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
19 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 21min
Sen. Mark Warner Won’t Miss Kristi Noem
Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia senator and vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, gives a sharp take on Kristi Noem’s ouster and leadership failures. He discusses the timing and justification for the U.S. actions regarding Iran. He also lays out concerns about costs, logistics, and Congress reclaiming its war-authority role.
18 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 22min
Can Talarico Turn Texas Blue?
Daniella Diaz, a congressional reporter who covers on-the-ground politics, breaks down Texas primary drama. Short takes on James Talarico’s surprise win and the chaotic Cornyn-Paxton Senate scramble. She explains redistricting, scandal effects, and what the results mean for control of Congress.
12 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 24min
Trump’s War Hits The Economy
Miles Taylor, former DHS chief of staff and Defiance.org founder, offers a concise mini bio and perspective. He breaks down why Strait of Hormuz disruptions spike oil prices. He links shipping reroutes to U.S. consumer costs. He compares today’s risks to 2008 and discusses political consequences for Republicans.
19 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 19min
Why Congress Might Not Stop Trump’s War In Iran
Nicholas Wu, a Semafor congressional reporter who covers Capitol Hill, joins to unpack Congress’s role under war powers. He walks through preexisting resolutions and why lawmakers might not change votes. He explains procedural hurdles like the filibuster and why enforcement against a president is legally tricky. He also connects past Iraq lessons to today’s political fractures.
30 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 24min
Trump’s Dangerous Gamble In Iran
Nahal Toosi, POLITICO senior foreign affairs correspondent covering the Middle East, breaks down the fallout from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. She explains who might lead Iran next and how Tehran could respond. She discusses whether U.S. actions aim for regime change, the state of Iran’s nuclear program, and the risks of regional escalation.
15 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 21min
Hillary Clinton Called Her Epstein Hearing Political Theater
Bart Jansen, White House correspondent for USA Today, breaks down the fallout from Hillary Clinton’s heated deposition and why she called it partisan political theater. He walks through why Republicans subpoenaed the Clintons, what Bill Clinton’s testimony could reveal, and the broader reputational and legal ripple effects from the Epstein files.
21 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 22min
Texas Republicans Return To Islamophobia
Forrest Wilder, senior writer at Texas Monthly who covers Texas politics, joins to unpack why Islamophobic rhetoric is surging in Republican primaries. He traces fear-driven tactics, links anti-Muslim talk to broader xenophobia against South Asian immigrants, and examines how extreme messaging reshapes campaigns and pressures officials.
17 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 21min
Medals, Insults and A Very Long Speech
Matt Berg, newsletter writer and field reporter who covered alternative programming in D.C., and Greg Walters, Crooked News editor and on-the-ground Capitol reporter, walk through the longest State of the Union. They describe the odd atmosphere in the chamber, spotlighted military honorees, Trump's takeover tactics with shout-outs, and competing Democratic strategy and organizing outside the Hill.
Feb 24, 2026 • 22min
Dems Opt Out Of State Of The Union
LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey congressmember who focuses on immigration oversight and defending democratic institutions, explains why she will skip the State of the Union and join alternative events. She discusses threats to democracy, legislative immunity as she fights prosecution tied to oversight, and strategies to limit ICE abuses while protecting communities.
Feb 23, 2026 • 21min
Trump Orders More Tariffs After SCOTUS Ruling
David J. Lynch, global economics correspondent at The Washington Post and author of The World's Worst Bet, joins to unpack trade and tariff policy. He explains why Trump shifted legal authority for tariffs and how different statutes change presidential power. He also covers who actually pays tariffs, what happens to collected tariff revenue after the Supreme Court ruling, and the longer-term effects on business and trade policy.
