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This week: Larry Summers has stepped down from his public positions following the release of unsavory emails he exchanged with Jeffrey Epstein. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Summers’ correspondence with the infamous sex trafficker, the veracity of his “genius” reputation, and his beef with Felix. Then, Meta has won its anti-trust case, highlighting the current struggle to regulate Big Tech. The hosts examine the landscape of anti-trust efforts in the US and whether it is the correct tool for regulating tech behemoths. Then, everyone is talking about the “AI bubble” right now, but what does that actually mean? The hosts break down the state of the AI market and whether or not calling it a “bubble” is the right way to think about it. In the Slate Plus episode: Thanksgiving Hot Takes!Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can have enough ICE recruits or you can have standards for the shape that they’re in, but you can’t have both—this was just one lesson Donald Trump could have learned this week, in between hosting a summit of McDonald’s franchise owners and calling a reporter “piggie.”Guest: Rebecca Onion, Slate senior staff 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, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Yaffe-Bellany, a tech reporter from The New York Times specializing in cryptocurrency, dives into the complexities of the crypto world. He discusses Trump’s controversial promise to halt SEC investigations, which some argue complicates regulation. The conversation explores recent findings on illicit money flow within major exchanges like Binance, alongside the challenges of quantifying crypto crime. Yaffe-Bellany also highlights how the industry's shift toward institutional players is reshaping its original goals and investor sentiment.

Jake Sullivan, the former National Security Advisor and co-host of The Long Game, shares insights on U.S.–Saudi relations during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's recent visit. He highlights how Saudi Arabia benefits from validation and defense partnerships, while addressing the complex dynamics around Khashoggi's murder and regional strategy. The discussion also touches on technology risks and the importance of a credible inquiry into the Epstein files, revealing the intertwined nature of international policy and domestic politics.

Caity Weaver, a writer at The Atlantic notable for her insights on the penny, dives into the ongoing debate about discontinuing the one-cent coin. She discusses how pennies have become more of a nuisance than a necessity, often gathering dust instead of circulation. Weaver also reveals a legal loophole allowing the Treasury to halt minting without Congress. With lessons from Canada on phasing out coins, she prompts a reevaluation of longtime traditions and questions whether the penny still holds value in our economy.

Lindsay Glass, a daughter and co-author, shares her journey of estrangement and reconciliation, reflecting on a four-year separation from her mother, Leslie Glass. As experienced recovery advocates, they discuss essential techniques for navigating toxic family dynamics during the holidays. Listeners will learn about setting boundaries, recognizing signs of healthy versus toxic relatives, and practical methods to de-escalate tense situations. Their insights are both heartfelt and practical, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in rebuilding familial relationships.

Rebecca Jennings, a features writer at New York Magazine specializing in internet culture, joins to dissect the comebacks of infamous figures Ned Fulmer and Colleen Ballinger. They explore why Fulmer, ousted from the Try Guys for an affair, struggles to regain fan approval despite attempts like his new podcast. Jennings critiques Ballinger's elusive apologies, including her infamous ukulele video amid serious allegations. The duo also debates the effectiveness of influencer apologies and the psychological pull of fame that drives these internet villains to persistently seek redemption.

Americans are currently besotted with protein. It’s touted as being good for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and much else besides. It’s sold to men, women, children, the elderly— you can even buy protein for your pets. The protein supplement market alone is worth $21 billion and growing—and extra protein is being added to coffee, cereal, pasta, beer, ice cream, and popcorn.But as frenzied as we currently are about protein, this is not the first protein boom—or even the second. Protein has been promoted as a charismatic, cure-all nutrient for nearly two centuries. In this episode, with the help of Samantha King and Gavin Weedon, the authors of Protein: The Making of a Nutritional Superstar, we look closely at all our protein crazes and their associated protein products—from beef tea to whey powder—and see what they can tell us about our current protein mania. This episode was produced by Max Freedman. Decoder Ring is also produced by Willa Paskin, Katie Shepherd, and Evan Chung, our supervising producer. We had editing support from Josh Levin and fact-checking by Sophie Summergrad. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.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.Sources for This EpisodeKing, Samantha and Gavin Weedon. Protein: The Making of a Nutritional Superstar, Duke University Press, 2026.Baker, Ryan. “Protein has become America's latest obsession. Companies like General Mills and PepsiCo are capitalizing on it,” CNBC, July 22, 2025.Brock, William H. Justus von Liebig: The Chemical Gatekeeper, Cambridge University Press, 1997.Callahan, Alice. “The More Protein, the Better?” New York Times, April 9, 2025.Draper, Kevin. “America’s Protein Obsession Is Transforming the Dairy Industry,” New York Times, July 16, 2025.Gayomali, Chris. “Big Food Gets Jacked: How protein mania took over the American grocery store,” New York Magazine, Feb. 12, 2025.“The Great Protein Fiasco,” Maintenance Phase, Aug. 31, 2021.Liebig, Justus von. Researches on the Chemistry of Food, Taylor and Walton, 1847.McLaren, Donald S. “The Great Protein Fiasco,” The Lancet, 1974.Oncken, John. “Stingy, 'half-way' dairy farmer's curiosity changed the world,” Wisconsin State Farmer, April 27, 2022.“Subject of Whey Disposal Discussed in UW Bulletin.” Wausau Daily Herald, Aug. 28, 1965.Torrella, Kenny. “You’re probably eating way too much protein,” Vox, Jan. 30, 2024.Wilson, Bee. “Protein mania: the rich world’s new diet obsession,” The Guardian, Jan. 4, 2019.Wu, Katherine J. “Should We All Be Eating Like The Rock?” The Atlantic, Aug. 28, 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this enlightening discussion, David Miliband, former UK foreign secretary and current president of the International Rescue Committee, sheds light on the devastating humanitarian crisis in Sudan. He reveals harrowing details of satellite-visible massacres and the trauma faced by displaced civilians. Miliband explains the complex roots of the conflict, including military rivalries and foreign backers. He emphasizes the urgent need for international action and support for life-saving aid, while sharing a poignant survivor's story that highlights resilience and hope.

Kevin Fong, a close friend of Scott Galateria, shares heartfelt memories of their deep bond and the caregiving experiences within the MCC community amid the AIDS crisis. Brickwood Galateria, Scott's brother, discusses the life-changing impact of loss on family and how Scott's legacy spurred his advocacy for civil unions in Hawaii. Together, they reflect on the intoxicating blend of love, community support, and heartache during a turbulent time, illustrating the intertwining of personal grief with collective resilience and activism.