, comedian, and activist Baratunde Thurston to discuss the concept of patriotism in America. They explore the declining importance of patriotism, the dark history of America, the need for acknowledgement and healing, overcoming limits and embracing vulnerability, defining patriotism, and the concept of letting go and embracing the new.

Nikki Haley's surge in popularity in New Hampshire attracts attention from anti-Trump fundraisers. The significance of staffing choices and identifying winning opportunities in the presidential campaign. The importance of saying yes to every opportunity and asking tough questions. Analysis of the current state of the Republican race and the need for consolidation. Ron DeSantis's campaign decline and the former president's involvement. How Trump won the 2016 election by understanding American frustrations.