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
Mar 12, 2026 • 31min
No, Really, Why Are We At War?
Tommy Vietor, former National Security Council spokesman and cohost of Pod Save America, breaks down the chaos around U.S.-Iran conflict. He examines muddled administration messaging and risky naval moves in the Strait of Hormuz. Short takes cover potential oil disruptions, political costs at home, Israel’s influence on timing, and the humanitarian and accountability questions that follow.
7 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 24min
Iran’s New Nepo Ayatollah
Graeme Wood, Atlantic staff writer and Yale political science lecturer, breaks down Iran’s new supreme leader and his rise from shadow power to top cleric. He explores how Iran’s selection process played out and why insiders backed Mojtaba Khamenei. The conversation sketches Mojtaba’s background, his reported millenarian views, and the likely regional and military repercussions.
9 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 22min
Her Film Is an Oscar Nominee. It Almost Didn’t Make it to the U.S.
Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisian film director known for blending documentary and narrative forms, discusses making The Voice of Hind Rajab. She explains finding Hind’s family and using the real emergency call. She talks about avoiding graphic imagery, staging authentic actor reactions, and refusing awards on political grounds. The film ends with intimate memories and reflections on cinema’s role in crisis.
11 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 26min
The DOJ Is Trying Protesters As Terrorists. Will They Win?
Ligia Miller, an attorney and legal YouTuber from Minneapolis who analyzes protest prosecutions, breaks down the July 4 ICE protest case. She describes the chaotic scene, debates when coordinated action becomes terrorism, and explains how federal statutes and policy shifts raise stakes for demonstrators. The conversation also covers investigation tactics, plea deals, and how protesters might protect themselves.
10 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 26min
Why Hollywood Is Afraid of the Paramount-WBD Deal
Julia Alexander, media correspondent at Puck News who covers Hollywood consolidation, breaks down the Paramount–WBD takeover. She explains the bidding war dynamics and why two legacy studios may not fit. She outlines likely consumer changes, debt and layoffs, risks tied to Larry Ellison's funding, and what consolidation could mean for newsrooms and pricing.
23 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 34min
War in Iran, Shockwaves in Markets
Justin Wolfers, a University of Michigan economist known for clear public analysis, unpacks how financial markets signal the economic fallout from the Iran conflict. He explains why markets and the VIX act as forward-looking gauges, why Europe and Asia were hit harder, how U.S. energy dynamics shape effects, and what longer-term non-oil risks war can leave behind.
14 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 26min
Can Iranians Rise Up? He Already Tried
Kian Tajbakhsh, Iranian-born political scientist who survived imprisonment and works on democratization, reflects on Iran's reform struggles. He recounts return-to-reform efforts in the 1990s, his 2007 arrest and interrogation, and how the regime pushed back. He discusses internet blackouts, fear versus anger among protesters, and why external strikes alone cannot produce democratic change.
12 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 25min
Nancy Guthrie Is Missing. The Internet Isn't Helping.
Luke Winkie, Slate staff writer who reported on the Nancy Guthrie story from Arizona, gives a firsthand look at a suburban street turned spectacle. He describes arriving at the scene, the clash between touring content creators and grieving neighbors, the rise of real-time true-crime streaming, and how distrust and politics fuel ongoing online speculation.
19 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 28min
Can Democrats Mess With Texas?
Bayliss Wagner, Texas politics reporter covering elections, redistricting, and the legislature. She walks through the shock special-election flip that energized Democrats. She breaks down the sprawling, chaotic primary and high-stakes statewide fights. She maps intra-party clashes, vulnerable districts, and contests that could reshape fall matchups.
22 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 27min
The “Peace President” Goes to War
Shane Harris, staff writer at The Atlantic who covers national security and intelligence, breaks down sudden U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. He discusses why the strikes surprised many. He outlines the scale and aims of the maximalist military option. He explores Iran’s repression and civilian costs. He examines timing, Israel’s role, collapsed Geneva talks, and political risks at home.
