Slate Daily Feed

Is the president falling into the very trap that launched him back into office by telling people the economy is actually great when they say it isn’t? Is this partially ballroom’d White House as chaotic as its detractors—and Trump’s chief of staff—say it is? Guest: Ben Jacobs, political reporter based in Washingon.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, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the A.I. boom has created a data center boom, rich guys are turning their computing dreams to the skies. With its impending IPO, SpaceX stands to lead the extraterrestrial data center boom. Will it work out for Elon and company? Guest: Eric Berger, space reporter at Ars TechnicaWant more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and 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 Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discussion unveils Susie Wiles' candid portrayal of Trump's White House, illustrating a chaotic environment driven by his whims. They analyze recent unemployment numbers, debating how they reflect American sentiments. The hosts dive into the troubling rise of antisemitism among youth, attributing it to various social and political influences. Plus, they explore Trump’s economic messaging and the implications of proposed financial checks, offering sharp critiques of political narratives and cultural insights from listeners.

Isaac Saul, a politics reporter and Tangle newsletter author, delves into the alarming rise of antisemitism in today’s social media landscape. He discusses how younger generations exhibit more unfavorable views towards Jewish people and the mixed signals from political discourse. Isaac emphasizes that progressive critiques of Israel can sometimes blur into antisemitic territory. He advocates for engagement over deplatforming and outlines historical contexts for Jewish success to counteract conspiracies, urging the importance of personal kindness and visibility.

Mary Harris, host of Slate's daily news podcast What Next?, dives into the challenge of discussing current events with children while managing parental anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of asking kids what they know about the news and using experiences to deepen their understanding. Mary shares practical tips for healthy news consumption, like setting boundaries and engaging in civic learning. The conversation highlights the significance of teaching kids to be helpers amidst the chaos, ensuring they cultivate empathy and action rather than helplessness.

This week features Rebecca Onion, a Slate senior writer with a keen eye for television criticism. She joins the hosts to dive into Taylor Sheridan's Landman, exploring Billy Bob Thornton's captivating performance and the show's intriguing take on masculinity. The conversation shifts to HBO's Heated Rivalry, tackling its steamy portrayal of gay hockey romance and the debate over its focus on romance versus sport. Finally, they pay tribute to Rob Reiner, sharing unforgettable moments from his iconic films and celebrating his extraordinary impact on cinema.

Catherine Rampell, an economics editor and commentator known for her insightful analyses, joins the discussion on the current economic landscape. She explores why prices are still rising despite a slowing economy and examines the misleading nature of good headlines. Rampell delves into essential costs like housing and healthcare that strain household budgets and debates the role of presidential policies on economic health. She emphasizes the impact of tariffs on inflation and warns against political influences on the Federal Reserve's independence.

Lynne Gerber, a scholar and host of When We All Get to Heaven, and producer Siri Colum, share insights after years of documenting queer history. They discuss the generational disconnect regarding AIDS and the loss of community knowledge due to the trauma. The transformation of MCC San Francisco and the importance of queer-specific spaces for innovation are explored. They draw parallels between past and present political struggles, emphasizing community values like safety and joy. Personal reflections on music and connection wrap up their heartfelt journey.

Decoder Ring listeners write in with some excellent mysteries, and for our last episode of the year we’re solving three of them. Why do children play in boxes full of sand? Why do rock bands pretend like the show is over when everybody knows they’re coming back for an encore? And what was up with those school assemblies where you’d get to skip class to learn about…yo-yos?The voices you’ll hear in this episode include yo-yo masters ”Dazzling Dave” Schulte and Dale Oliver, children’s book author Rob Peñas, Pulitzer Prize-winning design critic Alexandra Lange, and music journalists Brian Wise, Michael Walker, and Travis Andrews. You can find all the music from the segment about encores in this YouTube playlist.This episode was produced by Max Freedman, Katie Shepherd, and Evan Chung, Decoder Ring’s supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. We had additional production from Joel Meyer.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281.Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angelina Mazza, a culture writer and romance-genre commentator, dives into the phenomenon of the HBO series, Heated Rivalry. She shares her early fandom experiences, like her themed Halloween costume, and explores the series’ captivating rivals-to-lovers storyline. The discussion highlights how dedicated fans helped secure the show's global distribution and the importance of its faithful adaptation. Angelina also touches on the show's explicit scenes, representation in casting, and the vibrant creativity of its online fandom.