Shows / What Next | Daily News and Analysis
What Next | Daily News and Analysis
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning. Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from…
Episodes
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThey Stood Their Ground. Was It Murder?
A stranger approaching and aiming a gun at you seems like the exact scenario that “Stand Your Ground” laws were made to address. But a case in Florida where…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff the Record: Air Farce One
How much should we know about our politicians? This week we found out that even two of the most scrutinized people in America still have their secrets—be it…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisAre Flock Cameras Watching You?
In a world where everyone is carrying smartphones and setting up Ring cameras, you could be forgiven for thinking the war is over and the surveillance state…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump Cares About Vaccines. Uh-Oh.
Why Donald Trump’s proudly announced executive order on childhood vaccines is a move in the wrong direction—and towards a less healthy, more measle-y America…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOk, Zoomer!
Donald Trump’s success with Gen Z men was one of the many surprises in 2024, but as the second administration has gone on, that support has been plummeting…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisYou Should Worry About the July Jobs Report
Any jobs report, by necessity, is going to be vague and subject to revision, but the latest from the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a pretty clear picture…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWhat Can We Do About Abusers in Congress?
Credible accusations of sexual assault, eventually, led to Graham Platner leaving the Maine Senate race. But Ohio Representative Max Miller is responding to…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff the Record: Democrats Go to War (With Other Democrats)
The wins, the losses, the wins-that-are-so-close-are-they-REALLY-wins, and more from the primary elections this week, that left us asking, “Can we just get the…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisArtificial Intelligence, Very Real Debt
Investments in—and among—artificial intelligence companies have pushed the S&P 500 to record highs. It’s also introduced a volatility to the markets that may…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWhy Ariana Grande Is Stepping Away
If you feel compelled to comment on a famous woman’s body, a good rule of thumb to remember is “don’t.” But to avoid feeling complicit or like we’re…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWill Laura Loomer Save Ukraine?
Laura Loomer may not have an official position in the White House (or anywhere?) but she nevertheless does have the president’s ear—and newfound affinity for…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisA Test For Pro-Israel Democrats
More Democrats than ever are suspicious of big money in politics and against unconditional American military support for Israel. The prominent lobbying group…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe Odyssey’s Neverending Journey Through the Discourse
Roiling like a wine-dark sea since the casting was announced, controversies surrounding Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” didn’t stop with the film’s release…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisBonus: Cory Booker on Blanche, Epstein, and 2028
As part of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Cory Booker had questions for Todd Blanche—and made space for Jeffrey Epstein survivors. Guest: Cory Booker…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisCan We Trust the Jobs Report?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a department for wonks, by wonks. But under the dual pressures of the changing nature of work—like the growing gig…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWhat the Hell is a Peptide?
On the heels of the success of GLP-1s like Ozempic, other peptide treatments are flooding the marketplace—and advertising spaces. But even as the Trump…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump's Forever War
The US can’t leave Iran in charge of the Strait of Hormuz, but it can’t wrestle control away without committing ground troops—but it also can’t keep going on…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe DSA's Biggest Hater Likes One of Their Policies
In the wake of the success among members of the Democratic Socialists of America, The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait has turned in a series of articles that call…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisHow Charlie Kirk Went From Martyr to Meme
In the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, the NFL was holding moments of silence, Ezra Klein was waxing about how he was ‘practicing politics the…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff-the-Record: Wait, You Ran THAT Boston Marathon?
Why are kids getting faster? Is it the shoes? Also, running the Boston Marathon is obviously a huge accomplishment, but if you ran the 2013 Boston Marathon…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump’s Only Friend
Steve Witkoff is a real estate investor, an attorney, and now America’s Special Envoy to the Middle East. It may seem like a weird career shift for Witkoff…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWill Andrew Tate Finally Be Held Accountable?
Over the weekend, Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Florida after British prosecutors brought new charges of rape and sex-trafficking, which were added…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe Best DOJ Money Can Buy
A federal judge paused the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. This may not have been a necessary step if the Department of Justice had taken its…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump’s White Whale
When Donald Trump seizes on an idea, he can riff on it nigh infinitely in any direction, which is why his fairly short and contained primetime speech on…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisVenezuela, 51st State?
A month after a pair of devastating earthquakes and more than six months after the US absconded with their president, how are the people of Venezuela faring…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisA.I. Vs. Eh, I’m Walkin’ ‘Ere!
Ah, New York—where it’s hot, loud, and the air is barely breathable. So it’s not especially surprising that Governor Kathy Hochul is opting out of adding to…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisGame Over for Video Games?
Is Microsoft laying off 3,200 employees from the Xbox division just a new boss coming in and pruning an overgrown asset, or is it a sign that console gaming is…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWill My Lettuce Give Me Diarrhea?
America is one nation under the fear of an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a food-borne illness that has given thousands “explosive diarrhea.” Where did it come…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisCan Anyone Stop Todd Blanche from Becoming AG?
Todd Blanche’s hearing to become US Attorney General has begun. With a resume that includes the president’s $1.8 billion slush fund and, uh, the “handling” of…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisHow ICE Keeps Killing
As the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston demonstrates, ICE’s deportation surge is continuing—and so is the violence. Guest: Arelis Hernández…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisMitch, Lindsey and the Gerontocracy
Mitch McConnell’s “extended absence” (let’s call it that) from the Senate has drawn attention to the fact that the average age of American lawmakers has been…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff-the-Record: Neil the Seal’s Whole Deal
Ah high summer—time for Emmy nominations, giant aquatic mammals to take over seaside towns, and Democrats to point fingers as they frantically try to swap out…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisShould You Take Trump’s Free $1,000?
If you’ve seen ads for Trump Accounts for kids, but also know anything about Donald Trump, you might be wondering “Free $1,000 per baby? Okay, what’s the…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisShe Supported Graham Platner. Then She Couldn't Anymore.
How are supporters and voters reacting to the sexual assault allegations that have brought an end to Graham Platner’s Senate campaign? Guests: Lorry Fleming…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe Trump Sports Curse Reaches FIFA
It was the red card—and subsequent White House phone call—heard ‘round the world. After USMNT striker Folarin Balogun was dealt a red card, President Trump…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe Onion’s New Infowars
For two years, Alex Jones has been battling The Onion for control of Infowars. And, despite still being in a legal gray zone, it’s finally launched – with…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe “Shakedown Artist” Behind CA’s Billionaire Tax
Union leader Dave Regan has spent decades wielding California’s ballot system against the healthcare industry. Now, he’s the man behind California’s…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff-the-Record: Toy Story 5 Did NOT Make Mary Cry
WARNING: This episode spoils Toy Story 5. Right on the heels of two new directors with two fresh new films, comes a five-installment franchise: Toy Story 5…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisDiving In | How Food Delivery Killed Competition (And Took Your Budget With It)
Thanks for joining us during the holidays. White our team is taking a break, we want to share a series with you that we think you’ll love. It’s called Diving…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisAC Won't Save You from the Heat Dome
Well, the movement to change society so it stops heating up the world didn’t take, so now we need to figure out how to change society to deal with a hotter…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisSCOTUS and the "Color Blind" Constitution
The Supreme Court wrapped up a year of giving Trump and the Republican Party nearly everything they could want. And even in the final, birthright citizenship…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisHow This New Gilded Age Ends
The Gilded Age has nothing on the present when it comes to a huge—and growing—portion of wealth being controlled by a smaller and smaller group of men—and…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisHere Come the Socialists
How far does Zohran Mamdani’s political approach and appeal carry beyond liberal strongholds in city centers? Guest: Perry Bacon, staff writer at The New…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisOff the Record: Taylor’s Version
Across the nation, we’re getting ready for July 4, 2026: Taylor Swift’s wedding weekend. Also Donald Trump is either dying or dying to be thin, JD Vance is…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisA.I. Enshittifies Everything
Through stealing your job or simply tanking the stock market—whichever comes first—the rise of artificial intelligence (companies) is a very futuristic…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisNo One Knows the Truth About the Iran Deal
Where do negotiations with Iran stand at the moment? Well, Iran’s out from under a more-than-four-decade-long sanction and could start making bank, plus it…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWhat the Pool’s Reflecting
Most people probably don’t think about the reflecting pool on the National Mall much, but Donald Trump sure does. His efforts to cosmetically raise it to his…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe Return of the Firing Squad
With lethal injection drugs getting harder and harder to procure, states are legalizing death by firing squad. It may seem like a return to a more barbaric…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisAmerica Before 250
It has been 250 years and America still doesn’t know how to talk about the genocide of indigenous peoples that kicked the whole thing off. Guest: Rebecca…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisElon, Please Log Off
Everyone needs a hobby. Unfortunately, instead of, say, model trains, the world’s first trillionaire’s seems to unwind by boosting calls for anti-immigrant…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisCan ChatGPT Be a Criminal Accomplice?
People are asking artificial intelligence large language models how to do everything—even how to harm themselves and others. And while companies claim there…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump’s War Is Still Going to Cost You
Oil prices fell when Trump announced a deal had been struck with Iran, but don’t mistake that for things going back to “normal.” We left “normal” a long time…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisIsrael Alone
Both the US and Iran are talking up a deal that will end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. So why is Israel so upset about it? Guest: Gregg Carlstrom…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisThe US Military’s Other War
From the firing of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr., to the removal of the first Black four-star general’s portrait from the…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisAn Obsession with Backrooms
Two horror films by two young directors have outmuscled an honest-to-Grogu Star Wars to become the early box office surprises of the summer. Guest: Justin…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisMy Clip Viral, My Spencer Pratt, My Kalshi Dived, Knicks In Five??
It’s real: The two great flavors of What Next and What Next TBD together at last. But what’s not real? Where does a sincere speaker using a medium with a…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisIPO to the Moon
Is Elon Musk’s SpaceX leading humanity to Mars? Or is that just grandiose window-dressing for an A.I. company leading several other A.I. companies to IPOs?…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisFight House Lawn
How Donald Trump rearranging the White House lawn to accommodate a UFC fight neatly mirrors the way the organization and its parent company have reshaped…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisWhat's the Beef with Screwworm?
After being eradicated in the United States in the ‘60s, screwworm is back—at a time when beef is even more in demand and the American herd is already…
What Next | Daily News and AnalysisTrump’s B-Team
Why would Trump choose Bill Pulte to be the new acting Director of National Intelligence? Pulte may not have a background in national security, but since he…