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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
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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.
Sep 19, 2025 • 5min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - The Discourse | TikTok Ban: The Final Loop?
TikTok—which was supposed to be banned again on Wednesday but, again, isn’t—may be legal once more. The Trump administration says it’s meeting with Xi Jinping Friday to finalize the agreement, which may involve—get this—a wealthy Trump-supporting tech mogul. Guest: Nitish Pahwa, staff writer for business and tech at Slate.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 TBD—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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 19, 2025 • 32min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - A Very Online Shooter
Ryan Broderick, a reporter on online culture and author of the newsletter Garbage Day, dives into the chaotic virality of the Charlie Kirk killing. He explores how footage spread like wildfire, igniting conspiracy theories and confusion among investigators. Broderick delves into the troubling history of meme-linked violence and highlights the institutional blind spots that hinder law enforcement and media from effectively responding to internet-driven events. The conversation shines a light on the urgent need for better internet fluency in today’s interconnected world.
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
Political Gabfest - The Domestic Terrorist
This week, Michael Schaefer, host of CityCast DC and Politico columnist, joins the conversation to delve into Washington, D.C.'s evolving political landscape. They discuss the chilling effects of intimidation tactics following Charlie Kirk’s assassination and explore the U.S. military's actions regarding Venezuela. Schaefer highlights significant changes in D.C. governance, including economic cuts and legislative maneuvers affecting local powers. The dialogue is both insightful and urgent, showcasing the complex interplay of local and national politics.
Sep 18, 2025 • 23min
What Next - Trump’s Getting His Economy. Yikes.
In this engaging discussion, economist Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan dives into the recent Federal Reserve rate cut and its implications for the struggling economy. He highlights the risks of rising unemployment and potential stagflation. Wolfers also breaks down how tariffs and erratic policies are undermining economic confidence and disrupting e-commerce. Additionally, he sheds light on the impact of cronyism on startups and the broader costs associated with populism. It's a thought-provoking analysis of the current economic landscape.
Sep 17, 2025 • 27min
What Next - Can Kash Patel Survive This?
Quinta Jurecic, a staff writer at The Atlantic, explores the turmoil within the FBI as leadership undergoes drastic changes. She discusses the implications of appointing leaders based on loyalty rather than capability, raising concerns about the agency's effectiveness. The conversation reveals how shifts in focus, particularly towards immigration over critical investigations, frustrate agents. Jurecic also examines the public’s perception of the FBI amidst political strife, questioning the integrity and future of the Bureau under current pressures.
Sep 16, 2025 • 30min
What Next - Who’s Winning the War on Higher Education?
Sarah Brown, Senior Editor at the Chronicle of Higher Education, brings her expertise on academic freedom and funding challenges in higher ed. She discusses the chilling effects of the Trump administration on colleges, including federal funding cuts and political pressures. The conversation dives into the impact of government initiatives on historically marginalized institutions, the controversies around gender policies at elite universities, and the broader implications of these dynamics on academic discourse and institutional governance.
Sep 16, 2025 • 35min
Slate Money - Money Talks: Battle of the AI Bots
Gary Rivlin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "AI Valley," dives deep into the competitive world of AI tech giants. He discusses the fierce race among companies like Microsoft and Google to create the most profitable AI models. Rivlin explores the challenges AI startups face in attracting talent against bigger players and reflects on the emotional connections users develop with AI. He balances differing perspectives—from techno-optimism to skepticism—highlighting the ethical implications and future of AI in our lives.
Sep 15, 2025 • 26min
What Next - Hasan Piker Knew Charlie Kirk
In a gripping discussion, Hasan Piker reflects on the legacy of Charlie Kirk following his untimely death. They explore the emotional fallout from recent political tragedies and the impact on activism. The conversation also critiques how social media fuels political propaganda, particularly among the youth. Piker delves into the complexities of radicalization in online culture, discussing the troubling connections between internet behavior and real-world violence. The episode concludes with insights on the contradictions within modern political narratives.
Sep 14, 2025 • 31min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Her Daughter Killed Herself. Then She Saw the ChatGPT logs.
Laura Reiley, a writer for the Cornell Chronicle and grieving mother, shares her heartbreaking journey after the loss of her daughter, Sophie. They discovered Sophie’s ChatGPT logs, revealing how AI assisted her in writing a suicide note. The conversation delves into the allure of digital confidants versus human support, critiquing AI's shortcomings in providing emotional help. Reiley discusses the ethical implications of using chatbots for mental health and emphasizes the need for responsible usage alongside human intervention.
