

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

Jun 26, 2024 • 20min
Republicans Turn To Cheap Fakes In The Presidential Election
Tom Nichols from The Atlantic discusses why Republicans are using 'cheap fake' videos to attack Biden. Israeli Supreme Court draft ruling, Assange's guilty plea, and surgeon general's gun violence declaration are also covered.

Jun 25, 2024 • 17min
Progressives and Centrists Spar In Major NY Democratic Primary
Ryan Lizza from Politico analyzes the expensive NY House primary race between Bowman and Latimer, highlighting the divide between progressives and centrists. Other topics include the lack of aid for Palestinians off the coast of Gaza, the Supreme Court's consideration of bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth, and potential criminal charges against Boeing for safety issues with the 737 Max planes.

Jun 24, 2024 • 19min
The State of Abortion Access Two Years After Roe
Discussing the impact of state-level abortion bans after two years since Roe vs. Wade, with insights on the current political landscape. Also covering global news updates, favorite Olympic events, and gender-affirming care bans for trans youth.

Jun 22, 2024 • 27min
Is This Progressive Answer to Crime Working?
Exploring the rise of progressive prosecutors prioritizing public safety and racial inequalities. Progressive vs. traditional prosecution methods with success stories in various cities. Challenges faced by prosecutors from law enforcement unions and conservative lawmakers. Debating progressive approaches as a counter to punitive crime policies.

Jun 21, 2024 • 16min
Congress Weighs Drafting Women To Military
Policy expert Katherine Kuzminski discusses the debate on including women in the military draft. Supreme Court delays rulings, Putin and Kim Jong Un sign a defense pact, and Louisiana mandates Ten Commandments in school. Quavo hosts a summit against gun violence.

Jun 20, 2024 • 20min
The Push For Federal Action On Extreme Heat
The podcast discusses the push for FEMA to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, highlighting the dangers and proposed solutions. Other topics include the upcoming Biden-Trump debate, smartphone bans in California schools, and LGBTQ+ political progress. Listeners are urged to provide feedback on gender-affirming care bans and engage with the podcast by subscribing and leaving reviews.

Jun 19, 2024 • 18min
A Georgia Man's Life Mission To Preserve Black History
Jack Hadley, dedicated to preserving Black history, discusses the challenges of maintaining accurate historical narratives against opposition. The podcast highlights the growth and educational initiatives of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Georgia, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Black history and promoting comprehensive education.

Jun 18, 2024 • 18min
Netanyahu Dissolves Israel’s War Cabinet
Former U.S. deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes discusses Netanyahu dissolving Israel's war cabinet and the stalemate in Ukraine. Surgeon General Murthy calls for social media warning labels. Biden's executive order and Maryland pardons low-level marijuana convictions.

Jun 17, 2024 • 13min
Trump's Odds Of Getting Conviction Reversed
Former President Trump plans to appeal his criminal conviction on 34 counts, legal experts discuss potential issues. Ukraine and Western leaders reject Putin's ceasefire plan. Wildfire in LA burns 12,000 acres. Kate Middleton makes public appearance post cancer diagnosis.

Jun 15, 2024 • 33min
The Real Story Behind the Far-Right's Rise in Europe
Guest host Josie Duffy Rice and Max delve into the rise of the German far-right AfD party and the broader far-right movement in Europe. They discuss the party's extreme beliefs, ties to Putin, impact of terrorism, and factors driving bigotry. The narrative explores societal shifts, economic turmoil, and anti-immigration sentiments as key contributors to the rise of far-right ideologies in Europe.


