

SmartHERNews
Jenna Lee
Life is too short to waste time filtering through headlines searching for the facts. That’s when we realized the need for a quick, trustworthy news source that makes staying up-to-date easy and interesting. Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it. And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind. Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews. SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 1, 2025 • 58min
SCOOP: Rage Bait, Retail Insights, & The Suspect In The Murder of the United Healthcare CEO Heads Back To Court
Plus ~ Catch-up on the Trump administration changes to asylum policy in the aftermath of the attack on the National Guard in D.C., and bipartisan questions continue about military operations off the coast of Venezuela.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:08 The Oxford Word of the Year: Rage Bait03:50 A Funny Family Moment with a new dictionary (sorry Merriam-Webster!)07:29 Economic Insights: Black Friday Spending13:11 Key News Stories You Might Have Missed20:35 Congress and Government Funding Issues21:37 National Guard Tragedy and Terrorism Concerns27:04 Asylum Process and Backlog Issues27:52 Trump Administration's Policy Changes30:33 Legal Challenges and Congressional Role34:57 Operation Allies and Vetting Concerns37:43 Narco Terrorism and Military Engagement45:36 Military Code of Conduct Controversy54:24 Final Thoughts and Viewer EngagementSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest! Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 12min
FAMILY MEETING! Your News Questions Answered: ICE, No Kings, & How To Handle Tough Questions
Join us for the second annual SmartHER News family meeting! A heartwarming and insightful discussion hosted LIVE with our Insiders! We tackle the tough stuff. Questions about ICE, No Kings & how to handle tough conversations.Jenna also shares listener questions and ways to foster curiosity over commentary in everyday conversations.00:00 Welcome to the Annual Family Meeting00:51 Reflecting on a Journalism Career01:27 The Importance of Local News01:41 The Reality of Working in News04:10 Thanksgiving Reflections and Traditions05:34 The Concept of the Family Meeting08:15 Navigating Media and Information11:35 Understanding ICE and Deportations24:40 The Role of Federal Law Enforcement36:01 The No Kings Protest Movement38:15 Grassroots Protests Across the Country39:11 Coverage and Impact of October Protests39:47 Analyzing Trump's Leadership Style40:41 Mobilization and Political Implications41:42 Future Democratic Leaders44:52 Overcoming Polarization46:47 The Role of Social Media in Public Discourse51:36 Diverse News Consumption53:52 Building a Community of Thoughtful Dialogue01:02:44 Gratitude and Future Plans for SmartHER NewsSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest! Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 19, 2025 • 19min
A Christian Genocide? What To Know About What’s Happening In Nigeria
From President Trump … to the Secretary of War … to performer Nicki Minaj?Many high-profile voices in recent weeks have highlighted the current state of affairs in Nigeria - specifically what the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations describes as “the persecution of Christians.” This week, the House Foreign Affairs committee will hold a hearing to discuss the Trump administration’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). With these headlines swirling, war correspondent Hollie McKay joins us to work through what to know and why it matters. ~~Pans that will help you cook SmartHER. Shop from these links to support SmartHER News - so we can make sure the facts stick (but your food doesn’t). Cookware Set Always Pan Perfect PotSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
Congress Back In Action: Border Numbers, Beef Prices and What’s Next In The Epstein Investigation
Pans that will help you cook SmartHER. Shop from these links to support SmartHER News - so we can make sure the facts stick (but your food doesn’t).Cookware Set Always Pan Perfect PotNEW POLL: Why do young American women want to leave the United States?What is on the agenda for Congress for their first week back in office?The largest aircraft carrier in the world moves closer to Venezuela. New border numbers. Beef prices on the rise - and what to watch for tariffs. The Epstein Investigation - everything to know from the backstory to the current story.SUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 15min
A Spy Story: The CIA Case Officer Who Changed The Fitness World
When Emily McCarthy tracked down rebel leaders in West Africa, she had no idea her time in the CIA may lead to a discovery that would forever change the health world.The story you will hear today is a spy story ... a love story ... and an American success story of a veteran-owned company called "GORUCK."If you have seen someone walking on the side of the road carrying a weighted-backpack or vest, you can trace the origin of this type of exercise to GORUCK ~ the creation of Jason and Emily McCarthy. Jason served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (better known as the Green Berets) and Emily worked in the clandestine services as a case officer. From deployments overseas to the rocky shores of marriage and entrepreneurship, the two persevered and pioneered a new way to both exercise and gain community. Emily walks us through the various chapters of their story to mark not only the release of the new SPY RUCK for women, but also mark a week when we celebrate the veterans who have served this nation.Check out the new SPY RUCKCheck out GORUCK~~~SUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest! Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 10, 2025 • 26min
We Got The Scoop On "One of the Biggest Mistakes in Modern Medicine"
Back in September, we sat down with the head of the FDA, Dr. Marty Makary, to talk about a host of different hot health topics in America. An area we wanted to focus? Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. One of Dr. Makary's first moves as FDA commissioner was to hold a public panel on what he has now called "one of the biggest mistakes in modern medicine" - black box warnings that the U.S. government placed on hormone replacement therapies, that he believes deterred doctors and women from using these medications to treat life-altering symptoms. Today, the FDA announced, for the first time in decades, it would initiate removing these warnings from HRTs in the hopes of making the treatments more available and accessible to physicians and patients alike. Here's the entire portion of our interview that focuses on hormone replacement therapies, so you can hear for yourself why Dr. Makary feels so passionately about making a move on this medicine, at this time, for not only American women, but the country at large.Listen or watch our complete 1-hour sit-down by clicking on this link. Get our FREE Weekend Digest! Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 10, 2025 • 46min
Should The Gov’t Just Give You The Money? The Latest On The Government Shutdown, A Terror Investigation Spans Two States & A Major Announcement on Women’s Health
All the news you need this week:Happy Birthday, Marines! Your first meeting happened in … a tavern? The latest on the historic government shutdown.A new idea for subsidies - just give the money directly to citizens? The FDA makes a major decision on women’s health. What to know about a Supreme Court case (it involves a conversation over dreadlocks). A terror investigation spans two states, and remains ongoing.The origins of Veterans DayLink To Full FDA Interview with Dr. MakarySUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 5, 2025 • 21min
Historic … & A Sign of Backlash? Top Takeaways From Election Day 2025
Writer, host, political analyst and cultural commentator, Mary Katharine Ham joins us to breakdown what to consider after a history-making Election Day.SUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our FREE Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 7min
Should 16-Year-Olds Have The Right To Vote?
Former VP Harris says Democrats need to lead boldly -- Is lowering the voting age part of a new platform? What do you think? Let us know hello@smartHERNews.comFrom runaway monkeys to an intractable shutdown ... to a Supreme Court showdown over tariffs ... and notable comments on voting age and a third term for President Trump (and what the U.S. Constitution says about both topics!) - we cover all the news to know for the week ahead!Show Notes:Update* The White House in a filing on Monday said it will find funding for some SNAP benefits.Link to full 60 Minutes interview with Pres. TrumpInterview with Emily Ley - CEO of Simplified and part of the Supreme Court case challenging Pres. Trump’s tariffs WATCH/LISTENLink to podcast featuring VP Kamala Harris (where she speaks about voting age).Pew Research on age and party-affiliation in AmericaSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Get our Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

Oct 30, 2025 • 27min
Your Cheat Sheet On The Government Shutdown
As the government shutdown nears unprecedented territory, a quick look at what's going on, why it matters and your own voices on how you feel about it all! Thank you to Amy, Kristina, Jim and Briana for sending us your thoughts!Plus: Why do we say it's one of the longest shutdowns in *modern times*? (Why do we need that caveat?)Where did this all start? A look at both sidesWhy does Congress still get paid?SUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews


