What A Day
What A Day
If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
May 13, 2026 • 19min
What Does Trump Need Most From China?
Phelim Kine, Washington D.C.-based China correspondent at Politico, explains the stakes of Trump’s Beijing trip in short, clear terms. He discusses how U.S.-China relations shifted since 2017. He outlines the summit’s modest goals like trade stability and export limits. He analyzes China’s growing power and how the Iran war shapes U.S. demands on Beijing.
16 snips
May 12, 2026 • 24min
Jeffrey Epstein Funded Harvard Women's Athletics
Pablo Torre, journalist and podcast host known for investigative reporting, explains how student reporters exposed hidden ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Harvard. He outlines a secretly named fund for women's athletics, omitted connections involving prominent figures, and why full transparency about donations and communications matters. Multiple revealing documents and withheld details drive the reporting.
11 snips
May 11, 2026 • 23min
The Gentrification Of Intersectionality
Kimberlé Crenshaw, legal scholar who coined intersectionality and civil-rights advocate. She traces how intersectionality spread from law into culture. She discusses how the term has been misused and politically attacked. She talks about confronting allies and why erasing such concepts matters.
14 snips
May 8, 2026 • 20min
Trump Still Has A Grip On Indiana
Jon Favreau, political commentator and Pod Save America co-host, breaks down how Trump-backed wins in Indiana reshaped primaries and what mid-decade redistricting means for Congress. He discusses turnout-driven upsets, legal fights over new maps, and which seats might flip. Short, sharp political analysis on shifting incentives and the map’s national impact.
23 snips
May 7, 2026 • 23min
Why You Shouldn't Buy Into The Crypto Trend
Ben McKenzie, actor, filmmaker, and author who investigates cryptocurrency, breaks down who crypto really serves. He calls it a get-rich promise and discusses its use by true believers, gamblers, and criminals. He explains how political backing, especially from Trump, boosted legitimacy and prices. He also outlines the regulatory fights and where crypto could head next.
13 snips
May 6, 2026 • 23min
Can Democrats Sell Affordability?
Greg Kassar, U.S. Representative from Texas and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, outlines the New Affordability Agenda. He discusses targeting utility company profits to cut bills. He describes caps on childcare and other cost-cutting proposals. He talks about persuading working-class voters and focusing blame on corporations rather than vulnerable groups.
13 snips
May 5, 2026 • 21min
Trump v. The Constitution
Melissa Murray, constitutional law scholar and co-host of Strict Scrutiny, offers concise legal perspective. The conversation covers the Supreme Court’s surprise moves on mifepristone and what they reveal about justices. They explore federalism’s messy effects on abortion access. And they debate whether current uncertainty amounts to a constitutional crisis.
13 snips
May 4, 2026 • 18min
A Committee Protecting U.S. Elections Is Under Threat
Jacob Knutson, a Democracy Docket reporter covering voting rights and election administration, breaks down the fight over the Technical Guidelines Development Committee and voting machine standards. He explains who has been blocked from appointments and why that matters. The conversation also touches on potential short- and long-term consequences for upcoming elections and representation on the committee.
24 snips
May 1, 2026 • 22min
Trump’s Vibing Approach To Governing
Keith Edwards, Democratic strategist and political commentator, joins to unpack how political messaging captures attention. He breaks down why repetition and infighting build name recognition. He suggests how Democrats can reframe issues and explain the why to voters. Conversation also touches on Trump’s fixation on symbolic projects and the media dynamics that amplify it.
15 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 22min
SCOTUS Clears The Way for Gerrymandering
Leah Littman, law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny legal podcast, breaks down the Supreme Court ruling that upends a Louisiana majority-Black district. She discusses how the decision reframes race as politics, what it means for redistricting and voting protections, and the likely short- and long-term ripple effects on elections.
