What Next | Daily News and Analysis
Slate Podcasts
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning. Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/whatnextplus for access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 25min
You Mailed in Your Ballot. Will It Count?
Jay Willis, attorney and Supreme Court writer, breaks down Watson v. RNC and the fight over what counts as election day. He explores state mail-in grace periods, why late-arriving ballots often lean Democratic, and how historical originalist arguments shape current voting rules. The conversation also covers possible Supreme Court outcomes and practical effects on future elections.
35 snips
Mar 22, 2026 • 28min
War Dot Com
Jacob Silverman, reporter and author known for exploring tech and politics, offers a brisk take on Palantir and the rise of “Palantirism.” He breaks down Palantir’s military roots, its role organizing government data, and how involvement in Ukraine reshaped the company. He also parses Alex Karp’s eccentric persona, political stances, and why parts of tech are pivoting toward defense work.
20 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 31min
Hank Green Still Believes
Hank Green, YouTuber and founder of Crash Course, SciShow, VidCon, and Complexly, explains why he made Complexly a nonprofit. He discusses how platforms reward simple, sensational stories and the risks of AI-driven recommendation systems. He argues for making nuanced, educational content and shares thoughts on teaching critical thinking and alternatives to dominant platforms.
9 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 26min
Trump Says We Won. This Former Rep Says We’re Trapped.
Adam Kinzinger, former Republican congressman and Air National Guard lieutenant colonel who served on the Jan 6 Committee, breaks down the Iran conflict and U.S. vulnerabilities. He discusses allies balking at helping open the Strait of Hormuz. He warns about depleted munitions, drone-swarm threats, and Russia’s role supplying Iran. He debates Congress’s funding options and the risks of a premature victory claim.
17 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 27min
Thousands Are Fleeing War in Lebanon. She Flew There.
Joshua Keating, Vox foreign policy reporter, explains how Hezbollah, Israel, and regional dynamics pulled Lebanon into wider fighting. Basma Alloush, IRC deputy director and field responder, shares on-the-ground scenes of displacement, flooded tents, and schools turned into shelters. They discuss airstrikes, ceasefires, buffer-zone aims, overcrowded shelters, disrupted schooling, and the uncertainty facing displaced families.
18 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 25min
The GOP Plan to Kill Your Vote
Ari Berman, national voting rights reporter who covers election law, breaks down the SAVE Act and its proof-of-citizenship rules. He explains who would be shut out by stricter registration and ID requirements. He examines Kansas’ experiment, redistricting risks, and how political pressure could lead to emergency measures that reshape future elections.
29 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 26min
Bombing Iran...for Jesus?
Tim Dickinson, senior writer and editor at The Contrarian, explores how Christian nationalist beliefs shape U.S. policy toward Iran. He explains prophetic broadcasts, spiritual advisers gaining White House access, and sermons that frame wartime actions as divine. The conversation also covers rising anti-Muslim rhetoric, separation of church and state concerns, and how end-times narratives influence strategy.
29 snips
Mar 15, 2026 • 33min
Why He Sued Roblox
Mike Hilgers, Nebraska Attorney General and father of four who has sued big tech over child safety, discusses the Roblox lawsuit. He outlines investigations that found predators and deceptive safety claims. Topics include grooming examples, critiques of Roblox’s AI age checks, desired remedies like better verification and honest safety promises, and whether platforms can be made safer.
Mar 13, 2026 • 4min
SchadenFriday: A Timothée Chalamet Ballet Melee
Nadira Goffe, Slate culture writer who covers entertainment and pop culture, joins to unpack Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar-season controversy. She traces how overexposure and a viral clip about ballet and opera escalated backlash. Conversation also touches on name pronunciation and shifting public favor between Gen Z stars.
34 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 26min
Are We Ready for A.I. Warfare?
Steven Feldstein, a political scientist at the Carnegie Endowment focusing on AI and national security, walks through how drones and AI are changing modern conflict. He breaks down drone types, U.S. adoption of cheap loitering munitions, AI’s role in targeting and monitoring, accountability gaps, and the risks of widening psychological and political distance in remote warfare.
