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
27 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 26min
What ICE Doesn’t Want You to See
LaMonica McIver, U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 10th District and critic of ICE practices, tells the story of seeking oversight of detention centers. She recounts a charged visit to Delaney Hall, obstacles to congressional tours, troubling conditions inside, legal fights over immunity, and why she calls for ending ICE’s unchecked power.
12 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 27min
Why Dictators Take Out the Internet
Steve Feldstein, political scientist and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment focused on digital repression. He unpacks why regimes cut internet access, the different forms of shutdowns, and how they are used beyond protests. The conversation covers wartime blackouts, tools like mesh apps and Starlink, and how repression shows up in democracies.
10 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 6min
SchadenFriday: Greg Bovino, You’re Fired…from Minnesota
Rob Gunther, senior producer and reporter, walks through the story of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and his role in recent Minnesota coverage. They discuss his demotion, theatrical tactics and social media stunts. Short segments cover his career arc, risky demonstrations, and how he became the one official moved amid public outcry.
10 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 26min
Can Cell Phones Stop ICE?
Jake Godin, a Bellingcat researcher who reconstructs multi-angle footage, and Julia Angwin, investigative journalist focused on tech and surveillance, discuss how cellphone videos and visual forensics clarify contested police shootings. They cover syncing multiple angles, why many cameras strengthen verification, the arms race with AI manipulation, legal protections to film, and risks faced by people who record.
18 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 25min
Sure Looks Like Another Government Shutdown
David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect and investigative reporter on federal policy, breaks down federal responses to the Minneapolis killings and ICE and Border Patrol behavior. He explores how DHS funding gives Democrats leverage in the Senate. They discuss concrete demands on DHS, risks of a shutdown, and who to pressure within the immigration chain.
Jan 28, 2026 • 24min
Are We Ready for the World Cup?
Jon Arnold, a soccer journalist and author of the Getting CONCACAFed Substack, breaks down how politics have seeped into FIFA and World Cup pageantry. He discusses Trump's cozy ties with FIFA, why the U.S.-Canada-Mexico bid won, visa and ticket hurdles that favor wealthier fans, and how hosting may reshape World Cup atmosphere in the U.S.
9 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 26min
How Immigration Enforcement Became So Violent
Radley Balko, journalist and author who studies policing and criminal justice, offers a concise look at how immigration enforcement adopted a 'warrior cop' mindset. He traces militarization roots, recounts intimidation tactics like masking and surveillance, and discusses how federal forces have been used for political ends. He also covers local accountability strategies and the challenges of investigating misconduct.
28 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 28min
Everyone Saw CBP Kill Alex Pretti
Will Stancil, a Minneapolis attorney who documents federal agent activity, describes witnessing and recording the confrontation that led to Alex Pretti’s death. He recounts video evidence, de-escalation practices, and how agents’ tactics affect community safety. He also discusses rapid-response monitoring, public reaction, and the political fallout in Minnesota.
13 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 30min
David Ellison, Eldest Boy
Reeves Weidemann, a New York Magazine features writer focused on media and Hollywood. He walks through David Ellison’s rise from a failed acting start to building Skydance and taking Paramount. Short scenes cover family dynamics, blockbuster instincts, Paramount’s strategy including UFC rights, tech and AI ambitions, and the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
14 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 25min
The Right’s Minneapolis Outrage Machine
Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark, sheds light on the interplay between right-wing influencers and government actions, highlighting how online narratives shape federal responses in Minneapolis and beyond. He discusses the escalation of protests from Portland to other cities, the viral impact of influencer content, and troubling government alignments with far-right themes. Sommer warns of a playbook emerging for future political battlegrounds, with California on the horizon, fueled by social media dynamics and misinformation.
