What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Dr. David Hill, an allergist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and leader of the Hill Lab, discusses groundbreaking research on peanut allergies. He reveals that early exposure, rather than avoidance, may prevent many food allergies in children. The conversation covers how peanut allergies typically develop, the implications of guideline changes in allergy management, and the ongoing resistance from some clinicians and parents. Hill emphasizes the importance of data-driven recommendations for public health and shares how he navigates uncertainty with families.

David A. Graham, a staff writer at The Atlantic focusing on politics and culture, joins the discussion about the rise of racist group chats among GOP members. He delves into the explicit messages from Paul Ingrassia that reveal underlying toxicity. The conversation explores how such rhetoric often shapes actual policy decisions, highlighting proposed changes favoring specific demographic groups. Graham critically examines the implications of loyalty over accountability in the GOP, drawing historical parallels to the Reconstruction era.

The whole spectrum of Trump’s foreign policy is on display when it comes to South America: The US Navy is gathering off the coast of Venezuela, while the Treasury Department prepares to send tens of billions of dollars to Argentina. Guest:  Brian Winter, editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eva McKend, a CNN correspondent focused on national politics, dives into the complexities of off-year elections, particularly in Virginia. She discusses how the recent scandal involving AG candidate Jay Jones and his inflammatory texts could jeopardize Democratic chances. McKend also explores voter awareness and the implications of potential split-ticket outcomes, alongside the impacts of Virginia's races on broader national trends. Finally, she offers insights into the challenges of party unity amidst diverse political strategies.

Jamie Stewart, the talented musician from the avant-garde band Xiu Xiu, discusses why his band decided to pull their music from Spotify. He argues that streaming services pay artists almost nothing, effectively deeming it theft. The tipping point came when Spotify's owner, Daniel Ek, invested in a German defense contractor, which struck a moral chord with Stewart. He urges musicians to consider the impact of their distribution choices and promotes a deeper engagement with music, signaling a growing movement among artists to resist streaming platforms.

Makena Kelly, a senior writer at WIRED specializing in technology and politics, dives into how right-wing influencers are reshaping media narratives under the Trump administration. She discusses the striking contrast between influencers and journalists, revealing how figures like Benny Johnson gain privileged access to promote agendas. The conversation highlights a self-reinforcing content loop on social media, questions the impact of viral propaganda on public opinion, and addresses the risks of content simplification in shaping political discourse.

Mark Bray, a historian and author of "Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook," discusses his experiences with doxxing and death threats that ultimately forced him to leave the U.S. He reflects on the rise of far-right movements and the necessity of documenting anti-fascist resistance. Bray shares insights on how violence is viewed within anti-fascist circles and explores the implications of Trump's executive order labeling 'Antifa' a terrorist organization, raising concerns about academic freedom and safety in today's political climate.

David Faris, an associate professor of political science at Roosevelt University and author of "It's Time to Fight Dirty," dives into the impacts of the federal shutdown on blue states. He discusses how crucial infrastructure projects in places that voted for Kamala Harris have been halted. Faris introduces the concept of 'soft secession' as a potential response, talks about the economic power of blue states, and explores strategies like targeted tolls and tax strikes as leverage against the federal government.

Joining the conversation is David Klion, a columnist for The Nation and contributing editor to Jewish Currents, who dives into Bari Weiss's controversial rise in media. They explore how Weiss’s lavish backing by billionaires shapes her influence at CBS News. Klion shares his concerns about her editorial choices and the implications of her anti-woke stance. The discussion also covers her journey through key media outlets and the challenges facing traditional news as Weiss assumes her new role.

While the What Next team celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day, please enjoy this episode from our colleagues at Amicus, Slate’s legal podcast. Mary will be back with a new episode of What Next tomorrow.In this week’s episode of Amicus, we delve into the recent Supreme Court shadow docket order in Noem v. Vasquez-Perdomo, which in essence legalized racial profiling by roving ICE patrols, and in practice may have ushered in America’s “show your papers” era for Americans with brown skin, who speak Spanish, and/or go to Home Depot in work clothes. Join Dahlia Lithwick and Ahilan Arulanantham, a longstanding human rights lawyer and law professor, as they unpack what this unargued, unreasoned, unsigned and (in Kavanaugh’s case) uncited decision means for both immigrants and U.S. citizens, for 4th amendment doctrine, and for the lower courts expected to parse SCOTUS’ tea leaves. Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.