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
9 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 26min
Lebanon, The Iran War’s Second Front
Tarek Abou Jaoude, a research fellow on Lebanese politics at Queen’s University Belfast, unpacks Lebanon as a second front in the Iran war. He explains Hezbollah’s dual political and military roles. He details the shaky ceasefire, civilian experiences across Lebanon, and how the Lebanese state’s weaknesses shape the conflict’s trajectory.
10 snips
Apr 6, 2026 • 22min
For Hegseth, It’s One Military Under God
Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post religion reporter who covers faith in U.S. institutions, explains how a conservative evangelical worldview is reshaping Pentagon culture. She outlines unprecedented Pentagon worship services and policy rollbacks aimed at inclusion. She also describes reactions from service members and how religious language is being used to frame conflict.
14 snips
Apr 3, 2026 • 24min
Pam, You're Fired
Ryan Barber, a Wall Street Journal reporter who covers the Justice Department, breaks down Pam Bondi’s sudden ouster. He walks through the Epstein files controversy, Trump’s grievances over dropped prosecutions, and why the DOJ became a presidential focus. They also discuss interim picks, potential successors, and whether Bondi might still face deposition.
17 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 27min
SCOTUS Takes On Birthright Citizenship
Melissa Murray, NYU law professor and co-host of Strict Scrutiny, offers clear constitutional analysis of the 14th Amendment. She walks through the text and its exceptions. She critiques the administration’s historical claims and recounts justices’ reactions during oral argument. She also considers what a ruling could mean for the Court’s credibility and future disputes.
18 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 23min
USPS Needs Congress' Stamp Of Approval
Hansi Lo Wang, an NPR reporter who covers the Postal Service and elections, explains why USPS is bleeding money and outlines congressional fixes. Matt Berg, Crooked Media’s Washington correspondent, breaks down related political fallout and court news. They discuss declining mail volume, funding options like borrowing limits and postage changes, rural delivery risks, and how all this could affect mail-in voting.
9 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 22min
Conservatism's Biggest Conference Was Missing Its Star
Ben Jacobs, a Washington political reporter who has covered CPAC for years, recounts his on-the-ground reporting from the 2026 conference. He describes how the conference felt different without Trump and other big names. Short scenes explore TPUSA’s rise, heated debates over Iran and trans issues, and a surprising boost from Iranian exiles and Reza Pahlavi.
20 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 23min
The Next Abortion Battle
Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter at The 19th, breaks down how state laws and enforcement shape abortion access. She discusses efforts to criminalize abortion and the politics driving those moves. She also covers threats to medication abortion and conservative debates over IVF and fertility policy.
11 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 20min
Gen Z Is Angsty: Here's Why
A candid conversation about why many young voters swung in 2024 and whether that shift will last. Hunger, housing insecurity, stagnant job markets, and the struggle of recent grads come into sharp focus. The discussion covers apprenticeships, job-training, and public works as policy responses. They also dig into AI's threat to jobs, local impacts of AI data centers, and U.S. pressure on Cuba.
11 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 25min
The Great Social Media Reckoning
Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, joins to discuss the rising backlash against tech. He talks about recent jury verdicts holding platforms accountable, how public opinion has shifted about youth harms, and possible policy fixes like age limits and design changes. The conversation focuses on liability, addiction framing, and what stricter rules could mean for social media users.
25 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 22min
Democrats Add Tax Cuts To Affordability Agenda
Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator from Maryland known for fiscal and tax policy work, outlines a plan to cut taxes for middle- and lower-income Americans. He discusses funding those cuts with a millionaire surtax and supports wealth taxes to shore up Social Security and Medicare. He also weighs in on DHS funding, immigration enforcement, and condemns escalation in Iran.
