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
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.
9 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 23min
TBD Tries… Wearables
Dr. Sandeep Kishore, a UCSF primary care and hypertension expert, weighs clinical limits of wearable blood-pressure and monitoring devices. Mario Aguilar, health and wearables reporter, breaks down market categories, metrics, and consumer trends. Nadira Goffe, Slate culture writer, shares her Oura ring sleep and symptom-tracking experience. They discuss measurement, regulation shifts, equity, privacy, and how wearables fit into care.
Feb 27, 2026 • 5min
SchadenFriday: The Olympic Curler Who Called Out Trump
Rich Ruohonen, an American curler and Minnesota personal injury lawyer who represented the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics and is the oldest U.S. Winter Olympian. He tells a Cinderella story of stepping in late for the team, reflects on decades-long pursuit of the Games, and breaks down common misconceptions and the basics of curling in short, lively conversations.
9 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 25min
Anthropic vs. the Pentagon
Sheera Frenkel, a New York Times tech and national-security reporter. Sheera breaks down the Pentagon’s push to compel Anthropic and the startup’s refusal to enable domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons. The conversation covers legal threats like the Defense Production Act, how Anthropic works with the DoD, and what this fight means for the future of AI in warfare.
9 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 27min
How Hockey Got Drafted into the Culture Wars
Frankie de la Cretaz, sports writer who explores sports, gender, culture, and queerness. They discuss how a gay romance show and Olympic wins drew new, diverse hockey fans. They trace hockey’s GOP coding, the NHL’s mixed signals on LGBTQ inclusion, and why politics and locker-room culture shaped who gets claimed by fandom.
22 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 23min
Mexico’s Cartel War
León Krauze, Mexican journalist and Washington Post columnist who reports on politics and organized crime. He recounts El Mencho’s rise and the raid that killed him. He examines cartel retaliation, U.S.–Mexico intelligence cooperation, and the political pressures shaping security policy. He outlines structural barriers like corruption and judicial change.
Feb 24, 2026 • 26min
She's Skipping the State of the Union
Veronica Escobar, congresswoman from El Paso who focuses on immigration and border oversight, explains why she is skipping the State of the Union. She discusses protest versus solidarity, harsh conditions and profiteering at detention facilities, and debates over anonymous federal agents and DHS reform. Short, direct reflections on policy priorities and strategic funding choices.
9 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 25min
Does Legal Immigration Still Exist?
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker staff writer and author who covers immigration and Central America, discusses how USCIS has shifted toward enforcement. He recounts arrests during routine processing and the halting of green cards and visas. He explains staff purges, entrapment at interviews, and whether legal pathways for immigrants still function.
