What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Kate Conger, a New York Times reporter who co-wrote a book about Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, shares intriguing insights on Musk's surprising exit from Washington and its potential repercussions on his political future and crypto ventures like DOGE. She discusses Musk's shift back to focusing on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and reflects on the delicate balance between ambitious tech goals and the limitations posed by government. The conversation highlights privacy concerns related to centralized data initiatives initiated by Musk's colleagues.

Jake Epstein, a senior defense reporter for Business Insider, dives into the escalating drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia. He discusses NATO's training for future conflicts emphasizing man versus machine. The podcast highlights the informal environments where Ukrainian workers innovate in drone production, showcasing unexpected military adaptability. Epstein also addresses the transformative impact of drones on strategies and psychological aspects of warfare, revealing how these developments are reshaping global military tactics.

Imani Gandy, Editor-at-Large for Rewire News Group, and Mary Ziegler, law professor and author, dive into the heartbreaking case of Adriana Smith, who was declared brain dead while pregnant. They discuss the complex legal and ethical dilemmas her family faces, highlighting the tension between fetal rights and bodily autonomy. The conversation touches on reproductive rights, systemic biases in healthcare, and the troubling implications of current laws, all while emphasizing the need for dignity and equitable treatment in medical scenarios.

Marisa Lagos, a political correspondent for KQED and co-host of Political Breakdown, dives into Gavin Newsom's strategic maneuvering in his political career. She discusses his ambitious rise from San Francisco mayor to a possible presidential candidate. The conversation highlights his efforts to bridge gaps with right-wing figures while grappling with his California liberal identity. Lagos also addresses the complexities of maintaining authenticity amidst political pressures and how Newsom's governance style influences his national ambitions.

David Armstrong, an investigative reporter at ProPublica and author of "The Price of Remission," dives into the staggering costs of life-saving medications like Revlimid. He highlights the shocking disparity between the mere 25-cent production cost and the thousand-dollar price tag, raising ethical concerns about drug pricing. Armstrong also shares the emotional toll on patients and the quest for reforms, as well as the complex history of Revlimid's development. His insights illuminate the ongoing struggles within America’s healthcare system.

As What Next celebrates Memorial Day, please enjoy this episode ⁠from our colleagues at Decoder Ring⁠. What Next will be back in your feed tomorrow.Something seems to have happened to car headlights. In the last few years, many people have become convinced that they are much brighter than they used to be—and it’s driving them to the point of rage. Headlight glare is now Americans’ number one complaint on the road. The story of how and why we got here is illuminating and confounding. It’s what happens when an incredible technological breakthrough meets market forces, regulatory failure, and human foibles.So if you feel like everyone’s driving around with their high beams on all the time, it’s not your imagination. What once seemed like an obscure technical concern has gone mainstream. But can the movement to reduce glare actually do something about the problem?In this episode, you’ll hear from ⁠Nate Rogers⁠, who wrote about the “headlight brightness wars” for The Ringer; ⁠Daniel Stern⁠, automotive lighting expert and editor of Driving Vision News; and Paul Gatto, moderator of ⁠r/fuckyourheadlights⁠.This episode of Decoder Ring was written by Willa Paskin and Olivia Briley, and produced by Olivia Briley and Max Freedman. Our team also includes Katie Shepherd and supervising producer Evan Chung. Merritt Jacob is our Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at ⁠DecoderRing@slate.com⁠, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hilary Allen, a Professor at American University’s Washington College of Law, dives into the intertwining worlds of politics and cryptocurrency. She discusses the influential financial contributions of the crypto industry during elections and the implications of the bipartisan GENIUS Act. Concerns about regulation and the potential risks posed by stablecoins are examined, especially in light of historical financial crises. Allen critiques the unexpected support for crypto among Democrats, highlighting the challenges of achieving financial inclusion while safeguarding economic stability.

Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” cleared the House this week and heads off to the Senate where…actually let’s bring in an expert to explain what happens next.Guest: Jim Newell, Slate’s senior political writer.This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next —you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Ethan Oberman, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karen Hao, a reporter and author of "Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI", dives into the transformative journey of OpenAI, revealing how it evolved from a nonprofit focused on safe AI to a competitive powerhouse chasing artificial general intelligence. She discusses the organization's culture of secrecy, the chaotic dynamics during its transition to for-profit, and the unexpected rise of ChatGPT, which drastically altered its trajectory. Karen also highlights internal power struggles and the implications of corporate control on society.

Reverend Doctor William J. Barber II, a passionate pastor and professor, dives deep into the intersection of faith and politics. He contests Republican budget decisions through moral arguments and highlights the urgency of advocating for vulnerable populations. The discussion showcases the resilience of the Moral Mondays movement, the pain of redistricting in North Carolina, and the role of empathy in religious leadership. Barber calls for collective action and a reevaluation of healthcare as a moral imperative, challenging listeners to unite against injustice.