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
8 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 23min
Trump’s Deadly Attacks in the Caribbean Sea
Tess Bridgeman, co-editor-in-chief of Just Security and former White House legal adviser, dives into the legality of recent U.S. strikes in the Caribbean, which have seen a controversial number of fatalities. She discusses the administration's claims linking the strikes to drug trafficking, highlighting the lack of solid evidence. Tess also explores the implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations, including covert CIA operations and the dangers of escalating military action. The conversation sheds light on potential congressional checks on presidential military power.
7 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 24min
This Supreme Court Could Change The Future of Elections
Joining the discussion is Stacey Abrams, a prominent voting rights advocate, founder of Fair Count, and bestselling author. She delves into the potential implications of the Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Calais on voting rights and racial representation. Abrams explains how the court's decision could reshape voting maps and congressional seats, and shares immediate strategies for voter mobilization. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement and long-term reforms to protect representation for marginalized populations.
29 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 27min
Over 7 Million Americans Protested Against Trump
Monica Eng, a Chicago reporter for Axios focusing on local politics and immigration, discusses the massive 'No Kings' protests against the Trump administration, with over 7 million participants nationwide. She reveals the peaceful nature of these rallies, contradicting Republican claims of radicalism. Monica delves into ICE's controversial actions in Chicago, the role of social media in shaping public perception, and the possibility of National Guard deployment, highlighting unprecedented federal responses and community impacts.
12 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 24min
America Has No Kings
Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist known for her work on protest movements and democracy, joins to discuss the No Kings protests sweeping across America. She predicts a diverse turnout and emphasizes that these events are largely peaceful, debunking claims of violence and outside funding. Chenoweth also explores the threat of governmental crackdowns on dissent, particularly through targeting left-wing groups, and reaffirms the importance of First Amendment rights amidst rising tensions.
14 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 21min
Rural Healthcare Is At Stake In The Shutdown Fight
Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, dives into the implications of the government shutdown on rural health care. She discusses the critical nature of ACA subsidies and how their potential loss threatens farmers and access to local hospitals. Baldwin emphasizes the urgency of the situation for constituents and advocates for policies to lower health care costs, including transparency measures. With pressing issues like these at stake, she shares insights on the urgent need for a government reopening to support federal workers.
30 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 20min
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene Sounds Like A Democrat Lately
Annie Karni, a congressional reporter for The New York Times, dives deep into Marjorie Taylor Greene's surprising political shifts. Once a conspiracy theorist, Greene is now adopting more liberal stances, even labeling the Gaza situation as genocide and challenging GOP foreign policy. Karni discusses how Greene’s independence and confrontations over issues like Epstein reveal her evolving role. While she may not be uniting Republicans, she is certainly challenging the party and reshaping power dynamics in Congress.
23 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 26min
Your Shutdown Outrage Won’t Change The Next Election
Lakshya Jain, head of political data for The Argument, dives into the implications of the ongoing government shutdown. He discusses why Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to negotiate could lead to a prolonged standoff. The conversation explores whether voters will remember this shutdown by the next midterms and challenges the notion that shutdowns significantly shift electoral outcomes. Jain emphasizes the limited impact on most voters and suggests that the blame could eventually shift to either party, making the political landscape unpredictable.
12 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 22min
Trump Is Prosecuting His Enemies
Peter Neronha, Attorney General of Rhode Island and former federal prosecutor, dives into the complex world of politicized prosecutions. He discusses recent indictments against figures like Letitia James and James Comey, questioning if these moves represent retaliation against Trump's political foes. Neronha also examines how the Department of Justice's norms have shifted under the current administration, impacting the integrity of legal processes. He highlights the role of state AG coalitions in legal battles against federal policies, showing the intersection of law and politics.
27 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 25min
What A Week!
Tommy Vietor, co-host of Pod Save America and former White House National Security Council spokesperson, dives into pressing U.S. political challenges. He analyzes the recent phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, highlighting its uncertainties. Vietor discusses the ongoing government shutdown's effects on Washington politics and addresses Trump’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago and Portland. He also touches on shifting CDC vaccine guidance and economic impacts on Halloween candy prices.
Oct 9, 2025 • 27min
Trump's War And Peace Plans
Ken Klippenstein, an independent journalist focused on national security, breaks down National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 and its implications for political freedoms. He discusses the administration's framing of 'left-wing terrorism' and how this affects civil liberties. Klippenstein also explains the legal reach of NSPM 7, warning indicators like anti-capitalism, and the potential chilling effects on speech and nonprofits. Additionally, he comments on Israel and Hamas's peace negotiations and critiques Trump's claims about Antifa.
