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After the Trump administration launched a massive Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operation in Minnesota, protesters gathered to defend immigrant neighbors. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of a six year old, showed up with her wife and dog to film altercations between officers and community members. What happened next changed everything. Guest: Jon Collins, senior reporter on the Minnesota Public Radio News race, class and communities team. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 26, 2025 • 29min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - How Trump Got Obsessed with Autism
Dan Diamond, a White House reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the controversial announcement linking acetaminophen to autism. He discusses the public health community's shock and political backlash surrounding this unsupported claim. Diamond explains how Trump’s long-held beliefs and RFK Jr.'s influence play into this narrative. They also navigate the risks of misinformation and conflicting medical guidance, emphasizing the need for pregnant individuals to seek professional advice amid the chaos.
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 7min
Political Gabfest - Tough It Out, Pregnant Ladies!
Beverly Gage, a historian specializing in 20th-century American politics and author of a Pulitzer-winning biography of J. Edgar Hoover, sheds light on McCarthyism and the Red Scare. The discussion reveals the complex origins of anti-communism and its chilling effects on free speech. Gage also draws parallels with today’s political climate, emphasizing strategies for resisting political intimidation. Insights are shared on how past struggles for civil liberties can inform current battles against executive overreach.
Sep 25, 2025 • 24min
What Next - Jimmy Kimmel Got His Job Back. She Didn’t.
Karen Attiah, a former Washington Post global opinions editor, dives into the complex landscape of free speech and press freedom. She shares her journey in journalism and discusses the context of her firing due to social media posts addressing political violence. The conversation reveals the pressures faced by journalists post-Jamal Khashoggi's murder and critiques the unequal consequences for conservative voices. Karen highlights the chilling effects of annihilation culture, emphasizing the need for solidarity in protecting free expression.
Sep 24, 2025 • 30min
What Next - A Surgeon in Gaza’s “End Game”
Dr. Mohammed 'Adeel' Khaleel, a complex spinal surgeon, shares his harrowing experiences volunteering in Gaza. He discusses the chaos of treating severe blast and gunshot injuries amidst escalating violence. With overcrowded hospitals and dwindling supplies, he highlights the dire humanitarian crisis. Khalil describes the emotional toll of encountering child victims and families suffering from malnutrition. He reflects on the challenges of aid distribution, expressing uncertainty about the future of Gaza and his commitment to return, despite the dire conditions.
Sep 23, 2025 • 28min
What Next - Trump’s Attack on Visas
Max Blau, a ProPublica reporter focused on immigration, shines a light on the H-2A agricultural guest worker program. He highlights the critical role of these visas in American agriculture amid mounting labor shortages and the Trump administration's proposed cuts to oversight. Blau discusses alarming enforcement gaps leading to exploitation and wage theft in the industry, illustrated by a compelling case study. The conversation reveals the precarious balance workers face between legal employment and vulnerability to ICE.
Sep 22, 2025 • 25min
What Next - How Big Media Obeys in Advance
Nitish Pahwa, a staff writer at Slate focusing on business and technology, dives into the troubling dynamics of media consolidation. He discusses how media giants like Paramount and Disney have quickly yielded to pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, with potential implications from new ownership like the Ellisons. The conversation highlights the chilling effects of this consolidation on the news landscape and the broader consequences for journalism and public discourse. Pahwa's insights shed light on the intersection of power, influence, and media integrity.
Sep 21, 2025 • 28min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Is A.I. Taking Your Job?
Danielle Abril, a technology-in-the-workplace reporter for The Washington Post, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in job recruitment and employment. She discusses her own experience with virtual recruiters and the implications of AI screening tools on job seekers. Abril highlights recent labor data showing a connection between AI and rising graduate unemployment. The conversation also explores how AI may save time yet raises concerns about skill atrophy, as well as the mixed reactions of workers and companies to AI's influence on the job market.
Sep 20, 2025 • 39min
Slate Money - The Nerds' Last Stand at the Fed
Neil Irwin, a senior economics reporter at Axios and a Fed expert, joins the discussion to dive into the surprising dynamics of a recent Fed meeting marked by unusual dissent. He elaborates on the impact of Trump appointee Stephen Miran and the implications for Fed independence. The conversation shifts to rising premium credit card fees, exploring why financial institutions are targeting status-conscious consumers. Lastly, they touch on the alarming bankruptcy of Publishers Clearing House, leaving past winners in a precarious situation regarding their promised payouts.
Sep 20, 2025 • 49min
Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - Free Speech Is The Enemy of Free Speech, Apparently
Mary Anne Franks, a First Amendment and civil rights law professor at George Washington University, delves into the complexities of free speech in America. She highlights how free speech absolutism paradoxically undermines dissent, using recent cases like Charlie Kirk's to illustrate power's manipulation of free speech rhetoric. Franks also discusses the intertwining of technology, media, and governmental influence, exploring how these factors have muddled public discourse and led to a troubling erosion of First Amendment principles.
Sep 20, 2025 • 22min
Political Gabfest - Gabfest Reads | The Recent Past of Prison Punishment
Emily Bazelon talks with author and Yale professor Judith Resnik about her new book, Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy. They discuss the history of the prison system’s use of punishments like whipping, how the practice came to an end, and more. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
