

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

Oct 16, 2020 • 20min
Facebook Flips on Holocaust Denial
Two years ago, Mark Zuckerberg held up Holocaust denial as an example of the type of speech that would be protected on Facebook. The company wouldn’t take down content simply because it was incorrect. This week, Facebook reversed that stance. Is this decision the first step toward a new way of policing speech on the social network?Guest: Evelyn Douek, Lecturer at Harvard Law School and affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & SocietyHostLizzie O’Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2020 • 27min
A Former Coronavirus Task Force Member Speaks
Olivia Troye spent nearly two years in Trump’s White House. In that time, she sat in on meetings about natural disasters, border security - and the coronavirus task force.In July, she announced she had resigned. The White House says she was fired. One way or another, she’s speaking out about what she saw, why she stayed, and what ultimately pushed her out the door.Guest: Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security, Counterterrorism, and Coronavirus Task Force advisor to Vice President Mike Pence.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 2020 • 23min
Democrats, Take The Stimulus Deal Already
The White House, Senate Republicans and the House Democrats are all on completely separate pages about another coronavirus relief package. With the election just three weeks away, is now the best time to strike a deal? And what would it look like? Guest: Jordan Weissmann, Slate senior economic and business correspondent.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 13, 2020 • 28min
Kelly Loeffler Picked the Wrong Fight
Earlier this summer, Senator Kelly Loeffler leaned into a war of words with the WNBA. She may have underestimated her opponents. Guest: Amira Rose Davis, assistant professor at Penn State and cohost of the Burn It All Down podcast. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 9, 2020 • 18min
What Landlords Have on You
Over the last decade, born from the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, automated tenant screening has grown into a billion-dollar industry. Now, nine out of 10 landlords rely on automated tenant-screening reports, scraped from eviction history, criminal background records, and terror watchlists, to decide if they can trust potential renters. The problem? Often, the reports contain major errors, mistaken identities, and criminal records that are supposed to be expunged. Can these reports really be trusted?Guest: Lauren Kirchner, investigative reporter at The MarkupOriginal reporting with Matthew Goldstein, reporter at The New York Times HostCeleste Headlee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 9, 2020 • 18min
TBD | What Landlords Have on You
Over the last decade, born from the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, automated tenant screening has grown into a billion-dollar industry. Now, nine out of 10 landlords rely on automated tenant-screening reports, scraped from eviction history, criminal background records, and terror watchlists, to decide if they can trust potential renters. The problem? Often, the reports contain major errors, mistaken identities, and criminal records that are supposed to be expunged. Can these reports really be trusted?Guest: Lauren Kirchner, investigative reporter at The MarkupOriginal reporting with Matthew Goldstein, reporter at The New York Times HostCeleste Headlee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2020 • 26min
The Fight Over Voting Access in Texas
Who will be able to cast a vote in Texas? And will Texans be able to figure that out before election day -- or after?Guest: Emma Platoff, justice and politics reporter for the Texas Tribune. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 7, 2020 • 23min
How Much Is Mike Pence to Blame?
If Vice President Mike Pence does agree to show up at the debate on Wednesday in Salt Lake City, he’ll have plenty to answer for -- in particular, why the White House’s coronavirus task force wasn’t able to do more to fight the pandemic here in the U.S. Guest: Dan Diamond, reporter for Politico and author of the Politico Pulse newsletter. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 6, 2020 • 23min
Scandal and COVID Strike a Tight Senate Race
We have a sitting senator with a COVID-19 positive test. We have his opponent, admitting to an extramarital affair. And we have a surge in mail-in ballots, even as absentee rules change before voters’ eyes. Guest: Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 5, 2020 • 28min
The Superspreader In Chief
The president has tested positive for COVID. Does he realize what that means for the rest of us?Guest: Slate’s Will Saletan, author of Bearing Right. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


